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SSCSD voters approve budget, appoint three candidates to BOE

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education, Featured.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs City School District residents voted Tuesday to approve the district’s budget for the 2023-24 school year, and voted to pass the district’s bus bond proposition.

The proposed budget totals $142,718,530, and was approved by an unofficial vote of 4,213 to 1,204. The bus bond proposition was approved by an unofficial vote of 3,971 to 1,009, according to the district. The Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the results of the budget vote and election  at its meeting on Wednesday.

The budget features a tax levy change of 2.75%, below the local tax cap of 2.77%.

The bus bond proposition authorizes the district to spend an estimated $1,525,000 for the purchase of six 66-passenger school buses, four 30-passenger buses, and a 25-passenger bus with wheelchair lift. 40% of the purchase would be reimbursed by aid from New York State.

Residents also voted to appoint three candidates to the district’s Board of Education to serve three-year terms.

Beth Fogarty Braxton (3,679 votes), Tony Krackeler (3,581 votes), and Anjeanette Emeka (3,412 votes) each were elected to serve on the SSCSD Board of Education.

Krackeler is the current president of the Board, which he has served on since 2020. The CEO of Krackeler Scientific, he has three children in the district.

Emeka was elected for her third term on the Board, having served since 2017. She works as Director of Academic Review at SUNY Empire. Emeka has been elected president of the Board twice, and vice president once. 

Braxton was elected to her first term on the Board. She works as Associate Professor of Counseling and Division Chair at SUNY Adirondack. Braxton is a native of Saratoga Springs, and her mother taught in the district for over 30 years. She has three children in the district.

SAVING PFC. GAGNON

Written by Christopher Carola on . Posted in Featured, History.


Saratoga County family lost 2 of 6 sons during WWII.
Photo: The Gagnon brothers in the Summer of 1944. Photo provided by The Saratoga County History Roundtable.

On July 1, 1944, as World War II raged in Europe and the Pacific, a Western Union telegram arrived at the Saratoga Springs home of Aurora Asheych notifying her of the death in combat of her 21-year-old son, U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Joseph Leonard Gagnon.

Two months later, she received word that another son, Army Pvt. Victor Francis Gaynor, 19, was reported killed in action in France.

Earlier that year, all six of Aurora’s sons were in the military. From oldest to youngest:

William “Billy” Gagnon, Air Force; Stewart Frederick “Stanley” Gaynor, Army; Roger L. Gaynor, Army; Joseph Leonard Gagnon, Marine Corps; Victor Francis Gaynor, Army; Francis Alfred “Freddie” Gagnon, Marine Corps.

With the deaths of Joseph Leonard in the Pacific and Victor in Europe, that left four of Aurora’s sons still in uniform, including Freddie, who at 17 years old was fighting on the island of Saipan, where Leonard, as he preferred to be called, was killed on June 16, a day after the invasion of the Marianas Islands began.

According to an article published in the Saratogian in the summer of 1944, Freddie enlisted at 17 with the permission of his mother, who “did not believe at the time he would see active service at so an age.”

But with fighting on multiple fronts as the Allies closed in on the German and Japanese homelands, the U.S. military faced a manpower shortage heading into 1944. Teenagers fresh out of high school were being rushed through boot camp and sent to the front lines with minimal advanced training. Such was the case for young Freddie. According to that same Saratogian article, he was “sent to the South Pacific after basic training and saw almost immediate action.”

Freddie was assigned to the same outfit as his brother Leonard, the 4th Marine Division, which landed along with the USMC’s 2nd Division at Saipan on June 15, 1944. After Leonard was killed the next day, Freddie learned of the death and attended the burial on the island, according to the Saratogian.

After Aurora was informed of Leonard’s death, she “appealed directly” to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, asking that Freddie be sent back to the U.S., according to the Saratogian. It must have worked, for that same Saratogian story reported that Freddie, recently promoted to private first-class, had just completed a 31-day furlough at his mother’s Saratoga home at 236 Ballston Ave. His next posting was at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The six Gagnon brothers were all born in northern New York, near the Canadian border, to Louis Gagnon and his wife, Aurora Hainault. The couple also had three daughters: Aurora, Theresa and Marie.

