Author: Saratoga TODAY

NEW YORK — On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that an international conference will be held this May in New York to build on the work the state has done to help recover property stolen in the course of Nazi prosecution.

“The family of New York will never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust, and this international conference will build on our efforts to help victims of Nazi crimes recover stolen property,” Governor Cuomo said. “Nothing will ever make up for the unimaginable suffering and loss endured by the Jewish people, but my sincere hope is that this event will help Holocaust victims and their families get the justice they deserve.” 

The conference, hosted by the Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) Holocaust Claims Processing Office (HCPO), will be aimed at improving the State’s ability to help recover works of art and other property lost due to Nazi persecution and will include presentations and panel-led discussions between claimant representatives, attorneys, members of the art trade, professionals from cultural institutions, provenance researchers, historians and art historians. The conference will coincide with the 75th anniversary of V-E Day, May 7-8, 2020, and be held in New York City. Since its inception, HCPO has facilitated the restitution of over $178 million in bank accounts, insurance policies, and other material losses and the resolution of cases involving more than 160 works of art.

Superintendent of Financial Services Linda A. Lacewell said, “With 20 years of expertise in helping to restore lost assets to Holocaust victims and their heirs, DFS’ Holocaust Claims Processing Office is uniquely qualified to host this conference and strengthen our efforts to restore what was lost during the Nazi regime. It is our hope and intention that the discussions that take place will facilitate the restitution of long-lost artworks and builds on the state’s efforts to date.”

Jack Kliger, President & CEO, Museum of Jewish Heritage – Living Memorial to the Holocaust said, “As we mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the upcoming anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe over the Nazi regime, we affirm that it is never too late to provide justice and dignity to victims of the Holocaust. We appreciate the support of Governor Cuomo and Superintendent Lacewell for the recovery of property stolen by the Nazis. The Governor is also a great champion of Holocaust education as an important tool for combating antisemitism. In all these efforts, he continues the legacy of New York State as a beacon.”

Because there are no international guidelines on how to interpret terms such as “Nazi-confiscated art,” “forced sale,” and “sale under duress” in the context of a transaction that occurred in Nazi-controlled territories, there are inconsistencies across and within groups of practitioners in the field on how to designate and characterize various forms of loss. The conference will explore the theft of property from the Jewish people during the Nazi-era using specific terms in order to create certainty and commonly accepted practices with respect to restitution and compensability. Additional information can be found at www.dfs.ny.gov/termsofart.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Wednesday, Jan. 29, the City Center hosted the Future of Minority and Women Owned Business Forum. The all day event featured a networking breakfast, a panel on local government’s involvement in the success of minority and women owned businesses, how to embrace technology, how to access capital and a workshop to make professional business cards, headshots, capability statements, consulting services and more.

At the forum, there were representatives from local city and county governments including Nikita Hardy, an Affirmative Action Manager for Schenectady County. “I work closely with the city and try to leverage all of the resources the county has for not just small businesses, but for minorities and women as well,” she said. “The turnout here is great, which really shows that we have a need in the community.”

Other representatives included those from NYS Empire State Development, America’s Small Business Development Center’s (ASBDC) and the U.S. 2020 Census. 

BLACK HAWK, CO — Saratoga Casino Black Hawk has signed an agreement with Betfred Group to offer Sports Wagering throughout the state of Colorado. 

Saratoga Casino Black Hawk is owned and operated by Saratoga Casino Holdings, LLC which is headquartered in Saratoga Springs, and also owns and oversees the daily operations of Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs. 

Saratoga Casino Black Hawk is located in Colorado and features over 425 slot machines, 10 table games, a full-service restaurant, bar and a variety of guest services. The agreement is with Betfred Group, the world’s largest privately-owned retail bookmaker. 

Subject to regulatory approval, Betfred and Saratoga Casino open a full sports book at the casino Colorado property, as well as offer mobile and internet betting for customers within the state of Colorado.

“We are excited to have Betfred as our sports wagering partner,” said Daniel Gerrity, President of Saratoga Casino Black Hawk, in a statement. “With over 50 years of international experience in the industry, it’s a great opportunity to leverage their expertise along with the Saratoga brand to become the market leader in sports wagering
in Colorado.”

Betfred Group, founded in 1967, created Las Vegas based Betfred USA Sports in 2019 specifically to enter the robust and ever-expanding US sports betting market.

BALLSTON SPA — A  40-year-old deputy sheriff employed with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is suspected of committing sexual offenses against two young women in the Town of Malta. 

The deputy, Steven E. Willetts, was charged with criminal sexual act in the first- degree, and sexual conduct against a child in the second-degree. Both charges are felonies. He was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail, or bond. 

According to a statement issued by the county sheriff’s office, the charges stem from acts allegedly perpetrated against two young women in the Town of Malta. The Sheriff’s Office received a complaint Jan. 25, and Willetts was subsequently charged as a result of the investigation. 

Willetts is accused of engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person who was less than 11-years-old, and of engaging in two or more acts of sexual conduct with a child less than 13-years-old. The alleged incidents occurred over a period of time not less-than three months in duration, according to the statement. 

He was suspended without pay immediately. According to the sheriff’s office, the charges were not related to any official action and did not occur at a time when Willetts was working. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — BlueShield of Northeastern New York has once again named Saratoga Hospital a Blue Distinction Center® for three surgical specialties—spine surgery and knee and hip replacement—as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

Saratoga Hospital is the only Capital Region facility to be recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery for meeting both quality and cost-effectiveness measures.

“Blue Distinction Centers earn the designation, in part, by providing care that results in fewer complications and readmissions. That’s important information for patients who are deciding where to have their spine surgery or knee or hip replacement,” said Dr. Richard Falivena, vice president and chief medical and physician integration officer at Saratoga Hospital.

“Patients see that we are a Blue Distinction Center—and that we’ve earned other quality designations—and they know they can turn to Saratoga Hospital with confidence.”

Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities that show a commitment to patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

For more information about the program and a complete listing of the designated facilities, go to www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Cabin Fever 2020 successfully celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment with fun, laughs, networking and insightful conversations. “Deeds, Not Words,” the motto of the early suffrage movement was featured as the great great granddaughter of women’s rights pioneer Elizabeth Cady Stanton spoke to a large group of Capital Region women at a cabin fever “fireside chat” Saturday, Jan. 25 at Saratoga National.

Coline Jenkins, a Connecticut legislator, author and television producer was joined by author Patricia Nugent, SUNY Adirondack Associate Professor Wendy L. Johnson and Saratoga Springs High School Senior Ella Ouimet in a cross-generational discussion of women’s rights sponsored by Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, a chapter of the organization for business and professional women working to provide education and training for the local and global economic empowerment of women and girls.

Saturday’s fireside chat topics ranged from women’s suffrage and the founding of the women’s movement to the panel’s hopes for the passage of the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing equal rights to all Americans – as the country celebrates the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment, through which American women were guaranteed the right to vote.

Jenkins noted her relative’s praise of the early suffrage movement and its pioneers, and Cady Stanton’s pride in the success of what she called “the world’s greatest bloodless revolution,” adding that her relative often noted that women’s efforts to win their long suffrage battle employed “everything EXCEPT for a gun.”

After a broad-ranging question period, the panel concluded with an invitation to the unveiling of the first Central Park statue to honor REAL American women – Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth – during this year’s Women’s Equality Day on Wednesday, Aug. 26 in Manhattan. 

For more information on the event or the local group, visit www.soroptimistsaratoga.org.