I am profoundly disappointed in the plan for parking fees to be collected in our city in a few months’ time. I think it will become a stain on the reputation of Saratoga Springs. I think placing parking meter stations on our streets will cheapen our Victorian charm. One of the perks of being a visitor or community member who frequents our many special businesses and events is that we can drive into town and park for free. With free parking we are saying to visitors and guests that they are welcome here and don’t have to pay a fee to spend time in our beautiful city.  We already have parking rules and fines in place to manage parking lots and bring revenue to the city.  Forcing visitors to pay for parking will absolutely hurt the businesses that are responsible for bringing visitors to our city. With parking fees in place, quick trips into town will not happen. No one should have to pay a meter for a 15-minute stop, for coffee and a bagel to go, or to grab an ice-cream, or go to the library to peek at the new releases.  And what about our work force, many of whom make minimum wage and work in or around our downtown area? If their employer does not supply parking for them, do these folks have to pay for street parking to go to work? 

All of this parking meter talk is not taking place where it should be taking place, which is at the voting booth next November. Until then, put the parking issue in park, and let’s have a fee-free summer season.

– Donna L. Giffune, Saratoga Springs

Many of us were happy to see Public Works Commissioner Jason Golub promptly modify the Council’s recently adopted rule that henceforth all leaves and yard debris will have to be bagged or otherwise containerized. That would have been especially burdensome to those of us who live in neighborhoods that are blessed with an abundance of large healthy trees, like Geyser Crest, and almost certainly would have encouraged the cutting down of more of those trees, contrary to the city’s own “Re-Tree Saratoga” program. We complained and were in the process of getting up a petition when Commissioner Golub announced a reprieve for the peak leaf-dropping season of mid-October to mid-November. Whew! Now if he will go just one step further and allow a similar reprieve for spring clean-up season, when the burden can be nearly as great, especially for those who didn’t manage to finish the job the previous fall. Think especially of those citizens (like me) with creaky backs and knees having to hunch and bend to pack all those leaves and branches into bags! We admire the machines that so efficiently scoop up those leaves and dump them into waiting trucks, and we are grateful to those who man the machines. May they continue their good work for a couple of weeks along about mid-March. 

– Carl Strock

It is my feeling that the public parking plan currently being proposed by our City Commissioners has not been nearly well reviewed enough to be ready to be implemented in the near future. The specifics of this plan need to be brought to the attention of all those that it will affect (I believe adversely) most, we residents and employees who drive our ever-growing community’s economy year-round. I live in Saratoga Springs, and I work at an established retail business on Broadway. I also converse with and hear the concerns of fellow residents, downtown employees, local shoppers, and out of town friends and tourists alike. A common theme I hear is one of general uncertainty and of unawareness regarding the planned parking program. While I have seen and read the Saratoga Springs Tourism Parking Plan’s details, maps, rates, revenue forecasts and expenses, it is very apparent to me that most of those that it will affect have not. The Plan states that it is decidedly “Tourist” focused. But is it? Will our local residents and employees not have to pay for parking in the long run? And will it not have a negative impact on our local shops and restaurants if put into place? My opinion withstanding, I have seen very little effort to fully inform our local residents as to how exactly we will be affected. Press and publicity on the “Plan” has been extremely limited, and no great effort on the part of the city has been made to inform (or get feedback from) our year-round residents and workers. No wonder it’s titled the “Tourism” Parking Plan. Sadly, lots of us are feeling very left out of the process and are worried that we will wind up paying in the end. 

– John Wilson, Concerned Resident & Downtown Employee

If knowledge is the foundation of education, it appears that the decisions being made by elected officials in the Town of Moreau and South Glens Falls are rooted in ignorance.

It raises questions as to why both the Town of Moreau board and the Village of South Glens Falls are contemplating a moratorium for the industrial park concerning the Saratoga Biochar project, yet neither board has extended an invitation for a presentation by Saratoga Biochar. The state has kept an open mind about the project and has set out some trust but verify guidelines for them moving forward. To date, the only other government entity in my town and area that has officially engaged with Saratoga Biochar in public meetings about their project is the town’s planning board—not the town board, village board, county board, city councils, or any other relevant regional government authorities. The lack of engagement prompts one to wonder: what are they afraid of, that the unfiltered truth might alter their perspective? That they might feel embarrassed to embrace the greenest factory being built in New York state with a sustainability record of -137 in green house emissions. Or that the company is going to take toxic crap from humans and turn it into gold that helps improve soil for food and trees and water by stopping leaching of chemical fertilizers. The main benefactor of this project is not Saratoga biochar but New York State, Saratoga County and the town of Moreau taxpayer. 

It’s perplexing that these boards seem inclined to heed the perspectives of the “NOT Moreau, NIMBY” faction, replete with fabricated facts and innuendo, while steadfastly refusing to seek input from the actual company possessing real facts and information about the project. True fairness and transparency in representing taxpayers would necessitate engaging with both sides of the discourse.

The new town board supervisor’s willingness to allocate resources, including unlimited overtime pay for employees and contractors, to ostensibly undermine one company, Saratoga Biochar is concerning. The apparent lack of consideration for factual information and the potential repercussions on taxpayers raises ethical questions. From my experience on the village board, singling out a specific project or business exposes the municipality to legal action, and the source of funds for legal fees and overtime pay warrants scrutiny. Moreover, the potential loss of income from the recent factory closure begs the question of whether taxes will be raised for the broader community, impacting 17,000 residents to appease 2,000, a consideration not explicitly conveyed during their election campaign. 

Bottom line is …Saratoga biochar is a safe and cool project that’s going to change the farming, gardening and soil remediation industry… While bringing green industry and green jobs to Saratoga County. 

