SARATOGA SPRINGS — PDT Market, a specialty grocery store, is preparing to open in downtown Saratoga Springs in the coming weeks.
PDT Market is located at 55 Railroad Place, taking over the former Price Chopper location. The store has a wide variety of offerings, selling typical grocery items in addition to offering deli, seafood, and produce areas. PDT also offers a hot bar, a make-your-own charcuterie station, and a full-service bar, and will sell grab-and-go foods, flowers, personal items, and much more.
Adam Foti, owner of PDT, said it is “super exciting” to be nearing an opening date.
“I’ve been in here while they’ve been finishing all the shelves and stuff, but just to see what they’re doing on the shelves, and the signage up and everything, is beyond exciting,” said Foti. “It’s such a labor of love that I’m so passionate about, that it’s just so exciting to see everything here.”
PDT’s kitchen and bar will also offer limited menus, and cooking classes will be offered near the bar area. There are tables throughout, allowing spaces for people to sit and eat or have a drink. The bar area can also be rented out for private events.
“It’s exciting that people can sort of choose their own adventure, in a way,” Foti said. “Do you want to head toward the bar? Do you need to go shopping, because you’re looking for something specific on a shelf?”
PDT has developed its own coffee and jams that will be for sale. Foti said they are hoping to work with other local businesses, including the Schuylerville-based King Brothers Dairy.
Foti said the idea behind PDT’s wide variety of offerings is to “make your life easier,” offering a convenient space where customers can find a range of products and services.
“There’s so many different things you can do here, that you can experience it in all types of ways,” said Foti. “Our idea is that we want to make your life easier. … The idea is, no matter what you want to do, we sort of have that for you.”
Saratoga County – Active Voters Party Affiliation. Total Saratoga County Enrollment: 174,991. Graph depicts active registered voters in the thousands. Data Source: NYS Board of Elections, as of Feb. 21, 2023. Democratic Party, Republican Party, Conservative Party, Working Families Party, Other parties, Blank/Not enrolled in a party. Graph, compiled data by Thomas Dimopoulos. Saratoga Springs – Active Voters Party Affiliation. Total Saratoga City Enrollment: 20,836. Graph depicts active registered voters in the thousands. Data Source: NYS Board of Elections, as of Feb. 21, 2023. Democratic Party, Republican Party, Conservative Party, Working Families Party, Other parties, Blank/Not enrolled in a party. Graph, compiled data by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Less than 15 months have passed since the start of their respective two-year terms, and the next vote-casting day is scheduled to take place more than 33 weeks away.
Cue the candidates for the November 2023 election.
Last month, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee announced their endorsed slate of candidates for this year’s city election. This week, the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee followed suit.
The Democratic Committee endorsed each of the five current City Council members – all of whom are Democrats. Those incumbents are: Ron Kim for Mayor, Minita Sanghvi for Commissioner of Finance, Jim Montagnino for Commissioner of Public Safety, Jason Golub for Commissioner of Public Works and Dillon Moran for Commissioner of Accounts. Additionally, Gordon Boyd was endorsed by the committee as Supervisor to represent the city at the county level.
This week, the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee announced their nomination of “three strong candidates,” said city GOP Chairman Mike Brandi. “While the current City Council and Democratic Committee consume themselves with politics and petty squabbles, the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee remains focused on what really matters: delivering candidates who will provide effective, competent, and transparent government for the residents of Saratoga Springs.”
The endorsed candidates are: John Safford for Mayor, Matt Veitch – running for reelection to a ninth term as County Supervisor, and Tim Coll for Public Safety.
Safford, a Vietnam Veteran and small-business entrepreneur, was previously unsuccessful in a 2015 bid to unseat incumbent Mayor Joanne Yepsen and in his 2021 run for Supervisor.
Veitch has served as Supervisor since 2008, advocating for the city of Saratoga Springs at the county level.
Coll, who worked as a Special Agent of the FBI for 30 years, is seeking the position of Commissioner of Public Safety. Coll received the unanimous endorsement of the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee. He is also a registered Democrat.
“Tim Coll is indisputably qualified for this position,” said Chairman Brandi, adding that Coll will bring decades of law enforcement and leadership experience with the FBI to “repair and restore the toxic environment that is poisoning the public safety department under the current Commissioner… the Committee is proud to put politics aside to support a candidate as qualified and motivated to serve our city as Tim is.”
