The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Troy

Remembering Pat Casale

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Former New York State Assemblyman Pat M. Casale passed away Friday, August 5 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Among his many accomplishments were serving in the U.S. Army where he was deployed to the Korean Conflict, becoming a member of the Troy City Council, being elected as Mayor of the City of Troy, serving as Rensselaer County Clerk, and serving the 108th District as a New York State Assemblyman. 

Pat Casale is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary, their three children: Daniel (Darlene), Lisa Fane (Donald), and Frank (Carol); ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; younger siblings, Robert Casale (Rosemary), John Casale (Beth), and Kathleen Kindinger (Tom); and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. [Read more…] about Remembering Pat Casale

Upcoming Elections

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Early Voting Starts Saturday

Submitted by the LWV of Rensselaer County
Early voting begins Saturday, August 13 through Sunday, August 21. Voters can cast their ballot at whichever of the three following locations is most convenient:

Town of Brunswick office building
336 Town Office Road, Troy

Schodack Town Hall
265 Schuurman Road, Castleton

500 Federal St. office building
500 Federal St., Troy  [Read more…] about Upcoming Elections

Vacant Council Seat Filled

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On Thursday, July 7, the members of the Troy City Council unanimously approved Steve Figueroa as the replacement for the resigned Kim Ashe-McPherson. Ms. Ash-McPherson left her seat on the Council after pleading guilty to a voter fraud related charge.

The three Democrats on the Board supported Mr. Figueroa from the start, while the three remaining Republican members wanted to hold open interviews first. Seven candidates expressed their interest in the job, and after talking to all, Council President Carmella Mantello announced her caucus would support Mr. Figueroa for the post.

He will face a special election in November if he desires to fill the remaining portion of the term.

2022 Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Events

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Submitted by the Rensselaer County Legislature
Rensselaer County, the City of Troy and the Town of Bethlehem are partnering on an inter-county Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal program for 2022. The program consists of six events. 

These events, currently scheduled throughout the second half of the year, provide residents of the participating municipalities the opportunity to safely dispose of hazardous materials not accepted through normal garbage collection service.

The next event will be Saturday, July 30, at the Town of Schodack Highway Garage in Nassau at 3776 U.S. Route 20.

Participating Municipalities for the July 30 event are the Town of Schodack, the Town of Nassau, the City of Troy and the Town of Bethlehem. [Read more…] about 2022 Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Events

Reaction to Ashe-McPherson Conviction and Resignation

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On Thursday morning, June 9, Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello issued the following statement on the Ashe-McPherson resignation following her guilty plea to a felony count of absentee ballot-fraud.

““This morning I received District 2 Council Member Ashe-McPherson’s resignation, effective immediately.

Per the City Charter, the City Council vacancy “shall be filled by a vote of the remaining Council Members. In the event of a tie, the Mayor shall cast the deciding vote. An election will take place this November to fulfill the balance of the term from January 2023 through the end of next year”.

I, along with Council Members Gulli and Sorriento, will be advancing legislation creating a bi-partisan Special Committee comprised of five members, three District 2 residents and a majority and minority Council Member, which will open the door for residents of District 2 to express their ideas and make recommendations pertaining to filling the vacant council seat in District 2.

It is imperative that we move forward in an open and inclusive manner to ensure the residents in District 2 have ongoing representation on the City Council.”

Esme’s Stories: A Magical Journey

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Make-A-Wish Art Exhibition

by Amy Modesti
Since 1987, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York has granted more than 2,000 wishes to children fighting illnesses throughout the local area. These wishes aim to bring hope and joy to the child, their family and those involved in its fulfillment. 

Saturday, May 7, the first of its kind Make-A-Wish art exhibition was fulfilled at The Arts Center of the Capital Region for 11-year-old Troy resident Esme Savoie. Savoie, a storyteller, fights intractable epilepsy and other health challenges that inhibit her ability to speak, walk and eat. Using only an eye gaze as a means of communication, it took several years for Savoie to communicate what she wanted for her wish. 

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Troy City Councilwoman Guilty of Absentee Ballot Fraud

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The U.S. District Court in Albany announced on Wednesday, May 8, that Troy City Councilwoman Kim Ashe-McPherson has plead guilty to a felony count of submitting fraudulent absentee ballots in last year’s primary and general elections. As part of the plea, she has agreed to resign from the Council within 30 days. She has represented North Troy for seven years.

The plea is part of a federal grand jury investigation into ballot-fraud allegations in Rensselaer County.

Hoosick Falls Connection

Ms. Ashe-McPherson is the brother of former Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe, who is also part of the investigation. It was for that reason he was suspended last December and resigned in April, after pleading guilty to separate criminal investigation involving the  appropriate removal of evidence. Mr. Ashe has not yet been charged in the ballot-fraud case.

Play Ball on Troy City Streets

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By a unanimous 7-0 vote, The Troy City Council on Thursday evening, May 19, approved an amendment to what Council President Carmella Mantello referred to as “an archaic law” that said “no person shall play ball in any of the streets of the City.” In her press release, Council President Mantello said after a recent neighborhood issue where a resident who was upset regarding local children playing ball in the street contacted code enforcement, the code enforcement officer mentioned to me he was issuing a citation to the homeowner of the basketball hoop in front of the owner’s home and referred me to this city code. You could only imagine my response. “I was shocked and was unaware of this archaic code,” Mantello added. “We are working so hard to keep our youth active and away from illegal activities, yet we have a local law on the books discouraging our youth from everyday activities like playing ball on our streets. That’s ridiculous.”

Mantello initially proposed a complete repeal of the law but said after conversations with the Troy Police and Corporation Counsel, it was expressed even though rarely used we should add language that says only if a person unduly or unsafely obstructs the free flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic law enforcement will officials have the option of enforcement.

The legislation now goes to Mayor Patrick Madden who has ten days to sign or veto it.

Improvement Projects Approved

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Submitted by City Council President Carmella R. Mantello
Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello announced the Troy City Council has approved neighborhood improvement projects totaling over $20,000.

The projects are through the City Council Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP), and initiatives range from gateway beautification projects to neighborhood Veterans Memorials. Funding was made available through the City Council’s annual budget and the Capital Resource Commission.

DWI Victims Memorialized

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Poestenkill Victim Latest Name on the List

by Doug La Rocque
Families of those killed by a drunk driver, County and local officials gathered at the Rensselaer County DWI  Memorial Tuesday, April 26, to remember those whose names are on the memorial wall and to plead with people not to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly conducted the yearly ceremony reminding all it is important to share our concerns about people’s awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and touched on another topic as well: marijuana. She noted the recent legalization of marijuana has opened a new door for law enforcement with the ramifications of smoking and driving still undefined. Unlike alcohol use, which can be measured with a breathalyzer, there is no such yardstick for marijuana use. She again touched on the awareness factor, pointing to the sign in front of the speaker’s podium that said “If you feel different you drive different.”

Ms. Donnelly remarked about the horrific accident in Poestenkill last Thursday night that took the life of a local man and saw the driver of the second vehicle charged with Driving While Intoxicated. Please see the related story on page 4.

County Executive Steve McLaughlin also read a proclamation marking the annual event, held every year since the memorial was dedicated on September 8 of 2000. The Memorial is located on a strip of land on Congress Street in Troy, opposite Prospect Park, the very site where a popular Troy teenage girl was struck and killed by a drunk driver.

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