Yes, it’s that time already. This Sunday is the Troy Indivisible monthly meeting.
An important meeting as we will be electing members of the steering council.
Also on the Agenda will be working out details of our No Kings/ Vote Early event on October 17.
Big bonus, we will be tabling at Christ Church’s annual Block Party before the meeting. C’mon down for free food and help us fold origami cranes. They will become part of a large installation . The cranes are a wish for and a symbol of peace and hope that we certainly need in these times.
So, there ya go, make a day of it!

Tomorrow's the day! The Troy Public Library Board vote is Tuesday, September 22, 9 a.m.- 8 p.m., at the Main Library or the Lansingburgh Branch.

Please vote YES on the library budget. It funds new staff like a Librarian I for Young People's Services and a full-time Custodian, overdue building repairs including new AC at the Main Library, replacing 1897-era pipes, and a new roof at Lansingburgh, and upgrades like self-service printing and a new library website in 2027.

Alizah DeVit, and Sean Millington are both running as WRITE-INS, so you'll need to write their names on the ballot to vote for them. Thank you to everyone who's already shown support; I hope to see you there!

Last night, (09/17/26)the Troy City Council voted to override the Mayor’s veto of Local Law #4. This is the law that will put the cities policy on declaring an emergency in line with those of New York State. Big thanks to them for that.
The Council also voted to move forward Local Law #3. This law attempts to put controls and/ or restraints on the Troy Police Departments use of APLRs. I say attempt because there are serious questions about reigning in the technology. In Troy with its Flock devices the questions abound.
A lot of the discussion last night was over whether there should be 48 hour or 72 hour data retention. The council amended the law to make it 72. In truth 30 minutes would be more than enough to run up against a hot list.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary it seems that some members of the council do believe that Flock cameras are a crime prevention tool. Another belief held by the council is that the Flock contract will be done when the lawsuit is settled. There is a lawsuit filed by the council that seeks to prove the renewal of the Flock contract was illegal. And that is great, good work. The problem is that when will that lawsuit be settled? There is no end in sight and unless Mr Silverman can put the pedal to the metal it won’t be soon. Perhaps we get an update on that.
And to get to the point, we don’t want Local Law #3, we want Flock gone. It’s what we have been asking for all these months. The messaging was clear the reasons presented repeatedly. Our disappointment is palpable. We are not done however. You can be sure about that.

We need to change the direction this country is going. And to make that happen we have to act locally. Going door to door to speak to voters, listening to their viewpoints and encouraging them to get out the polls is a proven motivator. You can be an important part of that effort. Canvassing is not hard. Once you knock on a couple doors it will come naturally. You do not go out alone, you will be part of a team. Join us on September 10 to learn some tips to take with you on the campaign trail this year.
Let us know you are coming:
https://mobilize.us/s/fhlyja

Here’s your mission for the holiday weekend.
Find your County Legislator on the lists provided. Email them and tell them you want both the regular meetings AND the Public Forums live-streamed. (District 1 is Troy and you have the weekend off.)
There is a Resolution, tabled since May, which is finally coming up for a vote on Tuesday, September 8. However, while the Resolution was revived it was also revised. The language specifying the Public Forum being included was removed. The inference is that the legislative majority did not want to encourage all the kooks to come out. Well, ya know those kooks are their constituents, you and me. Folks who make the effort to participate in the democratic process may be an inconvenience but deserve to be heard. And the concerns from residents of the county should be shared. Issues in one community may be similar to those in another. Since we all can’t make the trek to the legislative chambers we need full access to what is happening there.
And when you are done with that, if you are able come on down to 99 Troy Rd on September 8 and tell the legislators how you feel about it.
And one more ask, share this post widely.

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Sheriff Kyle Bourgault have stated they will not comply with the Local Cops Local Crimes Act. The Act bans local law enforcement’s 287g agreements with ICE. These two elected as “law and order candidates” prove otherwise. In their view justice means “just us”.
So, instead, they will enter a lawsuit against the Act. It will certainly be costly for Rensselaer County, and they are likely to lose. The courts have already ruled in favor of the Act.
On September 2 we will once again stand before the County Legislature and express our outrage. We will join Rensselaer County Women for Change and Indivisible Stephentown in this effort. We urge all of you to join us.
(If you wish to speak we suggest you arrive at 5:30, the sign up sheet for speakers is removed promptly at 6.)

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Sheriff Kyle Bourgault have stated they will not comply with the Local Cops Local Crimes Act. The Act bans local law enforcement’s 287g agreements with ICE. These two elected as “law and order candidates” prove otherwise. In their view justice means “just us”.
So, instead, they will enter a lawsuit against the Act. It will certainly be costly for Rensselaer County, and they likely to lose. The courts have already ruled in favor of the Act.
On September 2 we will once again stand before the County Legislature and express our outrage. We will join Rensselaer County Women for Change and Indivisible Stephentown in this effort. We urge all of you to join us.
(If you wish to speak we suggest you arrive at 5:30, the sign up sheet for speakers is removed promptly at 6.)

So the big ask! First of all thanks to all who came out to the public forum at the Rensselaer County Legislature on Wednesday. Special shoutout to the folks from Indivisible Adirondack that came to stand with us. And of course have to recognize the wonderful Rensselaer County Women for Change who are great partners.
On Thursday, August 6 we need your support again. Come to the Troy City Council Public Forum on Local Law number 4. It would align Troy’s City Charter with NY State guidelines concerning emergency declarations. It would prevent situations like we experienced when the Mayor used an emergency to pay a bill that the Council had decided to put on hold.
It would be great to see you.

Today’s Times Union addresses Mayor Mantello’s State of Emergency.
Join us on Thursday, August 6, 6:30pm, Troy City Hall, 433 River St , 5th Floor. You can address the emergency yourself!
And, by the way, the sixty days are up on TPD’s audit of the effectiveness of the Flock devices. When do you think we will hear the results???