In the mid-1930s, the family moved from Clinton County to Saratoga County. Eventually, all nine Gagnon children went to live with their mother’s brother, Victor Hainault, and his wife, Anna, in Greenfield Center. By the time WWII started, the children’s parents had divorced and their mother had remarried to Walter Asheych, a Russian immigrant who owned a large home on Ballston Avenue.

At some point, Stewart, Roger and Victor started going by the last name Gaynor. Family members still don’t know why.

While Leonard’s body was buried in a Marine Corps cemetery on Saipan, the location of Victor’s remains was unknown. Military records from his unit show he was reported missing as of Aug. 10, 1944, after being hit by artillery fire while out on a patrol with two other soldiers.

When Army Graves Registration Service units began searching European battlefields after the war for American soldiers whose remains hadn’t been recovered, they found out what had happened to Victor’s body.

According to U.S. military records from July 1946, Victor Gaynor and two members of his armored unit were killed outside a village near France’s west coast. German troops buried the two other Americans, while the village’s mayor buried Victor nearby, marking the grave with a cross topped by the dead soldier’s helmet. Victor’s dog tags were found with his remains.

In September 1946, the Pentagon notified Aurora Asheych that Victor’s remains had been found and reburied in an American military cemetery in Europe. A month later, his uncle, Victor Hainault, wrote to the Pentagon to inquire if any of his nephew’s personal items would be returned.

“I brought him up from the age of 8 mos (sic), until he entered the Army and I want to ask you a favor, if he has any personal belongings,” Hainault, by then living in Saratoga Springs, wrote in a letter dated Oct. 16, 1946. “Would you forward them to me?”

Earlier that year, Congress authorized a program to return the nation’s WWII fallen to the U.S. for reburial, should the families choose that option. Another option was to have their loved one re-interred in new American military cemeteries being constructed in Europe and the Pacific.

Aurora Asheych chose the first option.

In 1948, after she had filled out the required paperwork, her two fallen sons returned to Saratoga County for reburial within two months of each other, Victor’s in April and Leonard’s in June. Funeral services for each were held at St. Peter’s Church, followed by burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

A large headstone with the Gagnon and Gaynor names marks the family plot where Victor and Leonard are buried under separate markers. Also buried there are brother Stewart, killed at 36 in a fire at his family’s Saratoga Springs home on Sept. 21, 1956; sister Aurora Gagnon Hill, who died in 1991 at 68, and their father, Louis Gagnon, who died at 64 in Buffalo, NY, in March 1951, after being struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Aurora Asheych’s husband Walter died in 1947. She married for a third time to Eugene Groulx. Aurora died at 76 in November 1974. Her obituary said she was a registered nurse and Gold Star Mother. She’s also buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery, not far from her ex-husband and three sons.

Freddie Gagnon, the last of the six Gagnon/Gaynor brothers to serve in WWII and the last surviving sibling, died at 89 on April 1, 2015. He and Pauline, his wife of nearly 70 years, lived in Saratoga Springs, where they raised their four children.

Saratoga Catholic’s Alphonse Lambert Records 600th Career Win

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

Saratoga Catholic varsity baseball coach Alphonse Lambert earned his 600th career win on Saturday as the Saints beat Schuylerville 12-1 in the championship game of the Phil Waring Memorial Tournament. Photos by Dylan McGlynn

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Longtime Saratoga Catholic varsity baseball coach Alphonse Lambert earned his 600th career win on Saturday, as the Saints beat Schuylerville 12-1 in the championship game of the Phil Waring Memorial Tournament.

The Saints’ head coach since 1988, Lambert has compiled a career record of 600-213 over 35 seasons, and has led the Saints to 15 league championships and five Section 2 Championships. He is a member of the St. Peter’s / Saratoga Central Catholic Hall of Fame, and the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame.

As Lambert himself said, “That’s a lot of baseball.”

He was quick to credit his players and fellow coaches, saying, “I just enjoy coaching these kids.”

