Read: "There Goes The Neighborhood".

January 25, 2014
http://lonerangeralbany.blogspot.com/

                                 Joe Sullivan

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Good links:

https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/information_center/emergency_preparedness.htm#.UtyPbftOnMp 

https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/information_center/all_about_grains/all_about_grains_oats.htm#.UtyQA_tOnMo

                                        Joe Sullivan

READ AND EVALUATE THIS

http://www.albanyny.gov/NewsandEvents/News/14-01-15/Mayor_Sheehan_s_Transition_Team_to_Present_Recommendation_Report.aspx

RAIN, SALT, TREES, DRIVERS

The weather has warmed after
snow and subzero temperatures
before and after Christmas.

Today, the rains are washing
away the grime/salt left behind
by municipal snow plowing.

This is only a temporary
relief. Much winter weather
will occur until March-April.

Looking closely at the aging
maples that line our street, one
can conclude that the years of
salt abuse have taken their toll.

We have a small Red Maple
growing on the curb island
in front of our home. I do my
best to protect that little tree
from the waves of salt laden
heavy slush that speeding city
plows send against the street
trees that grow in the curb 
island between the curb and
sidewalk.

There is not much I can do
to protect the tree buds  from
salt spray damage caused by
passing vehicles.

If the City would strictly
enforce speed limits and
prevent speeding vehicles
from passing on the right
in curb parking lanes - that
would reduce bud salt spray
damage and increase traffic
pedestrian safety along this
stretch of New Scotland
Avenue.

Next snowfall will reveal
whether or not the City
improves snow plowing
and removal along the avenue.

Urban forestry is a vital
aspect of maintaining the
residential integrity and
quality of life in this, and
other City neighborhoods.

Young replacement trees
need to be planted along
the streets, so that they
become established, before
all the aging trees come
down.

Instead of planting all
maples. More diverse, salt
tolerant species are needed.

Homeowners need not wait
for the City government to
act.

Do you have a street tree
or two in front of your house?

What are the age(s), condition(s)
of those trees? Are they young?
Old, with rotting branches that
need to be pruned? Are the trees
dead or nearly so? 

No street tree(s) in front of your
house?  Do some research. Select
some more salt tolerant varieties.

Plant a tree, or two in the Spring.

The City may have a tree program.
You can get your own trees from
Soil and Water Conservation
Spring tree/shrub sales or from
local nurseries.

Check to know the location
of underground utility lines
before you dig/plant. Be sure
that the trees you select will
not grow into overhead utility
lines.

Drivers. Slow down, particularly
in snow, ice and wet weather.

Do not pass on the right or run
stop lights and signs.

Homeowners. Do your part.
Demand  improved snow
plowing/removal and demand
strict speed and traffic law
enforcement on neighborhood
streets. Be your own urban
forester. Beautify your property
improve your air quality, shade
and property values. Care for
and plant trees.

                      Joe Sullivan

EMERGENCY/DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS

Begin today. Start with this link:

http://www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan 

                          Joe Sullivan

2014 STATE OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD

In retrospect, the Buckingham Pond-
Crestwood  Neighborhood Association
was organized in the mid-1980's.

Boundaries:  NYS Thruway/Rte 85
Whitehall Rd, Western Ave, South 
Manning Blvd.

Goals:
(1) protect, maintain, improve
  neighborhood residential integrity
  environment and quality of life.

(2) interact with city, county, state
  and federal governments, schools
  Maria College, churches, synagogues
  St Peters Hospital, Sisters of Mercy
  and neighborhood businesses to
  achieve the above goals.

(3) interact/cooperate with other
  neighborhood groups regarding
  issues of mutual concern. 



Achievements:

* Set aside green space, in perpetuity
   SW corner  S Manning at New 
   Scotland. Defeated parking lot plan
   for this site.

* Defeated proposal to convert
   Paul Carroll house to a half
   way house. NW corner New
   Scotland/ South Manning

* Defeated plan to convert
   Mercy Convent to office
   building, thereby retaining
   Convent as a residence for Nuns
   and avoiding traffic congestion.
  

* Blocked egress from expansion
   of CP Center parking lots
   via Pine Tree Ln, Marsdale-
   Harding.  At Hurst/Westford.
   Thereby, maintaining residential
   integrity on those streets and
   streets tributary to them.

* Set aside 1 acre green space
   with conifer tree buffer New
   Scotland at Krum Kill thereby
   making Buckingham Mews
   a more desirable residential
   development.