Coll says he decided to run because over concerns about “the potential impact of the mismanagement that currently plagues the Public Safety Department.” Coll said after being “denied the opportunity to address the full Democratic Committee for their support,” he sought the endorsement of city Republican leadership. “While I am a registered Democrat, I refuse to be drawn into the tribalism of Democrats vs. Republicans.”
Coll’s campaign manager is Jane Weihe, a past chair of Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee. Weihe was previously unsuccessful in her bid as city Finance Commissioner in 2007 and in a mayoral run in 1987. She is married to local political blogger John Kaufman. Coll said he plans on being on the November ballot as a Democrat with GOP endorsement.
The City Council is comprised of five councilmembers – one mayor and four commissioners. Saratoga Springs is additionally represented at the county by two supervisors. Elections for all seven seats are held every two years.
In addition to the six candidates endorsed by the city Democratic Committee overall and the three thus far nominated by the city Republican Committee, former city Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan recently announced she will be vying for a seat as Saratoga County Supervisor, and former Public Safety Commissioner Chris Mathiesen said he will run for Mayor. All potential candidates will now be soliciting signatures in order participate in the election, making for a busy Primary and Election season in Saratoga Springs.
The 2023 Election Cycle Calendar points to Primary Elections, where applicable, on June 27, with Early Voting June 17-25. The General Election will be held Nov. 7, with Early Voting Oct. 28-Nov. 5. This year, an election will be held in Saratoga Springs for all five City Council seats – that is, the mayor and four commissioners, as well as both Supervisor positions.
Countywide, registered Republican make up approximately 35.8% of all registered voters, with Democrats charting 29.2% and “blanks” – or registered voters not enrolled in any party – accounting for 27.6%.
In the city of Saratoga Springs, that balance shifts, with SARATOGA SPRINGS – Less than 15 months have passed since the start of their respective two-year terms, and the next vote-casting day is scheduled to take place more than 33 weeks away.
Cue the candidates for the November 2023 election.
Last month, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee announced their endorsed slate of candidates for this year’s city election. This week, the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee followed suit.
The Democratic Committee endorsed each of the five current City Council members – all of whom are Democrats. Those incumbents are: Ron Kim for Mayor, Minita Sanghvi for Commissioner of Finance, Jim Montagnino for Commissioner of Public Safety, Jason Golub for Commissioner of Public Works and Dillon Moran for Commissioner of Accounts. Additionally, Gordon Boyd was endorsed by the committee as Supervisor to represent the city at the county level.
Private Parking signs have been installed in the parking lot on Broadway adjacent to the Algonquin apartments and the Collamer building. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Parking spaces make for sacred places during the Spa City’s heaviest trafficked times, inspiring motorists to navigate a busy Broadway seeking a free spot of convenience to temporarily stash their vehicle.
The Collamer lot, as it is often referred to, stands just north of City Hall and for several decades has hidden amid the camouflage of plain sight, a welcome respite for wheeled roadsters yearning for rapid runs to any one of the many fine sidewalk coffeehouses lining main street or aid in the undertaking of some quick storefront shopping, alike.
With quiet suddenness one recent morning, the lot, long unbothered save for a two-hour parking limitation, was discovered in an altered state festooned with a proliferation of tall metal poles upon which were posted signs warning all who enter: Private Parking. All Others Will Be Towed. Of course, the new, mammoth city parking structure welcoming motorists stands a mere few dozen yards away. But, still.
So, what gives?
As it turns out, the city of Saratoga Springs, which owned the lot, sold it about 16 months ago to Algonquin LLC for approximately $1.2 million.
“They finally, I am told, exercised their control over it,” said Saratoga Springs City Attorney Tony Izzo, when asked about it. “It was a situation where they needed to do that, because the public was essentially still viewing it as a public parking lot. Now that they’ve put the signs up, it should be very clear to the public that it’s a private parking lot.”
Izzo said there were some discussions with the owner’s attorneys regarding whether or not the city might subsequently lease a part of the lot, but that did not happen. “The city wanted to sell it and be done with it.”
The space had once sited the Pavilion Hotel – built in 1819 and felled by a fire in the 1840s. In 1857, the First Presbyterian Church was built atop the lot at a cost of $3,000 and supplemented with an organ to provide the public “the pleasure of hearing its tone and power,” according to published reports of the time.
