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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Record Turnout at Sustainable Saratoga’s Annual Saratoga Recycles Day

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — More than 630 vehicles wound their way through the drop-off stations to recycle or donate unwanted items at Sustainable Saratoga’s fourth annual Saratoga Recycles Day. 

“While we expected that the extra time spent at home this year due to COVID-19 would drive up attendance, we were still surprised by the record-breaking turnout,” said Margie Shepard, Co-Chair of Sustainable Saratoga’s Zero
Waste Committee. 

The electronics and clothing/textile drop-off locations were in especially high demand. Planit Waste, Recycling & Salvage and eLot Electronics Recycling collected huge quantities of batteries, electronics and scrap metal. Hundreds of TVs and monitors were dropped off, contributing to the thousands of pounds of electronics that will be responsibly recycled and kept out of landfills. Early estimates indicate a record amount of textiles and clothing were donated at this year’s event, which took place Oct. 24 at the overflow parking lot at SPAC in Saratoga Springs.

One important strategy for keeping things out of landfills is to extend their useful life. Every year, the list of partnering community groups who collect items increases. This year, participants included American Clothing, Shelters of Saratoga, B.E.S.T., Bikeatoga, Transitional Services Association, Saratoga Lions Club and Wellspring. 

Shelters of Saratoga collected 106 sleeping bags, 43 tents and 61 backpacks that will be used to help many people this coming winter. Around 60 large bags of men’s shoes, jackets and clothing were donated to B.E.S.T. to benefit the backstretch workers at the Saratoga Racetrack. Sustainable Saratoga collected over 100 bikes, and Bikeatoga took more than half of them to add to their winter project load. American Clothing collected several truckloads of donated clothing and textiles. Three large carloads of donated art supplies will be put to good use by the artists at Transitional Services Association. The Saratoga Lions Club collected buckets full of eyeglasses, and Wellspring received 342 cell phones. All of these items will be reused, helping both individuals in need and the environment.

Property Transactions: October 31 – November 6, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON

Stephan Vigliotti Jr sold property at 358 Goode St to John Steuciuk for $455,000.

Heritage Builders Group LLC sold property at 35 Cypress St to Andrienne Walters for $372,858.

Keith Caton sold property at 5 Morningdale Court to Emily Keable for $371,371.

Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 8 Tamarack St to David Pickens for $439,980.

William Muller sold property at 374 Schauber Rd to Laura Cartier for $752,000.

Randal Frazier sold property at 7 Ramble Lane to Robert Nizik for $290,000.

CORINTH

John Mosher sold property at 498 Angel Rd to Brandon Stautner for $241,000.

Janice Collins sold property at 40 Fuller Rd to Kayla LeClair for $225,000.

Quintina Compton sold property at 4771 Route 9N to Jeremy Sears for $110,000.

Lee Joseph sold property at 36 Hamilton Ave to Robert Nickol for $101,970.

Roseann DiLorenzo sold property at 16 West Mechanic St to Patricia Harrington for $155,000.

MW Property Development LLC sold property at 6 Oak St to Sean Sothard for $174,900.

Randall Nicholson sold property at 6 Oak St to Sean Sothard for $174,900.

GREENFIELD

Lynda Roeckle sold property at 440 North Creek Rd to George Denny for $199,900.

Betty Bencze sold property at 155 Squashville Rd to Brian Young for $136,000.

John Jordan sold property at 82 Ormsbee Rd to Shawn Crawford for $240,000

Walbridge Enterprises LLC sold property at 481-483 NYS Rt 9 to Walbridge Estates LLC for $330,500.

Sean Ryan sold property at 14 Squashville Rd to Mary Donnellan for $355,000.

Barbara Baker sold property at 3 Hillside Ave to Stephanie Ryall for $225,000.

MALTA

DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders Inc sold property at 43 Vettura Ct to Anne Gregoire for $409,470.

MaryBeth Deluca sold property at 282 Thimbleberry Rd to Austyn Beisler for $160,000

Sharon Bryani sold property at 9 Hillman Loop to Melissa Kull for $318,000.

