Tuesday, March 30, 2010

IM Conversations w/ my 13yr old Neighbor

Christine
I c u have the F wrd on you facebook page

6:30pmAllison
yeaa

6:30pmChristine
u think that is ok?

6:30pmAllison
my parents dont care. because its what my friend said.

6:31pmChristine
r u sure they dont care. if so, that is not a good reflection on them, or you. You are too young to use such language, I dont care what yer "friends" say

6:32pmAllison
i say it all the time

what are you gunna do? call the cops?

6:32pmChristine
And you say yur parents know?

6:33pmAllison
yea

6:33pmChristine
How about I call them to see?

6:34pmAllison
go right ahead.

even send my mom an email

6:34pmChristine
How about I call her now?

6:34pmAllison
sureee

6:35pmChristine
k

line is busy but i will check it out.

6:35pmAllison
send her an email

6:35pmChristine
It is NOT RIGHT for a young girl like you to use such language!

6:36pmAllison
have you seen jess? she does it ALL the time

6:36pmChristine
I prefer to talk to them by phone. Just know I dont want you to ever put any language like that on any of my sites.....I dont even like to be connected with children who use such language.

I dont know what she says or does "in real life," but if she is saying the F word on the internet I will tell her mom too!

6:38pmAllison
You dont need to contact them. It's my life, not yours. My parents dont even want me speaking to you or hanging out with you because your a bad influence.

Like hitting george with a chair.

6:38pmChristine
Ha! Thats it then.

Say what? When?

6:39pmAllison
like 2 or 3 years ago. when me and mariah were upstairs.

6:39pmChristine
What adults do is no concern to children...unless of course IT EFFECTS them

6:40pmAllison
But anyways, its MY mouth and MY body. I can do whatever i want to do.

6:41pmChristine
So if yer ma and dad dont want u hangin round me I suppose uyou had better not. Anyways, I dont much like NASTY little girls like you (apparently) are

6:43pmChristine
Kevin says dont bother him anymore on his facebook page either....he knows the deal

6:43pmAllison
what are you talking about? I dont even have him on facebook!!!!


6:45pmChristine
Well he is a liar too, I suppose.

6:45pmAllison
You can think what you want to, but im my case. YOU dont have to worry about me. It's my life and NO one else said anything about me saying that. SO you shouldnt worry.

Really? IM NOT A LIAR!

6:47pmAllison
infact, your a liar because he doesnt even have a facebook.

6:47pmChristine
Allie, any ADULT in their RIGHT mind would not be "ok" w/ their 13 yr old daughter using such language, particularly on the internet.....and I cant believe your parents would be ok with it. If they are, fine. But I gotta report it none-the-less

Enough of this name calling.Guess this is the end for us

6:48pmAllison
yeah, so delete me from your fucking life and NEVER fucking talk to me again!

6:48pmChristine
u got it

6:50pmAllison
Lateeerr. you bipolar syco bitch.

6:51pmChristine
So, the REAL u comes out now.

6:51pmAllison is offline.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Friday, March 26, 2010

Will Rensselaer County count calories?

March 25, 2010 at 5:14 pm by Kenneth C. Crowe II

The public counting of calories at fast food restaurants has become part of the effort to fight the national obesity epidemic. Albany County does it and so does Schenectady County. New York City does it and it’s included in the federal health care bill.

Now, Rensselaer County Legislator Peter Grimm, D-Troy, is proposing the county mandate it too.

Here’s Grimm’s take on the matter:

Legislator Grimm Calls on Rensselaer County Legislature to Consider Calorie Count Bill

Troy Legislator Peter Grimm has called on the Rensselaer County Legislature to consider a local law that would require chain food service establishments to post nutritional information – specifically, calories contained in menu items, at the point of consumer decisions at fast-food restaurants. Similar laws are now in effect in both Albany and Schenectady Counties affording responsible consumer choices at these restaurants. In a letter of memorandum, Grimm urged the County Executive and Chairman of the Legislature to join with him and support a local law initiative. “Calorie information is going to be in plain sight for all consumers to see, putting knowledge in the hands of people. I believe anything we can do to help children and families make wise and healthy decisions will make a difference”, said Grimm.

