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Obituaries
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Charles A. Carlson
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Charles A. Carlson, 98, passed away on December 10, 2021. Calling hours were December 14. Mass took place December 15 at Church of St. Peter followed by burial in St. Peter’s cemetery. Memorial donations to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. burkefuneralhome.com Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes Burke & Bussing
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Constance M. Foley
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Constance M. Foley (nee Burns), 90, died December 2, 2021. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you cherish your loved ones and aid those who are less fortunate. Mass 10 a.m., December 17, 2021 Church of St. Peter, followed by burial in Greenridge Cemetery. Burke & Bussing burkefuneralhome.comFuneral Homes
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Gerald P. Hennigan
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Gerald P. Hennigan, 88, passed peacefully on December 12 surrounded by family. Calling hours are 9-10 a.m., Monday December 20, 2021 followed by service at Burke Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Saratoga National Cemetery. Please visit Burke & Bussing www.burkefuneralhome.com Funeral Homes
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SARATOGA SPRINGS ∙ 584-5373 Life Transitions Program Opens to Saratoga Seniors
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new program to assist older residents with serious illness to navigate health and community services and continue aging in place has been introduced by the Saratoga Senior Center.
The program, called Senior Life Transitions, is designed for seniors aged 50 and older who have a new advanced illness diagnosis or a set of worsening health conditions. The program is open to residents of Saratoga County. Membership in the Saratoga Senior Center is not required.
The need for this program is in large part due to the isolation, worsening health conditions, new diagnoses, and aversion to nursing home placement, much of it exacerbated by the COVID epidemic.
The transitions dealt with are emotional adjustments to a changed life, practical needs for in-home care, support services such as transportation and grocery shopping, advocacy in navigating the health system, and coaching around wellness and growth potential in the midst of serious illness. The program features the development of an Aging-in-Place plan that takes possible future scenarios into consideration, including resources to support those plans. Referrals to appropriate health, mental health, and social service agencies are made. Collaborative relationships exist with other Saratoga County agencies serving the elderly, including Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, the County Office of Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association, and various care coordination services.
For more information, call the Saratoga Senior Center, 518584-1621 ext. 206. Other services offered by the Saratoga Senior Center aimed at fostering independence include weekly food programs, wellness programs, caregiver support groups, information and referral, advocacy, and direct assistance through Community Connection volunteer matches.
COURT
Amanda L. Martin, 34, of
Halfmoon, was sentenced
Dec. 6 to 1 year incarceration, after pleading to aggravated DWI with child, in
Clifton Park.
Michelle Iorio, 32, of Moreau, was sentenced Dec. 6 to 1-/12 to 2 years’ incarceration after pleading to fourth degree arson.
Victor M. Dominguez, 21, of
Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Dec. 6 to 5 years of probation, after pleading to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth-degree.
Andrew V. Cino, 28, of Rexford, was sentenced Dec. 6 to 5 years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI, in
Saratoga Springs.
Justin LeBarron, 37, of
Gansevoort, pleaded Dec. 6 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, in Northumberland.
Colby Flood, 19, of Saratoga
Springs, was sentenced Dec. 3 to 1 year incarceration, after pleading to attempted robbery in the third-degree, first charged in May in Saratoga
Springs. Tieberius T. Rozier, 22, of
Ballston Lake, was sentenced
Dec. 2 to 1 year incarceration, after pleading to rape in the third-degree, in Malta.
Anthony J. Lashway, 22, of Fort Edward, was sentenced Dec. 1 to 3 years conditional discharge, after pleading to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, in Wilton.
Tori Spina, 33, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced Dec. 1 to 90 days incarceration and 5 years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI.
Christian Colon, 33, of Burnt
Hills, pleaded Dec. 1 to possessing a sexual performance by a child. Sentencing scheduled for Dec. 1, 2022.