“I’ve had some great, great young people that have played for me, and great coaches,” said Lambert. “I always said that I never threw a baseball, I never hit a baseball, and I never scored a run. It’s been all the kids, and the coaches. … The kids have bought in over the years, and that’s why our program is where it’s at.”

The Saints beat Corinth 9-2 in the opening round of the tournament on Saturday morning, setting up the championship matchup with Schuylerville, the defending Section 2 Class B Champions.

Saints’ freshman pitcher Pierce Byrne shut down the Black Horses’ offense, and Saratoga Catholic used a balanced attack at the plate to pull away in the middle innings, sealing a five-inning mercy-rule victory.

Aidan Crowther was 2-3 with a triple and four RBIs, while Ryan Gillis went 3-3 with three singles and an RBI. Ronan Rowe and Byrne each went 2-3 with a double and an RBI, while Kihl Kelly and Tyler Weygand were each 1-3 with an RBI. Carson Moser and Kameron Cox both added RBIs for the Saints.

Lambert said coaching is something he has “always wanted to do,” and emphasized how much SCC means to him.

“I work at the greatest school around, and I work with the greatest people around, and I teach the best kids around,” said Lambert. “That’s just always been my thought. If they open up my chest and they operate, they’re going to see purple and gold blood. That’s what they’re going to see.”

Lambert also said it was “very special” to earn his 600th victory with his current group of players, saying many of them began attending his baseball camps at young ages.

“I’ve had these kids since they were five, six, seven years old, a lot of these kids,” said Lambert. “They came up as young, young kids for me. To watch them develop and compete against juniors and seniors is very rewarding.”

Saints’ sophomore catcher Hunter Fales said Lambert “means a lot” to him, noting he first attended the coach’s baseball camp as a sixth-grader.

“He’s been one of the most important people in my life since I moved here,” Fales said. “I went to his camp, and that was when I first met him. I knew I was going to love playing for him ever since. … He loves this team, and we all love him, so it’s easy to function.”

“He was the reason I was on varsity for so long. He believed in me,” added freshman pitcher Pierce Byrne, who is in his third season with the varsity squad. “He means a lot to me.”

While there was some time to reflect following Saturday’s milestone victory, Lambert and the Saints quickly refocused for sectional play, which begins Friday. Saratoga Catholic finished the regular season 17-3 overall and 13-3 in the Wasaren League, earning the top seed in the Section 2 Class C Tournament.

Saratoga Catholic will host #8-seed Waterford-Halfmoon (7-13 overall, 5-11 Wasaren) in the opening round of the sectional tournament at 6 p.m. on Friday.

With the Saints riding a 10-game winning streak heading into sectionals, Fales said the team is playing with confidence as they prepare for the postseason.

“I think our whole team is very confident right now,” Fales said. “Swinging the bat, playing defense.”

Lambert said the team’s goal heading into sectionals is to simply “win each inning.”

“We’re not going to get the cart ahead of the horse,” said Lambert. “We’ve got to win each inning. That’s our goal, is to win the inning.”

School Board Vote: May 16

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education, Featured.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District will hold its annual school budget vote and Board of Education election on Tuesday, May 16. Voting will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for all eligible voters. Polling places will be available at the Caroline Street, Division Street, Lake Avenue, Geyser Road, Dorothy Nolan and Greenfield Elementary Schools, according to the district website.

There are five candidates running for three positions on the board, all of which are three-year terms.

Tony Krackeler

Krackeler is the current president of the SSCSD Board of Education, and is seeking a second term. He has three children in the district, and has lived in Saratoga Springs for 22 years.

Krackeler said school board work is “a labor of love,” and spoke of working to improve culture and climate within the district. He said the proposed budget for 2023-24 includes additional mental health and social services, and noted his wish to continue providing free meals to students regardless of ability to pay.

“I’ve definitely tried to make the most of what has felt like a quick three years. Inexplicably to some, I’d very much like to do this work for another term,” said Krackeler. “Good boards are composed of rational, collegial, and collaborative people who don’t need limelight or credit. I think I’m all of these things, and I think good boards are also served well by consistency, by people who have been able to build enduring relationships with the superintendent, teachers, and support staff.”

