Town officials are hoping PC Public Affairs will come up with a winning marketing strategy for the town. The firm was contracted to the tune of $12,000 in April. Andre Claridge, founder and managing partner of the firm, laid out plans, highlighted the town’s challenges and the advantages to growing its commercial corridor, with an approach for the town to implement suggestions amid tight fiscal constraints.

“This is a community orientated area,” Claridge said, “one that respects the community and all it has to offer, but also one that is very pro-business and open to growth.”

Claridge said the firm was interested in the project because one of its focus areas is dealing with public sector messaging. Claridge previously was a speechwriter and staffer for Gov. George Pataki and the firm’s director of media relations, Jason Keller, worked on the “I Love NY” campaign.

“Although we had a limited budget we actually took on this project because it meant something to us, so we spent a great deal of time in the community to get a sense of what Glenville is all about,” Claridge said.

After reaching out to community stakeholders, the firm drafted an assessment and reviewed it with the town’s Small Business and Economic Development Committee. The committee provided input to help craft the town’s message, which includes the slogan “The Town of Glenville is growing … Come be a part of it.”

Claridge said it is important the town tell its story to prospective businesses and investors. Identifying Glenville’s strengths and weaknesses over its “tremendous regional competition,” such as booming commercial sector in Colonie and Clifton Park, is the first step. He also showed how to spin possible downsides as positive attributes.

Many people might believe Glenville’s location isn’t ideal, for example, but he stressed it is centrally located.

“A lot of folks think Glenville is out of the way, but they don’t realize if you really live in Glenville you have everything right here and whatever you don’t have here is just 30 minutes away,” Claridge said.

Claridge said the town is approaching economic development in the right way through effective town leadership creating a more welcoming environment for business. A new initiative recently proposed by Town Supervisor Christopher Koetzle is having a “one-pass promise” for developers going through town approvals for projects.

Claridge said while the town doesn’t have one central commercial corridor there are five hubs throughout the town, including the town center, Schenectady County Airport, Freeman’s Bridge Road, Glenville Business & Technology Park and Route 5 in the Village of Scotia.

“Glenville will be the type of community that people want to sit in a coffee shop on Saturday afternoon, and without a real sort of focused town center it is hard to create those types of atmospheres,” Claridge said. “You guys have to work exceptionally hard to build that center so that growth can sort of come from that.”

Marketing the town on a tight budget requires smart approaches, he said, such as using social media effectively and possibly creating a simple website solely focusing on a pro-business message.

“You have to keep your budget in mind, so if you have limited funds you have to be creative,” Claridge said.

Glenville’s drive for economic development is primarily focused on lessening the tax burden on residents, which is generally greater than that of surrounding municipalities.

Town officials have previously said residents contribute roughly 80 percent of property taxes and commercial 15 percent. Comparatively, Rotterdam and Niskayuna residents bear only around 60 percent of the tax burdens in those towns, with Clifton Park residents chipping in 50 percent.

Councilwoman Gina Wierzbowski said it’s important for town officials to change people’s perception of the town and highlight positive attributes.

“We are close to everything and it is a great place to live and raise a family,” Wierzbowski said.

That’s the message developed by PC Public Affairs of Albany, which town officials hired last April at a cost of $12,000 to come up with a marketing plan for the town.

The plan states that Glenville is the “perfect blend of small-town charm and suburban convenience.” It also stressed that the Niskayuna, Burnt Hills and Scotia-Glenville central school districts rank second, fifth and 25th in The Business Review’s school district ranking.

Among the recommendations are to update the town’s website to reflect the new message, beautify its commercial corridors and promote the positive aspects of the town such as a business-friendly atmosphere and excellent recreational opportunities.

Andre Claridge, managing partner of PC Public Affairs, said research the firm did indicated that people have heard of Glenville but don’t know what the town has to offer.

