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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Dismay with Commissioner of Accounts, Commissioner of Finance & Public Works Commissioner

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

Dear Saratoga County neighbors and Saratoga Springs City Council,

I am writing to Saratoga Today to express my dismay with Dillon Moran, Commissioner of Accounts, Minita Sanghvi, Comm. of Finance and Jason Golub, Public Works Commissioner.

On 8/2/2022 The Aggressive Panhandling Ordinance was voted down 3 –2. The above 3 named voting against it. Mayor Ron Kim and James Montagnino, Commissioner of Public Safety, voting in favor. The aggressive panhandling ordinance was a measure that prohibits panhandling near an ATM, touching, and following people while asking for money. This ordinance, if passed, would increase the feeling of safety for our residents and visitors. As a recent victim of a non-violent crime, I do not understand how this could be voted down. Is the City Council trying to appease panhandlers? Is City Council trying to welcome even more crime onto our beautiful streets of downtown Saratoga and Broadway? 

I especially have an issue with Jason Golub’s statement “You’re going to have a rich white lady who says that and a homeless person, so who are you going to believe?” This statement is offensive on so many levels. Where to begin…

As I previously stated, I have recently been a victim of a non-violent crime that took place in Saratoga Springs. I am a “white lady” that lives, works, and is raising my family. Is Mr. Golub suggesting that I, or that any “white lady” should not be believed when reporting a crime to the SSPD? Or is he suggesting that a “white lady” would exaggerate claims when victimized? Does he think that most white ladies are rich?

Secondly, this statement is racist. What does being white have to do with the validity of reporting a crime? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2021, Saratoga County’s white population was 92.7%. Is Jason Golub suggesting that 92.7% of his constituents he represents are liars?

Thirdly, this statement is insinuating that the SSPD would not follow correct police procedures when a crime is reported by a “white, rich lady”.  And that the SSPD is biased towards a person’s gender, race and financial status.  

I believe that there is absolutely no room for racist and sexist comments from the SS City Council representatives and therefore Mr. Golub should apologize for his unfortunate remarks. As a taxpaying resident of Saratoga Springs I would also like to see the Aggressive Panhandling Ordinance vote revisited.

Respectfully, Adele Mazzotti

October 1 – 7, 2022

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga County Court

Bradley Hill, 24, of South Glens Falls, was sentenced Sept. 28 to a 5-year term of probation, after pleading to first degree reckless endangerment, in connection with a July 2021 incident in Moreau. 

Tiffany Santiago, 37, of Clifton Park, pleaded Sept. 28 to criminal possession of a firearm, a felony. Sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2023.

Todd A. Axton, 59, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Sept. 28 to criminal contempt in the first-degree, a felony. Sentencing Dec. 1. 

Geoffrey Pickering, 32, was sentenced Sept. 23 to 2 to 4 years’ incarceration, after pleading to aggravated family offense, that took place in Milton. 

Raymond C. Horning, Sr., 33, of Gloversville, was sentenced Sept. 29 to 6 months’ incarceration, and a 5-year term of probation, after pleading to criminal mischief and grand larceny – both felonies, in connection with 2020 incidents in Ballston and Charlton. 

Gary Mackenzie, 58, was sentenced Sept. 29 to 6 months’ incarceration and a 5-year term of probation, after pleading to felony criminal contempt in a 2021 incident in Providence. 

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office 

Michael J. Scensny, 32, of Halfmoon, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third-degree, and unlawful possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, following an investigation of an alleged domestic incident Sept. 24 in Clifton Park. Scensny is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction, according to the sheriff’s office. 

State Police

On Sept. 27, State Police arrested Jason M. Storms, 44, of Saratoga Springs on the charges of rape in the second-degree, criminal sexual act in the second degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. During the investigation, investigators identified a victim under the age of 15 who Storms allegedly sexually assaulted years prior in Colonie. Storms was sent to the Albany County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash, or a $25,000 bond.