George Heard sold property at 251 Old Post Rd to Dean Vedder for $339,000.

Cynthia Mullen sold property at 1057 Raymond Rd to John Lyons for $323,000

Farone Amedore LLC sold property at 29 Ordelia Lane to Angelo Orlando for $383,170

Timothy Perez sold property at 18 Thimbleberry Rd to Scott Mongeon for $207,000.

Alyssa Greer sold property at 13 Tamian Pass to David Taranto for $336,000.

Daniel Justice sold property at 14 Arrowwood Place to Claudio Decamargo for $218,000.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Joan Farone sold property at 56 Jenna Jo Ave to Ronald Slone for $250,000.

James Looby sold property at 189 Maple Ave to Joseph Collins for $304,000.

Andrew Doyle as exec sold property at 19 Moore Ave and Nicholas Knauer for $234,043.

DGD Holdings LLC sold property at Lot 9 Shaw Dr to Wayne Cutler for $275,000.

166 Jefferson St LLC sold property at 166 Jefferson St Unit 3 to Shawn Nolan for $203,000.

Ryan Finn sold property at 10 Winding Brook Dr to Kathryn Martin for $760,000.

Teh Yew Boon sold property at 28 Cygnet Circle to Michael Arpey for $520,000.

Kevin McGrath sold property at 248 Broadway to James Doyle for $2,600,000.

Shawn Davis as trustee sold property at 21 Loughberry Dr to Greg Peterson for $409,999.

Joan Sanchez sold property at 6 Foxhall Dr to Brooke McConnell for $373,000.

Wendy Krotow sold property at 46 Rip Van Lane to Lindsay Cogan for $441,000.

Mark Wallace Holdings LLC sold property at 25 Franklin St to Mark Dallas for $655,000.

WILTON

Ralph Cobb sold property at 34 Ballard Rd to Adam Watson for $290,000.

Barbara Baker sold property at 3 Hillside Ave to Stephanie Ryall for $225,000.

October 31 – November 6, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT 

Matthew T. Washburn, 31, of Hudson Falls, was sentenced Oct. 26 to 2 to 4 years state prison, after pleading to attempted strangulation, a felony, in the town of Saratoga. 

Darrick D. Conners, 47, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Oct. 28 to 2 to 4 years state prison, after pleading to attempted assault in the second-degree. 

Sylvester L. Jackson, 55, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Oct. 28 to 2 years state prison, after pleading to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth-degree, in Moreau. 

Paul J. Pike, 28, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Oct. 30 to vehicular assault in the first-degree. Sentencing Jan. 8, 2021. 

William D. Bell, 32, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Oct. 29 to assault in the second-degree, in Milton. Sentencing Jan. 21, 2021. 

POLICE

Victor Casado, 28, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 29 with the following misdemeanors: criminal mischief, menacing, assault, unlawful imprisonment, criminal obstruction of breathing, resisting arrest, act in manner injure child less than 17, and the felonies: two counts criminal possession of a weapon, kidnapping, and aggravated family offense.

Victor Zapien-Hurtado, 22, of South Glens Falls, was charged Oct. 30 in Saratoga Springs with harassment in the second-degree. 

Michael Belcher, 21, of Middle Grove, was charged Oct. 21 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, speeding, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Jessica Leavitt, 24, of Ballston Spa, was charged Oct. 22 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, speeding, and failure to keep right. 

James Altamirano, 39, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 22 with misdemeanor criminal trespass, and petit larceny. 

Chad Lang, 46, of Corinth, was charged Oct. 22 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor criminal trespass. 

Kevin Savard, 43, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 20 with criminal trespass misdemeanor. 

Antonio Quesada, 55, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 20 with disorderly conduct. 

Kory Willis, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 19 with two misdemeanor counts criminal trespass. 

William Charlson, 69, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 19 with trespass violation, and on Oct. 23 with exposure of a person, and disorderly conduct.   

Samuel Tyrel, 22, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 23 with failure to report change of address/ sex offender. 