* Defeated proposal to have
   a PS 19 after school program
   at Bethany Church. This
   would have created traffic
   pedestrian safety problems
   New Scotland at Buckingham
   Lenox, and eroded residential
   integrity of Pine Tree-Maxwell
   cul de sac streets.

* Defeated 2 attempts to build
   a big box store Krum Kill
   at New Scotland which would
   have caused traffic congestion
   and eroded residential integrity
   of Crescent Dr neighborhood
   as well as endangering students
   from St Catherine's School.

* Rezoned Buckingham Pond
   and adjacent shore, Land
   Conservation - LC (parkland)
   thereby creating Buckingham
   Pond Park.

* Blocked attempts to build a
   third middle school Whitehall
   at New Scotland and/or
   on 10 acres of City land
   bordered by Crescent Dr.

* Working with County Legislator
   Nancy Wiley, arranged for
   brownfield cleanup, Whitehall
   at New Scotland.

* Blocked attempts to locate
   commercial development
   at that corner.

* Set aside 3/4 acre pocket
   park as condition for
   approval of Amedore
   Homes.

* Restoration of Crestwood
   Neighborhood shopping
   Plaza.

Led opposition to proposals
in areas adjacent to BPCNA
that would have adversely
impacted our neighborhood.

 * Defeat of luxury housing
   proposal at Albany Muni
   Golf Course. Had it rezoned
   Land Conservation -LC
   (parkland). Creation of
   Hartman Rd Community
   Garden defeating 1/4
   housing that was proposed
   for site.

* Defeat of proposal to build
   a 12 story apartment tower
   and parking garage, Krum
   Kill Rd opposite Ohav Shalom.

   The 7 acre parcel contains
    two small wetlands with
    Indian camp artifacts and
    woods buffer Aspen Circle
    and adjacent parts of W15
    residences from noise and
    air pollution from NYS TW.

    Also, development would
    cause flooding-drainage
    problems in adjacent
    Bethlehem Town residential
    areas.

   This 7 acre parcel should be
   rezoned LC and kept as
   permanent open space. 

* Blocked building a connector
   road between Rte 85 and
   New Scotland in vicinity
   of Holy Names Academy.

* Blocked building six homes
   on former landfill at end of
   Hopi St. Assisted at request
   of adjacent homeowner(s).

Looking Forward- 2014 Agenda.

Read posts Wed, Nov 20 and Weds
Oct 16, 2013. This website.

Neighborhood residents
particularly new homeowners
are invited to become active
in your neighborhood association.

Your neighborhood association
works when you do.

I want to turn over the Association
Leadership to the next generation
of residents who demonstrate that
they have the drive and ability to
build on the goals and efforts of
BPCNA over the past 28 years 

Several vacancies on the Executive
Committee will be filled, as well
appointment of volunteers to
work on elements of the 2014
agenda.

Contact me. 438 5230.

                             Joe Sullivan
  
 

A NEW PLOW - PLOWS CLEAN?

A NEW PLOW - PLOWS CLEAN?

2014  A new plow- plows clean?

Mayor Sheehan and City DGS are 
making headway with improved
snow plowing/removal.

Observed, today,  the Mayor and City
DGS at work clearing away dirty,  heavy
salt laden snow-sludge from curb  parking
lanes , New Scotland Ave, between
Krum Kill and Buckingham Dr.

No need to do this after future snow 
storms if the City DGS  begins to plow 
New Scotland Ave,  in successive, tandem
plow sweeps, outbound and inbound, as
soon as snow begins to accumulate.
Mayor Whalen did this very well, using
graders- which I am told the City
no longer owns?
 
No problem, 2 or 3 truck plows, operating 
in tandem, at low speed will do.
Ideally, 2 big truck plows and a smaller 
pick up truck plow - can keep the Avenue
clean, while not allowing snow to accumulate
in the curb parking lanes, then having a 
speeding plow roaring along curb parking
lanes ,sending a tsunami wave of heavy
snow-salt-sludge over curb islands, trees
shoveled walks and blocking shoveled driveways.

This will improve traffic/pedestrian safety
on New Scotland Avenue, a major commuter
route, while improving residential quality 
of life for the largely elderly homeowners
living along the Avenue.

                                    Joe Sullivan

KEEPING WATCH ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD

KEEPING WATCH ON
THE NEIGHBORHOOD

A frigid winter day made more so by
windchill.

