Troy mayor highlights public safety, revitalization in State of the City
TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The City of Troy's Mayor, Carmella Mantello delivered her second State of the City address Wednesday night from the Franklin Plaza. City leadership and the community came together for an update on the city’s current state. “Troy is a city on the rise, and I'm happy to report the state of our city is strong. But fighting for a safer, cleaner future it doesn't come without obstacles,” said Mantello.
The mayor addressed public safety and quality of life issues along with addressing new initiatives like Operation Sweep. “It's more than just enforcement, it's engagement. Our teams aren’t just out there issuing citations, they're speaking directly with homeowners, tenants. They're educating folks on city regulations and in many cases, addressing issues on the spot. During each sweep, we visit key areas,” said the mayor.
She talked about another new initiative called the Sentinel program saying, “This is a major step in ensuring a safer, stronger community. This specialized team, composed of highly trained officers with expertise in crime suppression, is designed to tackle strategic issues impacting our neighborhoods from the ground up, not the top down. Everything from drug sales to lude behavior and quality of life concerns.”
Financial transparency was also a key topic tonight. “We're excited to take a significant step forward with the hiring of our new City Comptroller, Jack Krokos. We've found an exceptional leader.” Mantello went on to say, “Under his leadership, we will modernize our city's financial operations with updated technology that enhances efficiency and transparency.”
The mayor said a number of city parks have already been upgraded and more will be, as well. She went further in saying the “Crown Jewel” of the city would be getting a major upgrade. “I'm proud to announce a defining moment in Troy's revitalization, the transformation of One Monument Square. Thanks to $19 million in funding from New York State. We are finally turning what has been a hole in the ground into the centerpiece our downtown deserves,” stated Mantello.
The mayor closing out the night with promises for the future by saying, “Investing in a permanent city hall, we're reinforcing our commitment to open, transparent and effective governance that puts the needs of our citizens first.” Mantello says that in the spring she would have more details on the proposed new and permanent city hall. “2025 and beyond will bring even greater opportunities to strengthen our neighborhoods, support our local businesses, and improve the quality of life for every resident. We'll continue to invest in public safety, modernize the city's dilapidated infrastructure, and create new opportunities for economic growth.”