Isabelle Sullivan, 18, of Armonk, was charged Oct. 24 in Saratoga Springs with petit larceny. 

Madison Bourassa, 18, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, was charged Oct. 24 in Saratoga Springs with petit larceny. 

Chad Lang, 46, of Corinth, was charged Oct. 24 in Saratoga Springs with burglary in the third-degree, and petit larceny, and on Oct. 25 with criminal trespass. 

James Rue, 38, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 25 with disorderly conduct. 

Justin Rue, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 25 with disorderly conduct, and obstructing governmental official. 

Nicholas Charron, 22, of Spencerport, was charged Oct. 25 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief in the third-degree, a felony. 

Felix Omoruyi, 33, of Desoto, Texas, was charged Oct. 26 in Saratoga Springs with stalking in the second-degree, and aggravated family offense. Both charges are felonies. 

Robert Rivers, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 26 with aggravated family offense, and aggravated criminal contempt. 

Natalie Martinez, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 26 with criminal possession of stolen property, criminal tampering, and false- written statement. All three charges are misdemeanors. 

Stephine Schleimer-Harris, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 27 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Jonathan Skinkley, 18, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 28 with operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol/ under 21, and two driving related violations. 

Chad Cruger, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 28 with harassment in the second-degree. 

Kyle Delair, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Oct. 29 with misdemeanor DWI, and refusal to take a breath test. 

Capitol Kitchens and Baths: 75 Years of Excellence

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Home & Garden.

Photos provided.

World War II just ended, Franklin D. Roosevelt was our president, and the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. The year was 1945 and a young local couple by the name of Hy and Anne Zima decided to test their entrepreneurial skills and open a kitchen and bath business. 

Seventy-five years later, Capitol Kitchens and Baths still offers personalized experiences to make sure that the project you’re doing, whether a kitchen or bath or a new heating system, is perfect for you, your home, your budget, and your family.

And they know something about family. Now in their third generation, they have five family members working together to provide excellent customer service: 2nd generation brothers Terry & Bob Zima with brother in law Ken Shapiro and 3rd generation siblings Adam Zima & Hana (Zima) Sullenger.

While they have held on to the original core values of Hy and Anne, they have certainly had to adjust with the times. “We’ve expanded to three branches (Saratoga in 1986 and Schenectady in 1995). Our services have also expanded a LOT,” said Hana (Zima) Sullinger. “We’ve always designed kitchens, but they were hand drawn and used to be a stock item because there were so few choices from the vendors. Now every kitchen is unique and a custom design so each one is designed specific for the space.

“We also have more kitchen and bath designers on staff than ever and they offer homeowners a personal experience to discuss the space, how it will be used, and create an individual design specifically for that family.”

As technology changed so did their products. According to Hana, “Our products have become more technologically advanced on all sides of the business, we have products from thermostats to showerheads that are wifi and will talk to Alexa or Google Home. The showerhead includes a wireless speaker that will connect to Alexa or Bluetooth!”

Not tech savvy? Don’t worry. The majority of their staff have been in the industry for at least 10 years and quite a few are over the 30-year mark! They know the industry, the product and the processes.

When asked about new trends is the kitchen or bath category, Hana was on point. “In the kitchen our designers are seeing a lot more of an updated farmhouse look, from the white Shaker door to a more transitional style. A combination of white and grey is still very popular but we’re starting to see more Navy color coming into play. Wood tones are starting to make a comeback as well.

“In the bathroom, our designers are seeing more black and white with some grey thrown in. And there are more glam bathrooms too! Products that are very popular include Freestanding tubs, Barn Door looks (with both closet doors and the barn door style in shower doors); and skirted toilets (very easy for cleaning) and Continuous Clean and other cleaning features incorporated into products.”

Capitol has been supporting our region for 75 years. Any money spent with them stays here and supports the community. Their 75th anniversary was going to be marked with book end events and celebrations. But with COVID-19 they are celebrating their 75th anniversary by donating to various organizations throughout our communities that are important to their staff and their customers.

