LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The attached submission concerns the public discussion surrounding the Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission. Rather than addressing the merits of any specific charter amendment, it focuses on the backgrounds, qualifications, and public-service records of the commission members and the role those factors play in evaluating the commission’s work. The piece is intended as commentary on the commission itself and the public discussion surrounding it.

Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission

Reasonable people can disagree with the Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission’s recommendations and ultimately vote for or against them on the merits.

However, when Supervisor Sarah Burger and Supervisor Minita Sanghvi characterize the commission’s work as a distraction, as failing to improve governance, or as “giving away” representation, they go beyond legitimate policy disagreement. These statements call into question the competence, judgment, and seriousness of the commission members themselves.

The Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission is composed of experienced, community-minded public servants who have collectively devoted decades of dedicated service to our city, including:

•  Vincent DeLeonardis (former City Attorney and Commission Chair)

•  Michael Lenz (former Mayor and Commissioner of Public Works)

•  Matt Veitch (former County Supervisor and County Chairman with 18 years of experience)

•  Attorneys Matthew Jones, Matthew Dorsey, and federal appellate attorney Molly Corbett

•  Former Commissioners Stephen Towne and Lew Benton

•  Former Deputy Commissioner of Finance Deirdre O’Dwyer-Ladd

•  Retired Fire Captain Robert Murphy Jr. and longtime civic leader Dorothy Rogers-Bullis

These individuals bring deep institutional knowledge, professional expertise, and decades of public service to Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County. They are competent and community-minded.

To suggest otherwise — as Supervisor Burger and Supervisor Sanghvi have done — is unfair to the commissioners and inconsistent with their records of public service.

One can respectfully disagree with their specific conclusions. But publicly impugning their competence and dedication is unwarranted and counterproductive.

Saratoga Springs benefits when we debate ideas on substance rather than undermine the competence of respected volunteers who step forward to serve. Attacks like these discourage civic engagement and do a disservice to our community.

– David Buchyn