BALLSTON SPA — Unofficial results of the 2021 General Election, held Nov. 2, 2021, without absentees, as per the Saratoga County Board of Elections. 

County Supervisors

Ballston – Eric P. Connolly (R,C) unopposed.

Charlton – Joe Grasso (R,C)  unopposed.

Clifton Park (Vote 1) – Philip Barrett (R,C) 67.7%, Melissa L. Boxer (D,WF) 32.1%.

Clifton Park (Vote 1) – Jonathan G. Schopf (R,C) unopposed.

Corinth – C. Eric Butler (R, C) unopposed. 

Day – Carol A. Vaillancort (R) unopposed.

Galway – Michael A. Smith (R,C) unopposed.

Greenfield – Kevin M. Veitch (R,C) unopposed. 

Hadley – Arthur M. Wright (R,C) unopposed.

Halfmoon – Kevin J. Tollisen (R,C) unopposed. 

Malta – Mark E. Hammond (R,C) 58.1%, Michael J. Williams (D,WF) 41.9% 

Milton – Scott T. Ostrander (R,C) 50.65%;

Benny L. Zlotnick Jr. (D, MMF) 32.79%; Barbara A. Kerr (UMI) 16.49%. 

Moreau – Theodore T. Kusnierz Jr. (R,C) unopposed. 

Northumberland – Denise D. Murphy (R,C) unopposed. 

Providence – Sandra L. Winney (R) unopposed. 

Saratoga Town – Thomas N. Wood III (R,C) 64.26%; Paul F. Murphy (D) 35.74%.

Saratoga Springs (Vote for 2) – Tara N. Gaston (D) 26.30% and Matthew E. Veitch (R,C) 25.95%; Shaun D. Wiggins (D, RS) 22.69%; John F. Safford (R,C) 22.61%; Bruce Altimar (WF) 1.63%; Gabriel P. O’Brien (WF) 0.81%. 

Stillwater – Danielle M. Cowin (R) 59.66%; Amy McClements Williams (D) 23.99%; Jennifer M. Weaver 16.25%. 

Waterford – John E. Lawler (R) unopposed. 

Wilton – John J. Lant (R,C) unopposed. 

Countywide Positions

County Sheriff:  Michael H. Zurlo (R,C) 84.16%; Norman G. Boyea (WF) 15.62%. 

County Surrogate Court Judge: Richard A. Kupferman (R,C) ran unopposed. 

County Clerk: Craig A. Hayner (R,C) ran unopposed. 

County Coroner: Susan M. Hayes-Masa (R,C) ran unopposed.

Five Statewide Propositions

Saratoga County voters, and N.Y. voters statewide similarly voted in favor of two of five ballot proposals. They are: 

Proposition 2 – Right to Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Healthful Environment. 

Proposition 5 – Increasing the Jurisdiction of the New York City Civil Court.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Regional YMCA announced this week that it had obtained initial city approvals to proceed with a 17,000 square foot addition to its Saratoga Springs Branch that will become the new home of the Saratoga Senior Center. Construction of the facility is anticipated to begin in spring 2022.

The Y expansion and collaboration with the Senior Center will allow each organization to expand upon programming geared toward older adults and provide cross-programming that will engage and serve more seniors than either organization can serve on their own, according to a statement released by the Senior Center.

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The Senior Center/YMCA collaboration is being made possible by a $2 million anonymous charitable gift that will allow the Senior Center to occupy its new space on the YMCA campus rent free, the organization added. A capital campaign will be conducted to seek additional donor support for the project.

The Senior Center has launched a market analysis/feasibility study in preparation of the new facility to identify in-demand and viable programming for the space. 

Persons interested in taking the survey may do so at www.saratogaseniorcenter.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Regional YMCA announced this week that it had obtained initial city approvals to proceed with a 17,000 square foot addition to its Saratoga Springs Branch that will become the new home of the Saratoga Senior Center. Construction of the facility is anticipated to begin in spring 2022.

The Y expansion and collaboration with the Senior Center will allow each organization to expand upon programming geared toward older adults and provide cross-programming that will engage and serve more seniors than either organization can serve on their own, according to a statement released by the Senior Center.

