Chronicle Moving to Times Union Website

The Cohoes Chronicle has now moved to the Albany Times Union website at http://blog.timesunion.com/cohoes/

I encourage all my readers to make the switch with me as I continue to cover the good, bad and ugly of Cohoes.

Local Officials Show Support for Judge

A smattering of local politicians, including Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, came out to Smiths Restaurant Wednesday evening in support of Judge Helena Heath-Roland. Roland is running in a three way Democratic Primary for Albany County Surrogate Court Judge.

Also in attendance were Town of Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan, Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan and Albany County Legislator Gil Ethier.

Roland currently serves as a Albany City Court Judge, and is the first African American women to hold such a position in the city.

Originally from Queens, Roland noted her early interest in community affairs and how she enjoyed resolving issues in her neighborhood. "Being a judge was a natural fit," she said.

As for the event, it was a chance for those in the community to show their support. "We are very encouraged by the turnout," noted campaign coordinator Rikki Signoracci. "It's a good indicator of the outcome."

For Roland, the work of the surrogate is about trust and fairness. "People say I'm fair, and I want people to walk away from my courtroom knowing that they have been heard."

Van Schaick Park to Host Fundraiser

Van Schaick Park will be the location of weekend carnival being sponsored by the Albany Community Action Partnership. Twenty percent of the money raised will go to fund the ACAP's Home Base Program, with the remainder going to fund the other various programs that the ACAP provides.

Through ACAP's Head Start Home-Based program, trained educators work with children, ages three to five, and their parents in their homes, to help parents understand their children's growth and development needs; to equip parents with the skills to effectively teach their children and to foster positive parent/child interaction and relationships.

Some Home Base services include weekly home visits, monthly peer group gathering, child development activites, nutritional education and family support.

Head Start is a national program designed to address the needs of disadvantaged children (ages 3-5) and their families. Enrollment is based on income eligibility and the existence of identified special needs.

The program also addresses health, nutrition, and family needs. ACAP, a nonprofit anti-poverty organization, has operated all the Head Start centers (currently 15) in Albany County since 1965.

In addition to Head Start, ACAP provides a range of services including employment, emergency food, childcare, and energy assistance.

ACAP's Cohoes office is located at 30 White Street. They can be reached at 237-9201.

Watervliet Makes Good on Census Wager

Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning made good on the wager made by he and Mayor John McDonald and presented him with a dozen Hot Dog's from Gus's.

The bet involved which River City would have a greater participation rate in this years Census. Had Mayor Manning won, he would have received one dozen cupcakes from Harmony House Marketplace.

Cohoes just edged out Watervliet 74% to 73%. However, both mayors were pleased with the overall turnout, citing that each community beat the national average in mail in participation.

They also stated that they were surprised as to how much attention the wager received. "I'm amazed with how much chatter one little friendly wager has gotten," said McDonald.

Mayor Manning said that he believed the wager stimulated involvement in the Census in the two communities and that it was a good way to promote local businesses.



Steven P. Haita, who owns and operates Gus's, agreed with Mayor Manning. "It's a beautiful thing, I'm greatly honored to be a part of it," said Haita.

Diane Conroy Lacivita of Harmony House Marketplace also thinks the wager was a wonderful idea. "What you have here is two young politicians thinking outside the box," she said.

Council to Consider Smoking Ban in City Parks

By Randy S. Koniowka

This Story has also appeared in the Albany Times Union by the same author.

Lighting up in the Spindle City might get a lot more difficult if legislation being considered by the Cohoes City Council becomes law. The proposal would ban smoking in all city parks and playgrounds.

According to Sixth Ward Councilman Ralph Signoracci IV, the legislation’s sponsor, it’s the right thing to do. “I have been a smoker for several years, but as a father you see things differently.” Signoracci cites the fact that parks are riddled with cigarette butts and that children playing in a park should not be exposed to second hand smoke. “It’s a quality of life issue, and to me it’s common sense. Sometimes you need to make tough decisions because someone needs to speak up for the children.”

However, some on the Council feel that a local law banning smoking is not necessary and goes too far. “It’s not needed,” says Council President George Primeau. The problem I have with it is enforcement. Our police have much more serious things to be doing. And if you can’t enforce it, you’re wasting your time.”

Third Ward Councilman Fred Turcotte said he too has questions on how the proposed legislation will be enforced. “As a non smoker, I don’t have a problem with it, but my problem is enforcement. I’m not saying I could not be swayed, but we need to think about how this is going to be enforced. A ceremonial resolution might be a better way to go.”

Signoracci, however, is adamant that any legislation be legally binding. And that as far as enforcement, the community could police itself. “You can’t enforce all the laws all the time, but does that mean you don’t have laws? There are many laws on the books here in Cohoes like the pooper scooper law and the ethics code that are not enforced. But a thing like this, through education, signage and self awareness, the community can police itself.”

