The following is a more in-depth story outlining what I see is a clear pattern or racial and economic bigotry that has been carried out in our community by Nancy Goldberg and others who practice a form of economic apartheid to keep Saratoga Spring a largely white bedroom community devoid of affordable housing with the cities minorities corralled into pockets of public housing, segregated from the upper middle class and wealthy and largely white population of the city.
Remember Ms.Goldberg is not just some everyday Citizen sprouting her racist views.
She is the former chairwoman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and a longtime member of the cities Democratic Committee and sat on the board of the Interlaken Homeowners' Association, a semi-gated and largely white populated development.
In 2004 the Anderson Group of Albany proposed building a 260-unit development called Spring Run Village, which included 54 lower-cost units, for land it owns near the Northway's Exit 14.This development would have been built close to Ms.Goldbergs largely white and exclusive semi-gated community.
But the City Council rezoned the Anderson parcel to "rural residential" as part of its updated comprehensive plan, which prohibited Spring Run from being built. A kind of spot zoning.
This was rezoned after members of the community went on a racially motivated campaign of fear mongering and bigotry, the likes of which had never been seen before in Saratoga Springs. Leading the charge that would have warmed the heart of any diehard segregationist, was Nancy Goldberg.
Ms.Goldberg made statements calling potential residents of the Anderson project” spics and niggers or Negros” depending on the contradictory testimony HERE{the entire deposition which was requested; 41 pages. The short version HERE} 
Other members of the public also made shameful statements . Others residents explicitly objected to the number of children that would move into the Development. Some neighbors used thinly veiled code words when objecting to Spring Run Village Development. Reference to drug addicts, increased crime," those people," turning Saratoga Springs into Albany or New York City HERE
The Anderson Group sued the city and members of the City Council and Planning Board in 2005, arguing that the new zoning violated federal fair housing laws and restricted blacks and families with children from living in that part of the city. The case was Federal and was assigned to the Northern District State of New York. Judge Sharpe was assigned the case.
The City asked for summary judgment to avoid a costly trial: summary Judgment is a mechanism by which one of the parties (usually the defendants) can seek to have an action dismissed by proving that even if you consider all the facts in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion (the plaintiffs) there is no issue of material fact precluding a decision dismissing all or part of the case. That is there is no issue of material fact which needs to be decided by a jury which would preclude summary judgment. So in deciding this motion Judge Sharpe looks at all the facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiff and decides whether the defendants have met their burden.
Judge Sharpe found
Sufficient evidence was presented to establish a prima facie case of discriminatory treatment under Fair Housing Act (FHA) against individual members of city council and planning board based on allegations that, in delaying and denying landowners' special use permit application to build affordable housing and downzoning a particular district where the housing was to be located, the council and board defendants knowingly bowed to the discriminatory animus of the community against groups protected under the FHA; landowners presented compelling statistics showing that African Americans were in disproportionate need of affordable housing, and that city officials were aware of that need but repeatedly capitulated to public opposition against affordable housing proposals, and it would not be unreasonable to infer that, in bowing to public opinion, the individual defendants understood discriminatory animus against protected groups to be a significant factor in the community's opposition to the proposed housing project.
Judge Sharpe specifically sited Nancy Goldberg’s statements in his ruling against the City denying them summary judgment See page 6, footnote 6 which talks about Goldberg’s comments. HERE
FN6. The plaintiffs have also alleged that at least one member of the community advising Council member McCabe regarding the SWAD downzoning indicated to the Plaintiffs' landscape architect that she didn't want “those people,” “spics” and “Negroes” living near her. (Ex. 12 at 100-01, Dkt. No. 84:13; Ex. 15 at 63, 68-69, 90-92, 108-09, Dkt. No. 84:16.)
So because of Nancy Goldberg and the others bigots who followed her, the case went to trial. A seven-member jury in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. The City was found guilty of discriminatory housing practices and was ordered to pay $1 million to the Andersons. HERE
Nice job Ms. Goldberg.
The City along with its insurance company which had refused at first to indemnify the city until another legal proceeding compelled it to, filed an appeal. This was done at considerable cost to the city
Judge Sharpe granted Saratoga Springs a new trial which could overturn $1 million in damages that a federal jury awarded to the Andersons.