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The Senior Center/YMCA collaboration is being made possible by a $2 million anonymous charitable gift that will allow the Senior Center to occupy its new space on the YMCA campus rent free, the organization added. A capital campaign will be conducted to seek additional donor support for the project.

The Senior Center has launched a market analysis/feasibility study in preparation of the new facility to identify in-demand and viable programming for the space. 

Persons interested in taking the survey may do so at www.saratogaseniorcenter.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Four new members will take their seats at the City Council table on New Year’s Day, following Election Day victories that will see the four Democrats joining Republican incumbent Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco, who similarly secured victory on Nov. 2. 

Current Supervisors Tara Gaston (D) and Matt Veitch (R,C) were re-elected to represent the city at the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. The five City Council members and both Supervisors will each serve a term of two years. 

“It really does take a village to do this,” said newly elected city mayor Ron Kim, during his acceptance speech at the Embassy Suites by Hilton ballroom on Congress Street, where Democrats celebrated their respective victories Tuesday night. Kim previously served as the city’s Commissioner of Public Safety from 2005 to 2009. 

Kim thanked his campaign team, former city Mayor Joanne Yepsen, members of his family who were in attendance, and acknowledged the efforts of mayoral candidate opponents Heidi West, and Robin Dalton. 

“It is very difficult, particularly in this day and age to run for office and I tip my hat to both of them. I think they made a great effort and I hope to work with them in the future on some of these projects because we need a broad coalition to get some of these things done,“ Kim said. 

West is a political newcomer who ran on the Republican and Conservative lines. Dalton is the city’s outgoing Public Safety Commissioner who ran her 2021 campaign on the independent Saratoga Stronger Together ballot line, after leaving the Republican Party over what she called a discomfort with Donald Trump’s presidency and where it was leading the party. 

“My goal was to prevent a Republican victory,” she said late Tuesday as vote results were being tallied. “That goal was achieved tonight.” Unofficial Board of Election results indicated Kim bested West 4,029 to 3,767 – a difference of 262 votes. Dalton secured 553 votes. 

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In all, 8,408 votes were counted of 20,421 registered city voters. The Election Day tally does not include absentee ballots – which must be received no later than Nov. 9. Military voter ballots must be received no later than Nov. 15. All must be postmarked on or before Nov. 2. 

Kim said among his priorities when taking office as mayor would be locally addressing a national infrastructure investment plan that would provide funding for roads, bridges and major projects, currently being bandied about by elected officials in Washington. 

“I think the most important thing, because of timing, is to spend some time asking the residents about our infrastructure needs. I’ve talked to Congressman (Paul) Tonko about this – and if this bill passes, we’re going to need to move pretty quickly to get our place at the table,” Kim said. 

“Some (input) will come from City Hall personnel, but it also should come from the residents. They should be part of that. We need to move fast because that money will not be there forever, and Saratoga Springs needs to get their fair share,” he said.  Asked if he can identify any infrastructure needs right now, Kim described issues he’s heard from some residents while campaigning door-to-door – water drainage issues to the maintenance of sidewalks, among them. Another priority would be moving forward with the East Side Fire Station project slated to be sited on Henning Road, Kim added.    

Members of the Republican Party staged their Election Night gathering at The Holiday Inn on Broadway, and candidates of the Saratoga Stronger Together ballot line held their gathering at The Inn at Saratoga. 

Election Night victories – 

Five-member City Council: Ron Kim (D) – Mayor; Dillon Moran (D, RS) – Commissioner of Accounts; Minita Sanghvi (D, RS)- Commissioner of Finance; Jim Montagnino (D,RS) – Commissioner of Public Safety; Anthony “Skip” Scirocco (R,C) – Commissioner of Public Works.

Saratoga Springs Supervisors: Tara N. Gaston (D); Matthew Veitch (R, C). 

Click Here: The Story Behind 1139 Middleline Road in Ballston Spa

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Over the last year, a small group of Sustainable Saratoga volunteers, led by Marlaina Murphy, have been putting together a sustainability guide for local restaurants. The goal of the project was to create a comprehensive but easy-to-follow guidebook filled with options for restaurants to consider adopting to make their business more sustainable. 

The guide includes information on how to power your business with renewable energy; strategies for reducing energy use; easy ways to reduce food waste; tips to increase recycling and reduce plastic waste production; and much more. The guide also contains specific links for restaurant owners to explore options that are the best fit for their business. 

