From a press release:

"The United Way of the Greater Capital Region (UWGCR) has launched their 2-1-1 Northeast Region service.

This vital information resource provides professional assistance for information on and referral to human services for people with questions on topics ranging from food and shelter to legal or financial assistance. It also acts as an additional outlet for information in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

Please join City of Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian and officials from the UWGCR on Wednesday August 19th at 10 a.m. in the auditorium located at RPI’s Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies in Troy to learn more about this important initiative.

The information session is an opportunity for you to learn how the United Way 2-1-1 Northeast Region service is able to assist you and/or your office in handling challenging inquiries and, more importantly, provides an outlet for getting answers to the questions you might have."

An issue was raised during Thursday's City Council meeting by At-Large Republican candidate Steve Miner that the council needed to disclose what they appropriated $311 for out of their Neighborhood Improvement Fund.

The amount was listed in the cost breakdown of Sunday's Record article as "$311 – Purchase of an undisclosed award." Miner's criticism was based on the fact he thought the council did not reveal what the allocation was for, when in fact it was for the purchase of a physical award, as in a mounted plaque.

According to provided documentation the award was shipped to Councilman Mark Wojcik, R-District 1. It was purchased in honor of Neil Kelleher, according to City Clerk Bill McInerney.

The amount was original listed as "undisclosed" simply because the documents did not reveal what occasion the award was purchased for.

In addition to National Night Out celebrations in Little Italy and North Lansingburgh Tuesday evening, a recently-formed neighborhood group also had positive results in attracting community members.

Jane Snay, of the Burden Iron Works Neighborhood Association, said that the event attracted roughly 45 people, which she considered good for the group's first attempt at such an event.
Neighbors had a chance to meet new friends, discuss local issues, and dine on provided food and beverages while strengthening their community in an effort to prevent local crime.

"It was nice because there was a lot of community involvement from people that didn’t know too much about the museum and once they realized that we had formed a neighborhood group down here, some of them wanted to get involved," said Snay.

City Councilman Gary Galuski, D-District 6, said that he fully supported such events in the community and hoped to help residents strenthen their community bonds in any way possible.

"It’s their neighborhood, they should take stock in it, and that’s what’s going to bring back the old time neighborhoods," said Galuski. "I help them in anyway that I can but have always said to them is that in two years I could be gone."

To read more about other NNO celebrations click here.