The church stood for 119 years, itself destroyed by a fire of suspicious origin in the pre-dawn hours of the last Thursday of January 1976. Flames from the blaze shot up as high as 200 feet according to eyewitnesses and was first discovered by then-23-year-old Saratoga Springs patrolman Frank Max. Max, now 70 years of age and still living locally, said when contacted for this article last week, that he vaguely remembers seeing smoke coming from the building while he was walking his beat. As a result of the fire, three policemen and a firefighter were injured and 60 residents of the adjacent Algonquin apartment house and the Collamer building were evacuated from the safety of their abodes.
Nearly a decade ago, the parcel was to be coupled with a land sale in an acquisition that sought to develop an east side fire station. And in 2008, the city contemplated various proposals from three different development groups that included the sale of the so-called Collamer and High Rock lots in exchange for a new public safety facility, a parking garage, retail/residential buildings and potentially a city-wide paid parking system. None of the proposals ultimately came to fruition.
A plaque fixed to a stone outside the building told the history of the church, although that plaque has gone missing and today only a naked stone remains.
More changes are planned for the lot in the future. A site plan filed with the city of Saratoga Springs last September calls for a proposed mixed-use project to include approximately 4,000 sq. ft. commercial space and 112 residential units on the upper floors. The proposed project is titled Algonquin Properties Re-Development. The applicant is The Algonquin, LLC, of Monsey, N.Y.
There are also plans for a portion of the parking area of the lot itself.
“We’ve rented a number of the spaces to a number of people in the Collamer (building) and at City Hall,” says Will Borchers, manager at the Algonquin. “In a couple of weeks, we’re also going to implement a paid parking system – by the hour, or by the day.” That system will be using an app and a QR code and will feature somewhere around three dozen spaces.
STATEN ISLAND — Four athletes from Saratoga Springs teamed up to capture the NYSPHSAA Indoor Track State Championship in the 4×800 relay, capping off a weekend full of strong finishes.
The team of Alycia Hart, Sheridan Wheeler, McKinley Wheeler, and Emily Bush took home the state championship in the 4×800 relay with a time of 9:06.63, a new meet record. All four runners also helped Saratoga capture the cross country national championship at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon on Dec. 3.
“Just when you think you’ve done everything, something else pops up,” said coach Linda Kranick. “It’s been a very exciting year for them.”
Kranick has served as the longtime coach of the Saratoga girls track and cross country teams alongside her husband Art Kranick.
“These girls, they work so well together,” Kranick continued. “They’re so focused. We didn’t even think about the record ahead of time. It was a very exciting race. They led from the gun to the wire, the whole time.”
McKinley Wheeler also placed second in the 3000-meter run (9:37.50), with Sheridan Wheeler in third (9:37.67). Kranick said the times are two of the best in the event in team history.
“Those were just outstanding times that they ran,” Kranick said. “Number three and four all-time for our team, so that says a lot. … It was an amazing race, and they run so well together.”
Kranick also said it was “impressive” to see Bush, McKinley Wheeler, and Sheridan Wheeler all compete in multiple events over the weekend.
Bush finished third in the 1500-meter run (4:29.42), setting a new personal best. Anya Belisle also placed eighth in the 1500 (4:40.63). Amelia McBain placed fourth in the pole vault (12’ 0”).
“That was a personal best for Emily. To break 4:30 is something to be proud of,” said Kranick. “Amelia is just a super athlete, a super person. We’re so proud of her in the pole vault.”
McBain set the school record in the pole vault earlier in the season, Kranick said.
Next, the team will head to another national championship meet: The Nike 2023 Indoor Nationals from March 10 to 12 at The Armory in New York City. Kranick said the indoor season has been “very successful,” to this point, with the team looking to continue that success this weekend.
“We’re quite pleased with all the girls’ performances,” said Kranick. “There are other girls, not just the ones you see at the state meets and the headlines. But we have many other girls who are out there working hard. It makes it enjoyable for us.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Hoping to get ahead of what he called a looming “crisis” come spring, city Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino invited council discussion by suggesting the installation of portable toilets at the Woodlawn Garage.
The thinking is that those portable toilets would be available for use during the late-night and early morning hours by the city’s homeless population after the April 30 lease conclusion of the temporary Code Blue shelter on Adelphi Street.
“We know the Woodlawn Garage – for better or worse and mostly for worse, the Woodlawn Garage is where many of the unhoused congregate,” Montagnino said. “I think we as a civilized society owe the most vulnerable members of society some modicum of dignity where we can provide it. When Code Blue closes there will be no place – I repeat – no place in the city of Saratoga Springs where after-hours a public toilet is accessible by anyone.”
