SARATOGA Springs — On Friday, August 7 2020, Paul Michael Fasulo, a native of Saratoga Springs, passed away at age 76 in Kentucky. Graveside service will be Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave. Memorial donations to Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. Visit www.burkefuneralhome.com
I’ve long criticized Saratoga Springs’ form of government in which elected council members oversee specific aspects of City Hall, creating silos of administration. But the charter change now on the ballot would replace that shortcoming with one far worse – a ward system that would drastically reduce every city resident’s representation on the City Council and make elected officials less accountable. I’m voting no.
The claim that residents would gain better representation with wards is false and grossly misleading.
The ward system minimizes our individual clout as voters. It eliminates council members’ accountability to all but the sixth of the city that elects them. We would get to vote for a mayor and only one of six council members, with no promise that even that one candidate – let alone the other five – would feel compelled to address the concerns of our particular neighborhood.
I looked at a map of the election districts to see how areas were lumped together in the proposed charter (in Article XI, section C) to form six wards. Here are three examples:
Ward Three stretches from the city neighborhoods around the Caroline Street School to the sprawling estates in the Beacon Hill Drive area off Meadowbrook Road and the rural developments north of Route 29 toward Wilton.
Ward Four would combine the South Side (everything south of Lincoln Avenue, including Jefferson Terrace) with all the Saratoga Lake and Lake Lonely developments, more than three miles and a world away.
Ward Six puts together the downtown West Side (including the Beekman Street arts district) with the more suburban housing around Buff Road.
You get the idea.
Check out the map yourself.
Bottom line: Every citizen should be able to vote for all of the City Council members.
There are other reasons to reject this charter change. Promised cost savings are dubious as is the timing of the ballot proposal, with people unable to assemble to discuss the pros and cons, not to mention the city budget hole caused by the pandemic. And the idea of a city manager appointed to oversee all city operations makes sense — but not accompanied by the unnecessary creation of a full-time mayor as proposed.
I could get behind a new charter with an appointed city manager beholden to a City Council whose members answer to all Saratoga Springs voters.
This charter change would radically reduce our voice. Vote no.
– Barbara Lombardo, Saratoga Springs
With no public discussion…not even Zoom meetings or press releases…the self-anointed charter change leaders were able to make the bad 2017 Saratoga Springs charter proposal much worse by 1. Adding Wards, and 2. Enriching the future mayor.
Wards mysteriously appeared on this year’s ballot rejecting their 2017 charter change committee which had decided against wards after discussing in a public meeting.
And the proposed mayor’s salary was increased by another $25,000 to an excessive $65,000 for a part-time job, again ignoring 2017 committee members’ research and recommendations.
Official committee minutes reveal: “Jeff Altamari said he had read through NYCOM data and the average salary of a Mayor with the City Manager was $19,000.” Rob Kuczynski said “that $40,000 was too high for the Mayor’s position. He reminded everyone that we will have a City Manager to do the work.”
Since the mayor’s responsibilities are identical with 2017, ask yourself: Did someone push for this much higher salary for themselves hoping to get $65,000 for a part-time job? One candidate seems to be maneuvering already.
These two bad decisions that will make city government worse were made in a back room, rather than receiving public input. I’m voting No.
– Richard Sellers, Saratoga Springs
The answer. Since 1915 Saratoga’s residents have had direct access to the commissioners who govern our city.
This unity created the city we all enjoy today while maintaining its historicalcharm. The residents have one governing body where they bring ideas benefiting the whole city.
The proposed charter would divide the city into wards known as the “Inner East Side,” “North Side,” “Outer East Side,” “South Side,” “West Side,” and “South West Side.” Wards have their own elected council people.
These wards are known to become competitive and exist to promote their respective turfs.
Imagine, the city’s great benefactors speaking to six ward councils, in order to win over their approval for a project NOT IN THEIR WARD!
I hope anyone contemplating abolishing a system of government that has worked for over 100 years will vote down this proposed fragmented and expensive structure. It’s wrong to change what has worked so well over the many years. The present city form of government has welcomed many new residents and deserves the support of everyone. Vote No for charter change.
– M. Thomas Porter, Saratoga Springs
Friday, October 9
Take-Out Monthly Dinner
Principessa Elena Society, 11-13 Oak St., Saratoga Springs | 5 – 7 p.m.
Menu: pasta w/sauce, meatballs w/sauce and sausage w/sauce, salad, Italian bread. $10. Open to public. Drive up to kitchen door, place your order for pickup.