Then in what can only be called one of the biggest shows of hypocrisy I have ever seen, Nancy Goldberg took issue with the money spent to win a new trial
“They paid attorneys to oversee the paid attorneys in the Anderson lawsuit.” HERE
So a women whose racist and deplorable remarks were part of the reason that the lawsuit went to trial then has the unmitigated call to complain about the cost. Fucking Classic
Oh this story still isn’t over as it is winding its way through the courts. Ms. Goldberg’s statement about “spics and niggers or Negros” depending on the contradictory testimony will again be used in an adversary proceeding against the city that will once again cause considerable expense that I’m sure Ms. Goldberg will again take issue with.
Now this would be bad enough but it didn’t happen in a Vacuum.
Ms. Goldberg is also trying to remove Derrick Legall, from the Democratic committee who just happens to be one of only two Black members of the Committee.
Ms. Goldberg working in the dark, behind the scenes in the political intrigue that has come to characterize the working of the Democratic Committee has been plotting day and night to undermine Legall and have him removed.
FN6. The plaintiffs have also alleged that at least one member of the community advising Council member McCabe regarding the SWAD downzoning indicated to the Plaintiffs' landscape architect that she didn't want “those people,” “spics” and “Negroes” living near her. (Ex. 12 at 100-01, Dkt. No. 84:13; Ex. 15 at 63, 68-69, 90-92, 108-09, Dkt. No. 84:16.)
Again see page 6, footnote 6 which talks about Goldberg’s comments. HERE
After rereading her statement above, one has to wonder if Ms.Goldberg is even comfortable being in the same room as a black man.
Now this brings me to Part3 of her Pattern Of bigotry
No one has been a bigger opponent of the Recreation Center than Ms. Goldberg
I have to wonder if her stanch opposition to the Rec Center which just happens to be in the only minority [Black and Hispanic} neighborhood in the city is racially motivated also? I don’t see it as a stretch to believe she simply can’t tolerate the idea of white children racially mixing with blacks.
Causing her to resign her position on the Zoning Board of Appeals.HERE
In closing it is time for the Democratic Committee of Saratoga Springs to remove this stain of bigotry and intolerance from the Committee. Nancy Goldberg should be asked to resign if she refuses remove her by majority vote of the Committee.
Second the Candidates who accepted campaign donations from Ms.Goldberg either directly or by proxy through family members return the monies ASAP.
John Goldberg 66 SARAZEN, MADIGAN $500.00 6/14/11
Susan Goldberg 66 SARAZEN ,MATHIESEN $500.00 06/21/11
John Goldberg 66 SARAZEN ,WILKES $500.00 6/07/11
The integrity of the Democratic Party in Saratoga Springs must be restored from these shameful and despicable actions of one of its longtime members and policy advisors.
I will continue to made an issue out of this and it will also be an issue in every City, State and National election until the Democratic Committee changes course and begins to stand for equality, affordable housing and open and transparent Government.
John Tighe
Till Sunday night. Remember it is your donations that give me access to all of these Court Records.THANK YOU and God bless
49 comments:
Wait till I see Chris Mathiesen, I saw "those people" on Broadway tonight. You know the darkies. I've afraid one might rape my Husband
Jim Kunstler had this bitches number a long time ago when re wrote
"This development led to a bizarre reaction, embodied in the positions of Mayor Keehn and her appointed Zoning Board chief, Nancy Goldberg. They claimed that the new "density" of people living downtown was an undesirable thing"
and
"The idea that the new buildings "have ruined Saratoga," as Nancy Goldberg angrily declared at a regional planning meeting held in May at Hudson Valley Community College"
With
"We think Mayor Keehn and her supporters have all of these issues wrong, and not just a little wrong but really very wrong. Keehn's positions on downtown redevelopment are not worthy of a party that considers itself "progressive." Her ideas are reactionary and based on a sheer lack of knowledge in urban design."
The women is a what we all call a viper. Since I just won the lottery, I think I'll buy one of those big ass pretty houses right next to that tight ass bitch.
Hope she likes the smell of barbecue. No swine though, I'm a Muslims and follow Mr.Farrakhan.
Say hello to your new ass neighbor.
