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John Boyle - Troy's Legislative Assistant by Patricia Dumas John Boyle, Troy's Legislative Assistant for Constituent Sevices, has found that his career background in the travel industry prepared him well for his new position with the city. Boyle began working in the $7,500 city post last April after 15 years in the travel agent business where, he says, he honed his skills for "attention to detail, patience, follow through and follow up." Those skills fit in well with his new job of working with city council members to answer citizen complaints. Although appointed by the current administration, Boyle emphatically states that his office "is definitely non-partisan." Three evenings each week.(Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) he is at his City Hall office ready to listen to Troy residents who call in or stop by seeking a remedy for various problems. It is Boyle's job to refer the problem to the appropriate agency, to document the request and to check up on what follow-up action is taken. Copies of each request and complaint go to Beth Walsh, Council President, to Mark Streb, assistant to Mayor Pattison and, if the complainant has identified himself/ herself , to the council person who represents the constituent's district. People are not required to identify themselves, Boyle notes, but if they do, they receive a call back from the appropriate department personnel and from Boyle. In every instance, according to Boyle, city personnel try to "give the people the services they are entitled to" as soon as possible. He points out, though, that sometimes the problem turns out to be not within the city's jurisdiction. Some of the requests called in to Boyle on a recent evening involved a need to have tree branches cleared from property, top soil smoothed over land that had been disturbed by pipe-laying, and garbage picked up. The range of requests and complaints that Boyle has to field make it necessary for all departments and department heads to be available to him. He says that the personnel in all of the city departments are "wonderfully cooperative." He especially praises the Department of Public Works for "going above and beyond the call of duty in responding to requests." He also claims that he has yet to hear from any "cross" citizens although he has handled approximately 150 calls since he began working for the city. The citizens, he says, have all been "sincere and respectful." One of the projects Boyle soon will be working on is a one-on-one contact with city merchants to find out what complaints they may have about doing business in Troy and what suggestions they have for improving the business climate. Boyle grew up in Troy and attended schools in the city. He is of Italian/Irish heritage and credits his parents with instilling in him a trait for "not leaving anything unattended", a characteristic that goes well with his job. He served in the United States, Air-Force and worked in accounting and inventory. He also took courses in public relations and political science. Through extension courses he has studied labor relations and negotiations. He has worked for the New York State legislature in the Senate document room and at one time ran for a state assembly seat. Currently, besides working for the city, he is employed by a travel agency that will be opening an office in Troy later this month. City residents may contact Boyle at City Hall on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 5-7 p.m. by calling him at 270-4496. He also may be reached Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 273-2119 and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 273-2119. Editor's Note: The other Legislative Assistant Leslie Richards Ortiz who performs the same function at the same pay could not be reached for an interview after several attempts. In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation 
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