It has dense streets, amazing architecture, proximity to nature and larger economic centers. It also has a city feel with a small town vibe to it. I always invite friends of mine from abroad to visit Albany. I do this because I want to get their reactions. Most people seem to have an unfavorable view of Albany, this is due to ignorance though. Those who come with me are shocked and fall in love with old world charm, the walkable streets, and are amazed by the low cost of living.

In my studies of Urban Planning, one thing I have notice is that every major city has gone through periods of disinvestment and blight. Difference is, they rebound and become better. Why?

The answer is urban pioneers, people who take a chance and move into blighted areas. They take pride in these areas because no one else cares and overtime, they transform it into something else. Thing is, most of these urban pioneers are labeled freaks and misfits due to their lifestyles. They move to blighted areas because no one else wants them around. I am talking about gays, artists, activists, proffessors. People who normally don't conform to the status quo. They are ideal for changed because they live their lives free of the constraints of consensus and still have ideas and visions to create something better.

Albany is a prime place to attract these people, especially now that their way of life is threatened in major cities. Look at NY and Boston, the cost of living is so unreal and real estate developers have stolen what they created pushing them out. Their image and urban visions has been replaced by a cheap "Urban Mall" and attracts whordes of mindless plastic people who ruin what they made.

Why can't Albany entice these people to come and dream it all up again. It has what they want and it could in the end turn into their greatest creation. I for one remember my youth hanging out in places like Lark Street and Center Square. Albany has always had these types of people in small numbers, but imagine what the city would be if more came.

Lets be honest, Albany has a problem with blight and a net loss in population. Its not getting better and I think allot of that has to due with the fact that the people in power don't want new life. They also look down upon free thinkers because these people pose a threat to them. I am not talking about gentrification here, I am talking about attracting people who would care enough to invest their own money into places the politicians have given up on. People who have spent their lives being criticized for being different and who are looking to create a new world.

Think of the benefits, we would see a new generation of people who care about the outcome of the city, people with ideas and creativity that would create new ideas for the future. Imagine new shops, and eating establishments. Imagine art and music that brings people together.

Since last spring, there have been six reports about the cross-dressing motorist. The most recent incident was last Sunday. The episodes have occurred in the Standish-Buxton area.

Sheriff Mark Dion said that while the man's behavior may not be criminal in terms of dress, the fact that he's jumping out in roadways and apparently targeting women who are alone is cause for concern.

The sheriff said women have had to swerve to avoid the man.

"The behavior is not necessarily criminal in terms of dress, but the fact he's jumping out in roadways and apparently targeting females who are alone, driving their cars, seems to suggest to us we have to talk to him," Dion said.

The man apparently wears black thigh-high stockings, a garter belt and a camisole, in addition to the boots.

And this:

Call him Mr. Goosebumps

No, it's not his real name. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office announced this week that his true identity is safe with them because, when it's all said and done, he's committed no crime.

Still, when you dress up in women's underwear and repeatedly jump out of your car while stunned female drivers pass by, you're more than just what police have ever-so-carefully referred to as a a "person of interest."

I really can't tell if some of the council members who endorsed opposing the demolition of 118 & 120 Washington Ave. by the Ft. Orange Club did so for the right reasons or just because they're pissed off that they haven't yet gotten their membership invitation to the exculsive club.

This being a Democratic debate, there were many areas of agreement on policies and issues.  But there were also enough differences, either on policy or on presentation and focus, that the whole thing was very interesting.  With this post, I hope to present a little bit of each candidate's biographical information and what each one identified as his or her priority for legislation.  I plan on putting up additional posts, in order to present more information on the candidates' policies and how they responded to questions.

I'm not a professional, so please forgive any deficiencies in note taking, paraphrasing, and attention sp... what was I saying?  

It's good that Cuomo is going after lawyers who were getting pension credits inappropriately, but I'm really more of a status quo, go along to get along kind of guy.

"The median price for existing single-family homes during the first three months of the year was $194,100, compared to $201,800 during the first quarter of 2007, a 3.8 percent decline."

"Only 48 of 149 MSAs (Municipal Statistical Area) in the country, or about one-third, had an increase in median prices during the quarter. The biggest increase in the U.S. was in Binghamton, where prices rose 11.8 percent, to $109,700."

"Following Binghamton, the strongest rates of increase in the Northeast were in Elmira (up 9.6 percent to $82,500) and Glens Falls (up 7.7 percent, to $163,100)."

I was glad to hear that because I have seen the benefits this often ridiculed group does. Many Homosexuals work in creative sectors, hence they have disposable income to invest in the community. They also tend to be more socially liberal, hence they can effect change. Where I live now, homosexuals are very politically active and have succeeded in getting progressive candidaties into once social conservative seats. They have also been a force in doing away with blight, and being a backbone to other liberal causes like healthcare, education and violence.

One problem though, they have had a number of incidents where they were harassed. When they go out on Lark Street holding hands, they often have drunken jock types yell slurs at them. On one occasion, they woke up to hatefilled grafiti saying "fags go away" on their doorstep. I apologized to them and said that most of Albany is very open minded to their lifestyle. I cited the artistic culture and also have him names of successful business and civic leaders who are gay. They said they didn't mind it, but wanted to know if the city of Albany had a liason to the Homosexual community who works with police to prevent hate crimes.

I was a bit embarrassed because I didn't think Albany did and judging by the politicians and cops I knew, I figured they would be harassed for bringing it up.

So with that said, does Albany have a person in the DA's office or Police Department who serves as a liason to the Gay Community. I think that having one would be a very good ideas since if Albany wants to attract a new generation to this city, they should get with the times. I personally feel that an increase in the homosexual community would do wonders for the city. It would bring a creative force to help beutify the city and also bring in people who would buy and restore blighted buildings.