Al Callucci was right; there are Heroin and other drug and violence issues in Saratoga Springs Public Housing

Al Callucci was vindicated this past weekend when local cops arrested Elizabeth J. Lorman on July 27th for Criminal Possession of Controlled Substances (cocaine and heroin) in her apartment in Jefferson Terrace. SPA police also called it a possible location for alleged narcotics distribution and gang activity. This was from a police spokesperson
Lorman’s arrest comes a month after 32-year-old Bronx man, Royal Hamilton, was arrested inside Building 5 of Jefferson Terrace. He was wanted on a violent felony robbery warrant and a parole warrant out of the Bronx.
Lorman was arraigned and sent to the Saratoga County Jail on $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond bail.
This video is from three weeks ago, before the latest arrest took place


In other recent Housing Authority news, this time from the Gazette.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A man was allegedly struck in the face early Saturday morning with a metal pipe by his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend.
City police were called to Jefferson Terrace a little after 3 a.m. and found two residents, a man and a woman, who said her ex-boyfriend had attempted to break in. After confronting the intruder, the male resident allegedly was attacked with the pipe by a man who then fled.
Jeffrey Woodbeck, 34, of Greenfield, was identified as the suspected attacker and was located a few hours later. He was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary, a class B felony, second-degree assault, a class D felony, and criminal possession of a weapon, a class A misdemeanor.

So as much as Housing Authority Director Ed Spychalski along with his cheerleader and chief Eric Weller want to po po it {Weller called it "petty garbage"} there is a serious drug and violence problem in Saratoga Springs public housing.
So heres to you AL, you were RIGHT

NOW on to the ulgy citizen team of Saratoga Springs, John Goldberg and his little racist wife Nancy Goldberg
So let’s see what they have to say about Saratoga’s new movie theater? These are direct quotes from them.
“What ever happened to the City in the Country we were famous for? We have sacrificed a peaceful, quaint, busy city to the likes of Tom Roohan, Sonny Bonacio, John Witt type realtor/developers and they have turned our city into a mini NYC. Remember, they are all in bed together (some literally). I would hope the Design Review Committee will come to a sane decision {on the movie theater} and throw this idea out the window, well we can always hope.’

On the new fish market
“Saratoga also has a new fish market and brewery opening, so Broadway will now start smelling more like NYC for the benefit of those moving here that want to change Saratoga into a mini New York City. You know the cast of characters, they are the usual suspects.”

Remember folks, these people along with Eileen Finneran Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, run the Saratoga Springs Democratic committee.The Anderson trial is starting in Federal court Monday in Albany. Let’s see if Nancy Goldberg is called to quantify her famous remarks calling potential residents of the Anderson project” spics and niggers or Negros” depending on the contradictory testimony.

I will be reporting on the ballet and everybody’s favorite 300k fuck up former Joe Bruno toy Marcia White later on this week.

And when you see AL, remember to thank him for trying to help the poor of Saratoga and make this town a better place

So what do the angry ones think of Tempered by Memory?

I understand many decent, well intentioned members of our community have issues with Tempered by Memory. I respect those differences in opinion but I believe that in time they will grow to if not appreciate it, at least tolerate it.
I have a very long memory and I strongly remember the opposition to
1. Sidewalk cafes on Broadway {would lead to bottle throwing fights}
2. The Carousel in Congress Park {the ruin of it}
3. And now Tempered by Memory.

What I don’t have patience for are the angry ones. The ones that would be more than happy to destroy Saratoga just to make Mayor Johnson look bad. They would close the Rec Center if they could. Every night they pray that the parking garage collapses. Some hope for a massive riot of drunken track patrons to close the race track. Some would love to see a fatal stabbing on Caroline St preferably at 4am.

Who are these people you ask? Well many control the Democratic Committee such as John and Nancy Goldberg who penned this hate filled diatribe.

"I drove by the steel disgrace that plopped into our City today. This eyesore monstrosity is better suited to be set up at the City landfill instead of being planted in the City proper. If you get a chance, visit some cities via the internet and look at what beautiful memorials were crafted out of the steel that was given to them, you will be amazed by some and in awe of others.

However, Saratoga Springs can never do anything normal. We (the City) accepted this heap of destruction and I guess from the arguments from last year this humongous bird perch is classified as beautiful art. I’ll keep my mask, tights and shield, thank you.

I don’t think that I could ever bring out of town friends to visit this piece of art and tell them what it is with a straight face. Someone has to bring these fruitcakes that think they have to keep bringing things like this into Saratoga Springs, under control.
First it was the Palacio Del Riggi, then 101 Condominiums now the Twisted Sister, what next, a statue of Scott Johnson holding Shauna Sutton?"