For example, she said, there are numerous recreational opportunities including parks and access to the waterfront. When the firm’s staff was visiting various parts of town to conduct the survey, they saw numerous kayakers, boaters and pedestrians along the river by the Water’s Edge Lighthouse Restaurant. “It was a hub of activity on that waterfront,” he said.

Claridge said the town has to be consistent with this new marketing message and repeat it on its website, social media and all other media.

The marketing report divides the regions into “hubs” including the Town Center, Airport District, Freemans Bridge Road, Business and Technology Park, village of Scotia and Route 5 corridor.

It highlights new development that has already occurred or is in the process, such as Target, Panera Bread and Starbucks. In addition to the retail development, Integrated Fab Technologies announced last May it was tripling the size of its facility in the Glenville Business and Technology Park and adding 40 jobs.

The report added that the town could provide property tax incentives, grants from its Revitalization and Economic Development Investment Fund and small business loans through its new Local Development Corp.

Town Supervisor Chris Koetzle said this marketing plan is necessary to raise the town’s profile in the Capital Region.

“Some people, when you mention Glenville, they kind of ask, ‘Where’s that again?’ ”

The town is already doing some things recommended in the report, such as beautifying commercial corridors. Koetzle said town officials are seeking funding for a project to spruce up the Town Center area by installing attractive street lighting this year in the vicinity of Target. Glenville must accomplish the project this year because the state Department of Transportation is planning to install sidewalks in that entire area this year and likely would not rip up the street to put in wiring for the light fixtures.

Among the town’s other priorities this year is to streamline its approval process to offer a “one-stop-shop” approach to economic development. On April 25, the town will host its second annual forum for developers to learn about the town and present potential projects.

Koetzle said the next step is to have the town’s Small Business and Economic Development Committee develop an action plan based on the marketing report.

“We believe this is critically important to help increase the profile of the town and to attract more interest in the town among shoppers and businesses,” he said.

The cost-saving solutions will give cash-strapped school districts not currently using private pupil transportation operators the opportunity to do so, allowing these schools to significantly reduce transportation costs while maintaining the highest standards in school bus safety.

“More than half of the schools in New York State are enjoying the safety and cost-saving benefits of using a private pupil transportation operator,” said Vallone.  “We believe the solutions we are putting forth this year will help even more schools realize the safety and cost-saving benefits of using a private pupil transportation operator for their school bus services.”

The proposal would help school districts explore the option of hiring a private school bus operator, and allow the schools to keep unused transportation aid for up to five years.   The plan also calls for the repeal of the state and local sales tax on the purchase of school buses – a tax that is ironically paid by the school and the state.

New York schools currently using private pupil transportation operators have reduced transportation costs by a total of $200 million per year.  This represents one of the most successful examples of public-private partnership in New York State.  It is estimated that an additional $100 million a year could be saved if more school districts partnered with private school bus contractors.

About the New York School Bus Contractors Association: The Association is an organization comprising over two hundred school transportation companies, also known as school bus contractors, with the primary mission of promoting safe, reliable and cost-effective student transportation services in New York State. (www.nysbca.com)

“We’re excited to be able to support this farm in its endeavor, and equally pleased to enhance the range of
product available to Greenmarket Co.’s customers, ” said Marcel Van Ooyen, executive director, GrowNYC. “Aqua Vita’s innovative farming practice extends the season in which we are able to offer locally grown greens, a product there is demand for year-round.”

Aqua Vita Farms is one of the few aquaponic farms in the country producing on the wholesale level — using a combination of hydroponics (growing without soil) and aquaculture (fish farming). Within the closed environment system, the fish are fed in holding tanks. The nutrient-rich water is then moved to the plants in beds in the middle of the farm. The plants then soak up all the nutrients and clean the water as they grow.

“We feed the fish, the fish feed the plants, the plants clean the water,” said Mark Doherty, founder of Aqua Vita Farms. “The result is a high quality seafood and produce that top chefs are raving about.”

