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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Skidmore College’s Survey to Develop Trail From Moreau Lake State Park to the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Three seniors from Skidmore College’s Environmental Studies and Sciences Program are working with Saratoga PLAN, Open Space Institute, and a group of regional partners to develop a trail from Moreau Lake State Park to the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail in order to promote outdoor recreation, sustainable economic development and environmental conservation. They developed a survey to better understand the value of the current trails and recreational pathways in Saratoga County. Community members who fill it out and spread the word will be entered to win one of three $10 Apple gift cards.

Government Overreach: Freelance Work Threatened

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Editorials.

Most of us have a friend, family member or acquaintance who is a freelance worker. They enjoy the freedom of working from home offices, using their own equipment and supplies, and take all the risk of their own employment on themselves. They are not beholden to anyone; they work when they want to work, and take days off when they want to. Many of these freelancers can pick their kids up from school, and prioritize parenting over work when they need to, not when their employer says so.

However, with the passage of the PRO Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, business for freelancers and independent contractors would not be business as usual.

The PRO Act if passed will change the working conditions of freelance and independent contractors with respect to employers by revising the National Labor Relations Act. Freelancers would become unionized, enhancing workers’ rights to support boycotts, strikes, and other acts of solidarity.

Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, said passing the bill is significant.

“The Pro Act would ensure a process for reaching a first contract once a union is recognized, impose penalties against employers who retaliate against organizing drives and provide more substantial relief for workers whose rights have been violated,” Cilento said.

In New York, the state assembly is working on a bill to force freelancers to either get hired by employers or fire themselves. The state Senate is working on a proposal, too.

The business community is skeptical. Many believe the PRO Act and similar state legislation like California’s AB5 law would push freelancers into unionized shift work, force them to spend more cash on childcare, give the responsibility of parenting their kids to strangers, and pay more in taxes for the privilege.

Tom Mahoney, Publisher of The Express in Mechanicville, a small weekly, is wary of the PRO Act.

“If they get their way, I will have to pay taxes I don’t pay now,” he said. “This may make me shy away from employing freelancers negatively impacting business.”

“Our business is not big enough and the volume of work is not too high (to afford employees), and for a small town weekly newspaper, we rely on our freelancers, even those who deliver the newspapers to our customers,” Mahoney said.

Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce said government’s desire to do good often backfires.

“We know how important the ability for freelancers to maintain their current work style,” Shimkus said. “Many freelancers have expertise earning their money this way.”

Shimkus said Saratoga County has an exceptional quality of life that freelancers appreciate.

“We have a large freelance community. They like their freedom. Freelancing means enjoying this lifestyle because they know they can work anywhere, so they come here,” he said.

Shimkus is wary of the Pro Act having unintended consequences for the county saying he believes future freelance workers will not make the move to come to Saratoga County because they will be tied down to their jobs.

“Oftentimes, the Legislature’s desire to do good often comes with unintended consequences,” he said.

“All you have to do is walk in on a business day to any coffee shop and you can find a good percentage of people are on their computers or meeting people as freelancers,” Shimkus said.

Shimkus said there is no chance the PRO Act will become law; the freelance community will unite against it.

Happy Birthday, Saratoga County!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA COUNTY — On Feb. 7, 1791, Saratoga County was formed from its parent, Albany County. Originally, Saratoga County had four towns: Ballston, Stillwater, Halfmoon, and Saratoga. Old Saratoga historian, John Brandon describes the history of the partitions of Saratoga as “a district of country with indefinite boundaries stretching from perhaps Waterford to the State dam at Northumberland and including both sides of the river.”

Sheriffs’ Office Graduates Six New Canine Teams

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Sheriffs’ Office graduated six new canine teams from the 2019- 2020 canine school on Feb. 14. 

Of the six new canines, four will be replacing existing canines that have moved on to retirement. All the retiring canines will remain with their handlers and their families in retirement. Two of the new canines are assigned to handlers who are new to the K9 Unit. 

The Sheriff’s Office K-9 school consists of more than five months of training. The training covers patrol functions such as handler protection, building search procedures and socialization with the public. The canines are also trained to track criminal suspects or missing persons. The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit now comprises of four narcotics detection teams and four explosive detection teams, all dual purpose for patrol work.

They are: Deputy Nic Denno and Canine Taylor. Deputy Nic Denno will officially retire his partner Canine Jagger and will be teamed up with a one-year-old German Shepard named Taylor. Canine Taylor has been named after PFC David “Taylor” Miller from the Town of Wilton. Miller died in combat on June 21, 2010, in Lar Sholtan Village, Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Canine Taylor and Deputy Denno will serve as a Narcotics Detection and Patrol/Tracking team assigned to the road patrol. 

Deputy Robert Whipple & Canine J.D. Deputy Robert Whipple will officially retire his partner Canine Karma and will be teamed up with an almost-two-year-old German Shepard – Malinois, named J.D. 

Deputy Brownell & Canine Johnny Deputy C.J. Brownell will officially retire his partner Canine Lee and will be teamed up with a one-year-old German Shepard named Johnny. 

Officer Adam Potter & Canine Riker Officer Adam Potter retired his partner Canine Bud in September of 2019 due to an unexpected illness. Officer Potter will now be serving the Sheriff’s Office Correctional Facility with his new partner, a one-year-old German Shepard named Riker. 

Deputy Nikki Voegler & Canine Neeka Deputy Nikki Voegler is a newly assigned member of the K-9 Unit who will be assigned to Canine Neeka; an 18-month-old German Shepard. 

Deputy Crien Salton & Canine Flash Deputy Crien Salton is also a newly assigned member of the K-9 Unit who will be assigned to Canine Flash; a one-year-old German Shepard. 