Charming aren’t they?

Remember Nancy and her racist statements in the Anderson Lawsuit? HERE.
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}

Speaking of the Anderson Trial it will be starting in a couple weeks in Federal court and I hear Nancy Goldberg might be called as a hostile witness to address and justify her racist views. I will of course be at the upcoming trial and you will be hearing much more in the coming weeks. Ms. Goldberg’s a former chairwoman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and a longtime member of the cities Democratic Committee who also sat on the board of the Interlaken Homeowners Association.Her little racist rant may cost the city millions {I’m sure she will also blame that on Mayor Johnson}

Next we have Phyllis Amyot AKA Amejo Amyot.

This is her self description

. . . is an artist, creator and retired sexologist. She has worked in clay for over 20 years and discovered women’s ways of knowing from the Goddesses born from her hands and clay. Through shamanic journeys and deep intuitive ways, she brings forth from ancient mysteries the innate powers of the female. Dr. Amyot has taught at numerous universities and medical schools and had a private practice in sex therapy

I was at a City Council meeting where Amyot called the Twin Towers a monument to American greed and went on to disparage her fellow local artists as “embarrassing”. They women is vain, arrogant, dripping in her own self-importance, I think she’s just pissed she didn’t get the commission. You can hear Phyllis below addressing the City Council.


Remember people, these are ugly, racist people. Unable to win control of the city democratically they have convinced many good and civic minded people we need Charter Change. Just remember who your dealing with.


3rd meeting to Save the New York City Ballet at SPAC, monday,7/30@6:30pm. Community Room, 1st floor Saratoga Springs public library.

Till next time when I look at violence and crime in Jefferson Terrace. Good day

Tempered by Memory: A terrible beauty is born

I wanted to write this for a few days but I’ve been kind of busy.

I walked over to High Rock park to admire the 9/11 memorial, Tempered by Memory.

As I looked up at it I was reminded of my own Irish past. In 1916 after the failed Easter Rebellion in Ireland, uniformed combatants of the IRA surrendered to the British. Fully expecting to be treated as prisoners of war, the brutal British marched them out against a wall and gunned them down.
But it was in their behavior in the face of their imminent murder that a nation was born. Proud, unrepentant and fearing nothing but God they spent their last hours writing poetry, praying and sending inspiring messages to the people in Ireland.

As they were marched one by one to their place of execution, bravely looking to the sky and into the faces of their murderers a beauty was born. A terrible beauty whose essence was captured by Irish poet William Butler Yeats when he penned his poem Easter 1916. In part

No, no, not night but death;
Was it needless death after all?
For England may keep faith
For all that is done and said.
We know their dream; enough
To know they dreamed and are dead;
And what if excess of love
Bewildered them till they died?
I write it out in a verse -
MacDonagh and MacBride
And Connolly and Pearse
Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.

You can read the full poem HERE


And as I looked up at the twisted and tortured metal of Tempered by Memory I thought of the glorious fireman who marched to their doom or the last phone calls from trapped workers to their families. Knowing they would die they grieved not for themselves but for the loved ones they left behind, offering those who would be left confronting words of love. And yes there is a beauty in utterly selfless acts. And I must say on that day in September 2011 the world was changed changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.

Sunday night I will post what the crazy ones think of the memorial and it’s not pretty. Till then say a prayer for all those who have gone before us and those who suffer in our midst

Saratoga in Decline to investigate ties between Joe Bruno and Linda Passaretti, SPAC director of development

Saratoga in Decline has received anonymous information that SPAC director of development Linda Passaretti is related to Dr. Zachary H. Passaretti, MD an Albany based Urologist at 63 Shaker Rd # 202 Albany, NY 12204

(518) 434-1283

This would be a significant development as Dr. Zachary H. Passaretti, is not only indicted former Senate majority leader Joe Bruno's personal urologist but was a frequent passenger on private junkets involving Jared Abbruzzese and Joe Bruno.

The three are so tight that in 2006 the businessman Jared Abbruzzese jetted the senator and the good doctor to Palm Beach for a two-day junket, complete with golf and "adult entertainment,”. The relationship between Joe Bruno and Abbruzzese is at the heart of the federal indictment against Bruno for corruption charges.

Now it has been alleged to me that Joe Bruno even while under federal indictment can still pull a few strings with Marcia White, President & Executive Director of SPAC to help out his old friend Dr. Passaretti’s family. It has been alleged that Linda Passaretti, was personally hired by Marcia White to her $160,000 a year position at the personal urging of her old paramour and boss Joe Bruno.

