Displaying items by tag: divorce

SARATOGA SPRINGS—On October 28, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announced a historic partnership that will lead to the world-class chamber music company to a residency at SPAC beginning next August 2014.

A three-week six-concert residency will be programmed by CMS. Performance dates will be August 11, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26. Artist and repertoire details will be announced in the near future. 

On the Spa Little Theatre stage where the announcement was made were CMS artistic directors David Finckel and Wu Han, Marcia White, SPAC president and CEO, Susan Read, SPAC board chairperson and Suzanne Davidson, CMS executive director.

Following the announcement, in their roles as Musical America’s 2012 musicians of the year, cellist David Finkel and pianist Wu Han enchanted the audience with a musical interlude. The duo’s international engagements have taken them to the Far East and Europe to unanimous critical acclaim.

WILTON — A late night fire on Monday, October 28, which may have suspicious origins closed down the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s Wilton branch building on Old Gick Road.  

There were no injuries reported from the fire, which was reported to begin about 10 p.m. The branch was open at the time and a total of about a dozen members and staff were evacuated without incident.

The building affected by the fire was the oldest at the Wilton complex, which led to a complete closure of the branch on Tuesday. 

However, the tennis court building and additional facilities which were part of a $7.5 million expansion of the branch were reopened the next day. 

At the scene, Greenfield Fire Chief John Lant was quoted as calling the fire” very, very suspicious,” saying that State Police dog had found something at the site that is being investigated as a possible accelerant. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday, October 29, Saratoga Springs Assistant Chief John Catone announced that there is a person or persons of interest in the ongoing investigation of the fire which occurred on July 28 at 106-108 Woodlawn Avenue.

No arrests have been made at this point, although officials have said that they believe that the fire was arson. Within a day after the fire, police had executed a search warrant for a home in the town of Wilton. 

On Tuesday, police said that the ongoing investigation revealed that the fire had multiple points of origin and flammable liquids had been found at the scene. 

Though no arrests have been made, Catone characterized that as a matter of evidence falling into place. 

“If we wanted to go out make an arrest we could do that, our ultimate goal is to put the person or people responsible in prison,” he said.

BALLSTON SPA —The monthly county Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, October 15 began with Supervisor Dick Rowland (Greenfield) presenting

Candidates from  Galway answered the following questions:

Q1: What are the three most critical issues facing Saratoga County today and in the near future?

Q3: Given the growth in population and economic development in Saratoga County, what is your vision for the next ten years?

Q3:What is your motivation for running for this office ? What special skills, knowledge, experience or training do you bring to this position?

Regina Doi

Q1: Saratoga was the fastest growing county in the Capital Region and eight of our towns were among the top 100 fastest growing towns in the state. Considering such rapid growth, the three critical issues facing the county are: Affordable Housing and Social Services, Sustainable Development, Cost/care for Aging Infrastructure Regardless of issues facing the County, it's my goal to have Galway folk know the county issues and encourage them to voice their opinions so that I may act on their behalf.

Q2: For Galway I envision agriculture, small businesses and workforce commuters choosing a well-planned rural quality of life over that of unplanned housing sprawl. I’ll encourage young families to invest by strengthening Galway's economy through the creation of a chamber of commerce, service business districts (ie. pharmacy), a farmers and artists network that caters to tourism, and work with the county for the establishment of a daily work bus run to reduce the amount of commuter traffic.

Q3: For 5 years as the Galway Library director, I’ve listened to folks wish that our Town Government was more transparent, responsive and reachable. It's time to give voice to our Town Tax Payers and act on their concerns. My leadership has proven to our tax payers that: I am accessible, my management skills are fiscally sound, I communicate the library’s services, and actions on a weekly basis to the public, I use current web technology for outreach, I diligently pursue grant funds, and  I care”.

Paul E. Lent

Q1: The county must rebuild its fund balance to provide for a good financial foundation. We must find a way to manage ever increasing state mandates that strain county resources. Saratoga County has a large infrastructure of highways, bridges, buildings and other systems all of which require monitoring and good management to keep costs in check and yet keep this infrastructure up-to-date so it is efficient and effective.

Q2: Over the next 10 years the county must develop cost effective ways to deal with managing the growing demands on our county infrastructure and our public safety services due to increased population. I see the county taking well-thought out and methodical steps to meet those demands while keeping costs in check. I see building on the achievements it has made such as the development of the Zim Smith trail system for all residents to enjoy

 and balance green space needs with growth.

Q3: My motivation to run for the position of Supervisor is to continue to serve the residents of Galway as I have as a member of the Town Board, as Deputy Supervisor and past Chairman and member of the Galway Planning Board. My blend of private sector senior management experience combined with my many years of service in county government as Director of Emergency Services for Saratoga County has provide me with the required experience, knowledge and training to be an effective Town Supervisor. 

Candidates from Malta answered the following questions:

Q1: What are the three most critical issues facing Saratoga County today and in the near future?

Q2: Given the growth in population and economic development in Saratoga County, what is your vision for the next ten years?

Q3:What is your motivation for running for this office ? What special skills, knowledge, experience or training do you bring to this position?

Paul J. Sausville 

Q1: The three most critical issues facing the County in the near future are State unfunded mandates, the need to grow our economy and growing employee expenses including post employment expenses.

Q2: A great future is in store for Malta and Saratoga County. A new and modern Round Lake Road will be constructed to solve existing traffic problems. GlobalFoundries will be building FAB 8.2 that will create 21st Century jobs for our children and grandchildren. Brown's Beach will be restored for public use. The Hudson Valley/Malta TECH SMART Campus will expand to educate future high-tech workers; The Round Lake Preserve will be constructed and have a new canoe launch.

Q3: I am motivated by the belief that we all should contribute to making the world a better place for our children and grandchildren. For the skills that I possess, I can make the biggest contribution to the world right here in Malta. I have eight years of experience as Town Supervisor, six years as Councilman, 35 years as a Professional Engineer, many years leading the Planning Board and Zoning Update committee. I am a graduate of the University of Vermont.

 Cynthia C. Young 

Q1: In Saratoga County, development pressures, maintaining our quality of life and making sure that we are fiscally sound are, in my opinion the most pressing issues. We need to encourage economic development by finding creative incentives to businesses. Saratoga has a lot to offer and is a great place to live and work.

Q2: I believe that Saratoga County will become a region on the cutting edge of new technologies. We are already encouraging growth in STEM education and technologies. I hope that this trend continues. New industry and jobs will help to make us fiscally sound.

Q3: I believe that the Town of Malta needs new leadership. Malta faces development pressure and we need to face the future with a realistic vision. I also hope to promote a more open process and transparency. I have served the town in many different capacities and believe that I have the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill the position.

All three candidates answered the following questions:

Q1: What is your motivation for running for this office? What special skills, knowledge, experience or training do you bring to this position?

Q2: What are the three most critical issues facing Saratoga County today and in the near future?

Q3: The NYS Comptroller has listed Saratoga County as fiscally distressed. How do you believe this problem should be addressed?

Q4: Given the growth in population and economic development in Saratoga County what is your vision for the next 10 years?

Kenneth Ivins Jr.

A1: I am running to represent the citizens of the City on the County Board of Supervisor. I have served the City taxpayers as Commissioner of Finance, for four years. This gives me a unique experience that would be an asset as a Supervisor. I was the President of the Southern Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce for seven years. In that timeframe I established many relationships all around the County. Those contacts provide me with a broad perspective of our County.

A2: The three most critical issues facing Saratoga County are taxes, jobs and growth of the County. These issues are strongly connected to each other and if managed properly the County taxpayer will be the benefactor. With the right leadership we can ensure a strong economic climate that will keep our taxes low, allow our children to find good paying jobs in the County and see improvements to an already great quality of life in Saratoga.

A3: Maplewood Manor has negatively affected the strong financial position this county has maintained over the years. It has been losing more than $10 million per year. The Board of Supervisors has taken steps to sell the nursing home and reduce the budget deficit attributed to Maplewood Manor. The Board has also begun the process of selling the unused landfill. The revenue from this unused asset will also help reduce the stress on the County budget by adding a much needed revenue stream.

A4: Many counties are envious of Saratoga County. There is a song titled “My future is so bright I have to wear shades.” That is us right now. By bringing in Global Foundries, we have taken a big step toward a very bright economic future. The key now is to direct the future so we can maintain a strong quality of life. In ten years our county will look dramatically different that it did 10 years ago. We can embrace that change and leverage it to ensure an even better quality of life.

Peter R. Martin

A1: I foresee opportunities and risks that I am prepared to address. I worked over 20 years as an officer of one of the area’s most successful financial services firms. I used my education in economics, finance and law to achieve success there. Governor Cuomo appointed me county clerk where I have opportunity to participate in the operations of our county’s government. I have been able to efficiently enhance service to the public and I have observed lost opportunities for improving county service.

A2: Sustainable Economic Development: Start by fostering growth of our historic industries – tourism, horses and farming. Add the infrastructure to service clean manufacturing and professional development: jobs that will bring young families back to Saratoga; Our  Antiquated Infostructure — roads, water sewer and utility service- plan for future growth that doesn’t include traffic jams and pollution. We need imaginative mass transportation solutions; Our Environment: plan green space, parks and trails 

A3: The comptroller’s score: 63.8 percent, moderate stress, reflects inadequate general fund balance; for years, spending more than we took in- dipping into fund balances to pay for ongoing expenditures. Factors include losses at Maplewood Manor, money pumped into the county landfill before eventually selling it for a loss and poor revenue estimates. Sale of Maplewood and landfill should reduce the fiscal stress for 2014, but we need to investigate lost county revenue opportunities and improved budgeting.

A4: We must play to our strong suits while preparing infrastructure designed to cope with the growth. Foster tourism by protecting our green space and enhancing parks and trails. Welcome our new clean manufacturing base by preparing for the stress on our roads and utilities. Protect the history and character of Saratoga Springs. Have shovel ready projects available for transportation and infrastructure development. SEDC and a long term plan are not mutually exclusive; rejecting SEDC was a mistake.

Matthew E. Veitch

A1: I am running for Supervisor to continue to serve the public at the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. With my professional life in technology, and what I have learned in government, I have seen issues with efficiencies in government, and led me to propose solutions to solve them. During my three terms as Supervisor I have continued to develop my skills in working with others, in order to get us what we need as a City at the County level.

A2: The three biggest issues facing Saratoga County now are the continuing fiscal issues with unfunded State Mandates and keeping our fiscal condition strong, the potential effects of full-scale Casino gambling on our community, and making sure we are planning for our future in Economic Development. All three of these issues have and will affect our County's bottom line, the tax rate, jobs, and quality of life and my job is to protect make sure the public's interest in these issues is represented.

A3: This problem is already being addressed and is something we are always looking at the County level. The steps taken to remove the tax burden of the County's nursing home, to continue to promote our strong retail sector to gain tax revenue, and by creating a long-term Econmic Development plan, we are doing what we can to correct any fiscal issues we are having. As a County that is among the lowest-taxed and fastest-growing in the State, I see our situation improving over the next few years.

A4: I see the County continuing to grow over the next ten years. I have always supported prudent and comprehensive economic development, and the County has undertaken an Economic Development strategic plan, that will guide our actions over the next decade. We have to continue to have balance in our growth and be supportive of efforts to preserve green space, to provide public amenities such as multi-use trails, and to make sure that we are preserving the County's quality of life for our residents.

GREENFIELD — The Town of Greenfield Planning Board recommended to the Town Board that Skidmore College’s application for a new solar facility be approved.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Center for the Family has re-opened their doors offering mental health counseling, educational and preventative programs as well as their Harriet M. West Child Advocacy Center resources.