Preliminary inquiries indicated costs would be approximately just under $1,000 per month for two handicap-accessible and wheelchair-accessible portable toilets regularly serviced, Montagnino added.
The proposal as brought to the council table, however, raised several concerns among the other council members, who argued its “discussion and vote” format lacked clarity about how the logistics might work, as well as lacking specific information regarding where revenue would be sourced, how it would be monitored or policed during the overnight period, issues of fair biding practices, and reports of a less-than-stellar track record of previous similar attempts made by the city.
“I think we’ve got a cart way before the horse in this situation,” city Mayor Ron Kim said, adding that earlier attempts by previous DPW Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco resulted in “a really bad situation where a number of issues occurred that we don’t have to go into in the public realm here. It’s my understanding that Commissioner Scirocco basically saw this as a failure,” Kim said. “I think we need to get public input on this, but my view is we ought to be working very hard to get a permanent shelter as soon as possible. And I’m not sure this makes any sense at all.”
“Mr. Mayor, when we talk about what doesn’t make any sense at all,” Montagnino responded, “is we have the permanent shelter. Back in October I was there with you when we announced the permanent shelter,” the commissioner said, referencing last year’s announcement by the city that it would site a permanent 24/7 shelter on Woodlawn Avenue in 2023, after converting the city-owned building that had previously served as the Senior Center.
Three months later, in January 2023, some members of the Saratoga Central Catholic School – which partially borders the Williams Street Senior Center – began to express concerns regarding the siting of a shelter in close proximity to the private school. By February, the shelter proposal met with an increasing backlash from parents and community members.
“People yelled at you and you caved,” Montagnino said to Kim. “The building that was earmarked for that permanent shelter will lay fallow while our unhoused population will suffer for the foreseeable future.”
Kim responded to Montagnino’s criticism by providing a timeline. “What happened was Shelters of Saratoga abandoned the plan and the resolution that I brought to this table that people voted 5-0 to support. They walked away from that, so we had to take a step back,” Kim said. “I didn’t cave. I went into the school and told them – in a very hostile audience – that Williams Street was still on the table, that it still could be the shelter, but I wanted three things to happen: we figure out what we need, we figure out the facility, and most importantly now, we figure out who will actually provide that service,” Mayor Kim said. “Williams Street is still on the table, and it remains on the table.”
Commissioners Golub, Moran and Sanghvi each expressed concern about the way the portable toilets idea was presented this week, as well as the lack of detailed clarity regarding how the installation and maintenance of the portable toilets would be accomplished. Commissioner Sanghvi floated the traction-gaining suggestion that the currently operational public bathrooms in Congress Park could be open for extended hours, after the Code Blue lease runs out on April 30.
Ultimately, the 22-minute discussion March 8 at the council table regarding the installation of two public toilets at the Woodlawn Garage lacked gaining a second motion, subsequently failing to move the issue to a public hearing on March 21.
Public Hearings approved to take place March 21:
• The City Council will host a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 21 during its regular council meeting regarding potential earlier start times of those meetings.
Meetings – which generally take place on the first and third Tuesday of every month – start at 7 p.m. Last month, the mayor suggested the start time be relocated to 5 p.m. The purpose of the hearing on March 21 is to solicit opinions from the public regarding a potential earlier starting time, the mayor said.
One suggestion implemented at the March 7 council meeting featured an expansion of the time allotted each public speaker – from 2 minutes previously, to 4 minutes. Additionally, two Public Comment Periods – one at the start of the meeting and one at the end of the meeting – were featured.
• Public Hearing on a proposed ordinance amending city Municipal Code entitled “General Legislation” to add a chapter titled “Human Rights Protection.” The first of the proposed “Human Rights” protections is slated as the protection of reproductive rights. “We invite the public to comment on this important local legislation that will locally protect the right to choose,” city Mayor Ron Kim said.
• Public Hearing regarding the establishment of an Independent advisory committee to review the city’s compliance to Police Reform Task Force recommendations as ratified in 2021.
Photos provided by South Glens Falls Central School District.
SOUTH GLENS FALLS — The 46th annual South High Marathon Dance, held at South Glens Falls High School from March 3 to 4, has once again raised a significant amount of money for local families and charities.
The total amount, $630,111.07, was announced during the marathon’s closing ceremony on Saturday, March 4. Over the course of the 46-year history of the dance, the students and community have raised more than $10 million.
The funds will benefit 28 recipients – both individuals and organizations from South Glens Falls and neighboring areas.