With the historic signing of a national heath care reform act, significant emphasis is being placed on preventative care as a means of controlling costs and promoting personal responsibility for good health. “As we await the numerous components of the new federal legislation to take effect, I believe Rensselaer County should be proactive in promoting healthy eating habits through increased consumer awareness and urge early initiation of this law”, stated Grimm. The local law will be presented to the Rensselaer County Legislature for consideration at its April meeting.



http://blog.timesunion.com/localpolitics/6509/will-rensselaer-county-count-calories/

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Emma Looses AA Rating

Report title: Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, New York Emma Willard School; Independent Schools
from S&P Credit Research
1944 word report published Mar 23, 2010

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Abstract: Standard&Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term rating to 'A+' from 'AA-' on Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, N.Y.'s series 2006 civic facility revenue bonds, issued for Emma Willard School. The rating outlook is stable. The downgrade reflects our assessment of the school's recent operating pressures, which resulted in large deficits based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) including a moderately aggressive endowment draw in fiscals 2008 and 2009. In addition, management has indicated it expects similar results in the near future as well as a significant deterioration of financial resources, which are at levels more comparable to the 'A' rating category. The 'A+' rating reflects our view of the school's: Strong demand profile as demonstrated by a strong


Brief Excerpt: RESEARCH Ratings Definitions Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, New York Emma Willard School; Independent Schools Publication date: 23-Mar-2010 Primary Credit Analyst: Marc Savaria, Boston (1) 617-530-8315; marc_savaria@standardandpoors.co...


Report Type: Full Report

Issuer: Emma Willard School

Sector: Global Issuers, Public Finance

Country: United States

Region: United States

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S&P Credit Research provides analysis on issuers and debt obligations of corporations, states and municipalities, financial institutions, insurance companies and sovereign governments. S&P also offers insight into the credit risk of structured finance deals, providing an independent view of credit risk associated with a growing array of debt-securitized instruments.


Also from S&P Credit Research
Summary: Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, New York Emma Willard School; Independent Schools $175.00
Standard&Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term rating to 'A+' from 'AA-' on Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, N.Y.'s series 2006 civic facility revenue bonds, issued for Emma Willard School. The rating outlook is stable. ...
Debt Rating On Emma Willard School, NY Lowered To 'A+' On Diminished Operating Performance $100.00
BOSTON (Standard&Poor's) March 22, 2010--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term rating to 'A+' from 'AA-' on Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, N.Y.'s series 2006 civic facility revenue bonds, issued for the Emma ...
Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency Emma Willard School, New York; Independent Schools $400.00
Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'AA-' long-term rating on Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, N.Y.'s series 2006 civic facility revenue bonds, issued for the Emma Willard School. The 'AA-' rating reflects the school's: ...
Summary: Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency Emma Willard School, New York; Independent Schools $175.00
Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'AA-' long-term rating on Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, N.Y.'s series 2006 civic facility revenue bonds, issued for the Emma Willard School. The 'AA-' rating reflects the school's: ...
Emma Williard School, NY Civic Facility Revenue Bonds Rated 'AA-'; Outlook Stable $100.00
NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) June 8, 2006--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA-' rating to Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, N.Y.'s $31.4 million civic facility revenue bonds, series 2006, issued for the Emma Willard ...
Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, New York Emma Williard School; Independent Schools $400.00
Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA-' rating to Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, N.Y.'s civic facility revenue bonds series 2006, issued for the Emma Willard School. The 'AA-' rating reflects the school's: Strong ...
Summary: Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, New York Emma Williard School; Independent Schools $175.00
Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA-' rating to Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, N.Y.'s civic facility revenue bonds series 2006, issued for the Emma Willard School. The 'AA-' rating reflects the school's: Strong ...