After all it makes sense as Joe forced his ex-aide and alleged lover Marcia White on a reluctant SPAC board as a condition of his state financed bail out of the failed nonprofit.

Stay tuned folks this just keeps getting more and more interesting. Details HERE

So Marcia White wants to play hardball?

So Marcia I’m sure you think you won some kind of “victory” tonight. Readers tonight as I entered the patron’s tent I was greeted by Linda Passaretti SPAC’s latest toadie. Our conversation went something like this

Passaretti: Mr.Tighe you can’t enter the patron’s tent.

Me: I have a valid corporate card.{showing her the card}

Passaretti; I don’t care. Are you an officer of the company?

Me: No but you know as well as I know these cards are used as a perk by corporations for valued clients and believe it or not I am a valued client{ That is true}

Passaretti: I’m sorry you have to leave now

Me: You realize when my benefactor at the $3,000 patron’s level hears of this they won’t be renewing for next year.

Passaretti: I don’t care now leave now.

Live Nation VIP club here I come

So Marcia you managed to regain your patron’s club from the rabble but I’ve been working too. So far I have two confirmed cancelled corporate accounts and one personal patron’s account. Not too shabby for a couple hours work. So let’s call it minus $7,500 for me and one saved diet coke and some cheese and crackers for you.

And by the way you missed a great concert by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. See after Ms. White gave her shaky introduction of the orchestra to the audience, she couldn’t jump into her SPAC leased BMW fast enough. But your taste runs towards disco and pool boys doesn't it.

PS.The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra was really lovely tonight.
Too bad Marcia White never properly marketed it. See I took advantage of the buy one get one free ticket offer and half the crowd had been comped by SPAC to avoid an embarrassingly small crowd of full price ticket holders. So once again the average ticket buyer is screwed and Marcia’s wealthy toadies ride for free. But remember Marcia, this town makes people and breaks people and Uncle Joe can’t save you now.

Till tomorrow night when I will be back with a new story, goodnight

Tanglewood, what SPAC might have been?

I took a road trip over to the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts HERE than continued down to an evening performance of an all Wagner program at Tanglewood Saturday HERE.

The following is my honest observations and your own experience might to different.

The ride to Williamstown over the mountain from Troy is breathtaking. Williamstown itself is a little College town, a little sleepy in the summer. Downtown parking is free and abundant but the lack of foot traffic is a bit disconcerting to me. Yes they have great theater and wonderful museums but frankly it’s a little dead. Then it dawned on me. This must be what Brent Wilkes and Nancy Goldberg have in mind for Saratoga Springs. Rich, white, incredibly expensive and they roll up the sidewalks at 10pm.

Anyway the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute is my favorite local museum. They are in the midst of a major expansive and seem to have no problem raising funds in this down economy. From Labor Day till Memorial Day admission is free but they charge $15 a head in summer. They also cross promote with Tanglewood and offer a package of two adult admissions to the museum along with two lawn passes to Tanglewood for $40. To see the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC two lawn tickets alone would cost $44. My inside seat which were quite good only cost $21.
Anyway we arrived at Tanglewood at 5 for the 8:30 performance and people were already lined up to get in. They have great parking attendants, who don’t sit in lawn chairs eating pizza. The lots themselves are lawns with trees giving them a park like quality. They have a store like gift shop and bathrooms and drinking fountains before the gates, so the crowds waiting to get in are comfortable.
Inside they offer a free concert in the beautiful all wood Ozawa Hall at 6 before the main performance in the shed. Sitting in my free seat with a free cushion listening to a great chamber music concert I thought if only SPAC treated people like this?
Moving to the main “shed” built in 1938 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra {just like SPAC was built for the New York City Ballet} the lawn was packed with happy people. I spoke too many who told me they had heard how dangerous Saratoga had become {thank you Public Safety Commissioner Chris “Toothy’”Mathiesen}. Others were dismayed that the Philadelphia Orchestra was forced to be a circus band and background for old movies. Another of the biggest differences with SPAC is the digital projections on the large inside and outside screens. You can't imagine the picture quality of the hi-def screens compared to SPAC. Then we have NPR broadcasting not only the main BSO performance but the free pre-performance too!
That brings me to another point. I can’t remember the Philadelphia Orchestra playing Wagner ever. What is up with that? Now I’m not a qualified classical music reviewer but I will describe what Wagner means to me,
In Richard Wagner’s - "Tristan und Isolde" preformed Saturday at Tanglewood and I’ve put a copy up below.
I have always loved that piece even as a child. Being a pain in the ass to the Nuns in St Peter’s I would pester them with annoying questions. Like “what is the nature of suffering? Or why does “god let people children die starving in Africa?” Some nuns were patient, some told me to go “play in traffic” but none could ever answer me. I have never found the answer but I found music.

