Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Retrospect and Prospect.

2008 comes to an end and 2009 with all its' uncertainties and unknowns lies ahead.

Looking back over 2008...it was a marathon political year. Brack Obama won the Presidency. In 2009 and beyond, he must govern wisely because our very survival as a nation, and our individual and collective survivals are on the line. I wish Barack Obama well, and will support him, as long as he charts the proper course to help America and us survive the fateful days ahead.

I did my part, to chart a new course for Congress, by participating in the September Democratic primary to succeed retiring Mike McNulty.Paul Tonko won that seat. Now, like Barack Obama, Paul must leave the boilerplate rhetoric behind, and wean himself from the grip of special interests and unions, and do what is best for his constituents in the 21stCD and for America as a whole.Paul must put America before political party. I wish him well and stand ready to assist him in any way I can.

My blog contains a complete record of my campaign platform, and positions that I took regarding the priority issues facing our region,state and nation.
http://lonerangeralbany.blogspot.com/

Paul would do well to study it closely, and to advocate some of thosepositions, including, but not limited to, (1) promoting emergency/disasterpreparedness at home, (2) abandoning the plan to dredge PCB's from theUpper Hudson watershed, and reallocating the 500 million dollars to rebuilding the aging water/sewer infrastructure of Troy, Albany, Cohoes, Watervliet, Stillwater and other watershed communities; (3) Restoring the Erie Canal-Mohawk-Hudson Waterway as a major routeway for shipment of freight, under an authority independent of the NYS Thruway; (4) rebuilding and expanding our regional rail system including light rail to connect urban places with suburbs and rural areasto move both freight and passengers; (5) restoring Watervliet arsenal as a major weapons manufacturing facility, vital to our national defense.

Looking ahead, my focus will be local in 2009. My intent is to put into practice my beliefs and positions in the neighborhood and City of Albany.Nonetheless, I will keep an eye on the state and national scene as well. Hopefully, I will make my garden more productive than ever; and take better care of my pals Mick and Paddy. They need more exercise, as do I.

A happy, healthy and safe 2009 to all.

Joe Sullivan
Posted by J P Sullivan at 4:25 PM 0 comments

Friday, December 19, 2008

Thank you to Sherman and John WROW 590 AM Afternoon Drive radio show for having me as a guest during the 4 pm hour Friday December 19, 2008.

It was an enjoyable experience. Check out their show, and others on http://www.wrow.com/

Their focus is local and they have a great Storm Tracker link which
contains weather and emergency contacts. Check it out!

Joe Sullivan

READ 12/9/08 POST AROUND THE HOOD

Go to: http://lonerangeralbany.blogspot.com/

Emergency/Disaster Preparedness

Today's Times Union has an American Red Cross insert.
Take particular note of pages 4 and 5 which contain
Get Ready/Be Safe information and tips.

We live in dangerous times and must take responsibility
for our individual and collective survival. Government
can't save us...we must save ourselves.

What can you do? Become informed and take action
to make sure your household is prepared for whatever
comes our way. Consult earlier posts in the archives
of this blog and also, http://lonerangeralbany.blogspot.com/
for links to emergency preparedness sources.

Once your household is secure. Turn your attention to your
block. Next, get your church, synagogue, school to prepare
to serve as an emergency center providing water, food,
shelter and heat for neighbors.

Volunteer to serve as a block captain to organize and
protect your block. Volunteer to organize your church
synagogue or school to prepare as an emergency center.
Volunteer to serve on our neighborhood Emergency/
Disaster Preparedness Committee, to develop a neighbor-
hood plan, hold public information meetings and provide
for coordination with AFD and APD for fire and police
security/ neighborhood participation
efforts in times of emergencies/disasters.

Currently, our neighborhood is operating under the Darwinian
principle of "survival of the fittest". We should move beyond
that to a coordinated neighborhood plan that will provide
for survival and security of residents.

Contact me: 438 5230

Joe Sullivan

Buckingham Pond Park traverse 12/3/08

The park is in decline.

Pathways need repair and application of gravel wet slippery
sections.

Split rail fences at Davis/Berkshire. Milner footpath, and
East end of pond need repair. Stones have been removed
from the retaining wall, East end.

Shore erosion is increasing around the pond and smaller
retaining pond. Water tolerant plantings of Red Osier
Dogwood, and similar plants are needed. The footpath
South Side Pond, Euclid to Lenox needs a bulkhead
constructed, with fill and plantings, before the path
disappears altogether. Recently, some trees were removed
from the small holding pond shore by the Milner footpath.
Some stones were placed to control erosion and a pipe
laid to under the foot path to divert flood water to the small
pond. Severe erosion of the foot path has occurred in
heavy rains. Note that the upper end of the drain pipe is
above grade, defeating the purpose of the pipe to drain
water and prevent path erosion. Also, the large tree
removed from the holding pond shore, was simply
pushed over to the edge of the woods and left there.
At least, it could be cut up and left as firewood for local
neighbors.


Litter and yard waste dumping are evident,particularly along
Rafts Way and Davis Ave sectors, as well as Berkshire from
Davis to Children's play area.

Dog droppings are left along sides of pathways more frequently.
Plastic bags containing dog droppings are left along paths or
tossed into wooded areas, including trees. Rafts way and path
from Holmes Dale to Lenox.

Vines and brush are strangling trees, particularly the wooded
sectors along the Southern and Western park boundaries.

More could be pointed out. You get the idea. Who is going to
do anything about these conditions? You are! Call the Mayor
at 434 5100 or call in on his Friday morning radio show, 1300
AM, 9-10 am (476 1300) and tell him.

In addition, you can volunteer to serve on the Park Committee
for Buckingham Pond/Shore and contribute to creation of a
park improvement/maintenance plan.

Contact me at 438 5230.

Joe Sullivan