http://www.alacrastore.com/research/s-and-p-credit-research-Rensselaer_County_Industrial_Development_Agency_New_York_Emma_Willard_School_Independent_Schools-784010

Msg. for Schumer on China Policy

From Jr. Deputy Accountant
China Currency Manipulation: Careful What You Wish For

Posted: 24 Mar 2010 09:00 AM PDT


Careful what you wish for, Chuck Schumer, you're treading a very dangerous line and I'm not quite sure you want to bite the hand that feeds you. Oh sorry, make that the hand that used to feed you before China got smart and decided it would go foam up its bubble all on its own over there.


Two U.S. senators vowed on Tuesday to push for action on a bill aimed at pressuring China to strengthen its currency on the eve of a senior Chinese official's visit to Washington to smooth differences.

Arguing that China's exchange rate policies cost American jobs, the lawmakers said such pressure was necessary to make China move.

"My belief is that China will not do anything unless they're required to, and every day we wait is a day we lose wealth, we lose economic advantage, we lose jobs," said Senator Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat.


Schumer told reporters on conference call that he and Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, would push for a vote on the bill by the end of May. The measure would allow U.S. companies to seek duties on Chinese goods to offset China's currency policies.

"If we took the currency issue off the table, we would be more competitive in every sector," added Graham.

Yo, Lindsey, it's not your table dude.

Here's a novel idea for the honorable (?!) Mssrs. Schumer and Graham: they have the fucking Fed to babysit and have failed miserably at taming that particular beast. They'd be wise to tend to their own house before they go judging their new Asian neighbors for having cheap furniture if you know what I'm sayin.

In honor of this large oversight on the part of Congress (you know, forgetting that it's their job to keep the Fed on a short leash), I resurrect Eliot Spitzer: The Fed is a Ponzi Scheme.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Renss. Co Students: Historians in Training Program

Alexander Minton
Special to The Record

“Getting There: Historians in Training

Explore Travel Through Time:”

A piece of sheet music, a section of trolley track, an elegant, if faded, carriage, and a rusting horseshoe. All of these objects are among the artifacts from the Rensselaer County Historical Society collection researched by students from Tony Rieth’s and Karen Bechdol’s Humanities class at Troy High School. These 25 “Historians in Training” are part of an exciting collaboration among Troy High School, RCHS and The Record.

In early 2009, RCHS staff provided the students with a selection of transportation-themed objects from which to choose. The Historians in Training then picked the objects they wanted to research and uncovered their stories, writing articles that will appear in The Record each Monday, starting today. These stories provide an eclectic window into the impact that planes, trains, and automobiles (as well as boats and horses) have had on the history of Rensselaer County.

Through this collaborative, the Historians in Training developed research and writing skills and had the opportunity to explore careers in history museums and journalism. Most importantly, they discovered fascinating stories from the past, and through their research and articles, are making local history accessible to our community.

People need direction in life; they always have and always will. The Handy Pocket Guide to trains was the very direction people in turn of the century Troy needed. Their lives depended on the trains that ran through their city. So this little 50 page booklet was a godsend to people who needed to catch trains often.

This small book from 1902 has a worn feeling to it and the color is faded, yet even a century later, it is still in exquisite condition; a gallant effort at keeping the history of our fair county alive by the historians at the Rensselaer County Historical Society where this book resides. The first dozen pages of the guide are dense with information including many train schedules. Troy has always been an important center of transportation activity, and dozens of trains came in and out of Troy every day in 1902! The book also has many advertisements for chemists, druggists, shops and other services. Many businesses that distributed these pamphlets usually also posted their own ads in them.

The front cover of this book has the name Minnie Hunt written on it. A search of the Troy City Directory for the year 1902 uncovered some information about Miss Hunt. She was a milliner who worked at 363 Broadway, and boarded in Watervliet. She didn’t own the shop and there was no sign of distribution of these pamphlets from the hat shop so this must have been her personal copy. In 1903, she moved out of Troy, but to an unknown destination.

