It has taken a few days but I wanted to think through how I might best respond to my third loss as a candidate for office in Saratoga Springs.

I received more votes than in any of my previous runs and I am extremely grateful to everyone who supported and voted for me. I also wish the best to both Matt and Tara as they continue to represent this unique city in the county. I also congratulate Shawn Wiggins on running a solid upbeat campaign. 

In some ways I am grateful to BLM whose protests fueled such strong reactions from many citizens but at the same time I observed at their “rock the vote” event that they may have changed their tactics from violence and confrontation to voting as the true power of a representative democracy. I see this as a good thing and hope they continue to pursue a peaceful, positive and truly American way of addressing grievances. 

I remain deeply committed to moderation and practicality in politics and do not believe that the government should be engaged in cultural ideologies from either the church or from political correctness. Politics, in my view, is not about social and cultural activism but about what everyday people need in their everyday pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

The American experiment continues, and the question remains open. Can citizens effectively run their own government? For me, it starts and ends here in Saratoga Springs NY and in every town and city and village where people of every stripe and color find ways to address their differences in positive and constructive ways.

– John Safford

We salute and honor all the Veterans, Active Military and those that gave their life in the service of our country, to keep the United States of America a free nation. Every Veteran and active military was and is very important no matter what they did in the service. Our military in all services are the best and most powerful in the world and has to be kept this way in order to keep the peace for our country. We must continue to keep our military strong and to let the world know this in a good way. We live in strange times. We also live in unsettled times worldwide. God Bless our Veterans, Active Military and God bless the United States of America. 

– Sid Gordon, WWII Veteran

As of Midnight 10/31/2021…

After 55 years of serving the public, we have temporally ceased operations in Saratoga Springs.

The City of Saratoga Springs will not listen to our need for temporary relief from the burdensome INSURANCE MANDATES imposed. Simple, temporary relief, that’s all we are asking.

Saratoga mandates $300,000 insurance, NYS requires $50,000. (Wilton, Gansevoort, Ballston Spa, Clifton Park, Glens Falls, as well as all rural NYS require $50,000.)

What’s up Saratoga? The cost of $300,000 in coverage is prohibitive. 

Saratoga Taxi successfully operated for over 40 years with NYS Insurance, so what’s the reasoning? – unknown

Our staff and drivers worked every day 24 hours during the pandemic serving the citizens of Saratoga Springs, without concerns for themselves, rather their service to their community. 

We survived Covid but we can’t survive the city. 

If you wish to call the city and demand that your taxi service be reinstated, call 518-587-3550, extension 2523. 

Voice your opinion. Demand that your taxi service return.

We wish all our customers the very best. Hopefully we will be back very soon. Please support local businesses, it’s very important.

– Larry Kupper, Saratoga Taxi

In this year’s election, the current Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety is the best choice for Mayor of Saratoga Springs. The other candidates have lots of promises, but Commissioner Dalton has lots of accomplishments. After taking office in 2020, Commissioner Dalton immediately took charge of the City’s successful effort to protect Saratogians from the COVID-19 pandemic. She searched every day for vaccine supplies and then secured appointments for residents to be among the first to receive life-saving vaccinations. Then she led the City’s response to the nationwide wave of demonstrations against racial injustice, calmly assuring that the right to protest was respected and that protesters and the rest of the community were protected from violence. Under her leadership during the worst financial crisis in the City’s history, not even a single police officer or firefighter was laid off, and despite claims to the contrary, Saratoga Springs continues to be one of the safest small cities in the United States. After more than twenty years of discussion, debate, and delay, she became the first Public Safety Commissioner to win City Council funding and approval of the long-needed third emergency services station on the City’s east side, and then implementing the approval by awarding on September 7, 2021, a contract for construction management which will allow for a start of construction by Spring 2022. To continue Robin Dalton’s successful leadership, vote for her as Mayor on November 2nd on ballot line F, the Saratoga Stronger Together line.                     

– Bill Murray

At its fundamental core, politics is local and this election Saratogians have a clear choice to elect a local slate of candidates that are focused on local issues that will move Saratoga Springs forward in a positive direction. The Republican endorsed slate is the most dynamic, diverse and qualified slate of candidates this city has ever seen and includes an unprecedented four incredible women running for city council. We have a small business owner and political independent for Mayor, a certified public accountant for Finance, a Domestic Violence Advocate for Accounts, a no-nonsense name we can trust for Public Safety, a proven, well-regarded Commissioner of Public Works and compassionate and proven taxpayer watchdogs for County Supervisor. The overwhelming issue facing Saratoga Springs is safety and the notion of our city being a safe place to live and raise a family has been called into question as of late. If you value a safe and vibrant Saratoga, back our police and are tired of protesters blocking our streets and harassing patrons at restaurants, the team on Row B are your candidates. When casting your vote this election cycle, whether it be by absentee, early voting or on Election Day on November 2nd, Heidi Owen West for Mayor, JoAnne Kiernan for Finance, Samantha Guerra for Accounts, Tracey LaBelle for Public Safety, Skip Scirocco for Public Works and Matt Veitch and John Safford for County Supervisor (Vote for 2) are the candidates that have Saratogians’ best interests and safety at hand and will get the job done with integrity and civility.        