Hope you like kids, I've got 12.They are wild little bastards. Hope you got lots of little white children for them to shoot craps with.
INTERLAKEN I like the sound of that
Inquiring minds want to know:
Did Nancy G. and her lawyer-husband help Shawn Thompson and his "partner" scam New York State taxpayers out of over a hundred thousand dollars to fund a "medical procedure" that resulted in Shawn and his "partner" becoming the "fathers" of twins?
Pandora's box is officially opened.
John I mentioned your name to that crazy ass Nancy Muldoon and she spit on the ground.
That is without a doubt the single best character reference you could ever have
The thing is many of us opposed that Anderson project because we didn't believe they really ever meant to include affordable housing in their project. There was no guarantee at what point the affordable part would get done--the suspicion was that they would get the project approved and build the big bucks housing first and then never get around to the affordable part. Even if they did build affordable units they only had to keep them affordable for 20 years then could put the price up to market value. This was just one more in a series of schemes the Andersons cooked up over the years for the land at Exit 14. Each one designed primarily to maximize the profits they could wring out of that land. No wonder many of us were sceptical that the Andersons really planned to altruistically give up some profit
to provide needed affordable housing stock in the city. This doesn't seem to be, however, the reason that Ms. Goldberg opposed the plan.
Derrick LeGall should be recognized as a valuable member of the SS Dem Committee for many reasons not just the racial diversity he helps bring to the organization. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of youth in SS serving on many boards and in a variety of capacities over the years. His work was recognized this year when he was named "Citizen of the Year", something one cannot imagine anyone ever nominating Nancy Goldberg for. He is an incredibly hard worker and talented, kind person. Any organization would be lucky to have him as a member. I can't believe there's someone on the Democratic Committee who wants him to leave. Wow!
To those of you who keep letting me know of Nancy Muldoon’s little temple tantrum about me, yes I am aware, but I’m afraid that Muldoon’s blog or her role in the community are of such limited significance that neither one warrants a front page story.
Nancy loves to play the victim and I find it ironic that she criticizes me for attacking what she calls “strong women” while in her cruelest post she railed against Melissa Diggins. Perhaps the ultimate “strong woman” who refused to become a victim and fought off a 22-year-old El Salvadorian man who kidnapped her, dragging her into a van, holding her at gunpoint and threatening to rape and kill her.
On a July evening in 2009, 22-year-old Melissa Diggins was knocked nearly unconscious with the grip of a pistol by Victor Hernandez-Perez, who after driving to a secluded spot in Greenfield forced the young lady to undress at gun-point.But the 22 year old refused to become a victim as she dove through the front seat and out of the passenger door, rolling, beaten and bloody, into the street. Diggins ran through the forest on the outskirts of Saratoga Springs evading her pursuer before finally finding safety at house that had its lights on.
Then she testified against Hernandez in open court, who was sentenced to 25 years in state prison for the abduction
Ms. Diggins all of 22-years-old was severely ridiculed by Ms. Muldoon who called her a spoiled little brat who stole her tip money at a local restaurant. She then went on to state that 22-years-old got what she deserved by saying
Karma is a bitch
11:33,
Your straw man argument is bull. The plan was phased to include affordable housing at each step. Something the PLANNING BOARD was well within their authority to mandate... Just like they do with other community benefits that are included in projects. Of course, the PLANNING BOARD didn't want the project so they allowed the misconception of a non-guarantee to fester to help support their animus towards the project.
In retrospect knowing about these statements by Goldberg and knowing that she supported Chris Mathiesen. I wonder just what Chris Mathiesen meant when he talked about “those people” who frequent Club Shadow.
Could he be another closet Democratic Racist too? This town is looking more and more like Selma Alabama every day.
Hell instead of making blacks ride in the back of the bus we’ll just stop Bus 50 altogether and keep “those people” from ever coming to town in the first place.
Why are all the crazy women named Nancy?
Just Sayin'
Hey I want to do a threesome with Nancy, Nancy and Me.