“Each year, I am amazed by the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and the South High Marathon Dance volunteers to put on this amazing event. I can’t say enough about how incredibly proud I am of each and every person who contributed. Knowing we can help families and community organizations is an amazing experience for our students,” said South Glens Falls Central School District superintendent Kristine Orr. “We truly have an incredible community here in South Glens Falls.”
This year, Logan Mahoney was the top student fundraiser, raising $8,326.85, among many other students – both in the high school and in the middle and elementary schools – who raised thousands of dollars. In addition to the student fundraiser, scores of local businesses held fundraisers for the community, which added thousands to the total amount raised.
This year’s recipients include the families of: Tayton Bowen, Donald Crandall, Crue Duswalt, Kathleen Evarts, Hunter George, Christopher Goodness, Grace Netti, Gabrielle Potter, Aiden Rodriguez, Randy Strong, Shane Walsh, and Megan Willis.
Community organizations receiving donations include: Adirondack Vets House, Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York, Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, Cancer Center Community Crusaders, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Food For Thought, Kelly’s Angels, Inc., Moreau Community Center, Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, and Southern Adirondack Independent Living.
The dance itself, which was streamed live at shmdlive.org, began in 1978. The event has progressed from a small dance in the high school gym to an event that brings the entire community together. After two years at Six Flags Great Escape, the dance returned to the high school this year.
“We can’t thank our community enough for their generosity. This marathon would not be possible without the support of countless businesses, organizations, and individuals who donate not only monetarily but their time and effort to make this the best possible experience for our students,” Orr said.
John “Lefty” Milligan. Photo provided by The Saratoga County History Roundtable.
When people think of Schuylerville, they think of history. The region is known for the 1777 Battles of Saratoga. Baseball is not what people think of Schuylerville. However, for years, the community was known for the pitcher John Milligan one of the finest athletes in the county’s history. He hurled for the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League and the Washington Senators of the American League.
John Milligan was a noted Schuylerville High School athlete in basketball and baseball. In 1921 the Saratogian wrote, “Milligan has been pitching stellar ball all season.” Milligan then embarked to pitch at Cornell University. “Among the more promising new pitching prospects is John A. Milligan, left-hander, who performed brilliantly for the freshman team last year,” reported by Cornell Alumni News on March 20, 1924.
Milligan batted left-handed and threw right-handed. The Boston Daily Globe reported on May 4, 1924, “John Milligan, a stocky southpaw, had the [Harvard] Crimson battery eating out of his hands throughout.” Milligan played two seasons for Cornell. He was instrumental in starting at triple play against Columbia and pitching a no-hit game against Virginia which he lost 1 to 0 because he gave too many bases on balls.
Milligan continued to play ball in Schuylerville. The Saratogian reported on July 15, 1924 that the “Veterans Royal Giants of Albany… composed of (many) colored [sic] players have arranged to represent Schuylerville for the remainder of the baseball season. The team comes here highly recommended, and the games should prove a great attraction for the village… John Mulligan, a baseball pitcher for Cornell College will pitch with the outfit… The opening game will be played Sunday with the Mechanicville K. of C. team at the Fort Hardy Park diamond.”
Milligan’s first major league game was on August 11, 1928 for the Philadelphia Phillies (1928–1931). The New York Times reported the next day that Philadelphia lost to the New York Giants 4–0. “The Phils played a mean trick on a young fellow named Jack Milligan yesterday at the Polo Grounds. The youth hadn’t caught his breath from the excitement of being in the major leagues when he was flung to the fury of the Giants, a team that was practically invincible the way it played yesterday. Young Mr. Milligan was hired yesterday morning and fired at the Giants in the afternoon. He never had a chance.”
“Johnnie Milligan, Schuylerville lad, yesterday (September 24, 1930) turned in his first major league victory, when, pitching for the Philadelphia club of the National League, he turned back Brooklyn, 6 to 3… His chief weakness has been his inability to control the ball, his wildness having cost him a regular pitching assignment with the Phillies. The New York baseball authors with the Brooklyn team gave Milligan a lot of credit for winning the match. The New York Times said: “The Dodgers… could not solve the efficient pitching of Jack Milligan, a southpaw. Milligan, whose hurling this year won a pennant for the Wilkes-Barre club, for which he turned in twenty victories.” The New York Tribune said: “Milligan pitched as though he might be the answer to many Philadelphia prayers for a pitcher. Aside from the first inning, he never gave the Robins much chance to do any hitting, and in the few times they did get men on the bases, he stopped them cold,” according to the Saratogian on September 25, 1930.
