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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Tonko Selects 15 Capital Region Projects for Community Funding Push 

ALBANY/ Saratoga County — Congressman Paul Tonko this week announced 15 community development and improvement projects across New York’s 20th Congressional District that he submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations in a bid to bring direct federal investment to the region under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Community Project Funding process.

A number of the selected projects are in Saratoga County.

Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for Fiscal Year 2024—although not all projects are guaranteed to receive funding. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding.

“Each of these 15 projects was chosen from many dozens of stellar applications and put through a rigorous, thorough selection process by my staff and myself,” Tonko said, in a statement. 

Projects submitted by Rep. Tonko include:

• Crescent Ave. Connector, 474 Broadway, 1st Floor, Suite 11, Saratoga Springs. Amount Requested: $300,000. 

• Moreau Emergency Squad Building Expansion, Moreau Emergency Squad, Inc. Amount Requested: $2 million.

• Schuylerville and Victory Water Main Replacement, Schuylerville/Victory Board of Water Management Amount Requested: $641,250.

• Southern Saratoga YMCA Capital Improvements, Young Men’s Christian Association of the Capital District. Amount Requested: $2 million.

• Town of Galway Community Building, Town of Galway. Amount Requested: $675,000.

• Watervliet Youth Center Capital Improvements, Watervliet Civic Chest, Inc. Amount Requested: $800,000. 

City Council to Host Cannabis Policy Workshop Thursday

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city will host a Cannabis Policy Workshop at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 27.  

“The city has to define certain zones for businesses that produce and distribute for use cannabis,” city Mayor Ron Kim said on April 18.  

The gathering will be a full council meeting, he added.  

“We want to use this workshop to explain where those districts are and also explain the next steps for those who may be interested in establishing a cannabis business in the area.” 

Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile Host Breyer Fun Day on April 22

Painting Table at Breyer Fun Day. The event returns this weekend. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Impressions of Saratoga hosts its 7th annual Breyer Fun Day on April 22. The event takes place 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 368 and 445 Broadway and is open to all Breyer enthusiasts and horse lovers for children of all ages. 

Breyer Animal Creations was founded in 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, originally called Breyer Molding Company. They gained recognition when the company was commissioned by F.W. Woolworth to create a horse statue (now known as the # 57 Western Horse) to adorn a mantel clock. Impressions of Saratoga has been carrying Breyer Model Horses since the 1980s and will have any available new models in stock.

The event is free and features a Breyer Model Show, Paint your own Model Horse craft project, a visit with our live miniature Dark Horse mascot UPSET, raffles, and prizes.

Saratoga Arts Announces $150,000 in NYSCA Funding for Arts & Culture Projects

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Arts has announced the grantees for the 2023 Community Arts Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA).

The organization’s annual Community Arts Celebration will take place 10 a.m. –Noon on Saturday, April 22, at Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway.

A total of 64 grants have been awarded supporting community-based arts and culture programs taking place in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties throughout 2023. 

The program supports artists, non-profit organizations, and local municipalities in Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties, in partnership with qualifying organizations and artists, to present innovative arts and cultural programs in local communities.

The largest funded local Community Arts Grantees include: Saratoga Springs Arts District, Inc. (Beekman St. Arts District – $5,000); Ballston Spa Community Band ($4,000); Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga Springs, Inc. ($3,500), and Discover Saratoga ($3,500).    

The Salvation Army Anti-Human Trafficking Program

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs currently has an Anti-Human Trafficking Program: Fight for Freedom. This program is funded by a grant through OVS. Currently, The Salvation Army is servicing all victims of human trafficking in the Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. This is the 4th year of the program which is funded through September of 2025. 

To date, The Salvation Army’s Fight for Freedom program has been able to help 64 victims with case management, access to food, clothing and hygiene products, financial assistance, crisis intervention, safety planning, family support, and referrals to any other identified services of need. Of the 64 clients served, 57 were minors. In the last year, Fight for Freedom has been able to help relocate a client out of state and help with their college enrollment. The program was also able to help another client get her high school education online and assist with a laptop purchase. In the last month, the program has been able to support both a mother and daughter in getting their national certifications (a victim service that allows for a lifetime of free medical services and therapeutic services). Much like the national averages, the majority of who Fight for Freedom is serving identify as female (72% female, 28% male). 

The Salvation Army hopes to continue to grow the Fight for Freedom program through partnerships with both CAPTAIN CHS and WAIT House. If you would like to support a program like this, please call 518-584-1640 extension 1 or email Lt. Mike at Michael.dow@use.salvationarmy.org for more information.

Saratoga Senior Center Hosts Health Discussions Event April 26

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A special health care program will be presented by St. Peters Health Partners and the Saratoga Senior Center on Wednesday, April 26.  

The event will include a screening of the short documentary film “Extremis.” The film addresses the challenges patients and families face when making decisions in the midst of a medical crisis.

Following the viewing, there will be a physician-led panel discussion covering serious illness conversations and the importance of advance care planning.  Many seniors face medically prompted transitions when serious illness strikes.  The program seeks to address the communication and planning issues that may arise at that time, with an eye towards the best preparation possible.

The panel presenters will include physicians and other team professionals from St. Peter’s Palliative Care Partners.  