In "Tristan und Isolde"


I hear the story of life. It starts slowly much like childhood. Gradually it builds into a series of crescendos before falling back, much like the story of our lives with its ebbs and flows. Then as in adulthood just as you think the crescendo will reach just one step higher it falls, leaving me somehow unfulfilled but wondering if Wagner could have composed just one last note? But that is its sheer brilliance. Do we have ever accomplish everything we wanted too in life? As we grow older and face our mortality don’t we wonder what might have been? And in life just as in "Tristan and Isolde" the piece ends not with a bang but with a whisper. On this glorious night in Tanglewood I wondered what SPAC might have been.

Till next time forgive the ramblings of an old tired blogger.

John Herrick, the Lew Benton of the Republican party

On July 20 1975 I walked into the Saratoga County board of elections and registered to vote and joined the Democratic Party, it was my 18th birthday. I have been a democrat from that day forward and as such I rarely comment on internal Republican Party politics. Two things changed that
1. The Republican Parties dismal showing in the last election
2. The Republican controlled non-profit Saratoga Bridges Org.
Germane to both these fuck ups is John Herrick.
Yes friends John Herrick, a professional non-profit and government sponge. Eleven years in Saratoga county government in personnel and then he landed his sweetest gig as personal director for Saratoga Bridges.
Their mission statement claims
MISSION STATEMENT
Saratoga Bridges is committed to advocacy for people with disabilities by providing resources that enable them to live enriching lives in the communities where they are valued for their abilities and contributions.

They put out glossy pretty Public Relations brochures touting how rosy everything is but I’ve been talking to rank and file non-unionized workers. You know the ones who actually care for some of society’s most vulnerable members.

One of my hero’s as a youth was Hubert H. Humphrey who in his last speech said "...the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped. "

I also believe we should treat the workers, who care for our sick, and disabled and our children with the wages and respect they are entitled to. Few places value them and Saratoga Bridges is one of the worst. Workers tell me of long hours, under-staffing and, unaffordable heath care along with wage freezes and the constant drum beats of budget cuts and remember these aren’t government slugs.
They are at will employees who can be fired for any reason or no reason what so ever.

Life at the top of the nonprofit food chain couldn’t be better with
Executive Staff
Valerie Muratori, Executive Director making $171,825
Greg Cuda, Associate Executive Director $125,882
Jane Mastaitis, Chief Financial Officer$132,787
John Herrick, Human Resources Director $137,065

You can read it all in their 2010 income return. HERE
 https://workspaces.acrobat.com/app.html#d=16ipmolRSnf53byZA115Rw
Take special notice of their fundraising abilities.
They raised $7,784 while had fundraising expenses of $11,335 for a loss of $3,351. Must have been a hell of a gala?

Their foundation is in worse shape with a FISCAL BLACK HOLE of $227,201 in 2010; Source income tax return here
https://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=8CmYzO1cpP2HKuyBFi8jtw
Yes that John Herrick the same one who wants to replace John “Jasper” Nolan, as Saratoga County Republican Committee chairman.

The John Herrick who was Saratoga Springs Republican chair in the last election that lost two incumbent seats. The same man had a Saratoga Springs Republican Committee credit card and expense account, who resigned in disgrace after the last election.

Who was given $15,000.00 by Jasper in the last election, than only spent $7,353 on the campaign, hoarding the excess funds to pay committee expenses. Mind you, he was the one who ran up the expenses as committee chair.
I expect this kind of record from a democrat. The bloated non-profit paying themselves outrageous salaries and throwing lavish “galas” while group homes operate at dangerous low staffing levels, but from Republicans? Surely you clowns can do better than this government welfare sponge?
Next up I eviscerate that other nonprofit sponge SPAC President Marcia White. Stay tuned for new info.

Saratoga Springs downtown parking garage open, now use it

I swore I wouldn’t write anything on my birthday. You would think at my age I would have learned not to swear. Anyway the new parking garage is open thanks to Mayor Scott Johnson and his forward thinking and innovative parking committee. Special thanks to Tom Roohan. Saratoga Springs is blessed that families such as yours live here and call it home.

For now its 24/7 parking. To all of my limousine liberal friends who pontificate over a nice glass of Pinot Grigio on their hideous decks attached to soulless McMansions who cry “where’s the plan John”?