Tonko Named 2020 ‘Champion of Science’

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul D. Tonko was recognized last week as a 2020 Champion of Science by The Science Coalition (TSC), a prestigious distinction that honors a small group of Congressional leaders each year whose actions and votes consistently reflect a commitment to fundamental science through funding investment for federal research agencies. 

“As an engineer, I have always had a deep respect for science,” said Congressman Tonko, in a statement. “When we embrace science and truth, we begin to realize the vast potential of our great nation to lead the world in advancements in technology that open our eyes even as they boost our economy, create good jobs and better the lives of countless in our Capital Region and beyond.” 

Tonko is one of nine Members of Congress recognized this year; the Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research institutions dedicated to highlighting the partnerships between the federal government and America’s research universities.

Stefanik Cosponsors Forest Recovery Act

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, has cosponsored the bipartisan Forest Recovery Act, legislation that will support timber farmers affected by catastrophic loss events. The bill will help forest landowners recover from natural disasters by eliminating the basis limitation rule and allowing them to deduct up to the fair market value of their devastated trees.

“Farmers across many sectors continue to be impacted by extreme weather events, and not all of them are protected by crop insurance,” Stefanik said in a statement. “This bipartisan bill will help timber producers continue their business, which will have a positive impact on many of our North Country communities who include timber production as part of their economic base.”

Last week, Stefanik additionally cosponsored the Counting All Military Votes Act, legislation to make Express Mail Labels available to deployed active duty military serving U.S. embassies, consulates, and/or in diplomatic posts. The measure is to ensure each of their absentee votes will be successfully delivered on time by Express Mail in order to be counted.

February 15 – February 21, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT

Daniel J. Guynup, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was convicted by a Saratoga County trial jury Feb. 6 in connection with a series of incidents that occurred last June in Saratoga Springs, and on Aug. 18 in the town of Corinth, according to Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen. All of the charges involved one victim; the victim testified at the trial, and provided detail regarding the incidents of domestic violence.  The charges include:  strangulation in the second-degree, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, criminal contempt, harassment, and two counts of assault. Sentencing scheduled of March 26. The defendant faces up to 7 years in prison, Heggen said.

Kristin N. Monsour-Devino, 33, of Queensbury, was sentenced Feb. 13 to five years of probation, after pleading to DWAI in Malta. 

Darin C. Dinallo, 43, of Malta, was sentenced to 1-1/3 to 4 years in state prison, after pleading to felony DWI. 

POLICE

Robert N. Rouse, 32, of Milton, was charged Feb. 18 with two felony counts of aggravated DWI-Leandra’s Law, and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He is accused of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and while there were two children 15 years old or younger in the vehicle with him. He was released on appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in Greenfield Town Court, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

Lazaro Martinez-Ramirez, 35, of Schenectady, was charged Feb. 18 with felony burglary, and criminal mischief and assault – both misdemeanors. He is suspected of unlawfully entering a town of Ballston dwelling and causing physical injury to its occupant, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. He is also accused of being unlawfully present in the U.S. and turned over to ICE. The agency subsequently transported him to Rensselaer County Jail, pending removal proceedings, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Nary Bachner, 62, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 3 with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and following too closely. 

Jerson Vargas, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 3 with harassment in the second-degree, and disorderly conduct. 

Benjamin Weber, 23, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 2 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to obey a traffic control device, and registration/suspension of  motor vehicle registration. 

Holly Turcotte, 43, of Corinth, was charged Feb. 3 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense, a felony. 

Zanasia Wicks, 27, of Ballston Spa, was charged Feb. 4 in Saratoga Springs with petit larceny, a misdemeanor. 

Jordan Blount, 29, of Ballston Spa, was charged Feb. 4 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding. 

Ryan Gillen, 25, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 5 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding. 

Sean Richards, 35, of Amsterdam, was charged Feb. 5 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, criminal possession of an assault weapon in the third-degree- a felony, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree, a felony. 

Randy Jones, 53, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 5 with obstructing governmental administration,  and disorderly conduct. 

Kristen Weatherwax, 28, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 5 with offering a false instrument for filing, and welfare fraud. 

Matthew Cahn, 41, of Albany, was charged Feb. 5 in Saratoga Springs with petit larceny. 

Loreal Bass, 39, of Schenectady, was charged Feb. 5 in Saratoga Springs with petit larceny. 

Scott Solomon, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 6 with issuing a bad check with knowledge of insufficient funds. 

Mark Skojec, 47, of Malta, was charged Feb. 7 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Adam Forshey, 20, of Schenectady, was charged Feb. 7 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI and four driving/license infractions. 

Jeremy Robson, 19, of Ballston Spa, was charged Feb. 7 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief. 

Clifford Pierre, 37, of Hudson Falls, was charged Feb. 7 in Saratoga Springs with harassment, and disorderly conduct.

Alison H. Harper

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

AlisonHarper

WILTON — Alison H. Harper, 83, sister to Isabel H. Brown of Saratoga Springs, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2020 at her home in Wilton. Online remembrances may be shared in the guest book at bit.ly/AHHarper.

Rocco Verrigni

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Rocco (Jock) (Rocky) Gerald Verrigni, 68,  loving husband, caring sibling, life-long educator, and beloved friend to many, passed on Monday, February 17, 2020 after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. A celebration of Rocky’s life: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Burke Funeral Home. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

Gail Eggleston Pitney

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Gail Eggleston Pitney, 73, passed Thursday, February 13, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 28 at Burke Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 29 in the historic Church of St. Peter. Burial will be private. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.