What Has Made Saratoga Springs the Place to Live?

The answer. Since 1915 Saratoga’s residents have had direct access to the commissioners who govern our city.

This unity created the city we all enjoy today while maintaining its historicalcharm. The residents have one governing body where they bring ideas benefiting the whole city.

The proposed charter would divide the city into wards known as the “Inner East Side,” “North Side,” “Outer East Side,” “South Side,” “West Side,” and “South West Side.” Wards have their own elected council people.

These wards are known to become competitive and exist to promote their respective turfs.

Imagine, the city’s great benefactors speaking to six ward councils, in order to win over their approval for a project NOT IN THEIR WARD!

I hope anyone contemplating abolishing a system of government that has worked for over 100 years will vote down this proposed fragmented and expensive structure. It’s wrong to change what has worked so well over the many years. The present city form of government has welcomed many new residents and deserves the support of everyone. Vote No for charter change. 

– M. Thomas Porter, Saratoga Springs