News - Week in review

After months of local campaigning Republican and Democratic candidates alike are now preparing to take office in January after Tuesday’s elections.

Incumbent Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand defeated Republican opponet Sandy Treadwell for the 20th Congressional District seat. Gillibrand was first elected to the district in 2006 when she defeated Republican John Sweeney.

Republican Roy McDonald defeated Saratoga Springs resident Mike Russo by a margin of 76,990 votes to 50,663 votes in the state's 43rd Senate District. McDonald will fill Joe Bruno's state Senate seat, which was previously held by the Republican since 1977.

Although McDonald's victory was one for Republicans, Democrats took control o f the New York State Senate for the first time since 1965. Democrats now hold 32 seats to the Republicans 29 seats.

Republican Tony Jordan defeated Democrat Ian McGaughey to fill McDonald’s vacated 112th Assembly District seat. Jordan received 29,476 votes to McGaughey’s 22,110 votes.

The battle for Saratoga Springs City Court Judge was the only local race that was yet to be determined as of Thursday. Democrat Jeffrey Wait currently leads Republican Matt Dorsey 5,829 votes to 5,587 votes, according to the Saratoga County Board of Elections. There are currently 1,200 absentee ballots yet to be counted. The final results will not be released until sometime next week.

Price Chopper to stay in Saratoga Springs

Following months of speculation over the sale of the only downtown supermarket in Saratoga Springs, Sonny and Julie Bonacio announced at City Hall on Friday, Oct. 28 that they would be purchasing the Railroad Place property for the price of $4.25 million.

Price Chopper President and CEO Neil Golub was on hand at the press conference to ensure residents concerned over losing the popular shopping destination that it would remain at its current location for a period of at least three years, while Bonacio constructs a new building at the south end of the parking lot. After the building is complete, Golub said Price Chopper will lease the bottom floor from Bonacio.

The current market is 23,000 square feet. The new market is planned to be around 16,000 square feet. Bonacio said he is also considering condominium and retail outlets for the building. Golub said while the building will be smaller than the current one it will still serve the needs of people living in the downtown community.

Bonacio said it would be premature to speak of any specific design plans considering the current economic conditions.

"It is great news that our residents will continue to be able to walk to a downtown grocery store. Numerous residents came forward to petition that the grocery store remain at the current location. I commend the Golubs and Bonacios for listening and responding to our citizen's grassroots-cryout for sustainability and the ability to walk or ride a bike to pick up basic groceries. In addition, our community was assured today that the store will remain affordable instead of offering high end expensive items. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Sonny and Julie as the plans move forward. It's been a very cooperative effort," Saratoga County Supervisor Joanne Yepsen said in a written statement.

NYC Ballet cuts back SPAC season one week

The New York City Ballet along with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced Monday, Nov. 3 that they would cut the 2009 program from three weeks to two weeks.

The decision was announced at a meeting of the SPAC Board of Directors and was supported by Ken Tabachnick, General Manager of the NYCB. The current economic climate was cited as a key factor in the decision to shorten the season.

"With the economic outlook changing almost daily, it is important that we make a decision now while we still have alternatives," The Chairman of SPAC's Board William P. Dake said in a press release. "Overall, we are optimistic that this change will be a net positive for both SPAC and the NYCB. We believe that a shorter season will not only reduce expenses, but encourage higher attendance at each performance, which is a goal that we both support. The change also creates an opportunity for us to explore some other programming options to broaden our dance program during that week."

The 2009 season will run from July 7-18.