Here you'll find my official statements, community updates, and information on issues affecting the City of Cohoes and Albany County.
August 13. 2026
Albany County Summer Youth Employment Program Recognition Ceremony
Celebrating the 75 young people who participated in Albany County's 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program, gaining valuable work experience.
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July 24, 2026,
Cohoes Organizations Receive Nearly $30,000 in Albany County Grant Funding
It was a pleasure to attend today's 2026 Special Programs & ACIF Grant Awards Ceremony with my colleagues, Deputy Majority Leader and Albany County Legislator Gil Ethier and Albany County Legislator Maggie Alix.
Today's ceremony recognized organizations and initiatives from across Albany County that are making a positive difference in their communities. I was especially proud to see Cohoes receive nearly $30,000 in grant funding to support neighborhood revitalization, youth health initiatives, and improvements to our parks and public spaces.
The 2026 Cohoes grant recipients are:
Rock the Block Cohoes – $4,690
Cohoes City School District Anti-Tobacco Program – $9,000
City of Cohoes Parks & Playgrounds – $15,000
These investments help strengthen our neighborhoods, promote healthier communities, and enhance the quality of life for Cohoes residents. I congratulate each of today's recipients and thank them for their continued dedication to serving our city.
I also want to thank Albany County for its continued investment in programs and organizations that make a lasting difference throughout our communities.
t was a pleasure to attend today's 2026 Special Programs & ACIF Grant Awards Ceremony with my colleagues, Deputy Majority Leader and Albany County Legislator Gil Ethier and Albany County Legislator Maggie Alix.
Today's ceremony recognized organizations and initiatives from across Albany County that are making a positive difference in their communities. I was especially proud to see Cohoes receive nearly $30,000 in grant funding to support neighborhood revitalization, youth health initiatives, and improvements to our parks and public spaces.
The 2026 Cohoes grant recipients are:
Rock the Block Cohoes – $4,690
Cohoes City School District Anti-Tobacco Program – $9,000
City of Cohoes Parks & Playgrounds – $15,000
These investments help strengthen our neighborhoods, promote healthier communities, and enhance the quality of life for Cohoes residents. I congratulate each of today's recipients and thank them for their continued dedication to serving our city.
I also want to thank Albany County for its continued investment in programs and organizations that make a lasting difference throughout our communities.
Today's ceremony recognized organizations and initiatives from across Albany County that are making a positive difference in their communities. I was especially proud to see Cohoes receive nearly $30,000 in grant funding to support neighborhood revitalization, youth health initiatives, and improvements to our parks and public spaces.
The 2026 Cohoes grant recipients are:
Rock the Block Cohoes – $4,690
Cohoes City School District Anti-Tobacco Program – $9,000
City of Cohoes Parks & Playgrounds – $15,000
These investments help strengthen our neighborhoods, promote healthier communities, and enhance the quality of life for Cohoes residents. I congratulate each of today's recipients and thank them for their continued dedication to serving our city.
I also want to thank Albany County for its continued investment in programs and organizations that make a lasting difference throughout our communities.
t was a pleasure to attend today's 2026 Special Programs & ACIF Grant Awards Ceremony with my colleagues, Deputy Majority Leader and Albany County Legislator Gil Ethier and Albany County Legislator Maggie Alix.
Today's ceremony recognized organizations and initiatives from across Albany County that are making a positive difference in their communities. I was especially proud to see Cohoes receive nearly $30,000 in grant funding to support neighborhood revitalization, youth health initiatives, and improvements to our parks and public spaces.
The 2026 Cohoes grant recipients are:
Rock the Block Cohoes – $4,690
Cohoes City School District Anti-Tobacco Program – $9,000
City of Cohoes Parks & Playgrounds – $15,000
These investments help strengthen our neighborhoods, promote healthier communities, and enhance the quality of life for Cohoes residents. I congratulate each of today's recipients and thank them for their continued dedication to serving our city.
I also want to thank Albany County for its continued investment in programs and organizations that make a lasting difference throughout our communities.
July 15, 2026,
Statement on Sheriff Craig Apple's Decision to not seek reelection
Earlier today, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple announced that he will not seek reelection at the conclusion of his current term.
I want to thank Sheriff Apple for his many years of dedicated service to the people of Albany County. Serving in public office is both an honor and a responsibility, and anyone who commits so much of their life to public service deserves our appreciation.