Cohoes would not be the first municipality in the area to enact anti smoking legislation. Schenectady, Colonie, Niskayuna and Rotterdam have all passed some form of legislation to adopt a non smoking policy for their parks and playgrounds. And there are nearly 200 municipalities across New York State that have also enacted some type of prohibitive legislation.

Judy Righytmyer of the Capital District Tobacco Free Coalition, says that any legislation, whether ceremonial or legally binding, would have a tremendous impact. “It’s a social norm change.”

She contends that many of the communities in the Capital District that have already enacted legislation have seen success with it. “They have each found their own way forward.”

Rightmyer adds that she is confident this type of legislation can work in Cohoes. “Without a doubt, this can work in Cohoes. And the Capital District Tobacco Free Coalition will assist the City any way we can, including providing signage for the parks.”

Many city residents, including Little League President Tony Savaria, think that the proposed legislation is a great idea. “I absolutely support it. What kind of message does it send to the kids when they look over and see people smoking?

Dorothy Young of Cohoes also supports the idea. “I smoked for 15 years. We are trying to promote healthy living here; it’s all about the kids.”

According to a 2009 survey conducted by Siena Research Institute, 80 percent of Albany County residents are in favor of smoke free playgrounds, with 48 percent in favor of smoke free parks.

However, there are some who are against any prohibitive legislation regarding smoking. Cohoes resident Anthony DiSisto thinks that it would be just be another intrusion by government on ones personal liberties. “I believe it would be ineffective, says DiSisto. “Government will never be able to legislate people’s behavior. It is up to the parents, not the government.”

Cohoes Mayor John McDonald says that while he does not disagree with the concept, he too has concerns about government going too far. “We are walking a fine line in taking peoples rights away; it is a very delicate balance. How far do you go in regulating behavior?”

As far as enforcement, McDonald stated that he is not prepared to add another burden to the police department. “I am not going to reassign cops to patrol the parks looking for smokers. My preference is for a resolution of support and then go from there. We need to balance this.”

The Common Council will take up the issue at it’s workshop on Tuesday, May 11th at 7pm in City Hall.

Steel Arrives on Bridge Avenue

Steel girders for the Bridge Avenue Bridge arrived on Bridge Avenue early Tuesday morning. Many onlookers stood in wonderment, pondering the sheer size of what they were seeing. "Those things are huge." exclaimed Joan McGrath of 2nd Street.

According to Commissioner of Public Works Ken Radliff, the 100-145ft girders managed to maneuver city streets without incident.

The Bridge Avenue Bridge has been under construction since the summer and is expected to be completed in November. The 6.6 million dollar project is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Parking restrictions are in place for Bridge Avenue as well as Park Avenue and Ontairo Streets for today and Wednesday as more steel is expected to arrive.

Hundreds Gather for Community Day at Cohoes Falls

By Randy Koniowka

Viewing the second largest waterfall in New York State was, at one time, a perilous task. The brave sightseer would need to climb a barb wired chain link fence, only to wind up knee deep in sumac. Others would dart across traffic and "hug" the concrete wall that lines North Mohawk Street. But those days are now over.

Brookfield Renewable Power celebrated the second year of Falls View Park Sunday afternoon with a community day. The event provided music, ice cream and spectacular views of the Cohoes Falls for the nearly 300 people who attended.

The park, constructed and maintained by Brookfield, has become a major attraction in the City of Cohoes and across the Capital Region. During it's first year in operation, the facility saw 18,000 visitors.

According to Brookfield's Communications Director Julie Smith-Galvin, it was an opportunity to show the company's commitment to the neighborhood and the City of Cohoes. "We want to be good neighbors and the community response has been great. This is something that we are definitely considering doing every year."

Brookfield Renewable Power has just received a 40 year license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to run the School Street power plant. The facility generates 22,000 megawatt hours of electricity, enough to power 3,000 homes.

Many in attendance applauded the park facilities and Brookfield's commitment to Cohoes. "It turned out beautiful," said Kermitt Bossard of Cohoes. "I have come here numerous times. It really shows Cohoes is coming back."



Cohoes Mayor John McDonald said that over the last several years, the city has had a great partnership with Brookfield. "This is fantastic, we needed to improve access to the falls, they have really come through on their commitment to that effort.

This year, Brookfield has provided even greater access to the falls by constructing a staircase, allowing sightseers to travel to the base of the historic waterfall. "It's magnificent," said Herb Hyde of Cohoes. "Standing at the base of the falls and looking up at them is breathtaking."

Also a part of Sunday's event was the presentation of a 5,000 dollar Brookfield United States Foundation grant to the Cohoes Multi Service Senior Center's meals on wheels program. The program provides fresh meals to the home bound at no cost. According to Smith-Galvin, the grant is available to any non profit providing basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. "It's designed to help neighbors in need."

Falls View Park will be open daily from dawn to dusk from now until November 1st.