On Nov. 5 New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney who passed away on November 3, 2025.
Flags will be flown at half-staff immediately through interment — which has yet to be announced at time of publishing.
“I am directing flags across New York State to be lowered in honor of Dick Cheney, our former Vice President and lifelong public servant,” Governor Hochul said. “I extend my deepest sympathies to the Cheney family as we remember his life, leadership, and patriotism.”
Cheney served as Vice President Under Present George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. Prior to that he served as Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush from 1989-1993 and as the at large representative in Congress for Wyoming for 10 years from 1979-1989.
He died at the age of 84 in Northern Virginia due to various health conditions, according to a statement from his family.
It was a late night in Saratoga Springs as candidates waited to see who would win control of City Hall.
While results didn’t come in until 11:00 p.m., by the end of the night it appeared that the One Saratoga line had nearly swept city hall — winning five out of the seven races, assuming results hold.
“I’m very happy about five out of the seven races,” One Saratoga chairwoman Courtney DeLeonardis said. “I feel we ran really wonderful campaigns with civility, integrity and professionalism. To me this is a sign that our community is looking for city before party.”
Incumbent Mayor John Safford will continue to lead the city. He defeated Democratic challenger and current Supervisor Michelle Madigan, who previously served on city council and ran on the One Saratoga line in her 2023 run for supervisor.
At the time of publication, Safford was ahead by 287 votes.
Safford will be joined on City Council by Incumbent Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Coll who was endorsed by One Saratoga, as well as the Republicans and Democrats. Coll ran unopposed and defeated any attempts at a write in candidate 7340-63.
Not returning to City Council is Accounts Commissioner Dillon Moran. The embattled commissioner was defeated by One Saratoga and Republican backed Jessica Troisi by 433 votes.
In a Facebook post, Moran conceded the election, thanking his Deputy and expressing pride in the work that he did as commissioner. He also took a jab at his opponent while wishing her the best.
“Negative campaigning seems to work, to lose to a campaign without ideas, knowledge of the position or the challenges currently facing it is difficult,” Moran said in the post. “That said, I wish Ms. Troisi the best and we as citizens need her to be successful.”
Safford will also have a trusted familiar face on City Council as his deputy, Joanne Kiernan, was elected Commissioner of Finance. Kiernan ran on the Republican and One Saratoga Line, defeating Democrat Shafer Gaston by 183 votes as of publication.
She will take over a seat currently held by Democrat Minita Saghvi, who ran for Supervisor this year.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for One Saratoga. Incumbent Commissioner of Public Works Chuck Marshall was defeated by Democrat B.K. Keramati who beat Marshall by 342 votes. While Marshall seemed confident on election night, telling reporters he was used to close elections, by the next morning he announced that he had called Keramati to concede.
Marshall only took over the role after winning a closely contested special election in January for the seat vacated by former Commissioner Jason Golub.
In terms of who will represent the city at the county level, a clear favorite emerged early on as One Saratoga endorsed Democrat Sarah Burger received the most votes of any candidate running in a contested election in Saratoga Springs with 5157 votes. The only candidate who secured more was the aforementioned Coll.
Burger will be joined by Current Commissioner of Finance and fellow Democrat Minita Sanghvi who received 4354 votes, defeating One Saratoga Endorsed Republican George Ehinger by 333 votes. Burger and Sanghvi will replace retiring Supervisor Matt Vietch (R, One Saratoga) and Michelle Madigan who ran for mayor.
Around the County
Saratoga Springs wasn’t the only place in the county with contested elections this year.
In the hotly contested race for Saratoga County District Attorney, Republican Brett Eby defeated Democrat Robert Logan 27955-26944, a margin of around a 1,000 votes. Eby will replace Karen Hagen who retired in August.
It wasn’t as close in the race for Sherriff, it wasn’t nearly as close with Republic Jeff Brown defeating Democrat Ryan Mahan 29212-25884, a margin of over 3,000 votes. Brown, who currently serves as Undersheriff will take over for his boss, the retiring Sherriff Mike Zurlo.
Several new faces will also be coming to the Board of Supervisors. In addition to the aforementioned Burger and Sanghvi, five different new members will join the board, if current results remain the same.
In Wilton, Democrat Toni Sturm holds a 104-vote lead over incumbent Republican Supervisor John Lant. The incumbent also lost in Greenfield where Michael Gyarmathy defeated incumbent supervisor Kevin Veitch.
This isn’t the first time this year the two have faced off. Veitch defeated Gyarmathy in the Republican Primary back in June 290-233. After losing, Gyarmathy, a registered Republican, ran on the Democratic line.
Democrats also picked up a seat in Clifton Park where Democrat Ram Mohan Lalukota defeated Republican Juliano Febo for the second of their two supervisor positions 5383-4989, a margin of 394 votes. Current incumbent Republican Angela Thompson decided not to run for reelection while Republican and Chair of the Board of Supervisors Phil Barrett didn’t face a challenger for his position.