This booklet was very important to everyday people. It is difficult to understand the significance of this little book since passenger train services ended in Troy in 1958. But if your life revolves around a bus or subway schedule, then you probably have a good idea of the true worth of a small pamphlet like this one.

The Historians in Training program is collaboration among the Rensselaer County Historical Society, Troy High School, and The Record. For more information, please visit www.rchsonline.org or call 518-272-7232, x17. Educational programming at RCHS is made possible by the generous support of RCHS members and donors and is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.





http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2010/03/22/news/doc4ba6db2f55374676716978.txt#blogcomments

Monument Square to host ‘Troygle’ event Tuesday

Published: Monday, March 22, 2010

By Dave Canfield
The Record

TROY — Supporters of the Collar City’s bid to become a Google test market will take to downtown streets Tuesday to show the company, literally, that they want its ultra high-speed internet.

Organizers plan on filming the event they’ve dubbed “The Need for Speed,” slated for 5 to 7 p.m. at Monument Square, for submission as part of their application to the rapidly expanding California-based company that is now a household name. Those applications seeking to prove worthiness for high-speed broadband internet are due Friday.

Lisa Powell Graham, who has been organizing the effort to bring Google to Troy, said she’s never seen as much extensive support as has been offered for the efforts of the group, which has established a Web site at troygle.org. She hopes as many people as possible will come out for Tuesday’s rain-or-shine event.

“We just need to have as big of a crowd as we can get,” Graham said. “We need to do this and have this presence now, before the applications are due.”

The Hellions of Troy roller derby team will be on hand, and the first 100 attendees will receive a free Uncle Sam hat. Organizers plan to make Google very aware that the Collar City was once home to the man behind that legend.

The video’s expected narration introduces Troy as a place “where history, culture and technology meet,” noting its architecture, 19th-century industrial prominence and its location in New York’s Tech Valley region. It references President Barack Obama’s recent visit to the city as well as the presence of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world.

The high density of technology companies and educational institutions in the area would give Google all the cooperation they needed to get the broadband system running and successful, Graham said.

“All the local colleges and schools are on board. The businesses are on board. City Hall is 100 percent behind it,” she said. “We think we’re poised to give them what they need in terms of partnership.”

According to Google, the fiber-optic broadband is capable of downloading up to one gigabit per second, which is some 100 times faster than connection speeds available to most Americans. Supporters say speed like that not only makes Troy a desirable place for residents, but could also be a deciding factor in bringing technology firms to the area.

Likely for those same reasons, Troy isn’t the only city vying to be the project’s guinea pig. Scores of Facebook pages exist to support different markets, and other cities have pulled stunts like the one Troy will see Tuesday. The mayor of Duluth, Minn., recently jumped into a chilly Lake Superior to get company’s attention, and Topeka, Kan., has temporarily and informally re-named itself “Google” for the time being.

Applications are also being submitted on behalf of other Capital District municipalities, though none have attracted the local attention that Troy’s has.

It has not been announced how many test markets Google will choose, or even if they will select more than one. But Graham said that, regardless of the outcome, supporters’ efforts won’t go to waste.

“No matter what happens with the Google application, we want to put Troy on the map anyways. We want to make Troy a Mecca for technology and arts, no matter what,” she said. “We think Google should pick us. But, regardless, we’re going to take the energy forward and really make great things happen in Troy.”

Dave Canfield can be reached at 270-1290 or by e-mail at dcanfield@troyrecord.com.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

NY poverty rate tops national average

Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010

By Jessica M. Pasko
The Record

TROY — Close to 14 percent of New Yorkers live in poverty, the highest rate among Northeastern states, according to a new report released by the New York State Community Action Association.

