A few days ago I was privileged to announce my campaign to become the next mayor of Saratoga Springs, our beautiful little city in the country.

As I step into this race, it is essential to acknowledge the issues we as a community face under the current mayor’s leadership. However, my focus is not solely on pointing out shortcomings but rather on demonstrating why I will be the right choice to lead our beloved city toward a brighter future.

In stark contrast to the volatility we’ve witnessed, I am committed to maintaining a level of professionalism that fosters respect and collaboration among all commissioners and employees. 

Rather than resorting to reprisals, my approach will be one of thoughtfulness and openness to diverse perspectives. I believe in creating an environment where employees feel heard and valued, even when disagreements arise.

One of my top priorities is to ensure that Council meetings are conducted efficiently and effectively. I will lead with firmness and fairness, ensuring that all participants have a meaningful voice in the decision-making process.

In a world filled with anger, I will strive to bring kindness and empathy to the forefront of my leadership style. Compassion and understanding are crucial in building a strong and united community.

One critical issue that demands our attention is the restoration of effective pre-agenda meetings. Regarding this question, some people wonder if I can work collaboratively with the other commissioners. I want to assure you that I have already established positive relationships with some of them. Commissioner Moran’s dedication to business, Commissioner Sanghvi’s fiscal conservatism, and Commissioner Golub’s professionalism have left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to working harmoniously with them.

Moreover, I recognize the significance of a strong partnership with the County, especially when addressing homelessness and addiction recovery. While progress has been made, sustaining it requires two vital elements: a solid financial arrangement with the county and a humane yet consistent enforcement of our laws. To achieve this, I am proud to have the support and endorsement of longtime Saratoga County Sheriff, Michael Zurlo, who brings a wealth of experience in effective law enforcement. We will ensure our police department stands on strong and balanced footing to protect the people of Saratoga Springs.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every voter who has pulled the lever for me. I am asking you to trust me one more time.  My promise to you is that as your mayor, I will bring experience, professionalism, and competence back to the office. With your support, I am eager to lead our great little city toward a brighter future for all its residents. So, let us look forward to a day in November when, together, we will make history by electing John Safford the 23rd mayor of Saratoga Springs.

– John Safford

Thank you to the 580 Democrats who voted for me in the June 27 primary. Thanks also to the many people who contributed to my campaign and to those who made my candidacy possible by getting my petitions signed. Our small group of hard-working volunteers helped with mailings, literature distribution, letters to editors, display of my lawn signs, campaign logistics and advice.

Congratulations to Ron Kim who won that primary.

On November 7, I will be on the ballot on the One Saratoga line. I hope to see further support for the Mathiesen for Mayor campaign. I continue to be the mayoral candidate who has had the most experience on the City Council and who has had a record of significant accomplishment. I believe that we can have progress without chaos with civility and respect for all. 

With the support of conscientious Democrats, Republicans and non-affiliated voters, we can win in November. I will be reaching out to all in the coming months as I seek your support.

– Chris Mathiesen 

Last Friday, Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee chair Pat Tuz resigned from her position for personal and business reasons. While it is sad to see someone so dedicated to their work depart, it’s a huge opportunity for serious change in the Saratoga Springs City Democratic Committee. With the upcoming primary and general elections looming, new leadership in the committee means the possibility of a new approach to politics, an approach that’s truly unique to Saratoga Springs. An approach that is built on campaigning for hard working, dedicated elected officials who will push this city forward through common sense solutions and an open dialogue with their constituents. 

The city party chairs of the two political parties wield enormous influence over the political landscape of Saratoga Springs. Therefore, the person who fills the position of chair will have the opportunity to define the Democrats’ performance in November. I would strongly encourage anyone who believes that they can bring a new and revolutionary perspective to the city committee should reach out to the committee and get involved. The only question now is, who will step up?

– Respectfully submitted, Benjamin Glover, SSHS Class of 2026

The New York State (NYS) Committee on Open Government, Department of State, regulates and provides opinions on Open Meetings in New York. The opinions are easily searchable and provide guidance on how to have an Open Meeting. In substance, the opinion is that during the “public comment period” comments should not be “abusive, threatening, profane or in any other way illegal”. In part, this guidance mirrors the NYS Disorderly Conduct Ordinance which states a person is guilty of disorderly conduct when he/she engages in violent, tumultuous, or threating behavior; or in a public place uses abusive or obscene language; or disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting.

It is crystal clear that these rules and conduct are not being enforced at the City Council meetings in Saratoga Springs, thus, the meetings are both an embarrassment and chaotic.

I have talked to many Saratogians recently, and in addition to being afraid of aggressive confrontation in downtown, they are now afraid to go to a City Council meeting.  Unlike Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and our local Federal Buildings, Saratoga Springs has decided against the use of metal detectors to ensure there are no weapons in City Hall. Furthermore, City Hall does not post any signage indicating the rules and regulations for open meetings as well as the rules that firearms are not permitted in the building. Additionally, we have recently learned that community leaders, some of whom attend the City Council meetings, have received threats against them and their families. All of this is just an invitation for yet another critical incident to occur in the city, and we all know the last incident was clearly not handled properly by some members of the City Council, resulting in a “gag order” issued by a NYS Supreme Court Judge.

