I read with interest Tom Dimopoulos’s piece about NYRA considering the Belmont Stakes, 2024, be held at Saratoga Racecourse. That’s an exciting prospect for Saratoga Springs, however I’m wondering why NYRA isn’t  considering running this third jewel of the Triple Crown at Aqueduct. This race was contested at Aqueduct in the 1960s at 1.5 miles. If it was run at Saratoga, the race would be a mile and a quarter, the same distance as the Kentucky Derby. 

These three distances — 1-1/4 miles for the Derby, a mile and an eighth at the Preakness and 1.5 miles for the Belmont — are the ultimate challenge for top thoroughbreds. To win the Triple Crown, a horse must excel at all three distances — a rare occurrence at that level in horse racing. Consequently, the few horses that have won all three races are legends in their own time. 

It seems if the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes are each run at 1-1/4 miles, a potential Triple Crown winner would have a tarnished title, since he wasn’t tested at the grueling 1.5 miles of the Belmont. That is the race that, because of its distance, is often a heartbreaker for the horse that has won the Derby and the Preakness and is beaten in the Belmont.

Hurrah for Saratoga if they opt to run the Belmont Stakes here, but I hope NYRA considers the consequences of a Triple Crown winner that has not been tested at all three distances.

– Jill Wing, Saratoga Springs

I am a candidate for Public Safety Commissioner in Saratoga Springs. I recently attended the 9/11 commemoration in Saratoga Springs with a heavy heart. I come from a family of law enforcement, firefighters, and construction workers and many paid the ultimate price that day. We should never forget their service and should never forget we were attacked by terrorists that day on our own soil.

On 9/12, my opponent, Kristen Dart, held a press conference where she incorrectly stated that I put innocent Muslims in jail in a case I did shortly after the 9/11 attacks. Ms. Dart also falsely connected a case from a different area of New York state with my case in Albany to justify her claims, even though I had no relationship with that case. Her actions and judgment were inappropriate and alarming. 

I plan to operate my campaign based on the facts because our Democracy depends on facts to survive so I am taking the time to correct the record. Additionally, I am proud of the work of the FBI, and the United States Attorneys’ Office, and all our partners and Task Force Officers, who worked so hard to keep America safe.

In the case I worked, Yassin Aref and Muhammed Hossain were convicted after trial and the conviction was upheld by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. According to Judge Homer, “Mr. Aref espouses and has adopted the goals of terrorist organizations and has had an ongoing relationship with terrorist organizations.” In addition, Aref made an entry in his personal journal which stated, “take the war to America and Israel” and also noted to “Raise the Jihad sword…Raise the Koran with blood.” 

This community would benefit if Ms. Dart would accept my invitation and join me in a public forum at which she can raise her concerns and I could address them.

– Tim Coll

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