Troy Athens Choirs 2015 Visit to New York City (Part 1)

Image via Arbender Robinson

Because our son Alex has been involved in the choirs at Troy Athens High School for four years, I can see why the Troy School District was recently named to the 2015 list of Best Communities for Music Education (BCME).

This past week, Alex and I went to New York City with the Athens Choirs. The choir members attended a music workshop and a gave a wonderful performance at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. Thank you to Athens Choir Director Michele Fredericks and the choir accompanist Jacqueline Koehler for all you do!

There was also a lot of sightseeing (I'll post some photos here in a few days).

Below I've embedded a couple of videos of Alex receiving voice lessons from Arbender Robinson. Arbender can currently be seen in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables. I've also embedded a video of one of the songs the Athens Choirs performed at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine.

Troy Zoning Board of Appeals - February 2015 Meeting Recap

City staff has posted the video recording of the 2/17/15 Troy Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting to YouTube. At the bottom of this post is the video. (The meeting actually starts shortly after the 3 minute mark of the video.)

Click here to download the entire Agenda Packet from the February 17th meeting.

There were two items on the agenda:

1. A variance for 1321 Boyd Street (for a lot split). The ZBA voted to postpone action on this proposed variance until our March meeting. I voted "yes" on the postponement motion.
2. A variance for 2774 Orchard Trail (to construct an addition to a home). The ZBA approved the variance. I voted "yes" to approve the variance.

Congratulations to our newest ZBA members, Philip Sanzica and Thomas Desmond! Also, congratulations to our newly-elected Vice Chairman, David Eisenbacher!

Serving With Anthony Pallotta

I was saddened to hear about the February 24, 2015 passing of former Troy City Councilman Anthony N. Pallotta. I had the privilege of serving with Tony during my first 2 years on the Troy City Council. In fact, during my "rookie" year, I sat right next to Tony. I guess they figured I could use use the advice of a Council veteran like him.

As Councilmembers, Tony and I didn't always agree but I appreciated his insight and his experience as an elected official.

At the end of his last term in 2003, Tony had served 31 years as a Troy City Councilman! Even after he retired from City Council, he just couldn't stay away from community service. According to the AJ Desmond & Sons Funeral Home website, Tony was a 2000 hour volunteer in the Emergency Center at William Beaumont Hospital of Troy.

Leadership Troy recognized Tony for his service to our community when it named him Troy's 2005 Distinguished Citizen.

Praying for Tony's family on their loss. Thank you to the Pallotta Family for sharing him with the people of Troy!