– Chris Obstarczyk, Chairman, Saratoga Springs Republican Committee 

As a lifelong Democrat and former chair of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee, I am dismayed by the tactics being used by Democrats in this year’s city elections. In mailings and lawn signs Democratic candidates are suggesting falsely that democracy in Saratoga will be threatened if Republicans win city council seats. This tactic is offensive and divisive. Nearly half the registered voters in Saratoga Springs are Republicans. They are our neighbors and our friends. Many of the candidates have lived in Saratoga all their lives and have served the city in many capacities including elected office. The Democratic candidates should address the local issues where they may legitimately disagree with the Republicans. A commitment to democracy is not one of those.

– Jane Weihe, Saratoga Springs 

Let’s remember the real Ron Kim. When he was Commissioner of Public Safety, Ron Kim proposed spending millions to build a 30,000-square foot palace for the police.  Plus, he petulantly stomped out of an ongoing City Council meeting after our other city leaders refused to follow him down this needless and expensive hole. I know this is true: I was in the city hall conference room attending this meeting when this happened.We need someone who will actually provide steady leadership and can solve problems. We need Heidi West for Mayor.

– Bonnie Sellers, Saratoga Springs 

I’d like to introduce you to Toni Sturm, a candidate running for the Town Board in Wilton. 

I have had the pleasure of knowing Toni and her family since moving to Wilton in 1974. The Sturm’s have been our neighbors since then.

There are many things that set Toni apart from the other candidates running for the same position. Toni is determined to see multi-use paths finally become a reality in Wilton, is passionate about preserving Open Space from over development and would also like to explore having a dog park in Wilton. Toni favors more transparency and citizen inclusion in town government through a Citizens Advisory Board and, of course, favors NO TOWN TAX. 

There is no diversity in Wilton government having long been served by only one party. Without fresh ideas from a different perspective nothing new will be accomplished.  Toni comes with creativity and the vision it takes to get things done. Coming from a medical background, her decisions are evidence based. Please take the time to read her qualifications on Facebook @ Strum4Wilton and get out and cast your vote. Find her on the Public Servants and the Democratic lines on your ballot.

Thank you,  

– Joanne Klepetar

Heidi Owen West ~ I am not writing this letter as a political person, but I am writing it as I know and love the character of Heidi!  I have been blessed by Heidi coming into my life through the loss of her mother, and my best friend.  I had known Heidi before her mother’s illness, and quite loved her kindness and joy for life and sincere interest in all that crossed her path.  I had not come to know the depth of Heidi’s goodness and grace at that point.  I watched Heidi’s unconditional love and care with awe.  She was by her mother’s side, advocating, researching, tenderly caring for all of her physical and emotional needs daily.  Such love in action is what made me fall in love with Heidi, a beautiful gift her mother had once more given to me.

Since Heidi’s Mom passing, I have continued to be blessed by Heidi and her love for me and my family.  She is such a beautiful part of our lives and I am so grateful that I know the Heidi West that cares constantly about other’s needs.  She gives and gives and gives, all the while trying to never let anyone know it is her behind the thoughtful deeds.  She loves from a pure heart, never from selfish conceit.  My sister suddenly passed away in New Orleans a few years ago.  Heidi never asked what I needed, Heidi quietly flew there to be with me and quietly waited with arms open wide for everyone to fall in to be loved compassionately.  I don’t think people see the kindness she shows the needy on the street, she calls them by name and listens to them without judgement.   She tirelessly shares her talents, her resources, her mind and body and her heart to make a better place for us to live.

I feel so proud and happy to say Heidi is now a beautiful member of our family, loved and adored by each one of us, and I am so grateful for the joy she has added to our lives.  i wish everyone knew the Heidi I know and how  I thank you Heidi Owen West, for interrupting your life to make ours better!!! I dearly love you!!!

– XO, Ninki Carroll

Hi Saratogians!

I’m Minita Sanghvi’s neighbor and I’m voting for her as the next Commissioner of Finance. 

We met Minita and her wife Megan when they moved onto our street in 2014. Welcoming and friendly, we enjoyed discussing gardening and landscaping, domestic and international politics, and occasionally the stock market. But mostly the conversations revolved around their son and family. 

Like most immigrant citizens I know, Minita is proud of her U.S. citizenship. And as she has noted, it’s not where you’re from that’s important, but it’s where you settle and choose to live. Her commitment to give back to her Saratoga Springs community is evidenced in her high level of engagement in local organizations and politics, including as finance director of our public library board.

As Minita would be the first to say, Saratoga Springs needs to do more and better in the drive to become a carbon neutral city, we need more year-around tourism, we need real focus and effort on bike lanes/paths circling the city center with access particularly from the west side, we need smart and sustainable investment to rebuild the City’s post-pandemic finances, we need to not only build, but also fund the staffing of the East Side fire station/public safety facility. And maybe most importantly, we need City leaders who are committed to open dialogue with all constituents, while implementing a strategy to increase diversity that will foster growth for the forseeable future.

While Minita’s education, experience and skill set make her qualified to execute the duties of the position, it’s her enthusiasm, energy, heart, and commitment that motivated me to write this endorsement of Minita Sanghvi for Commissioner of Finance. Please vote on Nov. 2.

– Bruce Klion