Week One January 17-23:
“Frozen Soap Bubble” Terry Decorah
Week Two January 24-30:
“Winter Wonderland” Lori Seymour
Week Three January 31- February 6:
“On Saratoga Lake” Jean Tierney Tarrant
Week Four February 7- 13:
“Trains Once Travelled Here” Bernie Fabry
Week Five February 14- 20:
“Battlefield Winter” Craig Horneck
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Here’s a one question quiz that I hope everyone in Saratoga Springs will take.
Saratoga Springs plays host to 64 permitted special events every year. These range from Chowderfest, to the Victorian Streetwalk, Flag Day Parade, Beekman Street Art Fair etc., etc.
These events are attended by residents and often times attract visitors too.
They are fun, festive, and add to our quality of life. Often times, they generate business for our hotels, B&B’s, bars, restaurants, stores and shops.
Now while I can’t speak for all of these events, the Saratoga County Chamber plays a leading role in managing Saratoga’s All American Celebration which includes a spectacular fireworks show on July 4, in Congress Park.
And we took the lead in securing the permits from the City and managing this year’s First Night fireworks after they were originally cancelled.
So here’s the question: Who pays for the fireworks?
A. Government
B. Sponsors
C. Event organizers
D. All of the Above
I’m willing to bet most people think it is the government. But that’s not the whole story. Don’t get me wrong. We could not host these events without the support of the City. The Accounts Office facilitates the permit process.The Police, Fire, and DPW Departments all review these permit applications. This takes time and we know time is money. They provide fencing, signs, trash receptacles, etc. The City pays the $5,000 per event cost for the insurance event organizers need to shut down a road. The Finance and Accounts departments are considering purchasing variable messaging boards and security gates that will be made available to event organizers. This is all helpful. But event organizers pay a fee for Police, Fire, EMS, and DPW. These fees are based on the number of officers, firefighters, ambulances, DPW trucks, and personnel that are assigned to work at these events.
For instance, the Chamber was charged $3,387.50 for police, fire, and traffic department personnel for the July 4th celebration. We were also charged $2,495 for the First Night fireworks
So it must be the sponsors that pay for the fireworks and these costs, right? That’s not the whole story either.
In 2019, we raised $14,140 for the July 4th celebration but had total expenses of $17,512.50. This means we lost $3,372.50.
A reduction in sponsorship dollars contributed to the decision by Saratoga Arts to initially cancel this year’s First Night fireworks. The decline in sponsorships is partly due to how many more events there are now. Every day businesses get requests for donations to support events and a range of worthy causes.
We are fortunate in Saratoga Springs to have more than our fair share of businesses that sponsor everything. Many give to some.
Some businesses, however, incorrectly believe that others will pick up the tab. So they don’t contribute at all. Event organizers don’t fund these events either.
The staff time we invest to host events, like the July 4th Festival and the First Night fireworks this year, is for the benefit of the community. We are not being reimbursed.
So if events are not funded by the government, sponsors, or event organizers, it must be all of the above, right? Yes. Yes. Yes!
We need more sponsors and more sponsorship money if we want these events to survive. We need more people — individuals and families — who love attending these events to make a contribution. And, we need the various departments that now charge us a fee to work with us to reduce costs too. We need EVERYONE to contribute or I fear these events we say we enjoy will just go away.
To kick start this effort, we setup a text-to-donate program for those who want to have fireworks in Saratoga Springs on July 4 and First Night in 2020. If you enjoy these firework celebrations or your business wants them to continue, please make a donation today. Text “SARATOGAFIREWORKS” to 44-321.
BALLSTON SPA
23 Sherman Way, $360,000.
Craig Valente and Nicole Klym sold property to Corbin and Kira Joshu.
26 Kasey Pass (Unit 26), $239,707.
Brookview Court Inc./Pigliavento Builders DBA sold property to Lorraine Coryer.
53 Kasey Pass (Unit 53) $264,716.
Brookview Court Inc./Pigliavento Builders DBA sold property to Randy and Kathy Hastings.
CHARLTON
26 DeGraff Rd., $345,000.
Nancy Salisbury sold property to Carrie Casabonne.
1407 Cosgrove Dr., $510,132.
Bordeau Builders Inc. sold property to Jamie and Lauren Mattison.
CORINTH
305 Palmer Ave., $145,220.
Dean Bartlett sold property to Joshua McCarroll.
5 Ryans Ridge, $219,500.
Babson Homes LLC sold property to Robert Crist.
115 Pine St., $144,000.
Rejean and Suzette Lescault sold property to Janna Kopacki and Timothy Shudt, Jr.
32 Hack Rd., $170,000.
Charlotte Hrdlicka (by Agent) sold property to Amanda Zimmermann.
GALWAY
NYS Route 29, $1000.
David and Victoria Sparks and Russell Sparks (by Admin) sold property to Ryans Garage Inc.