Unlike many traditional farms, or even typical hydroponics operations, there are no petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides used in Aqua Vita Farms’ aquaponic system.   And because of the growing method, these products are free of the risks such as e.coli or salmonella inherent to traditional agriculture. Aquaponics also uses 90% less water than traditional soil-based agriculture and is capable of twice the yield.

“Aqua Vita Farms products are all natural, free of pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals, so they taste better, last longer, and are fresher than the alternatives,” said Doherty. “The really exciting thing about Aqua Vita Farms and the aquaponic farming method is that it seeks to address many of the issues we currently face due to global climate change with regard to pollution, water consumption, and food security. That means, not only are our partner restaurants sourcing the safest, highest quality products for their customers, but they are thinking about future generations.”

Though the initial distribution will be their aquaponic lettuce mix, Aqua Vita Farms will also be producing
fresh fish. And the Aqua Vita Farms’ system can be used to grow almost anything, resulting in fresh, healthy, local produce and seafood year-round.

The Empire State Sports Foundation announced Thursday that everything is “on target’’ for the summer event’s return to Rochester with a new name, July 24-28.

The challenge is to turn the Hugh L. Carey Empire State Games, named after the late governor who established the competitions in 1978, into an annual event again.

There are more summer college recruiting showcases, camps, tournaments and travel teams than ever to compete with for athletes participation and sponsorship dollars.

A revival could be something that generates interest around the state, as past summer Empire State Games were said to have an economic impact of $8 million to $12 million on the region of the host cities. “They seem to be off to a great start,” State Senator Joseph Robach said. “It’s a good product, it’s something that a lot of people and companies want to be a part of.”

The Empire State Sports Foundation, a not for profit organization that now runs the summer games, has some help when it comes to promotion.

United States Olympic soccer star Abby Wambach, a Pittsford native, and New Jersey Devils winger Stephen Gionta are honorary members of the Empire State Sports Foundation’s board of governors. Gionta, a Greece native who reached the Stanley Cup finals with the Devils last spring, and Wambach played in the summer Empire State Games while in high school.

Ice hockey was part of the summer Empire State Games when Gionta, then a student at Aquinas, skated with the Western Region teams of Rochester- and Buffalo-area players in 1999 and 2000.

Gionta joked during Thursday’s announcement about the revived summer games that he had a good view from the bench when the team rallied to win a gold medal 12 years ago in Binghamton.

“The opportunity is something I wanted to jump on, to help in any way,” Gionta said. “It’s something I still remember to this day. The competition level was high.

“I look at some of the players and say ‘Wow, they were pretty good.’ You are talking about the best in the state. I didn’t realize how much it helped me then, because I was so young. I was 12-13 years old and I still remember the whole thing.”

High school-aged athletes and adults, about 5,500 to 6,000 state residents, would compete under one of six regional banners. They were housed and fed at area colleges, which used the experience to promote their schools to families and recruit athletes.

Wambach and Gionta are not the only ones who went on to become stars and professionals or reach the Olympics. Mike Tyson boxed, Hall of Famer Chris Mullin played basketball and former Webster resident Kara Lynn Joyce swam in the summer Empire State Games.

Sports organizations viewed the ESG events as a chance to show off their games to the public or stage championship and step-ladder competitions. Media coverage from around the state was all but guaranteed, given that regional teams were made up of hundreds of athletes and coaches.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which ran the Empire State Games, claimed that other states followed the model. Cities and regions in this state competed to host the summer Empire State Games.

The state ran the games from the first edition in 1978 until three years ago when budget cuts took away $2.7 million in funding.Organizers secured sponsorship, and a pay-to-play model for athletes was used to revive the games in Buffalo and Niagara Falls during 2010. The comeback was brief.

Rochester was scheduled to host the following year, but a lack of sponsorship led to the current suspension. Former Monroe County Sports Commission member Scott Bell is among those who vowed to bring back the summer Empire State Games, which have taken place in the Rochester-area three times

The plan is for the next version to include 30 sports in the scholastic or high school-aged division, including softball. Beach volleyball and lacrosse are on the list of 32 sports for an open division that now has age brackets for former master-level athletes.

