Meet the New Deputy Mayor

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The new deputy mayor of Saratoga Springs may be new to politics, but she is a familiar face among the community. Meg Kelly, formerly the executive director of the Saratoga Children’s Theatre, began her new position Monday, July 25, replacing Joe Ogden, who left the deputy mayor position last month for a position as budget director with SUNY. After thoughtful consideration of about a dozen candidates for the nearly $71,000 a year position, Mayor Joanne Yepsen spent time with three finalists who underwent second interviews, including some “in the field” at local events with the mayor. “It was a thorough process,” said Yepsen. “I knew what I was looking for, and Meg Kelly was clearly up for the job. With her skills, community connections, and resourcefulness, I know she will be successful.” Kelly added, “I was looking for a new adventure, a new career path, and this happened at the right time. It’s an honor to be here; I’m very excited.” In her role at the Saratoga Children’s Theatre, Kelly oversaw the business, grant writing and fundraising for the organization. Kelly has also served on the City’s Arts Commission. She has run a successful golf business for over 20 years and was a Class A Member of the LPGA. An author of a golf instructional guide, “Easy Golf,” she also created Saratoga Lifestyles magazine. Kelly is president of Tait Publishing Company. She is foregoing her other interests to focus fully on her new position. “I have worked with her,” said Yepsen. “She’s extremely confident and gets things done, very direct but has a collegial manner – perfect for this fast-paced office.” Yepsen said she’s developed a matrix of goals that she’ll be looking to Kelly to help execute. Some of those priorities include setting up a public arts policy; expanding recreational parks and other aspects of sports tourism; continuing next steps on the Greenbelt Trail; working with nonprofits on a location for Code Blue as well as affordable and workforce housing; working on the charter commission; and soon to be setting up a horse racing summit, among other things. “The whole team here works on constituent services,” added Yepsen, “and the deputy will play a role in that, ensuring constituent questions are answered. She’ll also be coordinator of all the departments that report to the office of the mayor, and filling in on weekly cabinet meetings of department heads if I can’t be there.” Kelly moved here in 1973, graduating from Saratoga Springs High School and later graduating from SUNY Brockport. She and her husband, former city court judge Douglas Mills who served 20 years on the bench, have a 16-year-old daughter. “I’ve known Doug even longer than Meg,” said Yepsen. “He handled my inauguration, swearing me in as supervisor in 2006.” Kelly has been involved in Saratoga Springs most of her life. “It’s a community I truly love,” she said, “and I’m happy to be in service to the City and the mayor.”