SARATOGA SPRINGS — For the second time in three years, the results of a citizen-led City Charter referendum that would change the way Saratoga Springs is governed will not be officially determined until the absentee ballots are counted.   

The last time a citizen-led City Charter referendum proposed change, in 2017, the measure was defeated by a razor-thin margin of 4,458 – 4,448. This year, that Election Day margin of voters opposing the change is larger, but so too are the number of absentee ballots as well as the number of votes overall. 

The 2020 tally stands at 6,324- 5,186 against the change, a difference of 1,138 votes. There were 4,372 absentee ballots issued. Outstanding absentee ballots must be postmarked on or prior to Election Day, and may be received until Tuesday, when officials at the Saratoga County Board of Elections plan to open and count them. 

“We’re cautiously optimistic. We’re still thinking we can pull through on this,” said Ron Kim, a co-chair of Common Sense Saratoga, a group advocating for change. 

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The 2017 referendum garnered 8,906 total votes. This year’s proposition may top 15,000 if all absentee ballots are returned with a vote on the charter amendment. There are 18,654 registered voters in Saratoga Springs. 

Saratoga Springs current “Commission” form of governing is the only form of governing the city has known since its incorporation as a city more than a century ago. It features five council members – one mayor, plus four commissioners heading the departments of Public Safety, Public Works, Finance, and Accounts, respectively.  Each council member is responsible for administering their own department as well as serving as legislators. In this council of five, each of whom is elected to two-year terms, decisions are made by majority rule. 

The “Council-Manager” proposition calls for replacing that “Commission” form in favor of one that includes a mayor – elected by the voters of the city at large, and six members elected from city wards by the voters of those specific wards. Those six wards are to be comprised of equal voting population. That city council of seven would then appoint, set the salary for, and hire a City Manager. The idea is that residents would be represented through the ward system, and the manager held to accountability via the city council. 

Officials at the county Board of Elections in Ballston Spa anticipate the count of absentee ballots to begin Tuesday, Nov. 10. The gatherings are open to the public and generally staged in a room at the county Board of Elections offices. 

The rise of homelessness in Saratoga is both troubling and frustrating but not surprising, given the rise of Saratoga’s fortunes over the last two decades. A thriving economy lends itself to increases in housing costs, which in turn, leads to an increase in the number of local hard working families who can no longer afford housing. This pattern is not unique to Saratoga; it has repeated itself in similar communities across the country. What is unique to Saratoga however is that it benefits from a significant amount of resources; a deep level of community engagement; and a sincere desire by local agencies to shift their interventions away from being crisis-oriented towards a system that is focused on prevention and permanent housing. 

Saratoga Today invited the community to collectively respond to the homelessness challenge in our midst.  One agency alone cannot solve homelessness, it takes a coordinated effort across multiple agencies and sectors.  In the fall of 2019, a coalition was formed.  Over thirty agencies, from non-profits to the public and private sectors, agreed to work together to address homelessness in Saratoga. We are grateful to Saratoga Today for providing this forum for the coalition to communicate and collaborate with our community. We begin by dispelling some of the myths about homelessness. 

Myth #1: 
Most people who are homeless have severe mental health and/or addiction issues, and they choose to stay homeless. This common belief arises because those who are the most visibly homeless (e.g., living on the streets, sidewalks, in parks) often do exhibit these behaviors/challenges. These individuals are considered “high needs” and require intensive outreach and support services to help them navigate homelessness. In Saratoga, multiple times a day, outreach teams work hard to motivate these individuals to accept services and find a different path. It is not an easy job, as anyone who’s attempted to change the destructive behavior of a loved one well knows. However, high needs individuals, those most visible to you when you visit downtown Saratoga, are the smallest percentage of the homeless population (10% – 20%).  The vast majority of those experiencing homelessness, are individuals and families that you probably don’t notice; those who simply cannot afford housing in this market. Many of them are employed, leaving the shelter every day to go to work, trying to save enough money to rent an apartment.