In Stillwater meanwhile, Democratic challenger Robert McCoy failed to defeat Republican Incumbent Edward Kinowski. He lost 1320-936.
All told, democrats now hold seven seats on the Board of Supervisors compared to 15 held by Republicans plus Joseph Grasso who ran on the Conservative, Republican and Democratic lines.
November 4, 2025, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States – Sanjay Shrestha, who recently served as president of Plug Power, Inc., a global hydrogen ecosystem company, has formed Shrestha Global EPG Advisory.
The new firm will advise project developers, corporates, governments and capital providers navigating the complexities of the global energy and power landscape. They will assist clients in addressing some of the major challenges on the global energy and power industry: massive demand growth for power driven by AI and data centers, an antiquated grid, limited energy storage to manage intermittency of renewable electricity and the growth of electrification and liquid energy fuels to meet energy transition, all of which require innovative solutions and significant capital investment.
Tim Cortes will serve as Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer/Chief Technology Officer. With a proven track record of driving innovation and growth in the power and clean energy sector, Tim combines technical expertise with business acumen to deliver exceptional value as a leader in technology and product strategy. Bhagawan Sahu, Ph.D. will be Senior Vice President-Business Development and Technology and will lead the growth of the energy transition portfolio at the firm and provide technology advisory to fit client needs. Prior to joining the advisory both men were with Plug Power, Inc., Tim as Chief Technology and Chief Product Officer and Bhagawan as a team member in the Chief Technology and Chief Strategy Offices.
Sanjay said, “The world faces unprecedented energy challenges that demand innovative solutions and strategic transformation which will require major capital formation. Our team includes some of the foremost experts in the field bringing technical, operational, execution and capital markets experience. I am super excited to launch this venture with trusted friends and colleagues to help various constituents in their efforts to execute their plans to adapt to new energy realities on a global basis.”
Senior Advisors to the firm include Sameer Maskey, founder & CEO of Fusemachines, an enterprise AI products and services company at the forefront of AI-enabled transformation; Dave Mindnich, a veteran operations executive with over two decades of experience who has held senior leadership roles at Tesla and Plug Power, Inc.; Julia Qian, a co-founder of Health In Tech, an insurance technology platform company, and serves as chief financial officer and as a member of the board of directors; Ken Rawley, former chief marketing officer at several firms, top-ranked national speaker, consultant, columnist for a national business newspaper chain and adviser to several CEOs; Chris Suriano, most recently General Manager of Plug Power, Inc.’s Hydrogen Generation and Services Business Unit, responsible for the hydrogen production and distribution network; Surendra V Thapa, Esq., an expert in the banking and financial regulatory industry who has consulted for and advised major banks and financial institutions on regulatory enforcements and compliance risks in international banking and financial transactions.
Saratoga County Treasurer JoAnn Kupferman today announced the County received a clean audit report, which demonstrates the excellent fiscal stewardship of the Treasurer’s Office and is an important measure of financial stability for county government.
The audit also reaffirms the County’s strong credit ratings by both Standard and Poors (AA+) and Moody’s (Aa1) and reflects the County’s responsible and transparent financial practices.
The independent auditor, EFPR Group, reported that Saratoga County received an unmodified opinion (clean opinion) for FY2024. According to the report, the auditor found the financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
Additionally, the audit did not identify any deficiencies in internal control and noted the County’s exceptionally light debt burden. While it is the Auditor’s responsibility to express an opinion on the financial statements, it is management’s responsibility to provide an accurate accounting and financial report that demonstrates a constructive and transparent effort to clearly communicate its financial story.
“I’m pleased to present another clean audit report for the taxpayers of Saratoga County,” Saratoga County Treasurer JoAnn Kupferman said. “This clean audit reflects the diligent work we’ve done for the past ten years in the County Treasurer’s Office to consistently follow appropriate policies, procedures and the GAAP to ensure Saratoga County’s financial statements are complete, compliant, and transparent. Ensuring County funds are managed responsibly, placing the County in a healthy financial position, is a top priority.”
Additionally, the Saratoga County Treasurer’s Office notes that a review of the County’s financial reports shows that the County has seen the beginning of a trend requiring the use of fund balance for budgetary purposes.
It is important to note this practice is unsustainable. In order to ensure the County’s financial stability in the long term, an in-depth review of revenues and expenses will be ongoing.
This report and Saratoga County’s financial reports spanning the years 2006 to 2024 can be found at www.SaratogaCountyNY.gov/Treasurer.
The Town of Milton this year has one competitive race in 2025.
While incumbent Supervisor Scott Ostrander (R, Conservative) doesn’t face a challenge, the same can’t be said for the Town Council. Here are the three candidates running for the two seats on the council.
Candidate for Milton Town Council: Michele Juda (D, Working Families)
Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit regarding my candidacy for Town Council in Milton.