Athletes will have to pay to play, $40 in the scholastic division, $50 in the open.

The College at Brockport, Monroe Community College, Roberts Wesleyan, and State University College at Geneseo were announced as event venues.

Carey, who will serve as president of the foundation’s Board of Governors, detailed the significant progress being made to permanently bring back the summer games, including the dates of the winter and summer games, and a plan to reunify the two games under the banner of the Empire State Games and the Empire State Sports Foundation.

“We are all here for one reason, we love the Empire State Games,” said Michael Carey.  “We love what these games have meant for our state, for our communities and for our athletes.   And now, today, we are here to announce that we are moving forward with the plan to bring back the Empire State Summer Games.  The people of New York want the games back, and we are going make it happen. ”

The 33^rd annual Empire State Winter Games will again be held again in Lake Placid, on February 7-10, 2013.  And plans are in place to hold the Empire State Summer Games July 24th-28th in the Rochester area, with events at SUNY Brockport, Monroe Community College, Roberts Wesleyan College and SUNY Geneseo.

Also announced today is news that two of New York State’s top athletes are lending their voices to the effort to bring back the Empire State Games.  Games alumni Stephen Gionta and Abby Wambach have both agreed to serve as honorary members of the ESSF Board of Governors. Stephen Gionta was on hand to help make the announcement.

“I played in the Empire State Games, and I loved it,” said NHL winger Stephen Gionta. “It was one of the most memorable moments of my young hockey career.  To play against the best in the state, to play for my region, to play for a gold medal – nothing compares.  I hope all alumni join me in lending their voice and helping to bring back the Empire State Games.”

“I am so excited for the return of the Empire State Games,” said U.S. Soccer great Abby Wambach. “My memories from the Games are still vivid as I relished competing against the best athletes in New York. I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating the Empire State Games so we can give another generation of young athletes an opportunity to play, a reason to train hard, and a chance to dream big.”

The Empire State Games were founded in 1978 by Governor Hugh Carey, and quickly became an important part of New York’s athletic culture.  Due to the fiscal crisis, the games’ state funding was cut in 2009, and the games were permanently discontinued in 2010.   The Winter Games continued thanks to the work of Lake Placid and all the communities of the Adirondack region.

Under the new private model, the games will be supported by the work of the not-for-profit Empire State Sports Foundation, which will be funded primarily through private sources and corporate sponsorship.  As designed, the work of the foundation will benefit both the Summer Games and the Winter Games, rejoining the two events under a unified mission.

“This is the start of a new chapter in Empire State Games history,” said James McKenna, president of the Lake Placid-based Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. “Our partnership puts in motion a public/private model, ensuring that the Adirondacks’ Winter Games will continue, and that the potential for both events to grow is unlimited.”

“ORDA is once again excited to be hosting several of the 33rd annual Empire State Winter Games’ competition on its venues. We hope that these games, and even the legacy of the venues, will help to inspire these young athletes to obtain even loftier goals, not only in sport, but in life,” said Ted Blazer, Pres/CEO of ORDA (Olympic Regional Development Authority).

The Empire State Sports Foundation is committed to giving the state’s top amateur athletes a chance to compete at the highest level.   Visit the Empire State Games on Facebook or on the web, and register to stay informed.  http://www.empirestatesummergames.org

“To make these games a success, we need all the athletes, all the alumni and all the supporters of amateur sports to get involved,” said Carey. “It’s up to all New Yorkers to help make the Empire State Games happen. Together, we will give New York athletes a world class competition and the experience of a lifetime.  We will give young and old athletes across the state another reason to be active, to train, and to compete.  And we will give another generation of athletes a chance to play.”

There will be a new name in Florida for the sale and support of IC Bus™ brand buses, as LBS South today announced it has completed a deal with Jacksonville-based Rivers Bus and RV Sales for certain business assets and the distribution rights for IC Bus™  buses.

