REMINDER: There is no City Council meeting tonight at City Hall.

The council moved their July meeting to next Thursday, July 9, by a vote last month in order to provide enough time for public hearings on a proposed local law to establish a downtown Business Improvement District.

At least one of those public hearings will be held prior to the July 9 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers.

John Ray & Sons has introduced a new propane tank exchange program entitled, “Get the Full 18,” with three locations in the Capital Region.
In time for the height of the barbecue season, the propane tanks are filled to the maximum of 18 pounds by the Troy-based energy services company.
John Ray & Sons President Ken Ray said that the idea to start the propane tank exchange began with customer requests for the service.
“Our ‘Get the Full 18’ propane program is a benefit to consumers who recently have been receiving only 15 pounds of propane from national supplier exchange programs,” he said.
Many companies reduced the amount of propane in their tanks from 18 to 15 pounds last year when fuel costs were high to avoid a price increase.
“By filling the tanks to the maximum, the fuel lasts longer and reduces the need to exchange tanks as frequently,” said Ray.

The first three locations for John Ray & Sons’ Propane Tank Exchange Program are:

• Sycaway Sunoco at 558 Hoosick Street, Troy.

• Bob’s Sunoco Mini Market, corner of Wolf and Albany Shaker Roads, Colonie.

• Cohoes A Plus, 245 Ontario Street, Cohoes.

“Because of an increased customer demand for propane tank exchange programs, we’ll be adding more locations over the summer,” said Ray. “Our tanks are clean, safe and convenient.”

“Propane has become increasingly popular for outdoor grilling for a number of reasons, particularly environmental considerations,” said Ray. A recent British study showed that every charcoal cookout has twice the carbon footprint of a propane cookout. Because a propane grill heats more quickly than a charcoal grill and can be shut off, there is less waste.

John Ray & Sons has been in business in the city for more than 100 years and has evolved through the years as times have changed – delivering ice, coal, wood, kerosene, diesel fuel, heating oil, propane, and biofuels to residential and commercial customers throughout the Capital Region.

The following is from a press release from Elizabeth Young, executive director of the Troy Downtown Collaborative:

"Tonight's Rockin' on the River has been moved inside due to the threat of bad weather. The concert will be held at Revolution Hall, located at 425 River Street in Troy, one block from the original outdoor river front location from 5:00pm - 8:30pm.

This is still a completely free show and is open to all ages. Tonight's headliner is 80's tribute band Aquanet, and promises to be a wonderful evening of free music and fun in the City of Troy.

We will, weather permitting, return outside next week!"

An article in Friday’s edition of The Record incorrectly stated that Dinosaur Bar-B-Que would not pay any property taxes for its first five years in the city under a Payment In-Lieu of Taxes agreement.

After receiving further information from the city and lawyer for the city’s Industrial Development Authority, it was revealed that the deferred tax percentage plan included in the restaurant’s application would apply only the improved value of the property, once renovations are completed, beyond its original tax assessment of $168,000.

As under most PILOT agreements, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que would still be required to pay a minimum base amount each year to reflect that assessed value throughout the 20-year agreement.

According to Economic Development Coordinator Jeff Buell, the building's assesment was lowered from more than $260,000 after it was challenged in court in recent months.

Further exemptions, such as the $60,000 in state sales tax on materials purchased for improvements to the building and $53,000 in real property tax , which will both be waived, will be allowed because the restaurant is working with the Troy Industrial Development Authority.

The article has been updated to reflect these corrections on The Record's Web site and the matter will likely be further addressed in an article in tomorrow’s paper.

A political newcomer has thrown her name into the ring as a candidate to represent the city as a member of the Rensselaer County Legislature this fall.

Kathleen Ryan Cassidy, a lifelong Trojan, plans to run on the Democratic candidate for District 1, which encompasses the city, and hopes to try and find ways to make county government more efficient.

“I would like to evaluate the work of the Legislature through the eyes of an ordinary, everyday citizen and will be committed to reducing costs, creating efficiencies, and adding ‘green’ initiatives wherever possible,” said Cassidy.

Cassidy currently works as the coordinator of human resources in the Ballston Spa Central School District and formerly worked as a speech-language pathologist at the Rensselaer County Health Department before running her out private practice for nearly 15 years. She also has been involved in activities and parent groups with the Troy School District for more than 20 years, an active member of the Troy Booster Club, and is currently serving as chair of the Troy Educational Pride Foundation.

“I look forward to running a positive campaign focused on my ability to represent the residents of Troy," said Cassidy. "I am eager to work toward creating a more efficient government and reducing the tax burden we face in these challenging economic times.”

The city is sponsoring a free summer program for local children, ages nine to 13, at the Frear Park Sports Facility.

Weekly programs will include culinary lessons, sports, swimming lessons, nutrition, arts and crafts, and various field trips.

Breakfast and lunch will be offered in conjunction with Rensselaer County Department for Youth Summer Food Program.

The program will operate from July 6- Aug. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m on weekdays.

Parents can apply for the program by contacting program coordinator Krtisin Sweeter at 720-3051. Applications are also available on the Web at www.troyny.gov.

The New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the city of Troy and Public Works Commissioner Bob Mirch for shuttering an art center in the midst of a controversial exhibit over a year ago.

The suit alleges that the closing of the Sanctuary for Independent Media on March 11, 2008 for code violations a day after the opening of “Virtual Jihadi,” a game in which a suicide bomber tries to kill then-President George W. Bush, violated the Sanctuary’s Constitution-protected rights to free speech, due process and equal protection.

For more on this story, keep checking The Record's Web site as well as Wednesday's edition of the paper.