In closing Hana ended with “Supporting local does not mean it’s going to cost more. We’re competitive with our pricing while also offering a personal experience and additional services. However, when you buy at Capitol you’re supporting your friends and neighbors and a company who sees you and your local community.”

Capitol Kitchens and Baths is located at 252 Washington St, Saratoga Springs.
Find them online at capitolkitchensandbaths.com.

Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund Awards The Charlton School $200,000 for New Arts Center

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Charlton School of Burnt Hills has announced a record $200,000 grant received from the Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund. It is the largest cash gift a charity has made to the school’s long-term fundraising plan called the “Next Chapter.” The donation will help fund renovations to a historic chapel that has served as a therapeutic arts space since 2014. The renovation project, the first step in a 20-year plan to reshape the school’s campus, began in June 2020, and will be completed this year by Schrader & Company Construction Services. The updated arts center will include a new kiln room and handicap accessible bathroom, new energy efficient windows and doors, new lighting, electrical, heating, and cooling systems, and new flooring and cabinetry. 

Alex Capo, Executive Director of The Charlton School, said, “We are extremely grateful to the Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund for their tremendous generosity. In return for this significant gift, we are proud to name our new therapeutic arts space The Sarah B. Foulke Arts Center. We will also establish an annual Sarah B. Foulke Art Award; it will be given to an outstanding art student at graduation and will encourage future generations of Charlton School students.” 

Anthony J. Izzo, speaking on behalf of Suzan Nolan and Lyn Murphy, two other advisors to the Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund, which is administered through The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, explained the impetus for the gift. “Sarah Blackwell Foulke, a long-time Saratoga Springs resident and an attorney who practiced in Saratoga County, was a kind, giving, compassionate, and courageous woman who loved the arts and her community. She felt women deserved better opportunities in this world than they have. After touring the school and reviewing its mission, we decided that The Charlton School would be a good fit with Sarah’s interests in supporting the arts and opportunities that empower women and girls. We knew that naming the Arts Center in Sarah’s honor would create a long-lasting legacy to her spirit and passion for helping girls achieve great things and become their best selves. In this way, through The Charlton School, Sarah’s name will always be associated with enriching young students’ lives.” 

Executive Director Capo added, “Our goal has been to transform the chapel into a space conducive to the intense emotional work necessary for a quality therapeutic arts program. This 50-year-old chapel building has been in dire need of updating. With the Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund donation and the fine craftsmanship that the team at Schrader & Company has brought to this project, we can redesign the space to fit those needs.” 

About The Charlton School 

The Charlton School, located at 322 Lake Hill Road in Burnt Hills, was founded in 1895 by John S. Hawley, a successful NYC business owner. He donated the land and $25,000 to open the Charlton Industrial Farm School for Boys destined for a criminal life due to neglect and poverty. In 1938, the Farm School building burnt to the ground overnight. The farmland was maintained for the next 17 years. In 1955, a new building was erected, and the doors opened to young women. The Charlton School began their mission of providing education and a home for young women within the Social Service System. 

From those early beginnings, The Charlton School has emerged as a therapeutic learning community offering the right treatment in the right environment for students who struggle with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or complex traumas. The Charlton School also sees students who exhibit school refusal, fragility, or withdrawal; students lacking in self-esteem, motivation, or social skills; or students who are struggling with relationship or identity issues. 

The Charlton School strives to create a safe and nurturing environment that fosters growth in their students and empowers them to succeed educationally and emotionally throughout their lives. 

For more information on The Charlton School or questions on how you can contribute to their “Next Chapter” of growth, visit TheCharltonSchool.org.

Saratoga Farmers’ Market Moves Back Inside Wilton Mall For Winter Season

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The area’s longest running farmers’ market, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market Association, will open their indoor winter market season on Saturday, November 7, continuing at the Wilton Mall. Markets will run each Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and will feature 50+ vendors selling a full range of locally produced items including fresh produce, ready-to-eat foods, and artisanal products. The market will be in the mall’s food court, accessible from the Bow Tie Cinemas mall entrance and from the mall interior.