Myth #2: 
It will cost too much to prevent and end homelessness by helping people pay rent (short or long-term). The aggregate cost of maintaining a person’s homelessness through the network of disconnected crisis agencies (e.g., emergency shelters, police interactions, and emergency rooms) typically costs three to four times more than it would to help someone pay their rent. This is true even when you include the cost of intensive services for those who need them to retain housing. When you stop and think about how many agencies that a person experiencing homelessness interacts with (by default or by design), and the true cost of those interactions, this economic reality becomes obvious. As we iterate to solve problems, we must follow what the data tells us—and in this case that means investing in access to, and preservation of stable affordable housing.

Communities around the country are proving that it is possible to end homelessness (defined as reaching and sustaining functional zero), and I truly believe Saratoga can do the same. It will take long-term, laser-like focus, political will, and—over time—shifting investments away from expensive crisis systems and towards prevention and housing (as well as employment services and access to healthcare). The amazing provider agencies in Saratoga, the faith community, and the City and County, have done, and continue to do, incredible work on this issue, much of it invisible to the casual observer.

Over the next few months, a federal CARES Act allocation will be available to Saratoga County for homeless response in the wake of the COVID crisis. This will be a county-wide collaborative effort by committed partners and organizations. Under the direction of Saratoga County Department of Social Services the CARES Act funds will further build out a system to address COVID-19 and to end homelessness, not manage it.  The emphasis will be through street outreach, supporting emergency shelter systems, homeless prevention, and rapid rehousing homeless households in permanent housing. We will keep you informed about this work via a monthly update in Saratoga Today.  Dear community member, please stay tuned for more stories and information as the months unfold. 

Learn more at EndHomelessnessSaratoga.org

SARATOGA SPRINGS ­­—  The 2020 election proved to be a successful one for most local political office-holders, although the 113th Assembly District seat – which matches incumbent Carrie Woerner against challenger David Catalfamo – and the Saratoga Springs Charter Proposition vote will have to wait until at least next week to ultimately be decided. 

There are just over 169,000 registered voters in Saratoga County – the eleventh highest number of registered voters in the 57 state counties outside of New York City. 

In the 2016 presidential race, just under 113,000 ballots were cast in the county. This year’s vote count could top 130,000 after all absentee ballots are tallied next week. For the first time in a presidential election, the county this year hosted an early voting option. A trio of sites – located in Clifton Park, Ballston Spa and Wilton, secured a total of 27,570 voters over the nine-day early vote period. 

House of Representatives
Saratoga constituents are split into two Congressional Districts, District 20 – Saratoga and essentially points south, and District 21 – Saratoga and essentially points north. 

Elise Stefanik (R,C,I) was reelected to a fourth term in the 21st Congressional District, besting challenger Tedra Cobb (D, WF) by a 63-35 margin. Congressional District 21 is home to nearly 433,000 registered voters, with registered Republican and Conservative Party members topping registered Democrats by a 3-2 ratio.   

Paul Tonko (D, WF, I) secured his reelection bid to the U.S. House representing the 20th Congressional District with a 55-42 victory over challenger Elizabeth Joy (R, C, SAM). The district is home to nearly 475, 000 registered voters with registered Democrats topping registered Republicans by a near 2-to-1 margin.

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“I am honored to again receive the confidence of voters in our communities,” Tonko said in a statement, following the win. “Their overwhelming voices have called for access to affordable health care, quality jobs, environmental and social justice, and a competent response to the pandemic from the White House that helps us build back better.” 

State Senate, State Assembly
In local State Senate races, incumbent Daphne Jordan (R,C,I) defeated Patrick Nelson (D, WF) by a 56-41 margin in State Senate 43rd District, and incumbent James Tedisco (R,C,WF) bested Thearse McCalmon (D) 65-32 in the State Senate 49th District. 

Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I) was reelected to her seat in the 112th Assembly District 60-37 over Joseph Seeman (D, WF), but the race in 113th Assembly District may not ultimately be decided until absentee ballots are counted next week. Election Day tallies in the latter race reported incumbent Carrie Woerner (D, I, SAM) with 29,896 total votes and challenger David Catalfamo (R,C) with 28,905.  The district is comprised of two counties – Saratoga County, whose voters favored Woerner, and Washington County, which went to Catalfamo. Saratoga County has issued 12,989 absentee ballots and Washington County has issued 3,051 absentee ballots. 