2948 NYS Route 29, $364,000.
David and Victoria Sparks and Russell Sparks (by Admin) sold property to Ryans Garage Inc.
5447 Parkis Mills Rd., $139,900.
Corine Houry Kling sold property to John Gabri.
GREENFIELD
171 Squashville Rd., $119,000.
Renee Law sold property to Shawn and Lisa Crawford.
75 Tannery Hill Rd., $215,000.
Frank Kramer III and Ryan Kramer sold property to Dorinda Gifford Levan.
MALTA
42 Candlewood Dr., $475,000.
Santo and Kimberly Famulare sold property to Derek and Cindy Gray.
31 George Ave., $191,200.
Lisa Santy sold property to Jennifer Kotch.
15 Burton Dr., $424,000.
Lance and Joan Wilkinis sold property to Tsungsheng Kang and Kun Li Dong.
11 Goldfoot Rd., $670,000.
Joseph and Maye Aschauer sold property to Leo Liu and Anqi Chen.
16 Ordelia Lane, $369,660.
Farone Amedore LLC sold property to George and Sharon Cooper.
7 Weston Way, $345,721.
Barbera Homes Malta Springs LLC sold property to Andrew Long and Heather Mashuta.
19 Weston Way, $433,028.
Barbera Homes Malta Springs LLC sold property to Jenness Clairmont.
MILTON
1348 Route 67, $146,260.
Marc Sullivan sold property to Emily Coates.
324 Lexington St., $280,000.
Joseph and Ann Bender sold property to Paul and Kimberly Miller.
10 Columbia Ave., $305,000.
Amiteye Properties LLC sold property to James Davidson and Kimberly Tesar.
101 Prospect St., $78,000.
Pamela Babson sold property to Heron Creek LLC.
571 Victory Circle, $232,000.
Joseph Rausch (as Trustee) and Anna Rausch (as Trustee) sold property to Michael Carl.
303 Atomic Project Rd., $170,000.
Greggory and Renea Aussicker sold property to Nathan and John Dortch.
8 Margaret Dr. S., $208,000.
Timothy and Mary Whalen sold property to Jeffrey and Erica Buckley.
TOWN OF SARATOGA
1402 Route 9P, $180,000.
Marie Esposito (by Admin) sold property to Stephen and Rachel Licciardi.
110 Casey Rd., $159,000.
Evelyn Tierney (by Exec) sold property to Liliana, Michelle and Giuseppe Duca.
15 Herkimer St., $180,000.
Chad Bradfield sold property to Johnathon Cayea.
58 Gates Ave., $96,460.
Jason Young and Clifford Lawrence, Jr. sold property to Austin Phillips.
SARATOGA SPRINGS
16 Jane St., $20,000.
Saratoga East Ave. Assoc LLC sold property to Mary Vyskocil.
3 Campion Lane, $805,000.
James and Cynthia Oplinger sold property to Ballyartney House Properties LLC.
21, 23, 25 Marvin Alley, $878,500.
Performing Assets Strategies LLC sold property to Ellsworth Square LLC.
431 Grand Ave., $393,000.
Robert and Talara Hedgpeth sold property to Alexander Mytelka and Sarah Wong.
39 Lefferts St., $650,000.
Lynne Knauf sold property to Michael and Aleksandra Mooradian.
115B York Ave., $310,100.
John and Anne Bishop sold property to JLLAG LLC.
87 Railroad Pl., Unit 407, $725,000.
Gary Dake sold property to Stephen and Mary Conners.
11 King Arthur Court, $186,500.
Todd and Lori Coffin sold property to Todd Coffin.
246 West Ave., $4,100,000.
246 West Avenue LLC sold property to Nanak Management LLC.
670 Belmont Lane Rear, $290,000.
James and Mary Morrell sold property to Carlos and Estelle Cruz.
53 Jane St., $502, 526.
Blitman Saratoga LLC sold property to Joseph and Rebekah Balsamo.
123 York Ave., $463,000.
Robert and Theresa Kennedy sold property to Rick and Mary Jo Bernardo.
114 Middle Ave., $715,000.
Jason and Heather Ward sold property to Tao Qiu and Xiaoshuo Hou.
13 Patricia Lane, $429,000.
Paula and Nancy Robbens sold property to Richard Schlansker and Angela Nevarez.
117A East Ave., $311,000.
Darlene Murray sold property to Nicholas and Julie Yusavage.
138 Elm St., $285,000.
Peter Darcy sold property to Francis and Bridget Duffy.
STILLWATER
42 State Route 423, $145,000.
Shirley Ligiecki sold property to Richard VonAhn.
10 Morgan Court, $336,562.
Camelot Associates Corporation sold property to Caroline and Andrew Krupski III.
1 Royal Court, $145,230.
John Scarati (by Agent) sold property to Joshua and Katie Oxentine.