Krackeler voted against the motion to hire two additional SROs for the district in January. At the forum, he said “a full-spectrum view” must be applied for school safety, noting that SROs, along with counselors, social workers, monitors, and other school personnel all play a part in school safety. 

“I’m asking the voters of the district to give me three more years to apply the things I’ve learned, and continue the many relationships I’ve nurtured for the good of all our students,” Krackeler said.

Sharon Dominguez

Dominguez has lived in Saratoga Springs since 2007, and has a child in the high school. She has volunteer experience for various organizations involved with backstretch workers at the Saratoga Race Course, she said, among other volunteer work. 

“These experiences have helped me appreciate the value of working together to ensure all stakeholders are represented, meaning their voices and ideas are heard and considered during the decision making process, and work collaboratively with my colleagues to find a solution that will best serve those stakeholders,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez noted the importance of listening to teachers’ needs, and said parents should have access to books and materials to help “foster a healthy relationship and respect among all stakeholders.”

She also spoke in support of school resource officers, saying she was “thrilled” when the board voted to approve the hiring of two additional SROs for the district in January.

“School resource officers’ presence is essential for promoting a safe learning environment,” said Dominguez. “SROs are continuously building positive relationships with students, serving as mentors and role models.”

She said if elected, she would focus on safety, mental health, “a fair education for all,” preparing students for post-graduation, and building a strong partnership with the district community. 

Anjeanette Emeka

Emeka is running for her third term on the board. She has previously been elected vice president of the board, and has twice been elected as the board president. She is also currently vice president of the Adirondack Area School Board Association, and said she would hope to continue improving board governance practices if re-elected.

“I want to support all of those who work in our district to make the education every day happen. I want to work with our superintendent while holding the administration accountable. I want to be a small piece of bringing the best possibility for a great education to our students,” Emeka said.

Emeka cited the importance of following the district’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policy to frame decisions.

“Along with equity and inclusion, we have to have belonging. If we don’t belong, and if our students don’t feel like they belong, then they can’t learn,” said Emeka.

Emeka said she feels the district “does an excellent job” dealing with school safety. She had previously voted in support of SROs for the district, but voted against a motion to hire two SROs for the district in January. She also spoke of supporting teachers in an effort to help the district attract and retain educators.

“I do look forward to being reelected, because I bring to the table authenticity, not agenda,” Emeka said. “I serve with care, not chaos, and I am dedicated to the success of this district.”

Beth Fogarty Braxton

Braxton is a native of Saratoga Springs, and said her mother taught in the district for over 30 years. She has three children in the district, and works as the division chair of the SUNY Adirondack counseling department as a licensed mental health counselor.

Braxton said she has experience providing mental health services to students, and would look at many issues in the district through the lens of mental health. She spoke of the importance of the district’s DEI policy, saying it is “rooted in respect of others, and creating a sense of belonging for all members of a community.”

“I hold a belief that all children deserve to learn in an environment that is free of stigma and discrimination,” Braxton said.

She also said it is important to include teachers in mental health discussions, saying the teacher shortage is one of the reasons she chose to run. Braxton said one major part of school safety is “recruiting and retaining caring and highly skilled staff, educators, and administrators,” but did not say whether she supports the hiring of SROs.

“In my workplace, I teach. I taught through the pandemic,” said Braxton. “The pandemic, I feel like, acted as an accelerant to some of the issues we were seeing in the classroom. … While the board cannot impact the day to day operation of what’s happening in the buildings, the board can absolutely set the tone around those conversations and make this a priority as we discuss creating a safe and welcoming school culture for everyone.”

Joseph Sabanos

Sabanos is a graduate of SSHS, and currently serves on the Town of Greenfield Planning Board. He has a daughter who will soon be attending Greenfield Elementary, and said he is running “for the students who struggle.”

“I’m running for the students who’ve failed a class. I’m running for the students who have tripped and fallen, and who need that extra support,” Sabanos said. “In addition, I’m running for the teachers and faculty who choose to see the potential in every student, and who go above and beyond to encourage each student to find their path towards a successful and productive future. I’m running to give back to the district, which has given so much to me.”