Absentee ballots may be received up until next Tuesday, but must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Saratoga County will open and begin to count absentee ballots from Saratoga County residents starting Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Washington County will open and count theirs starting Thursday, Nov. 12.  Each county will subsequently present their tallies to the state, and the state will certify the election.   

For more information on the 2020 Election, please see back page.

SARATOGA SPRINGS ­­—  The 2020 election proved to be a successful one for most local political office-holders, although the 113th Assembly District seat – which matches incumbent Carrie Woerner against challenger David Catalfamo – and the Saratoga Springs Charter Proposition vote will have to wait until at least next week to ultimately be decided. 

There are just over 169,000 registered voters in Saratoga County – the eleventh highest number of registered voters in the 57 state counties outside of New York City. 

In the 2016 presidential race, just under 113,000 ballots were cast in the county. This year’s vote count could top 130,000 after all absentee ballots are tallied next week. For the first time in a presidential election, the county this year hosted an early voting option. A trio of sites – located in Clifton Park, Ballston Spa and Wilton, secured a total of 27,570 voters over the nine-day early vote period. 

House of Representatives
Saratoga constituents are split into two Congressional Districts, District 20 – Saratoga and essentially points south, and District 21 – Saratoga and essentially points north. 

Elise Stefanik (R,C,I) was reelected to a fourth term in the 21st Congressional District, besting challenger Tedra Cobb (D, WF) by a 63-35 margin. Congressional District 21 is home to nearly 433,000 registered voters, with registered Republican and Conservative Party members topping registered Democrats by a 3-2 ratio.   

Paul Tonko (D, WF, I) secured his reelection bid to the U.S. House representing the 20th Congressional District with a 55-42 victory over challenger Elizabeth Joy (R, C, SAM). The district is home to nearly 475, 000 registered voters with registered Democrats topping registered Republicans by a near 2-to-1 margin.

“I am honored to again receive the confidence of voters in our communities,” Tonko said in a statement, following the win. “Their overwhelming voices have called for access to affordable health care, quality jobs, environmental and social justice, and a competent response to the pandemic from the White House that helps us build back better.” 

State Senate, State Assembly
In local State Senate races, incumbent Daphne Jordan (R,C,I) defeated Patrick Nelson (D, WF) by a 56-41 margin in State Senate 43rd District, and incumbent James Tedisco (R,C,WF) bested Thearse McCalmon (D) 65-32 in the State Senate 49th District. 

Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I) was reelected to her seat in the 112th Assembly District 60-37 over Joseph Seeman (D, WF), but the race in 113th Assembly District may not ultimately be decided until absentee ballots are counted next week. Election Day tallies in the latter race reported incumbent Carrie Woerner (D, I, SAM) with 29,896 total votes and challenger David Catalfamo (R,C) with 28,905.  The district is comprised of two counties – Saratoga County, whose voters favored Woerner, and Washington County, which went to Catalfamo. Saratoga County has issued 12,989 absentee ballots and Washington County has issued 3,051 absentee ballots. 

Absentee ballots may be received up until next Tuesday, but must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Saratoga County will open and begin to count absentee ballots from Saratoga County residents starting Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Washington County will open and count theirs starting Thursday, Nov. 12.  Each county will subsequently present their tallies to the state, and the state will certify the election.   

For more information on the 2020 Election, please see back page.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS — A stained glass window dating to the late 19th century is currently being restored at The Church of Saint Peter on Broadway. 

Craftsmen set about restoring the 1895 east wall window picturing Jesus Presenting Keys to Saint Peter, earlier this week. The repairs are being conducted by Willet Hauser Architectural Glass of Winona Minnesota, a company that has been designing and preserving stained glass for more than 120 years. 

The window preservation is being graciously funded by The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust. The grant of approximately $16,000 extended by The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust to The Church of Saint Peter was the catalyst that allowed the Church to conduct the project. 