On Sept. 25, at about 4:08 a.m. State Police of Clifton Park responded to the report of a two-car rollover crash on I-87 northbound in Halfmoon. The investigation determined an 18-year-old operator was traveling northbound on I-87 when they struck the rear of a vehicle being operated by Anjelica R. Espinoza Flores, 22, of San Antonio, Texas. Both vehicles rolled over multiple times, and both drivers were transported to Albany Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation determined both drivers were impaired at the time of the accident. They were arrested and issued tickets for DWI.  Due to medical needs, they were not processed at the time of arrest. I-87 northbound was shut down for a short period to clear the accident. 

On Sept. 24, State Police of Wilton arrested Stacey L. Dressel, 41, of Corinth, on the charges of burglary in the second-degree, and grand larceny in the third-degree. Troopers received a complaint that a vehicle had been stolen from a residence in Greenfield.  The investigation determined Dressel entered the home without permission, took the keys to a vehicle in the driveway, and allegedly stole the vehicle, which was recovered later that day in the village of Ballston Spa.

On Sept. 23, State Police arrested Eric W. Cerny, 65, of Greenfield, on the charges of reckless endangerment in the second-degree, and an environmental conservation law violation. An investigation determined Cerny discharged multiple rounds from a rifle less than 200 feet from another home without that homeowner’s knowledge or permission. No one was hurt during the incident, and the firearm involved was seized.

On Sept. 21, State Police of Wilton arrested Latrell C. Pinellas, 35, of Moreau, on the charge of grand larceny in the fourth-degree. He is suspected of being responsible for multiple items valued at over $1,400 that were stolen from the Target Distribution Center in Wilton.  

On Sept. 21, State Police of Saratoga arrested Cassandra D. Felice, 31, Greenfield, on the charge of grand larceny in the fourth-degree and Robert J. Felice Jr, 53, of South Glens Falls, on the charge of conspiracy in the fifth-degree. The charges stem from a complaint received from a Malta business that an item valued at over $1,300 had been stolen from the store the previous day. It is alleged C. Felice stole the item from the store with the assistance of her father, R. Felice Jr.  

Surrender Day in Saratoga Oct. 17 at Fort Hardy Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The 245th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, America’s Turning Point, will be commemorated at 9:30 a.m. on Surrender Day – Monday, Oct. 17, in Schuylerville’s Fort Hardy Park,  with artillery firings, sword surrender ceremony, and music.  

Surrender Day commemorates the victory of the American army of General Horatio Gates over British forces commanded by General John Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York, on Oct. 17, 1777.  Surrender day is a partnership of the town of Saratoga, the village of Schuylerville, Saratoga County 250th American Revolution Commission, and Saratoga County History Center.  

The ceremony is at Fort Hardy Park, the historical ground where the British forces surrendered and laid down their arms, bringing the Battles of Saratoga to an end. 

The 45-minute event will feature British and American re-enactors, cannon salutes, musical entertainment, and “13 Toasts” to the Victory at Saratoga.  The celebration will be attended by students from Schuylerville elementary schools, who will present essays about the “turning point” of the American Revolution.  State historian Devin Lander will deliver the keynote speech.  Please bring your own chair and wear patriotic attire.  

“Historians have always pointed to America’s Turning Point as being the most significant in world history, as there was a transfer of territory so vast, and the influences were so far-reaching,” says Saratoga Town Historian Sean Kelleher.  “The Surrender at Saratoga launched two centuries of revolution elsewhere.  It ushered in the end of the British Empire and brought the United States of America to life.  It is important that our community continue to recognize this important day in global history.”   

Erin McAllister

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Erin McAllister, 54, passed away unexpectedly on September 26, 2022 in the Saratoga Hospital. She was the daughter of Brian and Carolyn (Cameron) McAllister.

Erin worked for State Farm in Malta and the Washington County Fair Grounds for many years and made life-long friends along the way.

She loved her work and volunteering at the Saratoga ELKS Lodge #161 Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the VFW of Saratoga, South Glens Falls, and Sunbury PA. She wanted to help anyone and everyone in need. She was a kind and caring soul who loved to dance. She had a passion for food and cooking and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Erin could often be seen wearing her Yankees or Syracuse gear to support her favorite teams.

Erin is survived by her daughter Kassondra Doty, sons, Paul McAllister, and Ryan Smith; granddaughter Nicole “Nikki” McAllister; her sisters; Beth McAllister, Holly Polski, and Melissa McAllister; brother, Brian McAllister. Also survived by her long-time friend and loved one Bernie Mucitelli.