Sabanos also commended the hiring of two SROs in January, saying that “schools and buses should be the safest places possible for every single occupant.” He said that he has no specific agenda, and would look to approve upon things such as transparency and efficiency within the board.

“I do not seek drastic change, or anything particular I’m looking to accomplish. What I’d like is to improve upon the board,” said Sabanos. “I think that I could help to do that, because I think that I bring a pretty diverse background and a good sense of representation of our community.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS LITTLE LEAGUE HOSTS OPENING DAY CEREMONY

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


Players and coaches sit on the Majors Field during the Saratoga Springs Little League opening day ceremony on May 6.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Little League held its opening day ceremony on Saturday, kicking off yet another season at West Side Recreation Park.

The ceremony was originally scheduled for April 29, but was delayed due to weather. Players and coaches ran onto the Majors Field as each team was announced during the ceremony. 

The Little League Pledge was read by Ethan Booth, and the national anthem was sung by SSHS student Abby DeGregory. The league’s 12-year-old players received jackets donated by Janet Fitzpatrick, who donates customized jackets each year to players who age out of SSLL. Fitzpatrick is sponsoring two SSLL teams this year. 

SSLL president Derrick LeGall spoke, thanking those in attendance.

“I am humbled, I am honored to be here today,” said LeGall. “Thank you for coming out today. Last week just wasn’t meant to be, but today, the gods are smiling down on us. We have a beautiful day, and I want to say welcome to each and every one of you.”

LeGall thanked coaches, parents, and families, saying, “You make this possible.” He also thanked the SSLL Board of Directors for their dedication.

“One of the things that make us so great is the people that are standing behind me and around me,” LeGall said. “I had somebody text me two days ago, they used to be a coach and a parent in this league, and they said, ‘I rode by the fields, and they look amazing.’ And it’s because of these folks back here that help keep these fields playable and safe for each and every one of the kids.”

He also addressed the players, encouraging them to follow their dreams and ignore negativity.

“Each one of you have dreams, dreams that one day you will make it to the major leagues,” said LeGall. “Dreams that one day, you will become a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or maybe a teacher. Please know that your dreams are attainable. Don’t let anyone discourage you from reaching those goals.”

He emphasized that the league’s focus is on building character and creating memories for each kid.

“We are not trying to create major league baseball players here,” LeGall said. “We are trying to build character for good citizenship. … That’s what it’s all about. Getting along and getting together.”

LeGall also highlighted the current varsity baseball team at Saratoga Springs, saying eight players on the varsity squad played Little League at West Side Rec. Blue Streaks’ senior infielder Orion Lansing threw out the ceremonial first pitch to SSLL player Jude Miller at Saturday’s ceremony.

“So kids, continue to follow your dreams,” said LeGall. “One day, I’m hoping to see you on our varsity team.”

City Looking to Site 24/7 Homeless Shelter on Adelphi Street by June 1

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city is looking at securing a public-private partnership with the locally based RISE Housing and Support Services to provide a year-round, low-barrier, 24/7 interim homeless shelter at 4 Adelphi St. by June 1. 

That shelter will be in addition to any other potential future shelter plans that may be decided upon this summer.  

The Adelphi Street building is the venue that served as the last city winter-seasonal temporary shelter. That lease, which was $8,000 per month and involved the Shelters of Saratoga organization, expired April 30.  In previous years of operation, Saratoga County as well as the State have provided some level of funding support for shelter operations. 

The agreement was to be discussed at length and voted on by the council earlier this month, but the item was pulled from the table after the council deemed an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the project would first be required. That initial draft agreement stipulated the city provide funds to operate the interim shelter from the date of execution to Dec. 31, 2023, and pledged sufficient monetary resources to fully fund the operations of the facility “for the 2024 Fiscal year and such future years as required.” It is not known how that potential agreement may differ when the proposal is returned to the table. 

The RFP, issued May 10, states the city seeks to obtain proposals from qualified nonprofit organizations to operate a temporary low-barrier homeless shelter within the City of Saratoga Springs. Additionally, it specifies that the city anticipates awarding a 6-month contract for the remainder of 2023 and a subsequent one 1- year contract with up to three 3 additional 1-year renewal periods.

