News - Week in review

The former guidance counselor who cornered and inappropriately touched a 15-year-old boy at the Saratoga Springs YMCA last November pleaded guilty to all counts of the indictment Wednesday.

Thomas A. Fillion, 68, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse in the first degree, one count of unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, one count of forcible touching and one count of endangering the welfare of a child in Saratoga County Court. His guilty pleas are the same as if a jury had returned a guilty verdict on each count. By pleading guilty sentencing will be left entirely up to the judge.

"I am extremely pleased that we were able to secure a felony conviction to all the charges. The victim is relieved and satisfied. The defendant admitted he forcibly grabbed the boy's penis which is felony conduct. Now it is up to the judge to decide the sentence," Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy said in a written statement.

Because Fillion was a stranger to the victim it was difficult for him to identify the perpetrator; however, through the diligence of Saratoga Springs Police Department Investigator Glen Vidnansky, the identity of Fillion as the perpetrator was revealed. Fillion was arrested in Saratoga Springs on Nov. 28, 2007. He was indicted on charges March 13.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 17.

City Council members approve more than $7 million in capital projects

The Saratoga Springs City Council approved both the waterfront park property and the proposed public safety building on Friday, Sept. 12.

After Mayor Scott Johnson left the public safety building off the 2009 capital budget program at the previous City Council meeting, Commissioners Ron Kim, John Franck and Ken Ivins voted against the $5.1 million for the 2009 capital projects - defeating the measure in a 3-2 vote. The decision by each commissioner to vote against the measure was due in part to the inclusion of the $1.3 million to develop the waterfront park property and not the public safety building.

After some negotiation all sides came to an agreement that included the public safety building in the capital program. The final 2009 capital budget is now $7.8 million. The budget had to be approved by Nov. 30.

PBA recognizes community business leaders

The Saratoga Springs PBA presented plaques of recognition to five local businesses that provided labor and materials for the construction of the spacious D.A.R.E. Pavilion at PBA property on Weibel Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The honorees include Bonacio Construction Inc., with the assistance of Frost-Architecture Tommell & Associates, D.A. Collins Construction Co. Inc. and donations by Richard and Mary Flaherty.

The pavilion was built for use by the D.A.R.E. All-Stars Camp. It was completed in early summer.

The D.A.R.E program will begin in local elementary schools later this month. The classes will be taught by D.A.R.E officers Tony Straus and Lloyd Davis.

NYRA to run racetrack for next 25 years

The New York Racing association announced Friday, Sept 12 that it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will assume the 25-year franchise to operate Saratoga Race Course.

“Today’s birth of the newly constituted, not-for-profit NYRA is the culmination of complex negotiations that will secure and enhance the interests of Thoroughbred racing in New York for the next 25 years,” NYRA Chairman C. Steven Duncker said in a written statement.

NYRA filed for banckruptcy on Nov. 2, 2006. They have operated the track since 1955.

Gillibrand agrees to three debates

Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand agreed to three sets of debates with opponent Sandy Treadwell this fall on Friday, Sept. 12.

Treadwell had originally asked for 10 town hall debates, but Gillibrand only agreed to three.

"I look forward to talking with the voters and discussing my vision for the important issues that affect Upstate New York residents. This is an important election, and I am committed to making sure every voter has the opportunity to learn more about my plans to cut taxes, create jobs, improve our national security and take better care of our troops and veterans. It was very important to me to purposefully choose debate forums that would maximize the ability of voters to hear my stances on these important issues," Congresswoman Gillibrand said in a written statement.

The three locations will allow voters in every corner of the district to read, listen and watch both candidates discuss the important issues of the upcoming campaign.