New Spa City charter will organize government
As a third generation Saratogian, I support the new city charter. The success of Saratoga Springs has happened in spite of our commission form of government, not because of it. The only people who think our City Hall is working well are those who have never tried to work with it. Our form of government is antiquated, bureaucratic and ineffective. In Saratoga Springs, it is our businesses, non-profits, and philanthropy that make us successful. I know that no organization can be run by five different people, each one running their own department, and with none of them in charge. It’s time to upgrade our city government.
As a citizen, volunteer and father of three in this community, I have seen firsthand why we need to vote yes for the new charter on Election Day. Here are three examples:
1. City Council Meetings: Our council meetings last for hours because each of the five council members literally has their own agenda. The meetings often include arguing between the five individual commissioners. Because of the existing charter, any new idea needs at least three votes from the council, but they can’t meet outside of council meetings to reach consensus. No successful organization can be run this way.
2. Unsafe Streets: Last year, Lake Avenue was repaved, but in spite of requests from citizens, important safety improvements were not provided. This is because, with our current form of government, multiple separate departments have to coordinate any infrastructure project. Public Works does the paving, Public Safety does the striping and signals, Planning and Finance are in different offices – and are all run by different commissioners under the current charter.
3. Recreation Fields: Our city doesn’t have enough land for recreation fields. Our local lacrosse program is run by a non-profit, the local baseball program uses land owned by the school district, and our youth soccer league plays on private land that is leased from year-to-year. Several years ago, a deal to buy land for our recreation programs (using bond act funds approved by a more than 70 percent majority vote) was canceled by the City Council. Unless we change the charter now, we may never be able to provide the facilities our community deserves.
What makes Saratoga Springs a great city are citizens, businesses and organizations that have created great places like SPAC, the track, downtown, Skidmore College, the Hospital, and Spa State Park. Just like these places, our form of city government has to be well organized. We should be one of the best run cities in the county, and to get there we need a new charter. It’s time, Saratoga Springs. Vote yes for the new city charter on Election Day.
Jeff Olson Saratoga Springs