City Desk

See Click FIXED

2012-02-09T15:32:00.004-05:00

Here is a post reported on the SeeClickFix.com website that we write about weekly (when it is possible)

Red light at Rock and Rt.50 burned out

The red light facing Rock St. on the North Broadway side of the intersection with the arterial has been burned out for at least 4 months
Related Issues, reported Gary Hasbrouck

The first two comments were about what you would expect and see often. People giving info on who to call to fix it.

"Report This to DOT. It's their responsibility. 1-800-POT-HOLE," said PD, who, by the way has 1785 civic points. I don't know what that means, but it's impressive.

Next, someone said they had, indeed, reported the problem to DOT.

But here's the one that gets me:

"It will be fixed later today.

I find it strange that Mr. Hasbrouck took the time to get on his computer, go to the website, and enter his issue rather than take the 10 seconds to call NYSDOT and report the problem so we can fix it.

Thanks,
Mark Pyskadlo, P.E.
NYSDOT - Region One Traffic Engineering
328 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 388-0380"

Even the DOT is using SeeClickFix to get things done!

And I just want to say, in solidarity with Gary Hasbrouck, NOTHING involving a state agency takes 10 seconds. Granted, it would have been easier for the DOT if Gary would have just called, but just trying to figure out who to call can often take longer than it should.

And actually, I called the 1-800-POT-HOLE number supplied by PD, and I did get someone immediately, but it was an operator who takes calls specifically about potholes, and faxes the info to the DOT.

She said she could take more info if I wanted to report another complaint, but she said she didn't know if they would check for anything but potholes.

So FYI, if you have a pothole to report, by all means that 800 number works. Otherwise, I guess call Mark, or report it on Seeclickfix.com

Gramercy Communications contract

2012-02-07T16:51:00.005-05:00

I thought I had it in hand.

I FOILed for it along with the financial information of the non-profit group, Saratoga Affordable Housing Group, headed by Housing Authority Director Ed Spychalski to develop properties in the city.

He handed me a manilla folder Tuesday and said it was in there.

It wasn't.

I honestly think it was a mistake. He and I discussed Gramercy's contract, but I didn't look for it in the packet because it was in-and-amongst the financials of the non-profit.

He told me, though, they were making "A buck and three-quarters an hour," which I took for 100 times that. He later confirmed that.

"It was a short-term arrangement," Spychalski said, corroborating Ed Wohlleber's statement about the contract.

However, Eric Weller, a board member on the Housing Authority Board of Directors confirmed the number but not the sentiment.

"It was a short-term contract," he said, saying it had been "terminated." "We were unhappy with the results."

Spychalski, in a meeting Tuesday, said the PR firm had done what it was supposed to do.

"I was getting calls at 9, 10 at night and at 6 in the morning," Spychalski said. "It was interfering with the work I do at the Housing Authority."

He said he hired Gramercy at the behest of the Housing Authority's attorney to field calls and help get info out there about the situation at the Housing Authority.

"We were getting crushed out there (in the press)" Spychalski said. And he said taking on Gramercy "helped a lot."

"I think I had to do it because I could not get the job done I do here," he said.

Spychalski said the Housing Authority hasn't gotten the final bill on the service. So far they have paid out about $5,000 (about 28.5 hours) and he said "there's not much more."

State of the City

2012-02-06T13:13:00.005-05:00

I did not cover the State of the City this week, but my colleague Michael Cignoli did and reported that the mayor is eying south South Broadway to potential re-development.

The mayor said the stretch of Route 9 between Adirondack Northway Exit 13 and Lincoln Avenue is “vastly underutilized, underdeveloped.”

That is something I will be following-up on in more detail later in the week, as it seems to be the tip of some unknown iceberg involving the city's comprehensive plan.

At the City Council's agenda meeting Monday morning, the mayor said that the city's comprehensive plan needs to be reevaluated. The word "scrapped" was used, but he said the city would be looking at how to proceed with it.

Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen said he doesn't think the mayor was talking about the overall plan, but rather the latest portion of it added in 2007.

He said a reevaluation of the entire Comprehensive Plan "would make all the sense in the world."

Mathiesen pointed out that the "Green-belt" that surrounds the city and is outlined in the 2001 Comprehensive Plan would be impacted, "which is why I want a Comprehensive Plan Committee to take a look at it."

In addition, the charter requires the city review its plan every five years, which means it is just about due.

So I'll be following up on that this week, but in the mean-time, here is Michele Madigan's response to the mayor's speech Sunday.

"The Mayor’s speech today contained many eloquent words urging cooperation and an end to partisanship. While he may not have completely heeded his own advice (subsequently deriding the “tax and spend mentality of the past”) I believe that we all are public servants with the best interests of the City of Saratoga Springs at heart.
I was encouraged by the tone and content of the Mayor’s remarks on casino gambling in New York. We must first and foremost be concerned with the impact this would have on the horse racing industry and must vigorously defend our quality of life and our city finances from any deleterious impact of casino gambling in our backyard. I was also very pleased to hear the Mayor demand both an increase in our share of the VLT revenues generated by our racino and a guarantee from Albany that we will receive those funds each and every year.
VLT aid is a revenue source that has become critical, albeit still difficult to rely upon, to this City. The Mayor stated – rightly – that “it would be financially irresponsible to rely on those funds to simply balance an annual operating budget”. Unfortunately, this is precisely what the previous Council did in the 2012 Budget that it devised and adopted. Despite uncertainty as to the existence or amount of any VLT revenue provided by Albany for this year, despite past experience with this issue, the previous Council relied on the VLT revenue to balance the 2012 Operating Budget. We must continue our vigilance with our Albany compatriots to retain and increase amounts to offset our significant expenses as host City. We must continue to look for ways to most effectively utilize VLT revenue.
The Mayor’s remarks on the unappropriated unreserved fund balance also require clarification. The Mayor stated that this fund balance increased by $4.2M in 2010. In fact, the fund balance grew by roughly $1.35M from 2009, a substantial difference that we must understand and be aware of in order to accurately plan and budget for the future of the City. Moreover, as Finance has discussed with the Mayor, we are not yet in a position to state that an increase in the fund balance was achieved in 2011. While an increase would be welcome, the City’s 2011 books do not close until the end of February and this number will not be finalized for several weeks. Good planning dictates that we use solid, accurate data to make important statements about the City’s finances.
The current administration has just closed its first month of duty with a truly remarkable set of projects and much progress to show for it. I look forward to the State of the City 2013 and I have confidence that it will resound with the success of this year.
Thank you,
Michele Madigan
Commissioner of Finance"

Mayor Scott Johnson later found some areas he wanted to respond to regarding Madigan's response.
"No one is using the VLT funds to balance the 2012 budget," he said. Johnson pointed out that $1 million of the $1.5 million was placed into a reserve account as a rainy-day fund.
He also took issue with her statement regarding his statement in 2010 that the "fund balance increased by $4.2M in 2010. In fact, the fund balance grew by roughly $1.35M from 2009, a substantial difference," she said.
"The point was that the amount at the end of 2010 would be $4.2 million," Johnson said.
In addition, he said he was a little confused at the beginning for why Madigan had drafted the response in the first place.
"I don't recall anyone ever writing a response to the State of the City address," he said.

Housing Authority public relations follow-up

2012-02-03T09:40:00.004-05:00

I received a response to my queries as to whether the PR firm had been let go, as was alleged in an anonymous comment on my blog post Thursday.

Here it is in its entirety from Eric Wohlleber, VP of Gramercy Communications:

“Not sure about a rumor, but I can tell you that our engagement does end on Sunday. Our work was limited in time and focused on responding to a large volume of media inquiries and assisting with the dissemination of information to the public. I would like to add that our job was never to ‘spin’ information, and any suggestion otherwise is an insult to a profession we take very seriously. Our company has a long track record of success and is well regarded for our professionalism and our many community works.”

As for the insults he takes exception to, that had me a little confused at first. That is until I received a "friendly" call from Wohlleber yesterday. He was responding to my calling him a "flack" in a blog post yesterday.

We had a "lively debate" to quote Dennis Brunelle when he described the Housing Authority's public meeting last month in which residents shouted about not being able to speak.

Now first off, a flack is, to quote Dictionary.com (which I also quoted to him):
flack
noun Sometimes Disparaging.
1. press agent.
2. publicity.
verb (used without object)
3. to serve as a press agent or publicist: to flack for a new rock group.
4. to promote; publicize: to flack a new record.

Not to be confused with:
Flak
noun
1. antiaircraft fire, especially as experienced by the crews of combat airplanes at which the fire is directed.
2. criticism; hostile reaction; abuse: Such an unpopular decision is bound to draw a lot of flak from the press.

Ok, so I admit it does say "sometimes disparaging," but the post was about him not releasing information as a public relations person.

He was pretty adamant that Gramercy was only on board to dispense information to the public and to help out the Housing Authority that was inundated by calls.

Of course, I reminded him the one thing he wouldn't release was how much he was being paid with public funds, i.e. taxpayer money.

He said the information would be "forthcoming" or would come "in due time" or something to that effect. I said I "eagerly await it."

Then he called into question my journalistic integrity for following up on "anonymous blog posts" which he found — as a former reporter — somehow insulting to the profession. I asked if he had ever responded to anonymous phone calls (you know, doing due diligence as a reporter?) he said he did, but he found that to be different in some way than following up on comments.

I don't know about when he was a reporter, but the internet is here now.

On an unrelated (or possibly related) note, Ed Spychalski responded to my FOIL regarding Gramercy's contract very quickly saying he will get the info to us Monday or Tuesday (and added "Go Giants," so his heart is in the right place).

So we'll get the info after Gramercy stops working with the Housing Authority. If it had come out in the first place, of course, it probably would have just been a line in the original story they were introduced in. Of course now it will likely be a story Tuesday or Wednesday.

John Franck is not running for the Assembly

2012-02-02T12:00:00.003-05:00

At least according to Franck.

I heard rumor of he and another Saratoga Springs Democrat eying the potential new Assembly seat that will represent Saratoga Springs, the 113th currently held by Tony Jordan, R-Jackson.

Franck, though, told me he heard the same rumors, but they aren't true.

"I was at a union event the other day and someone came up and congratulated me on running," he said, but that was the first he heard of it.

Since then he said he has received calls from constituents and media alike asking about it, but he said it's not in his plan.

"I'm not even sure if the 113th will exist," he said, citing the veto threats from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the general legislative process in New York that can — as most know — drag on.

But Franck also said he has business, city and family commitments that mean running for a higher office is not in the cards right now.

"At this point in time I would say I am not going to run for any office but commissioner of accounts," he said. "My eyes are always open for anything, but my heart is in Saratoga Springs."

Public Relations

2012-02-02T11:07:00.004-05:00

I know I'm not in PR (unless you believe what some of the commenters on The Saratogian say), but it seems to me that anticipating questions and coming up with answers is a big part of it.
That's why it surprises me that the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority's newly-hired PR guy, Eric Wollheber, vice president of Gramercy Communications, was so taken aback when I asked what the Housing Authority is paying him.
"I'm not going to get into what our hourly rate is," he said, when I asked him about ten minutes after I found out he was the new flack.
Since then, I have asked him two other times. Once, shortly after I asked him the first time when he showed up in our office with Ed Spychalski and Lillian Miles to give their side of the Housing Authority debacle.
The last time I asked him was outside the meeting between the City Council and the Housing Authority where he was sitting, thumbs glued to his Blackberry while Dennis Brunelle fielded questions from the council via Skype. He was in Florida.
"Did you submit a FOIL for it?" he asked.
"Is that the only way I will get that information?" I asked. I know, question with a question.
"Yes."
Whatever they are paying this guy, you think it would be enough to communicate that fact. I'm sure he knows what it is.

Blogging or lack thereof

2012-01-31T18:25:00.003-05:00

Remember the days when I used to blog? For those of you who don't, I think I'm with you-- it seems like a lifetime ago.

Believe you-me, it's not because I don't like to blog. Indeed, it's a lot easier than writing a story — unfortunately, lately if I want to blog that would mean a story does not get written.

For those who don't know, we've been down a reporter ever since Suzanna Lourie left us. Add to that another reporter's January schedule which seems to have more vacation days than working days and you get an equation that equals a dead blog (and an unprecedented amount of overtime at The Saratogian).

What is particularly terrible about that situation, is there has been a lot to blog about.

For instance, I started a blog post (which will appear at the bottom of this blog post) two weeks ago and didn't finish it. In fact, I stopped in the middle of a sentence. I don't remember why. Undoubtedly I had to run off to a meeting, accident, fire, scandal, investigate an anonymous tip, etc.

But I want to ensure the world wide web out there, I will return to cyberspace with a vengeance whenever my workload slows enough to allow it.

But here, to at least give the loyal dozen or so people who still check in on the blog from time to time a little something to read, here is a two-week old blog I finally found time to finish.

11:39 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17. City Hall.
Mayor Scott Johnson sat in his desk, loosened his tie and said "If I heard it once I heard it 1,000 times about the need for transparency in government. Is that what happened here tonight?"

Johnson seemed to be the last person in the City Council chambers earlier that night to know that the vote was coming on assigning the Fire Department to take over ambulance transport service in the city.

"I haven't decided that yet," the mayor said moments before the vote. "Am I the alone here in terms of not understanding this was going to be the vote this evening? We have a lot of unresolved issues that have been raised even tonight."

After a pregnant silence, Accounts Commissioner John Franck responded. "It was my understanding, going into tonight, that it wasn't a definite answer that we were going to vote on this this evening, but after the workshop I feel that the votes are there and that isn't going to change.

Franck said "I think everyone has some unanswered questions," but voted for the measure provided there was a "sunset clause" that would require the City Council to vote to continue with the program after a two-year trial period.

And despite the mayor's opposition to the plan, (here's where I stopped) the council passed the fire department's takeover of EMS service at a vote that came after deadline (11 p.m. — our print story said the vote was coming).

Mathiesen, days later, responded to Johnson's claims. "There was nothing opaque about the vote," he said. He pointed out it had been on the agenda. It wasn't a late add.

However, I will point out that in a conversation the day before with Deputy Commissioner Eileen Finneran, she said the vote was "just to get the ball rolling," on the fire department taking EMS over.

"The ball is rolling," Johnson said. "In fact the ball is gone."

Circle of Seeber

2012-01-05T10:34:00.003-05:00

Maybe it's just me, but this whole Kate Seeber drama is just fascinating (probably why I'm writing about it so often).

It reads more like a movie or John Grisham novel than a real-life court drama.

The rabbit hole goes deep in this case.

There is obviously the 2001 trial of Jeffrey Hampshire after the shocking murder of Ruth Witter. There is the equally shocking verdict and the jury saying afterward that "We hate it, but our hands were cuffed. We had to go on the evidence they gave to us, and the charges from the judge. I would have loved more evidence. They put us in a bad spot."

Another juror seemed sure Hampshire did it, but didn't have the evidence in front of him.

Later, of course, there is Hampshire's spotted arrest record (burglary seemed to be his hobby), and the St. Patrick's Day. car ride that took Ryan Rossley's life. for which Hampshire was found guilty of evidence tampering.

Then Katherine Seeber's confession that only netted her five years off a potentially life-long sentence (From 25 to life down to 20 to life) and the subsequent court case over tossing her plea that wound through the courts but was eventually upheld.

Upheld, that is, until Garry Veeder committed suicide and tossed the whole issue into question.

A lab tech at the NYS forensic lab, Veeder admitted to not only faking some of his results, but to actually not knowing how to work the microscope.

Here is a report from the State Inspector General affirming that point.

Here's an exerpt from page 3:
"The assessor also noted that Veeder was unable to articulate or perform basic tasks in fiber analysis including proper operation of a microscope used in several key tests in fiber examinations."

Now, 12 years after the saga started, it may be coming full-circle with a trial of Katherine Seeber for the murder of Ruth Witter.

I don't even know that John Grisham would make this stuff up. No one would by it.

New City Council - Old dynamic?

2012-01-03T15:05:00.006-05:00

After two years of four ayes and one nay in the City Council, it will be interesting to see how the new 3-2 Dem lead in the chambers will shake out this year.

It was before my time, but I have heard stories of the old council where shouting and political maneuvering were par for the course.

A former City Coucil members told me the other day: "You'll have fun this year... as a reporter."

I agreed.

How these discussions go tonight, though, will be interesting and will give a little insight into how the council will function this term.

Anthony "Skip" Scirocco said he is optimistic. "They seem to be willing to work with us and obviously we have to work with them," he said, referring to the only other Republican member of the council, Scott Johnson.

For example, it seems that the new Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen seems to have decided he wants to discuss his campaign platform in its entirety, tonight.

Everyone else's agenda is short and sweet. The mayor said last week the first meeting of the year is generally short and simple, to let the new people get acclimated.

I don't think Mathiesen got the memo.
His agenda is:
1. Discussion: Late Night Alcoholic Beverage Sales
2. Discussion: Ambulance Service
3. Discussion: Safety on entry ways into the City

And the seemingly-apolitical:
4. Discussion: Recommendations from City Real Estate Committee presented at the 12-6-11 City Council meeting.

And just to be clear, I'm not against these things being discussed. As a reporter, it gives me something to write about on an otherwise sparse agenda.

Well, hell, welcome to 2012, we're going to get right into it.

A council's last hurrah

2011-12-20T22:14:00.008-05:00

"It seems very blatantly political -- it's the last City Council meeting and the contracts would not be renewed until after the next election," said Finance Commissioner-elect Michele Madigan leaving the City Council meeting Tuesday night.

She had just watched four contracts with law firms and one contract with the city's human resource company, Pinnacle Human Resources, LLC. extended to two-year contracts, something sources in City Hall said is unprecedented.

Accounts Commissioner John Franck spoke out on the city council about just that.

"We've never done this as far as I can remember," he said.

"I think they are good services, but this is bad government" Franck said of the contracts with the HR company as well as the law firms of Harris Beach which handles labor and collective bargaining and Fitzgerald, Morris, Baker and Firth PC which is currently litigating lawsuits on charter challenge and civil service. "I don't think these contracts should go more than a year," Franck said.

He was the sole council member to vote no on all of the contracts except the contract to continue litigating the appeal of the Saratoga Citizen petition, which Kenneth Ivins Jr. also voted against.