In summary, the inability for the Mayor to simply run a meeting in accordance with Open Meeting laws has led to chaos. The audience is now allowed to talk beyond their allotted time, yelling from anywhere in the chamber, with the use of profanity and abusive behavior. At one of the last meetings, Mayor Kim told the Police Department, an independent agency, to stand down and leave the room. This is the exact opposite of what other municipalities are doing. Police Officers need to be in the room to keep us safe and make an independent decision to determine if any laws are being violated.

– Tim Coll, Retired FBI Agent, running for Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner in 2023

I thought the article, Permanent Homeless Shelter – Problem Solved, Problems Arise, was a really good article. It was a fair report showing the needs of the homeless population in the city as well as the dangers Catholic school children will face having a homeless shelter right next to their school. I’m reading a lot of comments online from people who support the homeless at the risk of a child’s safety. I can’t help thinking they would not make those comments if these were public school children.

The city would never put a homeless shelter next to a public school. And the outcry from parents would be deafening and understandable. All children deserve a safe place to go to school and a safe buffer zone to walk to and from their bus and athletic field. No amount of fencing will stop the mentally unwell and homeless from getting close to these children.

It appears the city council’s disdain for families who choose a private and religious school is so great, they are willing to endanger these kids.

– Jennifer Richard

Many towns, cities and villages seek to find an appropriate balance between clearing forest to accommodate solar arrays and conserving forests to absorb carbon and maintain healthy ecosystems.

A consensus has emerged that the planet is warming. The vast increases in carbon dioxide caused by the burning of fossil fuels, combined with the cutting of vast tracts of forest, has upset the earth’s natural balance. One constructive response has been an effort to reduce the removal of forest and encourage the planting of trees and other carbon-absorbing plants. At the same time, solar panels have been developed as a clean means of capturing electrons. The more efficient production of these panels, in addition to generous tax and financial incentives, has reduced the cost of creating solar arrays.

Solar arrays need space, and sometimes the most cost effective space is forested land. The clearcutting of forests to erect solar arrays is common, as are protests against such forest removal. Conservationists remind us that forests provide many other benefits in addition to functioning as carbon-absorbing sponges. Forests play a major role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, providing habitat for plants, birds and animals. They filter air and absorb water, protecting against erosion and flooding. Forests provide recreational space for residents and visitors. 

Solar arrays are an important source of clean energy. However, the amount of land devoted to forests has been shrinking rapidly due to robust development. We should minimize the loss of forests, wildlife habitat, and wetlands that sequester carbon and provide other functions and values. These lands are an important part of the resilience of people and nature. Every effort should be made to site solar arrays on already developed properties including commercial and industrial sites, parking lots, commercial and industrial roof tops, capped landfills and developed municipal owned properties.

– Ray O’Conor is a Town of Wilton Councilman, served as Chairman of its Open Space Task Force, former Chairman of the Saratoga County Planning Board and is an advisory board member of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Saratoga PLAN.

Residents of the City of Saratoga Springs, we have only until December 11th to vote online (or with paper ballots at City Hall) for how our city will spend $100,000 of our 57 million dollar city budget. 

As part of the new Saratoga Springs Participatory Budget Process, introduced this year by the City Council Commissioner of Finance, city residents can vote for up to five of several proposed projects eligible for a share of  the allotted $100,000. 

The most costly of the proposed city projects is a $19,000 water fountain installation for the Dog Park in Saratoga Spa Park.

We are asking the residents of the City of Saratoga Springs and the City Council to NOT approve and/or consider this project for the following reasons:

City money should not be spent to fund State park projects unless the city is willing to help maintain and manage the project for the long term.

Water is a precious resource. This project mentions nothing about who will pay for the water that is consumed, and how much the water is expected to cost.  

$19,000 is for the installation of the water fountain only. There is no mention of who will fund the maintenance and management of the water fountain.

When using the state park, people are expected to supply their own water or visit one of the many springs. Dog owners should also be expected to supply water for their dogs.

The Dog Park in the State Park has been under much public scrutiny ever since its inception. In spite of unfavorable public comment (see public comment -Final Master Plan/ Final Environmental Impact Statement Saratoga Spa State Park December 16, 2009) from many local environmental groups and local residents, the City of Saratoga Springs still entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Park to help pay the $65,500 for the fencing and a drainage system. However, NO agreement was made between the two entities as to the sharing of funding for the management and maintenance of the Dog Park. 

If the city is to enter into another Memorandum of Agreement with the State Park, then the City should use the $19,000 to manage the dog park that is overcrowded, creates a constant noise nuisance for city residents, and is a health (no vaccinations/rabies or registration required) and safety hazard to many dogs, dog owners, and city residents.