The program starts at 1:30 p.m. with a light lunch, followed at 2 p.m. with the film and panel discussion.  The program is free, sponsored by the Nordlys Foundation.

Reservations are required, and may be made by contacting the Saratoga Senior Center at 5 Williams St. in Saratoga Springs: 518-584-1621, or email to colleenk@saratogaseniorcenter.org  

Saratoga Springs Pedestrian Killed in Crash

WILTON — Shortly after 8 p.m. on April 13 the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian collision on Maple Avenue in the town of Wilton. 

Mary L. Farrington, 79, of Saratoga Springs, was crossing the roadway when she was struck by a 2022 Toyota Prius operated by 54-year-old Daqing Zhang of Mechanicville, according to the sheriff’s office.  Farrington was transported to Saratoga Hospital where she died of her injuries. 

Zhang remained on the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, authorities said.

One Saratoga Seeks an Independent Line on Ballot, Endorses Candidates

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Beginning on April 18, One Saratoga members and supporters began going door-to-door asking for residents of Saratoga Springs to sign petitions to get their endorsed candidates an independent line on the Nov. 7 ballot. Any person who is registered to vote regardless of their party affiliation and including No Party, may sign.

One Saratoga has endorsed candidates from both the Democratic and Republican party, including: Chris Mathiesen for Mayor, Tim Coll for Public Safety, and Matthew Veitch and Michele Madigan for County Supervisors.

“One Saratoga was created to promote City before Party, and this year we hope to further that effort with a line on the ballot which we believe contain candidates who share our goal,” Courtney DeLeonardis, Chair of One Saratoga, said in a statement.

One Saratoga is a non-partisan coalition of local residents. For more information go to: realonesaratoga.org.

April 15 – April 21, 2023

Saratoga Police

Thomas Connolly, 24, of Ballston Lake, was charged April 7 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to use headlights with windshield wipers. 

Peter Wilusz, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 6 with aggravated unlicensed operation, and operating without inspection certificate. 

George Chillis, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 5 with unlawful imprisonment. 

Jordan Branchcomb, 29, of Moreau, was charged April 3 with grand larceny and burglary. 

Steven Shedd, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 2 with petit larceny. 

Joseph Burke, 24, of Albany, was charged April 2 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding violation. 

Tamzidur Rahman, 21, of Guilderland, was charged April 2 with aggravated unlicensed operation and no license plate. 

Michael Coleman, 44, of Glens Falls, was charged April 2 with harassment, resisting arrest, criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespass. 

Mominul Haque, 24 of Cohoes, was charged April 1 with DWI and speeding. 

Bradley Torrez, 49, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and failed to use designated lane. 

James Tooley, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 31 with DWI, speeding, failure to keep right, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. 

Saratoga County Court

Nathaniel Bradford, 37, of the town of Saratoga, was sentenced April 11 to an aggregate of 78 years to-life, following a February 2 conviction on nine counts by a trial jury relating to the repeated sexual abuse of two victims under the age of 18.  

NY State Police

On April 9, State Police of Saratoga charged Erica T. Fredette, 31, of North Creek, with three counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and Philip M. Horowitz, 35, of Clifton Park, with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and false personation. Troopers responded to the Home2 Suites in Malta, for two individuals refusing to leave. On arrival, Troopers located the involved parties in the parking lot in a vehicle. During the interview, Troopers identified Fredette and observed a glass smoking device containing drug residue in her vehicle. The person in the vehicle’s driver’s seat gave false identifying information but was later identified as Horowitz. Both parties were found to possess multiple controlled substances.  

On April 7, State Police of Clifton Park, with the assistance of the Niskayuna Police Department and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Quazey N. Robinson, 22, of Clifton Park, for burglary, three counts of assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Troopers responded to an apartment in Clifton Park for the report of a disturbance. The investigation determined Robinson was reported to have forcibly entered the apartment without permission and assaulted multiple residents known to him, causing them injury. This incident occurred while a child was inside the apartment. The child was not injured. Robinson fled before law enforcement’s arrival and was located a short time later following an ambulance that was transporting one of the victims to the hospital. He was taken into custody with the assistance of the Niskayuna Police Department and Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.

On April 11, State Police of Wilton arrested Jonathan A. Williams, 35, of Philadelphia, PA, for criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest. Terrell O. Boozer, 36, of Philadelphia, was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance. Troopers stopped a vehicle on I-87 in Moreau, for Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. The driver was identified as Boozer and the passenger as Williams. Further investigation discovered Williams was in possession of felony-weight narcotics and an illegal possessed loaded handgun. Williams resisted arrest but was taken into custody following a brief struggle.  Boozer was found to possess a controlled substance.

On April 11, State Police of Wilton arrested Rajesh Kumar, 33, of Queens, for sexual abuse in the first- degree. On April 6, Troopers received a complaint of unwanted sexual contact. The investigation determined while on a mass transit bus in Wilton earlier that day, Kumar reportedly had forcible unwanted sexual contact with the victim. Kumar was arraigned at the Wilton Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash or a $20,000 bond.

Howard Sidney Shulman

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On February 20, 2023, our beloved father, Howard Sidney Shulman passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side. Calling hours are 12:30-1:30 p.m., Friday 4/28/2023 at Burke Funeral Home. Interment with military honors following at 2:30 p.m. at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. Visit www.burkefuneralhome.com