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Marcie Haskell - President - Trojans For Troy Interviewed by Janette Kaddo Marino
How long have you lived in Troy? I moved here from Canada in 1953. I was born in Ontario, Canada and also met my husband in Canada. I have been primarily a homemaker. My family has always come first. What is Trojan's for Troy (TFT)? What are their objectives? We are a concerned group. We offer the information on issues that haven't been thoroughly discussed. We present the other side of the issue. Each member has their own interest. What each individual feels most comfortable with. We're all interested in our city. I think that people should get involved in their government. I'd like to recall something George Washington, the father of the republic said, government is not reason, its not eloquence, it is force like fire, it's a dangerous servant and fearful master. Too often we've been conditioned to think of those that are there to speak on issues are radical and unreasonable and not wanting to be of that category, people are lulled to silence, in a position of compromise. I think it takes courage to get involved in government affairs and issues. Our objective is to get involved in local governmental issues. The public should be constantly alert on government activities and if the need may be, to halt the misuse of powers. Do you meet regularly? We haven't met for a month or so, but have been in contact with quite a few members by phone. We relay information and what we're going to do. We have a good core group, plus others. I have received letters from people in Troy and they said that we are doing a good job and to keep doing what we're doing. Some of them are young folks, their working and would love to be more involved than they are and of course there's the others that are elderly and some cannot make the meetings, but they keep me posted on what they feel bother them and are issues. I try to get them answers and information. When are the meetings? I'd like to have meetings each month. We'd like to have one at the end of February. We'd like to see the City Council agenda out at least a week ahead of time, they said that they would. There are times when some of my members go down and its not out a week ahead of time. This has created a problem, because the members want to go over it to do some research and address the issues. How many people are in your membership? There's approximately 150 members. Smaller meetings consist of 30 or more people. How and why was this organization created? Why? I started to take a position in Troy in 1995 to oppose the MAC. I'm in my 74 th year and a grandmother and great grandmother and proud of it. I'm just not sitting around doing nothing. I had a meeting in 1995 at the Best Western. My concerns in 95' are the similar to what's happening this year, it hasn't changed. About our debt, how are we going to pay it off, how they were going to be borrowing, if this was a one shot affair? Everything I've said then has come to pass. I couldn't keep it up in 1995 due to health reasons and we then went to Florida.. I made up my mind before the election in the fall of 95'. We came back after we sold everything down there and my granddaughter was having another child and I wanted to be here for that. I knew that an election was coming up and when I was here I attended a lot of meetings and I saw what was going on. A lot of times I felt there were things that just weren't right. And I got myself involved. One of the meetings I attended when I spoke against the actions of this administration when they were talking about the tax increase and I spoke against it. I went out in the lobby, this young person grabbed me, she was in tears, she said "we need people like you." She was a married young women with children. She put her arms around me and I cried right along with her. So I feel, the group feels that we can't let the people down. We do what we have to and we must. What are some of your groups accomplishments to date? One big accomplishment is that we didn't have to register a half hour before the meeting. I'd like to speak on that. Many things that go on in Troy, they say that we need workshops, we need people involvement, we need their input, but I think their only going through the motions to make people believe that they are a part of the decision making when in fact their not. Other than that there have not been any others. We have brought other issues to the council/administration but they don't ever seem to get to them. Have you accomplished what you set out to do? Our goals are on going and they'll continue to be on going until we reach satisfaction or they can be resolved in one way or another. Have you ever run for/held political office? Do you have any intention of holding or running for political office? I've never been a candidate for a political office. I think that would be debatable depending on the candidates representing my district. I don't want to be a candidate for any office. But I would like to have good candidates in all districts. Good representatives of and for the people. Someone that has knowledge of the issue. If I were to run for office it would be in this district and only if there were not any viable candidates. What we need now is someone with an interest for Troy the City, but also especially for the taxpayers. What drives you to be a political activist? I don't know if we're political activists, I think what we are is more like a watch dog of our local government. I would consider myself a concerned citizen. I am registered in a party, but as you see back in 95' I was equally involved. My aim is to make sure that our government governs within the laws without any misuse or abuse of power. In your opinion, how has the Pattison administration performed in the first year of office? I'm concerned with the reserve funds that belonged to water and sewer. They raided that and put it in the general funds because they needed more money in the general funds for the budget. Now if our water and sewer needs the funds for repair work it's not going to be there. So therefor, they will have to borrow or bond to make the necessary repairs. This is the one area that we made money from. I foresee another tax increase because they don't have anything to generate any ongoing revenue. What do you see as Troy's greatest asset(s)? Our water! That's where we make any money. An asset to me is something that creates
revenue.
Continued next page. If you could change one thing right now in Troy what would it be? I would like it to be back where it was in the 50's but I know that's impossible. It became more impossible when the buildings were taken down and the city was left with a big hole. So now we have to look at other areas. I would fix up boarded up buildings and renovate them and put them back on the market. The sidewalks would definitely have to be repaired. Now I was in South Troy and North Central and I believe that there's a need for government money in these areas and that's where this money ought to go. We have to make our city safe and free of crime. We need more police on the street walking the beat and they should know the people that live in that area. The officers ride in cars and have less contact with the people in the area. How often do they really stop and get to know the people. You generate a secure feeling with police presence. Also, when their is government money coming into Troy, I feel that all work should go out to bid. Whatfuture initiatives are you planning for TFT? As long as there's issues that have to be addressed, we'll remain active. We will deal with them on a one on one basis as they occur. Maxine Cairns, a member of TFT is currently doing a study and obtaining information from other states and cities and how they deal with the situation of tax exempt properties. It is very encouraging. What is TFT's vision for Troy? That every homeowner and resident of the City of Troy will once again feel proud
to live in Troy and also be able to afford to reside here.
Trojan's For Troy can be reached by dialing 274-TROY In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation 
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