POLICE
Cassandra C. Morsellino, 30, of Amsterdam, was charged Dec. 5 with felony assault and felony burglary. Morsello is accused of intentionally causing serious physical injury to a person known to her by stabbing the victim in the neck with a knife. It is alleged she acted in concert with a man to unlawfully enter the residence of the victim with intent to commit a larceny and in the process causing physical injury to that victim, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. The victim suffered serious injuries not expected to be life-threatening.
Michael L. Girard, 32, of Clifton
Park, was charged Dec. 2 with the felonies: predatory sexual assault, criminal sexual act in the first-degree, and aggravated sexual abuse in the second-degree; and the misdemeanors: criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and unlawful imprisonment in the second-degree. Girard is accused of engaging in a criminal sexual act by forcible compulsion with another person known to him in the town of Clifton Park in
October. He is suspected of impeding the normal breathing of the victim by applying pressure to her neck. He was previously arrested for a similar incident to a separate victim on a separate date, leading to the charge of predatory sexual assault, according to the Saratoga County
Sheriff’s Office. Gerard was sent to Saratoga County Jail without bail.
Kevin C. Johnson, 34, Gloversville, was charged Dec. 3 with six felonies and one misdemeanor in Saratoga Springs in connection with an alleged incident on Nov. 25 at around 3:30 a.m., at 11 Excelsior Ave., according to Saratoga Springs Police. The felonies include: two counts of rape, predatory sexual assault; aggravated sexual abuse, strangulation - obstruct breath/blood circulation, and assault, in addition to the misdemeanor charge of criminal contempt. The female victim did sustain injuries which required medical treatment, police said.
Thomas McCall, 33, of Saratoga
Springs, was charged with two counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one count criminal use of drug paraphernalia.
Jessica Henderson, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, speeding, and operating an unregistered vehicle.
Christopher Post, 39, of Saratoga
Springs, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Joyce Butler, 66, of Gansevoort, was charged in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to keep right, and operating a vehicle without insurance and registration suspended.
Nicholas Crupi, 30, of Saratoga
Springs, was charged with misdemeanor DWI, and driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street.
Ian Price, 23, of Craryville, was charged in Saratoga Springs with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance.
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Mohawk Honda Names Local Nonprofits Chosen to Receive $60K
SCHENECTADY — Mohawk Honda has announced the 12 local nonprofits named to receive a combined $60,000 as part of its “12 Days of Giving.” The Schenectady-based dealership launched the campaign in late November as a way of giving back to the community the auto dealer has called home for more than 50 years.
Community members were asked to nominate charities close to their hearts through a social media post that went viral throughout the Capital Region community. The post, located on the company’s Facebook page, collected more than 800 comments, 300 likes, and 7,500 views.
After a two-week submission period, dealership executives were overwhelmed with the amount of support shown by the community.
“From the moment we hit the publish button for the social media post, we just started watching the campaign grow and grow,” said Nathanael Greklek, Chief Digital Branding Leader, Mohawk Honda. “We monitored the post each day and we just kept receiving more and more comments, and post shares. It was great to see community members rally together for organizations they love and cherish.”
The 12 chosen nonprofits to receive $5,000 each include: Family & Child Services of Schenectady, One Church Street, Schenectady Day Nursery, Wicklund Warriors, Operation at Ease, Safe Inc., Community Hospice of Schenectady, Capital Region Legacy Project/Veterans Memorial, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, Jack’s Place, Bring on the Spectrum, and Mother Theresa Cancer Awareness Fund.
The Mohawk Family will present a check to each finalist between Dec. 13-24. The finalists will also be featured on Mohawk Honda’s social media pages.
Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce Factory Open House Dec. 18
GANSEVOORT — Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce will host an open house and pop-up shop at their manufacturing facility on Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrating 20 years in business, owner Katie Camarro and friends will be on hand with product displays and gift ideas for everyone on your list. Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce kitchen is located in Gansevoort at 23 Northern Pines Rd, 1st floor, Bldg. 2, across from Saratoga Restaurant Supply. For more information on Sundaes Best, visit their website at www. sundaesbest.com or give them a call at 518-584-4036.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has once again been designated a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence – the highest level of recognition awarded by the American College of Radiology.