Some years ago, I put out a draft
notice, informing all neighborhood
residents that they are part of our
Neighborhood Watch.

Call the Center Square APD Station
when you observe suspicious persons
and behaviors, an accident, or security
issue- 458 5660.

Possible terror threat(s)? Call State
Anti-Terror Hotline: 1 866 SAFE NYS
(723-3697)

When walking, biking, jogging carry
your cell phones with the above
numbers keyed in.

Keep and eye on your block and
beyond both day and night. Get up
from the tv. Look out your door
and windows.

Secure your home. Guard against
burglaries, home invasions, auto
break ins, vandalism and property
damage.

Keep me informed when you see
something and make a call to the APD
or anti terror hotline.

Security  and public safety are priority
issues. Crime is a problem. 9-11 changed
our lives forever. We must anticipate, be
alert for possible terror attacks,be prepared
to deal with them and, ideally, prevent
them whenever possible.

Gas stations, utilities, schools, hospitals
churches, synagogues, bridges are among
possible neighborhood terror targets.

Our neighborhood, and others, should
consider forming police-fire auxiliaries
in cooperation with the APD and AFD
to serve as neighborhood back up in
times of attacks and civil unrest.

Local churches, synagogues, schools
and businesses should prepare to
shelter, feed  and provide medical
assistance to neighborhood
residents in times of natural and
man made disasters

                                        Joe Sullivan


 

BEST WISHES TO MAYOR SHEEHAN

BEST WISHES TO
MAYOR SHEEHAN

Best wishes to Mayor Kathy Sheehan for a
productive term.

Mayor Sheehan is a resident of the
Buckingham Pond/Crestwood Neighborhood.

We hope that she will be attentive to the
needs of our neighborhood.

The most immediate needs are:

1. Properly plowing snow on New Scotland
Whitehall , Krum Kill-Bender, Western
South Manning which are heavily travelled
commuter routes.

These roads should be plowed, with 2 or 3
plows in tandem in several sweeps as soon
as snow begins to accumulate.

2. Plows should travel at moderate speed.
    Do not let snow build up in curb lanes
    for hours, then have speeding plows
    send waves of snow laden snow, fill
    in driveways and surge over sidewalks
    and street trees. Note that street trees
    are dying, in large part due to being
    buried in road salt laden snow every
    winter.

3. Strictly enforce speed limits on all
    residential streets. Crack down on
    reckless drivers, particularly  those
   who run stop signs, traffic lights
   and  pass on the right speeding in
   curb/parking lanes particularly
   on New Scotland Ave, bwteen
   Buckingham and Krum Kill Rd 

4. Buckingham Pond Park needs a
    lot of work starting with removal
    of dead limbs/trees that overhang
    paths posing a danger to walkers
    pets and joggers.

    Cut vines that are strangling
    trees,

   The paths are slippery because
   powered bluestone was applied
   in past years, which compacts
   and drains poorly.

   Apply coarse bluestone to
   increase drainage and traction.

   Place a guard rail or several
   large boulders at the foot of
   Lenox-Berkshire -South  side
   before a speeding  car fails
  to turn, dropping down on
  pedestrians on the path below.

  There are many posts on this
  blog  -search archives- that
  spell out what needs to be done
  to improve Buckingham Pond
  Park.

  See also, recent posts regarding
  our neighborhood agenda for
  2014.

  Scroll back to Nov 20 and
  Oct 16, 2013 for more.

                      Joe Sullivan

  

2014

2014

2013 is fading away. But, I am not.

2014 ...the struggle to save our city and Republic continues.

Joseph P Sullivan will serve as Albany City Chair of the Albany County Conservative Party
with the aim of building a viable city committee, expanding Conservative enrollments and
recruiting/assisting candidates for the 2014 congressional and state elections.

and continue on as President of the Buckingham Pond/Crestwood Neighborhood Association.
maintaining and improving the neighborhood residential integrity and quality of life, focusing on
open space/pocket park creation, security, emergency-disaster preparedness, urban forestry
property tax relief, traffic and pedestrian safety, and improvement of Buckingham Pond Park.

Neighborhood and city residents are welcome, and encouraged, to participate in one or both organizations.

Contact: Joe Sullivan 438 5230

To keep up on efforts ,activities, observations and recommended actions.

Read: http://lonerangeralbany.blogspot.com/  and   http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/ 



Happy Christmas and a 2014 that we see every resident doing their part to help save our
city and our Republic.

                                                                   Joe Sullivan