WILTON – Joseph Patterson died April 9. Calling hours: 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, April 14 at Compassionate Funeral Care, Saratoga Springs. A service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 15 at Compassionate Funeral Care followed by a graveside service at Southside Cemetery, South Glens Falls. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — James M. Morrell, Sr., 73, passed away April 8, 2023 at Saratoga Hospital. Calling hours are 4-7 p.m., Monday, 4/17/2023 at Burke Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Tuesday, 4/18/2023 at St. Mary’s Church, Ballston Spa. Burial is private www.burkefuneralhome.com
LAKE LUZERNE — Ryan Gritt passed away on April 7. Calling hours will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. on April 20 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. For online condolences and the full obituary, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Henry Redling died March 31. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 23 at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 52 Totowa Road, Totowa, NJ 07512. For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com
QUEENSBURY — Ralph Arthur Hatfield passed away on April 7 at Fort Hudson Nursing Home. The services will be held at the convenience of the family. For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com
SCHUYLERVILLE — Registration is open for the 2nd Annual Women in War Symposium, a two-day event featuring a historical trolley tour and a speakers’ symposium focusing on the roles women played during the American Revolution.
The Symposium takes place 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St., Schuylerville. Registration for the Symposium is $50 and includes morning refreshments and lunch.
The Women in War Symposium features five dynamic speakers who will present on topics related to the roles women played during the American Revolution and will be emceed by Bruce Venter. Whether patriot or loyalist, wealthy or impoverished, females were deeply affected by the war in all aspects of their lives. These presenters offer new scholarship unearthing relatively unknown stories that broaden our understanding of the revolutionary era.
“Too often, the important roles women played during the American Revolution are not widely known. Their experiences, whether in following the army or managing their homes, help to inform the larger narrative of what life was like for those not on the battlefield,” Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian and Chair of the Saratoga County 250th Commission said in a statement.
A trolley tour, titled “Through the Baroness’ Eyes,” traces the route traveled by the Baroness Frederika von Riedesel and her three young daughters as they followed the British Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The tour, led by Saratoga Battlefield Licensed Guide Pat Niles, will take place Friday, May 5, leaving at 1 p.m. from Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville and returning at 5 p.m. Registration for the trolley tour is $60.
The events are part of Saratoga County’s commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution and Battles of Saratoga and is coordinated in partnership with the Marshall House, Inc.
America’s Turning Point is a multi-year celebration of Saratoga County’s pivotal role in the American Revolution culminating in 2027 with the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga.
Space is limited for both the symposium and the tour. Those interested can register for either event at www.saratoga250.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A joint Design Review Board/Planning Board meeting is scheduled to take place 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19 at Saratoga Springs City Hall.
The project under consideration – titled 182 Excelsior Avenue Apartments – involves the demolition of an existing 8-unit apartment and 3-unit carriage house, and in its place the development of 3 three-story apartments with 12 units each.
The near 2.5-acre parcel where the work would take place is located on Excelsior Avenue.
The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, which meets monthly, will hold its meeting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18 at the county complex in Ballston Spa.
The Saratoga Springs City Council – which meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18.
Last Friday, Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee chair Pat Tuz resigned from her position for personal and business reasons. While it is sad to see someone so dedicated to their work depart, it’s a huge opportunity for serious change in the Saratoga Springs City Democratic Committee. With the upcoming primary and general elections looming, new leadership in the committee means the possibility of a new approach to politics, an approach that’s truly unique to Saratoga Springs. An approach that is built on campaigning for hard working, dedicated elected officials who will push this city forward through common sense solutions and an open dialogue with their constituents.
The city party chairs of the two political parties wield enormous influence over the political landscape of Saratoga Springs. Therefore, the person who fills the position of chair will have the opportunity to define the Democrats’ performance in November. I would strongly encourage anyone who believes that they can bring a new and revolutionary perspective to the city committee should reach out to the committee and get involved. The only question now is, who will step up?
– Respectfully submitted, Benjamin Glover, SSHS Class of 2026
ALBANY — Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Horicon) attended a press conference March 30 in the Capitol alongside Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), Dr. Michael Prezioso, Commissioner of the Saratoga County Department of Mental Health and several members of the Assembly Minority Conference. After many discussions with parents, teachers, mental health experts and law enforcement, the lawmakers announced the release of the final report from the Minority Conference Task Force on School Safety & Security, which included solutions and recommendations such as:
• Increasing law enforcement presence in schools
• Addressing mental health issues in schools
• Open communication between stakeholders
• Innovative state support for school safety and security
• Identifying threats and providing support to at-risk students
“No parents should have to worry when their child goes to school that they might not return. Teachers should not have to prioritize emergency procedures or be in fear in the classroom, which takes away from their lesson plans for the day. We have a serious crisis that is not only in New York but across the country–something has to change. By implementing the real solutions contained in the task force report, with input from professionals, I am hopeful we can take appropriate measures to protect our children and teachers so this is no longer a fear and schools can be a safe space once again,” said Simpson.
