Democracy In Albany

Our needs on Manning are many. The access road is in need of paving. There are no curbs. The sidewalks are in very bad shape. And there is one section near Washington Avenue where there is no pavement, and there hasn't been any pavement there in the 40 years I have lived here. The snow plows dug up the median and nothing has been done to repair it. Our neighborhood association plants tulips every year and because the grass on the median is so long, some of the tulips don't show.

You would think with the Vanguard Showhouse on this street and the Tulip Festival, the city would want to spruce up this well-traveled street.

I have spoken to Judy Stacy, the city gardener. She said that she has nothing to do with the mowing, but that she would send a note to Tom Kelly, who heads General Services.

I have also put in a call to Mr. Kelly. He hasn't returned my call. Is it necessary for the street cleaner to come by at least three times a week? I have noticed that the street cleaner leaves a trail; when conditions are dry it merely stirs up the dirt.

Perhaps it would be better to have the person who cleans the street do some mowing and paving.

As a taxpayer, I am angered when I see South Manning getting extra special care, Marion Avenue getting new paving and the streets west of Manning and out New Scotland being favored. It's a disgrace, and it cheats the citizens of Albany.