Milligan’s final game was on June 23, 1934 with the Washington Senators. In a five-season career, Milligan posted a 3–8 record with 38 strikeouts and a 5.17 ERA in 35 appearances, including 12 starts, four complete games, and 116⅔ innings of work. Milligan played professionally with Newark, Baltimore, Buffalo, Albany, and Toronto in the International League; Syracuse, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Albany of the New York¬–Penn League; Nashville of the Southern Association; Dayton of the Central League.
Even as a professional ballplayer, Milligan found time to play local baseball. The Saratogian reported on October 9, 1933 that “’Lefty’ John Milligan, Schuylerville’s favorite son and ace port-sider for the Scranton team of the New York–Penn League, exercised his trusty wrong-side flipper with such effect yesterday that at the end of nine chuckers, the men of Easton had failed to acquire a semblance of a hit . . . Big John Milligan was in superb form and only on one occasion was he extended. His burning fastball, crackling curve, and deceptive change of pace completely overwhelmed the visitors, fourteen of whom were strikeout victims and none of whom collected anything close to a safe hit.”
After retiring from the diamond, Milligan took over the Broadway Theater in Schuylerville. In addition, Mulligan was a commercial pilot. In 1941, “Milligan demonstrated his skill in the cockpit by a successful takeoff from the state road (Route 9) at Round Lake. While State Police held back traffic for the stunt that was given approval by the Civil Aeronautics Authority,” according to the New York Times on November 7, 1942. In that year Mulligan was called on to serve the nation’s war effort by instructing military aircraft pilots at Carlstrom Field, Florida, operated by the Riddle Aeronautical Institute. After the war, he settled in Fort Pierce, Florida, where he died on May 15, 1972.
Mulligan will be remembered in Schuylerville history for his athleticism. It seems fitting that on October 17, 1928, on the 151st anniversary of the surrender of Saratoga, the village of Schuylerville honored Milligan with a parade. “A local resident has said it never rains on 17 October. It poured instead last night. In spite of pouring the Schuylerville Fire Department Fife and Drum corps and citizens, automobiles escorted John A. Milligan Philadelphia National League baseball pitcher from the home of his parents on Green Street to the Hotel Schuyler, where 80 enthusiastic residents sat down to the dinner given under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce to “Johnnie” or Lefty Milligan, as he is popularly known,” according to the Saratogian the following day.
Sean Kelleher is the historian for the Town of Saratoga, the vice president of the Saratoga County History Center, and the vice chairman of the Saratoga County 250th American Revolution Commission. Kelleher is a contributing writer to More Saratoga County Stories and Saratoga County Stories.
Taylor Beaury (far right) stands at the podium after finishing in seventh place in the 126-pound weight class at the 2023 NYSPHSAA Division 1 wrestling championships. Photo provided by Jake Zanetti.
ALBANY — Eight local wrestlers competed at the NYSPHSAA Division 1 State Championships over the weekend at MVP Arena in Albany, concluding their seasons against the top wrestlers in New York State.
Ballston Spa’s Darrien Insogna finished as the NYSPHSAA Division 1 runner-up at 215 pounds, falling to Minisink Valley’s Ethan Gallo in the state championship match. Connor Gregory earned a third-place finish at 160 pounds for the Scotties, while Ralph Keeney placed fourth at 110 pounds. Also competing for the Scotties was Cameron Hinchcliff.
Saratoga Springs’ Taylor Beaury earned a seventh-place finish at 126 pounds, while Lorenzo Palleschi battled to an eight-place finish at 189 pounds. Also competing for the Blue Streaks were Vito Spadafora and Patrick McKinley.
Ballston Spa head coach Harvey Staulters said it was “great to get them out there a second time,” noting that Insogna, Gregory, and Keeney all wrestled at last year’s state championships as well.
“Because of their experience, they were a little more at ease, and had a little higher expectations, a little higher goals,” said Staulters. “It was great to watch them compete.”
All three of the Scotties’ returning wrestlers improved on their finishes from the 2022 state championships.
Saratoga head coach Jake Zanetti said the weekend was “a nice culminating event” for Spadafora and Palleschi, who are seniors. Zanetti added that it was great experience for Beaury, a sophomore, and McKinley, a junior.
“Definitely a great opportunity for all four of them for different reasons,” said Zanetti.
For Ballston Spa, Insogna opened his tournament by pinning Longwood’s William Francois, then pinned Central Square’s Rocky Files in the quarterfinals. Insogna pinned Bellport’s Jaiden Green in the semifinals, dropping an 11-4 decision to Gallo in the state title match.
