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Ballston Spa man chosen to attend Obama inauguration

ALBANY — Of the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who entered a lottery to win tickets to President Barack Obama’s inauguration, 36 were picked from the Capital District, and one lives in Saratoga County.

James Belanger of Ballston Spa, a retired employee of the old Ford Motors plant in Green Island, was one of the 225 lucky state residents drawn by U. S. Sen. Charles Schumer’s office who will attend the Jan. 21 inauguration.

“No matter who is being inaugurated, this is a big deal for our country,” said Belanger, who noted that he is not a supporter of Obama.

Though he did not watch any of the coverage of Obama’s first inauguration, the 71- year- old said he has always wanted to go to D.C. for an inauguration, so he put his name in the lottery with Schumer’s office.

“I was surprised I was one of the ones picked, especially since I’m not a Democratic supporter, but I guess that does not matter with this.”

Originally from Wynantskill, Belanger worked for 28 years with Ford Motor Co. in Green Island. He will attend the inauguration with his wife, MaryEllen.

Belanger said that making the drive down to D.C. would be weather-permitting. He has family in the area of the nation’s capital whom he hopes to see.

“I’m definitely excited,” he said.

The upstate New York lottery winners consisted of 21 from central New York, 22 from the Rochester- Finger Lakes Region, 36 from the Capital Region, 14 from the Southern Tier, 11 from western New York and 29 from the Hudson Valley, Schumer said.

Those in the Capital District who also won include: Dawn Baumann of Albany, Samantha Baldock of Albany, Thomas Kligerman of Albany, Joanne Colosi of Watervliet, Donald Blake of Voorheesville,

Leslie Sikora of Delmar, Dona Potter of Schenectady, Kelly Stammel of Niverville, Correy Connaway of Johnstown, Christopher Fleury of Constable, Edward Gaydusek of Fort Plain, William Hensel of Cobleskill and Sherman Wood of Queensbury.

“I am thrilled for these New Yorkers who will soon be headed to Washington, D.C., to witness a piece of America’s history,” Schumer said. “The winners of this lottery have the unique opportunity to attend President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony, and I am certain that they will remember this moment for years and years to come.”

The inauguration day begins with a procession to the U.S. Capitol. A parade will follow the events at the Capitol, featuring marching bands, marching units and other performers chosen by the Joint Task Force- National Capitol Region.

President Obama will take his oath of office at the U.S. Capitol.