Movies in the Pumpkin Patch
Washington County Fairgrounds, 392 Old Schuylerville Rd, Greenwich | 7 p.m.
Three nights of drive-up family fun movies projected onto four of the world’s largest inflatable movie screens. The fun will take place on Columbus Day weekend starting at 7 p.m. each night. Fairground gates will open at 4:30 p.m. Movie schedule: Jurassic Park – Friday, Oct. 9; Hotel Transylvania – Saturday, Oct. 10; Ghostbusters – Sunday, Oct. 11. $20 per vehicle each night. Premium parking passes for first two rows and discounts for multiple night parking passes are available at app.mobilecause.com/e/HlEh2A?vid=bc536 or on the Facebook page of either The Salvation Army of Glens Falls or the Washington County Fair Grounds. Face masks required when not in vehicle. Each vehicle will be safely spaced to ensure social distancing.
Saturday, October 10
One of Thirteen Book Signing
Impressions of Saratoga, 368 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
One of Thirteen is a heart-warming children’s picture book that will be a delight for young and old and an opportunity to learn about family heritage. Giveaway with every book purchase. Outdoor event, masks required, social distancing. For more information, please visit www.catherinezampier.com
Cow Plop Bingo
Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville | 1 p.m.
Schuyler Hose Company will be hosting this fundraiser. There will be an area of 400 squares fenced off at Fort Hardy Park. Whoever has the lucky square where the cow makes its plop will win $500 and $250 where the calf plops. You can purchase a square for $20 by contacting any member of Schuyler Hose Company, messaging us on Facebook or sending and email to shccowplop@gmail.com.
4H Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 50 West High St., Ballston Spa | 4 – 7 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now! Dinners are $14 each and include ½ chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, dinner roll, smith apple pie, and a bottle of water. All proceeds from the event will go directly to youth programming provided to 4-H participants. To order tickets please visit ccesaratoga.org/4-h/bbq or call 518-885-8995. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door while supplies last.
Sunday, October 11
Monthly Breakfast
Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club, Route 32 South of the Village of Victory | 8 – 11 a.m.
Eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausage, toast (white or wheat), pancakes (regular, blueberry, buckwheat, apple cinnamon), French toast, home fries, orange juice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate. Cost: Adult $8, Child $4. Everyone welcome. Covid-19 rules will be in effect. For questions, call 518-695-3917.
Apple Pie Social
The Wilton Heritage Society, 5 Parkhurst Rd,Wilton | 1 – 4 p.m.
Rain or shine. This will be a curb-side pick-up event. All servers will be masked and gloved. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all pies will be baked by Smith’s Orchards of Charlton this year. If you have never had a Smith’s Pie, now’s your chance. If you have, you already know how delicious they are. Suggested donation: $5 per slice includes cheddar cheese. Please have exact change. Whole pies will be sold after 3 p.m., if available.
Monday, October 12
Pre-K Nature Hour
Wilton Wildlife Preserve, 80 Scout Rd., Wilton | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
This monthly program is for our youngest explorers (ages 3-6 years old) where we use children’s love of nature to teach simple concepts. Go on a short walk and do a simple nature craft! Registration is required.
Tuesday, October 13
Grief Share
South Glens Falls United Methodist Church, 15 Maplewood Parkway, South Glens Falls | 6 – 8 p.m.
GriefShare seminars and support groups are meant to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. The group is for anyone who has lost a loved one and is grieving. We will meet for 13 weeks (ending on Dec. 29). For more information, call 518-793-1152.
Wednesday, October 14
Chicken Parmigiana Dinner
Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Curbside Pick up only. Menu: Chicken Parmigiana, penne pasta, tossed salad, garlic toast. Dinner for 2, $25 (cash only). Call Monday and Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order, 518-584-2585.
Thursday, October 15
Girlfriends Helping Girlfriends
Longfellows Hotel & Conference Center, 500 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs | 6 – 9 p.m.
A fun night out of shopping – featuring 20 local shops and vendors – a fashion show, great raffle prizes, food, drinks and more! All proceeds raised will be used to help support Wellspring’s programs and services. Domestic violence and sexual assault are prevalent in our community, but often hidden from view. Girlfriends is an event that helps raise funds to increase awareness to let individuals know there is a place to get help nearby. For more information, please call Wellspring at 518-583-0280.