Gregory earned a 17-6 major decision over Horseheads’ Liam Levantovich in his opening match, rallying to earn a 6-4 sudden victory decision over Iona Prep’s Sean Dagl in the quarterfinals. Gregory fell in the semifinals, dropping a 5-3 decision to Cornwall’s Tyler Reed, before winning a consolation match over Churchville-Chili’s Coy Raines to advance to the third-place finals. There, Gregory beat Degl again, earning a 3-2 decision.
Keeney opened the tournament with a 15-2 major decision over Brady Judd of Warwick Valley, dropping a 9-0 major decision to Valley Central’s Luke Satriano in the quarterfinals. Keeney earned consolation round victories over Jason Euceda (Brentwood), Ryan Cielinski (Spencerport), and Ryan Ferrara (Chenango Forks), before dropping the third-place finals in an 8-4 decision against Long Beach’s Dunia Sibomana.
Hinchcliff defeated Hilton’s Tyler Simons in the first round, falling to Niagara Falls’ Amarfio Reynolds in the second round. In the consolation rounds, Hinchcliff earned a 9-5 decision over Horseheads’ Cody Dale, and a win by fall over Carthage’s Landon Copley before dropping a 5-0 decision to Pittsford’s Samson McKissick-Staley.
Staulters had praise for his wrestlers, saying they “exceeded expectations” over the weekend.
“They were inspirational, to continually fight and move forward, despite some of the adversities,” said Staulters. “Sometimes they lost, and they just kept coming back. It was really a great experience.”
For Saratoga, Beaury opened the tournament with a victory by technical fall over West Babylon’s Billy Colloca. He fell to Calhoun’s Ray Adams by an 8-2 decision in the quarterfinals. Beaury won his first consolation match over Fox Lane’s Justin Gierum, falling to Nikolas Massero of St. Joe’s Collegiate in the second. Beaury earned a 4-2 decision over Bellport’s Camryn Howard in the seventh-place match.
Zanetti said that Beaury “did really well,” noting that the 126-pound weight class was particularly strong.
“The seeds don’t really matter much at states,” Zanetti said. “He’s a tenth-grader, he battled a lot of older kids than him.”
Palleschi beat Canandaigua’s Mason Depew in the opening round, avenging a loss to Depew earlier in the season on Jan. 21. Palleschi fell to top-seeded Zack Ryder of Minisink Valley in the quarterfinals, and bounced back by winning his opening consolation match over Bethlehem’s Quincy Bonville. Palleschi lost to Pine Bush’s Braydon Pennell in the second consolation match, and dropped a 6-2 decision to Orchard Park’s Jack MacDonald in the seventh-place match.
Zanetti said it was nice to see Palleschi avenge his earlier loss to Depew, which came in sudden victory during the King Bison Invitational at Shaker High School.
“For him to get a ‘W’, that was really nice,” said Zanetti.
Spadafora lost his opening round match to Nyack’s Sam Szerlip, defeating Lancaster’s Mikey Schaefer in the consolation rounds. Spadafora fell to Clarke’s Justin Soriano in the third consolation round.
“(Vito has) been a key program guy for a long time, so for him to get to the state tournament was really fun for him,” said Zanetti.
McKinley earned a 5-3 sudden victory decision over Davit Abjandadze of Edward R. Murrow High School, falling to Gallo, the eventual state champion at 215 pounds, in the quarterfinals. McKinley beat Josh Amiel of John F. Kennedy (Bellmore) by 4-3 ultimate tiebreaker in the first consolation match, falling to MacArthur’s Ben Velasquez by 7-2 decision in his second consolation match.
Zanetti described McKinley as “a total Cinderella story,” saying he emerged as one of the team’s top wrestlers midway through the season.
“Once he started showing signs of that, it was great for him to get out there,” Zanetti said.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai. You name it, and Don Walton likely utilized it during his professional MMA debut on Feb. 18.
Walton, a coach and trainer at the Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts, defeated Jason LaPage as part of the Battle in Barre 9 in Barre, Vermont. The match was Walton’s first professional fight.
“It hasn’t become real yet,” said Walton of his victory. “It still is kind of sinking in a little bit. But it’s just nice to be able to watch all the years of suffering and hard work that I’ve been through finally come to fruition, and show something.”
Walton has been training at the Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts since 2012, beginning as a student. Walton is a black belt in Kyokushin karate, a four-stripe brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a yellow belt in judo, and will be receiving his jiu jitsu black belt soon, said Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts head instructor Jim Bruchac.
