Week in Review

Director of Public Works William McTygue presented a proposal to raise water and sewer rates in the city of Saratoga Springs at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

McTygue said because of five of the last 10 years having been the rainiest seasons on record there has been little need for people to use water which has resulted in declining water sales in the city.

"We are trying to make up for losses due to a declining budget," he said.

McTygue said the city is recommending a 50 cent rate hike, which equates to around a five percent increase for those using from 0 - 25,000 cubic feet of usage. He said they are also recommending a six percent increase for those using above 25,000 cubic feet of water.

Overall the water budget will decrease from the one adopted by the city in 2008. The 2009 adopted budget is worth $3,524,963.05, which is down from the $3,535,944 adopted in 2008.

"We are in a time of tight budgets all the way around and I just want to point out there is a decrease in the 2009 water budget on the expense side. We did our best to try to pair expenses and sacrifice where we could without sacrificing service," he said. 

McTygue also recommend a five percent increase for all sewer rates.

The Whitney Gala, the traditional invitation-only celebration held in August before the Whitney Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course, has been canceled this year according to a report in the Saratogian. Reports indicate that members responsible for the annual gala thought it might be inappropriate to host such an extravagant event this year in light of the current economy. 

John Hendrickson, the husband of Marylou Whitney, indicated that he would like to focus his efforts on helping some of the backstretch workers, like in the previous year when they provided over 6,000 Sunday dinners to workers.

The Whitney Stakes is still set for Aug. 8 later this year. Officials indicated that the Gala is only being canceled for this year, and hopes are that they will have it up and running by the 2010 season.   

Maria Geizer, 38, of Grand Avenue in Saratoga Springs, has pleaded guilty to Unauthorized Practice, a Class E Felony, in regard to falsifying documents in order to obtain employment with Ballston Lake-Burnt Hills Central School District as a social worker.  Attorney General Andrew Cumo announced the guilty plea on Friday, Feb. 13. 

"Capital Region families deserve and expect properly trained professionals working in their schools and interacting with their children.  School employees who fake their credentials create the very real possibility that a child is forced to rely on services from an individual who is wholly unqualified," Cuomo said in a press release.  

According to the press release, Geizer applied for employment in 1999 as a social worker with Community Human Services of Glenville, which provides social workers to the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District.  At the time, Geizer falsely claimed that she had received a master's degree in psychology from SUNY Albany, which is required in order to work as a social worker.  She also claimed that she had been licensed by the New York State Education Department, which also proved false.  

In 2006, Geizer was asked to present her credentials after a random fraudulent-billing audit was sent out by the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General.  Geizer allegedly used her spouse's master's degree and Education Department's license, removing his name and replacing it with her own.  

Scott Murphy, the Democratic nominee seeking to fill the 20th Congressional District chair vacated by Kirsten Gillibrand after she was tapped to fill Hilary Clinton's seat in the U.S. Senate, has received Gillibrand's endorsement as he readies himself for the upcoming special election.   

"It is a pleasure to return to upstate New York, where my own journey began, to endorse Scott Murphy to succeed me in representing the 20th Congressional District in Congress.  During these tough economic times, we need a businessman like Scott Murphy in Congress fighting to create jobs and helping entrepreneurs start small businesses, providing real tax relief for middle class families," Sen. Gillibrand said in a written statement.  

Senior Sen. Charles Schumer has also thrown his weight behind Murphy, who announced his support for the candidate at the Philly Pretzel Factory in Clifton Park, a locally owned and newly opened small business. Schumer noted Murphy's experience in building successful companies, creating jobs and helping to make small businesses the cornerstone of a community's economy.   

"We need a strong partner in Congress like Scott Murphy who has real world experience and a proven track record when it comes to creating jobs and building small businesses.  Scott Murphy simply has the right combination of real-world experience, independent judgment, and Upstate values," Sen. Schumer said in a press release.  

Scott Murphy will run against Republican candidate James Tedisco in a special election scheduled for  March 31.