I’ll tell you. As my closest friends know I’ve been hosting various Eastern European friends in my own soulless townhouse this summer. I unlike my more wealthy friends who experience Europe from a 4 star hotel, I have stayed with various working class individuals in their modest apartments from war torn Bosnia in the south to Moscow in the east to Estonia in the north and everywhere in-between. I live with them, share with them and experience life through their eyes.

Let me tell you what they all say

Rigid central planning doesn’t work. The strength of our system is its ability to adapt and change to market forces. Sometimes we forget that. Seems the Dems in Saratoga always forget that, add in their unnatural fear of the poor and there right to vote and you have the making of a disaster.

So again till Sunday night stop bitching about the “plan” and park already

Saratoga Housing Authority Board meeting July 19 2012: Sparks fly

So just what is it they so desperately don’t want to come to the table? Well here it is PDF HERE
And JPEG below Next We have Weller on Crime in the Terrace on Jefferson St. I have to go cover the meeting about the Ballet at the Hall of Springs today at 4:30 and will then be going to the ballet. Today July 20 is my Birthday. I am feeling much better this year than last when I had an undiagnosed malignant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) eating me alive. Things are good and I am grateful and thank you all for your support. I will have a new story Sunday night and will be posting your comments as always. Till then goodbye and see you at the track,ballet and the Victoria pool

And you thought NYRA was broke?

Well at least one of their executives is doing pretty good? A $70,000.00+ Lexus,,, $125.00 detailing, not bad , what would they have if they had money,,, Bentleys??

SPAC President Marcia White is going to be soooooo... jealous!!! All she gets is a crappy BMW.

City Council supports NYCB and our very own deranged Public Safety Commissioner Chris “Toothy”Mathiesen has his 5 minutes of fame.UPDATED

SPAC ALERT. Do to the wonderful management of SPAC, their phone lines have been down all day. Their antiquated computer system crashed and their website is "unstable" today. Way to run a"World Class" arts venue Marcia. I'm sure they will cut your check by hand.

Just a quick update. The City Council met last night and while I was there for the first 15 minutes since two public hearing that had been scheduled for only ten minutes each were going to take over 30 minutes each I had to leave to attend the ballet. I understand many people did speak in the public comment period to support the ballet and the resolution passed 5 to zip it says

WHEREAS, in 1966 the New York City Ballet Company and its Board of Directors elected to inaugurate and maintain a “Summer Home” in the City of Saratoga Springs at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and
WHEREAS, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center has become a significant component of the cultural, social and economic foundation of the City of Saratoga Springs, and
WHEREAS, the New York City Ballet Company has provided 46 years of artistic excellence, cultural distinction, entertainment and joy for the Citizens of Saratoga Springs,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Saratoga Springs City Council hereby expresses its strong support for collaboration and cooperation between the Designated Representatives of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the New York City Ballet Company, a reaffirmation of their close ties, and the endorsement of a two week minimum Summer Residency for the New York City Ballet Company at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

I was going to say in the public comment period
Total payments made to SPAC under Live Nation Contact
- 2008 = $1,064,383 (old contract)
- 2009 = $1,192,200 (old contract)
- 2010 = $968,904
- 2011 = $834,583
Former SPAC president Herb Chesbrough and his wife, the previous director of development, were paid $370,000 total for managing the organization in 2004. In 2010, SPAC President Marcia White earned $281,111, and CFO/COO Richard Geary made $141,737.
With no end in sight to six-figure salaries, lackluster fundraising efforts and a propensity for commercialism, SPAC continues to make the same errors in judgment. Perhaps the Attorney General Charities Bureau can assist further by completing another audit and taking a closer look at finances and operations beneath the facade at SPAC.

Earlier in the day while half the city was in a blackout our very own deranged Public Safety Commissioner Chris “Toothy’”Mathiesen went knocking on the door of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors to describe the state of mayhem and anarchy on Caroline St.

They were not impressed. Five local bar owners and business leaders spoke against the dentist. New Saratoga Springs Democratic committee chairman Charlie Brown { I am not making it up that is his real name} looking dapper in beret and pony tail backed the dentist to the wall.

I guess it’s safe to say the Democrats in Saratoga Springs clearly stand for a police state and no fun.
Stay cool Saratogians…

Second meeting of Save the Ballet and Chris “Toothy’”Mathiesen goes on the road

The second meeting of Save SPAC was held last night in the new Market Center at 55 Railroad Place {beautiful by the way}.
Basically the general conclusion is that SPAC and Marcia White SPAC President and not the community have failed in its mission.

