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SARATOGA SPRINGS – Congress Park will serve as the staging grounds for this weekend’s Native American Festival. The significance of the location is not lost on Joseph Bruchac, whose family was involved in the founding of the festival at the Spa State Park a decade or so ago.

“Congress Park is where the original Indian encampment took place a century ago. And that was the original idea years ago, before the state park approached us,” said Bruchac, whose Native American heritage comes from his mother’s side of the family, the Nulhegan Band of the Abenaki Nation. “And the thing about Congress Park is it’s an incredible venue. I think it’s one of the most beautiful parks in the country and designed by (Frederick Law) Olmsted – who designed Central Park. “

Historic maps presented in the 1970s to the city’s Community Development offices place the “Indian Encampment,” in an area adjacent to the so-called “Devil’s Chair” in the northeast section of the park close to Circular Street and Spring streets. The encampments were sited in Congress Park up until just before the start of the 20th century, when they were relocated to an area close to Ballston Avenue. In July 1883, the Saratoga Journal reported on a festival in the “picturesque Indian village,” which “delighted children” and “many well-known citizens and guests” alike, and was highlighted by an Indian medicine ceremony and “fancy rifle shooting by Texas Charley.”

Richard Canfield purchased the encampment grounds in May 1902, according to newspaper accounts of the time. Two decades earlier, Canfield purchased the Saratoga Clubhouse and spent a considerable amount of money during the late 1800s enhancing the building and the surrounding Congress Park grounds. That building – today known as The Canfield Casino houses the Saratoga Springs History Museum and will be used as a staging area for some of Sunday’s events during the Native American Festival.

Sunday’s festival is an important one, Bruchac says. “One of the traditions in our native culture is that we tell stories, and we do this for two reasons: one is to entertain; the other to educate. Sharing culture is one of the best ways to teach people things that they may not have ever thought of before,” he says. “So, our festival will, first of all, let people see contemporary Native Americans. We’re not all existing in the teepees on the Great Plains of a hundred years ago but are part of the continuing community of peoples here in the northeast. And secondly, what they’ll get to see is more than 34 different artists offering their works – from baskets and jewelry, to woodcarvings and stone carvings. Pretty amazing stuff. They’ll get to see the continuing strength of our artistry that is so much a part of Native American culture.”

Three years ago, the festival relocated to the National Museum of Dance. In search of an appropriate venue this year, a conversation with Saratoga Arts Executive Director Joel Reed led to Sunday’s festival staging at Congress Park and at the Canfield Casino. The first Saratoga Native American Festival was a two-day event.

“That first day we had 5,000 people, but the second day we got totally rained out. That happened to us the second year as well, where we had one good day and one really bad rain day,” Bruchac says. “So now, we thought we’d pick the one good weather day, rather than going with one day that’s good and one day that’s bad,” he joked, looking over the predicted sun-filled forecast for the Sunday.

The Saratoga Native American Festival takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22 in Congress Park. The event is free and open to the public. 10 a.m.: Vendors Open. Flute and Drum Music by James, Jesse and Joseph Bruchac. 11 a.m.: Tom Porter‘s Opening Address. The festival will begin with a traditional opening address, delivered in Mohawk and English by Tom Sakokwenionkwas Porter, who positions with the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs and is the spokesman and spiritual leader of the Mohawk community of Kanatsiohareke. Noon: Grand Entry. Black River Drum, Old Soul Drum, Nulhegan Drum. 12:45 p.m.: Honoring of Chief Don Stevens. 1 p.m.: Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers. 1:45 p.m. and 3 p.m.: Smoke Dance Competition. 2 p.m.: Brian Blanchett on Canfield Stage. 2:10 p.m.: Joanne Shenandoah on Canfield Stage. Shenandoah, a Grammy Award winner, is one of Native America’s most celebrated musicians. 3 p.m.: Perry Ground storytelling on Canfield Stage. Perry Ground is a Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. He has been telling stories for over 20 years as a means of educating people about the culture, beliefs and history of the Haudenosaunee. Perry learned most of the stories he shares from the elders of various Native American communities and feels practicing and perpetuating the oral traditions of Native people is an important responsibility. 4:15 p.m.: Kay Olan Storytelling on Canfield Stage. Kay Clan is a Wolf Clan Mohawk storyteller and educator. After teaching for 33 years, she relocated to the Traditional Mohawk Community at Kanatsiohareke where she worked as director. 5 p.m.: Vendors close. Closing Address by Tom Porter

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Patrick Kauth stood atop the lawn at High Rock Park Wednesday morning, trying to encapsulate the thoughts and emotions of the past 18 years into a few poignant words. 

“It’s a changed world,” said Kauth, whose childhood years were spent in the classrooms of St. Clement’s and Saratoga Springs High. He grew up in a hockey family, one of four siblings. His dad, Don Kauth, was killed in the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center.      

“A loss is a loss and you can’t change time,” said Kauth, who teaches history at the Albany Academy.

It was early in September 2001, when Don Kauth drove his son to Merrimack College in Massachusetts, where Patrick was entering his freshman year.

“He bought me own of those huge Dell desktop computers,” he remembered. “Afterwards we ate dinner and exchanged pleasantries and insults, the way that best friends do, because he was my best friend,” he said. “Then he was off to New York the next morning.” Don Kauth worked as a bank analyst for Keefe, Bruyette & Wood at the World Trade Center.

It was a week or so later when Patrick Kauth joined his new college roommates watching the events of 9/11 take form on the TV.

“I remember thinking that this couldn’t be real. At first, I joined along with them, just sat there, and then after about sixty seconds it clicked: wait a minute. He works there. So, I phoned home. And I heard it in my mom’s voice. She hadn’t heard from him. The communication was very difficult that day, but still, he would have found a way. So, I knew pretty immediately that he was gone. “

Kauth was the keynote speaker at the city’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Wednesday morning at High Rock Park. It is a historic park that has been known to Native Americans for over 5,000 years. In the summer of 2012, it became home to the 25-foot-tall sculpture, titled "Tempered by Memory," which was created out of five twisted pieces of World Trade Center steel. Four of the pieces came from the North Tower - distinguished by the antenna on its roof - and one steel beam came from the South Tower.

The ceremony, held on the 18th anniversary of the attacks, began with a welcome from Raymond F. O’Conor, author and CEO of Saratoga National Bank, and the observance included members of the city police and fire departments and the U.S. Navy. Keri Alonzo sang The National Anthem, Rick and Sharon Bolton provided additional music. Chaplain Sid Gordon, Disabled American Veterans, delivered the Invocation and Benediction.

“The attacks caused the deaths of 2,996 people and the injuries of more than 6,000 others,” said city Mayor Meg Kelly, who recited a series of the numbers that reflected the tragic losses of that day at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, on each of the four planes, and the firefighters, paramedics, police officers and others who were killed responding to the attacks and trying to help others.    

“Number of people who lost a spouse or partner in the attacks: 1,609; Estimated number of children who lost a parent: 3,051; Estimated number of New Yorkers suffering from post-traumatic-stress disorder as a result of 9/11: immeasurable,” Mayor Kelly said. “It is with these numbers that we will always mark this horrific day.”   

Kauth says the collective stories of the tragic day’s events, as well as visits to The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York have become as fundamental to him as the battlefields of Saratoga, and Gettysburg, and the museums and the monuments in Washington.

“In particular, it is overwhelmingly emotional listening to our first responders The Day Of - from their own radio correspondence, describing in detail their quickly deteriorating situation and the victims who could not make it out of the stairwell,” Kauth said. “It becomes apparent, pretty quickly, that these heroes knew that they were not making out. That they were going to save as many people before the inevitable collapse.

“I cannot help but think, in awe and with tears streaming down my face, about the bravery and resolve displayed by these firefighters and policemen who wanted nothing else but to just have a chance at saving people like my father,” Kauth said.

“Time does help. I have a family of my own that we’re growing now, and that helps immensely. I love my son more and more each day,” he said, gesturing a few yards away across the park to his wife Shauna, and their 22-month-old son, Oliver.

Asked what he will teach his own son about his father, Kauth said it will be about his dad’s caring for others.  “He was a unique guy. A really thoughtful guy who did a lot for the community and for anybody that needed something. So, what I’ll tell my son is that we have to continue to try and live his legacy,” Kauth said.  “But you’re never going to have that hole filled up completely.”

COURT

Paul C. Zaroba, 45, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Sept. 12 to 1 to 3 years state prison, after pleading to felony DWI, in Saratoga Springs. 

Justin N. Thurber, 33, of Stillwater, pleaded Sept. 12 to felony DWI in Malta. Sentencing Nov. 14. 

Philip E. Griffith, Jr., 54, of Gansevoort, was sentenced Sept. 10 to five years probation, after pleading to felony DWI in Wilton. 

Richard E. Hileman, 36, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Sept. 13 to attempted making a terroristic threat, a felony initially charged July 21, 2019. Sentencing scheduled Nov. 15. 

POLICE

Amahad Danzy, 31, of Albany, was charged Sept. 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a speeding violation. 

Michael Lashomb, 33, of Watertown, was charged Sept. 15 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusing to take a breath test, and speeding. 

Nicholas Hanley, 26, of Clifton Park, was charged Sept. 15 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI and aggravated DWI, in addition to several driving related violations. 

Edward Iannone, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 15 with criminal possession of a controlled substance, and making an improper turn, after being involved in a one-car personal injury accident on Lincoln Avenue. 

Michael Martino, 54, of Oxford, Connecticut, was charged Sept. 14 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a driving related violation. 

Harry Pozefsky, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 9 and again on Sept. 11 with criminal trespass, both misdemeanors. 

Brianne Cogan, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 10 with the misdemeanors: petit larceny, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, and felony grand larceny. 

Gordon Finn, 36, of Albany, was charged Sept. 13 with second degree harassment. 

Bryanna E. Furman, 27, of Ballston Spa, was charged Sept. 5 with grand larceny in the third-degree. 

County Sheriff Issues Public Warning
About The “Felony Lane Gang”

BALLSTON SPA — Sheriff Michael Zurlo would like to make the public aware of a string a thefts from vehicles that have been taking place in Saratoga County and surrounding communities. 

A group of individuals often referred to as the Felony Lane Gang (FLG), have been targeting unoccupied vehicles and stealing wallets and purses from these vehicles. The FBI describes them as “a group of organized burglary and identity theft rings operating in multiple jurisdictions throughout the U.S.” 

The group sometimes takes the items from unlocked vehicles but will also break car windows to gain entry. The areas where this group frequents are typically daycare centers, gyms and parks (including ball fields), locations where women often leave their purses or wallets in their vehicle. 

Residents are asked to not leave purses, wallets or other valuables in their vehicles even if they are only leaving their vehicle for a few minutes. These criminals can commit their crimes in a matter of seconds. 

The MO of the group is to travel to an area in rental vehicles, steal license plates from local residents’ vehicles to place on their rental vehicle, and then steal from vehicles in the above named parking lots during the daylight hours. The group will then use disguises to look like the VI and use the VI’s driver’s license to cash checks at area banks.   

Area law enforcement agencies are actively working together to apprehend these perpetrators. 

City Council will address a series of issues this month that could change the visual landscape of Broadway, enhance the diversity of future political candidates, and alter the directional flow of traffic near the downtown core.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council will address a series of issues this month that could change the visual landscape of Broadway, enhance the diversity of future political candidates, and alter the directional flow of traffic near the downtown core.

On Sept. 2, the council introduced a 44-page lease proposal between the city of Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga Springs City Center Authority. If approved – which could happen by mid-month - the agreement would set into motion the development of a 600-space parking garage project near High Rock Park.

The terms of the lease runs to Dec. 31, 2032 – aligning with the length of the existing lease with the City Center itself, explained City Attorney Vincent DeLeonardis.

Plans call for the City Center Authority to build and subsequently maintain a multi-level, 600-space parking garage atop city owned land, just east of the existing City Center building. “Air rights” for the construction of a so-called pedestrian connector would be included, and bridge the city center with the parking structure, atop Maple Avenue.

The city would receive in return 60 designated parking spaces in the new structure to be used during daytime working hours, as well as 50% of the structure’s excess cash flow. What approximate dollar figure that would equal is “not known at this time,” said DeLeonardis, but is “to be determined by a calculation of the revenues generated minus the debt service and maintenance and operation costs associated with the facility.”

The City Center Authority would also develop an extension of the Green Belt Trail along High Rock Avenue. The city owns approximately 2-1/2-acres of land, currently used for surface parking, that runs from High Rock Park to Lake Avenue, and Maple Avenue to High Rock Avenue, one block east of Broadway. The lease is specific to one portion of that segment – the area of land to the east of the City Center - and only to the development of the parking structure and pedestrian bridge.

A Public Hearing is expected to take place prior to the next City Council meeting, on Tuesday night, Sept. 17. The Council will likely vote on the lease agreement later the same evening. If approved, the development of the parking garage may begin as soon as this fall.  

Parking Congestion at Lake Ave School

The council hosted a 45-minute public discussion Sept. 3 to address student safety and residential concerns as it relates to public parking, student parking and school bus transport in the immediate area of the Lake Avenue Elementary School.  The school faces Lake Avenue and is bordered by Regent Street and Marion Place.  Proposed changes may include altering traffic patterns on some of the neighboring streets. Traffic congestion and the safety of students being dropped off and picked up at the school remains the primary concern. Two public hearings have been held on the matter, and a third is slated to take place Tuesday night, Sept. 17.

Increasing City Council Salaries, Expanding Deputy Residency Requirements to attract Qualified and Diverse Candidates and Appointees

The council staged a Public Hearing regarding a Local Law to amend the City Charter as it relates to terms of office, eligibility and salaries of officers. The law seeks to increase the compensation of the elected City Council members from $14,500 per year to $30,000 annually, beginning on Jan. 1, 2020.

Member salaries have not increased since at least 2001, city Mayor Meg Kelly said. “Consider what $14,500 means per year.  My average work week is about 50 hours. That’s $5.58 an hour. Consider that some of us (on the council) work 30 hours – that’s $9.28 an hour.”

Mayor Kelly advised that the Saratoga Springs salary is comparable with that of Mechanicville, which pays its mayor $12,000. “While Mechanicville shares our Commission Form of Government, it only has a population of 5,200 people with limited tax base, tourism, economy, or destination power,” she said, adding that among 14 comparably sized cities, the average salary paid to the mayor is about $44,500.

“We are entering into a new budget season and the time is right for fair and reasonable discussions about these salaries,” Kelly said. “It is more important than ever to attract talented and diverse candidates. To date, our candidate pool has been largely retirees, the affluent, or people who have the luxury of being supported by a partner’s income…this is a nominal increase aimed at a considerable impact on the quality of our governance.”  

The council did not vote on the matter related to their own potential salary increases, but did unanimously approve a resolution that proposes an amendment to state law to expand geographical residency requirements for deputies.

Each of the five council members appoints a deputy. According to Public Officers Law, all deputies must reside in the city of Saratoga Springs. The council resolution seeks to expand those geographical boundaries to become county-wide. 

The current requirement significantly restricts the number of qualified persons available for the administrative positions, the council says. The expanded boundaries would create an opportunity for council members to seek qualified individuals for positions from anywhere in Saratoga County, and would result in a significant benefit to the public. The proposal seeking an amendment to the existing law will be presented the offices of Sen. Daphne Jordan and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner for submittal to the State Legislature. 

City Approves Six-Year Plan Proposal - Eastside Fire/EMS Facility Tagged a Priority

The city’s six-year proposed capital plan, totaling just under $17 million, was unanimously approved Sept. 3 by the council in a 4-0 vote. Public Safety Commissioner Peter Martin was not present at the meeting.

The plan ranks 36 city projects according to importance with the highest proposed ticketed item being an Eastside Fire/EMS Facility. The city currently has two stations – one just off Broadway and one on the west side. The potential of an east side facility has been discussed for several years. At present, no land where the station would specifically be sited has been determined. The fire/ems station ranks third highest in order of importance.

The six-year Capital plan is updated annually and varies in accordance with changing priorities and budgetary fluctuations. The city’s Comprehensive Budget is presented annually in late fall.   

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee last week announced its endorsements for the 2019 general election.

The committee endorsed incumbent John Franck for Commissioner of Accounts, Patty Morrison for Commissioner of Finance, incumbent Meg Kelly for Mayor, Dillon Moran for Commissioner of Public Works and incumbent Tara Gaston for County Supervisor. The announcement was made by newly named Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee chairwoman Sarah J. Burger.

Earlier this summer, several members of the committee staged a walk-out after incumbent Michele Madigan - the committee’s previously endorsed candidate for Commissioner of Finance - lost the June Democratic Primary to Morrison.

Morrison - on the Democratic line, and Madigan – who will appear on the Independence Party and Working Families Party lines, will face one another in the citywide general election on Nov. 5 when all five City Council positions – including mayor - as well as two Saratoga Springs Supervisor seats, will be up for vote.

The city Democratic Committee also approved a resolution, supported by all endorsed candidates, declaring that survivors of sexual harassment, sexual assault and domestic violence be heard and respected, condemning sexual harassment, sexual abuse and domestic violence and demanding that perpetrators be held accountable.

Kendall Hicks, who is running for Commissioner of Public Safety as a Democrat, has not receive city Democratic Committee endorsement.

On the Republican side, Commissioner of Public Works Anthony "Skip" Scirocco and Supervisor Matthew Veitch - both incumbents, and candidates Robin Dalton – for the position of Commissioner of Public Safety, and Stephen Mittler - for Saratoga County Supervisor, have been endorsed by the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee.

Tim Holmes, who is running for mayor on the Republican line, has not receive city Republican Committee endorsement.

 SARATOGA SPRINGS – At a special mid-day meeting of the City Council Aug. 27, the council approved a new contract to continue the School Resource Officer Program in the city’s public school system for the next two years.

The new contract represents some changes compared to the agreement which what had previously existed.

Previously, if the assigned SRO was not available – those cases including sick days and time off – a replacement had not been provided, explained Public Safety Commissioner Peter Martin. With the desire to have an armed and trained SRO present at the high school every day, the new contract stipulates that should the assigned SRO not be available on any school day, the city will provide a qualified substitute for the position. To meet that expectation, three additional officers began their SRO training on Aug. 27 to ensure there may be substitutes available.

The SRO will be assigned to the school on a full-time basis and on duty at the campus from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. each school day, excluding summer school and summer programs. The School Resource Officer remains an employee of the city and within the chain of command of the Saratoga Springs Police Department.

Previous costs to the school were about $53,000. To meet the additional guaranteed time, the new contract sets costs at $65,000 for the 2019-2020 school year, and $70,000 for 2020-2021.

An additional officer, supplied by the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, is designated for Maple Avenue Middle School, Dorothy Nolan Elementary and the Greenfield Elementary schools.

Among the duties of the School Resource Officer: assisting the Principal in developing plans and strategies to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations which may occur on campus or during school sponsored events.

The SRO shall take law enforcement action as required. Except in an emergency situation, the SRO shall obtain the consent of the principal of the school prior to taking such action. At the Principal's request, the SRO shall take appropriate law enforcement action against intruders and unwanted guests who may appear at the school, and related school functions. And, except in an emergency situation, the SRO shall notify the principal before requesting additional police assistance on campus.

COURT 

Jeffrey D. Hulett, 27, of Saratoga, was sentenced Aug. 30 to 1.5 to 3 years state prison, after pleading to aggravated family offense, in Moreau. 

Zachary M. Ives, 33, of Milton, pleaded Aug. 30 to unlawful surveillance in the second-degree. Sentencing Nov. 1. 

Ryan M. Campbell, 26, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Aug. 28 to attempted robbery in the third-degree. Sentencing Oct. 29. 

James D. Stephens, 30, of Victory Mills, pleaded Aug. 29 to felony burglary, in Milton. Sentencing Nov. 20. 

POLICE

Joseph Murray, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 26 with assault in the third-degree, and criminal trespass. 

Joseph Chatterpaul, 25, of Richmond Hill, was charged Aug. 26 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal of breath test, moving from lane unsafely, and operating a motor vehicle without a certificate. 

Brian Wood, 26, of Gansevoort, was charged Aug. 26 in Saratoga Springs with harassment in the second-degree, and criminal tampering in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Meghan McCabe, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 26 with petit larceny. 

Roth Mitchell, 57, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, was charged Aug. 27 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to stop at a stop sign. 

John Lavada, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 27 with nine counts of petit larceny, and one count burglary in the third-degree. 

Aldo Aburto, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 27 with criminal trespass on Union Avenue. 

Matthew Walters, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 27 with assault in the third-degree. 

Faith Wilson, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 28 with assault in the third-degree, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon. The latter charge is a felony. 

Kevin Thomas, 53, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 28 with failing to report change of address/ status as a sex offender within 10 days. The charge is a felony. 

Cassandra Barden, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 28 with misdemeanor criminal contempt.

Steven Brundage, 28, of Los Angeles, CA, was charged Aug. 30 in Saratoga Springs, with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle – a misdemeanor, and speeding. 

Aziz Ahned, 47, of Niskatuna, was charged Aug. 30 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief misdemeanor. 

Jayde Jasewicz, 43, of Johnstown, was charged Aug. 20 in Saratoga Springs with two counts felony grand larceny, two counts possession forged instrument, and one felony count identity theft/assume the identity of another to defraud. 

Adam Allain, 25, of Malta, was charged Aug. 21 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, speeding, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Henry Ciccone, 44, of Round Lake, was charged Aug. 20 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt felony, aggravated family offense, criminal mischief, and resisting arrest. 

Matthew King, 35, of East Haddam, Connecticut, was charged Aug. 22 in Saratoga Springs with felony DWI as a repeat offense, and operating a motor vehicle without signal devices/ reflectors. 

Karen Street, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 22 with misdemeanor DWI and aggravated DWI. 

Aaron Benware, 48, of Malta, was charged Aug. 22 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt, and stalking. 

Steven Whitcroft, 35, of Stillwater, was charged Aug. 22 in Saratoga Springs with operating a motor vehicle while impaired with drugs, possession of a hypodermic instrument, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Edward Murray, 40, of Queensbury, was charged Aug. 22 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second-degree, and passing a red light. 

Gurjot Grewal, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 22 with criminal contempt, and harassment. 

Joseph Powell, 25, of Mechanicville, was charged Aug. 23 in Saratoga Springs with third degree assault, reckless endangerment, and aggravated family offense, a felony. 

William H. Hicka, 63, of Middle Grove, was charged Aug. 26 following a motor vehicle crash on Lake Desolation Rd. with criminal mischief in the second-degree – a felony, misdemeanor DWI, making an unsafe turn. Hicka is accused of intentionally driving his vehicle into another person’s place of business causing damage in excess of $1,500. 

COURT 

Michael E. Hammond, 49, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Aug. 19 to 1.5 to 3 years in state prison, after pleading to criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth-degree, a felony. 

George P. Manuel, 56, of Wilton, was sentenced Aug. 23 to one year in jail, after pleading to aggravated DWI with a child. 

Gary G. Hayes, 50, of Schuylerville, was sentenced Aug. 23 to five years of probation, after pleading to attempted menacing of a police officer. 

Edward J. Jones, of the town of Saratoga, was sentenced Aug. 23 to four years state prison and 10 years post-release supervision, after pleading to rape in the second-degree. 

David J. Lais, 46, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced Aug. 23 to five years probation, after pleading to felony grand larceny. 

Adam M. Current, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in state prison, on the charge of felony grand larceny in the second-degree. 

Dillon J. Ball, 25, of Fort Edward, pleaded Aug. 23 to aggravated family offense – a felony, in Saratoga. Sentencing Oct. 23. 

POLICE 

Dominick A. Monge, 24, of Amsterdam, was charged Aug. 25 with unlawful surveillance in the second-degree – a felony. Monge is accused of using his cell phone to obtain footage of another person in a public restroom at the Wilton Mall. 

Harry Pzefksy, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 23 with aggravated harassment.

Raphael Basso, 33, of Poughkeepsie, was charged Aug. 24 with one felony count and one misdemeanor count possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of marijuana, in Saratoga Springs.    

Rachel Myott, 37, of Boynton, Florida, was charged Aug. 25 with obstruct governmental administration, and resisting arrest, in Saratoga Springs. 

Justin Lebarron, 34, of Gansevoort, was charged Aug. 25 with felony burglary, on Ash Street in Saratoga Springs. 

William Kurtzner, 36, of Boynton Beach, Florida, was charged Aug. 25 with misdemeanor DWI and aggravated DWI, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, unsafe backing of a vehicle, and refusing to take breath test. 

Jayson Hooks, 34, of Schenectady, was charged Aug. 25 with assault, in Saratoga Springs. 

Isaiah Robinson, 24, of Albany, was charged Aug. 24 with endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawful possession of marijuana, in Saratoga Springs. 

Cody LaFlamme, 25, of Eagle Bridge, was charged Aug. 25 with third degree assault, in Saratoga Springs. 

Kyle Smith, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 16 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failing to yield right-of-way. 

Richard Borman, 66, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 16 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving with obstructed view. 

Keokik Herring, 29, of Schenectady, was charged Aug. 18 with misdemeanor DWI and aggravated DWI, making an unsafe turn, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. 

City police announced two arrests in connection with an altercation that occurred July 27 at 58 Kaydeross Ave. West, where authorities responded to a large fight and a man with a gun, according to police. Edward J. Lorman Jr., 29, unknown address, was charged with menacing in the second-degree; James M. Caron-Williams, 24, Kaydeross Ave West, was charged with criminal nuisance in the second-degree, a misdemeanor. 

John J. Scott, 24, of Ballston Spa, was charged Aug. 20 with attempted rape in the second-degree and attempted dissemination of indecent materials to minors. Both charges are felonies. Scott is accused of initiating and continuing on several occasions online contact with an undercover police officer posing as a juvenile female, culminating in an attempt to meet the female for sexual relations at a park in Milton, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

Jeanine Dalton, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 13 with aggravated harassment. 

Sarah Plude, 31, of Fort Edward, was charged Aug. 14 in Saratoga Springs with petit larceny, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Joelle Butler, 35, of Ballston Spa, was charged Aug. 15 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding. 

Jose Munoz, 30, of Duarte, California, was charged Aug. 15 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass. 

Harry Pozefsky, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 15 with criminal trespass, and charged Aug. 24 with aggravated harassment.    

COURT 

Robert Loya, Jr., 31, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Aug. 12 to 2.5 to 5 years in state prison, after pleading to felony forgery. 

Travis J. Varney, 31, of South Glens Falls, pleaded Aug. 12 to aggravated DWI, a felony, in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing scheduled Oct. 7. 

Patricia A. Washco, 63, of Albany, was sentenced Aug. 14 to five years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI, in Saratoga Springs. 

Nathan J. Suprenant, 32, homeless, Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Aug. 14 to one year in jail  after pleading to felony assault. 

Joe L. Still, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Aug. 15 to one year in jail, after pleading to two felony counts of criminal contempt in the first-degree, and two misdemeanor counts of tampering. 

William Allen, 25, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Aug. 15 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, and assault – both felonies, in Greenfield. Sentencing Oct. 17. 

Joel M. Burgess, 39, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced Aug. 16 to five years of probation, after pleading to criminal contempt in the first-degree, in Milton. 

Matthew R. Tucker, 30, of South Glens Falls, was sentenced Aug. 16 to time served, after pleading to failure to register or verify as a sex offender. 

Collin A. Morency, 20, of Greenwich, pleaded Aug. 16 to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony, in the town of Saratoga. Sentencing Oct. 17. 

William B. Shafer, 32, of Ballston Lake, pleaded Aug. 16 to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony, in the town of Wilton. Sentencing Oct. 10. 

POLICE

On Aug. 15, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office concluded a lengthy investigation into alleged illicit activities occurring at the Oriental Spa at 357 Milton Ave. in the village of Ballston Spa. As a result of the investigation, several people including three Chinese nationals were arrested. 

Xiu Fen Feng, 56, and Lawrence B. Boutillette, 71, were each charged with the felonies promoting prostitution in the third-degree, and unauthorized practice of a profession. Limei Ning, 43, was charged with the unauthorized practice of a profession – a felony, and prostitution – a misdemeanor. Kanjwei Liu, 48, was charged with unauthorized practice of a profession. They are alleged to have operated a business that allowed and promoted prostitution.  The business was licensed as a massage parlor however did not employ any licensed massage therapists. 

Paul Ferrara, 40, of Ballston Spa, was charged Aug. 9 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt and harassment.

Chris Siemonidis, 51, of Latham, was charged Aug. 10 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating an unregistered vehicle, and failure to use designated lane. 

Danielle Montville, 25, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 10 with disorderly conduct, criminal tampering, resisting arrest and second-degree assault. 

James Saleh, 21, of Troy, was charged Aug. 10 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Kimberly Sargent, 34, of Ballston Spa, was charged Aug. 11 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and making an improper turn. 

Aamar Cotton, 34, of Latham, was charged Aug. 11 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating without stop lamps, operating without an inspection certificate. 

Stacia Sheehan, 49, of Ballston Spa, was charged Aug. 11 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and driving a motor vehicle across a sidewalk. 

Kevin Sullivan, 29, of Menands, was charged Aug. 12 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, driving the wrong way on a one-
way street, and license restriction violation. 

Terry Chatman, 62, of Lexington, Kentucky, was charged Aug. 12 in Saratoga Springs with operating a motor vehicle while impaired with drugs, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Arturo Fragoso, 51, of Elmont.  was charged Aug. 12 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and refusal to take breath test. 

City Streets

The City Council this week announced an experiment on Henry Street which will see the two-way road transformed into a one-way street for motor vehicles. The free lane space created will then be turned into a two-way cycle track. The pilot project – which will run from Saturday, Sept.14 through Sunday, Sept. 29 - will measure the impact of implementing this low-cost engineered design to create the urban segment of the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail from Lake Avenue to Spring Street.

Henry Street, which runs adjacent to the rear-side entry of the Saratoga Springs Public Library,  was named after Henry Walton – a man of high culture and polished manners who possessed the faculty of binding to himself close social ties to the educated and the refined, according to William Stone’s late 19^th century writings, “Reminiscences Of Saratoga.” Walton was a judge and landowner during the early development of the local community.  

A Public Hearing was held Aug. 13 regarding traffic congestion and the safety of students being dropped off and picked up at the Lake Avenue School, which faces Lake Avenue and is bordered by Regent Street and Marion Place.  Potentially converting one of the two-way streets into a one-way street, as well as implementing “traffic calming-solutions” such as a large, billboard-esque electronic speed monitor were among the topics of discussion. The public hearing remains open and will be revisited by the council.  

City Salaries

A Public Hearing was scheduled and will take place at 6:40 p.m. during the Sept. 3 City Council meeting regarding a Local Law to amend the City Charter as it relates to terms of office, eligibility and salaries of officers. The law seeks to increase the compensation of the elected City Council members from $14,500 per year to $30,000 annually, beginning on Jan. 1, 2020. Member salaries have not increased since at least 2001, Mayor Meg Kelly said.

City Center Parking Garage Hearing Scheduled

A Public Hearing was scheduled to also take place Sept. 3 regarding the crafting of a lease between the City and the City Center Authority that will potentially see the City Center develop and operate a 600-space parking garage near High Rock Park.

The project proposal includes two phases of development along the city-owned 2-1/2-acre parcel that runs from High Rock Park to Lake Avenue, and Maple Avenue to High Rock Avenue, one block east of Broadway. The City Center Authority has applied for a building permit, and if the lease agreement is approved, the project may begin development this fall and be partially completed by next summer, according to a spokesman for the City Center. 

Current plans involve only Phase 1 of the project – on 1.75 acres directly east of the City Center and the Algonquin lot.

Phase 1 call for a multi-level, 600-space parking garage, a “pedestrian connector” atop Maple Avenue to run between the City Center and the parking structure, and an extension of the Green Belt Trail along High Rock Avenue, where there is 50 feet of space between the potential structure and the curb line. A small “pocket park” has also recently been added to the plans and will sit at the southeast corner of Phase 1 plans.

Capital Plan – Announcement on Code Blue Coming Oct. 1

City Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan will bring the proposed 2020 comprehensive city budget to the council Oct. 1 and “will include a financial plan to move the city forward with a permanent Code Blue Shelter,” Mayor Kelly said this week. “Commissioner Madigan and I have been working very hard to find land for a permanent location and we are making great progress.” The city is working with Shelters of Saratoga on the emergency homeless shelter. 

A separate, six-year proposed capital plan totaling just under $17 million was also announced this week. The plan ranks 36 city projects according to importance. The highest ticket item is $6.6 million for an Eastside Fire/EMS Facility. The city currently has two stations – one just off Broadway and one on the west side. The potential of an east side facility has been discussed for several years. At present, no land where the station would specifically be sited has been determined. The fire/ems station ranks third highest in order of importance.

Other high-cost items include a Loughberry Lake Dam Embankment stabilization and spillway project – ranked 2nd overall and carrying a cost of $1.75 million, and the Geyser Road Trail construction – specifically related to the area in and around Route 50. The project would ultimately connect the Geyser Crest neighborhood with the Saratoga Spa State Park and Railroad Run.  The council will likely vote on the Capital Budget at its next meeting, Sept. 3.