Author: Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Gordon Boyd, a Democratic candidate in this year’s county supervisor election has proposed the county prepare and adopt a local law to prohibit being  “armed while intoxicated” anywhere in the county.   

“I call it a ‘Drunk With Guns’ prohibition,” Boyd said in a statement, adding that he is writing to county Board Chairman Todd Kusnierz to let his intentions be known. 

“The gun violence that occurred last November 20 in downtown Saratoga Springs was frightening and horrific. It put our courageous police officers in danger, as well as dozens of bystanders, casting a cloud over our vibrant downtown,” Boyd said. “The dangerous troublemakers involved in the downtown shootout have been charged by the DA, which is appropriate. However, if we had had a law making it a crime to be intoxicated while possessing a firearm, the perpetrators might have thought twice about coming to Saratoga Springs.”

Boyd proposes the county approve a local law that specifically creates a misdemeanor crime with penalties, including fines and prison time. if elected, Boyd said he will present a local law as such, but added that he wishes the current Board of Supervisors do so at its earliest opportunity.

Both city supervisor positions will be up for election in November. 

SARATOGA COUNTY —Congressman Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) celebrated the White House announcement March 30 that New York State will receive $100 million in federal funding to expand broadband internet services. That funding was delivered under the American Rescue Plan that Tonko successfully pushed to advance.

“The COVID pandemic shined a spotlight on the vital need—as well as the current deficiencies—of broadband internet access across our nation,” Tonko, an author of the Access Broadband Act, said in a statement. “I was proud to help secure funding to expand and improve broadband for unserved and underserved communities with our American Rescue Plan, and I am thrilled that these critical investments are reaching our state.” 

It is anticipated organizations and municipalities will be able to submit grant proposals, and then the state will handle the allocation of those funds.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — During the last week of March, The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund announced that its Independent Advisory Committee has awarded Lend-A-Hand Grants to 35 local nonprofit organizations.

The Community Fund’s Autumn of Giving Campaign raised $85,864.08, which has been generously matched by Adirondack Trust Company, while $75,560.68 was awarded in grants. The grants were presented at the Community Fund’s Annual Lend-A-Hand Grant Award Reception on December 1, 2022, at Longfellows Restaurant.

“We are so fortunate to have the support of our communities, which enabled us to award 35 Lend-A-Hand Grants this year,” said Colleen Carlson, Volunteer Chair for the ATCCF Independent Advisory Committee. “This year, we received 54 grant applications. Although we wish we could fund every request, each year we are fortunate to be able to fund more and more as our community support grows. The awarded grants will support programs for a wide variety of needs, and will include the areas of the arts, education, health, and family activities.”

 Lend-A-Hand Grant Awards for 2022 were provided to the following organizations:

A Dapple a Day Equine Center, AIM Services, Inc., After the Fire, Ballston Area Community Center, The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, Inc., Caffe Lena, Camp Abilities Saratoga, Camp Little Notch, Catie Hoch Foundation, Community, Work & Independence, Inc., C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa’s Summer Lunch Program, Flutters of Hope, Inc., Franklin Community Center, Inc., Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties, Hudson Crossing Park, Malta Avenue Elementary PTA, NYSARC, Inc., Saratoga County Chapter (Saratoga Bridges), Nipper Knolls Equine Center, Open Door Mission, Operation Adopt-a-Soldier, Inc., Prospect Center—Center for Disability Services, Inc., Queensbury Senior Citizens, Inc., Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, Saratoga Center for the Family, Saratoga County Children’s Committee, Saratoga County History Center, Saratoga Pride, an affiliate of the Pride Center of the Capital Region, Saratoga/Wilton Soccer Club, Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga Springs, Inc., Shelters of Saratoga, SNACpack (Saratoga Nutritional Assistance for Children), Stories for Success Saratoga, Inc., Veterans & Community Housing Coalition.