Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, with a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and the sponsorship of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, is pleased to present a panel discussion of the critically acclaimed film Casablanca, on Zoom, Tuesday, January 6 at 7 pm.
A 1940s classic that would come to be hailed as one of the greatest films ever made, Casablanca featured what in retrospect would be viewed as an all-star cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet.
While Casablanca has no battle scenes and a small body count, it remains one of the most powerful war films of all time – driven by the values needed to confront totalitarianism. Its impact is deepened by a supporting cast of real-life European refugees who didn’t have to act to show their hatred of the Nazis.
Based on an unproduced play, Everybody Comes to Rick’s, by Murray Burnett and Joan Allison, the rights were acquired by Hal B. Wallis for $20,000, a record at the time. The writers, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch were still scribbling last-minute dialogue on set, just a few lines ahead of the actors. Memorable lines such as, “Here’s looking at you, kid,” were improvised.
The film is set in the early days of World War II in Casablanca, a city in French Morocco. It is portrayed as a place of transit, filled with refugees desperate to escape the Nazi regime. At the heart of the story is Rick Blaine, an American expatriate who owns a popular nightclub, Rick’s Café American. He is depicted as cynical and nonpolitical, but his past harbors a deep hurt from a failed romance in Paris with Ilsa Lund.
Ilsa re-enters Rick’s life when she arrives in Casablanca with her husband, Victor Laszlo, a Czech resistance leader. They seek hard-to-get transit papers to escape to America, a quest that leads them to Rick’s Café, the center of various intrigues. The climax occurs when Rick must decide whether to use the letters of transit he has obtained to escape with Ilsa, or to help her and Victor escape, thus aiding the resistance against the Nazis.
“Casablanca,” says Phyllis Wang, Coordinator of SJCA, “explores themes like love, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity in a time of war. It combines personal drama with broader political issues, making it a compelling narrative.”
Made with a wartime audience in mind, it’s impossible not to relate Casablanca’s messaging to the world we live in today. Authoritarianism is on the rise, and war again threatens to embroil Europe as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its fourth year. While the final message of Casablanca is hopeful that America’s involvement will turn the tide against Nazi Germany, this, of course, was far from assured when the film was released in November 1942.
Even without knowing the outcome, Casablanca ends on a promising note. Rick makes a noble sacrifice, one that denies him true love, as the Lazslos escape while he and others resolve to take up the fight against the Nazis. It’s a message that has withstood the test of time and is as pertinent today as it was when first released.
Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), today reintroduced their Stopping Grinch Bots Act, legislation which cracks down on cyber Grinches using bot technology to buy up entire inventories of popular goods only to resell them at exorbitant prices. These third-party sellers use bots to bypass security measures and manipulate online sales systems to buy toys, leading to some toys being almost impossible to buy online or in stores at retail prices.
Based on data from cybersecurity firm Imperva in its 2024 Bad Bot Report, bot-related hits on retail sites hit a record high last year, with almost 50 percent of internet traffic coming from non-human sources. These bots are also becoming increasingly sophisticated, using residential IP addresses and even AI to slip past security tools like CAPTCHAs, making this legislation more vital than ever.
“This holiday shopping season, Americans across the country are scouring stores, sites, and shelves for the perfect gift for their kids and loved ones,” Congressman Tonko said. “With prices already surging, the last thing parents, families, and small businesses need is cyber bot technology seizing the most popular items to sell them at outrageous costs. That’s where our Stopping Grinch Bots Act comes in. Our bill levels the playing field to prevent scalpers from sucking hardworking parents dry this holiday season. I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this bill and help ensure Americans can spend their time this holiday season with their loved ones, not competing against Grinches.”
“Grinch bots are squeezing holiday shoppers—automatically snapping up online inventory to resell popular products at predatory prices,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “Our measure blocks these bullying bots and gives parents a fair chance to buy gifts for loved ones at reasonable prices. By putting an end to bots’ holiday hijinks, our commonsense legislation will protect consumers, families, and small businesses from the cyber Grinches trying to steal Christmas.”