The opening of bids received has been scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, after which the City Council may hold a special meeting – although a special meeting has yet to be announced – to meet the June 1 deadline.

Several details, including financial, need to be worked out before the agreement is made.          

“We still believe that June 1, 2023 is a realistic goal for this first-of-its-kind for the city unhoused at this location,” city Mayor Ron Kim said, adding that “this is in addition to whatever Code Blue or Shelters of Saratoga would do. This is not to replace it.”

The Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness is currently searching for a permanent site for a homeless shelter and navigation center, and is anticipated to provide its recommendations to the City Council in July. 

The mayor additionally thanked Sonny and Julie Bonacio “for stepping forward as generous benefactors to make this 24/7 shelter a possibility for our community.”   

RISE Healthy Housing and Support Services (“RISE”) is a nonprofit organization, which has worked to prevent homelessness for the past 45 years and has provided assistance to homeless individuals in Saratoga County since 2017.

Under Development: 53 Putnam

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.

Putnam Commons site plan submitted to city of Saratoga Springs. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A six-story mixed-use building is proposed for development atop a currently vacant lot at 53 Putnam St., opposite the Saratoga Springs Public Library. 

The proposed Putnam Commons, a multi-family new construction project, is slated to feature 3,900 square feet of commercial space on the first floor and accommodate 40 apartment units on floors 2 through 6. Those units will include: 30 two-bedroom units and 10 one-bedroom units. 

The total gross square footage for the project is 53,480 square feet. 

According to documents filed with the city, the project will support tenant off-site parking “with 50 spaces leased in the Civic Center Parking Garage.” 

The project is under consideration at this week’s Planning Board meeting. 

Skatepark Ramps Up – East Side Rec Skatepark to be Renovated, Expected Completion by End of Summer

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

Rendering courtesy of Pillar Skateparks, provided by OnDeck Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The skatepark at East Side Recreation Park will soon be renovated for the next generation of skaters to enjoy.

Benj Gleeksman, vice president of local nonprofit OnDeck Saratoga, said he and his wife Belinda Colón, who is the president of OnDeck, have recognized the need for a modern skatepark in the city for over a decade. Gleeksman said many towns around the country are beginning to recognize the need for updated skateparks.

The East Side Rec skatepark originally opened in 1989, according to OnDeck Saratoga. The park is constructed out of metal, and Gleeksman said the metal ramps have been in place for over 20 years and are “getting worn out.”

The new park will be constructed with concrete, which Gleeksman said is a preferred material for construction of skateparks.

“(Concrete is) longer lasting, it’s a lot quieter, and it’s a lot smoother and faster,” said Gleeksman. “The metal ramps kind of rest on a surface now, so when you ride up them, it’s almost like hitting a separate obstacle, because it makes a clanking sound. With concrete, it’s kind of like riding one big, smooth piece.”

The new park will feature an improved bowl, a new halfpipe, and a series of banks, ledges, and rails, Gleeksman said, noting the park will also be friendly for skaters at all levels.

“The new design is going to be sort of friendly for everybody, beginners, intermediate, and advanced skaters alike,” said Gleeksman. “Little kids will be able to go out there, and start from the beginning and learn from the ground up.”

Gleeksman and Colón assisted the city in the selection of companies to send requests for proposals, and also helped select the vendor to design the park. Gleeksman referred to the process as “a partnership between us, as OnDeck, and John Hirliman in the Recreation Department.”

“I think that they really were appreciative of the fact that we have institutional skateboarding knowledge,” said Gleeksman. “For them to sort of recognize that, I think we’re humbled by it. We’re really honored to have been able to play the role that we have in working with them.”

Construction of the park will be conducted by Artisan Skateparks, a company based in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Gleeksman said construction will begin in mid-May, and is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

He said the updated park can also help draw skaters in from other areas.

“And the great thing about having a skatepark like this is that it brings skaters in from other communities,” Gleeksman said. “And it also boosts tourism. If families are looking to vacation somewhere, and they have kids that skateboard, well one of the things they’re going to be looking at is, ‘Oh, I’m going to Saratoga Springs, is there a cool skatepark there?’”

