City Hall taking the day off

 

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A Fat Tuesday party on The Terrace

The gang's all here for party time.

We could call this the 1st annual Fat Tuesday Party, or, The Day It Didn't Snow on The Terrace.

Either way, our social arranger Ellie DeBonis's latest effort resulted in a gathering of non-snowbird Terrace residents scheduled in the face of a predicted heavy snowfall that never materialzed.

For those not conversant with Cajun patois, "Fat Tuesday" is perhaps better known as "Mardi Gras," or less known as "Shrove Tuesday." 

It is the final day of Carnival or Shrovetide before Ash Wednesday. The "fat" part of the revel refers to the New Orleans practice of celebrating the last night of consuming rich, fatty foods before the fasting season of Lent which itself is the 40-day period Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry.

Or, in common parlance, time for a paaaarrty!

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Ready for that special day?

This seasonal decoration by our Beautification Committee is a daily reminder of the approach of a very special day.

Valentine's Day is this Wednesday. So, if you need to mail a card to get there on time, just use the slot for outgoing mail behind this display-- but do it no later than Monday morning before 9 a.m. or you'll have a year to regret it.

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Prepping for the latest snowstorm

Plow at work during the last storm.

One of the "rare" (thank goodness) snowstorms of this winter is expected to hit us late Monday and continue into Tuesday. Predictions regarding accumulation vary widely, but it can be assumed it will be in the 4-10 inch range.

Skyview, our snow removal contractor, is geared up for the event. As we've seen for the first two storms, we can expect thorough and timely service.

Given that, we're issuing our standard request for residents and their visitors to keep their vehicles garaged when possible and not to park on the side of the road where both Skyview and City of Troy plows need room to maneuver. And, if you need to use a common parking area, please avoid leaving your vehicles where plows usually push the snow. All that will help ensure a smooth experience.

Thanks for your attention and cooperation.

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What do you do with a broken recycling bin?

The City of Troy says "One of our most frequently asked questions is, 'What do I do with my old, broken recycling bin?' The answer is, break it up so it fits in your new bin and put it out on your regularly scheduled pickup day," which is Thursday on The Terrace.

Haven't yet obtained a new bin? Simply go here for more info on pickup and dropoff options.

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Former Troy mayor Robert Conway dies at 78

Robert Conway Jr.

(From the Times Union)

Robert M. Conway Jr., a former Troy mayor regarded as one of the first “pillars” of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), has died. He was 78.

Conway entered city Democratic politics in 1969 when one of his best friends, Tom Wade, then-president of the Young Democrats and later chairman of the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee, asked him to get involved. 

“We were best friends. He always had good in mind. He wanted to do good things. He was a very devout Catholic,” Wade recalled Wednesday about Conway, who was the best man at his wedding. Conway died Monday. 

Conway’s entrance into city politics would see him serve a term on the Rensselaer County Legislature and eventually be elected to serve as an at-large member of the Troy City Council. He was regularly the top vote-getter when he ran for the council, according to Times Union reports.

Conway was the last Democrat to serve as mayor when the position was filled by the council. He served as mayor for two terms, concluding his service in 1993. Troy would switch to a strong-mayor form of government with the election of Democrat Mayor Mark Pattison in 1995. 

“Troy lost a loyal and dedicated public servant yesterday with the passing of Bob Conway -- former county legislator, city councilman and mayor,” said Sue Steele, City Council president. “I had the pleasure of serving as staff at the Rensselaer County Legislature where Bob represented Troy. There wasn’t a more enthusiastic champion of our city than Bob. We reconnected during my recent campaign for council president and it was good to share stories of the days when politics was more civil and collaborative.”

While Conway was a presence in city politics, his reach extended to RPI where he worked for decades in a variety of roles assisting student performance and to Hudson Valley Community College where he was a member of the board of trustees for about 20 years. 

The first “Pillars of Rensselaer Award,” which recognizes a long-term staff member who understands the school’s mission and history, has been a role model for other employees, shows concern for students and their welfare, adds to the human dimension of the school and who plays an active role in their home community. Conway was a member of the RPI Hall of Fame and a recipient of the first “Pillars of Rensselaer” awarded by the university. 

Some of the posts he held at RPI include registrar and director of advisory and learning assistance. He also handled RPI football games on radio broadcasts for 20 years, according to his obituary in the Times Union. 

Conway attended the LaSalle School in Albany, and graduated from the Christian Brothers Academy. He would later earn an associate' s degree at HVCC followed by a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University at Albany. He later was named an honorary Christian Brother for his service to the school. He also received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Manhattan College. 

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Birds of a feather ...

 

Our mild winter is conducive to foraging by wildlife. Tom Savchik caught this scene of some of our local turkeys gobbling (!) their way through The Terrace vegetation.

Apparently since construction projects in the immediate area have pretty much ceased the numbers and variety of the wildlife we once saw around here in proliferation has rebounded. Nice to have them back. 

(For other examples, go here and here.)

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Troy's Recycling Dept. moves, consolidating services

The City of Troy's Recycling Department has moved its offices, It now is located at the Knickerbacker Arena, 191 103rd Street. However, its hours remain the same: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

During those hours city residents can stop by for, among other things:

• recycling bins 
• recycling bin stickers 
• city diversion program pamphlets 
• city diversion program magnets 
• reusable bags (when available) 
• Deterra prescription deactivation bags 

Meanwhile, at the Troy Resource Management Facility at 3000 Main Street, city residents who can show proof of residence can drop off items such as furniture, mattresses, and other bulky items on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hazardous waste, electronics, construction materials, and tires are not accepted.

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