The market’s summer season is currently running in the parking lot just outside of the food court. The mall location allows the markets to maintain COVID-19 social distancing and safety requirements. Association representatives and mall management staff are now focused on providing a similarly safe shopping experience indoors by taking measures such as spacing vendor stalls further apart, providing extra hand washing and sanitizing opportunities, and closely monitoring crowds.

Market manager Emily Meagher added: “We are working to continue the safe and pleasant shopping experience that we have established this summer, and are grateful to the Wilton Mall management for providing us with the additional space needed to accomplish this goal. Our vendors will continue to provide fresh and local food to help our community stay healthy throughout the winter.”

About the Saratoga Farmers’ Market:

Beginning in 1978 with a handful of vendors in a parking lot, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market
has grown to be one of the area’s largest markets. 

It is a year-round not for profit organization, which from November through April will host more than 50 vendors each Saturday, selling fresh and local produce, meats, eggs, dairy products, baked goods, jams, wine, spirits, coffee, soap, flowers, art, ready-to-eat foods, and more. The market provides customers with locally made products from five counties: Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Washington, and Warren. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is proud to be a predominantly agricultural market. More information is at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org and on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Property Transactions: October 24 – October 30, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON

Brookview Court Inc sold property at 11 Kasey Pass to Staci Grandy for $273,026.

Alec Buniak sold property at 35 Lancaster Court to Chad Harrison for $375,000.

Brookview Court Inc sold property at 15 Kasey Pass Unit 15 to Dennis Lunnden for $282,729.

Rosetti Acquisitions LLC sold property at 2 Pasture Place to Howard Mastro for $326,041.

Rosetti Acquisitions LLC sold property at 2 Pasture Place to Caitlin Walsh for $305,000.

Michael Malizia sold property at 23 Beechwood Dr to Marie Zarelli for $299,000.

Enel Merend sold property at 540 Devils Lane to David Collins for $340,000.

CORINTH

John Mosher sold property at 498 Angel Rd to Brandon Stautner for $241,000

Janice Collins sold property at 40 Fuller Rd to Kayla LeClair for $225,000.

Quintina Compton sold property at 4771 Route 9N to Jeremy Sears for $110,000.

Lee Joseph sold property at 36 Hamilton Ave to Robert Nickol for $101,970.

Roseann DiLorenzo sold property at 16 West Mechanic St to Patricia Harrington for $155,000.

MW Property Development LLC sold property at 6 Oak St to Sean Sothard for $174,900.

Randall Nicholson sold property at 6 Oak St to Sean Sothard for $174,900.

GREENFIELD

Edward Bittner sold property at 110 Alpine Meadows Rd to Frederick Scheier for $339,900.

MALTA

DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders Inc sold property at 43 Vettura Ct to Anne Gregoire for $409,470.

Christopher Fay sold property at 65 Pepperbush Pl to Emily Roth for $208,000

Theresa Bernacki sold property at Callaghan Blvd to Brett Green for $715,000.

David Murray sold property at 24 Saratoga Farm Rd to Stephen Oates for $1,678,000.

Belmonte Properties LLC sold property at 68 Village Circle North to Susan Byllaardt for $531,842

Steven Fedorczuk sold property at 292 Ruhle Road South to Pamela Spataro for $310,000

Barbera Homes Malta Springs sold property at 20 Weston Way to Jason Heggelke for $329,000.

Robert Irish sold property at 112 Old Orchard Lane to Cartus Financial Group for $370,000

Cartus Financial Corporation sold property at 112 Old Orchard Lane to ZReid Frasier for $370,000

Abele Builders Inc sold property at 16 Copper Ridge Dr to Abele Homes LLC for $115,000

Abele Homes LLC  sold property at 16 Copper Ridge Dr to Scott Volans for $470,225

SARATOGA

Richard Reeves sold property at 50 Trombley Rd  to James Izzano for $950,000

Christopher Fontaine sold property at 245 Wilbur Rd to Michael Prian for $297,500.