I am a twenty-six-year resident who has been an active citizen voice in town government for many years, frequently calling for transparency and accountability during public comment periods. While I commit to always being open-minded and considering the input of all, it certainly is time to have more balanced representation in the Town of Milton. My candidacy is about ensuring the checks and balances necessary to good government. Town business should not be conducted behind closed doors or influenced by insiders. I have pledged to make sure it is in front of the public where it belongs.
My election would ensure a critically needed counterpoint on a board where lockstep votes, with little to no public discussion or disclosure, are the norm. The board that is elected in this cycle will be tasked with adopting revised zoning codes based on the soon to be completed Comprehensive Plan update. These zoning codes will guide development and growth in Milton for many years to come – if there ever was a time to elect someone who is not afraid to ask questions and push back where necessary, this is it!
Protecting the character and natural resources of our small town are important to me. I believe we can remain a vibrant community, with low taxes, and a terrific quality of life without creating sprawl from the Town Center or focusing all economic planning on national retail and 24/7 airport operations. And we can do this while welcoming and offering opportunity to all who wish to call our community home.
I respectfully ask for your consideration and vote on Tuesday, November 4
Incumbent Candidate for Milton Town Board: Eric Delnicki (R, Conservative)
Twenty-five years ago my wife and I moved to Milton to raise our kids, and from the start I knew that I wanted to be involved in this community. When beloved town Councilman Frank “Doc” Blaisdell retired in 2024, I was honored to receive the widespread support required to represent the beautiful place we call home.
My extensive private-sector experience has proven to be a valuable asset to the town, and my background in business and management helps me to approach local issues with a balanced perspective, prioritizing fiscal responsibility, efficiency, and long-term planning. With these skills, I have worked with my fellow board members to ensure that Milton continues to meet residents’ needs and protect its quality of life.
Since joining the Town Board, I have joined our current team in focusing on thoughtful and responsible growth that puts residents first, as we strive to keep Milton affordable for working families while also creating an environment where small businesses can succeed. Through smart planning, the current Board has helped leverage the town’s growth to protect greenspace, enhance recreational areas, and improve public facilities.
I believe in listening to the people of Milton, amplifying their voices in town government and making sure their concerns and ideas shape local decision making, because for me serving Milton is about more than policy; it’s about people. I am deeply committed to preserving our area’s small-town charm, while strengthening its sense of community, and ensuring that Milton remains a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come.
Incumbent Candidate for Milton Town Council: John J. Frolish (R, Conservative)
As I seek re-election for a third term, my record speaks for the commitment I have to our town. Having been actively involved in Milton government for over 40 years, on the Fire Advisory and Planning Boards then as a Town Councilman beginning in 2018, it has been a privilege to serve my neighbors. Each of these roles involved a team working together for a common goal–exactly like the current team of our Town Board.
Throughout my tenure I have had the privilege of serving with bi-partisan members of the Budget committee, and have helped to craft balanced annual budgets that meet the town’s needs without raising the tax rate. The proposed 2026 budget will lower taxes by 1.9%. With proper planning, funds are available for long-range projects, such as park improvements and land acquisitions like the Woods Hollow Nature Preserve.
Additionally, working on the Facilities committee with input on the Reimagine Milton studies, we’ve transformed public input into the future of our Town Center. Improvements were made to our Veterans Park, and the Burgess Kimball Memorial Park with the Milton Mile trail, and pickleball courts, with additional phased improvements for generations to come.
I’m proud to be part of a team dedicated to serving our town, nurturing continued good relationships between members of the board, community, department heads, and staff. Serving on the Personnel Committee has led to the selection of the best candidates to fill open positions.
Much of this success was accomplished with long range planning, collaboration and a practical approach to management. Continuing to work as a team allows us to face challenges in a fiscally responsible manner with low taxes, a safe community and valuable public services.
Resident feedback is always welcome and I look forward to incorporating your input into Milton’s future!
In addition to the races going on at the local level, there are a few county-wide races voters should take note of as well as a ballot measure.
Several Candidates for countywide positions are running unopposed in this year’s race. In the county clerk’s race, incumbent Craig Hayner is running unopposed. He is running on the Conservative and Republican Party lines.
The same can be said for the candidates who will be up for coroner this year. Susan Hayes-Masa and Anthony Pernicaiaro are both running with no opposition of the Republican and Conservative lines.
Candidate for Sherriff: Jeff Brown (R, Conservative)
My name is Jeffrey Brown, and I serve as the Undersheriff of Saratoga County.
I am a lifelong Saratoga County resident, growing up in Malta, and graduating from Shenendehowa High School. After graduating with an associate’s degree in criminal justice, I pursued what was the beginning of a lifelong and successful career at the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. Over my career, I worked out of the Malta, Corinth, Clifton Park and Halfmoon Stations and was a proactive Deputy Sheriff, protecting our streets, making arrests and answering calls for service. In 2005 I was promoted to the rank of Investigator. I thoroughly enjoyed working as an Investigator, especially when it came to helping crime victims. I was involved in large investigations including homicides, burglaries and bank robberies. I was then promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain.
In May of 2023, Sheriff Zurlo selected me as his Undersheriff. As Undersheriff I am responsible for all five divisions within the Sheriff’s Office, +300 employees, and a $46 million budget.
Having worked at the Sheriff Office for 27 years and being a lifelong Saratoga County resident, I care deeply about the Sheriff’s Office and the County the members work hard to protect and serve. I have a lot to offer the members of the Sheriff’s Office and the residents of the County. It would be my honor to continue to serve.
I developed a plan which is available on my website jeffbrownforsheriff.com. It includes supporting our School Resource Officer program, crime prevention for our elderly population, having regular coordination meetings with the top law enforcement officials within Saratoga County and providing the support necessary for the Sheriff’s Office members to best provide the services to the community they serve.
Candidate for Sheriff: Ryan Mahan (D)
Ryan Mahan has dedicated more than 20 years to protecting and serving the people of Saratoga County. With over two decades in the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Ryan has built a reputation as a steady, fair, and approachable law enforcement professional who puts people first. His experience spans over many divisions — from road patrol and traffic safety to school and community outreach — and he was instrumental in launching the county’s first School Resource Officer and Youth Cadet programs.
As President of the Saratoga County Deputy Sheriffs PBA for more than 10 years, Ryan has been a strong advocate for deputies and their families, negotiating fair contracts, improving working conditions, and ensuring that law enforcement remains connected to the community it serves. His leadership is rooted in accountability, service, and respect — qualities that have earned him trust across party lines.
Ryan is running for Sheriff because he believes public safety should never be political. His priorities include rebuilding morale within the Sheriff’s Office, strengthening school safety, ensuring transparency, addressing homelessness through compassion and collaboration, and restoring proactive community policing — especially in neighborhoods and communities too often overlooked.
A resident of Saratoga County, Ryan lives in Malta with his wife, Kelly, and their son. He’s an active youth sports coach in Halfmoon and Clifton Park, mentoring the next generation both on and off the field.
Ryan believes leadership means showing up, listening, and working together. As Sheriff, he will focus on unity, fairness, and safety — because Saratoga County deserves a leader who stands with the people, not above them
Candidate for District Attorney: Bobby Logan (D)
I’m running for District Attorney because we need a DA’s office that puts prosecutions ahead of partisan politics and national culture wars. I’ve been a public servant my entire career, prosecuting criminals and investigating fraud by corporations and criminal networks.
I’ve logged thousands of hours in the courtroom in over a decade as an Assistant District Attorney, and then as bureau chief in the Saratoga County DA’s office, I managed and trained Assistant District Attorneys and set policy for the unit – all with the goal of enforcing the rule of law, keeping families safe, and putting serious offenders behind bars.
I am deeply concerned with how my opponent was selected by political party bosses, not voters. We live in a democracy and Saratoga County residents should have a choice at the ballot box – not people running uncontested for the highest law enforcement official in the county.
I’m a husband, father of three young kids, and a proud Saratoga County resident. I want to make sure these communities are safe places to raise children and attractive for employers and small businesses.
I worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx and Suffolk County before serving in the Saratoga County DA’s office. My extensive prosecutorial experience is why I decided to run – my opponent has not prosecuted a case since 2014. That means he has not been on the front lines for the major changes in the criminal justice system. I’ve been in the trenches working cases and supervising attorneys as we dealt with upheaval in the justice system. It takes experience to obtain convictions.
I now serve as an attorney in the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, leading an investigative team to prosecute and root out fraud cases. As DA, I’ll focus on public safety, not politics
Candidate for District Attorney: Brett Eby (R, Conservative)
From his campaign Facebook- Election Day is six days from today. I want to share why I’m the right choice to protect Saratoga County and deliver real results for our community.
The Only Candidate Universally Endorsed by Law Enforcement — Because those who protect us every day trust me to do the same.
A Plan to Combat the Consequences of Bail Reform — Holding dangerous offenders accountable and keeping our communities safe.
Support for Victims — Standing by victims through every step of the court process and continuing to support them after the case is closed with a victim based prosecution initiative.
Experience Helping Those Struggling with Substance Abuse — Promoting recovery programs that stop the cycle of addiction and crime.
A Meaningful Response to the Animal Abuse Crisis — Pursuing justice for vulnerable animals and strengthening enforcement.
Protecting Local Businesses — Delivering swift, efficient responses to property crimes that threaten our local economy.
Tough on Violent Criminals and Sex Offenders — Seeking strict sentences for the most serious offenders to keep Saratoga County safe.
Improving School Safety — Working with educators and law enforcement to make every school a safe place to learn and grow.
Bipartisan Support-I am the only candidate to receive multiple endorsements by elected officials in both parties.
Ballot Amendment
On the back of the ballot this year is a ballot measure regarding land transfers in Adirondack Park. Voters are asked this year whether to allow the state to transfer 1,039 acres of land to the Olympic Sports Complex to be used for skiing and trails.
In exchange for this land, the state would be required to add 2,500 acres of new forests into the park. A yes vote approves the transfer while a no vote denies it.
In terms of support, the New York League of Conservation Voters, Adirondack Council and Protect the Adirondacks support the proposal. The only notable opposition to the proposal came from a New York City politician who worried about the precedent the land transfer would set.
Note: An earlier version of the story did not list the party affiliation of Sherriff’s Candidate Ryan Mahan who is running on the Democratic Party Line. This has since been corrected.
2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Award Winners; People’s Choice Awards; Over 3,000 Tour the Homes!
Patrick Mulvihill, Mike Urvalek, Jesse Boucher, Justin Sitler, John Witt, Mark Johnson, Chris Abele, Geoff Brooks, Peter Belmonte, Amanda Done, Soula Tsitos, Margaret DePaulo. Photo by Cathleen V. Duffy.
The area’s premiere new home tour, the 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes was proudly presented over two beautiful fall weekends this year on October 4-5 and October 11-12. This year’s edition featured 12 extraordinary homes from 10 award-winning builders on display. Participating builders in this year’s event; Abele Homes, Beechwood Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders, Green Springs Companies, Heritage Custom Builders, Kodiak Construction, Urvalek Builders and Witt Construction.
Thank you to the many generous corporate & media sponsors, showcase builders and suppliers, showcase committee, volunteers and especially the over 3000 visitors who purchased tickets to tour these amazing homes in support of this spectacular fall tradition.
All the builder awards were announced at the Showcase Awards Presentation & Celebration held on October 8.
This year’s “People’s Choice” awards went to Abele Homes for Classic Home; DeGraff Bloom Custom Homes for Executive Home; Urvalek Builders for Luxury Home; Witt Construction for Estate Home. Thank you to all the builders for your dedication and congratulations to the 2025 Showcase of Homes Award Winners!
The announcement and presentation of the donations to our two local charities from the proceeds of this annual event will be held in early November.
Celebrating its 29th year, this annual community event has contributed over $1.6 MILLION DOLLARS to our local charities. Proceeds from the Saratoga Showcase of Homes benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (www.rtsaratoga.org) and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties (www.glensfallshabitat.org). For more details on the recently concluded 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event and to view virtual tours of the homes, visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. SAVE THE DATES for the 2026 Saratoga Showcase of Homes scheduled for October 3-4 and October 10-11.
Congrats to the 2025 Showcase of Homes Award Winners!
The content creator ‘Donny Skipper’ is being sued by Claire’s for defamation after they say he made false claims about working for the company.
A local social media content creator is being sued by Claire’s for defamation and trademark infringement for posts made claiming he was fired from the company — among others.
Cooper Wright — who is known by his account name “Donny Skipper” — was sued by the Claire’s Essentials LLC for at least seven social media posts critical of the company.
In these since deleted posts, Wright claimed that he had been fired by the company for social media posts criticizing the government, showed Claire’s merchandise that depicts U.S. President Donald Trump and shows correspondence between him and representatives of Claire’s. Some of the videos appeared to be filmed at the closed Claire’s location in the Wilton Mall.
In addition, on the LinkedIn profile for the fictious Donny Skipper, the documents allege Wright claimed that he had worked at Claire’s since 2022 at their Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park locations.
All of this, according to the lawsuit filed Oct. 7 in federal court, was fake.
“[Wright]’s actions are willful and in bad faith,” The lawsuit states “At all times relevant hereto, [Wright] knew that the content of his social media posts regarding Claire’s was false and continued to perpetuate his false narrative with such knowledge. At all times, [Wright] acted with a reckless disregard for the truth.”
Wright, who lives in Washington County, mainly posts about tenant rights, commentary on political events and issues related to affordability. In a statement to the Albany Times Union, Wright claims that the posts were satire and sought to bring attention to community job losses and the impact of private equity. He said that it was never his intention to mislead or harm the company.
Despite this, Claire’s alleges that Wright’s videos had a tangible impact on their marketing. They claim that in response to Write’s claims, their Instagram post about a recent Halloween product launch, their comment section with negative comments repeating claims made by Wright. The post — which is still on Instagram — has about 500 comments compared to others which typically garner less than 100.
As for the posts which triggered the lawsuit, those have since been deleted and as of Oct. 29, 2025 there is no mention of Claire’s on any of the ‘DonnySkipper’ accounts.
Claire’s is based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. In August 2025, the company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protections and announced that over 200 stores would close as a result of bankruptcy. The next month, the company was bought out by private equity firm Ames Watson. The firm also has a controlling stake in companies such as Lids and Champion.
Although the Claire’s in Wilton Mall wasn’t on the initial closure list, things changed as the store was seen with its shutters down and lights off at the time of publication. The store also doesn’t appear on the Store Locator function of their website.
As for their political activities, while Claire’s used to employ lobbyists from the Greenberg Traurig firm, they terminated their use of the firm of 2022. The last time they were listed as lobbying on any issue, however, was in 2020 when the firm reported that they monitored cosmetic regulation and several bills related to COVID-19 on behalf of the company.
A Brunswick woman is facing several charges stemming from an incident at a hotel in Malta which injured a Saratoga County Sherriff’s Deputy.
Michaela Mariano was arrested on charges of assault, bail jumping, obstructing governmental administration and harassment. The arrest came after Deputies received a disturbance call at the Budget Inn in the Town of Malta the night of Oct. 22.
According to the Saratoga County Sherriff’s Office, the deputy sustained head and neck injuries after hitting their head on a table while trying to take Mariano into custody. At the time, Deputies allege, Mariano was resisting arrest. Mariano also attempted to punch a deputy in the face, however the Sherriff’s Office didn’t indicate whether the punch landed.
Mariano was also found to have a bench warrant for her arrest issued in June 2024 by the Clifton Park Town Court on charges of assault. Mariano was arraigned in the Malta Town Court and is currently being held in the Saratoga County Jail awaiting court proceedings.
Here is a look at the candidates running in Saratoga Springs
With Election Day right around the corner, Saratoga TODAY reached out to the candidates running in competitive races in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding areas.
Saratoga Springs has one candidate running in an uncontested election, Incumbent Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll who is endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic Parties is running for reelection.
Commissioner of Finance Candidate: Jo Ann Kiernan (R, One Saratoga)
With more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance as a Certified Public Accountant, I bring a deep understanding of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and strategic planning. My professional background has provided me with the tools to ensure that financial decisions are made thoughtfully, sustainably, and always in the best interest of the community.
I currently serve as Deputy Mayor and previously spent nine years on the Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education. Additionally, I have served as treasurer for both our homeowners association and the school PTSO. My husband, Todd, and I have proudly called Saratoga Springs home for 22 years, raising our two sons, Aidan and Will, in this vibrant and caring community. I am deeply grateful for all that Saratoga Springs has given us and honored to contribute to the city we love and proudly call home.
Now more than ever, our city’s finance office requires strong, experienced leadership grounded in accounting and fiscal management. Saratoga Springs is facing significant financial challenges due to a lack of long-term planning and accountability in the budgeting process. This has resulted in difficult decisions during the current budget cycle, including potential cuts to essential city services and reduced funding for not-for-profit organizations that so many residents depend on.
These organizations are the heart of our community, supporting families, assisting the homeless, feeding those in need, and providing opportunities for our youth and seniors. When funding is reduced, it’s not just programs that suffer, it’s people.
We must move beyond year-to-year budgeting and instead implement a transparent, forward-looking financial strategy that safeguards our city’s long-term stability. My top priority will be to evaluate the city’s financial position, strengthen forecasting tools, and work collaboratively with all departments to ensure a sustainable fiscal future for Saratoga Springs.
Commissioner of Finance Candidate: Shafer Gaston (D, Working families)
I am Shafer Gaston, running to be your next Commissioner of Finance. I am running on the premise that a combination of technical skills and “soft” skills is needed on the City Council. There are a number of issues that we have seen in the last few months where better stakeholder management and communications would have carried the day. We’ve seen resident confusion on paid parking. We’ve heard conflicting timelines on short-term rental legislation. And just last week, we’ve seen seniors, working families, and students get the rug pulled out from under them by cancelling bus routes. Changes shouldn’t catch our residents by surprise, yet we are failing to identify who the stakeholders are and how best to reach them and bring them into the conversation.
As a project management professional, as well as a former Naval officer and engineering manager, I have years of experience getting everyone on the same page and making sure they walk away feeling heard and enfranchised. No one will get everything that they want, but they will understand why the City made the choice that it did. The trick is to talk to people before the decision rather than trying to walk it back after the damage is done.
I want to keep Saratoga Springs on a successful track and to do that we need to update our land use plans for the 21st century, plan our capital improvements such as the police station and the DPW garage in an integrated fashion that will keep our debt low, and most importantly improve our communication with residents. This will create a positive cultural and economic environment that will provide the quality of life at affordable prices our residents have come to expect. A vote for me is a vote for these objectives.
Incumbent Candidate for Commissioner of Public Works: Chuck Marshall (R, One Saratoga)
When I began serving as Commissioner of Public Works, I pledged to uphold the integrity of the office and work as hard as possible to improve the quality of life here in our great City. I have delivered on the campaign promises I made and have done so with a deep appreciation of the trust you have given me. While there has been a great deal of turnover of the DPW seat in recent years, I believe my re-election will allow for much needed consistency and stability within the Public Works Department.
