Mayor announces united effort to ensure future VLT revenue
Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson along with local business leaders and county officials have joined together to create a united voice in order to urge New York State officials to strike a deal that would bring video lottery terminals (VLT) to Aqueduct Racetrack.
The deal that has been in the making for eight years, recently fell through after the project's operator, Delaware North, was not able to secure the correct financing to bring in 4,500 VLT machines to the track.
Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson along with local business leaders and county officials have joined together to create a united voice in order to urge New York State officials to strike a deal that would bring video lottery terminals (VLT) to Aqueduct Racetrack.
The deal that has been in the making for eight years, recently fell through after the project's operator, Delaware North, was not able to secure the correct financing to bring in 4,500 VLT machines to the track.
"This plan has been on three governors' desks to date, still without resolution, with every delay financially hurting every taxpayer," Johnson said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Before the deal fell through, VLT machines at Aqueduct were intended to bring in approximately $1 million to state coffers per day and give New York Racing Association the funds to cover increasing operating costs.
According to a 2006 study commissioned by Saratoga County, the economic impact of Saratoga racing on Saratoga County and eight neighboring counties is calculated to be between $186 million and $213 million, Johnson said. He added that there could be an additional impact on roughly 3,000 future jobs and the local breeding industry if the deal was to fall through all together.
"The stakes of endangering racing cannot be underestimated," Johnson said.
Johnson said along with fellow county leaders, he will now seek the support of the other eight counties (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Warren and Washington) that are affected by Saratoga racing.
They will then create a united voice to lobby Gov. David Paterson and the State Legislature to ensure a deal gets done to bring the machines to Aqueduct Racetrack.
Their message will be that New York State can no longer delay the process and that they need to initiate a plan of action immediately.
Sherman re-elected mayor in Schuylerville by narrow margin
Schuylerville incumbent Mayor, John Sherman, defeated challenger Whitney Colvin by a margin of 146-135 in the village's election on Wednesday, March 18.
The narrow victory will allow Sherman to hold the seat for an additional four years. The victory marked his third time winning the seat.
In Victory, incumbent Mayor George Sullivan was defeated by challenger James Sullivan who will now serve his first four-year term.
Philadelphia Orchestra reveals '09 season
The Philadelphia Orchestra's 2009 residency at SPAC will take place August 5-22 and will be led by Charles Dutoit, Principal Conductor and Artistic Director.
Program highlights for this year's three-week residency will include an opening night appearance by Alec Baldwin who will narrate Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," performances by world-renown soloists including Yo-Yo Ma and Joshua Bell, and three pop evenings with guest conductors Marvin Hamlisch, Erich Kunzel and Jeff Tyzik.
"The Philadelphia's Orchestra 2009 Summer Season at SPAC will be simply extraordinary. Under the direction of Maestro Charles Dutoit, the Orchestra will present one of its richest and most diverse programs in years. Bringing true star power to the season will be a remarkable lineup of guest artists, including actor Alec Baldwin whose resonant voice will provide an unforgettable presentation of Copland's stirring Lincoln Portrait and offer a spectacular kick off to our Orchestra season," Marcia J. White, SPAC President & Executive Director, said in a press release.
Tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra's SPAC performances are now available via SPAC's web site, at www.spac.org.
Saratoga County personnel director resigns
William S. Baker, who worked as Saratoga County's personnel director for over 20 years has submitted his letter of resignation. Baker has worked as the county's personnel director since Dec. 5, 1988. He will leave the office as of May 16, 2009.
John J. Kalinkewicz, who was formerly the deputy director, is set to take over the position of personnel director from Baker. Kalinkewicz has worked as the deputy director for 19 years, since 1990. With the promotion, Kalinkewicz will take charge of more than 1,500 employees in the County.
The County Board of Supervisors is seeking a replacement for the deputy director. The deputy director will be awarded with $69,822 in starting pay plus benefits. Applicants are asked to have either a bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience, or an associate's degree with four years of experience.
For those interested, applications may be submitted to Personnel Director William S. Baker, Saratoga County Personnel Department, 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa NY 12020.
Before the deal fell through, VLT machines at Aqueduct were intended to bring in approximately $1 million to state coffers per day and give New York Racing Association the funds to cover increasing operating costs.
According to a 2006 study commissioned by Saratoga County, the economic impact of Saratoga racing on Saratoga County and eight neighboring counties is calculated to be between $186 million and $213 million, Johnson said. He added that there could be an additional impact on roughly 3,000 future jobs and the local breeding industry if the deal was to fall through all together.
"The stakes of endangering racing cannot be underestimated," Johnson said.
Johnson said along with fellow county leaders, he will now seek the support of the other eight counties (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Warren and Washington) that are affected by Saratoga racing.
They will then create a united voice to lobby Gov. David Paterson and the State Legislature to ensure a deal gets done to bring the machines to Aqueduct Racetrack.
Their message will be that New York State can no longer delay the process and that they need to initiate a plan of action immediately.
Sherman re-elected mayor in Schuylerville by narrow margin
Schuylerville incumbent Mayor, John Sherman, defeated challenger Whitney Colvin by a margin of 146-135 in the village's election on Wednesday, March 18.
The narrow victory will allow Sherman to hold the seat for an additional four years. The victory marked his third time winning the seat.
In Victory, incumbent Mayor George Sullivan was defeated by challenger James Sullivan who will now serve his first four-year term.
Philadelphia Orchestra reveals '09 season
The Philadelphia Orchestra's 2009 residency at SPAC will take place August 5-22 and will be led by Charles Dutoit, Principal Conductor and Artistic Director.
Program highlights for this year's three-week residency will include an opening night appearance by Alec Baldwin who will narrate Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," performances by world-renown soloists including Yo-Yo Ma and Joshua Bell, and three pop evenings with guest conductors Marvin Hamlisch, Erich Kunzel and Jeff Tyzik.
"The Philadelphia's Orchestra 2009 Summer Season at SPAC will be simply extraordinary. Under the direction of Maestro Charles Dutoit, the Orchestra will present one of its richest and most diverse programs in years. Bringing true star power to the season will be a remarkable lineup of guest artists, including actor Alec Baldwin whose resonant voice will provide an unforgettable presentation of Copland's stirring Lincoln Portrait and offer a spectacular kick off to our Orchestra season," Marcia J. White, SPAC President & Executive Director, said in a press release.
Tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra's SPAC performances are now available via SPAC's web site, at www.spac.org.
Saratoga County personnel director resigns
William S. Baker, who worked as Saratoga County's personnel director for over 20 years has submitted his letter of resignation. Baker has worked as the county's personnel director since Dec. 5, 1988. He will leave the office as of May 16, 2009.
John J. Kalinkewicz, who was formerly the deputy director, is set to take over the position of personnel director from Baker. Kalinkewicz has worked as the deputy director for 19 years, since 1990. With the promotion, Kalinkewicz will take charge of more than 1,500 employees in the County.
The County Board of Supervisors is seeking a replacement for the deputy director. The deputy director will be awarded with $69,822 in starting pay plus benefits. Applicants are asked to have either a bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience, or an associate's degree with four years of experience.
For those interested, applications may be submitted to Personnel Director William S. Baker, Saratoga County Personnel Department, 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa NY 12020.
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