Almost the same as doing twins
Anymous 11:33 can you document that? I think you may be confusing what would have been a good idea--mandating the affordable part at each stage of building with what actually was the case. Lump the Andersons and Mike Ingersoll for that matter with the Goldbergs. In this case cynically using the need for affordable housing as a ploy to get their land re-zoned to put up more high end McMansions in that section of town. It was a promise they never intended to deliver on. Follow the money. Ironically Ms. Goldberg would have in the end gotten the kind of neighbors she feels most comfortable with if she had not opposed the project.But not to worry, the Andersons won't allow any unsavory working people in her back yard--people at that income level don't have pockets deep enough to line the pockets of the ever greedy Andersons
9:50,
It's ignorant people like you that got this city in the pinch that it's in. You have nothing to substantiate your claims. When a city comes forth with bullshit reasons for an action (I.e , we had suspicions and it was all a ploy for blah blah blah so we'll toss your application and downzone your property before the process even starts or before groundless accusations can be substantiated). This latest comment is a perfect example: the project was a multifamily development of apartments and townhouses...the CITY rezoned it to a classification that would only allow "high end McMansions." You have the whole scenario conveniently backwards to support your bias.In the end it was people like yourself who proffered unsubstantiated opposition and claimed that you really did care for affordable housing...but then did nothing to help secure affordable housing on this site or any other in the city. All of your delusions are fine for commenting on a blog but those same thin claims apparently don't hold much water in court. Had the opposition really cared about affordable housing they would have seen this project through approval with a mandate from the city that affordable units be included as promised. But that's not really what they, or you, wanted, is it?
The land was zoned multifamily to begin with... It was the city that zoned it only to allow expensive McMansions
Who you kidding when you say Nancy Muldoon's blog is of little significance?
The 3rd Grade Special Ed Class is fascinated by it.
Actually the land had been zoned conservancy-1 house for every 2 acres for years. Before water lines were extended across the Northway this zoning kept a greenbelt around the outskirts of the city--a city in the country--because it didn't make profit sense to build there without water lines. It was to this area that the Andersons at one point tried to get a zoning change to build an office park. You may recall they were the developers of Wolf Road. They later tried to get it re-zoned again with a sham sceme to put ACC there, a plan that was defeated by one vote--Lew Benton's. The Republicans then saw to it that Lew, a Republican himself at that point, lost his job with the county. This parcel has a history.
Yea, that land was zoned low density when the Andersons bought it years ago. They kept trying to get that changed so they could develop it. I can't remember how it briefly got zoned for greater density but the council merely returned it to it's original zoning. Also didn't a higher court throw out this ruling in an unprecedented act? John, can you research this more? I'm sure it was covered in the Saratogian--this spring maybe?
Until now, I thought that Citizen Nancy Muldoon was just the author of a shitty little blog which was nothing more than the worthless mind farts of an uneducated individual without either a bright mind or any real sense of what goes on in this city.
Assuming that your recollections of her commentary on that abduction are accurate, I would now conclude that she is also a psychopath.
I did not understand John to say he was ever in favor of the Anderson project. I think his point was that, because of comments made by Ms. Goldberg and others, a claim that clearly had no merit ended up going to trial. He was also pointing out how people like Lew Benton (an individually named defendant) and Goldberg (the subject of Judge Sharpe's famous footnote 6) had the nerve to criticize the Johnson administration for the costs associated with defending this lawsuit. It is clear that every single allegation in this lawsuit dated to before Scott became Mayor yet he was the one the Democrats had the nerve to criticize for trying to defend this city against these claims.
Chris Mathieson is not in any way shape or form part of this Anderson mess. I am sure he had no idea of the part Goldberg had in causing the city to lose the motion to dismiss until he read it on this blog.
2:03,
The ACC proposal was on the other side of the Northway and the property in question had been designated for high density development since the 1987 Master Plan. So yes, the property has a history ...you're just not familiar with it.
Correct 3:40 but still their property around Exit 14 and just not the kind of development the Anderson's wanted to do--thus their maneuver to play the ACC card just as they played the affordable housing card across the Northway. Yet another example of the Anderson's willingness to do anything and say anything in pursuit of every last dollar. And how upstanding of Mike Ingersoll to help make it all possible.
Good summary 3:16 of the important points of John raising all this in the first place.