SPAC in its formal request for tax exempt status as a nonprofit lists its mission statement as
Mission Statement
"Saratoga Performing Arts Center's mission is to cultivate, promote, foster, sponsor and develop among its members and the community at large, appreciation, understanding, and love of the performing arts."

SPAC seems to be taking our various foil requests very serious and has called for a meeting.
Thursday July 19 from 4:45 till 6. Place Hall of Springs Jazz Piano Bar. Comp beverages will be served
Focus will be on Saving the NYCB... Please attend

I am in for the long haul here and I will be making public for free everything I can get my hands on about the secretive world of the SPAC board Like there SPAC 2010 Tax returns HERE

Now I will do something I rarely do. I want to apologize to and publicly thank Michele Madigan Commissioner of Finance City of Saratoga Springs.
I have been very hard on you and questioned your motivations and intentions in the past. I now have come to believe that your rational for some of your past mistakes [at least in my eyes, think ambulance service here} though misguided were very sincere and I do formally apologize for questioning them. I understand now that you did believe your votes and actions at the time were done in what you believed to be in the best interest of the city.
Michele has this item in your agenda at tonight’s city council meeting
Discussion: Resolution in Support of SPAC and the Ballet.


I will not be present at tonight’s city council meeting as I am attending the ballet . I will be at the meeting of the County Board of Supervisors at 3:30 today to hear our very own deranged Public Safety Commissioner Chris “Toothy’”Mathiesen describe the horrors of Caroline St. to the Supervisors. I would suggest he come properly attired befitting his esteemed statusStay tuned…

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: NXIVM CULT GODDESS SARA BRONFMAN MARRIES MOSLEM BASIT IGTET

I believe this to be a world exclusive. In a move sure to send shock waves through elite Jewish circles former Jewish princess and heir to the diminished {she has pissed away over 100 million in gifts to NXIVM and alleged pedophile and cult guru Keith Raniere} Seagram liquor fortune Sara Bronfman has married Libyan national Baset Igtet in a joint moslem-jewish wedding in France. The wedding was secret and small but did have notable Northern Irish head of NXIVM operations Kim Constable in the wedding party. She is also CEO and Irish Founder of Rainbow Gardens. Rainbow Gardens is the brainchild of cult leader Keith Raniere.

Many have told me that Raniere is the actual biological father of at least one of Contastable’s four children and perhaps more. But others have told me the children are adopted while one assures me they are her husbands Ryans. The truth like everything involving Raniere is hard to find.. Kim Constable is Nxian #5098 – and her hubby, Ryan, is # 5224. Sara is in good company.
Remember you read about the happy couple here first

In local news The next meeting of Save the ballet is
Monday, July 16,2012, 6:30 pm.
New location: Market Center (by new Price Chopper)
55 Railroad Place, Apartment 414, Saratoga Springs.
Come as you are;
bring what you want.
Goal: To unite the membership and to unite the public to support SPACs classical programs.
Please attend
And finally
Anthony "Skip" Scirocco Commissioner of Public Works continues to make horrible decisions. With downtown already short on parking Skippy closes the Spring St parking lot. What an asshole

Does anybody give a dam about Saratoga Springs anymore?

Every day the decline of Saratoga continues...

I read this in the Saratogian HERE
"Police received several calls Thursday night from people reporting that Pierce was threatening people with two knives, describing one as “machete-like” and the other as a large, straight knife, but when police arrived at Vanderbilt Terrace and searched the surrounding area they could not locate Pierce and left."
Does anyone else see a problem here? So we have a maniac with a machete running through public housing and the police could care less. Then he comes back.

Shortly thereafter, police received more calls saying Pierce was trying to force his way into a woman’s house. Again they responded. Again, police could not locate him, but stayed in the area interviewing people and talking to Pierce’s family and friends. Pierce turned himself into police Friday morning at around 10:30 a.m. without incident.

Dam good thing he turned himself in or the man would still be out there. Now if some of the perpetrators of Saratoga Springs unsolved murders would be so kind as to turn themselves in we might actually solve a crime in the city. HERE
But then again they couldn’t solve the early News Years day stabbing that took place in the crowded Metro bar in front of dozens of customers HERE

And what is Public Safety Commissioner “toothy” Christian Mathiesen response to all this you ask? Glad you did. He’s going down to speak at the County Board of Supervisors Tuesday meeting to lecture them about how he is smarter and wise than all of them put together. According to him if they would just listen to his wise council and close the bars at 3 am Saratoga could go back to being a somnolent little town.

