In March 1986, city manager John P. Buckley wanted to bypass the civil service list to appoint his preferred candidate for fire chief. What happened next?

We revisit a closed door meeting at city hall between Buckley and three potential candidates to lead Troy’s fire department, and the decision by one officer to go public with the request.

This special archive spotlight episode uses reporting from the Times Union, Knickerbocker News, Troy Record, and Times Record, recording plus audio from recent promotion and retirement ceremonies for then-Chief Eric McMahon.

Show Notes:

• Troy Fire Chief 'Doffs' Hat; "Rescue" of Ungrateful Feline Toughest Ordeal in 38-Year Career (Knickerbocker News, March 1, 1986)
• Firefighter: Buckley Asked 3 Candidates to Forefeit Chief's Job (Times Union, March 6, 1986)
• New Fire Chief Takes Over in Troy (Times Union, June 13, 1986)
• Fireman Climbed Ladder to Success; New Troy Fire Chief Worked Way Through Ranks Against Father's Advice (Knickerbocker News, June 13, 1986)
• McMahon Sworn in as Troy fire chief (Troy Record, March 8, 2019)
• ‘Be safe’: Troy Fire Chief McMahon says goodbye after 34 years (Troy Record, Nov. 4, 2023)

Audio Sources:

• Troy Fire Chief Promotion Ceremony (YouTube)
• Fire Chief McMahon Retires with 34 Years of Service to the City of Troy (YouTube)
• Troy fire dept. 1980s audio (YouTube)
• Troy Fire Department Battalion Chief 4, Engine 4, Truck 2 & Rescue Squad Responding (YouTube)
• Troy Fire Department Rescue Squad Responding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EU0OTw40ds
• Typewriter https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-typewriter-301419/

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

On January 27, 1996, the legendary Ozzy Osbourne rolled into the Collar City for a headlining concert at the RPI Houston Field House. Ahead of the 30th anniversary of Ozzy’s first and only performance in Troy, asked fans to contribute memories for a special retrospective looking back at this exciting moment in Troy’s heavy metal history—and you didn’t disappoint!

The triple bill of Osbourne, Korn, and Life of Agony attracted a nearly-sold out crowd to the Field House that cold January evening in the Collar City, the first major concert at the venue in four years. It was an exciting evening of music, moshing, and even a few manic Ozzy fans who took things to the extreme.

With the help of recently-rediscovered concert video from the show, we revisit this thrilling show with the help of stories from countless fans there that night in Troy.

To see video of Ozzy’s concert in the Collar City, or to share your own memories of the gig, visit http://troystorypod.com/ozzy

Episode Notes

• The Polytechnic: Ozzy Rocks Fieldhouse: https://digitalassets.archives.rpi.edu/do/40649a04-e0d8-4daf-9a5a-b6439a5ffd57#page/14/mode/2up (page 14)
• Times Union: Ozzy Osbourne Comes Roaring Back into Town https://timesunion.newsbank.com/doc/news/0FB6CECE2345FA2C?search_terms=ozzy&text=ozzy&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=ATUB&sort=old&page=3&pdate=1996-01-29 (Jan. 26, 1996)
• Times Union: Jonathan Davis Finds Life with Korn Liberating https://timesunion.newsbank.com/doc/news/0FB6CEC86C1503EF?search_terms=ozzy&text=ozzy&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=ATUB&sort=old&page=3&pdate=1996-01-26 (Jan. 26, 1996)
• Ozzy & Kids on Joan Rivers https://youtu.be/O1MGM1PoIvo?si=z1nCDUbVFa1wco61

Music Samples:

• https://pixabay.com/music/classical-string-quartet-vivaldi-spring-allegro-185007/

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

We planned to release our new episode looking back at the thrilling performance from The Prince of Darkness in the Collar City. However, a personal emergency delayed our post-production schedule. We’re obviously disappointed, but still plan to bring this new episode to you soon.

However, we didn’t want to let this anniversary pass by unrecognized. A few weeks ago, we reached out to Troy’s city council to ask if they would formally acknowledge this special moment in Troy‘s musical history. Earlier this month, the council's Finance committee last gave preliminary approval to a resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ozzy's performance at RPI's Houston Field House on January 27, 1996.

