Bob Nevins was working as a commercial pilot for American Airlines when he cashed in his retirement, using the proceeds to establish a non-profit to help Veterans with post-traumatic stress. Since that time, Nevins, the founder of Alliance180, has worked with more than 800 Veterans. His non-profit recently expanded its reach to include first responders and frontline healthcare workers, and all services are provided free of charge.

A Vietnam Veteran, Nevins served as a medevac helicopter pilot in the 101st Airborne, flying into combat zones to evacuate wounded soldiers. Despite enduring multiple traumas while in Vietnam, Nevins said he never experienced significant struggles with post-traumatic stress after returning to civilian life. 

“I would say my mental health was good, and I attribute this to the work I did in Vietnam,” Nevins said.  “I wasn’t involved in the war as much as I witnessed the devastation of it and was right in the middle of it. But, my job was to save lives.”

In 2004, at a time when a record number of Vietnam Veterans were taking their own lives, Nevins read an article about a technique that enabled humans to communicate with horses in a non-threatening way. Armed with nothing more than curiosity and what he had learned from the article, he performed the technique by going into a round pen with a horse that belonged to a friend. 

“When I did the technique, I found it to be so powerful emotionally that I began to wonder if I could teach it to other Veterans and if it would have the same kind of impact that it had on me.”

For Nevins, the next step was to find someone who could help him create an equine program for Veterans. That person was Melody Squier, an equine specialist, equine linguist, equine dentist, and farrier.

In 2011, Nevins and Squier joined forces with Janelle Huggard, Alliance180’s Assistant Program Director, and began laying the groundwork to establish a non-profit. Using the funds from Nevins’ retirement account, they created a three-day equine experience that includes a classroom element as well as one-on-one time in the round pen with a retired thoroughbred. 

Nevins describes the Alliance180 experience–one that takes place between man and horse–as so powerful that it is capable of triggering a reregulation of the autonomic nervous system. Their initial results were so incredible that word of their work began to spread quickly in the Veteran community.

 “We had so many Veterans calling us that I had to quit my airline job just to accommodate all of them. I went all in because we were getting results,” Nevins said. 

When describing the Alliance180 program, Squier said it is rooted in the principles of natural horsemanship, a philosophy based on a horse’s natural instincts, methods of communication, body language, and herd dynamic.

While in the round pen with a horse, participants apply what they have learned during the classroom element of the program. Squier is there with them to provide cues and support. The experience is unique to each individual who enters the round pen.

The hundreds of Veterans who have completed the program have achieved such significant results that North Carolina non-profit Stop Soldier Suicide is now referring their clients to Alliance180, and VFW’s throughout New York have committed to supporting the non-profit. 

The Saratoga County Alliance to End Homelessness is a collaborative effort that works tirelessly to help those who are experiencing homelessness in our community.  RISE Housing and Support Services is proud to be a part of this effort to assist the people we work with. Through my work at RISE, I have had the opportunity to work closely with individuals who struggle with mental illness and street homelessness daily. The challenges of accessing permanent housing and healthcare are real and often complicated to navigate.

The Alliance to End Homelessness has put forth a collaborative effort to provide enhanced housing and support services that recognize the critical need for permanent and supportive housing to ensure that individuals and families have a stable foundation to rebuild their lives. The relationship between mental illness and homelessness is complex and multifaceted, particularly for individuals experiencing street homelessness. Raising awareness about mental illness is of utmost importance as it helps people understand and empathize with those who are struggling with mental health conditions. It encourages individuals to seek help, reduces stigma, and promotes a more supportive and inclusive society.

Individuals grappling with mental illness may find themselves on the streets due to a combination of factors, including lack of access to mental health services, inadequate support systems, socioeconomic disparities, and stigma surrounding mental illness. For those without stable housing, the challenges of managing mental health conditions are exacerbated, leading to a cycle of homelessness and further deterioration of mental well-being. The harsh realities of street life, including exposure to violence, lack of access to necessities, and substance use, take a severe toll on mental well-being. Substance use disorders frequently co-occur with mental illness, compounding the challenges these populations face. Moreover, the constant stress of survival impedes individuals’ ability to seek and engage in treatment, perpetuating a cycle of untreated mental illness and homelessness.

There are several barriers to accessing support. Navigating the complexities of mental health services while experiencing street homelessness poses significant challenges.  Limited access to healthcare facilities, lack of transportation, and bureaucratic regulations often prevent individuals from accessing the support they desperately need.  Despite these challenges, many wonderful success stories emerge every day as organizations in the Alliance to End Homelessness work together to provide services to individuals faced with homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use issues. 

One afternoon, while presenting RISE services to a group of people at a community shelter, David* (name changed to protect identity) hesitantly raised his hand and said, “I need help! Can you help me?” I instantly connected with David as he shared his story. David, who found himself homeless, was eager to find permanent housing and benefit from RISE’s services. David’s willingness to ask for help to do the necessary work was a key factor in his success story. Every day, David’s positive mindset and determination helped him transition from homelessness to a life full of hopes and dreams. David shared he has never felt comfortable asking for help before, always feeling pressure from his family and friends to present as a strong male figure who should not have to reach out for help.

 David was diagnosed with schizophrenia, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and an extremely debilitating anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, because David was not able to ask for help in ways that would fully support him, he did not have the effective coping mechanisms in place to support a healthy balanced life. Thus, he began using heroin as a coping strategy to alleviate the symptoms of the trauma he had experienced in his life, which worsened his mental illness and led to a substance use disorder. This made David feel isolated and prevented him from seeking necessary support.

David is currently participating in a MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) program that fully supports his recovery treatment plan. He attributes his success to the Harm Reductionist model of treatment, which bridges the gap between actively using heroin and being a functioning member of society. David worked with Shelter Advocates, Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAS), and his Parole Officer through our community shelter programs. The assistance provided by these professionals proved to be invaluable. David has secured permanent housing, primary health care, substance use treatment, and mental health services and is currently working on obtaining employment.   

David has found inspiration through his interactions with RISE and the supporting agencies and organizations that have helped him. As a result, he now feels motivated to continue his education and attend training to become a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate. He hopes to use his own success story to help others who have experienced similar circumstances in life as he has.

As David’s story illustrates, the relationship between mental illness and housing is complex, with each influencing the other in profound ways. Addressing the root causes of housing instability and mental health disparities is essential to promoting stability, recovery, and well-being for individuals with mental illness.  By advocating for policies and programs that increase access to affordable housing, provide comprehensive mental health care services, and combat stigma and discrimination, the Saratoga County Alliance to End Homelessness hopes to ensure that all individuals have access to safe, stable housing and the support they need to thrive.

To learn more about the collective impact of the agencies addressing homelessness in the Saratoga community visit: https://www.endhomelessnesssaratoga.org/

Brian Dougherty is a Program Supervisor and Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA-P) at RISE Housing and Support Services who actively engages with those facing homelessness in an effort to encourage connections to enhanced services.

The leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping, and local candidates are presenting their platforms. Yes, it is election time again in Saratoga County! As the local newspaper of record for the greater Saratoga Springs region, we cover the candidates, we provide them with a platform (in print and online), and we publish ‘Letters to the Editor’ from all sides. Occasionally we also host a debate, but we rarely make political endorsements.

However, after 30 years in the newspaper industry, I have never witnessed a city council in such disarray. From out-of-control meetings to aggressive profanity laced rants in city hall, the current council is an embarrassment to our city. It is an example of dysfunction:

 • City council meetings have become so toxic, with epithets and unrestrained belligerence, that a parent would be reluctant to bring their child to a council meeting.  Mayor Kim has refused to maintain decorum at council meetings.

• This administration is in chronic violation of the Open Meetings Law undermining Mayor Kim’s claims of transparency. Last June Kim acknowledged that his office was unable to respond in accordance with the state requirements for providing public records on request and since then the backlog of unfilled responses has only gotten worse.

• Emails sent by the mayor criticizing subordinates have included crude and inappropriate language creating a toxic environment that has resulted in the loss of talented city employees. 

Because of this, we have decided to make endorsements on two local races in the city of Saratoga Springs. Our endorsements are as follows: Mayor

John Safford: Republican

A Vietnam War veteran, Safford spent his career as a small business entrepreneur. His calm demeanor and concise thought process will bring sanity and clarity to city leadership. Safford will restore mayoral leadership and desperately needed respect to the position.

Public Safety

Tim Coll: One Saratoga

With 30 years in law enforcement, Coll brings a wealth of relevant experience to public safety. A registered Democrat, he will appear on the Republican ballot line and the nonpartisan One Saratoga ballot line. Coll, a former FBI agent, also served on the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Albany. His depth of experience in all areas of law enforcement, and his fresh take, is exactly what is needed in Saratoga Springs.

Despite Montagnino’s (current Public Safety Commissioner) best intentions, the visceral dislike of him from the city council has nullified his efficacy. With at least 3 of the current 4 remaining commissioners maintaining their position, we need new blood leading Public Safety. Tim Coll is that person.

Accounts: Uncontested

Finance: Uncontested

Public Works: Uncontested

God Bless!

-Chad

The potential loss of Travelers Insurance as our carrier has grave implications for our city. According to the city budget proposed by Commissioner Sanghvi, the city expects to spend roughly an additional $800,000.00 next year to replace Travelers Insurance Company. Additionally, it is reasonable to expect that the deductibles the city will have to pay to address claims will go up.  Bear in mind this is not a one-time expense. The city can expect to pay an additional $800,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 yearly for the foreseeable future.  These are extraordinary numbers.

Even potentially more damaging is the real threat that the bond ratings agencies will lower our rating due to Travelers’ decision.  This will result in the city having to pay more for borrowing money.  I am sure that Commissioner Sanghvi must share my concern.

A further concern is that risk and safety’s role is to reduce the dangers to our employees and citizens.  The training provided by the director of risk and safety is critical to protecting the lives and health of everyone.

I do not play the blame game.  I see myself as a problem solver.  I am interested in determining what actions this city needs to take to raise the quality of our risk and safety office to the high standards we all seek.”

I know the mayor has confidence in city attorney Michael Phillips to handle risk and safety, but surely Mr.Phillips would be the first to want to know how Travelers believes we can improve.

I respectfully ask that this Council invite a representative of our insurance broker, Amsure, along with someone from Travelers, to come to a council meeting to share their valuable knowledge so all of us can benefit.

– John Safford, Saratoga Springs

Since its founding in 1948, the Nation of Israel has been our greatest ally in the Middle East. For 75 years, the lone Jewish state has been a bastion of freedom and democracy in a region dominated by radical regimes, and the world’s most notorious terror organizations.

In its short history, Israel has been relentlessly attacked on all fronts by enemies who seek their total destruction. The most recent attack, which is reminiscent of 9-11, has resulted in 1,200 fatalities as of this writing. But the Jewish people are no stranger to adversity and persecution, and they will rise from the ashes.

ISRAEL AT WAR

On October 7, at 6:30 a.m. local time, air raid sirens began sounding in Jerusalem. The terrorist group Hamas was beginning to launch their unprovoked and unprecedented attack. An estimated 3,000+ rockets were fired into Israel, with one rocket slamming into a hospital.

Simultaneously, armed Hamas fighters breached the Israeli border on multiple fronts and began indiscriminately firing on citizens, and taking innocent men, women and children hostage. Among the hostages are a number of American citizens.

By 11:30 a.m., Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “Israel is at war.”

Those ominous words still ring clear in my head, and I imagine they will be etched in my mind forever. History always has a way of repeating itself. I still vividly remember the words of President George Bush on September 12, 2001:

“Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.”

STANDING FOR 

FREEDOM

While Saratoga TODAY does not cover world or national news, we do stand up to evil whenever and wherever it exists. We stand for freedom; We stand for human rights; We stand for dignity; We stand for free markets; We stand for democracy; We stand with Israel!

God Bless!

-Chad

Every day I hear people complaining about the area in which we live, and I must admit that I am often among those complaining. Yes, I can whine with the best of them. While complaining, for the sole purpose of complaining, achieves nothing, I believe most of us simply want to live in a safe, vibrant, and solid region.

So, how do we get to our end goal? Let’s deconstruct this scenario and get to the core of the issue. I will confess upfront that this editorial will have a faith-based relevance as we enter the season of Lent.

We will begin with the following assumptions:

To have a strong region, we must have strong communities.

To have strong communities, we must have strong families.

To have strong families, we must have strong faith.

While faith could mean different things to different people, I will dig into it from the Christian point of view, i.e., Faith in God.

First, let’s each reflect on the true nature of our individual faith. Think about it for a few minutes and then continue reading. To help, we will begin with a story.

Michael tells me he is a sailor.

I respond: that’s great. I am really interested in sailing.

I ask Michael if he goes sailing every week, to which he replies: no.

I ask Michael if he reads the sailing book, to which he replies: no.

I ask Michael if he ever visits the sailing club, to which he replies: no.

I ask Michael if he regularly thinks about sailing, to which he replies, no.

I ask Michael if he is teaching his children about sailing, to which he replies, no.

I ask Michael if he gets together with other sailors, to discuss sailing, to which he replies: no.

I ask Michael if he practices his sailing techniques, to which he replies: no.

I ask Michael if he helps other people who want to become sailors, to which he replies: no.

Finally, I ask Michael why he thinks he is a sailor. Michael replies: Well, I believe in sailing, and I visit a sailboat every Christmas.

This scenario may sound silly, but is this how we treat our faith? Simply saying something doesn’t make it true.

If the only proof that you are a Christian, is you saying, “I believe in God,” that is a very shallow commitment. You know who else believes in God? The devil.

I have always lived by the belief that one should delve deeply into their interests if they want to achieve superior results. For example, know the history; who the main players were; how it started; what are the rules; who are the leading players today; how can one become better, etc.  Simply put, if you are committing time and energy into something, thoroughly understand that something.

And if we are serious, is there any more important interest than eternal salvation?

So, this season of Lent, I invite you to live your faith. Go to church every week, LISTEN, and take it to heart. Donate to the poor. Get off your devices and spend silent time in prayer. Sit down for family dinners and begin with Grace. Watch the series ‘The Chosen.’ Volunteer at your church or a community center. Meet with your Priest or Pastor and talk. There are great books available about ‘Understanding Your Faith.’ Buy one and read it every night.

This will require sacrifice, but little positive is ever achieved without self-sacrifice.

I can attest from personal experience, that it is worth it. While my journey has been filled with unexpected setbacks and encouraging victories, it is a continuous work in progress. So, hang in there and commit.

Circling back to the beginning; If we have strong faith, we will have strong families. If we have strong families, we will have strong communities. And if we have strong communities, we will have a strong region.

God Bless!

-Chad

Tens of thousands of elderly residents across New York State, and the dedicated staff who care for them, are being left behind due to the state’s ongoing underfunding of the Medicaid reimbursement rate for nursing homes. The rate was last increased substantially 15 years ago – when George W. Bush was President. Since that time, inflation has risen by 42%. 

Medicaid pays for care for many nursing home residents across the state. At The Wesley Community, 75% of our residents are paid for by Medicaid, yet it only covers part of the actual costs of care. With every Medicaid resident we care for, Wesley loses $106 per day. Annually, this means underfunding of $8,500,000. 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to approach breakeven in some years through alternative revenue streams and generous donations from this great community. That is no longer the case.  

Due to this shortfall, community-focused, nonprofit nursing homes statewide are closing or being sold to private “for-profit” operators at an alarming rate. In Saratoga County alone, the number of nursing home beds has dropped by 55% in the last decade. 

This underfunding by New York State has forced many nursing homes, including ours, to limit admissions. Throughout New York, 6,700 beds are “offline” for this reason. It has made it harder to find nursing home placement nearby for loved ones and created tremendous pressure on hospitals, too.

Without available beds, hospitals cannot discharge patients who would have traditionally gone to a nursing home for rehabilitation. This impacts the entire system, backing up emergency rooms and limiting available beds for hospital inpatient care.

In contrast, 26 other states have stepped up to support their senior citizens by increasing their Medicaid funding during the pandemic. Only New York distinguished itself by reducing its reimbursement rates during that time. 

Why should New York State’s disregard for elderly citizens matter to you? It should matter because these local elders worked, lived and built the very community where you now reside. They paid taxes and likely voted for some of the elected officials who, in turn, have not supported their needs.

It should matter to you because these nursing home residents are the parents, grandparents or great-grandparents of your friends and neighbors. Chances are, some of your neighbors have jobs taking care of the elderly, as well. 

It should matter to you because someday you will need aging services. 

Not-for-profit nursing homes throughout the state are asking every Legislator and the Governor to prioritize long-term care in the next state budget by providing a 20% increase in the nursing home Medicaid reimbursement rate — less than half of the increase in costs that we have absorbed over the past 15 years. The Governor’s recently released Executive Budget, with a proposed 5% increase, is a start, but still falls short of what is needed after years of underfunding. 

Thankfully, some of our Assembly and Senate members are advocating with a coalition of nonprofit nursing homes for appropriate funding and a 20% increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rate.

We are fully committed to our mission as we have been for five decades. However, it will take appropriate funding from New York State for our organization to continue operating successfully. NOW is the time for our elected officials to show their support for our seniors who need help today, and for those of us who will need help in the future. 

J. Brian Nealon is the CEO of The Wesley Community in Saratoga Springs. 

Friday and Saturday nights in downtown Saratoga Springs currently revolve around a tourist night club scene fueled economy lit by emergency sirens. What were once summer problems for ‘The August Place to Be’ have become year-round issues. Months of observation and video-recording show that Saratoga has been overwhelmed by a weekend tourist crowd that is disproportionately responsible for violence, vandalism and drunk driving that plagues the Spa City every weekend.

2021 has been a year filled with protests demanding police reform and oversight. What exactly is police oversight, how exactly would you do it, and what purpose does it serve? These are the questions that need to be answered. The concept of oversight is often defined as a civilian body in a city tasked with reviewing and improving police conduct. With that definition, basic observation is a necessity. The level of scrutiny police forces are put under exists on a spectrum; the extremes of which no reasonable person wishes to live under. Nobody wants a totalitarian surveillance state, so a more targeted approach would be in the best interest of all.

In Saratoga, the SSPD has clearly become a target for some. This department, among many others, has been put under a microscope ever since the murder of George Floyd. Local groups have held protests for reviews of police conduct, and more oversight on behalf of the BLM movement.

With that being the state of affairs in Saratoga Springs, I went out to actually SEE for myself what was going on before forming an opinion. Every Friday and Saturday night I went out from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m., drove around, observed, shot video and took notes. As a photo and print journalist with 20+ years’ experience, observing is a finely crafted skill for me. Seeing ACLU observers in pink hats at protests, I learned how to stand and watch. I have seen the street in action for decades and understand what it is “typically” like, but recently something has been different. Finding what has changed amidst the chaos and foot traffic was a challenge both mentally and physically.