91 Luther Rd., $605,000.
Michael and Carol Zappone sold property to Thomas and Anne Bena.
WILTON
574 Route 9, $175,000.
Barbara Bull (by Exec) sold property to Rolland Hoag and Paulina Grinnell.
4507 Route 50, $455,000.
Katelyn Mulry sold property to Joseph Chermak and Sarah Paris.
9 Traver Lane, $280,412.
Sommerset Real Estate Investment Corp/Chris and Gina Buy Houses LLC sold property to Steve and Meghan Valotta.
2 Blue Lupine Lane, $215,000.
Ballard Road Development LLC sold property to Blue Lupine Properties LLC.
177 Traver Rd., $247,000.
Patricia Laclair sold property to Caitlin Johnson.
Munter joins Tom Roohan and Steve Sullivan as 3rd Recipient
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that John Munter, Sr., has been selected to receive the 2020 Joseph Dalton Community Service Award.
John Munter, Sr., will receive this award during the Chamber’s 102nd Annual Dinner, on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the Saratoga Springs City Center. He is the third individual to receive this award following Steve “Sully” Sullivan, in 2018, and Tom Roohan, in 2019.
To be eligible to receive the Joseph Dalton Community Service Award, nominees must have a minimum of 25 years of faithful and loyal service to the Saratoga Community. According to Maria Trabka, Executive Director of Saratoga PLAN, John Munter, Sr., oversaw the original construction by prisoners of the Bog Meadow Trail more than 25 years ago and he volunteered his time just two years ago to see that trail reconstructed and expanded. He also served on Saratoga PLAN’s Board of Directors for 8 years serving as the Chair of the organization’s board for two of those years.
“Throughout the summer of 2018, John spent weeks on end installing the culverts and gravel for the Bog Meadow Trail,” added Greg Redling, of Saratoga PLAN. “He frequently worked full days by himself driving skid sheers, front loaders and operating all kinds of machinery. Our staff would check up on him every day in the morning and the afternoon. One day he was covered in mud trying to get his front loader out of five feet of mud. He cut dozens of logs and hauled them out of there. Without this effort, this project would never have been completed.”
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His son, Mike Munter, added: “He is not one to enjoy being in the spotlight. He is 81 years old and a native of Saratoga County who has selflessly lent his physical support first and monetary support when people needed it. His impact spans beyond Saratoga County to a 2-year journey with the Army Corp of Engineers to build 2+ miles of trail along the Raquette River at Clarkson University and to build a girls dormitory at a school in Kenya. The trails at Clarkson University were, in fact, named the Munter Trails in 2012 in honor of my dad’s work and leadership.”
John Munter, Sr., is a 1962 graduate of Clarkson University. His career started as a rocket test engineer with GE at the Malta Test Division. In 1972, he left GE to form Munter Enterprises, a general contracting construction operation. More than four decades later, Munter Enterprises is now run by his two sons, John, Jr., and Mike. The firm specializes in design build commercial and industrial structures, as well as land development for industrial applications. In 2019, Munter Enterprises helped the Saratoga County Chamber to construct a new 7,700 square foot field house on the Naval Support Activity Center, in Saratoga Springs, to provide US Navy Sailors in our area to have a safe, secure, indoor facility for sports and recreational activities, training and drills, education and graduations.
John Munter, Sr., served on the Board of Directors of The Wesley Community and as the Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee for nearly 10 years. He served four years as the Vice Chair of the Saratoga Builders Association. In 2018, he purchase Camp Boyhaven, in Milton, from the Boy Scouts of America Twin Rivers Council to give the Town of Milton and the NYS DEC time to work out a deal to ensure the 297 acre property remains in public ownership. After the purchase at 80 years old, he was out setting fence posts by himself to safeguard the property for the coming winter.
John lives in Middle Grove with his wife of 51 years, Rosemarie. The couple has two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Thomas B. O’Connor, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away on Tuesday January 7, 2020. A funeral service was conducted on January 13, at the Burke, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
ROCK CITY FALLS — Stewart F. Delaurie, 75, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2020. He was born September 9, 1944 in Albany, NY. Burial will take place in the spring of 2020 at Greenridge Cemetery at the convenience of Stewart’s family. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.
SOUTH TROY — Lou John Hotte, 66, of South Troy, NY, died on January 9, 2020. Calling hours were Tuesday at Burke Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. followed by Funeral at St. Clement’s Church. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Luz D. Hannan passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020. A private graveside service was held on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville. For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com
MECHANICVILLE — Michael L. Green, age 59, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020 at Alpine Rehab & Nursing Center. A Celebration of life was held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Knights of Columbus. For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com
SCHENECTADY — Ernestine Lee Gooden passed away Friday, January 3, 2020. A funeral service was held Saturday, January 11th at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. Calling hours were held prior to the service. For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com