Wellspring’s Annual Pooch Parade
In the interest of keeping our community safe (pets included), Wellspring is hosting their annual Pooch Parade virtually this year, on Oct. 16, 17, and 18. This annual event raises awareness and funds for Wellspring’s Safe Pet Partnership Program, which assists victims of domestic violence by providing safe, temporary placement of family pets through a network of volunteer pet “foster homes” while our clients transition to safe housing. This year, instead of gathering to parade around Congress Park we are inviting community members and their pooches to register online with Wellspring and then plan a walk around their neighborhood, park, home – wherever works! For more information about how this year’s event will work and to register please visit www.wellspringcares.org/pooch-parade.
Genealogy Program
Dr. Thomas W. Jones will deliver a one-hour program via Zoom that will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. The topic will be “Out-of-State Workarounds for In-State Record Shortages.” It features the case study of Thomas Greenfield, a man who owned no land, and left no record of heirs. Dr. Jones will take viewers through the reconstruction of Thomas Greenfield’s family—two wives and 18 children—from direct and indirect evidence in DNA and in common and obscure records from national to local levels, mostly from states where Thomas never lived. HH members will receive the Zoom link in their emails. Non-members are invited and can request the link by emailing the organization’s president, Dave Peck, at davepeck208@hotmail.com.
Outdoor Craft Fair
Join us at St. Luke’s on the Hill for our annual craft fair on Saturday, Oct, 17 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (rain date 10/24). Located at 40 McBride Rd., Mechanicville in the town of Halfmoon, off Pruyn Hill Rd. Handcrafted items only with 25+ crafters. Gorgeous basket raffles, outdoor booths only. Support local Artisans by shopping with us for unique gifts, home décor. Social distancing, face masks, contact tracing and limited occupancy. Outdoor booths only. Food Truck. Admission is free, lots of parking.
Recipe for Success: A Workshop for Food Entrepreneurs
Offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m., virtually via Zoom. The workshop will include speakers from Cornell University Food Venture Center, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, NY Kitchen Company Food Consultant, SCORE Business Marketing and Counseling, and more. Fee: $50 for the full day, or $30 for morning or afternoon session. Register by Oct. 20: reg.cce.cornell.edu/RecipeForSuccess_241, or contact CCE at 518-885-8995 or event coordinator, Diane Whitten, at dwhitten@cornell.edu. For more information visit www.ccesaratoga.org under Events tab.
Saratoga Recycles Day
Keeping it out of the landfill. The event will be held on Oct. 24 in the SPAC parking lot, west side of Route 50, from 9 a.m. until noon. Cost is $5 per vehicle, $20 each for TVs and Monitors (please bring exact change to minimize the handling of money). Find full details at protocols: www.sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/recycles-day.
Game of Logging Chainsaw Safety Training
The Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) is pleased to offer four levels of the highly sought-after Game of Logging Training. Levels 1 and 2 will be held on Oct. 17 and 18. Levels 3 and 4 will be held on Oct. 24 and 25. The trainings will be taught by David Birdsall from Northeast Woodland Training. A limited number of scholarships are available for landowners and farmers in Washington and Rensselaer counties who can commit to completing all four levels this year. Space is limited. For details and to register online, visit www.agstewardship.org, by emailing janet@agstewardship.org or by phone at 518-692-7285.
Fall Flea Market
The Flea Market will be held November 14 at the Elks Lodge, located at 130 Bulson Rd., Greenwich from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the banquet parking lot, rain or shine. Limited spaces available. Call for an application today. You must bring your own set up. Sponsored by the BPOE Elks Auxiliary and proceeds donated back to our community by donations, scholarships, or friends in need. Please contact Donna Blair at 518-692-2347 or eccdb@verizon.net or Annette Arnold at 518-692-9387 for your application or details.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Bridges’ virtual White Party with “A Splash Of Color” raised more than $50,000 net in sponsorship dollars and via an online Silent Auction held on Friday, Sept. 25.
Saratoga Bridges has provided services and programs to people with developmental disabilities and their families for more than 60 years by promoting their abilities and achievements in every aspect of community life.
The organization says the funds raised are crucial and will assist the agency with the unanticipated expenses incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as generating support for their non-funded or underfunded programs.
ALBANY — The Albany Symphony unveiled its reimagined 2020-2021 season, which will include world premieres and concertos with brilliant soloists, as well as iconic masterworks.
Curated by conductor David Alan Miller, the season brings to life an array of new and recent works by a panoply of living composers forging new ways to create art reflecting our time and place, with major masterpieces by Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, and others, and dazzling solo performances by artists including Inon Barnatan, Melissa White, Karen Hosmer and Grace Shryock.
