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Record staffers bring you information on the comings and goings of New York's Collar City.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que correction

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.

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Friday, June 12, 2009

Cassidy is candidate for Legislature

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.”

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Free summer kids program at Frear Park

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.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

NYCLU brings suit against Mirch

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.

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