Now Anthony "Skip" Scirocco. Commissioner of Public Works is a man with a plan. To combat the ever-growing weeds and decay in the cities once award winning flower beds, Skippy is proposing the cities first Milkweed festival.
This could not come soon enough as even the Congress Park squirrels are showing signs of depression.
This after his original proposal for a dandelion festival was shot down.And how is Marcia White SPAC President holding up in all this heat you ask?
Well I hear she’s doing pretty well in her new three quarter million dollar home.I wish I could say the same about the ballet dancers in this heat.

Citizen Kane peddlers City Manager to Saratoga Republican Committee.

Mr. Kane a registered republican came bringing flowers to a recent meeting of the once mighty but recently diminished city Republican committee. Painting a picture of sunshine and roses Pat praised the virtues of a professional unelected City Manager.

Describing Watertown NY as a virtual utopia of the north under a city manager.A place where well scrubbed children play while properious parents shop for the latest Beemer. The truth is a little different
So what does Watertown NY have that we don’t have? Well they have similar small town problems such as
Breaking News
Judge orders halt to sale of alleged synthetic drugs at Watertown shop 4:10 pm, Wed., Jul. 11
Two teenagers charged with burglary 4:10 pm, Wed., Jul. 11
Motorcyclist injured in collision with deer in Ellisburg 9:21 am, Wed., Jul. 11
They also have 25 thousand solders in nearby Fort Drum.
And to keep them from getting bored they have Stackel's Love Shack. Watertown, NY 13601.
Now that is something we don’t have.
In fairness where ever you have large military base you will have some seedy establishments but it is a nice little town when it’s not buried in snow. But it ain’t no Saratoga and don’t let Pat tell you he’s a republican either. Pat helped democratic Val Keehn when Scott ran against her. He helped democrat Ron Kim when he ran against Johnson and hell he was the campaign manager of Brent Wilkes when he ran against the Republican Johnson. I think this guy really doesn’t like Johnson. Really I truly believe Pat [who I personally like as an individual} is so blinded by his anger against Johnson he would back a coup against the man. So just keep an open mind when he comes bringing flowers to your group in the coming months.

Then ask yourself is this about good government or about Pat carrying a grudge?

First meeting of save the ballet a success:updated

The group Save the Ballet which I'm proud to be apart of is doing some fine work and genuinely being a pain in the ass to administrators of SPAC
Read HERE
The mission of SOS or SAVE our SPAC
HERE
Well the meeting was a success saving it, well that’s up in the air. Let’s me start by thanking {sincerely} Marcia White SPAC President for coming. I’m sure she is a little sore today from all the body blows but she had them coming. I am sure a trip to the SPA will put all that negativity behind her in no time. I also want to thank Shauna Sutton Deputy Mayor and Michele Madigan Commissioner of Finance for attending. Also Dee Sarno member of the SPAC board for being there. I know you are all busy. The event drew a lot of interest and had to be moved to a larger room.
First let me say I was mistaken SPAC doesn’t receive 1 million for a rental fee from Live Nation they only receive $800,000. In the end that is the crux of the problem. Marcia basically cashed the check from Live Nation paid herself and CFO/COO Richard Geary and then told the local arts community to bend over. Crude yes but also accurate. There is another meeting next Monday at the library at 6:30. In an effort to foster open communications at these meeting I will not be ridiculing any individual speakers by name now or at future events. I will be making general comments on those speeches. I am pressed for time at the monnent and will be adding to this post tonight or tomorrow. To the naked girl who jumped off the pole in front of the Victoria pool, lay off the bath salts you just might wake up eating somebody’s face. And finally I dedicate this Phish tune to the Board of SPAC. They call it 'bouncing round the room". Reminds me of talking to you.

Phish at SPAC 2012

Ok let’s talk Phish, the NYCB and SPAC. So I hang out at Victoria Pool all day Friday then wander over with my wife to catch the first of three shows by Phish at SPAC. The following is the limited observation of an aging blogger and your experience might have been completely different.

Outside the Phish concert, boorish and unprofessional behavior by various law enforcement agencies. The police continually circled in the parking lots confronting anybody who was drinking anything. I had to repeatedly show that all I was drinking was a diet coke and the other bag was just food. Most of the crowd were adults who paid from $10 to $45 just to park.The police were overly aggressive and confrontational.

