Over the last several months, when campaigning and knocking on doors, the question asked most by residents is, “Mark, why are you running for mayor?”
As the former executive director of the Saratoga Springs City Center and former president of the Downtown Business Association, I have spent the last three and a half decades working with individuals from all walks of life in our community. I built my career by creditable leadership and cooperating with others and I learned what we must do to protect and nurture Saratoga Springs into its potential, set forth by the visionaries of our past generations.
After retiring from the City Center, I had the desire and saw the opportunity to give back to a Saratoga community that has given me and my family so much. I felt the need to dedicate the knowledge I have learned over my career and share my time in serving the people of Saratoga Springs. I’m not pursuing public office for the money, as we know has become a talking point in recent weeks. I’m doing it because I now have the time and expertise to serve our citizens.
My community involvement has helped me form positive relationships with business owners and non-profits throughout the city, and has taught me how to work with individuals on both sides of the political spectrum. Over the course of three decades and eight different mayoral administrations, my staff and I were able to successfully grow the City Center into the multimillion-dollar facility it is today, creating a successful, year-round destination community.
My experience serving our country as a member of the United States Air Force and at the City Center taught me the skills required to balance a budget and run a facility of its magnitude in a fiscally responsible manner. These are the skills I will bring to City Hall next year as your mayor, and ensure Saratoga Springs continues to move in a positive direction.
As your next mayor, my desire to continue growing our community for the benefit of our citizens will be of the utmost importance. I’ll advocate for positive business practices that will help improve our community, and help restore ethical accountability to the Mayor’s office. I’ll serve as an outlet and voice for every resident of our community regardless of political leanings, because before we are Republicans or Democrats, we are all Saratogians.
So now, if you see me walking down Broadway, having a coffee, or even if you see me knocking on doors in your neighborhood, say hello. I’m just a regular Saratogian like you, looking to give back to a special city in upstate New York that I have come to love, and am thankful to call my home.
Mark Baker
Mayoral Candidate
Saratoga Springs