– Brigid Martin, Yes Moreau founder and pro-town advocate 

Back in March 300+ apartments were proposed for a revitalization project at our dying Wilton Mall. The long process had gone through the different Boards in town and had finally landed on the Town Board’s agenda in the form of a Public Hearing. Most residents thought the idea of another use for our failing mall due mostly to online shopping, was a very smart move and a most welcome solution. In March three Town Board members, all firemen, disagreed out of hand without explanation. Is this a fire hazard?

What is the alternative? Shall we just sit back and watch the deterioration of yet another vacant Mall? Is there another project coming down the pike for which the Town Board thinks is a better use for that space? In our view the Board has made a monumental mistake. It has taken the power given to them by the people of Wilton and turned their own personal objections, whatever they might be, into a decision made by only them without consideration of the majority of people living in Wilton. Resident after resident made compelling points why this plan should proceed. Fast forward to October’s TB meeting where it was more of the same.

Noteworthy, not even a half hour before this project was presented in March did another come to the floor. This one is proposed for the area where the Christmas Gift Shop was, so just down the road on Route 50. Here we’ll have 3 separate buildings, each four stories high, with 390 high end apartments and there was not one objection from the Board. With this project over 30 acres of open space will need to be cleared to make way for the apartments. We can’t help but ask WHY?

– Joanne Klepetar. Town of Wilton

The need in Saratoga Springs for a real leader is vital:

One who allows Enforcement of Order, Laws and Public Safety. 

Respects each citizen, esp. veterans and ALL first responders. 

Reads & understands the City Charter.

Follows rules, accepts beneficial ordinances.

Ensures ALL lives count, esp. citizens who reside in our City. 

Works amiably with staff & employees as a team.

Unites people, not prioritizes radical groups such as BLM.

Proudly displays the American flag on City Hall alone. 

Maintains control at City meetings, is attentive, listens and is equally fair to Saratogians.

Balances power & the Budget, not abuses tax monies nor admonishes others. 

Is Responsible & Accountable, not blame others. 

Current Mayor Kim’s loss of rationale, oversight, knowledge & basic manners is concerning. For a fresh start toward improvement and our livelihood, we need a brand new leader with NO connections to current Accounts or Finance Commissioners! VOTE for Civility and a NEW mayor to restore Saratoga Springs to one of the top three best cities in the nation!

– Respectfully, Mary Beth Delarm

Saratoga Springs resident for 35 years 

(My lawn sign reads “anyone, but Kim”, but believe Safford would be the best candidate!)

At a time when empty promises are far too common, Supervisor John Lant and his dedication to the Town of Wilton and its residents stands out. “For the People” isn’t just a slogan for John; it’s a way of life. He listens, he acts, and he delivers, whether that is providing a caring hand to one struggling with life’s challenges to ensure that they get the resources they need, supporting local businesses and championing first responders, or making sure our schools are safe and are providing the education needed in an ever changing world. His commitment serves as an example to both those currently engaged in and those contemplating a career in public service of any kind. 

– Dan Kuhles

As a long-time litigator and legal services administrator, I’m pleased to support the election of Hon. Carl G. Falotico as Justice of the Supreme Court for our state’s Fourth Judicial District, which includes Saratoga County.

It’s in this court that the most serious and complicated cases are decided. Judge Falotico’s broad legal background – in the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, as the city’s Corporation Counsel and as a City Court Judge – makes him ideally suited to now serve in the Supreme Court.

I recently heard Judge Falotico speak about his City Court experience, and particularly about his work with Schenectady City Alternative Treatment Court. Clearly he has been willing to hold defendants appearing before him accountable. On the other hand, he has also permitted defendants whose offenses resulted from mental illness instead to receive support and services that benefit them and also the community.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate to work with distinguished Supreme Court judges in our part of New York. I have every confidence that Carl Falotico will be numbered among them.

– Jack Carter, Saratoga Springs

The city of Saratoga Springs is in crisis. Council meetings are filled with shouting, name-calling, and near riots. Mayor Ron Kim’s response is to sit in panicked confusion as chaos ensues. 

City Hall employees cower in fear when they see the mayor approaching in the hallways. His conversations and correspondence are filled with angry tirades, cursing, threats, and vicious bullying. 

His gross incompetence has led to the cancellation of the city’s insurance policy and an increase in insurance premiums of nearly one million dollars per year for the foreseeable future. Because of Kim’s many blunders, fire protection and public safety budgets are now on the chopping block. The city’s legal staff is handicapped by Kim’s clumsy meddling as the lawsuits against the mayor and the city pile up. 

These are just a few of the many reasons why Ron Kim is unfit to be mayor. Let’s stop the chaos. Please vote for John Safford for Mayor on November 7. Early voting starts on Saturday October 28 at the Recreation Center.

– David Buchyn, Chair – Saratoga County Conservative Party

I wholeheartedly endorse Tim Coll for the position of Commissioner of Public Safety. Many people know about Tim’s experience in law enforcement, leadership skills and team management. These skills are very important for our city. However more importantly, I want the citizens of Saratoga to know that Tim has good character. He is honest, caring and possesses positive thinking. 

Tim has been my neighbor and friend for many years. When I first met Tim, he was working for the FBI. I have always admired his dedication to helping others and keeping our world a safer place. Tim did this while still making time for his family & friends. Once Tim retired from the FBI, he really wanted to do something to improve the city government in Saratoga. Most people would just leave the problems of our city for others to solve. Tim has the critical thinking, consensus building and communication skills that are essential for a city commissioner’s position. I strongly believe that Tim Coll is the perfect person for the job as Commissioner of Public Safety. 

– Cindy Flanagan, Saratoga Springs