GET IT RIGHT.
SNOWPLOWING
TRAFFIC, TREES
NEW SCOTLAND
AVE ALBANY CITY

For 40 years I have lived in the
same house on New Scotland Ave
a busy commuter road that bisects
the Buckingham Pond/Crestwood
Neighborhood.

For 29 years I have served my
neighbors as President of the
BPCNA with the objective of
maintaining and improving the
residential integrity and quality
of life in this neighborhood which
is one of few remaining good
neighborhoods in the City of Albany.

Among our achievements toward that
end are:

1. Open space protection including
News Scotland Ave at intersections
with South Manning, Krum Kill
and Whitehall.  Rezoning Albany
Muni Golf Course and Buckingham
Pond and adjacent shore park land
Land Conservation (LC). Creation
of the Hartman Rd Community
Garden.

2. Blocking development plans that
would have adversely impacted the
residential integrity of this neighbor-
hood, including a big box store, Krum 
Kill at New Scotland; a 3rd Middle school
at Whitehall and New Scotland; commercial
development at the corner of Whitehall
at New Scotland; a 12 story apartment
tower  and parking garage on Krum Kill
opposite Ohav Shalom senior apartments
and CP Center parking lot egresses through
Harding, Pine Tree, Marsdale; Hurst
Westford,Ferndale, Bancroft and Maxwell
conversion of Mercy Convent, on 
New Scotland office an office building.


3. Promoting planting of trees at curb sides
and front lawns.

There is much more to list, but let us
turn to 3 issues that are integral to
maintaining/improving the residential
integrity and quality of life in our
neighborhood:  traffic, snow plowing
and trees.

TRAFFIC  and reckless driving have
increased on New Scotland Ave and
tributary streets. Speeding, running
red lights/stop signs, passing on the
right are out of control.

No amount of red light traffic cameras
will reduce these offenses.

The Mayor and Common Council
have to proclaim that all traffic laws
will be strictly enforced on City streets.
Dispatch the APD to enforce this
proclamation. Increase fines for
violations. Reduce speed limit to
25 mph on all City streets. Less when
weather conditions warrant.

SNOW PLOWING must be better
organized and effective.

* plow New Scotland and other main
   commuter corridors with plows in
   tandem- at a slow  speed,  thereby
   reducing snow accumulation in
   curb lanes followed by speeding
   plows creating a tsunami of  heavy
   salt laden sludge that clogs driveways
   buries sidewalks, and damages
   street trees.

* use less road salt and begin snow
   plowing before snow accumulates

* reduce speed limits when adverse
   weather warrants

* DGS employees and supervisors
   need to be more sensitive and
   responsive to the needs and requests
   of city residents.

   Don't dump on us! Supervisors
   show up when citizens request
   that you inspect scenes of reckless
   irresponsible and incompetent
   snow plowing.

TREES. Street trees are dying at
unprecedented rates to a variety
of factors including old age, lack
of diversity, road salt intolerance
sidewalk and sewer projects and
lack of care by homeowners.

Urban reforestation of city streets
and front lawns is required. Trees
beautify neighborhoods, increase
property values, provide shade
and air conditioning in summer
provide winter windbreaks thereby
reducing heating costs and combat
air pollution by absorbing carbon
dioxide and emitting oxygen.

Last but not least street trees offer
pedestrians and homeowners some
measure of protection from out of
control, speeding, reckless traffic.

The City has a tree planting program
but homeowners, businesses and
institutions have to play a greater
role in urban reforestation.


Get involved. Your neighborhood
association works -when you do!

I await your call.

                              Joe Sullivan