Throughout his career, Sheriff Apple has led one of Albany County's most important public safety agencies and has worked alongside local, state, and federal partners to help keep our communities safe.
I also respect his decision to spend more time with his family while completing the remainder of his term. Public service often requires sacrifices that extend beyond the individual, and families make those sacrifices as well.
On behalf of the residents I represent in the City of Cohoes, I wish Sheriff Apple, his family, and every member of the Albany County Sheriff's Office continued success in the years ahead.
Thank you, Sheriff Apple, for your years of service to Albany County.
Bill Ricard
Albany County Legislator
I want to thank Sheriff Apple for his many years of dedicated service to the people of Albany County. Serving in public office is both an honor and a responsibility, and anyone who commits so much of their life to public service deserves our appreciation.
Throughout his career, Sheriff Apple has led one of Albany County's most important public safety agencies and has worked alongside local, state, and federal partners to help keep our communities safe.
I also respect his decision to spend more time with his family while completing the remainder of his term. Public service often requires sacrifices that extend beyond the individual, and families make those sacrifices as well.
On behalf of the residents I represent in the City of Cohoes, I wish Sheriff Apple, his family, and every member of the Albany County Sheriff's Office continued success in the years ahead.
Thank you, Sheriff Apple, for your years of service to Albany County.
Bill Ricard
Albany County Legislator
July 15, 2026
An Air Quality Advisory is in effect for the Capital Region due to wildfire smoke.
Please take a moment to review these safety tips, and consider checking in on older adults, young children, and anyone with respiratory conditions.
Stay safe, and thank you for looking out for one another.
July 12, 2026,
Statement on the Passing of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham
July 10, 2026,
Pets Heat Safety Reminder
With this summer's heat in full swing, let's not forget about our four-legged family members. 🐾
Make sure your pets have plenty of fresh water, access to shade or air conditioning, and avoid walks during the hottest part of the day. Hot pavement can burn their paws in just seconds.
Please take a moment to review these simple heat safety tips and consider sharing them with other pet owners.
Stay safe. Stay cool.
July 9, 2026,
Heat Safety Reminder
With today's extreme heat, please take a few moments to review these important safety tips. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and check on elderly family members, neighbors, and anyone who may be vulnerable to the heat.
July 8, 2026,
Project Lifesaver Awareness
Many families in our community care for a loved one with autism, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or another cognitive condition. In some cases, those individuals may wander from home, and when they do, every minute counts.
I'm encouraged to see that something positive is coming from such a heartbreaking tragedy. A follow-up report from WNYT highlights that more families are signing up for Project Lifesaver, a free program offered through the Albany County Sheriff's Office for individuals who may be at risk of wandering.
Project Lifesaver helps law enforcement quickly locate individuals who are prone to wandering or eloping. Participants wear a small personal transmitter that emits a unique tracking signal, helping trained first responders locate them quickly.
If you care for someone who may be at risk of wandering, I encourage you to learn more about Project Lifesaver by contacting the Albany County Sheriff's Office.
📞 (518) 720-8023
📧 [email protected]
Learn more about Project Lifesaver:
https://www.albanycountyny.gov/government/county-sheriff/project-lifesaver
Read the WNYT follow-up story:
https://wnyt.com/top-stories/boys-death-prompts-families-to-sign-up-for-programs-in-albany-co-colonie/
Thank you to the Albany County Sheriff's Office and all of our first responders for the work they do every day to help keep our community safe.
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June 29, 2026,
Lansing's Pool Opens for the Summer
Today is one of my favorite days of the year in Cohoes as Lansing's Pool officially opens for the summer.
I have so many great memories of spending summer days there as a kid. Years later, it was special being able to take my daughters there to swim and watch them make memories of their own.
Lansing's Pool has always been more than just a place to cool off. It's where friends meet, families spend time together, and kids enjoy everything that makes summer in Cohoes special.
Wishing everyone a safe, fun, and memorable summer at Lansing's Pool! ☀️🏊♂️💙
June 26, 2026,
Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Wellness Initiative
I was pleased to join Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham, Department for Aging Commissioner Emma Teague, members of the Albany County Legislature, and our community partners for the announcement of Albany County's new Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Wellness Initiative.
This initiative will expand access to brain health education, early-stage Alzheimer's support, evidence-based wellness and fitness programs, and caregiver resources for Albany County residents.
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's affect thousands of families in our community, and I'm proud that Albany County continues to invest in programs that provide education, support, and resources for those living with these diseases and the loved ones who care for them.
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