I am the first DPW Commissioner who has served holding an Engineering Degree and Master’s Degree in Public Administration. In addition to my formal education, I also have private sector experience as the Director of Real Estate for Stewart’s Shops. In this capacity, I’ve participated in over 500 municipal and regulatory meetings along with frequently presenting at relevant conferences. My technical expertise and on-the-job experience allow me to work across the table with my fellow Council members to get things done.
Serving as DPW Commissioner requires balancing the needs of the department with the needs of our community. The City of Saratoga Springs is upstate New York’s treasure and it’s our job to ensure it maintains that status.
During my first term as Commissioner, we’ve implemented quality of life changes such as creating a first-ever leaf pickup schedule, beginning the process of relocating the DPW garage out of a residential neighborhood, improving our sewer and water infrastructure, and bringing in new development such as Treehouse and Chipotle.
While we’ve accomplished much in a short period of time, there’s still much to do. With early voting already underway, I humbly request your vote to continue as your Commissioner of Public Works, and to serve you and this great City.
Candidate for Commissioner of Public Works: BK Keramati (D)
The ultimate responsibility of public officials is to improve our city for the benefit of our citizens. We have had enough condos that cater to the well-off; we need more affordable housing, better sidewalks and safer streets so our children can prosper here and grow their families here.
The most urgent issue facing our city is water. The primary source of our water, Loughberry Lake, is degrading significantly in quality and quantity. This has been going on for years. Our Department of Public Works has the sole responsibility for assuring that we have a safe and plentiful supply of water. But it has failed to inform us of how critical this situation is and what we should be doing about it. We are being told that RFPs (request for proposals) have been issued to find new water! Apparently, things are happening out of the public eye. This is not acceptable.
In addition, our water infrastructure is in serious need for upgrade, a fact that DPW has not adequately addressed for over 20 years. To me, this is not acceptable either.
So, before you vote, I urge you to think about two things:
1. WATER. How important is water in your lives? And how important is it for Saratoga Springs to have a reliable, safe, and plentiful supply for years to come?
2. TRUST. Please take a look at the candidates and just ask: who is funding their campaigns? Who are they beholden to?
Two thirds of my opponent’s campaign fund come from businesses, not real people. My supporters are all real people just like you. I am beholden to you, and only you.
And if I am elected Commissioner, I will work hard to bring civility and respect to City Council proceedings.
Incumbent Candidate for Commissioner of Accounts: Dillon Moran (D, Working Families)
From his campaign website – Dillon Moran has served as Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Accounts since January 2022. Under his leadership, the office has been modernized and his work has brought a vibrancy back to the city that we haven’t seen in a long time.
With a chemical engineering degree from Clarkson University, Dillon has over 30 years of business experience managing money, people and projects. He is also a partner in several successful local businesses that have contributed significantly to the success of our local economy. Dillon has taken on new challenges without reservation and has created innovative approaches to the issues facing our city.
Dillon’s experience in risk assessment, management and mitigation skills have helped the city tremendously during his tenure. Dillon wants to continue to serve you, the taxpayers and residents of Saratoga Springs, to continue making the city we call home the best it can be.
Candidate for Commissioner of Accounts: Jessica Troisi (R, One Saratoga)
I was drawn to Saratoga Springs 32 years ago by the charm of our city, the strength of our community, and the idea of a good life for my family. I’m now running for Commissioner of Accounts because I believe our city deserves leadership that reflects those same values and leads with integrity, accountability, and civility.
The Commissioner of Accounts plays a crucial role in city operations. This office should be a model of transparency, efficiency, and ethical leadership. Recent years have brought controversy, costly lawsuits, and a breakdown of public trust. I believe we can do better — and I’m committed to proving that with action, not rhetoric.
I’ll work respectfully with every member of our city council and every resident, regardless of party, because good government begins with listening — and it succeeds through collaboration.
I hope to earn your trust, your support, and your vote on election day. Let’s move forward together.
Candidate for Mayor: Michele Madigan (D)
Serving as the City’s Finance Commissioner for a decade, I delivered results you can see — stable or reduced property taxes, millions saved through smart refinancing, creation of the Spa Solar Park that now offsets nearly 40% of the City’s electricity costs, and conversion of every streetlight to energy-efficient LED. I set aside city-owned parcels to build three affordable homes downtown with Habitat for Humanity and partnered with New York State Parks and Recreation to fence and improve the City Dog Park for neighborhood families and their pets. As your current County Supervisor, I worked across party lines to finally secure a permanent location for our Code Blue Shelter — something our community had needed for years.
As Mayor, I’ll continue addressing homelessness with compassion and accountability by working closely with RISE and the Outreach Homeless Court, which are making real progress in connecting people with services, treatment, and stability. I’ll also focus on everyday quality-of-life issues: addressing truck traffic through our downtown and historic neighborhoods, enforcing parking and delivery rules to stop double parking, and making Broadway safer, cleaner, and more pedestrian-friendly.
We must also modernize our building and planning departments, expand affordable and workforce housing, and continue investing in sustainability and smart-city technology to position Saratoga Springs for the future.
Let’s keep Saratoga moving forward — with smart growth, clean energy, efficient government, and compassion for those in need. I humbly ask for your vote on Row A, the Democratic line, during early voting or on Election Day, November 5.
Incumbent Candidate for Mayor: John Safford (R, One Saratoga)
From his campaign website: John Safford is a veteran, a community leader, and the current Mayor of Saratoga Springs. A longtime resident and public servant, he brought civility back to City Hall and has become a steady, trusted hand in challenging times. With decades of leadership experience in both public and private sectors, Mayor Safford is known for listening, showing up, and getting results — without political theater.
Whether it’s cutting red tape, expanding affordable housing, or supporting local nonprofits and seniors, Mayor Safford is dedicated to building a stronger Saratoga — for everyone.
Candidate for Supervisor: Minita Sanghvi (D, Working Families)
From her campaign website:
Minita Sanghvi has served as the Commissioner of Finance for the last 4 years and is often called the voice of reason on the City Council.
She is a business professor at Skidmore College with an undergrad in accounting, an MBA and a PhD. She served on the Library Board for 5 years, was a founding member of the Human Rights Task Force and also served on the Charter Review Commission in 2016.
She has lived in Saratoga Springs for 11 years with her wife, son and their newly adopted 3 kittens.
As Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner for two terms, Minita has built bipartisan coalitions to get things done.
– Maintained AA+ credit rating for the city
– Collected 12 years of delinquent taxes
– Opened a third EMS/Fire station and hired 16 new firefighters
– Established a 24/7 homeless shelter
– Added sidewalks, bike lanes, parks, and playgrounds to enhance quality of life
– Increased affordable housing
– Advanced environmental programs such as community compost and urban forestry
– Introduced Participatory Budgeting to fund citizen initiatives, such as pollinator gardens, dog watering station, and children’s literacy bus.
Candidate for Supervisor: George Ehinger (R, One Saratoga)
My name is George Ehinger, and I’m asking for your vote for Saratoga County Supervisor. I’m a 20-plus-year resident, husband and father. I built my career leading businesses across different industries and around the world. I know how to bring people together, solve tough problems and move good ideas forward with clear thinking and measurable results, not ideology.
This year’s race is critical for the city of Saratoga Springs because, for the first time in decades we will be sending 2 new Supervisors to represent us at the county level as neither of the incumbents is seeking re-election. Our strongest, most consistent voice at the county for the past 18 years has been Matt Veitch, a longtime friend who all but hand selected me to run in his place because he knows my collaborative, problem solving approach will work well at the county level.
Phil Barrett, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors has said of this election “if Saratoga Springs doesn’t replace Matt Veitch with another strong voice that can collaborate with other Supervisors the city will suffer as far as representation.”
In that interview on Saratoga Report Chairman Barrett went on to say—
“When it gets right down to it, it’s all about and being able to develop good ideas, speak to your colleagues, collaborate and come together on a solution. That’s how the Board of Supervisors works and those are the people that we need in office.
“I see George as somebody who understands that very clearly and I think he’ll be a strong voice for Saratoga Springs.”
So, this election, make the best choice for Saratoga Springs—vote for George Ehinger for County Supervisor.
Candidate for Supervisor: Sarah Burger (D, One Saratoga)
As I’ve listened to voters over the last several months, a few issues top their list. First, residents are very concerned about skyrocketing costs. We are feeling the squeeze in all aspects of our lives including National Grid, food and now even our city taxes are going up by an unknown amount with the prospect of essential items being cut, like the funding for the senior center.
Even though I will have no vote on the city budget, I will have one at the county level and as your next Saratoga Springs County supervisor I will fight to keep our taxes low.
City residents have also expressed a strong desire that there be civility in government. Accountability lies with the voters whom I trust to choose the best candidates to represent their interests and vow to work professionally with whomever is elected.
Residents also express deep concern about dealing with homelessness. The County has a mandate to provide a Code blue with a permanent code blue shelter. This past year the county purchased land on Ballston Avenue. The next step for the county is to negotiate a land lease with Shelters of Saratoga. As your next Saratoga Springs County Supervisor, I will advocate that the new building be utilized for more than just code blue. The temporary measures we have now are wholly inadequate, and we need additional county resources.
My candidacy is endorsed by the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee, One Saratoga, the Saratoga Springs Professional Firefighters, the New York League of Conservation Voters, former Mayor and Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, former Mayor and Supervisor AC Riley, among several others. I humbly ask for your vote on November 4. You can find me on Row A or Row E.