“Following the completion of the work, a plaque will be dedicated at a community gathering of prayer in gratitude for the tremendous generosity of The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, which made the restoration possible,” said Father Tom Chevalier, Pastor of The Church of Saint Peter. 

When the Church was expanded in 1931, the window originally hung on the west side of the Church behind the high altar. At that time Church members created a new sanctuary space and added new altars. They moved the magnificent scene of St. Peter to the east side, where it now sits in the choir loft, in a perfect position where the morning sun can shine through. 

Upon closer examination of the Church window, this Triptych (three panel) piece of art was found to be designed at the Franz Mayer Studio of Munich and gifted by Hon. M. N. Nolan, AD 1895. Nolan, who was mayor of Albany from 1878 to 1883, spent considerable time in Saratoga Springs. “The three panels that make up the window have spaces between them, but they are meant to be viewed as one scene,” said Fr. Chevalier. “We found that there was a protective coating applied to the stained glass many decades ago to protect it from vandalism or ice. When they put the protectant on it, it built up heat between two panes of glass which deteriorated the lead holding the glass together. Now they put tiny vents in the coating to alleviate this issue. Whereas the coating from years ago was opaque, now its transparent, and proper lights on the inside of the window will hopefully allow the stained glass to be visible from Broadway at night.” 

The Church of Saint Peter was originally dedicated as a church in August 1852. Their core mission statement is “The Church of Saint Peter is a welcoming community that celebrates our faith thru liturgy, sacraments, ministry, music and outreach to those in need…” The Church livestreams weekend mass on Saturday evening and the service is archived on the website. Mass is open for two in-person limited capacity services every weekend, and two in-person weekday services, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. Parishioners are required to pre-register for these services. For more information, visit: stpetersaratoga.com   

The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust was established to benefit nonprofit scientific, medical, educational, cultural, religious, and charitable organizations by funding projects and programs in memory of the Trust’s founder, Alfred Z. Solomon. Mr. Solomon, a leader in the fashion industry, a horse racing enthusiast, and a philanthropist in Gansevoort, NY, and New York City, died Sept. 4, 2004, at the age of 104, and founded this Trust in his Last Will and Testament.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City Center is scheduled to host the grand opening for its new parking structure in November. 

Parking rates for 2021 parking will be free for the first hour of parking, and $1 per hour after that first free hour, with a $15 cap on the 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. period. 

The lowest level along High Rock Avenue will be made available for the Saratoga Farmers’ Market as well as other community events as requested by the city. The top floor of the parking structure may occasionally be used for events as well. A limited number of charging stations for electric vehicles will be available on the second floor. 

A limited number of yearly parking passes are being made available for sale. The yearly passes – 100 of them are being made available, are priced at $150 per month, and paid yearly at a rate of $1,800. An inaugural bonus for those who sign up and pay now offers complimentary parking from the November grand opening to Dec. 31, at no charge. 

The annual term will begin Jan. 1. People interested in the yearly permits should contact Lauren Delany at the City Center at: laurend@saratogacitycenter.org.  A license plate reader will be used to allow entrance from High Rock Avenue and exit at York Street, by the Mouzon House. A front and back license plate are required to be visible, in accordance with NYS law. The structure is under video surveillance and security will be on site from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For the past 40 years, Wellspring has helped Saratoga County victims of domestic violence find safety, support and healing – providing crisis and support services mostly out of a 3,000 square foot office in the Collamer Building on Broadway. 

This week, the agency announced plans to construct a new 8,000 square foot facility in Malta and the launch of a fundraising campaign to assist in that relocation. 

The new building will be located on Route 9, just south of Malta Avenue, and is anticipated to be completed in late 2021.   

“For most of our 40-year history, Wellspring has been in the same office location, even as the agency has grown exponentially in programs offered, number of clients assisted, and staff size,” says Maggie Fronk, executive director at Wellspring. 

“We’ve been working on it for about 10 years. We spent a long time looking for just the right property. It was one of the first things we did as part of a long-range strategic plan when we changed our name from Domestic Violence Rape and Crisis Services, to Wellspring, to reflect a lot of the more positive and preventative work we do,” said Fronk. 