Bots are software programs that can automatically spot and snap up inventory on sale online. In a matter of seconds, third-party vendors can purchase hundreds of items, squeezing out parents and children. In 2016, Tonko, Blumenthal, and Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer’s (D-NY) Better Online Ticket Sales Act (BOTS Act) was signed into law to ban “ticket bots” that intentionally bypass security measures on online ticketing websites to unfairly outprice individual fans. This new legislation would apply the mechanism of the BOTS Act to e-commerce sites to ban bots bypassing security measures on online retail sites.
The Wesley Community, a 37-acre senior living campus with more than 700 residents in Saratoga Springs, is enhancing the rehabilitation and therapy services offered at the Wesley Health Care Center as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver the highest quality of care to senior residents.
The new in-house Nursing Home and Sub-Acute Rehabilitation Therapy Team, assembled and led by Linnea Heffner, includes more than 30 highly skilled therapists in various disciplines who are fully integrated into the Wesley Community working alongside nursing and medical staff. They specialize in physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
“By bringing therapy services directly under our roof – rather than partnering with an outside provider – we can offer greater consistency, coordination and continuity of care,” said Wesley Health Care Center Administrator Marc Walker. “Wesley is focused on providing personalized and responsive rehab therapies to our seniors. As we implement these enhancements, we are confident relationships between residents and caregivers will grow stronger.”
The new in-house therapy team, now available six days a week, is additionally skilled at providing education and training on fall risks and gait and mobility for residents of Embury Apartments and Woodlawn Commons and provides evaluations in preparation for their return home.
The physical therapy specialties offered by Wesley include orthopedics, sports medicine, back injuries, and neurological rehabilitation. Occupational therapy services include repetitive motion injuries, arthritic disorders, hand therapy, and custom splint fabrication. Speech services include language, articulation disorders, language disorders, and stuttering.
“I am so happy to join and lead the in-house rehab team here at The Wesley Community,” said Wesley’s Director of Inhouse Rehabilitation Linnea Heffner. “Each member of the team is deeply committed to the progress and well-being of the Wesley residents we serve, which I strongly believe will contribute to the healing process.”
Heffner earned a degree in Occupational Therapy from Maria College and has held a leadership role in that discipline for a decade.
A Glens Falls woman has been arrested by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office after she allegedly threw an unopened can of soda at another person.
Jessica Tucker, 42, was arrested by deputies after they responded to a domestic incident on Gansevoort Road in the Town of Moreau. Tucker was arrested on charges of 2nd degree assault, a class D felony and aggravated family offense, a class E felony.
Deputies say she threw an unopened can of soda at the victim, striking them in the face and causing physical injury. She allegedly committed the offense having been convicted for the same offense in the last five years. Deputies didn’t list the condition of the victim.
Tucker was arraigned in Moreau Town court and released on her own recognizance pending further court proceedings.
Saratoga County District Attorney–Elect Brett Eby today announced that Acting District Attorney Jennifer Buckley will remain with the office as Chief Assistant District Attorney, bringing with her decades of prosecutorial experience, deep community partnerships, and a proven record of pursuing justice for the county’s most vulnerable victims.
Buckley, a resident of Saratoga County for more than 40 years, began her service in the District Attorney’s Office on January 5, 2004. Since that time, she has been a leading prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit, concentrating primarily on sex offenses and crimes against children. Her leadership, expertise, and commitment to public safety have made her one of the region’s most respected prosecutors.
Buckley was appointed Bureau Chief in 2016, first overseeing the Major Crimes Bureau until the fall of 2023. In recognition of her exceptional skill and leadership in prosecuting sensitive and complex cases, she was appointed Special Victims Unit Bureau Chief in 2023. In both roles, she has worked closely with law enforcement and multidisciplinary partners to ensure comprehensive responses to violence, abuse, and exploitation.
“Jennifer Buckley has dedicated her career to protecting the people of Saratoga County, especially our most vulnerable,” said DA–Elect Eby. “Her experience, judgment, and compassion are unparalleled. I am honored that she has agreed to serve as Chief Assistant District Attorney, and I look forward to working alongside her as we continue the vital mission of this office.”
Throughout her career, Buckley has prosecuted numerous high-profile and violent felony cases, including child abuse, homicides, and serious sex offenses. Some of her major cases include:
• People v. Craig Ross: Obtained a conviction and 47-years-to-life sentence for Kidnapping in the First Degree and Predatory Sexual Assault against a Child.
• People v. Michael Mosher and Jeanne Mosher: Secured convictions on two counts of Predatory Sexual Assault against a Child, with each defendant sentenced to 40- years-to- life.
• People v. Stephen Lerario: Achieved guilty verdicts at trial for Attempted Murder 2nd and Assault 1st; defendant sentenced to 25 years.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Saratoga County in this new role,” Buckley said. “It has been my life’s work to seek justice for victims and support the safety and well-being of our community. I look forward to working with DA–Elect Eby and our dedicated staff to advance that mission.”
A Gansevoort man has been arrested after he allegedly strangled someone and attempted to prevent them from calling for help.
Michael Blair, 34, was arrested by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on the morning of Dec. 4, 2025 on Hatchery Road in Moreau. He was arrested on charges of 2nd degree strangulation —a class D felony, 1st degree unlawful imprisonment — a class E felony, 3rd degree assault and 4th degree criminal mischief — both of which are class A misdemeanors.
Blair is accused of applying pressure to the victim’s neck in order to cause loss of consciousness. He is also accused of assaulting and lawfully restraining the victim. When the victim tried calling for help, Blair is alleged to have taken their phone in an attempt to prevent help from coming.
The victim was transported to Glens Falls Hospital for treatment and evaluation. Blair was arraigned in the Moreau Town Court and held at the Saratoga County Jail pending further charges.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced the completion of a $3.4 million project that enhances motorist safety and improves traffic flow along a crucial travel route in Saratoga County that serves as a key gateway to the historic City of Saratoga Springs.
The project successfully reconfigured the former four-way, signalized intersection of New York State Route 29, Rowland Street, and Petrified Sea Gardens Road in the Town of Milton into a modern, single-lane roundabout. This new design effectively reduces congestion and minimizes potential points of vehicle conflict at a location less than three miles from Saratoga Springs’ bustling downtown district.
“Thanks to Governor Hochul’s unwavering leadership, New York continues to invest in smart, innovative infrastructure solutions that enhance safety and quality of life for communities across the state,” New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. “The completion of this roundabout is a significant milestone that will improve traffic flow and safety for thousands of motorists daily, while directly addressing the need for better connectivity along a vital corridor. It also ensures that visitors and residents can travel more efficiently to popular destinations like the Saratoga Race Course and Saratoga Performing Arts Center – two of the Capital Region’s premier tourist destinations.”
State Route 29, also known as Washington Street, is a major east-west artery that connects neighborhoods in the Town of Milton to popular attractions and job generators in Saratoga Springs. Rowland Street is a key north-south local connector that provides access to residential communities and the Saratoga County Airport.
The new roundabout improves overall traffic conditions by reducing idling time and allowing vehicles to navigate the intersection more efficiently.
Roundabouts are engineered to maximize safety and minimize congestion. Compared to traditional intersections, traffic flows more freely, cutting congestion and commute times. Crashes at roundabouts tend to be less severe because they typically occur at slower speeds, with head-on and right-angle (T-bone) crashes essentially eliminated. They also remove the need for electric-powered traffic signals. Watch a video about how to safely navigate a roundabout.
The New York State Department of Transportation worked to minimize disruptions throughout the construction process to ensure smooth travel for all summer visitors and no impact on the start of the race season at the Saratoga Racecourse.
“The intersection of Rowland Street and Petrified Sea Gardens Road is part of one of Saratoga’s most vital routes,” U.S. Senator Chuck E. Schumer said. “Thanks to $1 million in federal funding from my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, we’ve paved the way for a safer roundabout that will improve traffic flow. Now, it will be easier for residents and visitors to reach the historic Saratoga Springs and travel throughout Saratoga County more easily and safely. I’m grateful that Governor Hochul is putting these federal dollars to good use to improve safety along this key gateway.”
“This new roundabout will improve traffic flow and enhance safety for Milton and Saratoga County residents at this important arterial for the 44th Senate District,” State Senator Jim Tedisco said. “Thanks to the NYS DOT for their work on this project.”
“The introduction of the new roundabout at NY Route 29, Rowland St., and Petrified Sea Gardens Rd. marks an important step in improving safety and easing congestion at one of Milton’s busiest intersections,” Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh said. “By providing smoother, more predictable traffic flow, it will help residents and visitors reach our area’s local attractions with greater ease. While any change to familiar routes can take time to adjust to, I believe this improvement will serve the community well in the years ahead.”
“Since our town is the third largest town within the county, it has become a very busy place,” Milton Town Supervisor Scott Ostrander said. “The traffic seems to have doubled in volume because of the growth explosion we are facing. Having NYS DOT put a roundabout on State Route 29 & Rowland Street in Milton has kept the traffic flow steady and without any backups. We are very fortunate for the roundabout, and we look forward to more roundabouts within our town because it is a very desirable town that lies just outside the City of Saratoga Springs. It’s a great place to live and raise a family.”
The DEC is advice alternative snow melt procedures due to corrosion caused by road salt.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today joined State and local officials to encourage New Yorkers to reduce the overuse of rock salt when possible, with “Don’t Be Salty, New York.”
Although applying rock salt on roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks helps to ensure the safety of those traveling by vehicle or foot, overuse of salt can be costly for consumers, degrade infrastructure, contaminate runoff that enters streams and waterbodies, and impact drinking water.
“It only takes one teaspoon of salt to pollute five gallons of water,” Commissioner Lefton said. “We’re asking all New Yorkers to take common-sense precautions before using too much rock salt on their sidewalks, driveways, and other places around their homes and businesses to help prevent unknowingly harming our environment. ‘Don’t Be Salty’ can help save your money, keep you safe, and protect our waterbodies.”
To help protect water quality while maintaining public safety, DEC launched the “Don’t Be Salty, New York” public awareness campaign to help educate property owners, managers, communities, and snow and ice removal professionals about the impacts of rock salt and the various strategies that can be implemented to reduce salt use.
Consistent with a recommendation in the 2023 Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force report, DEC conducted a public survey in 2024 to better understand perceptions surrounding rock salt usage and make appropriate recommendations for reduction strategies to be applied throughout New York. Working with ADK Action’s “Clean Water Safe Roads” campaign, DEC developed the State’s multimedia campaign to expand beyond Adirondack communities and reach all New Yorkers.
In addition to increasing public awareness, DEC coordinates with colleagues at the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York State Department of Health to ensure New York’s salt reduction priorities are incorporated and considered within agency programs. State agencies collaborate to align the work of programs and coordinate outreach and mitigation efforts.
In August 2025, NYSDOT announced a statewide expansion of its road salt management pilot program for the 2025-26 snow and ice season. NYSDOT takes the issue of road salt management very seriously, and for more than a decade has been a national leader in the effort to reduce the use of salt while still maintaining a safe and reliable transportation system. These efforts include but are not limited to enhanced training for snowplow operators, direct liquid applications in place of road salt, continuous evaluation of innovative equipment, and utilization of best management practices for reducing road salt. As a result, the statewide average application rate for granular salt was reduced to 172 pounds per lane-mile during the 2024-25 snow and ice season, down from the seven-year statewide average application rate of 194 pounds per-lane-mile.
State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Our crews are among the finest snow fighting forces in the nation and part of what makes them so good is the commitment to not only maintain public safety but also to be good stewards of the environment. For more than a decade we have been working to minimize road salt use as much as possible, and the results speak for themselves. Now, it’s time to expand the battle. We encourage everyone to implement judicious salt management practices that minimize salt use while still maintaining safety. A less salty winter will mean a greener, healthier future for us all.”
DEC encourages all New Yorkers to use these “Don’t Be Salty, New York” best practices to save money, reduce rock salt pollution, and stay safe:
• Use Rock Salt Sparingly
• Shovel first, if possible, to clear snow and ice before applying rock salt. The less snow and ice there is to melt, the less rock salt is needed;
• Apply rock salt strategically. A 12-ounce cup full of rock salt is enough to treat 250 square feet, a 20-foot single car driveway, or approximately 10 standard sidewalk squares;
• Apply rock salt only where it is needed most, such as walkways, driveways, and steps;
• Use a spreader to evenly distribute salt. Avoid piling it in one area, as this can lead to more salt runoff.
• Monitor Weather Conditions
• Rock salt loses effectiveness below 15°F. Sand can be used for traction on ice during a cold snap (and can be swept up in the spring for reusing) or switch to a deicer made for colder temperatures.
• If a snow or ice storm is predicted, consider pre-treating surfaces with rock salt to prevent ice from forming.
• Consider Using Alternative Products
• Consider making your own brine solution at home by combining 3.5 cups of rock salt per gallon of hot tap water and stirring until all salt is dissolved. Let any gravel settle to the bottom. Pour the brine into a regular garden sprayer and spray in a zig-zag pattern over desired area. Save extra brine to use later.
• Use products from the GreenNY specifications listed on the OGS website.
Among the many impacts of rock salt overuse:
• Rock salt can run off into surface waters through snow melt and stormwater or leach into groundwater.
• Excessive rock salt in surface water can cause stress to, or kill, fish and other aquatic organisms.
• Rock salt washed off surfaces will accumulate in soils, which can kill vegetation or deplete plants of nutrients. Eventually, non-native salt-tolerant vegetation could move in and disrupt ecosystems.
• Salty roads attract animals like deer and moose (who love licking up the salt), increasing the probability of accidents and roadkill.
• The presence of sodium in drinking water is problematic for individuals with low-salt or limited-salt dietary restrictions. People on a sodium-restricted diet can experience health risks when exposed to elevated levels of sodium in their drinking water.
• Rock salt has corrosive properties that can corrode metals, including lead, copper, iron, and steel, from pipes and other infrastructure.
• These corrosive effects also impact cars, trucks, bridges, and roads resulting in approximately $5 billion dollars in annual repairs in the U.S. alone (USEPA)
• Households using private wells and small unregulated water systems are at the greatest risk of negative impacts from corrosion. Regulated public water systems sample for lead and copper and reduce corrosion if required.
Twelve years ago, on a biting winter day, our city suffered a loss that would forever change its conscience. Nancy Pitts, a 54-year-old former teacher and mother of two, froze to death on the steps of the Saratoga Senior Center. Her death was not just a statistic; it was a profound, preventable human tragedy that laid bare the gaps in our safety net. At the time, Saratoga Springs had just 33 sober shelter beds on Walworth Street—a number starkly insufficient for the hidden population struggling with homelessness, addiction, and despair.
Nancy’s story was one of vibrant potential shadowed by hardship. Those who knew her describe a woman of intellect and warmth, a dedicated educator who loved her children. Yet, like so many, she battled the isolating grip of alcohol addiction. In her final years, she became a familiar, solitary figure pushing a shopping cart laden with her meager belongings through the city’s streets—a heartbreaking symbol of a life displaced. Her death on those cold steps was a silent alarm that a community could not ignore.
In the immediate, grief-stricken days following Nancy’s death, something remarkable happened. City leaders, advocates, and concerned citizens refused to let her passing be in vain. They mobilized with urgent purpose. Within days, Shelters of Saratoga opening the first Code Blue shelter —a critical emergency refuge providing warmth and safety on nights when temperatures plummeted to life-threatening lows. That first winter, the shelter served 69 individuals, proving the desperate, unmet need. It was a raw, compassionate beginning, born directly from a collective resolve: Never again.
What began as an emergency response has, over twelve years, matured into a cornerstone of local social services. Today, the program operates from its dedicated location at 120 South Broadway Street, a symbol of its permanence and integration into the community’s fabric. Code Blue has evolved beyond just a warm floor on a cold night. It now often represents a gateway—a point of trusted, non-judgmental contact where individuals can connect with case management, mental health resources, addiction services, and pathways toward more stable housing.
The numbers tell a powerful story of impact. From those initial 69 guests, the program has since served hundreds of our neighbors. Each number is a person: someone escaping the lethal cold, finding a moment of respite, or taking a first, tentative step toward recovery and stability.
As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, Nancy Pitts’ story remains the soul of this mission. Her untimely death was the catalyst, but her ultimate legacy is one of life and hope. She is remembered not for how she died, but for how her story ignited a movement that has saved countless others facing similar struggles with addiction, poverty, and homelessness.
The Code Blue shelter stands as a living memorial—a testament to what a community can achieve when it chooses compassion over complacency. It challenges us to see the individual behind the statistic, the potential within the struggle, and our shared responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us.
This winter, and every winter, the doors at 120 South Broadway remain open because of Nancy. Her memory fuels a simple, powerful promise: that in our community, no one will be left out in the cold.
The Saratoga Torch Club will recognize Matt Veitch, longtime Saratoga Springs representative on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, for his 18 years of distinguished public service at a dinner and program on Monday evening, December 15, at the Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn.
“The Supervisor & the City: An Evening with Matt Veitch” will open with dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by remarks from Supervisor Veitch at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $40 per person, payable by cash or check at the door. To reserve a seat, go to Smartacus.com/events.
First elected in 2007, Veitch has been a steady and respected presence in local government for nearly two decades. Representing Saratoga Springs on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, he has earned a reputation for pragmatism, collaboration, and long-term civic stewardship. During his 18 years of service, he has played a pivotal role in initiatives that improved infrastructure, expanded public safety, promoted environmental sustainability, and strengthened city–county cooperation.
Mayor John Safford, in recognizing Veitch’s decision not to seek reelection in 2025, called it “the end of an era,” noting his consistent dedication to the city and his rare ability to “build bridges instead of barriers.”
Among his many achievements, Veitch championed the Geyser Road Trail project that first drew him into public service and went on to found the Saratoga County Trails and Open Space Committee, which established new grant and reserve funds for conservation. He helped secure county support for the city’s third fire station and new EMS facility, led efforts to modernize government transparency through meeting livestreams, and advocated for the creation of a permanent Code Blue shelter to assist the city’s homeless residents.
Beyond his policy work, Veitch also has emerged as one of Saratoga’s leading public historians, dedicating time to documenting the city’s experience with urban renewal and the communities displaced by it. His lectures and research have shed light on a complex period in Saratoga’s history—one that saw progress mixed with loss—and he continues to lead efforts to commemorate the neighborhoods, churches, and Black-owned businesses erased during that era.
While Veitch is leaving elected office, he will remain in public life as the newly appointed City Historian and CEO of the Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation.
The Saratoga Torch Club is a nonprofit forum that brings together professionals and citizens from across disciplines to exchange ideas, foster understanding, and promote civic dialogue. The Saratoga chapter was established in 2021 to encourage dialogue among leaders in business, education, government, and the arts throughout the Capital Region.