The hospital first earned the designation in 2017 and has remained the only Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence in the Capital Region since. Redesignation was awarded this fall and applies to all imaging services at Saratoga Hospital, its Wilton campus, and mammography and bone density imaging on the Malta campus.
To earn the Center of Imaging designation, facilities must first be accredited in each imaging service for which the American College of Radiology offers an accreditation program.
In addition, Centers of Excellence must participate in national radiology data registries as part of benchmarking and quality improvement efforts and must take steps to limit patients’ exposure to radiation. This includes using the lowest possible dose of radiation during imaging procedures and avoiding unnecessary imaging exams.
Ugly Sweater Breakfast With a Blessing
Photos provided.
Kudos this group of friends who came up with ‘Ugly Sweater Breakfast With a Blessing.’ A simple idea with BIG impact: • Wear an ugly sweater • Have a great meal with your friends • Everyone throws in $100 for a tip for their server. The tip total came to $1,500.00! Great job Ronda Parsha, Terry Hynes, Nichole Loscalzo, Vanessa Baer, Patricia Smith, Tammy Loya, Rick Kunta, Starr Iula, Chris Iula, Joe Fasolino, Amada St. George and Alicia Fuss. All of you in our reading audience…Let’s keep this idea going and share our blessings!
Holiday Match Update: Over $944k to Local Charities So Far
SARATOGA COUNTY — The Stewart’s Holiday Match Program customer donations have reached over $477,983 as of Thursday, Dec. 9. That’s over $944,000 with the Stewart’s match so far, and there’s just over two weeks left to collect.
These donations stay local and support local nonprofits; funding may go to a Girl Scout Troop, an arts program or a food pantry. Each week a different Holiday Match recipient is highlighted. This week Unity Hall is being featured. Unity Hall located in Oneida county is one of New York’s most exciting homes for live events and hands-on programs all year round. They offer diverse music, theater, spoken word and more, in their beautifully restored 19th century center for the arts.
The Stewart’s Holiday Match Program has no administrative fees and donates 100% of donations received to charities in their market areas. Stewart’s Shops matches each donation penny for penny and dollar for dollar and has been doing so for the past 35 years, raising over $32 million for local charities.
Holiday Match funds are collected from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day in each of the 354 shops. Local children’s organizations are encouraged to apply for funding here. The deadline for submission is January 31, 2022. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization. A listing of all the local organizations that received funds last season is available online.
Photo submission by Al Marlin
7 a.m. • December 13, 2021 7:05 a.m. • December 13, 2021
MichelleMebert
Lic.RealEstateSalesperson 519 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518.587.4500 Ext. 108 518.248.9446 Cell 518.587.4509 Fax mmebert@roohanrealty.com RoohanRealty.com
Public Safety - Meet Spa City’s New Commissioner
James Montagnino, Saratoga Springs’ Incoming Commissioner of Public Safety Discusses Plans for 2022
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In the November election, Montagnino, a Democrat, bested Republican and Conservative candidate Tracey Labelle by a 53-43 margin in the race for Public Safety Commissioner. On Jan. 1, Montagnino will join Ron Kim (Mayor), Dillon Moran (Accounts), and Minita Sanghvi (Finance) as one of four new members of the five-person City Council. Anthony “Skip” Scirocco (DPW) is the lone returning council member.
The Commissioner of Public Safety is responsible for the overall operation of the police department and the fire department, code administration, animal control, and parking enforcement.
What led to your desire to run for City Council?
“If I had to tie the decision (to run for office) to one thing, it would be the Daryl Mount case and how it was treated. How nobody in authority did anything that you would have hoped.