Nascar Star Chase Elliott Helps Milton NAPA Celebrate Grand Opening

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Business, Featured.


NAPA employees and local officials celebrate the grand opening of the NAPA Store in Milton with a ribbon-cutting ceremony sponsored by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

MILTON — The NAPA Auto Parts Store on Rowland St in Milton celebrated its grand opening on Friday, with an appearance by NASCAR star Chase Elliott.

Elliott greeted fans, signing autographs and taking photos with the long line of people who waited throughout the day for a chance to meet the driver. Elliott has been voted NASCAR’s most popular driver five times.

Food and beverages were served by a food truck from Sarchioto’s Concessions, and the celebration featured a Formula 1 racing simulator, a bounce house, and more. NAPA Store owner Jeff Shorr said the celebration was “great.”

“It’s a big deal for us,” said Shorr. “The weather cooperated, and a lot of our vendors and customers all came to celebrate it with us. It was a pretty cool day.”

The store also celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring numerous local officials, including Town of Milton Supervisor Scott Ostrander, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus, and New York State Senator Jim Tedisco.

“I’m happy to be a part of the Town of Milton, I’m happy to be in Saratoga County, and I’m hoping that this is just the tip of the iceberg for what we’ve got going on,” Shorr said to those in attendance prior to the ribbon cutting.

Shorr said the response from the local community was “tremendous” for the store’s opening celebration.

“It means the people in this community are excited to have us,” Shorr said. “They’ve expressed that. Many of the elected officials came out today, and all the stakeholders for the project. It makes me feel welcome, and like it’s where I want to be for a long time.”

Shorr said the store has doubled its retail business since moving from its prior location on Milton Ave in Ballston Spa. He also said that the Milton location is the first of NAPA’s new ‘large-format’ stores.

“So there’s a lot of features in this location that we don’t have anywhere else,” said Shorr, naming a large Milwaukee display and two show garages as examples. 

Town of Milton supervisor Scott Ostrander said the NAPA store can be an economic benefit in the town and made note of the large-format nature of the store.

“That’s impressive,” said Ostrander. “And it’s in our town, so what more can I say?”

Council Room Chaos 

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.

Saratoga Springs City Council meeting on May 2, 2023. 
Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The mayor sat at the center of the table flanked by four council members and under the gaze of several dozen faces inside of the Saratoga Music Hall. 

The proposal on the table: a resolution to create an 11-member “restorative justice” review panel, and an acknowledgement.  “Saratoga Springs has supported and allowed racism and hate in areas of housing, employment, law enforcement and other areas of formal and informal life during its history,” it read. 

Among the attendees inside the hall: past council members, potential future council members (those on the ballot in November’s election), nearly two dozen Saratoga BLM supporters, local citizens, various onlookers, and assorted stakeholders in the night’s other scheduled agenda items – who would ultimately have to wait two days for the meeting to resume.

As the resolution was read, the public safety deputy commissioner relocated his position from table-side to the back of the hall with the intent to exit the room in protest should the council approve the proposal. The Saratoga Springs PBA had earlier released a statement taking issue with the resolution’s stating of “law enforcement” as one entity that, during its history, “has supported and allowed racism and hate.”

A handful of officers stood in the back hall and out of public view. “Present in the event their presence was needed,” the public safety commissioner later confirmed. 

The mayor read the resolution, paused for a beat, and looked across both sides of the council table. 

“Any discussion?” he asked. 

Where We are, How We Got Here

A variety of newspaper clippings dating back more than a century and displaying racist and often vulgar language when referring to local black residents are preserved as part of the historical record in the Saratoga Room of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. 

Among the materials is a list of slave owners in early 19th century Saratoga County that details the names of the slave “owners” and the number of slaves they “owned.” 

More recent newspaper clips report about white supremacist flyers found on car windshields one day in 2017, and an assortment of fliers that depict the crude illustrations and racist language.  

There is also material related to Urban Renewal.

“The greatest concentration of black-owned businesses in Saratoga Springs was found on Congress Street. An assortment of nightclubs, gambling houses, restaurants, bars, barber shops, brothels, and beauty salons,” writes Myra B. Armstrong. “The street was completely renovated by the Urban Renewal Program.”