Mayor Scott Johnson said the rationale behind extending the contracts is that they locked in the price for the next two years and could avoid any cost increase (something Franck said hasn't happened since 2006), but Madigan saw a different motivation.

"It appears that the rationale behind these amendments may be to solidify them until after the next election so that the incoming council members will have no say in them," she said in a prepared statement she read to the council during public comment.

Franck said that if the City Council were going to award extended contracts to the law firms and Pinnacle, they should put out requests for proposals. "It doesn't make sense to me, I don't see the prices going up dramatically," he said, adding he would expect even better prices if the city put out a request for bids.

It was the last council meeting for two of the men around the table Tuesday. Madigan will replace Finance Commissioner Ivins and Christian Mathiesen will replace Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth in less than two weeks and the remaining members offered their praise and farewells to their two departing comrades.

Franck said Wirth has "always been a gentleman who looked past party lines," and he thanked him for his "tireless service" running the city's largest department seven days a week, something Franck knew he did because he frequently saw Wirth coming and going from City Hall on the weekends while he hung out at Compton's.

He said Ivins was dealt a tough hand over the last few fiscal years but said "in your four year period you have brought us back."

Scirocco thanked the both of them as well, though made eye-contact with Ivins (whom he has publicly disagreed with on frequent occasions) when he said "You both in your heart made the right decisions I'm sure."

Johnson commended them for their community service and "dedication to our city."

"Those of us who serve in these capacities know it is no easy chore to undertake," he said. And while he hoped they would continue to be involved in city politics and service, he had one parting lighthearted(?) request:

"Don't come to public comment please."

To drive that point home, here's Madigan's comments to the council in full:
I see that this evening's agenda includes discussions and votes on the Pinnacle Human Resources contract and the Harris Beach contracts. It is my understanding that the current Pinnacle HR contract runs until May 2012 and the amendment seems to merely extend the contract to December 2013. The Harris Beach contracts are also being amended tonight to extend from December 2012 to December 2013. All of these contracts are being amended until after the next election. Absent a pressing need to amend these contracts, it seems premature to even discuss these tonight. Again, a new council will be seated in 12 days, and there are 5 months remaining in the current Pinnacle HR contract and a full 12 months remaining in the Harris Beach contracts. It appears that the rationale behind these amendments may be to solidify them until after the next election so that the incoming council members will have no say in them.
While I have briefly reviewed the specifics of the proposed amendments, and must wait to find out more in tonight’s discussion and possible vote, I must point out the possibility that a majority of the new council may not agree with the wishes of the majority of the current council on such important matters. If this is the case, what will it cost the city to once again change, amend or terminate these contracts? I would respectfully request, in the interests of good governance, fiscal prudence, and transparency, that this council postpone discussion of these items until the next meeting, when the new council will be seated.
Of particular concern to me is the contract being amended that relates to Human Resources. Local governments are facing unprecedented challenges; whether we are addressing fiscal challenges, environmental issues, public safety, or a crisis, having the right people in the right jobs will pay off for our city. It is not clear to me, especially since I have been unable to review the contract in question, that outsourcing Human Resources – in violation of the City Charter - is in the best interest of our city. Since this is such an important issue, I believe it is unreasonable for the current council to take any action on this contract, thereby encumbering the new council which will be seated in 12 short days. We can take this matter up in just a few weeks, and I humbly ask you to allow us to do so.
Thank you,
Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance-elect

Saratogians can't get enough taxes...

2011-11-30T17:32:00.005-05:00

While adopting the budget Tuesday night at the City Council meeting, Finance Commissioner Ken Ivins Jr. laughed that it was the first time in a "long, long time," that he was going to see his property taxes actually go down.

But it seems, in actuality, they won't.

Not because of the city, as is traditionally the case, but rather because of a tax increase at the county that is likely to happen - the first county tax increase in eight years.

Read Michael Cignoli's preview about the public hearing, which he said he hears will be lively, in The Saratogian tomorrow (Dec. 1) or go see for yourself at the public hearing at 5:30 p.m. at the county offices.

It's a little funny, actually. The comprehensive budget originally proposed at the city had a .54 percent increase - which would mean an $8 increase in taxes on a $200,000 house. Now city residents are looking at a $8 decrease in their city taxes.

But-- and here is the (sort of) funny part -- the first year in recent memory that taxes are going down in the city, the county manages to erase that and residents still end up with an $8 increase on a $200,000 home.

Saratogians just can't win.

Parking deck vote put off-- but the project is not

2011-11-29T21:27:00.004-05:00

The City Council decided not to vote on a measure to add the Woodlawn Avenue Parking Deck to the 2011 Capital Improvement budget Tuesday night citing a lack of time to review the proposal.
Mayor Scott Johnson withdrew the discussion and vote from his agenda. “I want to give people more time to absorb it and vote Dec. 6,” he said.
Johnson said adding it to the 2011 Capital Budget is necessary because "the process is unfolding and the bids are coming in. The goal here is to not interfere with a tight timeline.”
A public hearing was held on the parking deck, which will be located on the city-owned Woodlawn Avenue parking lot. It will start as a single additional floor of parking above the ground floor but will be designed to accommodate a third level.
Requests for bids for the design/build project were put out Nov. 16 and are due to be opened Monday. The projected timeline has the parking deck being open before racing season.
The decision to put off the vote to Tuesday came a week after a meeting of potential bidders on the project complained about too little time to work on the project and only moments before a series of people speaking at the public hearing on the topic said the overall timeline is too rushed.
“The rush this is being put under has a lot of implications,” said Pat Kane, who said it could be inadequately planned out. He said it is a “winner of an idea,” but that it was on too accelerated a timeline. “August will be August with or without this parking deck.”
Public Safety Commissioner-Elect Christian Mathiesen echoed Kane’s concerns. He said it would not be his first priority and would like to see a more mixed-use proposal, though he admitted parking is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Both men said construction should be delayed until September. “I think it will have less of an impact on our tourist season,” he said. Mathiesen said he is concerned about the potential for the project to be delayed into racing season. “Take time for the design process,” he said.
Others in the audience at the public hearing had an alternative opinion.
“If you look back in the Chambers’ file on parking decks, this has been talked about for 30 years,” said President of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Todd Shimkus. “I think it has been delayed enough.”
He said getting the lot complete to be used during racing season “makes the most sense.”
Bids will be opened in the City Council Chambers Monday, Dec. 5, a deadline that was extended to allow designers an additional weekend to work on the project.

Saratoga Springs Republicans stayed at home... maybe

2011-11-29T15:00:00.003-05:00

County GOP Committee Chairman Jasper Nolan thinks the city election went south for Republicans because their constituents just didn't show up.

He said early reports he has seen indicate 1,000 fewer Republicans made the trip to the polls than in 2009.

"It was a tough year in some respects," he said.

He said some of the problem might have been an "overconfidence" in the Republican's seats in office.

But he suspects one of the biggest things that cost the city Republicans their elections was a feeling of "anyone but incumbents," in voters. "People wanted a change."

Next week after the final numbers are released on campaign expenses I'll be putting together a story about how much each candidate spent.

At this point it looks like it was an election on the cheap. In 2009 Mayor Scott Johnson spent about $50,000 for his seat at the city council table. This year, the figure is less than half of that.

No TV and no radio ads.

Paraphrasing what he said just before the election, Johnson said if he thought the election were going to be close he would have sprung for the TV and radio but he didn't want to spend money "unnecessarily."

The night of the election, too, Johnson was confident.

I don't think he or many others -- at least in the Republican camp -- thought it was going to be as close as it was.

Election Night 2011

2011-11-08T20:20:00.027-05:00

DEM 10:18 "Everybody, join us at the bar for champagne!" announced Thilo Ullmann, city Democratic Party chair.

"Thank you all for the support you've given me over the past few months - it's been fantastic. Now the real hard work starts, we're going to do very good things for the city of Saratoga Springs," Madigan addresses the crowd.

DEM 10:09

Madigan wins by a landslide. "I worked really hard for this, I'm so excited and I plan to do great things for this city." Mathiesen an upset in a win for public safety.

DEM 9:56

"Mom YOU WON!!" called Michele Madigan's son (enter. Cheers erupting as Dems pull ahead across the board. "Oh my god, my heart is racing," said another woman. Candidates hugging - absentee ballots foreshadowing big things for the Saratoga Springs Dems. Could this be the night they take back the city?

GOP 9:52
"This is horrible," one woman said. One tied-in Republican floated rumors of skullduggery on the part of one candidate. A rumor I have heard elsewhere in the last few days. I'll report it if I can confirm it. More on that later. For now, it doesn't look good for the men-in-red. Mayor up, others down. Ivins significantly so. "It all depends on what happens in districts 20 and 17," one said, hoping for the best.

DEM 9:51

Spotted: Two Dem ladies sneaking back with frozen martinis after crossing the street for a visit to the Holiday Inn bar...

DEM 9:45

"This is so exciting!" Heard round the board from energetic Dems. Lots of celebrating, but tensions are still high. One woman is smiling and biting her nails at the same time. Michele Madigan's husband getting boisterous.

GOP 9:41
With every district they put up on the big board, more Republicans walk away dejected. "This isn't good," said one as the numbers for Wirth continued to slip and the numbers for Madigan pulled away from Ivins. Lots of worried faces.

DEM 9:37

Screaming ladies (and gents) celebrate as Wilkes looks pretty darn good in district 2...

DEM 9:33

Madigan is the lady of the hour over here - just barely below Ivins in district 25. The Wilkes-Johnson race is neck and neck. Hearing some boo's from the crowd... Wish I could see the projection screen from this corner of the room.

DEM 9:29

Cheers rising from the crowd over here by the projector. Looking good so far...

GOP 9:25
Well it's a mixed bag for the few districts reporting now. "This isn't good," said one woman in the GOP crowd. Early reports show Johnson ahead by about 44 votes. Wirth and Ivins, though, are not doing so great. Still, it's early.

GOP 9:23
Everyone is gathering at the projector. I'll update with unofficial numbers soon.

DEM 9:18 p.m.
"M-A-D-I-G-A-N, that spells Madigan, Madigan," a spontaneous song erupts in support of Michele Madigan, up for Commissioner of Finance.
The room is filling up quick. Wilkes, staying true to his open government policy, is mingling, answering questions and enjoying himself despite being "a little bit anxious."

GOP 9 p.m.
And pens down! Polls are closed.
Also, according to GOP chair Jasper Nolan, Skidmore, district 24, had 40 votes as of a few hours ago. "I talked to them around 3 and they had 9 votes cast. They only come out for the national elections."

GOP 8:53
The room is slowly filling with politicians and supporters alike. The bar is working with two tenders and dishing out drinks as fast as they can. Meanwhile tech-savvy GOP members are setting up for poll closing with a projector to post results.

8:53 p.m.
Wilkes enters the room to a round of applause. His drink of choice? Red wine.

8:52 p.m.
Lauren Carpenter reports the crowd of Republicans at the Vista restaurant in Clifton Park is growing as polls are about to close. GOP chairman Brian Telesh and incumbent Town Clerk Pat O'Donnell just arrived.

8:33 p.m.
Good evening fellow patriots. Happy election day from the Inn at Saratoga. People just starting to gather in the ballroom (after stopping at the bar, of course). Plenty of blue and yellow Wilkes signs decorating the walls.

8:25 p.m.
Jim Tedisco just entered the room carrying a Mayor Johnson sign on a six-foot pole. Things are getting rolling.

8:20 p.m.
Well it's here again folks. Time to choose your elected officials. At this point most people should have voted and according to reports one Republican heard it will be a good year for voter turnout.
Finance Commissioner Kenneth Ivins Jr. said he heard it may be as high as 50 percent-- something he believes will help the Republicans.

Stay tuned for election coverage throughout the night. We have reporter Suzanna Lourie at the Democratic headquarters and Lucian McCarty at the Republicans'.

Election Night Live Blog

2011-11-08T19:17:00.018-05:00

7:30 p.m.

Happy Election Night folks! Our election night pizza has arrived (thanks D'Andrea's) and we are ready to give you some live coverage.

We'll have reporters Lucian McCarty and Suzanna Lourie live-blogging the city's Democratic and Republican election night parties tonight and Michael Cignoli and I will be blogging from the office, updating results from across the county as they come in. Be sure to check back often.

It could be a big night for city politics -- any predictions for tonight's races?

Our southern Saratoga County team -- Community News reporter Glenn Griffith and photographer Lauren Carpenter -- are out covering races for town supervisor and town council in Clifton Park and Halfmoon.

Lauren reports from Clifton Park Town Hall:
A woman working the polls says there has been a steady stream of voters all day without a lull. Republicans are gathering at the Vista restaurant to await returns.

It's been a pretty uneventful day of voting in Saratoga County, not quite as exciting as some other local municipalities.

In Melrose, a town board candidate helped delivery a baby at a polling place after he cast his vote. (TU)

At Schenectady High School, the school day and voting were disrupted when a student reported that a classmate had two grenades (they turned out not be live) and a fire broke out in a bathroom.

Here in Saratoga we were with Mayor Scott Johnson and challenger Brent Wilkes when they cast their votes this morning.(Photos by Erica Miller)

Reporters are heading out in about a half hour, check back here for more updates or follow them on twitter @MCSaratogian @SuzannaKLourie @SaratogianCDesk and @TogianPhotog

— Emily Donohue

GOP 8:20 p.m.
Well it's here again folks. Time to choose your elected officials. At this point most people should have voted and according to reports one Republican heard it will be a good year for voter turnout.
Finance Commissioner Kenneth Ivins Jr. said he heard it may be as high as 50 percent-- something he believes will help the Republicans.

GOP 8:25 p.m.
Jim Tedisco just entered the room carrying a Mayor Johnson sign on a six-foot pole. Things are getting rolling.

GOP/DEM 8:33 p.m.
The stark contrast between the size of the ballroom in the Holiday Inn-- GOP headquarters-- and the size of the ballroom at the Inn at Saratoga-- Dem headquarters-- illustrates the hill the Democrats have to climb to win. Small "C" conservatives in the city outnumber liberals by a couple thousand registered voters. I heard Brent Wilkes on one of the news channels saying a good turnout would benefit him and the other Dems. We'll see.

DEM 8:45
It's Linda Wilkes in the bow-tie tonight. The candidate's wife was wearing gold bow tie at the Democratic headquarters.
If you have noticed Brent Wilkes sans the trademark bow tie lately its no mistake. Brent said a couple of weeks ago at a campaign speech that political research and polls show people have a generally negative first impression of anyone they see with a bow tie. "After the first impression it doesn't matter," he said. But that first impression is obviously an important one in politics. "After I'm elected I'll wear it again."

GOP 8:53
The room is slowly filling with politicians and supporters alike. The bar is working with two tenders and dishing out drinks as fast as they can. Meanwhile tech-savvy GOP members are setting up for poll closing with a projector to post results.

GOP 9 p.m.
And pens down! Polls are closed.
Also, according to GOP chair Jasper Nolan, Skidmore, district 24, had 40 votes as of a few hours ago. "I talked to them around 3 and they had 9 votes cast. They only come out for the national elections."

DEM 9 p.m.

Aaaaand the waiting begins!

DEM 9:18 p.m.

"M-A-D-I-G-A-N, that spells Madigan, Madigan," a spontaneous song erupts in support of Michele Madigan, up for Commissioner of Finance.

The room is filling up quick. Wilkes, staying true to his open government policy, is mingling, answering questions and enjoying himself despite being "a little bit anxious."

Tasers in Saratoga Springs and New York in general

2011-10-19T11:33:00.005-04:00

Here are all of the reports on Taser use in the state prepared by the NY Civil Liberties Union. Of course, they conclude the results are shocking (I had to).

As one police officer I spoke to offhandedly said, "When you set out looking for a problem, you'll find it."

Of course some of the statistics the NYCLU point out are somewhat "disturbing" to quote the author of the report. 75 percent of people tased weren't warned first, 15 percent of taser use is "clearly inappropriate" and 60 percent of people tased were essentially not a threat to officers or the general public.

Really, though, there were very few incidents from Saratoga Springs. Six incidents with seven people tased over a 22 month period.

If you take the time to read through the reports, it seems the police were dealing with some VERY drunk and belligerent people when deploying the tasers, at least according to their reports.

The NYCLU condemned all use of Tasers where someone was already handcuffed. Chief Chris Cole said the one incident in Saratoga Springs where that happened would have to be "extreme" for it to be deemed appropriate, but the use of force report vindicates the officers.

Well, anyone who wants 150 pages of reading here are the police reports.

02.26.10 Saratoga UOF Reports

Then here is the Saratoga Springs Policy on taser use. It's been redacted. I have seen the un-redacted version and compared the two. The blacked-out spots outline general situations where tasers cannot be used.

Cole worried that someone who knows some of the general situations where the police cannot use the tasers could use those to his or her advantage by creating those situations and limiting officers' ability to tase them.

That, to me, gives the criminal mind a lot of credit, but going with the journalismhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif mantra of "Do no harm" I'll ere on the side of caution, so I posted the redacted.

02.26.10 Taser Uof Policy-redacted

And finally, here is the NYCLU report. It mentions Saratoga Springs in the body of the report twice, both times in a more complimentary way than most other cities/departments mentioned in the report. It is also found in the footnotes several times.

NYCLU Taser Final

The Saratoga Springs Police Department released this statement Wednesday following up on the report's release.
NYCLUTaserPress

Comprehensive Budget is online

2011-10-07T10:40:00.003-04:00

Here is a link to the comprehensive budget. It is on the city's website at Saratoga-Springs.org.

Earlier I wrote that the budget was online "as of this morning," but I was informed by Ivins' deputy commissioner that the budget was actually posted as of about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Parking garage VS. Parking deck.

2011-10-06T11:55:00.005-04:00

For days now the two sides in the title of this post have been waging a war in my brain.

When Mayor Scott Johnson first announced he was going to build a... parking structure on Woodlawn Avenue he continuously used the term "Parking deck" and seemed to be avoiding the alternative "parking garage" (I seem to remember him correcting me once when I referred to it as a parking garage, but that may be a dream-- I've been dwelling on this).

Googling it didn't much help. Some websites said the two terms were synonymous. Others said it was a regional difference — the Southeast uses the term deck, the Midwest uses "Parking ramp" (which just seems foolish) etc.

I put the question to people in my office, working out the key piece of each term Deck vs. Garage.

Deck seems to imply a more open space, a single story and is generally less imposing. "Deck just sounds prettier," said Business and Education Reporter Suzanna Lourie, something I agree with. It seems like Saratoga Springs to have parking decks, not garages (at least in its own mind).

On the other hand, both she and Assistant Managing Editor Betsy DeMars said a garage is more enclosed with full walls. DeMars also said she thinks of a parking garage as having a basement level. I don't necessarily think that, but I do think multiple levels.

Then both of them told me I was being too nit-picky and splitting hairs and while they didn't necessarily tell me to go away, I got the hint.

But it seems our thoughts weren't entirely off-base.

"My opinion, of a parking garage is considered a "building" is somewhat enclosed, usually multiple levels and has a more intricate design, detail and structure and is governed strictly under the building code of NYS," said Wayne Williams, an engineer for U.T. Marx Construction which has built numerous parking garages in the area (I don't know if anyone cares to know which ones, but here they are anyway).

"To me," he continued, "the term parking deck on the other hand refers to a more liberal design typically not enclosed on any sides and typically only one
level."

And then he voiced the issue that sent me down this path. "Of course as always semantics comes in to play, along with agenda."

That hits the nail on the head. The reason it has held me up for days is because A) I expect to write about it semi-frequently and want to be consistent with my terminology, but more importantly B) It's a slippery slope to let politicians and other newsmakers frame the conversation about anything, even when it is as innocuous as Parking deck Vs. Garage.

Then what's next? Torture becomes enhanced interrogation, rebels become insurgents, layoffs become extended vacations?

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, but it all starts somewhere.

But I guess in this case, Johnson has been right all along and I will start referring to it — accurately — as a parking deck. That is, until the next level is added on top-- then it will become a parking garage.

2012 Comprehensive budget post-view

2011-10-05T13:11:00.007-04:00

The combination of skateboarders and the city budget at last night's (Oct. 4) city council meeting was somewhat surreal. But I guess it makes sense, because by the end of Ivins' budget presentation I was as tired as if I had dug out the skate bowl myself.

It was long, mostly dry (as these things often are) and I should have left breadcrumbs through it because by the end I was pretty lost.

From what I gleaned, the city is better off than it was a year ago. Through some financial gymnastics (a term I got from DA James Murphy to describe white collar crime -- though I'm not implying anything by using it here) Ivins and Christine Gillmett-Brown explained how the tax cap doesn't mean 2 percent for Saratoga Springs, but actually means 4.8 percent.

All you need to know is:

(Courtesy of the New York State Office of the Comptroller. For a better view, click it.)

Regardless, the tax rate is only proposed to raise about .54 percent, on average. District by district that could vary slightly, but for the most part it means that the $6.07 per $1,000 of property owned tax rate won't be changing.

Of course, as has been pointed out in the comments of the story and in a press release from finance commissioner candidate Michele Madigan, the comprehensive budget itself wasn't presented, only a synopsis of it, something she said violates the charter.

"Those of us who attended the Council Meeting last night were expecting
the Commissioner to fulfill the duties of his office and lead a presentation on our city’s finances and his proposed 2012 budget," Madigan said in a statement released today. "His failure to submit the Proposed 2012 Comprehensive Budget last night, as required by the Charter, further illustrates that he is not fit for the position he holds and should not be reelected.”

Her release also includes the various components that are required to be in the comprehensive budget.

I will point out, though, that the charter only requires that the commissioner submit the budget to the city council at the first October meeting, not present the full budget at the meeting.

It is on file in the Accounts Department for anyone's reading pleasure (or lack thereof). And I keep being assured it should be online as early as tonight.

Also at the meeting, Saratoga Citizen organizer Pat Kane took advantage of the public comment, which first he lambasted for its brevity. Each member of the public is only allotted two minutes (something that is rarely enforced but always hanging over commenters heads). "I think it's a shame a citizen can only get two minutes in front of you people," he told the council, going on to say its "embarrassing."

Then he challenged the city council to pass the budget before election day. "You have the legal capability to approve the 2012 budget before then," he said, adding "shenanigans" can happen when budgets and elections mix. "There will always be a period of time where if you wait you could have more numbers," he said, undercutting Ivins' primary reason for advocating against that strategy.

Later, Ivins' responded during his presentation. "That is just not good financial planning," he said.

Finally, Kane also reminded the city council that thousands of Saratogians filled out a petition for the opportunity to vote on charter change.

2012 Comprehensive Budget preview

2011-10-04T17:33:00.004-04:00

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Finance Commissioner Kenneth Ivins will debut the city’s 2012 comprehensive budget at the City Council meeting tonight. Ahead of that, Ivins released some of the preliminary details of the budget—including the proposed tax increase of .54 percent at a kind of Preview Presser (You read that term here first folks).
“It’s essentially one-half of 1 percent property tax increase and my goal is by the end of November we can get the number even lower,” Ivins said, explaining as the year comes to a close, more solid numbers for revenues in the city will come in. “The further you get into the year the better numbers you get for preparing a budget.”
He also distributed a sheet showing the dollar-amount tax increase for homes valued at $200,000, 300,000 and $400,000 (see below, and please excuse the foolish dashes, Blogger isn't cooperating with me).

Home Value===== 2011=====2011==== Increase
$200,000--------$1,212.80----$1,221.41----$8.61
$300,000--------$1,819.20----$1,832.12----$12.92
$400,000--------$2,425.60----$2,442.82----$17.22

Last year’s budget passed with a 4.45 percent tax increase, more than eight times the 20112 proposal.
Ivins attributed the change to better-than-expected sales tax revenues, Video Lottery Terminal funds coming into the city which had been absent for years and health insurance costs which increased, but not by as much as previous years.
One thing that is not driving up the cost was Ivins’ decision not to include the position of reservation coordinator in the budget—a position requested by Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco that created debate and a split vote at the Sept. 20 city council meeting. (the comments in the story are not so split)
"I voted for creating the position," Ivins said. "I've voted to create a number of positions over the years I don't necessarily fund. I felt this was not the right time to fund that position," though he did not rule it out in the future.
Michele Madigan was also on-hand for Ivins' brief press conference. She asked him about the sale of the Lillians' lot on Broadway to contractor Sonny Bonacio and whether the money would be in the budget again. (It was in both 2010 and 2011, though not used).
Ivins said it would be as part of the Woodlawn Avenue parking garage-- since the revenue from the sale is being used for that project.
Madigan, too, said she was pleased to see the "pretty low rate. But I think we could do 0 percent, but I wouldn't want to see that at the cost of any layoffs."
Check in on The Saratogian for full coverage of tonight's presentation on the budget and further in-depth coverage in the days to come (We can't do it all tonight -- damn deadlines).

More from Madigan

2011-10-03T12:59:00.005-04:00

I think Michele Madigan got the message that I will post most everything I receive from candidates on this blog, because I have been inundated with regular faxes with the letterhead: "Michele Madigan for Finance; The Clear Choice."
Her latest was a response to Ken Ivins' response to one of her first.
“Just because I voted to create the positions does not mean I voted to fund the positions,” Ivins said Thursday in response to criticism from Madigan.
Ivins recently voted to create a position of "Reservation coordinator" to handle reservations for city owned property. The position pays $20.39 an hour plus benefits. (Also check out Managing Editor Barbara Lombardo's editorial on the position)
“Mr. Scirocco made a good argument for creating the position,” he said. adding that he has been meeting with the commissioners this week, going over requests for each department and “crunching the numbers.”
Ivins said that was on the table as a potential cut.
Madigan's latest letter, dated Oct. 3, includes Ivins' first statement above. She said she wants to be finance commissioner "because the incumbent cannot seem to communicate clearly with his fellow citizens and, frankly, does not seem to understand our city's finances. His response to me is a prime example. He votes for staffing changes, but then says he didn't vote to pay for them."
Ivins explained to me that he created the position but didn't know if it was in the 2012 budget yet. "I'm in negotiations with Mr. Scirocco," he said, something he does before every comprehensive budget comes out.
He gets a "Wish List" (Accounts Commissioner John Franck's words) from every commissioner, meets with each department head and then decides which ones the city can afford to pay for.
The comprehensive budget is due out at the Oct. 4 City Council meeting.
"I expect Ivins to propose a small property tax increase and will be looking very closely at his revenue and expense projections for the coming year. Hopefully they will bear some resemblance to reality but based on his past performance I'm not holding my breath," Madigan said and called for a debate.
We'll see how her predictions pan out at tomorrow's meeting.

Traffic and politics? Or not.

2011-09-28T18:00:00.002-04:00

Christian Mathiesen announced his candidacy for public safety commissioner in early June and said he was running on a platform of — among other things — improving traffic and pedestrian safety in the city.

"There are a lot of traffic safety issues that need to be addressed in Saratoga Springs," he said.

At Sept. 19's City Council meeting, though, current Commissioner Richard Wirth seemed to beat Mathiesen to that punch.

At that meeting, he formally announced he was forming the Public Safety Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, a committee to address traffic safety issues around the city.

Wirth said the move was "absolutely not" a political one. "I've been considering this for months-- formulating the idea in my head," he said. "It's just a way to better address the influx of people commenting on issues we've received."

Mathiesen said he doesn't care if it is political or not. "I think it's a good thing they are looking at these issues. I was surprised to find (Wirth) doesn't seem to be aware about the number of issues, but I'm glad he is looking at them," he said.

However, he added, "I'm not sure how necessary it is to have a committee. I wouldn't say it's a bad idea, but between the commissioner, the deputy commissioner and the whole public safety staff, I don't know why they can't deal with them already."

Source of the Stink

2011-09-28T11:18:00.008-04:00

It's funny that after years in this business I still can't always predict what stories are going to get people all hot and bothered.

We have been getting calls on the Sound Off line, comments on the website (or Web site if you follow AP style) and I have received calls at my desk-- all about this smell down Excelsior Avenue.

Some might say, as, ZYXW did on the original SeeClickFix story about the issue: "Frankly, I'm surprised this is considered news."

I felt like Toucan Sam the other day when I wrote the follow up about the DEC investigating the smell, wandering the area, following my nose wherever it goes trying to determine the source of any smell. I caught a couple whiffs on the breeze but never could figure out where it was coming from.

But it certainly has people talking. Everyone has a theory. One man in my office said the woods there used to be called the "Ten Spring Woods" because springs run throughout it-- springs that can be sulfuric and nasty-smelling.

I got a call saying it was the amount of rain we got from Irene. It pushed the manhole covers up, spread sewage all around and receded.

"The whole area smelled like your basic septic tank," said Ray Nichols, a nearby resident. He said he witnessed the manhole covers on Excelsior and East avenues lift and water spew out, along with everything else you might expect in a sewer. "There was toilet paper around the area afterward. The next day you could see the stuff on the ground and you could smell it horribly."

One man I spoke to near the site said recent construction probably hit a sewer line.

Others have dismissed the smell altogether. "It's smelled for years," they say, and the only reason you hear about it more now is because of the Spring Run Trail cut through the woods that brings more people to the area-- more people to complain that is.

Everyone, though, smells the smell, it's just a matter of the source.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Dave Winchell said Water Quality crews took samples of water from "seepage" seeming to come out of the ground and run into the creek along the Spring Run Trail.

"The first thing we do when we have a possible pollution problem is to find out where the problem is coming from and stop it," Winchell said.

He said the discharge is being tested to determine whether it is sewage and the results will be returned within a few days.

When one is found, I'll be sure to let everyone know.

If anyone has any theories, feel free to let us know in the comments.

Fighting "The Man"

2011-09-22T16:38:00.009-04:00

One thing that happened during the month I wasn't blogging was the Wilton road-rage stabbing.

You can't make this stuff up.

From all police reports, Frank Soriano (who I heard from a credible source has a history of road-rage) rammed Jeffery Streicher's car from behind on Northern Pines in Wilton.

According to police, Soriano (the author of a book on alien abductions who has given numerous interviews on his alien abductions) ran toward Streicher, a life-long boxer, and a fight ensued.

For more, read here: (Man stabbed several times in Wilton, possibly after a road rage incident, Road rage incident results in stabbing)

Later, Streicher appeared at the Saratogian office out of the blue to give me his side of the story. When he said "Do you want to see my car," I thought he was going to show me the damage to the back of his vehicle.

"That's my blood," he said, pointing in the open driver-side door to the blood-soaked seat. My mouth was agape. There was still blood on the door, the lock, the trunk-- everywhere.

Anyway, read his side here: (Alleged Wilton stabber arrested again on charges stemming from Sept. 1 incident , )

Be sure to check out the video for this story in the first few links because that is the point of this blog post.
Following the incident, our video was subpoenaed by the district attorney's office (no doubt because it was so good).

In a decision that went all the way to the top of the Journal Register company, our lawyers fought the subpoena.

According to the editors, lawyers and corporate-types in the company, it was a matter of principle. The DA's office didn't just subpoena the video we ran, they subpoenaed the video we didn't run-- as in all of the outtakes and clips that wound up on the cutting room floor (figuratively--it's digital-- and we don't have a "cutting room").

That is tantamount to subpoenaing a reporters' notebook.

According to our corporate lawyer, the NYS Shield Law protects us from having to divulge confidential sources as well as notebooks that don't necessarily have any confidential info therein.

And to be clear, the extra video was not cut because of confidentiality, it was cut because for every 2 minute video you see on our site, there is at least a few more minutes you don't see-- often several (at times I shoot a half-hour of video and use 90 seconds).

In the end, the subpoena was withdrawn and we supplied them with the video we ran. WIN WIN.

Of course, this is another example of the changing world of journalism. There was nothing we needed to hide on the video, but with this being the new world, according to our lawyers, we didn't want to be a "doormat" for every request from the DA.

But now the precedent has been set. Video cuts = notebooks. Mark it down.

I'm just waiting for the day we get a subpoena for the paper's Facebook Friend requests.

Back in time for politics

2011-09-21T21:49:00.004-04:00

Hello all.

I noticed last night (with the help of Dan "Fun in Saratoga" De Federicis) that it's been more than a month since my last post. Time flies when you have good duty. So sorry to anyone out there who has been checking in.

But I'm back, and just in time for election season, in the city and the nation. Funny, like Christmas elections seem to stretch a few days earlier every cycle.

Mayor Scott Johnson announced his candidacy over the weekend.

We discussed in the newsroom Tuesday whether we should put it on the front or not.

Brent Wilkes got front page when he announced, but he also did so alongside Michele Madigan and Christian Mathiesen who are running for Commissioner of Finance and Commissioner of Public Safety respectively at a presser in the park-- that means pictures and info about people many Saratoga Springs voters don't know about.

Johnson didn't make quite that splash.

He sent a press release, which actually got stuck in my SPAM filter, so I didn't see it until after he sent it out and late into the news day after we had decided most of what was going in the paper.

Also, as Johnson himself said, it's kind of assumed he would run, so we opted for 2. If it had been a slower news day he would have been on the front. As it stands, that day Alex Grant's toxicology report, County shortfall in taxes, an oil spill on South Broadway and City Council were on the front.

Not that Wilkes, Madigan and Mathiesen announced on a slow day. They shared the front page with Colegate news, the Saratoga Springs high school scandal over the gold-toothed yearbook photo and Derrick LeGall being named "Citizen of the Year" by the Elks, but the nothing needed to be bumped for any of that to make the front.

And all of the other candidates also seem to be ramping up their campaigns.

Now, to be clear, I am going to be posting a lot of statements, quotes and info about candidates over the next couple months, but none of that should be construed as me endorsing anyone.

That is up to the editors.

Michele Madigan, who has attended most City Council meetings in recent memory, made the following statement at Tuesday's meeting:

"I would like to strongly suggest that the 2012 budget NOT (her caps, she gave me a copy of her statement) include a property tax increase. As of December 2010 our unreserved unappropriated fund balance was $4.2 million. A year ago at this time we were told by the Finance Commissioner that this would not be the case, and that the fund balance would be depleted by the end of 2010. This was the rationale for further spending cuts and property tax increases for 2011 on top of the 2009 year-end layoffs and the 2010 property tax increase. Since the fund balance is once again at a reasonably healthy level, that we received $1.5 million in unexpected VLT revenue this year, and the expectation that 2011 sales tax revenues will be higher than anticipated in the 2011 budget, I would hope that we will not need a property tax increase next year. However, I am also very concerned that we do all that we can to ensure our public safety and public works employees are not subject to further layoffs. I am aware that some of those laid off in December 2009 are back at work and it is my understanding that much of this is due to grant funding that expires in 2012. I respectufully request-- and strongly suggest-- that the Commissioner and the Council do all that they can do avoid property tax increases while ensuring appropriate staffing levels of public safety employees and public works employees."

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention something the city's auditor from Willard G. Reynolds of Bollam, Sheedy, Torani and Co. said about a half hour later when discussing the city's $4.2 million fund balance: "The main thing to avoid is dipping into the fund balance for recurring costs. They should be covered by recurring revenue (taxes."

More election coverage to come.

Artsy politics

2011-08-17T10:28:00.004-04:00

Monday, Saratoga Arts (Or the artists formerly known as the "Arts Council") Executive Director Joel Reed sent a mass e-mail that "went viral" according to the person who sent it to me Tuesday morning.
In it he accuses both parties of playing politics with 9/11 and the memorial.

"Democrats attacking a community arts project created by a rainbow coalition of artists, unions, small and large businesses, and individuals from all walks of life? Republicans minimizing the significance of the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001 and shunting aside a project that deeply resonates with veterans and first responders? And both throwing Saratoga Arts and the chance for community unity on 9/11 under the bus in the hope of picking up a few votes?"

I posted it at the bottom of the previous blog post, thinking of it as just another blip on the political radar. (Read the full e-mail at the bottom of the post here) Of course all of this is political -- it involves politicians, committees, city property and DECISIONS.

However, I have seen not personally seen and party or parties using it as political fodder, and Tuesday night the Democrats (who are singled out as specifically "exploiting those reasonable grounds for debate into a wedge issue and identifying this as the Mayor's project") reacted to Reed's e-mail.

"As Chair of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee I state categorically that neither the Committee nor the Executive Committee have even discussed the sculpture, its merit, its opportunity or its placement," stated Thilo Ullmann in a letter read Tuesday night by Jeff Partridge during public comment at City Council (see the full message below).

Partridge then added his own comments.

"I worked as a volunteer rescuer at that site. I dug through steel, rocks and garbage looking for survivors, or pieces of bodies which when found were placed in a five gallon bucket. I was among about 3,000 construction workers, cops, and firemen doing the same thing.
So I guess I can speak firsthand about this situation.
I can state categorically that no one within the Saratoga Springs Democratic Executive committee or the standing committee has ever raised an objection to honoring our brothers and sisters who were murdered at the World Trade Center.
You can rest assured that I would be the first one to reeducate anyone in our midst who tried to make political hay out of our national tragedy.
Mr. Reed, you've made a dreadful error and I demand an apology on behalf of all the resident of Saratoga Springs, Democrats and Republicans alike."

Next up in line for public comment was the man of the hour -- Joel Reed -- with his apology.

Later, Commissioner John Franck, the sole Democrat on the city council, also laid into Reed for his comments. "This is not politically driven," he said.

Executive Chair of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee's statement:
"Joel: I must take strong exception to your interpretation of individual (his italics) opinions as representing the Democratic Party of Saratoga Springs.
Surely all citizens of Saratoga Springs have a right to express personal opinions on any public exhibit and its placement. That so many have done so only points to insufficient outreach on your part.
As Chair of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee I state categorically that neither the Committee nor the Executive Committee have even discussed the sculpture, its merit, its opportunity or its placement.
We are not in a position to support it or oppose it.
We have not received any information beyond what each one of us has been able to glean from the public streams and media.
As I discussed with Carrie Woerner last week my PERSONAL concern is that all the necessary legal consultations have been completed and exhausted.
I do not know what the sculpture looks like, I have not searched any websites nor requisitioned any information on it or its artistic merit.
I only know it is very big.
The final decision on its citing does not rest with me or with the Democratic Committee, but squarely with the City Council.
Whatever they decide will no doubt give rise to controversy.
Remember the citing of the Carousel?
That you should decide to launch such a diatribe at this point seems to signal your surprise at the opposition that has arisen.
Any public manifestation meant to represent the feelings of all the citizens will logically bring out everybody's reaction, in favor or against.
You should have expected that, and given more time for discussion and more information to the public.

Cordially.
Thilo Ullmann, Chair "

September 11 Sculpture Saga

2011-08-16T09:56:00.008-04:00

First off, anyone reading this should probably have first read the article on the 9/11 sculpture and the issues that have been surrounding it that ran Tuesday, Aug. 16.

Monday, Aug. 15, I met Michael Messinger and Hady Finch outside the Lake Avenue Firehouse. We waited in the rain, chatting and discussing the potential placement of the Sept. 11 memorial sculpture.
Finch and Messinger are members of the Visitors Center Heritage Area Advisory Board.
They, and another member of the board, Lance Ingmire, have been pushing to have the sculpture erected at the fire department, an alternative to putting the sculpture on the front lawn of the Visitors Center, a plan they oppose.

We were supposed to be meeting a representative from the Department of Environmental Conservation to discuss the environmental remediation that occurred at the Lake Avenue Fire Department two years ago.
Some city officials had said it may discount the site as a potential location for the memorial statue and members of the advisory board are hoping the DEC Project Manager from that project, Scott Deyette, would tell them otherwise — but that meeting never happened.
Ingmire crossed the street to meet Messinger, Finch, myself and John Betor, the retired assistant chief of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, and informed us the meeting was canceled by the member of the DEC a little more than an hour before it was scheduled to take place for reasons the DEC representative would not specify. "He just said he could not attend the meeting," Ingmire said, adding Deyette's office had received questions from the media enquiring about the fire department site and the 9/11 memorial.
The group stood in front of the bay doors of the department, using terms like "stonewalling" to describe the canceled meeting.

Mayor Scott Johnson, who was not invited to the meeting, said he did not contact the DEC and had nothing to do with the canceled meeting. He said he believed the meeting was canceled because “The DEC did not know who they were meeting with.”
He said the term "stonewalling" and its sentiment were "inaccurate."
"The city is open to suggestions," he said. Johnson said the city has received a lot of correspondence about the sculpture. "If we were going to rush to judgment, we would be voting on it at (Tuesday night's) City Council meeting," something he said will not be happening.
Johnson said the members of the Visitors Center Heritage Area Advisory Committee were instructed not to use their official influence or membership on the advisory board to deal with any issues not involving the Visitors Center. “The Heritage Advisory Board has no jurisdiction over the Lake Avenue Fire Department,” he said.

The DEC representative could not be reached for comment as to why he canceled the meeting, but another DEC representative reached by phone Monday said the firehouse had been the site of an environmental cleanup, according to DEC Spokesperson David Winchell.
“It was a manufactured gas facility,” he said, explaining it was a plant around the end of the 19th century that converted coal into natural gas to be used for street lamps. “Every major city had them.”
He said he was unsure if there were restrictions on the deed, but that there were no longer environmental contaminants on the site.
Standing in the rain at the Fire Department, Ingmire and Finch debated the artistic and historic integrity of the sculpture.
"If you are the sculpture," Ingmire said, pointing to me, "There is a 4-by-4 transformer box to your left. Over your shoulder is a Wendy's," he said, explaining why the area is not suited to a memorial.

Meanwhile, Betor went to his car and pulled out a small vial of gray dust.
"That's ash from the World Trade Center," he said. The retired assistant chief is also a retired Army National Guardsman who was in the command center following the attack. He had the ash in his office at the fire department and said he has been meaning to drop it off at the Military Museum since he cleaned out his office.
"Everyone has a way of looking at things," he said. "Mine is quiet reflection..."
"A place to sit and cry," Ingmire adds, stressing the fire department is a better site for the monument. Betor didn't answer. Instead he walked to his car and put the ashes back.
Ingmire asked Betor if he would be interested in becoming a team member as an advocate for putting the monument at the fire department.
"I'll be a team member as an advocate for finding a better place for it," he responded.

The structure has been done for about a month and a half according to one of the artists, Noah Savett, who said he is concerned that the consideration of another site for the project will ruin its timeline.
"Any change is going to derail our 9/11 date," he said Monday.
Johnson said the date is "not a driving factor, but it is a consideration," but the idea since this sculpture's inception was to debut it on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.
Reed, Tuesday, sent out a mass email (see below) urging people to attend the Tuesday night City Council meeting in the hopes it will spur the City Council to vote and finalize the placement of the sculpture, something Johnson said will not happen Aug. 16.

Savett said he is for the placement of his and John Van Alstine's sculpture at the Visitor's Center, not only for the timeline consideration.
"I like the site; I think it gives people a lot of room to view it," he said. "I think it lends itself to be a contemplative site."
He also said a number of donors have given site-specific service donations to the project, which would be useless with a change of venue.
Savett added that while he is not a historic architecture specialist, it has been reviewed by people who are. "People much more credentialed and knowledgeable than me have vetted the proposal," he said.

The Design Review Commission, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have all signed off on the Visitors Center as a suitable site for the memorial.

SHIPO Opinion

Below is Joel Reed's e-mail, though I am afraid I had to change the formatting a bit to get it online like this (Posting this e-mail is not me endorsing its contents, only giving people the opportunity to read it):

Saratoga Springs' 9/11 Memorial Sculpture Might Be Sacrificed For Political Gain

Remember the 2004 presidential campaign? It was pretty nasty all around, but one ad campaign in particular left its mark on our language with the term "swiftboating." In it, an anonymously-funded group claimed that John Kerry's record as a Vietnam war hero (his Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Hearts) was built on his false representations about what happened during the months he served as Chief Officer of a Vietnam river swiftboat.

Whoever you voted for in that election, most of us agree that the swiftboat ad campaign brought American politics to a new low - it besmirched a record of service and sacrifice by twisting the historical record, presented a few unrepresentative spokespeople from a group that was his natural support base as his most vociferous opponents, and politicized accomplishments that should have been out of bounds of partisan debate.

Amazingly, the same thing has been happening in Saratoga Springs with the Tempered By Memory project. I'm not surprised that there's debate about the aesthetics of the sculpture, or about finding the most appropriate place for its installation. Those conversations are inevitable, and we even think are a benefit to the project - at Saratoga Arts we thrive on discussions about about art and its place in our community! Given the long open process we've engaged with the project, the months of public meetings and discussions we've hosted and in which we've participated, and the number, quality, and range of historical preservationists we've asked to review its placement, we think that we're on firm ground on those discussions.

We never imagined that anyone would politicize Tempered By Memory for partisan gain, but it's an election year. The party seeking to pick up seats on the City Council is exploiting those reasonable grounds for debate into a wedge issue and identifying this as the Mayor's project. A couple of artists grinding the axe of personal resentment are casting doubt on the integrity of Saratoga Arts' staff, board, and the project artists, and a handful of self-appointed community guardians who usually rally around the cry of "consult the Design Review Commission" conveniently ignore the fact that we have received the DRC's enthusiastic, unanimous support and that of other preservation experts. This handful of opponents is using party fundraisers and blogs as forums for undercutting the project.

The majority party on the City Council is aware of what the other side is saying, and up to now hasn't acted much more admirably. It seems that September 11 is for them an arbitrary date on the calendar. They dismiss the work we've done to have Tempered By Memory installed by then, and though we've been inviting public input into the project since December 2010, they say "don't rush things" and "let's appoint a committee to study it." In private conversation, they admit they're driven by fear as the election approaches, and what's most important to them is putting off any further discussion of the project until after November 8 - and after that, who knows what will happen?

Democrats attacking a community arts project created by a rainbow coalition of artists, unions, small and large businesses, and individuals from all walks of life? Republicans minimizing the significance of the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001 and shunting aside a project that deeply resonates with veterans and first responders? And both throwing Saratoga Arts and the chance for community unity on 9/11 under the bus in the hope of picking up a few votes?

It really is a topsy-turvey world. Please help us turn it right-side up!

If you're not familiar with the project, you can go to our website and read all about it. http://saratoga-arts.org/toursevents/911memorial.php.

If you click here, you can find some of the letters to The Saratogian that have been submitted (including ones that haven't been printed) addressing in more detail the process of artist and site selection, and giving Saratoga Arts board's perspective on why the project is so important.

Please take a moment before Tuesday afternoon to email or call your support of Tempered By Memory to the commissioners' and mayor's office; it will make a difference - if you feel that the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001 and its commemoration should transcend city politics and this unique artwork should have a place in our city, ask them to stop stalling and vote to accept the project so we can keep things moving along:

Mayor Scott Johnson, 587-3550 ext.2514 -
scott.johnson@saratoga-springs.org
Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco, 587-3550 ext.2561 -
skip.scirocco@saratoga-springs.org
Commissioner of Accounts John Franck, 587-3550 ext.2543 -
john.franck@saratoga-springs.org
Commissioner of Finance Ken Ivins Jr., 587-3550 ext.2571 -
ken.ivins@saratoga-springs.org
Commissioner of Public Safety Richard Wirth, 587-3550 ext.2627 -
richard.wirth@saratoga-springs.org

Please also come to the City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 16, at 7pm, and add your voice to those we have.

Thank you! As always, call or email me if you have any questions.

Joel Reed
Saratoga Arts, Executive Director

Parking and the Spa City - a touchy relationship

2011-08-08T16:43:00.002-04:00

The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Scott Johnson and other leaders both elected and in the business sector are coming together Tuesday at 1 p.m. to discuss the city's need for parking
They will be joined by members of the Downtown Special Assessment District, the Downtown Business Association, the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation and the Saratoga Springs Convention and Tourism Bureau to discuss their plans.
According to a press release, they "have come together to form a new partnership to address the need for more parking downtown."
The specifics will be discussed tomorrow at a news conference in the city's Woodlawn Parking lot behind the Putnam Market Building off Broadway.
In addition to Johnson, Tim Mabee, chair of the board of directors of the City’s Special Assessment District, will speak about the issue.

Read the story online to find all of the details of their plan on The Saratogian tomorrow.

See Click Fix articles

2011-08-08T13:00:00.003-04:00

Hello out there in SeeClickFix land.
After writing the article on the Gilbert Road intersection with State Route 29 (Lake Avenue) for Monday's SeeClickFix article (Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth adds Gilbert Road/Route 29 junction to list of intersections to address), I received this e-mail from another concerned citizen:

Allow me to add my concerns about the intersection of Gilbert Rd. and Rt. 29. As a resident of the Meadowbrook Area, we travel to the Wilton Mall area, almost daily. It is almost impossible to get from Gilbert Rd. to Weible at the "offset" intersection at Rt. 29, unless some sympathetic driver allows you "in" at Rt. 29. This intersection is exacerbated by two "green turn arrows" at the Rt. 29 and Weible intersection signal.

When all is "clear", traffic bursts out of Weible on the Green Arrow.

I have had so many "near misses" that I now go past Gilbert, to Henning Rd, (longer but safer) and enter Rt. 29 at the Henning Signal. Then turn right toward Weible and safely make the left turn since the signal is on Rt. 29 at Weible.

John Ginley
10 Winding Brook Dr.

When I spoke to Commissioner Richard Wirth, he agreed to work on getting me -- and thus you -- a follow-up story with some reports on these intersections and concerns that have been expressed to him over the last couple months through this continuing series. "Nothing is being ignored," he said, adding that as soon as the city's traffic safety control officer, Mark Benacquista, gets some free time to evaluate the issues. He has, in the past, generated reports specifically for the SeeClickFix users.
I'll keep at it, though, and make sure some there is a conclusion to some of these SeeClickFix complaints.

2011-08-03T10:16:00.004-04:00

Saratoga Springs may have a public beach for residents and visitors alike as early as next summer. For those who haven't read the story about it, that ran in The Saratogian Aug. 3.

But that wasn't the entirety of the story, only as much as could fit in the paper, so as I like to do in this blog, here is a little more on what is planned.

According to Mayor Scott Johnson, the priority for the park is just getting it open for the public.

As he told me, Johnson came into office and this property had already been purchased and then padlocked. He said not opening the park to the public is “unacceptable," and to that end, he said the first phase will pave and grade the access route to the beach (which at this point is a treacherous and steep dirt "road"), demolish the building that is down on the beach and generally improve some of the infrastructure there.

"We need to allow some use of this wonderful area that to date has been padlocked," he said.

Phase two is the big money phase. It will cost around $800,000, but the mayor is confident the city can get grant money to cut that cost in half. As for those who have said (some in the comments on the story and others aloud) that the grant money is still taxpayer money, Johnson said "It is not like if we don't spend this money New York State wont spend it. It is competitive and we need to try and get what is out there."

The plans for phases two and three are somewhat conflated (at least to me, although there is a Master Plan that was developed when the city acquired the property), but it will generally involve installing lighting, a kayak and other non-motorized boat launch, grills, another pavilion or two, picnic tables, stormwater upgrades, wood decking in spots, general landscaping and educational kiosks to reflect "the historical context of why this park has a connection to the city," Johnson said. "There is a lot of infrastructure stuff that needs to be addressed."

The money would also go to clearing some of the foliage blocking the view from the upper part of the three-tiered park. "If you clear that out you get a great vista of the lake," he said.

Some of the more robust planned additions that may occur later down the line (perhaps in the third phase) are: an amphitheater built into the side of the hill, utilizing the natural structure of the mid-section of the park, with bench seating for small concerts or plays, a pier jutting out into the lake people could fish off of or as Johnson described small tours could be launched from (provided a private company would do it at no cost to the city) "The idea is to have that as an option to people who would like to enjoy being on the lake but don't have a boat."

In other Planning Board news...

2011-07-29T12:56:00.005-04:00

At the Planning Board meeting Wednesday, July 27, the big story was Bonacio's Broadway building, but that wasn't the only thing the board did.

In other news...

The Olde Bryan Inn, Saratoga Springs' oldest building (at least that's what the members of the planning board said, and after all, it does have an "E" on the end of Old) will be growing. The planning board approved the site plan for a 2,600 addition to the building, which was signed off on by the Design Review Commission. It will be located over the patio that currently has a temporary tent over it.
I will be following up and writing a full story about this in the coming week, so stay tuned to The Saratogian for more details.

The Horseshoe Inn Bar and Grill on the corner of Nelson and Gridley streets had its outdoor entertainment permit approved among other minor approvals for sidewalks and curb cuts for its parking lot.
Matthew J. Jones, the restaurant's attorney applied for a permanent special use permit rather than the temporary one they have been approved for over the past four years. He explained that special use permits are generally permanent and said he did not thing there should be any "heightened security" when dealing with outdoor entertainment.
The restaurant was approved in 2007 for a one-year permit, and in 2008 for a three-year permit. "Here we go again," he said. "We've had two test runs, and they were successful ones."
Of course the rolled eyed eyes and heavy sighs of the board when outdoor entertainment is talked about is largely thanks to their ongoing struggle with Siro's where a special use permit has evolved into a struggle involving lawsuits, acoustic experts and six-foot rubber walls.
Board member Phil Lewis said he wanted to reserve the right to "look at the issue every three or four years," adding that he "appreciates the fact that it costs (the owners of the Horseshoe Inn Bar and Grill) money."
On the other hand Clifford Van Wagner pointed out the applicant had done "everything the planning board ever asked of you" but was still unsure about granting a permanent permit.
He said there could be issues outside the owners' control. "Who knows what the track will look like in 5 or 6 years," he said. He suggested a six year permit.
Amy Durland added "Not only might the track change, but the owners might change," in which case the special use permit would stay with the building. She agreed with Lewis' plan.
In the end, the a five year permit was unanimously approved.

(Updated July 29 at 1:38 p.m.) Johnny Luc's and Club Shadow may be changing hands

2011-07-28T14:54:00.006-04:00

The property which has been the center of a whirlwind of controversy over the last month may be up for sale.
According to a manager of Philly's Bar and Grill in Latham, that bar's owner, Rocky Patel, is currently in talks to purchase Johnny Luc's and the former Club Shadow which sits above it from its owner John A. Lucarelli, Jr.
"He is still making arrangements and agreements," said the manager who asked not to be identified.
Details are sparse, but according to the manager the talks may be wrapped up as early as this weekend (July 30).
More details will emerge as we follow this story.
We have feelers out to Patel and Lucarelli, though I don't expect a call back from the latter. To date I have never received a call from him despite leaving messages with numerous people who work for him (including his son), leaving a business card with all of my contact info with a bartender at Johnny Luc's who assured me he would see the owner later that night and messages on his home answering machine.

Municipal Bike Thieves?

2011-07-26T12:21:00.002-04:00

We received a random call today from someone who didn't sound crazy saying that they had seen "the city", cutting the bike chains from bike racks around the Saratoga Springs and taking the bikes.
The Saratoga Springs Police Department said if any city employees had done it it would have been the Department of Public Works.
The desk sergeant said the DPW does cut them just before winter when they are removing the bike racks, but it is pretty warm for that.
Public Works Commissioner Anthony "Skip" Scirocco said no bikes had been taken "to my knowledge."
If anyone has seen or heard anything to the contrary, or noticed any bike thieves in orange reflective vests, give me a call down here.
Lucian McCarty
583-8729 ext. 221

Parties in the Spa City

2011-07-21T12:20:00.004-04:00

Here are some interesting stats from the Saratoga County Board of Elections about the breakdown of registered political party members in the Spa City:

Democrats — 6,006
Republicans — 7,053
Conservative — 158
Working Families — 45
Independence — 1,073

All of those numbers were as of April 1. The board uses them to determine how many people are required to sign petitions in order to get on the ballot under each party line. A petition needs to be signed by 5 percent of the number of each party from June 7 to July 11-14, the filing dates.
At this point, the Board of Elections is waiting on the final objections to be filed by voters who see discrepancies in the petitions. For instance, if a person who signed a Republican petition is not in the Republican Party or signed multiple petitions.
That process can last a couple weeks to sort through and for the board to make its determinations.
But as far as the Democrats and Republicans in Saratoga Springs are concerned, the slate of candidates is already established. The Democrats announced Brent Wilkes for mayor, Michele Madigan for finance commissioner, Christian Mathiesen for public safety commissioner and incumbents Joanne Yepsen for city supervisor and John Franck for commisioner of accounts (to see a brief run down of Wilkes' and Mathiesen's platforms click here, and for Madigan's click here).
The Republicans announced their list of incumbent candidates — Scott Johnson for mayor, Richard Wirth for public safety commissioner, Ken Ivins for finance commissioner and Anthony "Skip" Scirocco for public works commissioner and Supervisor Matthew Veitch — and I will be writing a story on their platforms in the near future.

Sen. McDonald may have money coming in from Same-sex supporters, but that coin has a flip side

2011-07-20T11:09:00.004-04:00

“There have been people who said they would donate millions of dollars against the people who voted on some of these issues,” Sen. Roy McDonald said in a recent Saratogian story I wrote about money coming in from same-sex marriage supporters since his vote for marriage equality.
And it seems his fear is becoming a reality.
Recently the National Organization for Marriage announced it will be making good on a pledge of $2 million to defeat the four Republican senators who voted for the bill and the three Democratic senators who voted against same-sex marriage in 2009, but reversed that decision this year and passed it.
"This is the first step in what will be a sustained, determined effort to make sure the constituents of these cowardly Senators know what they have done," Brian Brown, NOM's president said in a recent press release.
The release outlined how the organization is spending $150,000 on mailers comparing Republican Senators Roy McDonald, Mark Grisanti, James Alesi and Stephen Saland, and Democratic Senators Shirley Huntley, Joseph Addabbo and Carl Kruger to Benedict Arnold, the Revolutionary War general who sold out his country and his until-then winning war-time reputation for British Pounds.
The mailers highlight previous stances some of the senators took against same-sex marriage and some of the money they have received since their vote from same-sex supporters.
"It is shameful that these state Senators flip-flopped on such a critical issue when they saw gay marriage backers raising millions from Wall Street," Brown said.
As of the story that ran on July 15, McDonald had raised $118,000 in campaign contributions since June 1, some of which came in the form of $10,300 contributions from same-sex marriage supporters, while other contributions came from Republican and union sources.
"You can't run a campaign on $10,000," McDonald said in the interview for that story, but he also added “in the last campaign, more money was raised against me than for me.” He won that race against Democrat and Saratoga Springs Supervisor Joanne Yepsen.
It will be interesting to see if that magic will happen again.

Same-Sex marriage in the Spa City

2011-07-19T21:35:00.006-04:00

The city has not received many calls about same-sex marriage licenses according to Saratoga Springs Accounts Commissioner John Franck— that is, not many from people other than the media.
The commissioner said numerous calls have come from local media, as well as larger outlets like the New York Times, asking if any same-sex marriage couples had requested licenses and whether the city planned to open City Hall Sunday— the day the law takes effect— to issue the licenses.
"Since we have not received any calls requesting it, we will not be open July 24 to issue marriage licenses," he said. To date, Franck said he has only received two calls from private citizens, and they were general questions, not inquiries about Sunday and because City Hall would not typically be open Sunday, the 24th would be no exception.
"We are going to have a large demand, but we have not had any demand for (July 24)," he said.
In other cities like Albany and New York, the city clerks have been so inundated with requests for the licenses they are holding lotteries to see who can get legally wed Sunday and who will have to wait.
During the same City Council meeting Tuesday, Franck explained the new forms issued by the state.
"The changes are very minor," the commissioner evaluated.
On the current forms, there is a specific half for the Bride and Groom's information. On the new forms, both sides simply say "Bride/Groom/Spouse." They each have a spot to put the sex, but it is an optional addition.
Similarly, the original form has a spot that asks for each spouses' father and mother. The new form states: "Father or parent," and "Mother or parent," and where it used to ask for the "Signature of the Groom" and that of the "bride," now it just says" "Signature."

Here are the new and current documents with the changes circled by Franck:

Saratoga Springs Marriage License Forms

Secrets in the Spa City?

2011-06-30T16:19:00.001-04:00

According to the Saratoga Springs Police Department's blotter, two Secret Service agents were in Saratoga Springs to visit a particular person on Wednesday.

Police would not comment on their visit, but one said: "They are here regularly. They usually don't tell us why they are here or when," and added that the only reason they knew this time was because when they approached the man's door and identified themselves, he did not believe them. "We confirmed their credentials and they conducted their interview," the officer said.

What kind of nefarious activity would draw the Secret Service to Spa City?

Judge tosses Katherine Seeber's guilty plea

2011-06-28T11:15:00.000-04:00

Good morning everyone,
As promised, here's the full text of Judge Scarano's decision to toss Katherine Seeber's guilty plea.

BALLSTON SPA — Katherine Seeber's 2001 guilty plea has been tossed by Saratoga County Judge Jerry Scarano. Seeber, accused of murdering her step-great-grandmother, pleaded guilty to the crime in 2001 and has been serving a sentence of 20 years to life in prison since then.

Jeffrey Hampshire, who has a long history with Saratoga County law enforcement, including a recent conviction for his involvement in a fatal March 2010 hit-and-run, was also accused in Ruth Witter's murder but was acquitted at trial.

Seeber will likely be retried for Witter's murder, but District Attorney James A. Murphy III said he is considering appealing Scarano's decision. At this time, Murphy said there is no date set for the new trial.

To continue reading, click here.

Note: Yes, we are aware there was a mistake in the headline on this story both online and in print today. The online headline is now correct: Ruth Witter died of strangulation, not stabbing. A lame excuse for the error: none of the copy editors working yesterday were around in 2001 during the original trial and they got confused on the details. Like most of our reporting staff (and me) they were in high school in 2001. Everyone's getting a crash-course in this murder trial today to avoid further mistakes.

Katherine Seeber's '01 guity plea thrown out

Conclusion of Cole-Gate

2011-06-24T15:50:00.005-04:00

The Friday-afternoon press conference apology from Saratoga Springs Police Chief Chris Cole more closely resembled Anthony Weiner's second matter-of-fact press conference than his initial tearful press conference as Cole read his apology for the sexting scandal he has been embroiled in for the latter two-thirds of June.
Cole declined to answer questions or speak beyond his prepared appology.
Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth answered questions about the investigation and the actions being taken by the city, but declined to comment on the scandal itself or Lourie Masi who initially went to a news organization with a phone full of sext-messages from Cole-- initiating his press release that thrust the issue into the public spotlight ahead of her televised interview.
News reporters from every agency under the sun as well as blogger John Tighe from SaratogainDecline.blogspot.com were joined by several members of the public who came out to see Cole's statement and Wirth's decision.
Hopefully this really is the conclusion of Saratoga Springs' very own Weinergate.

Cole-Gate

2011-06-23T17:55:00.003-04:00

According to Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth, the internal investigation into Police Chief Christopher Cole is wrapping up.
Cole is currently on administrative leave for admitting that he sexted with a 41-year-old woman (he actually said she was 39, but according to her police records she was born in 1969).
He was placed on leave after confessing in a press release that he sent lewd photos from inside his office at City hall.
Wirth said the decision will be announced Friday or Monday.
Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of the Saratoga Springs Wienergate.

Elton John confirmation

2011-06-22T15:13:00.002-04:00

Who was it that called Elton John coming to SPAC weeks ahead of the official announcement by Live Nation? Oh right, I did.
The company confirmed that today.
I also called the Bruins winning the cup, but who's keeping score?

Circular Street

2011-06-21T20:23:00.004-04:00

After writing the article in response to SeeClickFix complaints about the intersection of Circular Street, Whitney Place and Park Place, I received an interesting e-mail from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation civil engineer Abram VanElswyk (I didn't think our circulation was so far reaching. Thank you internet), who suggested a different type of roundabout. Here are the contents of the e-mail which I have forwarded to Mark Benacquista, Dep. Commissioner Frank Dudla and Commissioner Richard Wirth:

Lucian –

I read with interest your article from yesterday regarding the issues at the Circular/Whitney/Park Place intersection, specifically the City Traffic Control Supervisor’s comments that a roundabout wouldn’t work there.

I checked out the site and do see how a typical roundabout could have negative right-of-way impacts. However, one option I wanted to call your and Mr. Benacquista’s attention to is a mini-roundabout. The primary difference between a regular roundabout and a mini is that the center of a mini is “traversable” (you can drive over it), which lets you make the roundabout smaller - cars go around like normal, and anything larger than an SUV or a Uhaul truck just bumps over the middle, which has a soft curb.

Here’s Federal Highway’s page on mini roundabouts: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/roundabouts/fhwasa10007/

I’ve also attached a rough sketch showing how a pair of minis (one 70’ diameter, one 60’) might work at the Circular/Whitney/Park Place intersection.

I was not able to find email contact information for Mr. Benacquista, so if you would forward this message on to him it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Abram VanElswyk | Civil Engineer Transportation
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Bureau of Project Delivery | Highway Quality Assurance Division
400 North Street | Harrisburg PA 17210
Phone: 717.705.8535 | Fax: 717.705.2379
www.dot.state.pa.us

He attached this picture of his suggestion:

Also here is a copy of the report prepared by Benacquista:
Circular@Park Whitney

Same-sex marriage vote

2011-06-14T11:32:00.005-04:00

With Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushing for a vote in the senate on same-sex marriage before the end of the legislative session next Monday, Sen. Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga) is on the side that may decide the debate.
Twenty-nine of thirty Democrats (barring Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a Democratic Bronx minister)and one Republican (Sen. James Alesi of Monroe County) are expected to support allowing same-sex couples to marry in the state, but that is two votes shy of passing legislation on it in the Republican-controlled Senate.
McDonald's spokesperson, Michael Veitch, said Tuesday morning the Senator has decided on his stance on same-sex marriage and will announce it within the next few days.
Sen. Hugh T. Farley (R-Schenectady) said through a staffer on Tuesday that "He is in favor of a traditional marriage between one man and one woman," so Saratoga County residents can count him firmly on the side of being in the "Nay" category for this legislation.
We'll be sure to let you know when McDonald comes out with his stance, though it may not be until he casts his vote on the Senate floor if and when same-sex marriage comes up for another vote (it failed in 2009).

The story that never was -- and then was

2011-06-10T11:28:00.003-04:00

It always sort of makes me feel icky when we at the newspaper have to report on someone's personal life. At times, though, it seems to spill into the public realm in strange ways.
In the case of Police Chief Chris Cole, we at The Saratogian had actually been following this story since Tuesday night, when rumors and television news reports (however brief and vague) seemed to point to an investigation going on behind closed doors at City Hall into Cole's sexting.
I spoke to Commissioner Richard Wirth Wednesday night about it and he told me there had been rumors and he checked through the department to see if any complaints had been filed. He said there were none, official or otherwise.
We wrote that story Wednesday night. It was short, and it was going inside the paper.
It essentially said: "Despite news reports to the contrary, Wirth says there is no ongoing investigation into Cole sending lewd messages." At the time that was true, and I personally thought it sounded too much like Weinergate to be true (I joked about it being called Cole-Gate).
There was an editorial decision made, though, that if there was no investigation, there was no story, and we would give the chief the benefit of the doubt.
Turned out there was a story after all.
Cole came out with the press release in the late afternoon Thursday (see below for a full version of it).
It was clear it was a story when he admitted at least one lewd photograph was taken in his office at City Hall. That is clearly a case of a personal life spilling over into a professional one — a professional life that is funded by tax dollars.
I don't know what we would have done if it turned out he was doing this from his own home with his own cell phone on his own time.
To some, that is clearly personal.
To others, the chief of the Saratoga Springs Police Department is never off the clock and what he does always reflects on the city.
I can see both sides, but clearly this time we didn't have to have that debate. If it happens in City Hall, it is city business.
We will obviously continue to follow the story and we will see what action is taken by Wirth and his staff.
Either way, the story is still icky.

Elton John

2011-06-06T11:39:00.003-04:00

Rumor has it that the knighted piano player will be playing the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in early September (the fourth, I am told by an anonymous source), though Live Nation representatives declined to comment one way or another.
"We have nothing to announce yet," one spokesperson said, but Elton John will be playing Bethel Woods Center for the Arts downstate on September 3 after a tour in Europe and will then proceed Brazil and Las Vegas at the end of the month.
More details are sure to follow

Court cases in holding patterns

2011-06-01T19:06:00.003-04:00

Steven Feldman was in court on Friday to plead guilty to one of the four counts levied against him for faking his credentials as a psychologist while seeing patients for Family and Supreme Court.
Because of some crossed wires (Clinton County DA and judge working in Saratoga County) his case wasn't on the docket or publicized so all of the news agencies only found out he was in court after the fact.
I had been calling about it frequently in months past to make sure I didn't miss it and kept being told it wasn't yet scheduled only to find out about it after he pleaded guilty.

That prompted me to make a series of calls around on other cases still pending.

-Alexander Grant's toxicology report is still out. The coroner said he expects it imminently but at this point the case can't move forward without knowing what he had in his system the night he died.

-Katherine Seeber has a couple of more weeks for the defense or prosecution to submit any further paperwork (evidence, motions, etc.). Then the judge will decide whether the fact that a lab tech may have fudged some of the results in her case to indicate he had performed tests he never did is enough to toss out her guilty plea. According to her lawyers-- a NYC firm representing her pro bono-- her decision to plead guilty hinged on the forensic evidence. However, according to ADA Dick Wendling there was overwhelming evidence other than the forensic evidence in question. The evidence is a pair of gloves worn when Jeffrey Hampshire or Seeber strangled her step great-grandmother with an electrical cord. She maintains it was Hampshire, but he was acquitted of the charges despite her testimony to that.
Here is a video of Seeber being brought into court during the last hearing date May 20. Erica Miller, myself and Drew Kerr from the Post Star were all waiting to get photos and video of her as she entered court (commonly known as the "Perp Walk") and the corrections officers from Bedford Hills Correctional Facility told us we couldn't photograph her. "You aren't authorized," the female officer told us (we consulted police contacts and they told us we were within our rights). We kept filming and through the video you can hear the intrepid snap of Erica's camera.

-Jeffery Hampshire is also awaiting a decision by the court. He is still waiting to hear whether a judge will rule him a persistent felony offender-- a decision that will send him to prison for a significantly longer sentence than the two to four year stint he is otherwise sure to receive as a predicate felony offender. He was convicted of felony evidence tampering in January, his third felony conviction in a decade. After sentencing he will be eligible for an appeal-- something he will surely pursue if he is found to be a persistent offender.

There are a few other cases on our radar here at the paper, but those seem to be the major ones. I will be in court tomorrow to cover Charles O. Sharp in city court. He was the man who allegedly absconded with about $3,000 from Uncommon Grounds and then disappeared for a few days so that story will be online tomorrow and in print Friday.

New at the City Desk

2011-05-28T13:08:00.002-04:00

Hello all,
My name is Lucian McCarty and I am taking over the City Desk at The Saratogian. I have been with the paper for six months now working on Saratoga County issues but with Patrick moving over to the world of public radio, I am moving into his former beat.

I have a bachelor's degree in Journalism with a minor in Political Science and I've been writing for newspapers for the past five years in New Hampshire and in Oswego but this is my first blog so it is a little strange using the pronoun "I" when I type.

I've actually been covering the city since Patrick left, but reporters at the paper have been stretched somewhat thin with the departure of Patrick and Mareesa Nicosia so close to one another-- it's only been Paul Post and I since then as full-time reporters.

This week, though, we have the new addition of Michael Cignoli and Suzanna Louri — who has been working on a part-time basis - is going full-time, so we will have some breathing room.

As such, I wanted to introduce myself to the blog-world and to all of our readers.

If anyone would like to contact me for any reason, my phone number is 583-8729 extension 221 and my e-mail address is lmccarty@saratogian.com.

I look forward to being a part of the community and am always happy to hear from readers.

City Center construction coming to a close

2011-05-27T11:09:00.001-04:00

News from the folks at the City Center:

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City Center expansion construction is coming to a close. The official ribbon cutting ceremony is taking place at 11 a.m. June 11 prior to the start of the city's Flag Day parade.

The majority of work left to be done is on the exterior of the City Center building. Panels are going up to finish off each entry way, along with the glass for the lighted main entry and the new lettering on the canopy. As the interior construction comes to a close, other renovation projects will start. The Main Hall is expected to get an overhaul, with a new sound system in the works, as well as some acoustical upgrades.

On September 11th of this year, the City Center is unveiling a sculpture, made from the steel of the World Trade Center, named “Tempered by Memory” to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

For more information and updates on the Saratoga Springs City Center, please visit www.saratogacitycenter.org or go to their official blog at www.saratogacitycenter.org/?cat=11.

The City Desk: Closed for business, pending new management

2011-04-15T16:24:00.005-04:00

As I'm sure some of you have heard, I will be departing Saratoga Springs as of next week for a new job with WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

I hope that in my 15 months (and 220 posts) as curator of the City Desk blog I have lived up to the level of reportage established by my predecessor. Thanks to all of you who have kept reading and commenting and occasionally calling in with tips or just to shoot the breeze. I hope I have upheld my roles as an objective observer, critical investigator, and source of easily digestible information.

Also, big-ups to the City Council meeting regulars; Al Calluci, Kyle York, John Tighe, John Kraus, Peter Tulin, Phil Diamond, any and all sources working in City Hall, and anyone else who was nice enough to stop and chat with me whether at City Hall or on the street. These are the people with their fingers on the pulse of city politics, and I cannot thank them enough for letting me into their world.

Saratoga Springs holds a very special place in my life and I will surely be returning often. Thanks again for reading, hopefully I'll see you around sometime soon.

And now, to play me out, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Elvis Costello...

Thanks again,

Patrick H. Donges

Front page: City DPW has ideas for VLT spending, Cuomo proud of NY budget during Congressional negotiations

2011-04-15T06:46:00.002-04:00

HAPPY FRIDAY!

City Public Works Commissioner Anthony "Skip" Scirocco has some ideas on how to spend some of the city's $1.5 mil in VLT host funding. [Srtgn]

In Albany; NYPIRG legislative director (and my former boss) Blair Horner is leaving 'PIRG for the American Cancer Society. [CapCon]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he is willing to bend on some provisions of his 2 percent property tax cap proposal. Cuomo also said the budget battle in Washington has made NY's budget passage look good. [WXXI, DN]

Front page: Planners see brew pub plans, Siro's permit blocked by injunction

2011-04-14T06:39:00.002-04:00

Good morning!

The Saratoga Springs Planning Board got a look at what I expect will be a very exciting project, a brew pub with outdoor seating on Broadway. [Srtgn]

In other city planning and bar related news, the board's decision to regulate Siro's outdoor entertainment has been blocked by a temporary injunction. [DG]

Saratoga County legislators voted to appeal a $1.3 mil bill levied by Hudson River-Black River Regulating District. [Srtgn]

In Albany; Gov. Andrew Cuomo scored some big concessions in a new contract with Council 82, the New York Law Enforcement Officers Union. CSEA and PEF officials were unimpressed by the deal. [AP via Record, DP]

The state Senate gave a Long Island girl cake, and a law in her name, on her 11th birthday. [CapCon]

A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School shows New Yorkers are lacking basic governmental knowledge. [LoHud]

Bill Clinton laments about the hookers in 1960s Times Square. [CNN]

Some more ideas from residents on spending (or not) the city's VLT $

2011-04-13T16:32:00.003-04:00

Thank you to those who responded to my call for comments on City Finance Comm. Ivins' request for public suggestions on how to spend the $1.5 mil slated to be paid to the city in restored video lottery terminal host funding. Here are a couple anonymous responses that didn't make it in the story.

From "a resident": "I have confidence in the commissioner and his colleagues to spend the funds as they see appropriate and I appreciate the opportunity to make suggestions."

From "a native Saratogian": "I'd like to see some of that spent on infrastructure, especially on the west side of town. Also, give it back... a nice break would be nice."

Front page: Comm. Wirth says police admin post may remain unfilled, county officials concerned gas prices may force deficit

2011-04-13T06:30:00.000-04:00

Good morning!

City Public Safety Commissioner Rick Wirth may leave a police administrative position open as he considers candidates for assistant police chief and fire positions. [Srtgn]

Saratoga County officials are concerned about how rising gas prices are affecting the budget. [Srtgn]

County officials are also considering opening an unused Northumberland landfill as part of a trash mitigation plan. [PstStr]

In Albany; Albany County Executive Michael Breslin will not seek a fifth term. His brother, state Senator Neil Breslin, will stay in office. [Record, SoP]

Putnam County Sen. Greg Ball received a bizarre package at his Albany office yesterday containing a vial full of a mystery substance and a stuffed monkey. [CapCon]

Following the announcement of the departure of his top aide Dean Fuleihan, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he will be sticking around for the foreseeable future. [DP]

A Senate hearing was held on the future of "alcopops" (ie. Joose) in NY. [LoHud]

Tedisco: "The property taxes are too damn high"

2011-04-12T10:57:00.003-04:00

Taking a cue from former gubernatorial candidate and "karate master" Jimmy McMillan, Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Schenectady/Saratoga, released a statement today that "the property taxes are too damn high!"

The release is framed as a reaction to the Assembly's passage of rent regulations yesterday.

"Some may be outraged about the cost of rent in New York City, but there’s no doubt about it, New York State’s property taxes are too damn high!" Tedisco said in the release.

"If the Assembly can protect rent-controlled apartments in Manhattan then it has the time to bring tax cap legislation to the Floor for an up or down vote before the month is up."

Front page: Residents respond to call for suggestions on VLT aid funds, state legislators introduce bills to increase pension payments

2011-04-12T07:12:00.003-04:00

Good morning!

As has already been mentioned here, Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner Ken Ivins Jr. has asked for the public's input on how to spend appx 1.5 million in restored VLT aid funding. Thanks you those who called yesterday to give your two cents. [Srtgn]

City Commissioner of Public Safety Richard Wirth says the Saratoga Springs Police Department's Assistant Chief position will be filled. [DG]

As donations dried up, farms for retired thoroughbred racehorses have had a hard time keeping up with care for the animals. [PstStr]

In Albany; environmental groups rallied against hydrofracking for natural gas at the capital yesterday. [AP via Record]

Legislators have introduced 55 bills thus far this session that would increase pension payments, broaden the scope of disabilities that can be used to claim retirement pay, or enhance health insurance benefits. [TU]

The Assembly voted to extend rent regulation policy, setting up a potential showdown with the Senate, who will be likely pushing for Gov. Cuomo's proposed 2 percent property tax cap. [NYT, CapCon, SoP]

Ivins on putting VLT aid in reserve fund: It's not that simple

2011-04-11T11:54:00.008-04:00

City Commissioner of Finance Ken Ivins Jr. put out a release today asking for city residents to make suggestions on how to spend $1.5 million in state aid for hosting video lottery terminals at Saratoga Casino and Raceway restored in the 2011-12 state budget.

He has previously said he would support putting the balance of the restored funding in the city's unreserved unappropriated fund balance, which he has said time, and time, and time again is currently below the amount recommended by the office of the state comptroller.

Putting the money into the city's unreserved unappropriated fund balance is, "not a simple, straight option," because the funding must be used for two specific purposes per state law: defraying the city's infrastructure and operating costs associated with hosting the gambling machines at Saratoga Casino and Raceway or lowering property taxes.

It's a pretty big target to hit; as far as I can tell the funds could be used for everything from filling potholes and building sidewalks near the racino to police department overtime costs for those long summer nights on Caroline Street.

What do you think the $1.5 million should be spent on?

Front page: LoWV cancels civil discourse panel for lack of officials' interest, Cuomo's first 100 days 'victorious'

2011-04-11T08:30:00.001-04:00

Good morning! Sorry about my hiatus, but I'm back for one last week of posts. Friday is my last day at the City Desk, but stay tuned for a new curator in the following weeks.

Making headlines today; the Saratoga League of Women Voters has canceled a program on civil discourse because only one local official signed up. [Srtgn]

County public safety officials say a $750 emergency medical instrument can help save lives in fires. [PstStr]

A replacement dam at Geyser Creek in Spa State Park is set to be completed by the end of the summer, state officials say. [DG]

In Albany; a "dedicated fund" for road and bridge replacement will need to be bailed out by the state after being spent into a $3 billion deficit. [TU]

A rally at the capital against hydrofracking for natural gas is planned today. [AP]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's first 100 days in office characterized as victorious. [Gannett]

Former state senator Hiram Monserrate, expelled after being charged with assaulting his girlfriend, currently "the boss" at a Queens pizza joint opened at his old campaign headquarters. [NYP]

New York film director Sidney Lumet passed this weekend, here's a sampling of his work. Enjoy.

Union and city officials instructed not to discuss contract provisions before council vote

2011-03-30T17:03:00.003-04:00

The air of mystery around yesterday's contract vote by the city's two CSEA units will likely not be lifted until April 5.

My first indication that the public would not be privy to this information was yesterday when I walked into the vote as it was still occurring and was told by public safety employee and union rep Lisa Nolan that a vote was not going on, despite the ballot box, and publicly posted notice that a vote was indeed happening on the union bulletin board right down the hall.

My suspicions were confirmed by two phone calls today. The first was a message from Mayor Scott Johnson, who said he could not discuss specific provisions in respect to an agreement made with union officials that neither side would talk to the press until an agreement had been reached.

The second was a call from CSEA regional spokeswoman Therese Assalian, who said that she had been told by city union officials that both sides had been instructed by a mediator not to discuss provisions before an agreement had been finalized.

"I normally can give some details," she said, "but I didn't want to push it because I didn't want (the city union official she spoke with) to feel that they were violating this type of trust."

After my run in during the vote yesterday, I reached out to the New York State Committee on Open Government (COOG) to find out whether or not the provisions of the preliminary agreement was protected information under FOIL.

In a return call today, COOG Executive Director Robert Freeman said that because negotiations are over and both sides have the proposed contract, disclosing provisions would not "impair present or imminent contract awards or collective bargaining negotiations," which is the legal benchmark for withholding the information.

He also said that because so many people had already seen the proposal, union members and city officials, that it could not confidently be considered a secret.

The City Council's next meeting is scheduled for April 5, where I'm guessing the contract will be put up for a vote.

Tedisco on VLT aid: "Sometimes the long shots win"

2011-03-30T13:24:00.002-04:00

Just got off the phone with Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Saratoga/Schenectady, who was on the Assembly floor about to begin debate on the budget bill that is set to restore about $2 million in video lottery terminal host aid to Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County.

Sen. Hugh Farley announced last Tuesday that an agreement had been reached between the Senate, Assembly and Gov. Andrew Cuomo that would restore VLT host funding to 17 upstate municipalities at a rate of 45 percent of the aid received in 2008.

Under the plan, approved in a Senate budget bill earlier today and expected to be approved by the Assembly, Saratoga Springs is slated to receive $1,496,000, and Saratoga County would receive $499,000, for a total of $1,995,000.

"Sometimes the long shots win," Tedisco said today from the floor, thanking Farley and Sen. Roy McDonald for their work and advocacy on the issue.

As he did when the agreement was announced, Tedisco referred back to a Feb. 8 breakfast meeting between Cuomo and the Assembly Republican Conference where he was joined by lawmakers from several other districts in vocal opposition of the cuts.

"We were convincing with the fact that you shouldn't discriminate," he said of that meeting, adding that Cuomo was "true to his word" that he would reexamine the cuts.

The release that Tedicso sent on the restoration of the funds seemed a little off to me because it referred to the action as being perpetrated by "the Legislature," not "Assembly Republicans" or "The Saratoga Three" or anyone in particular, but rather, everyone.

This whole sense of agreement and unity between the Assembly, Senate and Gov. during these budget negotiations seems a little off to me. Where is the yelling with the gridlock and the negotiation breakdown and secret conference committees that are canceled midday?!?! What happened to three men in a room?

"The conference committees do work," said Farley during Senate debate today.

"I think you've got an adult in the room, his name is Andrew Cuomo," Tesicso said, when confronted with my utter confusion.

"If imitation is the highest form of flattery, I'm very proud to be a Republican," he said, taking a partisan shot while also praising Cuomo's fiscally conservative approach.

"I've never seen anything go as smooth as this," he said of this year's budget process, comparing Cuomo to the extra blade added onto the razor.

"He brought that smoothness to the blade," he said, "Or at least he removed the roughness from around the edges."

Front page: City CSEA members vote on new contract, state ready to pass first early budget since 1983

2011-03-30T06:20:00.003-04:00

Good morning!

The city's two CSEA units, City Hall workers and DPW workers, voted on a new contract yesterday afternoon. [Srtgn]

Local environmental advocates echoed the call of nation groups for a moratorium on nuclear power plant licensing and construction. [Srtgn]

Troy party officials are canvassing for candidates in preparation for city elections this November. [Record]

Stillwater Supervisor Ed Kinowski urges transfer of fire tower land in Corinth. [PstStr]

The Saratoga Lake Association is recruiting volunteers to check the lake level every day amid flooding fears. [TU]

In Albany; legislators are poised to pass their first early state budget since 1983. [DN]

budget bills hit the legislature floor last night, with debate opening and some votes in the Senate. (Second link includes video of Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos opening the budget debate.) [CapCon, @NYSenate]

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver framed the budget as a win for Democrats. [NY1]

In honor of the pending budget approval, here's Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue," a hit in 1983.

Front page: SSPD bestows honors, state budget on track for on-time approval

2011-03-29T07:35:00.003-04:00

Good morning!

The Saratoga Springs Police Department awarded several officers and civilians with departmental honors yesterday afternoon. [Srtgn]

Former-Rep. Scott Murphy is now invested in a downtown Glens Falls redevelopment project. Also, he was not one of the highest congressional spenders last year. [PstStr, CapCon]

The state's general joint budget conference committee, AKA the "Mothership" chaired by Speaker Silver and Leader Skelos, met for the last time yesterday. [LoHud]

Special interest groups and advocates are reacting differently to the tentative budget deal. [TU]

A powerhouse legislator for decades, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's influence has been diminished after this year's budget negotiations. [NYT]

The Senate's Independent Democrats joined Republicans to approve rules changes that Democrats are calling "dangerous." [CH]

Second petition redelivered by Saratoga Citizen, Comm. Franck says action may be delayed by legal battle

2011-03-25T21:20:00.006-04:00

Patrick Kane, of charter change group Saratoga Citizen, delivered the following letter to Accounts Commissioner John Franck's office this afternoon.

Mr. John P. Franck
City Clerk of the City of Saratoga Springs
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Re: Filing of Local Law to amend the City Charter
Dear Mr. Franck:
As you know, on November, 19, 2010 and pursuant to Section 37(7) of the New York Municipal Home Rural Law
(“MHRL”), Saratoga Citizen submitted to you an additional petition proposing a local law to amend the Charter of the
City of Saratoga Springs. On December 8, 2010, you issued a Certificate stating that the additional petition did not
comply with all requirements of law. Saratoga Citizen subsequently challenged that determination in Supreme Court,
Saratoga County. On March 8, 2011, the Court issued a Decision and Order stating that the additional petition was
prematurely filed and could be filed with your office only after March 15, 2011.
Without waiving its right to appeal the Court’s determination, Saratoga Citizen hereby resubmits the additional petition.
Since your office remains in possession of the original additional petition, please treat the additional petition as being
resubmitted to you as of the date of this letter. The proposed local law is attached to the petition, and the petitioners
request that this local law be submitted to the voters of Saratoga Springs at the next general election.
The additional petition in your possession contains the signatures of 964 qualified electors of the City of Saratoga
Springs, which number is greater than five percent of the total number of valid votes cast for governor in the City of
Saratoga Springs in the last gubernatorial election. Please examine the additional petition and transmit a certificate
of compliance to the City Council. Please also send a copy of such certificate as required by MHRL § 37(5) to my
address at 19 Marion Place, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866.
Although Saratoga Citizen believes no fiscal note is required under MHRL § 37(11) for proposed local laws to
reorganize the functions of city government, I am enclosing for your reference a copy of the Preliminary Estimate of
Fiscal Impact on City of Proposed Charter prepared by Saratoga Citizen.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
Patrick V Kane
Saratoga Citizen Inc,
Saratoga Springs NY

While he did not personally get a chance to meet with Kane, Franck said Friday he now has 20 days to certify the signatures, but that isn't the end of the story.

"The only question is whether the stay that the court has put on with the appeal stays me from certifying those," he said.

Because the city has filed an appeal in their case against Saratoga Citizen an automatic stay has been issued, the details of which Franck said he would have to consult attorneys to determine.

Franck also that without the complication created by the litigation, the measure would have the required signatures to supersede a council vote of approval. Because of the legal battle, there is some question of whether or not the 60 days the council has to act on the first set of signatures has expired or if the clock stopped after the city filed their notice of appeal.

"The question is, did the 60 days go by yet? I don't know if the clock stops there," he said, adding that the issue was one the council may need to take a position on.

"My assumption is that the signatures are good and the signatures are sufficient," he said of the second set, which will not be reviewed by attorneys before action is taken.

Document: Saratoga Spring Police Department 2010 Annual Report

2011-03-24T12:29:00.001-04:00

Saratoga Springs Police Department 2010 Annual Report

Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth on the restoration of VLT host funding

2011-03-24T11:14:00.004-04:00

City Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth returned calls late for print the other day on the VLT host community funding preliminarily approved as part of the 2011-12 state budget.

"I'm thrilled to hear that," Wirth said of the agreement, which would restore nearly $2 million in state aid to the city and the Saratoga County (about $1.5 mil to city, about 500K to the county).

"I would be more than happy to receive that amount of money and I'm sure the rest of the council would be thrilled," he said, calling the city and county "well deserving" of the funds, part of which would likely be used to cover public safety services.

He went on to thank Senators Roy McDonald, Hugh Farley and NYS Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos for their work on the agreement.

Wirth is a former resident of Long Island, where Skelos is based.

Front page: City planners consider workforce housing propsal, Gibson still likes nuclear energy option

2011-03-24T07:43:00.003-04:00

Good morning!

City planners last night continued discussion on a proposed zoning overlay that would provide density bonus to developers who choose to build workforce housing. [Srtgn]

In Malta, Congressman Chris Gibson says nuclear power is still an option for the Capital Region, despite the crisis in Japan. [Srtgn]

In Albany; Sen. Roy McDonald says he may be willing to support an extension of the "millionaire tax" in the state budget. [CapCon]

Gov. Cuomo released a video yesterday reaffirming that the budget will be passed with his proposed cuts on time, or a shutdown may be in order. [TU, Gannett]
Here it is:

Watch live streaming video from newyorkstateofficeofthegovernor at livestream.com

33 protesters were arrested outside Cuomo's office yesterday. [CapCon]

The "mothership" joint conference committee met yesterday, accepting the reports of three other conference committees, including the General Government and Local Assistance report which contains a proposal to restore VLT host funding to 17 municipalities. [LoHud, Srtgn]

Front page: VLT aid proposed to be restored in state budget, state leaders remain optimistic a budget will pass on time

2011-03-23T07:30:00.000-04:00

Good morning!

As you may have heard yesterday, state budget negotiations have resulted in a deal to restore about $2 million in video lottery terminal host municipality aid to Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County. [Srtgn]

Check back here and at Saratogian.com for updates on this story.

NYRA plans upgraded luxury boxes, drainage, and wiring improvements at Saratoga Race Course. [TU]

Also in Albany; up to 2,000 protesters swarmed the capital yesterday to protest proposed cuts to education funding. [Record]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver remain hopeful a state budget will pass on time, perhaps even early. Cuomo also mentions extenders as a way to avoid the previously seen "Groundhog Day" scenario of leadership gridlock. [Cap Con, Lo Hud]

Opponents of Cuomo's proposed deep cuts are balking at the idea of a government shutdown in lieu of a passed budget, which Cuomo said he will allow to happen. [CH]

Cuomo repeated his stance yesterday that the Indian Point nuclear plant should be shut down at a press conference yesterday after a meeting with federal nuclear regulators. [DN]

Republican campaign committee takes shot at Murphy on health care vote, claims he may run again

2011-03-22T11:29:00.001-04:00

The following just came in from the National Republican Congressional Committee:

As Scott Murphy is being courted by Washington Democrats to run for his old seat, we can remember that it was exactly one year ago today that he voted for the big-spending, job-crushing healthcare bill that has since become law. Although Murphy lost his job, many ObamaCare supporters are already having regrets as new burdens are being placed on small businesses and the national debt continues to skyrocket. Having fired him once, New York voters won’t forget Murphy's support for the big-spending, job-destroying status quo that his fellow Democrats continue to defend to this day.

“Scott Murphy's former constituents in New York won’t soon forget how he marched right alongside the Democrats’ spending spree that preceded the record deficit we now face, and his vote for ObamaCare exactly one year ago today is no exception,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “This makes Murphy's potential comeback attempt doubtful at best, since debt is still being piled onto middle-class families and burdens are still being placed on small businesses throughout New York as a result of the harmful Democrat policies he supported before he was fired.”

One year ago today, Scott Murphy helped pass ObamaCare in the House. (H.R. 4872, Roll Call Vote #167: Passed 220-211: D 220-33; R 0-178, 3/21/10; H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #165: Passed 219-212: D 219-34; R 0-178, 3/21/10)

The release goes on to cite a post from the Washington Post's The Fix blog about an "alumni association" organized by Democratic Congressional Committee Chairman Steve Israel to take back the House made up of "roughly 90 percent" of the Democrats defeated in 2010. Murphy is not mentioned by name in the WaPo report.

Front page: Tedisco calls for enhanced animal cruelty measures, chip-fab planned for Albany

2011-03-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Good morning! Sorry for the late posts recently, I'm still getting over the DST shift.

Assmblymn Tedisco pushes for enhanced animal cruelty prevention measures as a Schenectady man is charged with starving three cats, two that died. [Srtgn]

The Malta Planning Board have given GlobalFoundries conditional approval to being construction of their planned 221,000-square-foot administrative building at the Luther Forest Tech Park. [PstStr]

In other chip-fab news, a new manufacturing facility at SUNY Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering was announced by Gov. Cuomo yesterday. [CapCon]

Legislators walked away from the table yesterday before resolving disagreements with Cuomo's plan to take control of $130 million in capital spending funds. [TU]

The operators of Indian Point nuclear energy plant say some regulatory changes are expected as the crisis in Japan continues. [NYT, USA Today]

Upstate lawmakers introduce a bill to ask voters whether or not New York should be separated into two states. [Gannett]

The state Senate approved a ban of legal psychedelic drug salvia. Check out the Daily News' Irving DeJohn, who I worked with while he was an editor at the Albany Student Press, copping some "salv" and toking on the street. Grooovy... [DN]

Gibson on Libya: "Now is not the time."

2011-03-21T13:11:00.001-04:00

The following statement was released by Congressman Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, this afternoon.

"Certainly I empathize with the Libyan people who desire to live free; however, I am deeply concerned with President Obama’s decision to intervene militarily in their civil war. Our country is currently facing a myriad of challenges, including working to complete our objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan, protecting our cherished way of life from extremist terrorist networks, and struggling here at home to address a skyrocketing deficit that poses a tremendous threat to our national security. Now is not the time to take on new missions. The Libyans must decide their own fate and we should stop our military operations immediately."

Front page: Saratoga County officials say public, private partnership likely in ownership of Luther Forest Tech Park

2011-03-21T08:04:00.000-04:00

Good morning!

Saratoga County officials say a partnership between the county, state and private investment is a likely solution as negotiations on the ownership of Luther Forest Technology Park continue. [Srtgn]

A report from Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says home foreclosures have dropped in NY while still trending up nationwide. [AP via Record]

Special interest groups have spent millions on ads and lobbying this budget season, with those supporting Gov. Cuomo's cuts outspending opponents. [TU]

Cuomo will meet with members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission tomorrow to discuss Indian Point in the wake of Japan's nuclear disaster. [LoHud]

NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg will be asked by marriage equality advocates to lobby state Senate Republicans, who he donated over $650,000 to this past election cycle, in support of a same-sex marriage proposal. [CH]

Congressman Hinchey is asking for an amendment to Medicare policy he says makes seniors in rural areas unfairly pay out of pocket for ambulance service. [Gannett]

Front page: Officials expect (relatively) peaceful St. Patrick's Day celebration in Saratoga Springs today, state leaders meet on budget negotiations

2011-03-17T06:35:00.001-04:00

Top o' the morning to ya and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A year after tragedy marred St. Patty's Day festivities in the Spa City, city public safety officials say there will be an increased police presence in town today. While a riot ala 'Kegs 'n' Eggs' is not expected, officials say they are ready for anything. [Srtgn]

Congressman Chris Gibson has a new website. [Srtgn]

Rensselaer County Legislator Peter Grimm has called for the creation of a bipartisan redistricting commission to make recommendations to the County Legislature. [Record]

In Albany; the 'millionaire's tax' supported by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has hit a dead end in budget negotiations. [AP via PstStr]

Silver, Gov. Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos began the annual ritual of 'three men in a room' budget talks to try and make the April 1 deadline. [TU]

After the nuclear crisis in Japan, Gov. Cuomo cited "concerns" with the Indian Point nuclear plant near NYC. [TU/CapCon]

The recently formed Independent Democratic Conference is pushing for historic building rehabilitation tax credits. [LoHud]

In Washington; legislators have found a way around the self-imposed earmarks ban - lobbying federal agencies for funds directly. [NYT]

In response to your comment...

2011-03-16T08:13:00.000-04:00

A response to a comment by Saratoga Springs resident Kyle York on my story today on the City Council's vote to appeal the decision in the Saratoga Citizen case. Both comments, which are also attached to the story online, are re-posted below.

Kyle York wrote on Mar 16, 2011 4:52 AM:

"In fairness to all readers, I believe the article as written suggests that the City is gaining momentum. While that may be the "spin" desired by the three Council members who voted to spend more money, it is poor journalism... albeit written in a hurry to make deadline.

FIRST, it is disingenuous to report that any Court had looked at the second stack of petitions submitted by Saratoga Citizen and "ruled on behalf of the city." The Judge ruled that it's TOO SOON to look at the second set of citizen signatures, not while the FIRST stack of petitions are being challenged... AGAIN... by the City.

The "Round Two" petitions were returned to Saratoga Citizen due SOLELY to the CLOCK, not any fault or flaw in CONTENT.

SECOND, it was with great enthusiasm and drama that the Mayor announced "the New York Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM) had voted at its Feb. 28 meeting to join the city in the appeal." That's true-- There was a VOTE.

The VOTE has no legal bearing NOR is it "news" unless Mr. Donges makes it clear that NO JUDGE has yet ruled on whether NYCOM will be welcome NYCOM to the City's $200/hour legal fight. In fact, the Court may find NO sufficient cause to afford NYCOM ANY status as intervenor.

The Court may choose to grant NYCOM amicus curiae status... or the Court may elect to leave NYCOM by the curb... but always welcome to post a comment on any news story in Saratogian blogs.

I was hoping the reporter might have asked the Mayor if NYCOM was willing to back their rabid "vote" of enthusiasm for litigation with any offer of financial support when the bills come in.

-Kyle York
Fan of the hard-working City Desk,
Stickler for spin-free Accuracy."

patrickhdonges wrote on Mar 16, 2011 7:58 AM:

"Kyle, as always, thanks for the input. Some responses I hope you will consider.

On your first point; I believe your concern is addressed at the end of the second paragraph, which states, '...it was ruled (the second set of petitions) had been submitted too early and would therefore need to be resubmitted to the city.'

Both Mayor Johnson, publicly last night, and Pat Kane, in a phone message earlier this week, characterized the ruling on the second set of petitions as being 'in favor of the city.'

Second; NYCOM is only mentioned as having voted to join the city in their appeal. You are correct that a judge may choose whether or not to afford them any input at all, as was the case before Judge Nolan with briefs filed by Eliot Masie and Saratoga SUCCESS. The news here, in my estimation, is that the mayor mentioned the group's vote in his appeal proposal, indicating they may be a factor in the appeal process.

I hope you will trust that the financial impact of this appeal on the city budget will be reported on (likely at length) in both print and the City Desk blog as proceedings... proceed.

-Patrick 'Spin-less in the All-Spin Zone' Donges

583-8729 ext. 219
pdonges@saratogian.com
saratogacitydesk.blogspot.com
@SaratogianCDesk"

I always post my contact info at the end of these comments because, as those of you who have called me already know, I will entertain any and all calls or emails on the content or context of my stories. In fact, I'll go so far as to say I can be a pretty nice guy, even while being berated for being an awful writer or accused of being in the pocket of politician or party x, y, and/or z.

Front page: Council votes to continue legal battle in charter case, Sen. McDonald calls for hearing on state-run home abuse reports

2011-03-16T06:45:00.002-04:00

Good morning!

The City Council voted 3-2 last night to continue legal proceedings against charter change group Saratoga Citizen. [Srtgn]

Schuylerville voters dismissed the proposed village dissolution. [Srtgn]

A new report says the Capital Region has lost nearly 10 percent of it's workforce in the form of state government employees. [TU]

In Albany; Students rallied on the Capitol steps against cuts to higher education funding in Gov. Cuomo's budget. [Record]

Both the state Assembly and the state Senate passed budget resolutions yesterday. Check out full text of the proposals here, and here. [NYT, DN/DP, LoHud]

Joint budget subcommittee meetings will begin today. [LoHud]

Sen. Roy McDonald and Assemblyman Felix Ortiz called for a hearing on reported abuse at state-run health group homes. [TU/CapCon]

WAMC's Alan Chartock and the Post's Fred Dicker fire shots in a radio war. [GthmGztte/Wonkster]

T.G.I.F. - Sen. McDonald talks health, government, Sen. Kruger and Asmblymn Boyland charged in federal indictment

2011-03-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Good morning, and happy Friday!

State and county officials discusses pension and health care costs, consolidation of services and VLT revenue with Sen. Roy McDonald at the first of six roundtable discussions on the 2011 budget. [Srtgn]

An audit by the NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office says Mechanicville Department of Public Works improperly logged hours worked by DPW employees. [Record]

Wilton Deputy Supervisor Ray O'Conor will not seek re-election. [PstStr]

Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. and Sen. Carl Kruger, both Democrats, were charged yesterday in federal court with taking money in exchange for official favors. [TU]

In response to this latest corruption scandal, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said a legislative ethics package it almost ready. [LoHud]

The potential closure of up to 100 nursing homes as part of Gov. Cuomo's budget has stoked the fears of some health services professionals. [Gannett]

NY U.S. Rep. Peter King is defending his support of the Irish Republican Army as his hearings on radical Islam get started this week. [DN]

Front page: Siro's outdoor hours limited by Planning Board, state Sen. Carl Kruger to turn himself into federal authorities today

2011-03-10T06:38:00.001-05:00

Good morning!

The city Planning Board voted last night to restrict the hours Siro's restaurant will be allowed to host outdoor entertainment during the 2011 track season. [Srtgn]

U.S. Sen. Schumer is pushing promotion of a website that connects veterans looking for work to local businesses. [Record]

Statewide; NY Sen. Carl Kruger will surrender to federal prosecutors in Brooklyn today on a host of unknown charges. [CapCon, NYP]

Gay rights advocates were upbeat after their meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo on enacting a same-sex marriage policy. [GCN]

Those advocating for state ethics reform could take a page from the medical profession's policies on gift giving. [WNET]

Front page: Senators clash over redistricting petition denial, Cuomo to meet today with gay leaders on same-sex marriage plan

2011-03-09T06:58:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino called state legislators to implement mandate reform measures during her annual State of the County address. [Record]

Gov. Cuomo's agency consolidation plan is drawing some criticism from lawmakers. [TU]

Cuomo is set to meet with gay advocates today to discuss a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage. [NYT]

State senate floor action was held up for about an hour yesterday as members argued over the Rules Committee's rejection of a Democratic petition for a hearing on the Gov.'s independent redistricting bill. Post-session video here. [SoP, CapCon]

NY U.S. Rep. Peter King is getting a lot of press coverage for his hearings on Muslim radicalization being held this week. [Observer]

Ex-Gov. Spitzer may make a run for NYC Mayor. [NatJo]

Front page: Searching continues for Alexander Grant, decision on Siro's permits expected Wednesday

2011-03-08T06:46:00.002-05:00

City and state officials and volunteers will continue the search today for Alexander Grant, the 19-year-old last seen early Sunday morning. Officials are asking anyone who may have seen Grant after 2 a.m. Sunday to contact the Saratoga Springs Police Department by calling 584-1800. [Srtgn]

The city Planning Board will likely make a decision Wednesday on permits needed to allow track season favorite Siro's to remain open this year. [Srtgn]

In Albany; state Senate Democrats have petitioned for a public hearing on independent redistricting. [AP]

Reform advocates will convene a 13-member 'NY Citizens Redistricting Committee' to critique new district lines regardless of how they are drawn. [City Hall]

Gov. Cuomo said he will set the date for a special election to replace "Craigslist" Congressman Chris Lee in NY-26 sometime this week. [Cap Con]

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appears to be again backing the "millionaires tax." [LoHud]

2010 was a record year for NY lobbyists. [Gannett]

Cuomo: "You think I'm a softy?" [LoHud]

Front page: Saratoga Cty Judge Harry W. Seibert to retire, state Senate Dems plan to force hearing on redistricting bill

2011-03-07T06:47:00.000-05:00

Good morning, and welcome to the working week!

Saratoga County Surrogate's Court judge Harry W. Seibert will retire in December; seven Republicans are already vying for the spot. [Srtgn]

State Senate Democrats will try to force a hearing on Gov. Cuomo's independent redistricting bill, which is currently stuck in committee. [AP via Record]

After criticizing them during his candidacy, Gov. Cuomo has recently made concessions for two large unions. [TU]

Recent numbers show that government employment is no longer a secure career path in New York. [Gannett]

About 1,000 protesters demonstrated in Times Square Sunday to decry NY Rep. Peter King's upcoming hearings on radical Islam as a "witch hunt." [DN]

T.G.I.F. - Gas prices still rising, more time for special elections approved by Senate

2011-03-04T08:26:00.002-05:00

Good morning!

Gas prices keep going up around the country, and local drivers are feeling the pinch. [Srtgn]

Prosecutors say more people may be charged in Troy's ballot fraud case. [Record]

In Albany; Gov. Cuomo's 30 day budget amendments suggest spending through 2013 on education and Medicaid. [CapCon]

Cuomo is expected to sign into law his bill, recently passed by the Senate, that would double the time campaigners have for special elections. [TU]

Pols criticized, examined Cuomo's health care reform agenda at a hearing. [WXXI]

Front page: Spa City sales tax collections highest ever in 2010, Clinton tells students to keep learning

2011-03-03T07:19:00.002-05:00

Good morning!

Saratoga Springs collected over $9 million in sales tax receipts in 2010, an all-time record. [Srtgn]

Bill "Slick Willy" Clinton tells UAlbany students to continue learning throughout their lives during a Wednesday lecture. [Record]

A handful of protesters were arrested at the capital yesterday while protesting for an extension of the "millionaires' tax." Video here. [TU, LoHud]

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky calls Gov. Cuomo's budget a "blank canvas." [Capitol]

Municipal officials, businesses leaders and even some who authored the preliminary mandate relief team report are criticizing the findings. [IthacaJo]

State Sen. Eric Adams (a familiar face to horse racing advocates) is pushing for a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines with hidden camera footage shot in Rensselaer and Colonie. Check out the video below. [UPI, DN/DP]

Front page: City water and sewer rates rise, unions rally in Albany

2011-03-02T06:41:00.003-05:00

Good morning!

The Saratoga Springs City Council voted last night to increase water and sewer rates 2 percent in 2011. Also, Mayor Scott Johnson has been speaking with city business leaders and the owners of the Broadway storefront soon to be vacated by Borders books to ensure the building will be filled quickly. [Srtgn]

Public union members descended on Albany yesterday for two rallies, vowing to continue the fight against cuts proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. [Record]

Cuomo's proposed 2 percent property tax cap got a cool reception from state Assembly Democrats during a day-long hearing on the measure. [TU]

Moments after a similar measure aimed at NYC was passed in the state Senate, Cuomo introduced a bill that would cease "last in, first out" firing policies for state teachers. [WXXI]

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver indicated the house will include an extension of a tax surcharge on the state's wealthiest residents in a budget bill, a move opposed by Gov. Cuomo. [NYT]

Cuomo's Mandate Relief Redesign Team has released a preliminary report. Not everyone is happy with the findings. [DN/DP, LoHud]

T.G.I.F. - MoveOn v. Gibson on Broadway, Medicaid team suggests $2.3 billion in cuts

2011-02-25T09:23:00.000-05:00

Good morning! Is anyone else ready for spring? I know I am.

In the headlines; MoveOn.org members and supporters of Rep. Chris Gibson held opposing protests on either side of Broadway yesterday. [Srtgn]

Gibson is currently on an international tour that includes a trip to Iraq. [PstStr]

In Albany; Gov. Cuomo's Medicaid Redesign Team offers suggestions to cut $2.3 billion from the budget. Check out a Q&A with Cuomo here. [TU, YNN/SoP]

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has quietly introduced Cuomo's independent redistricting bill. The GOP controlled state Senate is citing procedure as the reason it has not been introduced in that house. [DN, AP]

Front page: Beaver Pond Village approved by Planning Board, Gibson criticized for energy panel appointment

2011-02-23T18:45:00.002-05:00

Good morning!

The city Planning Board approved the embattled 85-lot Beaver Pond Village subdivision last night, clearing the way for the construction of 84 homes in the southwest neighborhood. [Srtgn]

Saratoga County posted an unexpected increase in sales tax revenue for 2010. [Srtgn]

The tabling of Indian casino plans in the Catskills has opened the door for expansion of Monticello Casino and Raceway. [WSJ]

Rep. Chris Gibson is being criticized by Democrats for appointing a lobbyist to chair his energy advisory panel. [PstStr]

Despite record profits, cash bonuses on Wall Street are declining in response to new regulations, according to Comptroller Tom Dinapoli. [LoHud]

In Albany; New York public sector unions are on the defensive for budget negotiations as the public supports concessions. [Gannett]

State Senate Democrats claim Republican leaders are skirting the debate of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recently introduced independent redistricting bill. [TU]

State officials respond to President Obama's decision to suspend enforcement of the Defense of Marriage Act. [TU/CapCon]

Front page: Justin Ahigian is SSPD 2010 officer of the year, Cuomo avoiding Wisconsin-esque union fight (so far)

2011-02-23T08:16:00.002-05:00

Good morning! Again, my apologies for the late post, my sleep schedule is shot this week for some reason. Any suggestions?

In the headlines; congrats to SSPD Officer Justin Ahigian (pronounced ah-HE-ge-ann) on receiving the 2010 Officer of the Year award from the city's Police Lieutenants union. [Srtgn]

The Victory Dissolution Committee met for the first time in a process that will end with village residents voting whether to dissolve the village for absorption into the town of Saratoga and the village of Schuylerville. [Srtgn]

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer toured Brown’s Brewing Company in Troy in support of new tax cuts for microbreweries. [Record]

In Albany; as Gov. Cuomo espouses the necessity of a public employee pay freeze, over 50,000 state workers are scheduled to receive step and longevity raises this year. [TU]

Gov't experts say Cuomo's tone with unions has been softer than that of Wisconsin Gov. Walker with an eye towards avoiding large scale protests. [AP]

Questions swirl about the effect of Jeffrey A. Sachs, Gov. Cuomo's 'best friend', on the state's health care industry. [NYT]

'First Gal' Sandra Lee is in the March edition of Vogue photographed as the 'woman in white.' [LoHud]

Assemblywoman Jane Corwin got the nod from the state GOP to run for the NY-26 congressional seat of 'Craigslist Congressman' Chris Lee. [TU/CapCon]

Front page: Schumer tours GloFo. Gibson votes to defund Planned Parenthood, group to protest

2011-02-22T07:24:00.004-05:00

Good morning! Sorry this post is a little late today, I was out last night celebrating the departure of copy editor and page designer Kellen Riell to the Cape Cod Times. You will be missed Kellen, Tweet us early and often!

In the headlines; U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer toured GlobalFoundries in Malta yesterday, calling the chip fabrication plant "the future" of New York. [Srtgn]

Rep. Chris Gibson says he supports federal funding for family planning after voting for a budget resolution that cut Title X funding and an amendment on the bill to defund Planned Parenthood. There is a protest against the votes in Saratoga Springs planned for ~~this~~ Thursday afternoon. [Srtgn,PstStr]

Local officials are glad the plan to build an Indian casino in the Catskills has been rejected by federal authorities. [Srtgn]

Saratoga County officials will create new ID cards for veterans. [PstStr]

In Albany; many questions remain about how public employee unions fit into Gov. Andrew Cuomo's austerity budget plans. [TU]

Former NYC Mayor and NY Uprising founder Ed Koch is pleased with Cuomo's redistricting proposal. [LoHud]

Senate Democrats are dealing with lower office budgets now that they're in the minority. [DN]

NYSUT has a new ad opposing Cuomo's cuts to education aid. Check it out.

Front page: County officials have mixed feelings on tax cap, Catskill casino plan rejected

2011-02-21T06:56:00.003-05:00

Good morning!

County officials have mixed opinions of Gov. Cuomo's proposed 2 percent tax cap. [Srtgn]

Federal officials have rejected the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe's plan to build a casino in the Catskills. [LoHud]

A bill being considered by state lawmakers would let villages use lever voting machines in the 2012 general election. [IthacaJo]

Gov. Cuomo faced down chants of "shame on you" during an address before the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators. [TU]

Cap insiders say Skelos and Silver are secretly planning to derail the budget process to avoid massive proposed cuts. [NYP]

T.G.I.F - Paul Male considers retirement, GloFo expected to have positive impacts on Cap Region

2011-02-18T06:42:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday everybody!

If you haven't already, take a look at the videos from Tuesday's City Council meeting. There are statements from Pat Kane and Remigia Foy, Mayor Johnson's rationale for his appeal proposal, and the council discussion and vote.

In the headlines this morning; City engineer Paul Male is considering retirement this year, thoughts he said have nothing to do with a recent lapse in his registration as a professional engineer. [Srtgn]

Sen. Roy McDonald stopped at Quad/Graphics in Saratoga Springs yesterday on a tour of district businesses. [Srtgn]

GlobalFoundries Fab 8 plant in Malta is expected to bring "positive impacts" to the Capital Region. [Record]

In Albany; new reports show how Senate Democrats overspent their budget last year. [CapCon]

Governor Cuomo has proposed a bi-partisan redistricting panel. [WXXI]

And finally; "Tatiana", come on down to the beautiful Spa City for Travers Day 2011! The Price is Right contestant won a VIP trip to the city along with a trip to Scotland and a sailboat.

Check out the full episode (what I'll be doing immediately following this post) online here.

Video from Tuesday's City Council charter change appeal debate/vote

2011-02-17T17:15:00.003-05:00

Here are a trio of videos from Tuesday night's City Council meeting related to the charter debate. First you'll see some public comments from Peter Tulin, Pat Kane, and Remigia Foy. Second, Mayor Scott Johnson's explanation for his appeal, and lastly the council debate leading up to the vote.

Check out the third video for the face Finance Commissioner Ken Ivins makes after Johnson takes a jab at Accounts Commissioner John Franck. Enjoy!

Front page: Public broadcasters speak out on proposed cuts, Committee to Save New York challenged on disclosures

2011-02-17T06:50:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

Local executives of publicly funded media are speaking out on the Congressional proposal to cut their funding. [Srtgn]

Borders books on Broadway will close in the coming weeks, adding to the list of vacant spaces on Broadway (with neato map!). [Srtgn]

Criminal charges will not be filed against recently resigned Saratoga Springs Police officer Patrick Arpei. [Srtgn]

In Albany; groups are challenging the Committee to Save New York's lobbying application because they did not disclose ties to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. [LoHud]

Have New York's political advertisements reached a "boiling point"? [TU/CapCon]

A new poll shows public support for Cuomo's property tax cap proposal. [AP]

The Gov.'s Medicaid Redesign Team has two weeks to submit a spending plan. [IthacaJo]

Assemblyman Tedisco pushes for digital legislature

2011-02-16T10:53:00.002-05:00

It's not often I see proposed legislation that I can get behind not only as a state resident, but also as the employee of a company whose recently adopted mantra is "digital first."

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R-Schenectady/Saratoga) is calling for the legislature to "replace birch with binary" - stop printing paper copies of bills and reports and instead providing them in a digital format.

Shown above is are copies of two Legislative Digests received by Tedisco's office in the past week as an example of wasteful legislative printing. The books are periodically printed and sent to all legislatures.

"With the availability of 2011 technology such as laptops, smart phones and e-reader tablets, there’s no reason why the New York State Legislature should be stuck using the same process that existed 100 years ago,” he said in a release on the measure.

"Given New York’s dire fiscal situation, every dollar saved on going paperless should go to reducing the deficit and tax relief, not filling circular files across the Capitol."

11,700 bills were introduced during the 09-10 session and printed multiple times. There is no specific line item for legislative printing, but Assembly Ways & Means staff estimates it may cost taxpayers up to $26 million.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed similar legislation (by a vote of 399-0) to stop the mandatory printing of congressional bills. Several state legislatures have gone paperless or are experimenting with going digital. They include California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. It’s estimated that Ohio has saved $1.5 million since going digital.

Front page: Saratoga Citizen expect more litigation after council vote, SSPD officer resigns amid criminal investigation

2011-02-16T06:48:00.005-05:00

Good morning!

Saratoga Citizen expect they will return to court after last night's City Council vote to file a notice of appeal in their case against the group. [Srtgn]

A Saratoga Springs police officer has resigned amid an internal criminal investigation. [Srtgn]

In Albany; In an 'unprecedented' move, Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy testified before a joint state Senate hearing on education spending. [WXXI]

Ed Koch is asking legislators to keep their reform pledge less their pants light ablaze. [TU/CapCon]

Gov. Cuomo is causing some friction with a proposal to grant new authority to a new financial agency to investigate cases typically reserved for the Attorney General. [NYT]

Kane: "We can't stop now"

2011-02-15T16:17:00.000-05:00

Saratoga Citizen organizer Pat Kane (pictured at left with fellow organizer Brent Wilkes) thinks Mayor Scott Johnson will likely have the votes to initiate an appeal of the NYS Supreme Court decision to validate the group's petition, and that the group will continue efforts to put the measure on the ballot.

"The appeal would be a disservice to the people of the community," Kane said on the phone Tuesday at around 4 p.m.

Kane added that the cost of a special election for the referendum would "pale in comparison" to the amount the city could spend for a trip to Appellate Court or even the lawyers fees for an evidentiary hearing.

"We've come this far, we can't stop now," he said, when asked if the group would continue litigation through the Appellate Court and beyond.

Kane also mentioned support for the council's appeal by the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM), calling it "perplexing" that officials from cities that do have a council-manager form of government would support the denial of a referendum in a city they are not a part of.

Discussions between city officials and NYCOM were brought up by Accounts Commissioner John Franck during a Feb. 4 meeting with Kane on the group's fiscal analysis.

"I can't think of a better community to do this than Saratoga Springs," he said, referring to the precedent that would be set if the citizen-produced referendum made it onto the ballot.

The City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Make sure to check out the City Desk Twitter feed @SaratogianCDesk for updates from the meeting.

Front page: City Council to vote on charter suit appeal, mandate relief law revealed by committee

2011-02-15T06:30:00.003-05:00

Good morning! I hope everyone had a romantic V-Day weekend.

Tonight the city council has a possible appeal of the decision to approve Saratoga Citizen's charter change petition. I hope Sunday's article cleared up some of the questions you've been asking.

In today's headlines; Rep. Chris Gibson voted against extending the PATRIOT Act. [Srtgn]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's mandate relief committee finds a mandate relief law that is already on the books. [TU]

Senate Democrats are pushing for ethics reform, and criticizing the GOP for not joining in. [TU/CapCon]

Good government group Citizen's Union says a "legislative crimewave" has swept through Albany since 2007. [LoHud]

The New York State United Teachers and New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness have opened a new Onion-esque news site warning of possible tax cap consequences. [TU/CapCon] Check out WBCC at badcapcitynews.com.

T.G.I.F. - Local Egyptians speak on the current situation, Rep. Gibson called out for living in his office

2011-02-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

Good morning and HAPPY FRIDAY!

In Egypt today; protests continue as the army has agreed to side with President Hosni Mubarak, who did not step down in an address yesterday. [NYT]

In the Capital Region; local Egyptians say reform will take a long time. [Record]

Saratoga Springs resident Alexander "Sam" Aldrich, who sits on the board of trustees for the American University in Cairo and has been to Egypt 38 times since 1972, talks Egyptian politics. [Srtgn]

A discussion on what the uprising in Egypt will mean for governments around the world will be held at Skidmore today. [PstStr]

Read the resignation letter of 'Craigslist' Congressman Chris Lee. [DN/DP]

Republican state legislators are mulling a run at Lee's former NY-26 seat, including Sen. Maziarz, who would set up a 31-31 Senate tie if he departed. [LoHud]

Discussions of the discussions for state ethics reform are seeping into the mediasphere, and it's a blame game. [WXXI]

Assemblyman James Tedisco is again calling on Gov. Cuomo to abandon his proposed 2.75 percent surcharge on thoroughbred horse racing purses [Srtgn]

From Washington; an ethics organization is questioning Rep. Chris Gibson (and others) who are living in their offices, "frat house" style. [NYT/CapCon]

I've always wondered what the party scene is like at the Congressional office buildings. I bet it looks something like this:

Statement from Assemblyman Jim Tedisco on joint budget conference committees

2011-02-10T14:53:00.003-05:00

Here's the reaction from Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R-Saratoga/Schenectady) on the announcement from legislative leaders earlier today that a schedule has been agreed upon for joint conference committees and other deadlines to pass a budget by April 1.

"It’s good they’re following the law and convening budget conference committees. Without question, rank and file lawmakers should be part of the process because one of the most important jobs a legislator has is to craft and pass a fiscally-responsible, on-time state budget. So I’m optimistic."

Legislative leaders announce schedule for on-time budget completion and joint conference committees

2011-02-10T13:22:00.005-05:00

In a release today, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced an agreement on a schedule for joint legislative budget deadlines.

The dates are as follows:

On or before:
February 28
Senate/Assembly Fiscal Committee Economic & Revenue Reports Released

February 28
Consensus Economic and Forecasting Conference

March 1
Revenue Consensus Report

March 15
Senate & Assembly budget actions

March 15
Joint Senate/Assembly budget conference committees commence

March 28
Final Report of Joint Conference Committees

March 28 - 31
Joint Legislative budget bills taken up by Senate & Assembly

"I am pleased that we are returning to the joint, public budget negotiation process that is set in law," said Skelos. "This model resulted in passage of an on-time budget in 2008 and I’m hopeful it will help us enact a budget by April 1 that meets the fiscal challenges we face and addresses the needs of the people."

"The Legislature has already moved forward with an aggressive schedule of joint public hearings on the governor’s proposed budget. The schedule we are unveiling today provides a clear roadmap for the path we will take as a collective body to achieve a sound budget for New York State that recognizes the divergent needs of our communities and the fiscal reality of our state," said Silver.

Roy McDonald to hit the streets with Troy PD tonight

2011-02-10T12:14:00.004-05:00

From a release sent this week, Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, will work the night shift with members of the Troy Police Department.

“These officers put their safety on the line to provide security for our families, friends and neighbors. I’m very supportive of these hard working individuals and I’m looking forward to a great experience with the officers and Chief Tedesco,” said McDonald in a release which dubbed the event "Ride Along with Roy".

The release goes on to say that the Senator will be visiting other local departments, including Saratoga Springs. SSPD officials did not return calls for comment on any pending ride along event.

Front page: New July 4 non-profit revealed, "Craigslist Congressman" Chris Lee resigns following shirtless photo scandal

2011-02-10T06:31:00.004-05:00

Good morning!

A new non-profit organization headed by city Finance Deputy Commissioner Kate Jarosh will plan and raise funds for the July 4 All-American Celebration. [Srtgn]

Siro's employees and neighbors of the track season staple spoke out on a proposal to extend hours for outdoor entertainment. [Srtgn]

Buffalo area Rep. Chris Lee has resigned following reports that the married legislator sent a woman on Craigslist a shirtless photo. [Gawker]

More interesting than his pecs, there will be a special election to fill the spot. [TU/CapCon]

Carl "I'll take you out!" Paladino was considering a run at the seat, but appears to have uncharacteristically backed down. [SoP]

A(n obviously fictional) source close to Fred Dicker tells me the vet Post reporter began immediately doing push-ups to prepare for a potential rematch with Paladino. after last year's "Kerfuffle in Kinderhook".

Front page: State releases Saratoga Citizen financial disclosure report, Cuomo to consider restoration of VLT funding

2011-02-09T07:08:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

City Finance Commissioner Ken Ivins Jr. (pictured above) will hand off the organization of the city's July 4 All-American Celebration to a new citizen-created not-for-profit at a ceremony today. Check Saratogian.com for an update after the event.

In the headlines; The New York State Board of Elections has posted Saratoga Citizen's Jan. 2011 financial disclosure report. [Srtgn]

Gov. Cuomo said he will consider the reinstatement of VLT host funding during a breakfast yesterday with Assembly Republicans. [Srtgn, CapCon]

Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton is expected to announce his resignation today in order to take a post with the Cuomo administration. [TU]

Both sides of the aisle at the state Senate will reduce payroll. [TU/CapCon]

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said Cuomo's budget task forces are delaying the budget process. [WXXI]

Good government groups want to know about "First Girlfriend" Sandra Lee's investments. [DN]

President Obama is now smoke-free according to the First Lady. [DN]

Maybe C-3PO finally convinced him:

Saratoga Citizen campaign finance report posted to New York Board of Elections website

2011-02-08T10:38:00.002-05:00

The wait is over.

Charter change group Saratoga Citizen's January 2011 periodic report to the New York State Board of Elections is online. For those of you keeping score, the group was late to file by the Jan. 18 deadline.

Here is the summary:

Opening Balance $2,008.94
Contributions $10,460.00
Miscellaneous Receipts $.00

Total Receipts $10,460.00
Total Expenses $6,598.59
Closing Balance $5,870.35

Report pages posted below:
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule A, Individuals/Partnerships
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule B, Corporate
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule F, Expenditures/Payments

A few notes; Pat Kane estimated in an article after Judge Nolan's decision that the group had accrued $100,000 in legal expenses. The report shows only $6,000 in expenditures on legal fees.

Also, a sole corporate expenditure from Northeast Association Management, Inc., of which Brent Wilkes is president. The explanation is "Brent Wilkes", so I'm going to guess at this that this is a personal account opened through the business.