More: http://troystorypod.com/ozzy

Concert Video: Watch on YouTube

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

Four letters. One syllable. TROY.

On January 5th, 1789, a group of settlers living in an area known as Vanderhyden gathered at a local tavern. The purpose? To select a new name for their fledgling community along the Hudson River.

Notes:

• City Kicks Off Bicentennial Celebration (Spectrum News)
• How Troy, NY Got Its Name (YouTube)
• The Architecture of Downtown Troy, An Illustrated History
• Hart Cluett Museum
• Lansingburgh Historical Society

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

In this episode, we discuss the art of presidential speechwriting with Cody Keenan, who served 8 years in the Obama White House. Author of the New York Times bestselling book “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America," Cody shares his insights on writing an effective speech, the challenges facing the Obama administration in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, and the collaborative relationship with the president on some of his most notable addresses.

We also analyze speeches by then-Senator John F. Kennedy and then-Vice President Richard Nixon delivered during two back-to-back presidential campaign stops in Troy's iconic Monument Square on September 29 and 30, 1960.

Our earlier episode with former Rensselaer County Democratic Committee chairman Tom Wade reflecting on President Obama's visit to Troy is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our official website.

Notes:

• https://codykeenan.com/
• Interview: Former Troy mayor Mark Pattison (Part 1 / Part 2)
• https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/video/President-Obama-Speaks-to-Hudson-Valley-Community-College
• https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2009/09/22/a-day-well-spent
• Times Union: When John F. Kennedy campaigned in the Capital Region

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

In 2016, the fate of Troy's firefighters union contract was saved by the last-minute arrival of former Troy councilmember Lynn Kopka, thanks to a little help from then-Troy Democratic Committee chairwoman Carole Weaver.

Notes:

• Spectrum News: Budget Battle Begins with Fire­fighter Contract https://spectrumlocalnews.com/news/2016/10/13/troy-budget-battle-begins-with-firefighter-union-contract-proposal
• Troy Record: Divided Troy Council Approves Firefighters Contract https://www.troyrecord.com/2016/11/04/divided-troy-council-approves-firefighters-contract/
• Troy Record: Troy Firefighters Union Ratifies Short-Term Contract https://www.troyrecord.com/2016/09/23/troy-firefighters-union-ratifies-short-term-contract/
• Troy Record: Between the Lines: Dysfunction Fractures GOP Council Majority https://www.troyrecord.com/2017/03/06/between-the-lines-dysfunction-fractures-gop-council-majority/

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

We're thrilled to host Scott Womer, songwriter, musician, event producer and founder of Song City, a creative venture focused on the local songwriting community which kicks off their fourth season in the Collar City on September 9, 2025.

During the episode, we discuss Scott's life growing up in the Capital Region, working in Nashville in the Christian music industry in the 1990s and early 2000s (and a chance encounter with M.C. Hammer), his musical output as Fenton Hardy, and the story behind the creation of Song City to support the area's eclectic songwriting community.

Episode Notes:

• Song City
• Fenton Hardy - The Ghost EP (Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud)

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

Listened to the radio during the last 37 years? Then it's likely you've heard the voice of Ralph Renna transmitting across the airwaves. In this episode, the WABY DJ and singer/songwriter shares his memories of growing up in Troy, life in the Capital Region's hardcore music scene, and his encyclopedic knowledge of heavy music.

Watch the video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_p2ooJHYV6w

From his early years booking Type O Negative and Life of Agony at the South Troy Community Center, sharing the stage with Anthrax, Sebastian Bach, Agnostic Front, Prong, Dragonforce, Kittie, Atreyu, and Unearth as front man of Troy-based hardcore band Last Call, or decades promoting heavy music on WVCR, 104.9 The Edge, and now WABY, Ralph Renna has some incredible stories to share.

Episode Notes:

• 93.9-FM WABY
• Biohazard - South Troy Community Center, July 10, 1993 https://www.instagram.com/albany_hardcore_archives/p/CJvxDH_JkKD/?img_index=1
• South Troy Community Center hardcore shows https://www.setlist.fm/venue/the-south-troy-community-center-troy-ny-usa-53d16b71.html
• Last Call "Wings Of The Northforce" - Live @ Altamont Fairgrounds EDGEFEST (Sept. 22, 2007)
• War-Time Manner - Preppers

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky