Spring has Sprung! My seedlings are growing, I can see flowers sprouting in the yard, and I was able to actually take a walk outside comfortably last week. Thank you to the Community Police Officers who will be working even harder for the next chunk of the year. Thank you to the Quality of Life team and residents who will be starting to beautify the boulevards, streets, and parks.
Thank you to all who have reached out with thoughts, information, and ideas in relation to the ongoing issue of the Flock cameras and the actions that we have witnessed from the administration. I have been increasingly frustrated and alarmed by the lack of complete information, decisions that circumvent the democratic process, and non-factual statements that have been coming from the administration. This is not how government should function. Please keep showing up and reaching out, it is imperative that we all continue to stand up for our rights and the process. I will continue to gather information, consult experts, and listen to you as we figure out a path forward. For anyone who has missed the details of this, or just wants a recap:
- March 19th Finance Meeting (It is over 6 hours long, a great and informative watch, but be prepared)
- Agenda for March 19th Meeting including the contract that prompted all of this.
- My Newsletter with technical deep dive
- Troy City Charter Section C-40 regarding States of Emergency
There is much to tackle in addition to the above as well. I am so excited to be able to finally get Good Cause Eviction passed, get the Sustainability Task Force back up and running, and to start formally recognizing more residents for their amazing contributions to the community.
Official City, Neighborhood, and District Meetings:
Thurs, April 9 - 7pm - Regular City Council Meeting - Council Chambers - 433 River St. Troy, NY. For the very first time, thanks to the Video Conference legislation passed last month, residents will be able to comment via Zoom. Good Cause Eviction, Earth Day, and Autism Awareness are just some items that will be voted on. Agenda can be found in the Agenda Center.
Tues April 14- 7pm - Lansingburgh Neighborhood Association Meeting - Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club - 501 4th Ave, Troy, NY - Guest speakers include Joe Mazzeriello and Joe Martin from the Troy General Services team to address litter, Jack Kissinger who is the City's Sustainability Coordinator, and the Mayor.
Thurs April 23 - 6 pm - Council Committee Meetings - 433 River St, 5th Fl, Troy, NY - Other than Finance, no other committee meetings have been finalized of yet. Agenda can be found in the Agenda Center when released.
Sun April 25 - 10am - 12 noon - Earth Day Clean up and D2 Office Hours- Bottom of Oakwood Cemetery- 101st St. and 7th Ave Troy, NY - We will be combining Office Hours with an Earth Day Cleanup this month! Bags, gloves, and pickers are being provided by the city as part of the Earth Day program from NY State. We will meet at the cemetery entrance at 10 and plan to pick up trash on 7th, 6th, 5th, and 2nd Avenues between 102nd Street and Glen Ave. This part of the district has many convenience stores and tends to have a lot of trash around. Happy to walk and talk with anyone who joins!
Community Events:
Sun, Apr 5 - 2pm - Egg Hunt- Geneva Pompey Park - 2910 7th Ave., Troy, NY - The North Central Community Solidarity Group is hosting a free egg hunt. There will be much candy for the kids and there's been talk of a bike giveaway. Free to attend.
Sun Apr 11 - 7pm - Seeds of Power: Films by Indigenous Women - Sanctuary for Independent Media - 3319 6th Avenue, 2nd Fl Troy, NY - A screening of two short documentary films made by Indigenous filmmakers, Katsitsionni Fox and Michelle Shenandoah. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion about the sources of power that have inspired and strengthened their communities and inspired them to make their films.
Sun Apr 19- 1:30pm - 518 Craft Book Club - 518 Craft - 200 Broadway, Troy, NY - We will be discussing Shari Lapena's "She Didn't See It Coming". This is a mystery/thriller that takes place right in Albany.
Sun Apr 25 - 10am - Community Brunch- Sanctuary for Independent Media - 3319 6th Avenue, 2nd Fl Troy, NY - An opportunity to connect with each other over food. Campus tours will also be available towards the end of the event.
Registration for the 9th annual Joe Manupella 5K in May is also still open! I ran it last year, and plan to do so again. There is also a 1 mile option. (Please note I am not a runner, but it's for a good cause, and it is a flat course, so I encourage you to try!) If you are not up for running, they will also need volunteers for the the after party and raffle. This is one of the Club's main fundraisers for the year.
Thank you,
Shikole Struber
Troy City Council District 2