testimony

Thank you to Governor Cuomo and the Mandate Relief Council for allowing me the time to speak on the topic of mandate relief for municipalities. We are heartened that this administration recognizes the need for reform, and encourage this committee to recommend necessary changes that will assist local governments with the fiscal challenges we are [...]

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four years seem like four score

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sighting

I just stumbled on the following video posted on youtube. The was produced by Saratoga Associates for the public hearings held last Fall. It presents three different visualizations of the future pedestrian bridge, as well as the new Bridge Street and Riverlink Park.

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stepping stones

For those of you that haven’t visited our beautiful Riverlink Park, you are missing one of Amsterdam’s greatest assets. There are fantastic vistas up and down the river, the cafe is stellar, there are concerts planned for Saturday nights throughout the season, and the park is carefully manicured by an attendant every day. Boats have [...]

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tumblin’ down

Demolitions have begun around the city. We’ve collaborated with county crews to demo properties that no longer serve their purpose as shelter. Three properties have been cleared, seven remediated of asbestos and toxins, and twenty-seven more are slated for the crane this season. The following photos show the process from start to finish at a [...]

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tearin’ it up

Reconstruction is coming along on Bridge Street. There’s plenty of work to do until the resurfacing happens; substructure work includes new catch basins, manholes, sewer lines and water laterals, as well as placement of light pole bases. This will all happen pretty quickly as Tallum Construction machinery travels up and down the road from the [...]

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marketing: yours, mine and ours

Thanks for stopping by. Please click on the following link: Campaign handout 6.13.11

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reconstruction: setting the stage

Bridge Street Reconstruction materials have been dropped off and streets marked out for excavations. Neighbors will be seeing activity started in the next few days, with a completion date for construction in mid-July. FINALLY! This project has been on the books for close to ten years. Many of the materials featured in these photos will [...]

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walkin’ the talk

Thank you so much to the Recorder and Reporter Jessica Maher for this web interview. Please take time to visit the Recorder’s home page each and every day at the following link: best news in town. Oh, and by the way, I misspoke. We have between 3,000 to 4,000 new visitors to our city website [...]

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busy

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt inspired to tackle these keys. Truth is, I am engrossed by all that we are working on, so rather than editorializing, I’m running a list of projects that are in progress as I have done in the past. Again, it is not exhaustive; it is only the [...]

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fact vs. flowery fiction

The following is in response to a letter to the editor printed on September 16th in the Recorder. 1. The rose garden belongs to every taxpayer in the City of Amsterdam, as does City Hall. 2. The Mayor’s office does not keep the records that were FOIA’d for. 3. The project was legally bid out. [...]

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asked and answered

On 6/29/10 10:35 AM, “Bill Wills” wrote: …I am requesting for our meeting on July 6th a report on what, in the absence of a roads program, is DPW working on. Thanks! Alderman Wills Date: June 29, 2010 5:13:08 PM EDT To: Bill Wills Hello Bill, Of course, I have requested that we schedule one-on-one [...]

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