Inside the facility the entire mood changes. Live nation security is unarmed and friendly. Really they seem to genuinely want to help people have a good and safe time. I talked to a few about the fog of pot smoke {I wouldn’t pass a drug test for a month just from the second hand smoke} and any problems they were encountering. They were very open. As far as smoking pot, don’t ask don’t tell {makes sense I saw no other forms of drug use}. They said because of the intense heat and humidity many people were vomiting. Dehydration was the other problem. There were many EMT’s in the crowd and steady streams of people were being transported to the hospital for treatment. I don’t believe many if any were for anything too serious { I might well be wrong}.

So two thumbs up for Live Nation security and safety personal.

Next the fans. One word “GREAT”. Really a nice bunch. Don’t know how many offered me a hit of pot. One kind kid saw me dragging and said. “Sir you look really hot and tired you want a hit off my beer.” I passed but it was a very nice gesture. I don’t understand a person like Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Chris “Toothy’”Mathiesen who repeatedly says kids today are different. He seems to think the youth of today are more violent,meaner and dangerous than his generation. Bullshit, kids are the same. Some bad but the vast majority are just having fun.

Now on to Live Nation.

See those fucking prices. Almost 5 bucks for some warm water while young adults are dropping like flies from dehydration. The only thing that has gotten meaner and more dangerous are billion dollar international companies like Live Nation, who rape the public and put their profits over the well-being of people. Harsh? Yes but true.

So let’s get to the two competing VIP programs. SPAC’s patrons club{of which I’m a member} and Live Nations VIP program. SPAC’s sucks and costs almost 3 grand for fewer and fewer shows. All you get is some boxed wine and the Hall of Springs leftovers in a tent. Big fucking deal.

Now Live Nation knows how to treat its VIP’s

About Us

VIP Nation is dedicated to delivering you premium concert ticket packages via a secure and easy-to-use online environment.

Our mission:

To provide you with the best possible interactive entertainment experience through guaranteed preferred seating, VIP treatment, and unprecedented access to your favorite artists. To work tirelessly to make your experience as exciting and hassle-free as possible. To ensure that you, the true fan, have access to great seats without having to deal with unofficial ticket sources.

At SPAC you get preperformance open bar and a great buffet.

So in closing to all you people bitching about Phish. They’re not the problem. SPAC President Marcia White and the SPAC board is. SPAC hasn’t done enough to reduce its own administrative costs". The 300k salary of Ms.White, her BMW and her Manhattan Apartment are obscene. The fact CFO/COO Richard Geary made over 150k is equally troubling. The entire contract with live nation barely pays the administrative staff at SPAC.

The profits from so called special events were to be used to offset the costs to put on the Ballet and the Orchestra not to pay White’s salary.

Gov. Cuomo has proposed a new regulation designed to rein in runaway nonprofit salaries and overhead.The rule would cap the amount of money allowed to be put toward a nonprofit executive’s compe SPAC has no mortgage, no bonding debt and pays no rent to the state. Readers should contact the State Controller’s office and ask for a full audit of SPAC. The last State audit done in the last year of Chesbrough at SPAC found

Chesbrough's annual salary and benefits valued at $315,000 was found excessive and 45 percent higher than pay for the heads of similar venues; The pay packaged approved by the SPAC board may violate state law for not-for-profit organizations;

Chesbrough's pay was not reduced when a major function of booking entertainment acts was shifted in 2000 to Clear Channel.

The same could now be written about Ms.White’s

I will be at the Save the Ballet meeting at the Public Library tomorrow {Monday} night at 6:30

And Finally I did see the story in the Saratogian about the Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Chris “Toothy’”Mathiesen today HERE.

Recently after posting this http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2012/07/campaign-to-replace-public-safety.html that has this video


I received an e-mail from the good dentist.

From "Christian E. Mathiesen" mathiesen8438@msn.com Originating-IP: [95.225.88.95].

I will not put up the full message because it contained a virus hidden in a link for a weight loss clinic. Not very mature.

But I will take it in good fun and suggest to the good dentist
Are you stubborn or sensitive to criticism...maybe even both? These are two personality traits you may want to consider changing using a technique called grapho-therapy.
Graphotherapy is a pseudodiagnostic technique in which handwriting analysis is the basis for treating mental disease.

And on a sad and personal note. One of our neighbors 14 year old daughter was killed in Milton Saturday night at 8:30. She was allegedly killed by a 21 year old drunk driver also our neighbor. This is such a tragedy on so many levels. That said it has nothing to do with the closing times of bars,Phish or Caroline St. People die,sometimes young people. That's just the way it is. You can try to minimize the tragedy and dealth but in the end life can really suck and we all inhabit a sack of bones that can be quite fragile.

So hug your children tonight,don't drink and drive yourself, and maybe there will be justice and peace in the next life for no such utopia exists in this one.
Goodbye and goodnight