For two-and-a-half months, from August to November, 14 consecutive Fridays and Saturdays in downtown Saratoga on Caroline Street, I was a sober civilian-observer during the city’s peak drinking hours. I wanted to be a proper citizen observer and leave the results as a testimony to a time and place. There were no predetermined rules for observation or firm legal precedent to follow. With only the 1st Amendment to guide me, it seemed that just going out and trying was my best option. 

To prepare, I charged my phone, set up my dash-cam, and hit the streets. I sat in a parked car a lot just listening to the police scanner. An incessant stream of problems immediately begins to squawk out over the scanner. That in itself was both shocking and upsetting. Where does one go to watch the police to see if they are misbehaving? If that is your sole purpose, then 95% of the time, if you sit and listen, you will find them assisting the elderly, looking for missing children, breaking up petty arguments, and spending hours following up on 911 hang-ups. There are no civil rights violations to witness from the police force on such calls. Then, there are the bad calls like overdoses, terrible car accidents, knife wounds and people, young and old alike, fighting to survive a critical moment… all of which occur on a daily basis.

I began to notice that police interactions that qualified as relevant to civil rights nearly all occurred on either a Friday or Saturday night. The largest portion of such interactions were with drunk drivers or people involved in minor physical altercations. I wondered why things seemed to happen on these nights as opposed to others and decided to focus my energy on those two nights.

On any given Friday or Saturday night, random things would occur downtown without adhering to any regular schedule. Yet on Caroline Street, things run like clockwork. The most notable being that around 1:30 a.m., when bars begin to close and the rowdy crowds all fill the street, fights inevitably erupt. After that, Gaffney’s closes and the club tourists all wander up to Esperanto’s where more small fights break out, so the police are always parked there. 

Around 3 a.m., whoever is left heads down to Clancy’s or wanders around looking for their friends and cars. It should be called Pee O’clock. This is when it’s all bad. Incoherent yelling, public urination and brawling all the way to their cars. This is when the parking fights begin. They typically revolve around who is or isn’t getting a ride home, or who should be driving. They rarely get violent, but often result in terribly dangerous driving, leading to crash after crash. Signs, fences, trees, and other cars all fall victim to these drivers. One car even hit the broad side of the Adirondack Trust on Broadway!

These are all facts, not opinion. Look it up, listen to it, go watch it happen. 

One day, I saw an actual sign in front of Gaffney’s that read, “Best concert venue in the Capital Region. Formerly held by SPAC”

It was then that I realized that is the issue; tourists who come to see a concert, get wasted and drive away. It’s that simple, it’s a new group of people unfamiliar with our town and its streets. Mix that with drinking and drugs and it becomes something ugly. As far as I could tell Gaffney’s has 5 parking spots that go unused. Often enough they don’t even make it to their car, forgetting where it is and fall unconscious on the pavement injuring themselves. If you doubt this conclusion, please go now to the police blotter and see who is arrested for drunk driving and where they live. This information is printed every week. The vast majority of those arrested for DWI on weekends in September, October and November were from out of town.

Of course, I also recorded the police doing their job. There were numerous times when I had to defend my right to observe, but overall I was allowed to film without issue. Throughout the entire time I spent filming downtown, I never saw anyone’s rights infringed upon or any signs of bias on the part of the police. I did see several arrests that required handcuffs and physical force, but no one complained about those arrests.

The point of all of this was to create momentum for the idea of the citizen-observer, and hand off the baton to others who sincerely care about the community.

It’s available, it’s free, it’s legal. Why is nobody else doing it? 

Saratoga, like any other town, needs law and order. Local police are working every minute of the day coming to the rescue of the community, and that’s the truth.

If anything, the SSPD needs more support and more funding especially for Friday and Saturday night. I also believe the dutiful observation of them and everyone in our community would help. In the end, it is obvious to see the problems when you take the time to actually look. 

The problem is simply drunk driving tourists coming en mass for the weekend scene.