September 12 – September 18, 2025

I will be supporting Michele Madigan for Mayor this November 4, along with the other endorsed Democrats on Row A.  Michele and I have a well-known record of acute disagreement over Charter Reform, party leadership and other issues.  But we are pulling in the same direction today for several important reasons.

Charter reform.  As a member of the 2016-17 Charter Commission established by Mayor Joanne Yepsen (our proposal came just 10 votes short out of 9,000 from being adopted by referendum), I trust Michele’s commitment to deliver real reform and the millions of dollars that will be saved by adopting a rational structure for City government.

Reform in the building and planning departments. The general public and applicants alike are routinely frustrated, despite years of attempts at streamlining.  Michele will bring her “can do” approach to improvement. 

Independence of public boards.  The City’s public boards, land use, civil service, ethics, etc., perform a vital service by maintaining independence from political control.  But Mayor Safford recently proposed to curtail legal support for these boards’ volunteer members, should they be sued for any reason.  The effect would be to increase political influence over the boards’ decision-making. Michele will keep these boards independent of political control.

Housing affordability.  Michele believes we need to make Saratoga Springs affordable for folks who work in our schools, the hospital, construction and hospitality services essential to our economy. Michele has a practical, fiscally sound plan for increasing the supply of housing that people can afford, while at the same time providing the long-needed 24/7 year-round low barrier shelter for the homeless. 

Fiscal responsibility.  Both our Departments of Public Works and Police have outgrown their legacy facilities. No one who has looked at their space needs would disagree.  Michele’s question is how to expand and modernize without straining the City’s fiscal capacity, or risking its good credit rating, established when she was Finance Commissioner.  Michele believes that a comprehensive solution to the needs of both departments can be financed while keeping the City affordable for us taxpayers. 

For all these reasons I will be casting my ballot for Michele Madigan for Mayor, and all the other Democrats on Row A this November 4. 

– Gordon Boyd

Saratoga Springs