 She is predeceased by her sister Regina McAllister-Gemmett, and her cocker spaniel, Chloe.

A memorial service will be held from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the Saratoga Elks Lodge #161, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs.

Erin’s arrangements are under the care of the Jillson Funeral Home Inc., 46 Williams St., Whitehall, NY. 

Online condolences may be made at jillsonfuneralhome.com.

New Tang Exhibition Explores Human Fascination with Outer Space

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

NASA, 41-B Onboard Scene of EVA, 1984, color photograph, 7 5/8 x 9 1/8”, The Jack Shear Collection of Photography at the Tang Teaching Museum. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces the opening of a new exhibition, Parallax: Framing the Cosmos.  

An opening reception takes place Saturday, Oct. 15, and the exhibition will be on view through June 19, 2023. 

The work on view spans centuries, from an 1885 photograph of the constellation Cygnus to a 2022 Afrofuturist mixed-media collage by Alisa Sikelianos-Carter, and features textiles, prints, drawings, sculptures, paintings, and photography, including a wealth of NASA press photographs and other work new to the Tang collection being exhibited for the first time. 

Parallax explores outer space as a backdrop for understanding ourselves, interrogating both individual quests for unique places in space and culturally specific myths, including the US nationalist fantasy of conquering the moon and stars on behalf of “all mankind.” 

“Parallax presents scientific images from over the centuries alongside recent standout work by contemporary artists such as Lisa Beck, Vija Celmins, Giorgia Lupi, Josiah McElheny, Demetrius Oliver, Katie Paterson, Dario Robleto, Carrie Schneider, and Alisa Sikelianos-Carter, to name a few,” said Dayton Director Ian Berry, in a statement. Berry is co-curator of the exhibition along with Tang Associate Curator Rebecca McNamara and Skidmore College Associate Professor of English Maggie Greaves. “This interdisciplinary approach is a hallmark of the Tang’s exhibition programming, which is powered by collaborations with Skidmore faculty like the wonderful poet and professor Maggie Greaves.”

“The term ‘parallax’ describes how an object appears to change position when viewed from different vantage points,” McNamara said. “It is also a metaphor for how we relate to space and to one another here on Earth. The gallery is staged to encourage these ever-shifting perspectives, with artwork moving in and out of sightlines in unexpected ways as you walk around.”

At 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, the Tang’s popular Family Saturdays features a drop-in art-making activity open to all during Skidmore College’s Celebration Weekend. Inspired by work on view in Parallax: Framing the Cosmos, participants are invited to create spirograph collages.

At 4 p.m., Associate Curator Rebecca McNamara leads a tour of Parallax: Framing the Cosmos, and at 5 p.m. a celebration of all fall exhibitions will take place, including Parallax: Framing the Cosmos, Where Words Falter: Art and Empathy, Lauren Kelley: Location Scouting, Cabinet of Queeriosities, and Lotus Shoes: Stories between Stitches.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Tang Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or tang@skidmore.edu, or visit tang.skidmore.edu.

Acclaimed Nashville Songwriter Performing at Caffe Lena Oct. 14

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

Dana Cooper, coming to Caffe Lena Friday, Oct. 14.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Acclaimed Nashville Indie Folk/Americana, singer/songwriter Dana Cooper is making a stop in Saratoga Springs on his National CD Release Tour.

Cooper, whose years as a troubadour are measured by 28 albums and a collection of accolades, will stage a show at Caffe Lena Oct. 14. 

In September, he released a haunting version of the Hank Williams classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” in Honor of Hank’s Birthday. His performance at Caffe Lena is anticipated to include some old favorites as well as current material from his newest release, “I Can Face the Truth.”

For more information, go to: caffelena.org. 

Theresa Stevens

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — At long last, Joe and Tom are having the long-awaited memorial service for Mom Theresa. 

It will be on Thursday, October 20, 2022. 

There will be a memorial mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY.

The mass will be followed by a reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Parting Glass Restaurant, 40 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

If you are unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed on the St. Clement’s Church FaceBook page. You do not need to be a member of Facebook to watch the video. 

