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

Mike Veitch deserves a long overdue thank you for saving spring and fall thoroughbred training at the Saratoga Racecourse.  The average of over 600 horses in training generates close to $1,000,000 for our community. 

But in early 1988 it was rumored that spring training in Saratoga was going to end.  Mike, a long term thoroughbred enthusiast and historian decided to see if he could help his friends in the racing industry.

Mike enlisted a group of Saratoga residents to travel to NYRA headquarters in New York City.  NYRA officials informed the Saratogians that the rumor was true and a decision was being discussed due to the major expenses of training.  

Returning to Saratoga, Mike secured commitments from local and national trainers to bring their young horses to Saratoga each spring and full and to pay a small dailt fee to partially cover some of the operating costs.

The plan was accepted by NYRA and training has continued at the Oklahama each spring and fall.

Thank you, Mike.   

– Anonymous

For more than a decade, I have had the great fun and satisfaction of shopping at Spoken, on Church Street, while it was owned by the indefatigable Pam Worth. I learned to turn to her for advice about what to wear, respect her honesty about what looked good and what didn’t work, and look forward to her exuberance, sense of humor, professionalism, and insights. Also, her friendship, which has meant more to me than the garment guru will ever know. So my heart sank when she called me to say she had sold Spoken – until she told me the sale was made to Tina Powell, the indomitable, personable, hilarious fashionista who had been working at Spoken full time as a sales associate and was ready to take on the challenge. I was immediately thrilled for both of them: Pam, for making the difficult decision to put on the brakes, and Tina, for taking up the torch. How fortunate the women who shop at Spoken are to have this cozy, convenient, creative corner shop just steps off Broadway, and how deeply gratifying it is to know there will be continuity in the style, that special je ne sais quoi, and distinctive, honest, energized dialogue shoppers and staff share. Spoken is an asset to our retail community and Pam and Tina make it happen every day. Bravo, ladies! Wishing you all the happiness and success you deserve. A giant thank you for making Spoken a shopping sanctuary and sustaining that spark during the transition. I can’t wait to add unique Spoken outfits to my wardrobe in 2023.

– Helen Edelman Walker

Dear Editor, Michelle Ostrelich seeks to represent District 44 in the NY State Senate. As Schenectady County Legislator, Michelle shows that quality education, access, support, and safety will be top of mind for Saratoga’s dedicated, talented teachers, administrators, and all the students they serve. Michelle will

• Work to reform the state budget process so every school district receives full and fair funding annually. Expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare. Implement universal pre-K, and bring full-day kindergarten to the Shenendehowa district.

• Advocate for NYSUT as they strive to improve the lives and health of their members.

• Continue to support common sense gun laws, such as higher age for assault-type rifle ownership and expanding Red Flag laws for high-risk individuals. 

Michelle really cares about her constituents and gets an A+ on these issues. Know your candidates. See why Michelle Ostrelich is right for Saratoga. www.michelleforstatesenate.com 

– Stacey Farber

Jason is dedicated to creating a new 21st century DPW that doesn’t just plow snow, pave roads, and pick up leaves, but is an active and involved agent for the community dedicated to serving the needs of all Saratoga Springs citizens.

In his role as DPW Commissioner, he has worked successfully with city, state, and federal administrators to focus on the growth and enhancement of Saratoga Springs, addressing needed services, along with having an open door to listen to the concerns of residents.

Jason has worked to protect and expand green spaces, and address issues across neighborhoods, while respecting and conserving our historical landmarks. With real world experience, vision, and the ability to implement ideas, electing Jason Golub to continue as DPW Commissioner is the way forward for Saratoga Springs.

– Sharon Neuman, Saratoga Springs

Dear Editor, Supreme Court Judge Bob Muller is someone I have known for many years and I  strongly support his re-election. Although electing judges is something we do in New York,  I find that an awful lot of  people have no clue and don’t really get what’s going on with judicial elections. I believe elections should be held to allow the people to get their say and be the ones in charge. Judge Muller is best for the job and has proven this with many thousands of decisions and orders under his belt.  He is seldom reversed by the appellate courts and rarely gets appealed to begin with. Judge Muller is someone you can trust with having the final say in the courtroom. If you are in Judge Muller’s court you can be certain he will be fair and that his decisions will be respectful to you and the law – without consideration of who you are, who your friends are, and whatever your politics may be. Re-electing Judge Muller has nothing to do with politics and it shouldn’t. Let’s re-elect Judge Muller on November 8th and keep a hardworking judge working for all of us. Thank you,

-Town of Wilton Supervisor John Lant

Dear Editor, State Supreme Court Justice Robert J. Muller deserves to be reelected. He is one of six candidates for three openings in the Fourth Judicial District. He is the only candidate who has served in the capacity of a Supreme Court Justice, and he has done so with high integrity, prompt and just decision-making, and in a fair and timely manner since 2009. As a former Judge delegate of the Republican Nominating Convention, I have seen many judicial candidates. Judge Muller is more qualified than most. In order to support Judge aMuller, I have resigned from the Warren County Republican Committee because it is more important to have a quality judge making important rulings than a candidate guided by his or her political affiliation. Judge Muller is endorsed by the Democratic and Conservative parties. Judge Muller is simply the best qualified candidate from any party. Personally, I have known, worked with and against Robert Muller for over forty years. He was my colleague and fellow trial lawyer before being elected to his current position in 2008. Since that time he has gained a reputation for excellence and has had numerous significant published decisions and regularly participates in lectures and presentations to the practicing bar. The Fourth Judicial District needs his commitment and expertise. Please join with me in voting for Judge Robert Muller on election day. 

-Malcolm O’Hara, Esq. Queensbury

Three reasons to vote for Anthony Scirocco, Jr. on November 8th. 

First – Anthony has over twenty years experience in the Saratoga County public works department performing and now supervising road construction, paving, and snow removal. 

Second – this city needs to have a diversified city council as opposed to the one party rule and control that now exists. 

Third – Scirocco is a fair-minded reasonable citizen- one who will not make offensive racist and sexist statements about “rich white ladies” like the comment that the present incumbent made during a recent city council meeting. 

Please vote for Scirocco on November 8th. You will be voting for experience, competence, and integrity. 

-Mark and Amy Cacozza

I urge you to vote for Karen Heggen to keep her as our Saratoga County District Attorney. Karen has 29 years of experience prosecuting cases in Saratoga County. Karen has been an assistant District Attorney (1993 to 1997), Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney (1998-2010), First Assistant District Attorney (2010-September 2014) and District Attorney (September, 2014 to present). Since elected in 2014, Karen has achieved a 95% felony conviction rate in County Court.

I have known Karen for over 30 years, and I can personally attest to her high moral standard as well as her impeccable integrity and outstanding administrative ability. 

I ask that you vote for Karen Heggen to keep her as our Saratoga County District Attorney.

– John H. Ciulla, Jr., Esq.  (Retired Mechanicville City Court Judge and retired Saratoga County Public Defender for 24 years.)