Lastly, the most important reason to remove this project for consideration, is to allow for other projects to be fully funded. The other projects that directly address a majority of our city’s constituents are- programming to promote self-sustaining food security (community gardens), arts programs for underserved and marginalized youth, programs that sustain our environment (urban forestry project), and public recreational programs for all (Congress Park Ice skating, Theatre in the Park). 

Please City of Saratoga, vote, make your voice heard, and consider carefully how you want to spend our money.  

–  Respectfully, Concerned residents of Saratoga Springs

I am a retired FBI Agent who resides in Saratoga Springs. I expect, at a minimum, that Public Safety Commissioner (PSC) Montagnino, respect and obey the rules and policies in Saratoga Springs. These are the facts:

After a reckless press conference held by the Mayor and PSC, a New York State Supreme Court Justice signed an order, authored by District Attorney Heggen, essentially barring the Mayor and PSC from making future comments on the shootout. According to public sources, Heggen stated, “I didn’t want to do this, but felt compelled to ensure the integrity of the investigation and protect the constitutional right of all involved.”

It is my understanding that this reckless presser should have never happened because the Saratoga Springs media policy, section 324.3, states, “the ultimate authority and responsibility for the release of information to the media shall remain with the Chief of Police.”  

It is clear, if the PSC followed rules and policies, we would not be in this embarrassing situation. The facts I provided indicate a colossal failure of leadership. How could any fair reading of the facts indicate otherwise?

– Respectfully, Tim Coll

Saratoga Springs, a city that boasts a laid back, calm vibe despite the buzz of a vibrant downtown has a shadow looming over its safe and non-violent reputation. Over the last six months we have had late night muggings, knifings and now a shootout in the downtown business and restaurant district.

Saratoga Springs, OUR city, closed its streets along its main shopping district to investigate another act of violence. A portion of Broadway was closed to everyone for most of the normal business hours. Dozens of businesses lost an important day’s revenue and employees a day’s wages. I guess as the incident of violence played out, we should be so lucky that we are not mourning greater losses.  

So how long do we hold our breath and cross our fingers that something more extreme doesn’t happen? While Saratoga prides itself on Health, History and Horses, it is also being called out as Drinking, Brawling and Danger. My own business has had our storefront window demolished in the wee hours of the morning, not once, but twice over the last several years, both by intoxicated vandals. The crowds have grown to uncontrollable levels in the bar district just one block below our beloved Broadway and the results are becoming more and more bothersome. I don’t think I would consider it the type of image that our city is trying to portray itself as in attracting families and tourists to what I consider the finest city in Upstate New York. We have got to start asking ourselves if we can continue to let this problem fester or are we going to do something to gain back control of what happens on our city streets.

My father used to tell me that “nothing good happens after midnight.” If that is the case, and my father being a very wise man, then what good can happen even later than that?  Does the business generated between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. contribute to the city’s tourism attraction or is it creating more harm than support? I think it is time to consider an earlier closing time on all bars and restaurants within our city confines. A closing at 2 a.m. and an enforcement of the fire department maximum occupancy codes would go a long way to stemming the plague that these late-night confrontations are causing our city.

This is an image that I hope that everyone who calls Saratoga Springs their home and every conscientious business owner would be concerned about. These issues need to be addressed and repaired now before our city gets a reputation as the city for dangerous people to congregate, instead of the sweet city known for its health, history and horses. A place that the whole family can enjoy. 

Mayor Kim, the time to act is now before we start to lose the very people who we really hope to attract that support all the businesses here in town and keep out those who only come here only to party and cause harm to our fine city.  

– John Nemjo, Owner Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company

Saratoga Springs is considering regulations for short term rentals (STRs) such as those hosted on Airbnb. This industry needs regulation urgently for the following reasons:

STRs create unaffordable housing by allowing corporations to take affordable single-family homes off the market since they are changing their use to de facto hotels, and some STRs are in direct conflict with Saratoga Springs’ master plan and zoning regulations.

Most important, since it involves safety, and as I mentioned at the recent STR workshop, some STRs have no on-sight management resulting in unsupervised guests and chaotic weekends. For example, Rockland County (Town of Clarkstown), experienced gang members this year renting a STR and filming a music video. This event led to a shootout that left multiple rounds, from multiple firearms, scattered over the neighborhood. This is a fact, and the incident is not isolated, as the Town of Southampton has posted on their website that there have been numerous attempts by gang members to rent STRs in the town. Saratogians would be naïve to think this cannot happen here.

I would suggest a 14-day rule (at least for some neighborhoods) like Southampton has embraced. No STRs less than 14 days but owner-occupied units would be exempt because the owners are present. Our neighboring town of Queensbury has even passed a five-day rule in an effort to stop the weekend chaos. Of course, robust enforcement would also be necessary.

– Respectfully,  Tim Coll