Becoming more sustainable can be good for business too. Surveys show that many consumers care about the sustainability practices of the places they frequent and are willing to pay more for goods and services when the business is environmentally friendly. Another reason for going green – there are often government incentives available for businesses that undergo energy efficiency improvements. 

 You can find a link to the Restaurant Sustainability Guide at: www.sustainablesaratoga.org 

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Office for the Aging is in urgent need of volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors throughout Saratoga County. 

This important program helps many seniors, age 60 and older, remain independent in their homes by providing them with a nutritious ready-to-eat lunch each weekday. Seniors also have the option to receive a frozen meal they may enjoy later for dinner. 

The Saratoga County Office for the Aging needs delivery volunteers so the agency may return to delivering fresh, hot meals each weekday. Throughout the pandemic, the program provided frozen meals once a week. 

Volunteers are especially needed in the Saratoga, Schuylerville, Hadley, Edinburg, Galway, Greenfield, Malta, Mechanicville, Moreau, and Wilton areas. 

Meals are prepared, packed, and ready for transport at 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. Volunteers simply pick up meals at one of nine sites throughout the county and deliver them to a pre-determined list of participating seniors. Delivery typically takes about an hour. Volunteers’ schedules are flexible to meet their availability. 

To become a volunteer, individuals must submit paperwork, including references, to the Saratoga County Office for the Aging. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and their own vehicle. Training and orientation are provided to all volunteers. Those interested in becoming a volunteer may contact Billie Jo McConkey at the Saratoga County Office for the Aging at 518-363-4020 for details.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County History Center has launched a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. An ad-hoc committee consisting of area professionals and community organizers will meet through 2021 and 2022 to assess SCHC programming, identify under-represented demographics, and conceive of a plan to reach and serve those communities.

The committee includes Dr. Michael Landis (chair), trustee, Saratoga County History Center; Dr. Jordana Dym, Professor of History, Skidmore College; Ron Agostinoni, Principal, Shenendahowa High School; Dora Lee Stanley, Glen Falls Branch NAACP and MLK Saratoga; Jeremy Baird, Saratoga Pride; James Bruchac, Ndakinna Education Center; TJ Sangaré, BLM Saratoga; Krystle Nowhitney Hernandez, LifeWorks Community Action; Dr. Joanne Zangrando, trustee, Saratoga County History Center; and Donna Dardaris, trustee, Saratoga County History Center. In addition, Florencia Feleder, Capital Region Director, Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, will serve as a guest participant.

For more information about the organization, visit www.brooksidemuseum.org 

SARATOGA COUNTY — Saratoga County residents who may need a hand this Thanksgiving are encouraged to reach out to LifeWorks Community Action. 

LifeWorks provides hundreds of Thanksgiving baskets each year to neighbors in need. Each basket contains fresh fall produce, including potatoes, apples, and carrots, as well as the staples every Thanksgiving meal needs such as stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. A gift card is also provided to help buy a turkey or protein of choice. There will be pick-up sites in Ballston Spa, Clifton Park, Corinth, and Saratoga. Pick-up times vary. 

Baskets are available to families who will have two or more people for dinner. Households with one person are encouraged to call LifeWorks and sign up for a delivered, hot Thanksgiving meal. 

A full Thanksgiving dinner to-go from LifeWork’s Soup Kitchen is also an option. The Kitchen is housed at the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church located at 24 Circular St. in Saratoga. The Thanksgiving meals are generously provided by Longfellows. 

To sign up, or to help LifeWorks make sure every neighbor can celebrate this Thanksgiving, visit www.lifeworksaction.org/donate2thanksgiving or call 518-288-3206. Registration is open through Wednesday, Nov. 10. 

SARATOGA COUNTY — The 8th  annual Saratoga County Convoy for Tots will take place Sunday, Nov. 7. Organizations wishing to participate in the convoy are requested to line-up beginning at 9:45 a.m. at the Ballston Spa High School-Middle School lots for a 10:45 a.m. departure of the Convoy. Companies, Organizations, Civic Groups interested in participating should contact Steve Gordon at sgordon@saratogacountyny.gov or 518-885-2496. This event is sponsored by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, benefitting the Capital Region.