Eventually, looking to increase his skills, he headed west to advance his training at Kings MMA in Huntington Beach, California. There, he worked with highly acclaimed trainer Rafael Cordeiro, who has trained fighters such as Anderson Silva, Maurício Rua, Wanderlei Silva, and more.
“It just was really amazing,” said Walton of the experience. “I just fell in love with it, I loved everything about it.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, however, Walton ultimately moved back to the Capital Region. Initially, Walton was unsure if he wanted to continue fighting, but said the itch eventually returned.
Walton’s professional debut would not come without its hurdles, however. His initial opponent dropped out due to an injury, and Walton’s first professional opportunity did not come until a year later.
Walton said in order to stay prepared, he simply tried “not to focus too much on the fight.”
“I tell people, if all you do is focus on trying to be a fighter, you’re going to burn yourself out,” said Walton. “You physically and mentally cannot be focused on fighting all the time.”
That’s where his role as a teacher comes in. Walton said he focuses most of his time on being a martial artist and a teacher at the Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts, saying it is “more rewarding” to watch another person develop their skills.
“I really enjoy teaching more than anything else. Fighting is really fun, don’t get me wrong,” Walton said. “But it’s more rewarding to me to watch someone else develop themselves in a way, where I get to play a role in that myself.”
Walton runs the Academy’s muay thai programs for both adults and children, and is a camp instructor at the martial arts school at Ndakinna Education Center, Bruchac said.
“We have some very competitive kids in both those arenas,” said Bruchac. “Right after winning his fight, he was helping us run one of our youth camps, our nine-year-old group.”
Eventually, the day of Walton’s fight came, and saw him utilize a wide variety of moves in order to capture a win via leg lock in the second round. Walton said the skill learned from a variety of styles has been invaluable.
“In this fight, I got to use muay thai. I used karate, I used judo, I used wrestling, I used jiu-jitsu. Just everything that we do here,” said Walton.
Bruchac said Walton is ultimately fighting “for his students,” providing a real-world example of the moves and methods that the Academy teaches.
“To highlight what we teach at our school, to show things come to fruition in a real situation like a sports situation, and then be able to pass that on to his students,” said Bruchac. “He fully illustrated all that we offer at the school in brilliant fashion.”
“For me, I like to say this is the example,” Walton said. “You see now why I require you to understand judo, why I require you to understand wrestling. … It’s not just about punching people, you have to also be able to deal with every possible scenario.”
As for the future, Walton said that while he has been offered more professional opportunities, he will likely only fight “once or twice a year.”
“At the end of the day, my career is a coach and a martial artist,” Walton said. “I hope to get back in there again before the end of the year. But right now, we’ve got other guys on our team that I’m trying to help bring up. I’ve got some guys that might be fighting in March and April, so I want to help those guys first.”
Walton said that ultimately, professional fights are a way for him to test himself.
“For me, I like to push myself to the limit and just be able to find out, how far can I go? How far can I push my body?” said Walton. “Win or lose, I don’t care. It’s all about me testing myself and my skills. It’s not about me proving anything to anyone other than myself.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Planning Board will host its next meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 9 at City Hall.
Planning Board applications currently under consideration include:
• Stewarts 177 S Broadway & 28 Lincoln – Initiation of Coordinated SEQRA Review of a proposed redevelopment of existing Stewart’s Shop, demolition of all existing site features and replacement of fuel tanks and canopy, and a new two-story 3,720 sq. ft. Stewart’s Shop.
•3368 South Broadway Hotel – Expansion Site Plan review for an addition to an existing hotel to incorporate 17 new rooms in the Gateway Commercial – Rural district. The expansion along the southern hall of the building would be a total of 2,942 square feet new footprint, according to documents filed with the city. Three parking spaces will also be added to the site of the project, which is titled Homewood Suites.
• 500 Union Longfellows Renovations – Site plan review of a proposed redevelopment of the existing Longfellow’s hotel, restaurant and conference center in the Interlaken PUD.
The project description calls for the demolition of the restaurant portion of the main building, while maintaining the existing hotel rooms on the building’s north side. Addition plans point to the development of a new building to connect to the existing block of hotel rooms and the construction of a connecting bridge.
In specific numbers, plans call for the number of rooms to increase from 18 in the main building and 32 in the hotel wing, to 54 and 34, respectively, according to the most recently revised plans submitted to the city.
