Cronyism in Saratoga Springs City Council

With the recent revelation of the unsavory relationship between the city administration and Independence Party Chairman Eddie Miller, it would be harmful for anybody who calls Saratoga Springs ‘home’ to not talk about and completely reject these quid pro quo dealings. The interwoven relationships between endorsements, campaign donations, city employment, and government contracts can only cast a bad light and create an illeffect on our city. We must demand that our elected officials separate themselves from all dealings with the Independence party and its Chairman Eddie Miller; to do otherwise is to be complicit in the pay to play system that is the root problem with the political system.

My opponent for Commisioner of Public Works, Skip Scirrocco, was endorsed by Eddie Miller and then hired him for a well-paid city job in the department Mr. Scirrocco currently runs. This is a political appointment for a political party chairman, is a disgusting example of cronyism and is government and politics at its worst.

Let me be clear, this is the last thing we need for our city. Undoubtedly there are many people who are qualified and can do the job Commissioner Scirocco has gifted to the Independence Party chairman. Eddie Miller has no prior experience for this post.

The circle of events are these: a party’s endorsement went to my opponent, a campaign contribution from the party’s chairman was given to my opponent, and then a job was given to the party chairman. Regardless of what order you’d place these events, Eddie Miller has been a political ally of my opponent, has been a financial supporter of my opponent, has received a job from my opponent and this is the absolute worst problem in politics. Pay to play, backroom dealings are not something we should allow to go on any further.

The Dept. of Public Works does not exist to staff Skip Scirrocco’s re-election team. When I am elected I will not abuse the fiduciary responsibilities entrusted to me by the taxpayers of our city.

Dillon Moran, candidate for Saratoga Commissioner

of Public Works

Dealing with homelessness in Saratoga Springs

Coming home [the other] night on an evening full of rain, I saw someone huddled on the steps of the Salvation Army with nothing but a tattered umbrella to shelter them from the weather. I couldn’t help but wonder that here was a member of our community, a block from some of the most affluent housing in our city, with nowhere to go to but there. Since we moved to Saratoga Springs four years ago, I have seen our city struggle to deal with the issues of homelessness and finding a permanent solution to address this. I have seen caring dedicated individuals searching for solutions, and have seen legal maneuvering and community outrage replace what should be dialogue and brainstorming as a community on what to do about those less fortunate than ourselves. Working downtown I have also seen close up when individuals do not have the resources they need for support. The homeless and housing challenged in our community will not disappear by taking away benches where they sit or enacting laws where they can rest on sidewalks. This is an issue that requires all of us to reach together for solutions with compassion and understanding. It requires all the shareholders in our community to come together before another winter is at our doorsteps. We cannot forget that these are our brothers and sisters and a community as diverse and wonderful as Saratoga Springs can and should do better.

Carol Anne Geary Saratoga Springs, NY The importance of books

As America advances into the world of technology and innovation, it is essential we not forget the building blocks of our success. Books are the fundamental beginning of all information and knowledge, which is why it is so important to instill the importance of books in the minds of our future-children. Children can learn a wealth of information from books and it all starts at a very young age. As former president Harry S Truman says, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” One of the greatest leaders of all time is emphasizing the necessity of books in our everyday lives. Children grow and change everyday which is why their variety of books should grow too. In order to form the next greatest leaders parents need to start helping our children reep the benefits of reading.

Here are several tips to help make reading fun, enjoyable, and educational for both the kids and parents:

• By associating words with pictures within books, children begin to learn new words.

• Encourage your child to pick out a book they favor by having a wide variety of options, so that they look forward to reading.

• We all know kids like to do what their parent is doing, so let them see you reading. This will push them to read even more.

• Use funny voices and sing songs while reading so kids remember the information even more!

• When on vacation, have kids read signs from everywhere you go by pointing out letters. This will help them learn our language.

The greatest amount of brain growth occurs between birth and age 5 so it’s never too early to start reading with your child. With the growing nation it’s important to encourage our children to read from their first day in our ever changing world.

Libraries offer free library cards to check out books this summer as well as providing new summer reading programs for children. So check out your local libraries for more information!

Lillian Kronau Poestenkill, NY