To Minta Sanghvi:

As a small business owner whose very livelihood depends on events like the Belmont Festival in Saratoga, I was more than a little disappointed by your short-sighted remarks to the press and the public regarding the success of this year’s event. First, to make a statement without the full financial picture in place is irresponsible. Your statements show how little you know about what it takes to run and market a successful city not to mention a slap in the face to the Saratoga Springs business community, NYRA , The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, The City Center Authority and all the other entities and individuals that worked tirelessly to make the Belmont Festival a success. And it was a success by many measurements: The city received national recognition on Fox News, was the focus of more than one article in the New York Times, gave your business community exposure many could not otherwise afford and brought throngs of new visitors to our city. You may not know the ROI on Belmont at this point, and you may not be able to measure it by your calculations, but I expect more out of the leaders of this city. To put a negative spin on such an incredible event is disheartening and shows your lack of leadership ability.  Belmont 2024 was a boon for the entire capital region and the city of Saratoga Springs is fortunate that we were chosen as the host city. Comments from city leaders like yours may make an entity think twice before hosting an event here in the future. Words Matter! Sincerely,

– Heidi Owen West