Anderson had nothing to do with ACC...wasn't the developer and didn't own the land. Yet another example of opponents fabricating lies to obscure their bias against multifilament housing. Also notable that people keep referencing greed when I'm not aware of a single instance where the Anderson's profited from anything in Saratoga Springs. Quite to the contrary, they have supported multiple local non-profits and even donated the land where the Independent school is located ...despite the fact it would have been a lovely spot for the much sought after (and profitable) Saratoga style McMansion.
3:16,
The claim was that discriminatory animus from opponents influenced the decision makers. Goldberg was the most egregious example but she wasn't alone (read the excerpts in the post). These things don't proceed to trial with "no merit." Nor do juries award 1 mil on no merit. And I'm pretty sure the Anderson's had nothing to do with ACC. Regardless, it's my understanding this whole thing is going back to trial so all this debate is somewhat useless.
If the Andersons never profited it was because they never got the dramatic re-zonings they sought. Not because they didn't try. And maybe a little tax advantage for their land donation to the Independent school. Whatever works for the 1%
The Anderson's had proper zoning for their project. It was the bigots like Goldberg that sought, and received, the "dramatic rezoning" to deny the 99% reasonable housing. Check your facts.
Hey 5:10,
You ever been to the eastern plateau? It's the land of the free and the 1%. It strikes me as somewhat ironic that you impute the needs of the 99% in this yet you want to deprive them of affordable apartments in lieu of more mansions
5:10,
Good job advocating for the little guy by denying them housing. Douche!
Only in Saratoga can I be absolutely 100% positive that confused retards like 5:10 present themselves as caring, progressive liberals at the regular Cross burnings on Sarazen St.
This is even more compelling than Vanguard and his antics. It seems theres a really Interesting dynamic in your town John where the "progressives" are more interested in denying a developer profit than providing affordable housing. Surely there must be a NXIVM connection here because the lunacy is all too familiar.
Oh, please, it's people like you who swallow the Anderson lines that enable them to exploit working people. You probably don't want to tax millionaires because you think you're going to be one someday. Chump
Swallow the Anderson lines? Rather do that than inhabit the whitest city in the state and sit idly by as EVERY affordable development in the city is shot down by punks like you who complain about traffic when the development is affordable yet are all too eager to accept every luxury condominium. Complain about open space yet accept every ridiculous McMansion. 30 straight years of black decline in this city asshole. quite an accomplishment you fucking ignorant pussy. Go back to sucking Nancy's cock and be at peace.
Peace.
Where does this strange species of liberal come from? Again with the fixation on the affordable housing developer and not the affordable housing. I've got news for you brother, the vast majority of developers are wealthy. In most cases you can't have one without the other. Sorry.
You still don't get it-- Anderson never was and never will be an affordable housing developer. Until you deal with that reality check you'll never get the kind of affordable housing this city needs.
ACC was proposed off Henning road on the West side of the Northway. The Anderson property is on the east side of the Northway. This Project was a big deal back in the day and it frankly makes me feel older than I should because it demonstrates what appears to be a large contingent of people completely unfamiliar with prominent events of the not too distant past. This phenomenon is further reinforced by the more recent disinformation regarding the Anderson project. There is no doubt there was profit motive in this development. As the earlier comment alluded, this is the case in any development. Opposing a project, especially a project that may offer significant community benefits like affordable housing, on the basis of speculation is, and was, disingenuous. I remember this issue vividly and the project was dumped rapidly at the beginning of the process precluding any honest evaluation of the projects merits or the developers intentions. The point was to kill the project. Period. Not to ensure that much needed affordable housing was included. In the process leading up to the projects demise every member of the city councilp, planning board and neighborhood opposition groups proclaimed their desire for affordable housing and their intent to help resolve the problem. The main vehicle took the form of an inclusionary zoning committee. The committee ended up being a farce and not one of the interested persons took one step help develop affordable housing on the Anderson site or anywhere else within the city. Regardless of the developers profit motives or any other irrelevant concerns, the city's treatment of the Anderson project was shameful. The site offered a rare opportunity for meaningful amounts of affordable housing. The city's continued treatment of the affordable housing issue is even more shameful given the very real negative impact on the city's most vulnerable residents. The fact that this city has been forcing out its traditional working class (including a significant number of minorities) is absolutely repugnant. Mostly because the time has long past where any reasonably intelligent person could claim ignorance to these sad facts.
Be careful Nancy. If affordable housing comes to your neighborhood you may find yourself living to some "entitled" former city and county employees like the Bentons and Klotzs!
I would still like to know how people like Citizen nancy, Chris Mathieson and Ms. Madigan can defend Goldberg's comments. I would like to know how people like Goldberg, mathieson, Madigan, wilkes and others can argue that Scott Johnson spent too much money defending this mess when it was people like Goldberg and Benton who caused this whole thing in the 1st place. At the very least Scott deserves a public apology and maybe they should look at some facts before throwing baseless allegations around in a campaign.Also John makes some very good points about the pattern here. It is and was the progressive Democrats who wanted to put the Rec Center way out on Wiebel Road, where children would need to be driven. Scott is the one and only person in this city who saw that it should be near the Terrace, the last and only area of the city with a significant low income and racially mixed majority.
Thinking that there is bigits/racits in positions of power in this city never came into my thoughts but you start to think is there a pattern. What about the fact there has never been a black firemen in Saratoga? There was a lawsuit that paid off one man was black and was not hired. I am I wrong to think this?
Scott Johnson, our Mayor grew up in Jefferson Terrace, Saratoga's public housing project. The man doesn’t have a racist bone in his body.
The Democrats here are a bunch of limousine liberals who spout leftist slogans at cocktail parties but wouldn’t hesitate to dial 911 if they saw a black man walking down the sidewalk of their exclusive neighborhoods
The hypocrisy of the political liberal upper class or upper middle class in this town is simply breathtaking.
Claiming environmental consciousness but driving SUV and living in exclusive developments in Mansions where one has to drive to buy a simple loaf of bread.
These politically left-leaning bigots and elites claim to support the rights of the working class while they themselves are members of the upper class, or upper middle class, and are therefore out of touch with the real needs of the people they claim to support and protect.
These so called liberals are haughty and condescending towards people such as John who lack a formal education but are able to see through their hypocrisy.
In the end their lifestyles are incompatible with their professed political convictions.
Keep it up John you are doing an admirable job of exposing these hypocrites and bigots and the fools like Nancy Muldoon who support them against their own interest because of their naivety.
Chris Mathieson will be dealing with some opening in Public Safety and if he was any kind of a Democrat he would try to hire minorities.
I don’t believe the city has ever had a black fireman or Hispanic or Asian for that matter.
The police department has one black officer, no native Spanish speakers or any Asians.
I don’t believe the city has ever tried to recruit any.
While the focus is diverted, guess who's buying the Adelphi via a complex front group?
Who is buying Adelphi? NXIVM or Bouchey?
Anyone know why the SARATOGA COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING (PO BOX 5074) had its non-profit status revoked by the IRS in June 2011 ?
• Hi Juan, thanks for 99% of your posts here. I have heard that Scott Johnson's investment group is buying the Adelphi. Those living in Jefferson Terrace didn't want the Rec. Center there. The Center will be named the Scott Johnson recreation Center within 2 years, and I hear that Scott has 3 or 4 Haitians working at his Condo in Miami. Oh well, there goes that neighborhood. Why not write some juicy tid bits about your home town of Milton? Keep suckering those who you want to send you money. You should post their names.
Hey 7.51 what happen the eastern plateau Klan meeting get out early? I bet Nancy looks hot in the soft glow of a nice cross burning, but back to your comment. According to you and the other Knights of your social group, nobody reads my blog, I write all the comments, and no one gives me money. So why are you concerned? So if no one gives me money there are no names and the 3000 hits on my blog yesterday were just a statistical anomaly.
I’ll tell you the list I want? The list of Brent’s campaign contributors. The list is due by LAW Monday and I will be writing more tomorrow night. But for now I have to manage my off-shore accounts from my banking center in Milton.
PS. I chose Milton to be close to my jet.
7:51,
That's a great point about the Haitians. And just so everybody understands, what he meant was it's bad to employ Haitians because all Haitians are illegal aliens. Theyre also black and most blacks are criminals. So there's that too. Either way, it a really important lesson why you should never hire any Haitians ever.
The group buying the Adelphi Hotel plan to convert it to a halfway house for parolees being transitioned out for drug related offenses and a safe placement location for recently released sex offenders.
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