More than 2.6 million New Yorkers live in poverty, including 852,000 children. That makes for a poverty rate of 13.8 percent, slightly higher than the national rate of 13.2 percent. The city of Buffalo was ranked as the third poorest city in the U.S., with close to 30 percent of the population there living in property. The poverty rate is defined as the percentage of the population living in households below or at the federal poverty line.

NYSCAA, which represents 52 communication action committees across the state, released the annual New York State Poverty Report Wednesday. The report is based on the latest poverty data available from the U.S. Census, covering 2006-2008, and doesn’t reflect the current economic crisis. Data from 2000 had to be used for some counties, including Hamilton and Schuyler.

“The recession has hit all New Yorkers hard and while parts of the economy are beginning to recover, we still have more families struggling to keep their head above water every day,” said NYSCAA CEO Denise Harlow.

A family of three would have to make $18,310 or less to be considered living under the poverty line, based on the federal guidelines. A family of four would need to make less than $22,050 to be counted in the poverty rate according to those same guidelines.

“The current poverty levels are unacceptable and we know the number of families struggling is even greater, especially when a family of three making more than $18,310 is not considered poor and [is] therefore uncounted in the rates on poverty our report discusses.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, poverty thresholds were originally developed in the 1960s based on then assumption that 30 percent of household income is spent on food costs. In today’s economy, that’s not always the case. The federal government sets the poverty line threshold across the board, regardless of the costs of living in a particular area.

“There is work being done statewide and nationally to redefine what poverty levels are set at,” said Harlow.

In the breakdown by county, Rensselaer County has a 10.1 percent poverty rate, compared to 12 percent in Albany County, 10.8 percent in Schenectady and just 6.9 percent in Saratoga County.

The city of Troy has a much higher poverty rate, with 21.4 percent or about 9,520 individuals living in poverty, including nearly 3,200 children.

New to the report this year is data highlighting the plight of the working poor and families headed by single women.

Nearly 50 percent of all families in poverty statewide are headed by single women with children, and 70 percent of Troy’s poor families are headed by single mothers.

The report also found that a major issue continues to be what’s called working poor – those employed but still living in poverty. Close to 28 percent of those living in poverty are employed, and the state’s unemployment rate reached nine percent in December.

Race continues to play a disproportionate role when it comes to poverty statistics, according to NYSACC. More than one in five black New Yorkers and one in four Hispanic residents live in poverty, as compared to one in 10 white residents.

New York State:

Total population: 19,428,881

Number/percent of individuals in poverty: 2,603,930/ 13.8 percent

Number/percent of children in poverty: 852,700/ 19.5 percent

Percent of senior citizens in poverty: 11.8 percent

Percent of poor who are employed: 27.5 percent

Rensselaer County:

Total population: 154,939

Number/percent of individuals in poverty: 15,158/ 10. 1 percent

Number/percent of children in poverty: 4,620/ 14 percent

Percent of senior citizens in poverty: 9.4 percent

Percent of poor who are employed: 33.4 percent

City of Troy:

Total population: 47,229

Number/percent of individuals living in poverty: 9,521/ 21.4 percent

Number/percent of children in poverty: 3,192/ 33.2 percent

Percent of senior citizens in poverty: 13.7 percent

Percent of poor who are employed: 32.6 percent

—Statistics from the New York State Community Action Association

Jessica M. Pasko can be reached at 270-1288 or by e-mail at jpasko@troyrecord.com.

Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of troyrecord.com.

WellRed wrote on Mar 18, 2010 7:34 AM:

" Aint that something? And NY with the largest tax rates. Where is all the $$$ going? To the dirty politician and their friends and supporters, thats where. Thats one thing the article forgot to mention; NY has one of the most corrupt political systems in the nation too..right "up there" with Washington, DC. "




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http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2010/03/18/news/doc4ba188f22b493921894906.txt#blogcomments

Monday, March 8, 2010

DEC Enviro-Awards 2010

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