Legislator Mike Stammel Reports to Rensselaer
January 2012

Greetings and best wishes to everyone in the City of Rensselaer. As Rensselaer’s representative to the County Legislature, I am happy to report to you on the actions taken by the Rensselaer County Legislature at our January 10, 2012 legislative meeting.

For Rensselaer residents, the most notable event at the January 12 meeting was restoration of funding for the Rensselaer senior center. The funding for the center had been slated to run out in the spring under the proposed 2012 county budget. The loss of funding for the center is a major reason why I did not support the 2012 county budget.

Restoration of funding was made possible thanks to approval of an employee contract that helped reduce health care costs. The resolution approved by the Legislature provides funding for all of 2012. I can assure residents that I will continue to fight for the funds to keep the center in operation during 2013 as well.

I recognize the Rensselaer senior center is an important part of our community and an important part of the lives of many seniors in Rensselaer and surrounding communities. The support from my fellow legislators, including Legislators Reid, Danaher, Shannon, Breselor, Desso, Fiacco and Cristo, was particularly helpful in restoring the funding and I appreciate their support.

Legislators also named the official newspapers of the county, with the Times Union and The Record chosen. Residents can check both newspapers for legal notices and other information regarding the county.

I was pleased to present funding assistance to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Rensselaer County. The club still faces pressing fiscal issues and donations can be sent to the club at 544 Broadway, Rensselaer NY 12144. The Club has been a positive force for many youths and many residents and any support will be very helpful.

To help control costs, the Legislature formulated a new fleet management policy to regulate use of county vehicles. The last steps for implementation of the new policy were put into place during the past several weeks, and it is our belief the new policy will help control county expenses for vehicles.

The next meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

Legislator Mike Stammel Reports to Rensselaer
February 2012

Greetings and best wishes to everyone in the City of Rensselaer. As Rensselaer’s representative to the County Legislature, I am happy to report to you on the actions taken by the Rensselaer County Legislature at our February 14, 2012 legislative meeting.

I am pleased to report to Rensselaer residents that for the third consecutive year, the Legislature registered a significant savings for our operations. In 2011, we saved over $140,000, following savings in 2010 and 2009. The savings are accompanied by a savings of $900,000 over three years that was achieved when we rebid the county insurance contract.

The Legislature also approved a resolution supporting the reconstruction of the pedestrian walkway on the Livingston Avenue bridge connecting the Rensselaer and Albany waterfronts. The bridge is historic and for a number of generations pedestrians used the walkway. I believe a rebuilt walkway will help encourage tourism efforts and help revitalization efforts.

With regard to revitalization efforts, I recently stated to the state Department of Environmental Conservation my concerns regarding the proposed construction and demolition debris landfill proposed in the Partition Street area. I have concerns because this proposed landfill would increase truck traffic in residential areas of our city and possibly disrupt other improvement projects in the city. It is my hope the plan could be redesigned to have less impact on residents.

The Legislature also noted the retirement of Jerome Frost, who served as Public Defender and as a member of the office for nearly two decades. We expect a new Public Defender to be nominated by the Executive in the coming weeks.

Legislator Harry Tutunjian sponsored a resolution asking state leaders to become involved in negotiating a settlement to a dispute that resulted in Knicks and Rangers games being blacked out on TV for nearly two months. The black outs were unfair because cable subscribers, including those in Rensselaer, paid good money to see games they were deprived of. Thankfully, the dispute was resolved a few days after our meeting and games restored to television, with some involvement by state leaders.

The next meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

Legislator Mike Stammel Reports to Rensselaer
March 2012

Greetings and best wishes to everyone in the City of Rensselaer. As Rensselaer’s representative to the County Legislature, I am happy to report to you on the actions taken by the Rensselaer County Legislature at our March 13, 2012 legislative meeting.

County Executive Jimino delivered her annual State of the County address to legislators and members of the public at the March meeting. She spoke of the pressures created by unfunded state mandates and the ongoing economic recession. These factors have threatened needed services, including services for seniors and kids.

During the consideration of the 2012 county budget, I am proud we were able to prevent closure of the Rensselaer senior center due to fiscal issues. My focus during 2012 is to continue to work to protect services relied on by our seniors. Our seniors have given so much to build our community and deserve a level of care and attention in their golden years.

This year, I helped secure some county funding for the Southern Rensselaer County Boys and Girls Club. The Club has been a center for many kids and families in the city and surrounding area and I look forward to many more years of service from the Club for our youth.

To help meet these challenges, legislators have worked to reduce costs, including a $900,000 savings for insurance and over $400,000 in reductions in the legislative budget.

At the March 13 meeting, legislators called for a state review of chronic callers, persons who repeatedly call 911 for ambulance transport to hospitals, costing taxpayers and creating increased demands on emergency service providers.

DNA technology helped solve a double homicide after the county Probation Department ordered a DNA test of a man implicated in a domestic violence incident. We approved a resolution supporting expansion of the DNA database across the state. An expanded DNA database helps bring those responsible for crime to justice, protects victims of crime and helps those wrongly accused.

There is currently an effort to link together alumni from Rensselaer schools. To join, please go to Facebook.com and search for Group Page Rensselaer Grade School and HS Alumni.

The next meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

Legislator Mike Stammel Reports to Rensselaer
April 2012

Greetings and best wishes to everyone in the City of Rensselaer. As Rensselaer’s representative to the County Legislature, I am happy to report to you on the actions taken by the Rensselaer County Legislature at our April 10, 2012 legislative meeting.

As chairman of the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee, I was pleased to recognize the nearly two decades of service by Jerome Frost as county Public Defender. Jerry was at the April legislative meeting and thanked county lawmakers for their support for the office and in ensuring adequate representation.

At the April legislative meeting, we also confirmed the appointment of John Turi of Hoosick as the new county Public Defender. John has served for a number of years as an assistant public defender and we wish him well on his new duties.  

I was also pleased to join legislators in supporting a resolution to refinance county debt from county and Hudson Valley Community College construction projects. The county had an advantage in this field thanks to our strong bond rating and recent independent fiscal reviews. When completed, the refinancing will save the county $800,000.

The refinancing savings follows a savings of $900,000 from a re-bid of the county’s insurance policy, and a savings of approximately $400,000 from reductions in the legislative offices. The Legislature has also implemented a vehicle use policy that will help the county more effectively track how county cars and trucks are utilized.

Much of the history of Rensselaer centers around trains. We were happy to join other municipalities across the country in recognizing May 12 as National Train Day. The event helps recognize the past and continuing role played by trains in our country and society.

The spring brings the start of the new season for Rensselaer Little League and Girls Softball. I invite you to come out and catch a game at the Little League field on Lawrence Street or the Girls Softball at Coyne Field on Columbia Turnpike.

Thanks to those volunteers who helped with neighborhood beautification efforts as part of Earth Day, and for those who have been working to clean-up Rensselaer during the spring.

The next meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, May 8, 2012. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.