“I was sitting in my living room watching CNN with my wife when I saw the video of George Floyd being murdered. Just watching that, it was devastating. The aftermath – the protest in Saratoga Springs in the summer of 2020. I had only very loosely followed the Daryl Mount case. I remember the very first reports said he was running from the police, he ran into a construction site, he fell and was badly injured. I remember feeling awful about it, but not that there were any questions surrounding it. The police chief said there had been an internal investigation and the then-commissioner had basically affirmed that. It sounded like they did what they were supposed to do. And then you find out when the chief is put under oath in the deposition in the civil suit, he admits, well, he misled the press, of course meaning he intentionally misled the public.”
Background: In late summer 2013 Darryl Mount, a 21-yearold biracial man, suffered injuries that left him in a coma after fleeing police on Caroline Street and allegedly falling off a scaffolding behind The Washington building, then under construction. Mount died eight-and-a-half months later. Mount’s family subsequently filed a wrongful death lawsuit and city Police Chief Greg Veitch later came under public scrutiny following reports that the public safety department never conducted an internal probe into police actions, after earlier claiming there was one. The incident became the catalyst of the formation of Saratoga Black Lives Matter, and included public calls for a citizen review board as well as a number of protests and marches that have taken place in Saratoga Springs during the past few years. A “Case litigation Timeline” as well as audio and video files related to the matter may be viewed by going to: www.saratoga-springs.org/2408/ Darryl-Mount-Information.
Would you advocate for an investigation – either internal or external investigation at this point?
“Here’s the problem: If there had been an Internal Investigation done in a timely fashion where a report and the evidence upon which it was based were released to the public – depending on its thoroughness, I might say: We’re done. But, with all that’s happened, I can understand how many people have drawn the conclusion that there must be something to hide.
“At this stage, I don’t know how satisfied the general public would be with an Internal Investigation. In a perfect world, what ought to happen is the district attorney should use this provision in criminal procedure law that allows for a grand jury investigation of a non-criminal nature. It’s the one area where a grand jury can investigate - and it’s not necessarily a crime they’re investigating. It’s allegations of misconduct on the part of a public officer…at the end of the investigation, the grand jury issues a report, and the judge has discretion to release the report to the public.”
“What I’m hoping is the District Attorney use her authority under criminal procedure law to get that rendered investigation going. And I’m considering the possibility of making a motion before the City Council for a resolution asking the DA to do that.”
There has been a public spotlight on the role of protesters and the role of police regarding city staged protests and arrests in recent years. What would you like to say about both these aspects?
“The way I see it, the question of if you blocked traffic in July and a policy decision is made that we’re going to prosecute you in September, the problem becomes: how do I get that defendant in to court? You don’t do it with an arrest warrant if it’s a petty offense. Almost all of those were petty offenses in criminal procedure law, they’re not crimes. My feeling is that if there is a petty offense committed in the past, you use a summons. You don’t use an arrest warrant, unless there’s some exceptional set of circumstances that you can put in writing to satisfy me that you need a warrant.
“I think what some people lose sight of is that there’s a difference between a protester and a common criminal. These are our neighbors who have chosen to commit some petty offense or to make a statement. We’re not condoning the offense, and the offense should be handled in accordance with its severity, the background of the defendant and the circumstances under which it is committed. The idea of going out and getting an arrest warrant, then executing the warrant… none of that was necessary. If they had been given summonses, they would have shown up in court of their own volition, or, if not – then warrants would be issued. It didn’t have to start with custodial arrests. Additionally: “I would like the word to get out that there should be an over-arching policy of mutual respect between the police and the people they serve. There is a fighting words exception to (to First Amendment protected speech) that has been recognized by the Supreme Court since the 1940s. What I would like to try is a policy of mutual respect where beforehand I would sit down (with those planning to protest) and I’d say, ‘Look, here’s the situation: the kinds of things like getting in an officer’s face and saying (expletive) - that speech is not protected under the First Amendment.’ That’s a statement intended to provoke a violent response I think. What I would like to see in a situation like that is an officer would be trained to say, ‘I’m sorry, that’s inappropriate conduct, and it can’t be continued.’ Maybe two or three repetitions of that.
James Montagnino becomes Saratoga Springs’ Commissioner of Public Safety on Jan. 1. Photo provided.
...continues to page 9
Meet Spa City’s New Commissioner
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And if it continues, then, OK, we’ll make an arrest on the spot. Cops have a hard enough job to start with. The First Amendment doesn’t mean you can say whatever you please. There are circumstances where it can still be prohibited. Standing up in the movie theater and screaming ‘FIRE!’ You’re getting arrested. There’s no First Amendment reaction.”
“The vast majority of people in Saratoga Springs are not going to choose to walk up to a police officer and berate him or her. But, we’ve all seen that happen under certain circumstances. And that’s not fair. They’re doing a tough enough job as it is and they shouldn’t be asked or expected to have to take abuse, verbal or otherwise, for doing their jobs. So that’s something I’d like to get in the process early on. Putting the word out that you expect a lot from our officers, and we expect mutual respect in exchange.”
A multi-point plan, partially adopted by the City Council, was submitted to the council by the ad hoc Saratoga Springs Police Reform Task Force, and recommended that a Civilian Review Board, or CRB, be implemented. This has not yet occurred. What is your opinion?
“I envision a CRB like the one the Task Force proposed. One tweak would be the method of appointing the members of the CRB. With the possible exception of the chair - because there needs to be someone with some familiarity and continuity of process. I’m thinking that the selection process for the chair might be by the mayor, or the mayor with the advice of City Council. The membership I would like to see randomly selected. Like jury duty. There would certainly have to be public hearings on the method to be employed for selecting the members of the CRB, and the method for selecting the chair.
With subpoena power?
“With subpoena power. But - I know that there are subpoenas, and then there are subpoenas. The most that we would have the power to authorize is an administrative subpoena. That does not carry with it contempt citations. So, if you were to ignore an administrative subpoena the most that could happen is a monetary fine and it’s a trivial (dollar) penalty.
“There’s nothing in the Task Force proposal after the CRB does what it does. Its power, according to the City Charter, is limited to a recommendation to the commission. They take testimony, examine evidence and make findings, conclusions and ultimately recommendations. That sounds simple enough, but what does that mean? So, what I want to do as the first commissioner to serve with a CRB is to create a framework for what would be the role of the Commissioner upon receiving the recommendations of the CRB. I see the commissioner’s role as an administrative appellate authority. I see my role as taking the recommendation and saying: OK, I want to see all of the evidence, not just the findings and conclusions; to review that myself for factual and legal sufficiency, so that the CRB is not the last word as to factual findings and legal conclusions - the Commissioner is. I think it’s important the Commissioner’s Office promulgate its own internal procedures, so that it’s not just what the CRB said rubber-stamped. There’s a significant amount of responsibility with having to come up with the next steps.”
Saratoga County Adopts $381 Million Budget for 2022
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 8 voted to approve the 2022 county budget. The $381 million budget depicts an increase of $10 million over 2021 and offers “significant investments in public safety, health and human services, infrastructure, open space and conservation while once again lowering our property tax rate and staying below the property tax cap,” according to a prepared statement released by the county. The 2022 budget also makes available $5 million in community support grants and devotes another $1 million to economic development and tourism for the county.
“This budget lays the groundwork for smart initiatives and investments that will ultimately help Saratoga County residents continue to enjoy a strong local economy in one of the safest and healthiest counties with one of the lowest tax rates in New York State,” said Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr., town of Moreau Supervisor and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chair.
More than $4 million was approved in new investments in the county Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices for body and car cameras, judicial discovery laws, officer training, and mandated jail programs, and more than $3 million to support health and human services initiatives and the county’s Public Health Services department’s transition to a full-service Department of Health. Approximately $1.1 million was approved for economic development, heritage promotion, and tourism.
The 2022 sales tax revenue is projected at $141 million, a slight decrease from anticipated 2021 revenues.
Saratoga County Upcoming Booster Clinics for Ages 18+
BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County Public Health Services department (SCPHS) is holding the following free COVID19 booster clinics at Saratoga County Public Health, located at: 6012 County Farm Rd., Ballston Spa, unless otherwise noted.
Monday, Dec. 20:
Moderna Booster, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. at Clifton Park Senior Center (6 Clifton Common Blvd, Clifton Park).
Tuesday, Dec. 21:
Pfizer Booster 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 22:
Moderna Booster, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 28:
Pfizer Booster, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 29:
Moderna Booster, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
To be eligible for a booster vaccine, you must have had your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months prior to the booster clinic date you select or the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months prior to the booster clinic date you select. The vaccines are free. No proof of insurance required.
Please visit www. saratogacountyny.gov/covid and click on “COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters” to register for any clinic. Seniors may also call the county’s COVID-19 Booster Clinic Call Center at 518- 693-1075 to register for a clinic. Saratoga County’s COVID-19 Booster Clinic Call Center is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help seniors make booster appointments within the county.
“The best way to protect the health and safety of Saratoga County residents, families, schools and businesses is to continue to focus public health resources on rapidly providing booster vaccinations to the public, which our Public Health team continues to do,” Kusnierz said, in his prepared remarks. “Asking already thin-stretched local health departments to enforce mask or vaccination mandates only detracts from this critical endeavor.”
Saratoga County joins more than a dozen New York counties refusing to enforce the mask mandate.
Saratoga Springs City Supervisor Tara Gaston pushed back on the statement issued by Board Chair Kusnierz.
“While I admit that there are a number of issues with mask mandates, including concerns about possible violence against business owners and employees, I strongly disagree with the tone of the statement, and worry for its impact on our community,” Gaston said. “There will never be a true account of the number of non-fatal losses, the businesses we’ve seen all over town, the domestic violence that our Sheriff and the DA have seen.”
More than 1,000 Saratoga County residents had tested positive for COVID over the previous 7 days, and seven-day average positivity rate in Saratoga County was 6.7%, compared to a 4.8% average rate statewide. Since the start of December, 23 county residents had died of COVID. Current hospitalizations, as of Dec. 15, were 49.
Gaston praised the county’s public health department for their work and said while it should
Saratoga Joins 13 Counties Refusing NY Mask Mandate
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Signs noting the state’s Dec. 13 mask mandate hang at the Saratoga County government complex in Ballston Spa on Dec. 15, 2021. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
not be the priority of the health department to enforce a mandate, she took exception with the tone of the chairman’s statement, which did not come via an overall board vote, and created confusion among many residents and business owners who had reached out to her following the statement’s release late Monday.
“It should not be the priority of our public health department to enforce such a mandate…they are doing work that is far more important than doing that - but - it should not be the work of this Board of Supervisors to issue by any member, or the board as a whole, a statement that is inflammatory and indicates that the mandate or the law of this state will not be held in this county,” Gaston said Wednesday.
Board Chairman Kuznierz donned a mask at the start of the county’s monthly meeting on Dec. 15. All 14 other county supervisors in attendance wore masks, the majority of them kept in place throughout the meeting.
“Quite honestly you can still wear masks. We’re just not going to go out and fine people $1,000 for not wearing a mask or following the ‘unenforceable’ - using the words of our own governor – policy,” Kuznierz said during the meeting.
“Yes, masks benefit our residents, but there’s nothing that can protect our residents more than getting vaccinated and getting your booster shots,” Kuznierz said.
According to data provided by the county public health department this week, 74.5% people – approximately 170,000 of the county’s 230,000 residents – are considered fully vaccinated.