“The completion of the deal between Rivers Bus and LBS South is an important milestone for IC Bus^TM customers in Florida,” said Mike Leonard, President of LBS South.  “It marks the changing of the guard and sets the stage for LBS South to bring our award-winning customer support and commitment to excellence to our new Florida customers.”

LBS South is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the school bus distribution industry and owner of Leonard Bus Sales in New York.  The company brings an industry-wide reputation as a leader in the sale and support of quality buses.

“IC Bus is pleased that Leonard Bus Sales is expanding operations in Florida, said John McKinney, President of Navistar Global Bus. “As the recipient of the “IC Bus Eastern Region Dealer of the Year” award in 2011, I am confident that LBS South will continue to excel in providing cost-effective transportation solutions to the market, matched by their unparalleled customer support.”

“We are looking forward to meeting and supporting our new customers,” said Leonard.  “When you buy a bus from LBS South, you not only get great buses and unparalleled customer support, but you also get a trusted advisor who cares about your success.”

LBS South will offer a range of training, service and support to customers by using mobile support vehicles and expanding the capabilities of the former Rivers Bus facility.

Leonard concluded, “The LBS South team is going to work tirelessly to exceed the expectations of the Florida school and commercial bus distribution markets.  We have a proud tradition of excellence and we intend on bringing it to Florida.  We are excited about the opportunity to bring quality IC Bus^TM brand buses, cost-saving fleet management services and award-winning customer support to our current and future Florida customers.”

The company has plans to expand its product-line, add an additional full-service distribution facility and employees to the Florida market.

About LBS South, LLC: LBS South is located in Jacksonville, Florida and is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses.  In addition to LBS South, LLC, the Leonard family owns Leonard Bus Sales in New York and has nearly 50 years of experience in providing unmatched fleet management and customer support services having recently won the coveted IC Bus^TM “Eastern Region Dealer of the Year” award in 2011.  For more information go to www.lbssouth.com.

About IC Bus: IC Bus, LLC of Lisle, Ill., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar, Inc. (NYSE: NAV). The nation’s largest integrated manufacturer of school buses, IC Bus is a global leader in passenger protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus buses are sold, serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service. Additional information is available at www.icbus.com.

#####

“We were more than pleased with our budget victories this year,” said Andre Claridge, PC Public Affairs Managing Partner.  “It was a team effort that yielded tremendous results.  Working side-by-side with NYSBCA members, we were successful in getting critical school bus contractor initiatives included in this year’s final budget and equally successful at blocking those provisions that the industry viewed as harmful.”

Extension of the RFP law is critically important to the school bus contractor industry because it allows school districts to procure pupil transportation services by utilizing a request for proposal instead of just a low bid process.  The RFP law ensures the private contractor industry is providing the safest, most reliable and cost-effective student transportation possible.

In January of this year, the association’s hard work was rewarded when the Governor introduced his Executive Budget proposal and included a five year extension of the request for proposal law – marking the first time the pupil transportation request for proposal law was included in an Executive Budget proposal.  After the Governor introduced his Executive Budget, PC Public Affairs’ lobbying team and NYSBCA’s legislative committee quickly jumped into action.

With a sense that this year’s budget process was going to conclude on time, PC Public Affairs accelerated its lobbying and advocacy efforts to ensure there was no question that the request for proposal law would be extended as part of this year’s final agreed-upon state budget.  NYSBCA President Phil Vallone, the association’s legislative committee, a number of board members and its lobbying team spent the first three months of 2012 meeting with the Governor’s Education Secretary, the Division of Budget, key members of the legislature and their staff to make the case in support or the association’s budget priorities.

Leading the charge in the legislature to extend the RFP law was Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Senator John Flanagan (Republican from Long Island).  Senator Flanagan and his staff were fully engaged on this issue and worked tirelessly to ensure the Senate Majority supported the Governor’s proposal to extend the law.  As the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Flanagan also worked closely with Assembly Education Chairwoman, Cathy Nolan (Democrat from Queens) to gain a compromise on the.