The newly reimagined season will be presented virtually. As restrictions are lifted, live audiences will be invited back into the concert hall. All concerts will be performed live, in real time, on Capital Region stages, by Albany Symphony musicians conducted by Music Director, David Alan Miller.
“When we developed our original 2020/2021 season, we planned a season that celebrated composers whose artistry reflected their triumph over adversity,” Music Director David Alan Miller said, in a statement. ”Our newly reimagined season continues along those lines and is an affirmation of creativity. We will continue to trace heroic journeys by great composers of the past and by a very diverse group of the most exciting composers of our own time. I’m particularly thrilled by the many gorgeous new and recent works we’ll be introducing this season.”
The season kicks off Oct. 24, with a program featuring Michael Daugherty’s This Land Sings: Inspired by the Life and Times of Woody Guthrie.
The 2020-2021 season features a collection of new works, including seven world premieres, by an assortment of extraordinary composers, including Andre Myers, Viet Cuong, Jessie Montgomery, Caroline Shaw, Tyson Davis, Tanner Porter, Michael Torke, George Tsontakis, Carlos Bandera, Nina Shekhar, Clarice Assad, Molly Joyce, Chris Theofanidis, and Alexis Lamb.
The season also features iconic works by great composers of the past. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 will feature soloist Inon Barnatan. The orchestra will perform symphonies by Haydn and Schubert, and Brahms’ Serenade No. 1 in its exquisite, seldom-heard original version. Debussy’s Afternoon of a Faun and Mahler’s Symphony No.4 will be presented in beautiful chamber orchestra versions.
The 2020-2021 season runs from October through the American Music Festival in June. An Albany Symphony subscription includes all streamed events and in-person concerts once they can safely resume. Because of social distancing, seating will be available only to subscribers. Purchasing a subscription will guarantee tickets for in-person concerts. Subscriptions are available by calling the Albany Symphony Box Office at 518-694-3300. For more information about the Albany Symphony and the 2020-2021 Season Reimagined, visitwww.albanysymphony.com.
2020-2021 REIMAGINED SEASON PROGRAMS
Oct. 24: Michael Daugherty, This Land Sings: Inspired by the Life and Times of Woody Guthrie
Nov. 14: Claude Debussy, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; Andre Myers, New Commission; Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 4 (chamber orchestra version).
Dec. 12: Ludwig Van Beethoven, Creatures of Prometheus, Overture and Finale; Michael Torke, Ash; Viet Cuong, Extra(ordinarily) Fancy – Double Oboe Concerto; Karen Hosmer, Grace Shryock, oboes; Ludwig Van Beethoven, Symphony No. 1. Additional performances run through June 2021. Go to: www.albanysymphony.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces a series of public events — including pre-date primers, artist talks, and family programs — held conjunction with the election-year exhibition Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond.
Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond, co-curated by Rachel Seligman, Tang Museum Malloy Curator, and Minita Sanghvi, Assistant Professor of Management, Marketing, and Business, Skidmore College, is a celebration, conversation, and critique of the journey women have taken and have yet to take in the struggle for equality and representation in the U.S.
The exhibition online features images of 100 artworks by women and non-binary artists along with statements by each artist that reflect on their work in relation to women’s rights, representation, justice, and the legacy of the suffrage movement. These images will be presented alongside new curatorial writing, student reflections, a list of feminist readings and online resources, and more.
All events will take place online via Zoom and are free and open to the public. For information on how to access the events, please visit the Tang website at http://tang.skidmore.edu. For questions, please call the Visitor Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or email tang@skidmore.edu.
Coming up in October:
Vice Presidential Debate Pre-Debate Primer: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m.: Minita Sanghvi, Assistant Professor of Management, Marketing, and Business, and Lucia Hulsether, Assistant Professor of Religion, both of Skidmore College, will discuss gender and race in politics in a primer ahead of the debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate. Presented by the Tang Teaching Museum and the Political Science Department.
Never Done Artist Talk with Sonya Clark: Friday, Oct. 16, noon: Sonya Clark is a textile and social practice artist known for using hair, combs, beads, and other everyday materials to explore history, race, culture, and class. In conversation with Rachel Seligman and Minita Sanghvi, Never Done exhibition co-curators.
Never Done Curators’ Tour: Friday, Oct. 30 at noon: Rachel Seligman and Minita Sanghvi lead an online tour.