The new facility, at nearly triple the size, will allow safe spaces for counseling, rooms for programming to be used to enhance client job skills to help them obtain self-sufficiency, and a wing devoted to prevention programs. 

“As wonderful our current location is, you don’t see us – and that is a big issue because the crimes of domestic violence and sexual assault happen out of sight and so when the agency is also out of sight  there’s not that driving reminder that ‘oh, there’s a place I can get help,’” Fronk says.  “What I think happens is people often come to us when they’re in dire crisis; I think there is something to just driving by and saying: there is a place. I don’t have to wait until there is a crisis. I can just go in and talk to somebody.” 

The new location, Fronk says, is clearly visible and will sit in the central part of the county so it’s accessible to all areas of the county Wellspring serves. 

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Currently, the 24/7 hotline answers more than 1,500 calls annually.  Last year alone the organization provided in-person counseling and case management services for 1,000 abuse survivors, and provided 70 people adults and children with safe housing in rent subsidized apartments throughout Saratoga County – a total of 14,971 nights of sleep without fear of abuse.  Legal advocacy is provided on a daily basis. 

Pandemic restrictions have made things more difficult for some.  “Think about it: the things we did for health safety –  staying home, not seeing friends – those were all necessary from a health perspective, but they created  an environment rife for abuse to continue and to escalate. You’re home 24/7 with your abuser and your children. You have all kind of stressors whether it’s home schooling, loss of employment, financial worries, health worries. You’re socially isolated. All those allow abuse to escalate,” Fronk says. “We also knew people who tend to call our hotline and reach out for support or come in for counseling – if you’re home 24/7 with your abuser and your children you can’t pick up the phone and make that call. You don’t have the privacy to do it.” To that point, the agency launched a web-based chat line earlier this year so victims may “talk” discreetly to an advocate by simply typing on their computer or smartphone. 

Domestic violence affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men. In Saratoga County, it is the second most violent crime – topped only by drunk/drugged driving – and the primary cause of family homelessness. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence incidents increased 42% between 2016 and 2018, and the number of rape/sexual assaults increased 146%. 

“When things started to open up, we did see more clients coming to shelter, but you know I don’t think any of us think the world is normal yet,” Fronk says.  “I don’t think we’ll see the full impact of COVID until we’ve taken care of the health crisis. Only then will we find out just how much people have endured.” 

All services provided by Wellspring are free and confidential. Wellspring’s operations are funded by local, state, and federal grant funding as well as philanthropic contributions from the community

The total cost of the project is $3 million.  The sources of funding include Wellspring’s building reserves, a loan from The Adirondack Trust Company, and a fundraising campaign with a goal of $1.8 million. More than half of the fundraising goal has been reached, leaving $665,000 yet to be raised. To support Wellspring’s mission, visit the Wellspring website www.wellspringcares.org/make-a-change/donate or call 518-583-0280. 

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SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Springs City Center is scheduled to host the grand opening for its new parking structure in November.

Parking rates for 2021 parking will be free for the first hour of parking, and $1 per hour after that first free hour, with a $15 cap on the 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. period.

The lowest level along High Rock Avenue will be made available for the Saratoga Farmers’ Market as well as other community events as requested by the city. The top floor of the parking structure may occasionally be used for events as well. A limited number of charging stations for electric vehicles will be available on the second floor.

A limited number of yearly parking passes are being made available for sale. The yearly passes – 100 of them are being made available, are priced at $150 per month, and paid yearly at a rate of $1,800. An inaugural bonus for those who sign up and pay now offers complimentary parking from the November grand opening to Dec. 31, at no charge.

The annual term will begin Jan. 1. People interested in the yearly permits should contact Lauren Delany at the City Center at: laurend@saratogacitycenter.org.  A license plate reader will be used to allow entrance from High Rock Avenue and exit at York Street, by the Mouzon House. A front and back license plate are required to be visible, in accordance with NYS law. The structure is under video surveillance and security will be on site from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily