THANK YOU!

Thanks all the way around.  I want to say thank you to those who have sent emails about the blog.  It is appreciated.
  
Thanks all the way around.  I want to say thank you to those who have sent emails about the blog.  It is appreciated.

Thanks also go out to Dee Sarno who grew the Saratoga County Arts Council from 50 to 1,000 members during her more than 20 years as Executive Director.  A quote in the Saratogian, sums the whole thing up, “I see the arts thriving in Saratoga

always,” said Sarno, who moved here with her husband, A.J., in 1987. “To keep them going you need somebody with a vision who wants to work. You also need patrons because the arts have always needed financial support.”

Imagine that, a non-native Saratogian – a transplant, yet she is a true Saratogian.  She did a wonderful job being a great civic leader, something many non-natives do and do it well.  Again, thanks Dee for all your past endeavors in making Saratoga a little bit better off than it was and we hope you keep your imprint in the arts by staying active.

IT’S JUST TOO MUCH JOHNSON AROUND

You would think with all that is happening in Saratoga there would be other stories to be read and concerned about besides the Saratogian and Scott Johnson.  However, these two entities leave themselves hanging out there so much, that they monopolize the news and the two are joined at the hip.

Why do I think that these two, the Saratogian and Johnson are Siamese twins, because The Saratogian is a tool of Johnson’s and Johnson is a tool of the Saratogian.

Let’s start with the Saratogian.  Over the last 20 years the newspaper has been calling for a change in the form of government, a change mind you not a revision.  In 2006  when a strong mayor form was proposed, they said not to vote for it, then again in 2012 when a manager/Council form was proposed, they again said don’t vote for it.  One may ask, what form would they back, a King Johnson form?

The Saratogian never questioned why the Mayor spent over $100,000.00 fighting against putting the Proposal on the ballot or why after 4 years and countless times the Mini-me stated he would appoint a Commission, which he should have done anyway 4 years ago but was content in spending our money.  This sound like the newspaper is playing politics and cannot offend its own advertisers, some who voiced negative comments about changing, thereby endorsing some form of change itself.  It’s no wonder it looks like they will cease to exist in a few years.  They try too hard to please a Mayor’s & big business rather than be true to reporting the news ad back their own long time call for change.  Oh well, the Mayor’s businesses do spend quite a sum on advertising.

Next we bring up the dreaded BEDBUG CAPER.  The good thing that came out of this issue was the insane salary of its Director.  However, again, Johnson appointed or re-appointed the entire HA Board.  Every year Johnson failed to have the Chairman of the Board come before his Council with the proposed salary increases, then backs away from all the problems that the Council is trying to get to the bottom of.  Now the game begins for Johnson, he doesn’t re-appoint the former Chairman and it is rumored that after begging people to take a seat on the Board with no takers, puts Ken Ivins, a former political puppet of Johnson’s and Al Callucci, [no one in the City can figure this appointment out], although Callucci and Ivins along with an out of town blogger seem to be the front men for Johnson’s odd actions by their own instability.

Does the Saratogian go after Johnson for dereliction of duty by ignoring the yearly reports from the HA along with bugging out of sight when things heat up?  That would the Publisher and Editor in a bad light with Johnson and his Deputy the infamous Hound.  So they give him a pass.

The Mayor it is rumored, told the managing editor of the Saratogian to print a piece regarding the goings on at the Housing Authority and also put a piece written by Ken Ivins to be in the paper on the same day.  Ivins mentioned that the Mayor appointed himself and Callucci to the Board to bring sanity to the Board of Directors.  That is like putting Wimpy to work at McDonalds.

Again, here is another example of the newspaper being used as a tool of Johnson’s.

In the office of the Justice League, the saying is Holy Cow, Batman, it looks like the Saratogian is playing with their Johnson (the Mayor, silly).

The next item is that an idea that was put forth 6 years ago by a previous administration of revamping the parking lot across the street from the Police Station and using it for the City and the City Center.  This proposal was shot down by big business as too costly, now the City Center proposes to do a somewhat similar plan for $9 million dollars that the Mayor said “will not cost the taxpayers a penny”.  The loss of what the City receives yearly from the City Center, who has to pay off the debt, will affect the taxpayers.  More voodoo economics by the Mayor.

Last but not the end, in Monday (26^th) edition of the Saratogian, the business reporter gives a report about one of the Mayor’s restaurants i.e. Sperry’s and their plans for New Years Eve and that they are now taking reservations.  I hope the Saratogian does an article on all of the restaurants that are taking reservations for New Year’s Eve and what special things they have planned.  However, I don’t think that Michael F. O’Sullivan (Publisher) or Barb Lombardo (Managing Editor) would give away that much free advertising.  

Now, some will say, all I do is pick on the Mayor, but we like to get you info of this kind.  We promise not to make every story about Johnson, but will add those about our potentate when necessary.

THANKSGIVING

As Thanksgiving approaches we must take time and give thanks for all we have.  God, family, friends, food, a warm place to stay and trying the best we can to help our fellow man.

It is also time to reflect on the idea of Ben Franklin.  Ben wanted to name the noble bird, the turkey as our national bird.  A few things to ponder if this happened.  (1). we would be eating eagle on Thanksgiving Day, (2).  We could name our current Mayor Scott Johnson as our national symbol, instead of stuffed he is pickled most of the time, so we would celebrate with vodka pickled eagle stuffed with a Shauna Sutton.

Instead, the reality is that the eagle is our national bird and the turkey is our thanksgiving dinner, whether it’s roasted, deep fried or pickled.

Now, we are all waiting with baited breath for our esteemed Little Royal Lowness to name his Commission.  One has to ask the Mayor, what dollar amount will this Committee have?  All the meetings will have to be taped and have a secretary there to take the transcript.  The Committee will also have to have an outside attorney verify the wording and get it ready to be put on the ballot.  Who he will appoint will not be that much of a surprise and I’m sure that he will convey his wishes and orders to them and to carry out those wishes.  Look for the power they give the Mayor, only then will you be able to see where the man with the goatee has hands.
It's too bad Johnson took Mel Torme literally and roasted his chestnuts over an open fire. Ouch!

ANOTHER AWARD

Well citizens, Saratoga Springs has won another distinguished award.  A well known sports magazine has listed our Broadway as one of the top 10 main streets that geese love to fly over, on the way South.  The Mayor is so happy that he gets a Golden Goose to put on his showcase in his office, the Golden Goose Award will be placed in between his 2 bottles of Grey Goose.

Speaking of the Mayor, word out of City Hall is that after he empanels his 15 member Commission to tweak the current Charter, Johnson will order them to insert 4 year terms for Mayor and Commissioners and stronger powers for the Mayor’s position.  It looks like he wants to be sure he has a longer period of time to be away from his wife, who by the way is a very nice person, and give poor destitute cemetery caretaker Shauna some extra dough.  Remember another 4 years for these 2 means life insurance for as long as they live, paid for by us.

It will also be interesting to see how the SUCCESS group deals with 4 year terms that one of their members (Mayor Johnson) will tout.  We will see if the Sellers, Klotz’s, Weihe’s, Masie, The Saratogian,Wait, Roohan’s, former Mayors Lenz, Watkin, O’Connell, and current DA Jim Murphy.  Remember they all complained endlessly that this was a very strong point that “you can get rid of the bums after 2 years”.

I want to address a sad case.  A local blogger who never had any scruples to start with and who lives off of the taxpayers and what money he can get from a few supporters, has gone to a new lower level.  No he hasn’t moved downstairs.  He used to be involved in a group of break – away Democrats and attended their meetings at Mama Mia’s every month.  However, since last year, they told him to STAY AWAY.  They do not want him around and he has added them to his vulgar and idiotic blog.  His blog is followed by a handful of readers and sadly he posts many responses himself.  It is very sad to see him try and operate as a reporter the thinks he is.  He is truly a pathetic individual.

On a lighter note, Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away.  I hope everyone has family or friends to gather and enjoy the day with.  If you do, why not consider donating some stuffing mix, canned vegetables, potatoes, a jar of gravy or cranberry sauce to a local food pantry so a family in need can have a taste of the Holiday.

Thanks

EATING CROW - CONGRATULATIONS SUCCESS

Well, the election is over and I have to tip my hat to SUCCESS for running a campaign that did put the fear of high taxes and a change to a City run by big developers, I thought that’s what we have now.  However, they won and we will go on as usual.

It should also be said a round of thanks should go to the hard working people who worked on the Saratoga Citizen side.  They were a group of concerned citizens who fought for a cause they believed in with no aspirations other than to make the City better.  Saratoga would be even better if it had more citizens like them to join civic programs that just to sit back and complain about those whose intentions are not selfish in any way.

One thing that we can come away with from this election and can join SUCCESS in is that people do not want 4 year terms among other items, as the Mayor has indicated this himself.  His Commission will be watched by many to see if they will make sure that the mandates of the 2001 Charter passed by the citizens will be enforced.  The way to better this form can probably be done by just following that Charter’s mandates.

It will also be interesting to see how our economy will fare when as rumored the Governor announces soon that Albany will be the site of a new full blown casino, which has been talked about for the last few months.  I have no fear however, that our form of government will be able to keep Saratoga the lively City we are now with no tax increases and the same level of services.

   

Again, congratulations to SUCCESS for their victory.

IN BASEBALL, IT WOULD BE A 3 WAY DEAL

THIS JUST IN

It just came over the Justice League ticker (you can take it for what ever you want), that there may have been a three way deal in the Saratogian's non endorsement of Proposition 1 after years of calling for Charter Change.  here is the possible deal:

The Adirondack Trust receives the small parking lot on the corner of Woodlawn from the City, thus enhancing their drive up entrance.

The City gets A+ plus coverage and cover up promises on stories that may have to do with the Mayor's office.

The Saratogian receives choice stories over other news outlets and increased add revenue from Adirondack Trust.

It may be something that is just a rumor and we will be keeping our eye on the developments, but it does sound logical.

Another thing:  I'll be glad when this election is over.

LOOT AND A LOT OF IT

Someone sent me a picture of a basket of money, with the line "A Johnson & Masie slush fund for SUCCESS"

While I am not saying it's true, it sure is funny.




Just a small addition to my last post about businesses who have something to lose if the Proposal goes through.  I had mentioned The Saratogian and Adirondack Trust as a few examples.  Well, here are a few of the Board Members of Saratoga County Chamber.

Just a small addition to my last post about businesses who have something to lose if the Proposal goes through.  I had mentioned The Saratogian and Adirondack Trust as a few examples.  Well, here are a few of the Board Members of Saratoga County Chamber.  Remember, the Saratogian cannot stand to lose ad money if they came out in support of the Change of Government, something they have called for since at least 1991.

Great businesses all named below, but if they don't like Charter Change because of something they might miss out on, it's a long list of ad revenue the Saratogian could be afraid of messing with and that would scare anyone into making a forced backing.


Mike O'Sullivan (Chair Elect, Communications) - The Saratogian

Travis Bullard - GLOBALFOUNDRIES - Board member of Adirondack Trust

Lynn Pohl – Adirondack Trust Company

Ray O'Conor - Saratoga National Bank & Trust Co.

Susan Halstead (Chair) - Family Vision Care Center

Angelo Calbone (Immediate Past Chair) - Saratoga Hospital

Patricia Mangino - Mangino Pontiac Buick

Mark Pepin  - Time Warner Cable Business Class

Susan Slovic - Ballston Spa National Bank

Marcia White - Saratoga Performing Arts Center

  State Farm Insurance

Jason Lynch – Olde Bryan Inn

Gerri Thompson - Longfellows Inn and Restaurant

WILL IT BE A SURPRISE?

1. Will it be a SURPRISE, if the Saratogian, after nearly 30 years of calling for a change of the form of our government does not endorse Proposition 1?

  

2. Will it be a SURPRISE to find out that Mayor Johnson will pull a last minute slam out of his bag of dirty tricks to try and create fear and doubt to sway voters as he did in last years Mayor’s election.  I remember that one, he had his minions pass out door tags and mailings days before the election telling voters that his opponent Brent Wilkes had mismanaged his business into a 90 some million dollar loss.  It was proven that the Mayor had fabricated the information.  Newspapers reported in many articles of the unscrupulous act the Mayor pulled.

3. Will it be a SURPRISE if businessmen like Tom Roohan, Charles Wait, and Elliott Masie are against Proposition 1?  Remember that the Commission form was started “when fearful that the island city might never recover its prosperity under the leadership of the incumbent city council, a group of wealthy businessmen known as the Deep Water Committee devised a plan to have the governor appoint a commission to govern the city during the rebuilding period. To appease opponents who contended that appointed government was undemocratic, the plan was altered to provide for popular election of the five commissioners.”  The operative words here are WEALTHY BUSINESSMEN.  The Commission form was created by them and for them.  Look at Saratoga Springs rich history, who were the power brokers?  Roohan’s, Wait’s, McNeary’s, go ahead look back in time and see for yourself.  These men and those that came before them wanted to keep Saratoga Springs under their thumbs and do things when they wanted to, not when an independent Council set the pace.  Today we have a mini me version in Mayor Johnson, with his $27,000,000.00 clout and his business buying spree's, he is getting away with things local citizens could never get away with.

He has a fence surrounding his house that is illegally placed and doesn’t meet code.  He has stamped macadam sidewalks when City Code says you -have to have 5ft. wide by 4’ thick concrete with wire sidewalks, again he is out of code.  Why isn’t the code Dept. charging him with these code violations?  Is he inserting his private threats on City Hall employees?

4. Would it be a SURPRISE if SUCCESS was paying senior’s to vote no?

5. Would it be a SURPRISE if not one word that SUCCESS is promoting regarding the Charter is truthful?

Like it or not, the back room of politics is surely a game.  Will it change if the Manager form wins?  Not all games but most of them.  One Commissioner would not be able to stick it up another Commissioners backside because they wouldn’t play ball with them. 

 The Council would be the legislative body of government approving every piece of City business.  The Manager would oversee the running of the departments by qualified department heads, not political appointees or appointees that have a personal interest with a Commissioner.  This Manager will get the Departments to run smoothly and efficiently because if they don’t then it is his or her job on the line.

I hope you have made up your minds by now, but if you are against the Proposition or still on the fence, take a look at what happens in the next few days, say a Press release by the Mayor, a charge by the financial backer of SUCCESS, Elliott Masie and ask yourself, are these acts of desperate people trying to have fears and doubts about this issue?  If so take a look at what they do not want to lose and ask yourself, maybe it’s time to take our government back.

A great post by a Saratoga resident who is an author of his own site explained it well, visit his article here
http://tenoonan.com/2012/10/31/saratoga-springs-charter-vote/

IS IT REAL OR JUST A DREAM?

Two things struck me as funny today, well maybe 5 or 6.  In a Letter to the Editor to be published in Friday’s paper there is one by none other than one of the McTygue boys.  Some of the boy’s rear their heads at election time but unlike the beloved groundhog, shadow or not, they go back underground, except for Bill because we know where he goes.

Well brother Peter pens a letter that is both hilarious and like most of SUCCESS’s statements, the article is based on myth.  One person responded to Peter’s letter and they quoted a section not only proving that Peter like to stretch among other things, his stories.  The person that posted did give the chapter and section of the part of the proposed charter which if you can read English proved his allegations total fabrications.  I’ll never understand why members of SUCCESS can never argue any point on fact, Oh well, that was funny 1.

The next funny was the story on WNYT where Pat Kane, founder of Saratoga Citizen and tech guru Elliott Masie were interviewed.  Kane looked sharp in his sport coat while Masie looked like he just got back from Moreau Lake.  There were 2 funnies in his interview, (1). He kept saying he had a bridge in Brooklyn, I guess he was trying to sell it to the reporter and (2). "I don't believe that Saratoga, which is one of the top communities in the world, needs this change. If it ain't broke, don't fix it," said Masie.  So now Masie is paying for full page ads for SUCCESS, he must be getting nervous for both himself and best bud, Scott Johnson.  Masie who has donated upwards of $15,000.00 to SUCCESS looks like he is piling it on again with full page ads of the myth & smoke screen that define both SUCCESS & himself.

Now I love Saratoga Springs and it is a beautiful City, but first, it was said to be the most beautiful City in the country by our business politicos , now our resident tech guru (I thought guru’s wore Kimono’s) say’s it is one of the top communities in the WORLD.  I guess Masie doesn’t get out of New York State that often.

Well there may be more, word has it that a well respected former City employee  (no not Mary Zlotnick) will have a Letter printed in the Saratogian in  which he will give us an inside look at what it takes to deal and work with this form of government.  This letter is found on page 6A and is a doozy. 

As it is November already and October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to say that some of my family have been touched by this dreaded disease and even when the doctor's tell you they "got it all", you are thinking about it the rest of your life.  So my prayers are with those who have loved ones that have breast cancer.  The below picture is done with tongue in cheek and I mean no disrespect to the cancer survivors, but he deserves the picture.

IS IT REAL OR JUST A DREAM?

Two things struck me as funny today, well maybe 5 or 6.  In a Letter to the Editor to be published in Friday’s paper there is one by none other than one of the McTygue boys.  Some of the boy’s rear their heads at election time but unlike the beloved groundhog, shadow or not, they go back underground, except for Bill because we know where he goes.

Well brother Peter pens a letter that is both hilarious and like most of SUCCESS’s statements, the article is based on myth.  One person responded to Peter’s letter and they quoted a section not only proving that Peter like to stretch among other things, his stories.  The person that posted did give the chapter and section of the part of the proposed charter which if you can read English proved his allegations total fabrications.  I’ll never understand why members of SUCCESS can never argue any point on fact, Oh well, that was funny 1.

The next funny was the story on WNYT where Pat Kane, founder of Saratoga Citizen and tech guru Elliott Masie were interviewed.  Kane looked sharp in his sport coat while Masie looked like he just got back from Moreau Lake.  There were 2 funnies in his interview, (1). He kept saying he had a bridge in Brooklyn, I guess he was trying to sell it to the reporter and (2). "I don't believe that Saratoga, which is one of the top communities in the world, needs this change. If it ain't broke, don't fix it," said Masie.

Now I love Saratoga Springs and it is a beautiful City, but first, it was said to be the most beautiful City in the country by our business politicos , now our resident tech guru (I thought guru’s wore Kimono’s) say’s it is one of the top communities in the WORLD.  I guess Masie doesn’t get out of New York State that often.

Well there may be more, word has it that a well respected former City employee  (no not Mary Zlotnick) will have a Letter to the Editor printed in which he will give us an inside look at what it takes to deal and work with this form of government.

As it is November already and October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to say that some of my family have been touched by this dreaded disease and even when the doctor's tell you they "got it all", you are thinking about it the rest of your life.  So my prayers are with those who have loved ones that have breast cancer.  The below picture is done with tongue in cheek and I mean no disrespect to the cancer survivors, but he deserves the picture.