Although the extending the state’s request for proposal law for another five years was NYSBCA’s first priority, it did not hinder the association’s efforts on other budget initiatives.  This year’s budget also called for a reduction of the number of school bus inspections which many contractors felt would have jeopardized the safety and reputation of private contractor-provided student transportation across the state.

Recognizing the seriousness of this budget proposal, NYSBCA’s legislative committee and the PC Public Affairs lobbying team worked quickly to convince the legislature and the Governor that it was important to maintain the state’s biannual bus inspection process.  The lobbying efforts stressed the effectiveness of the state’s proven biannual inspection process – a process that has helped keep New York school buses among the safest in the nation.

Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Charles Fushillo and Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee championed our cause and worked with the Governor’s office to not only preserve the current bi-annual school bus inspection process, but enhance it by providing funding for new performance-based school bus inspections.

#####

Following several successful advocacy efforts for clients, Albany-based government relations and communications firm, PC Public Affairs, continues its exponential growth with the addition of seasoned political veteran and democratic strategist Cort Ruddy.

Joining PC Public Affairs as a partner, Ruddy brings to the growing firm statewide media abilities and a breadth of experience in politics and government at the state and national level.  Beginning his career as journalist in Washington, Ruddy became the speechwriter for then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2003, serving in that role until the end of 2004.  He then returned to his native Upstate New York to become chief of staff for State Senator Dave Valesky.  In that time he also served as the communications director and campaign manager for the successful campaigns of Senator Darrel Aubertine, now the Agriculture Commissioner.  Most recently, Ruddy was the Upstate Director for a NYC-based political strategy firm.

“We are excited to add such a dynamic and experienced professional to our team, reinforcing our credentials as one of the best, young public affairs firms in New York,” said PC Public Affairs Managing Partner Andre Claridge.  “Cort brings his talent as a writer and his reputation as a top communications strategist, along with strong relationships in Albany and Washington.”

The recent growth is part of a trend at PC Public Affairs, which saw the addition of three other well-known Albany professionals in the past year.

Well-known radio personality and media veteran Jason Keller joined PC Public Affairs last summer, becoming the firm’s director of Media Relations.  Last fall, long-time senate majority policy expert Kandi Terry joined PC Public Affairs to become the firm’s director of Government Relations.  Kandi brings to PC Public Affairs vast experience in Criminal Justice, Transportation and State Budget issues, as well as networks in both houses of the legislature.  And this January, Thomas O’Connor, the former Assistant CEO of the State Liquor Authority and an Assistant Commissioner for at the Department of Environmental Conservation, joined the firm bringing his intricate knowledge of executive branch agencies and the state legislature.

“PC Public Affairs is well positioned to serve an array of current and future clients in all areas of public affairs,” said Claridge. “We are excited to be growing and moving forward, offering strategic insight and advocacy for all our clients.”

Before Founding PC Public Affairs, Claridge, a former speechwriter and policy staffer for Governor George E. Pataki, served as a former VP at Fleishman Hillard Government Relations/Mercury Public Affairs, and was a Partner at Capitol Group, LLC.   At PC Public Affairs, he has served as a lobbyist, communications strategist and business consultant for a host of clients in the transportation, defense, energy and public safety sectors.

#####

The company behind it, Trans Tech Bus of Orange County, says the bus runs on two lithium-ion batteries.  The company says electricity saves a lot of money versus diesel fuel normal buses use.  It can charge overnight, keeping energy costs even lower and Trans Tech hopes to produce more of them.

“It’s being manufactured, as I stated, in Warwick, New York and currently, no other location in the US or worldwide,” said Dan Daniels, Trans Tech Bus President.

This bus will head to San Joaquin Valley in California, where one out of five children in that area use inhalers because of the poor air quality.  The electric buses do not emit pollutants.

(Video)