If you cannot watch at the time of the event, it will be saved for later viewing at the same location.

Directions for livestream are below: 

Click on this link: St. Clement’s Church or go to your browser and type stclementschurch.com. Then click on the large brown circle at the top of the page which says, Facebook Livestream. Then click on the word Videos in the strip below the picture. Then you will be able to watch the livestream as it occurs.

If there is no sound, look at the small speaker icon in the bottom right corner of the video window. If it has an “X” on it, click on the icon and the “X” will go away and the sound will be turned on.

If it is before 10 a.m., the video will not have started yet, but it will start automatically when the livestream cameras are activated.

To watch later, go to the same webpage and search the videos below for the correct one and click on it. It will start to play. You may need to unmute again. 

Joshua M. Nielson 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Joshua M. Nielson shares that he lost his struggle with depression on September 30, 2022. Born on November 16, 1988 in Warren, PA, he moved to Saratoga Springs at the age of 3. Joshua attended Saratoga Springs High School and continued his education at SUNY Purchase where he assisted in creating the men’s swim team. 

Trained as an Emergency Medical Technician, Joshua furthered his career at Saratoga Hospital for many years. He served countless members of our community as Hospital Security and most recently as an Emergency Room Technician. Josh was a kind, sensitive, empathetic and compassionate soul to all that crossed paths with him. His laughter would fill the room and he found great joy in being outdoors. His list of many interests included painting, playing the guitar, swimming and jujitsu. 

Joshua was an exceptional son, brother and friend. He is survived by his mother Rene Nielson, father Robert (Judy) Nielson, brother Tyler Nielson and many loving family and friends. He will be missed by his two four-legged furry friends Alex and Thor, but will reunite with his beloved cat, Gary. 

Calling hours to be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 4 – 6 p.m. at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. A funeral home service will be celebrated at 6 p.m. by Richard Hoffman.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Josh’s name to The Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center (24 Hamilton St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 ), Saratoga County Animal Shelter (6010 County Farm Rd, Ballston Spa, NY 12020  or American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (199 Water Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038: afsp.org)

“SPAC in Conversation: Sylvie Bigar” on October 19

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces that its popular Action Council fundraising event “SPAC in Conversation,” formerly known as the Lecture Luncheon, will return with acclaimed travel and food writer Sylvie Bigar. 

Moderated by SPAC President & CEO Elizabeth Sobol, the discussion will explore Bigar’s upcoming memoir Cassoulet Confessions: Food, France, Family and the Stew That Saved My Soul along with insights from her international travels and culinary adventures. Slated for Wednesday, October 19 at the Spa Little Theatre and the Hall of Springs, the event is also highlighted by a lunch inspired by Bigar’s book and “French Market Place” shopping.

The schedule of events: Conversation with Sylvie Bigar, Spa Little Theatre at 10 a.m.; Book Signing & Boutique Shopping, Hall of Springs at 11:30 a.m., and Luncheon, Hall of Springs at 12:30 p.m. 

Cost to attend the fundraiser is $95 and includes admission to the discussion, Hall of Springs luncheon and the French Market Place shopping event. Tickets may be purchased at spac.org or by calling at 518.584.9330, ext. 142.  

Saratoga Jewish Community Arts Hosts Zoom Discussion of “The Bielski Brothers: Jerusalem in the Woods” 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Jewish Community Arts presents a zoom discussion at 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 of “The Bielski Brothers: Jerusalem in the Woods,” a documentary by filmmaker Sharon Rennert, granddaughter of one brother, Tuvia Bielski.

There are several films and books about Jewish partisans in World War II, new ones come out every few years, and at least one commercial film (Defiance} addresses the story of the Bielski Brothers. This production is distinct, as it is a historical film told by the third generation of the Bielskis from an exceptionally poignant and intimate perspective that entertains as well as enlightens. 

“The Bielski Brothers: Jerusalem in the Woods,” produced for the History Channel, can be seen on a number of streaming services with subscriptions and in some library services. Registration is required for the Zoom discussion at sjca.sjcf@gmail.com For more information, go to: www.saratogasinai.org, www.saratogajewishculturalfestival.org