Classroom Publication

•

                               • Braving Bloodshed for Ballots

Robin St. was enriched with sounds of celebration Tuesday night where outside of the Grace and Holy Innocent Church stood proud and happy people, wishing on the change that a new president may bring.

A rusty red car slowly swerved curbside, the engine squealed as out climbed three teenagers, eager to enter the curtains at one of five voting booths.

"That right there, the kids, that is what makes this rewarding," said John Fleming, an inspector for the Albany County Board of Elections.

Fleming is 35, and has been inspecting for 14 years. "I have lived here my whole life and this turnout is the best I have ever seen."

From inside the church inspectors rejoiced as District 13 recorded its one hundredth voter, twice as much as 2004.

In Albany, the Third Ward is notorious for crime, drugs and violence.

Many streets are littered; many buildings are boarded and shadows are cast by street lights that  dim and flicker.

"This area is deteriorating," said Fleming, who does full-time custodial work for the state Dormitory Authority.

"I live right down on Sherman St." Fleming said. "There were gun shots here Saturday night," he said, pushing back his his beige cap, "I have a little girl, a two-year-old."

After gazing down the short and ragged street, Fleming smiled. Like many who stood outside in Arbor Hill, he could hear hopes drums from just around the corner.

                                    • Brake Pad Pessimism

 "We hit 59 percent tonight," says 58 year old Roy Conrad as he snapped the drivers side seat belt of his Ford Taurus.

"When you are used to 25 percent, that is phenomenal." 

Roy Conrad is a senior case worker for Albany County Department for Children, Youth & Families. He has a graduate Masters degree in sociology and volunteers with the juvenile Preventive Services unit.

Conrad has lived in the district for 24 years, he understands the community and he cares about the people.

"We are a minority-majority district. That means that the most of the people in this area are considered a minority," said Conrad.

Hours spent processing teenage delinquents has drained a share of his optimism. "I see the the kids who come through the justice system, most lack respect, they place no value on life," said Conrad.

Conrad believes it will take a while for the impact of this election to reverberate in his neighborhood.

"There are many concerns in terms of the nation. Yes, we have a bold new President," Conrad said, "But how is it going to get down to Arbor Hill?"

Huddled together, Audra Scribbner and Kim Smith kept their soft toed shoes pointed at the curb.

The girls live near but not with eachother in the vicinity of Central Ave. and Dove St. A glance at thier attire and it was clear where they had just been.

"We both work at McDonald's" said Audra as yellow arches hummed above her. "Kim is my manager and my friend."

Crumpling her white and red paper bag Kim recoiled a bit and smiled.

"Did you hear the news?" Audra smiled wide and bounced on her no-scuff soles. "Obama got elected," she said.

Kim looked tired after long night but her smile wouldn't fade. "We were so busy tonight," she said.

Audra stepped forward into the sheen of a high powered, Westgate Plaza street lamp, "I was counting up my drawer, the twenties and the tens, that's when the phone rang."

"One of the other crew members called, she said that it was 'on every channel' that Barack was President," said Audra. Kim smiled wider, she pulled gently on her sweatshirt as her eyes squeezed shut.

"It is great, I cried. She cried too, we stopped everything and hugged eachother," Audra said, "even the people in line were dancing."

The Route 2 bus screamed up to the stop and the doors smashed open. The two girls climbed up in unison still partially embracing.

An inaudible noise came from a seated Kim, she stared through the tinted window, "We are going to party tonight, we are drinking Hennessy."  

Article Tools