The Urban Renewal Program began around 1960 and by 1980 resulted in the relocation of 96 households consisting of 228 people on the city’s West Side. Nearly two-thirds of the households were black.  

Tuesday’s Vote

During the council discussion immediately prior to the resolution vote, city Mayor Ron Kim addressed the members of the audience who, just as Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino began expressing opposition to the resolution, collectively engaged in a loud coughing fit. 

“Commissioner Montagnino wants to say that I’m not in control of this meeting,” Mayor Kim said. “I’m going to ask you to be quiet for this debate – because he basically wants to charge this room,” he added, gesturing to a doorway off stage right that leads to a blind stairwell. “They’re right outside,” Kim said. “Please. Let him speak.”

Montagnino continued and the room quieted; when the commissioner raised speculation about the cause of a fallen statue in Congress Park three years ago, voices in the audience again grew elevated.  The statue, dedicated to a local regiment of the Civil War, mysteriously toppled in the middle of the night. Despite an investigation, the cause of the statue’s toppling remains unknown. 

“That statue sat peacefully in Congress Park for a century-and-a-half until it was toppled in July 2020. I suspect there are people in this room who know who did it,” Montagnino said.  The voices grew louder.  

“The remarks made by Commissioner Montagnino – you’re playing into his hands. He is essentially inciting you,” said Accounts Commissioner Dillon Moran, who would vote in favor of the proposal. The resolution, Moran said, was aimed at reconciliation and moving forward with dignity and respect. “That’s what this motion is about, Jim.”  

Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi, who similarly voted in favor of the resolution, agreed. “Housing discrimination, employment discrimination are all realities that have existed. Not just for Black people but also for various immigrant communities,” she said.  “For restorative justice to work, we have to first acknowledge the truth. And the truth is that racism, discrimination and bias exists in this country, in this state, and this city. And for this reason, I voted for a restorative justice resolution brought forth by Mayor Ron Kim.”

Over Montagnino’s protests that he be allowed to continue speaking, the mayor called for a vote. The council approved the measure 4-1, with Montagnino casting the one vote against. 

Many in the crowd rose to their feet and began chanting. With an eye toward this November’s elections, they chanted “Hit The Road Jim.” Referencing earlier charges brought against two Saratoga BLM supporters related to actions during previous council meetings, there were calls to “Drop The Charges.” 

Montagnino was the complainant in a disorderly conduct charge against Chandler Hickenbottom regarding a Feb. 7 council meeting, and a witness in disorderly conduct and instructing governmental administration charges against Saratoga BLM founder Alexis Figuereo, and against Bridgette Barr regarding to an April 24 council meetings. 

Queried about whether he may consider dropping those charges, Montagnino said only a court can dismiss a charge and a prosecutor can move to withdraw a charge, while witnesses and complainants do not have that authority. “With or without that authority, I have no intention other than to cooperate with the two special prosecutors who have been appointed to see that the cases are prosecuted to disposition,” he said during a sit-down interview on Wednesday, one day after the council meeting.  

Might any new charges be forthcoming related to Tuesday night’s meeting, which came to an abrupt halt. 

 “The truthful answer is: I don’t know,” he said. 

Montagnino denied intentionally attempting to provoke a reaction from Saratoga BLM supporters during the meeting when speculating about the toppled Saratoga Regiment Civil War statue. The statue is dedicated to The 77th Regiment, which was organized in Saratoga Springs and mustered into service in 1861 to fight against the Confederacy.   “No. It wasn’t done to provoke emotion,” Montagnino said. “It was done to make a point, and my point is this:  BLM is not looking for justice, reform, accommodation, a seat at the table. No. They want chaos.”  

Tuesday’s approved resolution asks all five council members and both supervisors to each appoint one member to a “Restorative Justice Panel” by May 31. That panel – to which the mayor will appoint co-chairs, is then charged with inviting community input in a dialogue to define what form Saratoga Springs Restorative Justice Program would take. Their recommendations will subsequently be presented to the City Council by Dec. 19.