Cosmopolitan Ventures LLC sold property at 141 Fitch Rd to Sean Rivage for $350,000

Thomas Derby sold property at 79 Pearl St to Dawn Desjardins for $140,000.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Bendan O’Hara sold property at 60 Arrowhead Rd to Emily Keinz for $540,000

John Kane sold property at 2 Timber Lane to Abraham Abdallah for $625,000.

Barbara Young sold property at 2 Elks Lane and Joseph Davey for $1,105,000.

Katherine Petronis sold property at 59 Fifth  Ave to Mallory Otto for $969,900.

Dolores Sarno sold property at 44 Pamela Lane to Ralph Cobbfor $425,000.

Christopher O’Briensold property at 8 America Way to Daniel Jones for $1,565,000.

Linda Duhame sold property at 135 Nelson Ave to Ronald Pedrick for $445,000.

DGD Holdings LLC sold property at Lot 14 Shaw Dr to Mary Lentini for $200,000

Domenick Marchesiello sold property at 14 Schuyler Dr to Eric Hirschmann for $537,500

Robert Runak sold property at 11 Tyler Dr to Paul Markatos for $625,900.

Bonacio Construction Inc sold property at 111 Madison Ave to Michael Veneros for $250,000.

Christiane Ashba sold property at 6 Cherry Tree Lane to Christopher O’Brien for $999,900

Malvern Burrows as trustee sold property at 9 Winding Brook Dr to Brian Cuneo for $1,300,000

Megan Mayo sold property at 303 Nelson Ave to Dominick Fazioli for $661,000.

Peter Bleday sold property at 5 Spa Circle to Lucas Hoague for $300,000.

Lukoil North America LLC sold property at 54 Church St to Grewal Properties Inc for $575,000.

WILTON

Francis Mihaly sold property at 34 Ballard Rd to Adam Watson for $290,000.

Michael Witzing sold property at 3 O’Donnell Way to Robert Pacheco for $399,900.

Downtown Dilemma: The Follow Up

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Editorials.

In mid-September I wrote a story entitled ‘Downtown Dilemma.’

The story, which addressed the many facets of our ongoing homeless problem, received quite a bit of interest and positive feedback.

I ended the story by issuing a challenge to SOS, City Council, the County, Code Blue, and everyone else with the expertise and power to make a difference: Initiate meaningful change that will affect generations, and create a benchmark for other cities and towns to follow.

About a week later I was happy when Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Adam Feldman reached out to me. After a few discussion it was decided that the Saratoga Collaborative to End Homelessness will publish a monthly column in  Saratoga TODAY.

The goal for their monthly columns in partnership with Saratoga TODAY, will be to keep the community informed, educated, and engaged regarding the ongoing efforts to tackle this complex social problem, as well as the causes of, and solutions to, homelessness.

It will explore the collaboration which started in 2019, for the purpose of working as one team, across sectors and agencies, to move beyond programmatic-level approach and develop a systems-level solution to homelessness in Saratoga County.

In this series, they plan to cover the full spectrum of system elements needed to prevent and end homelessness, from affordable housing to supportive services, rental subsidies, and street outreach teams.

The monthly feature begins next week so be sure to check back. Together we can ALL make a difference.

Vote to Adopt Charter Reform – A System of Government that Will Provide Professional Leadership

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

We have watched with interest the charter debate in Saratoga Springs, NY.   Having lived in New Hampshire for 40 years before moving to Saratoga Springs, we lived and worked in communities that had a city or town manager form of government.  We took it for granted that competent professionals with expertise in their areas were using their skills to manage the city/town departments that made those communities great places to live.  We have been disheartened, however, after attending meet-the-candidates’ nights for a previous city election, to learn that the city relies upon a system where lack of expertise or professional qualifications are not a bar to city office.  It seems to us that family connections or who you know are the way to get elected.  We urge our fellow Saratogians, new and old, to vote to adopt charter reform – a system of government that will provide professional leadership in the form of a city manager and city-wide neighborhood ward representatives.

– Bill and Janice Christiano, Saratoga Springs