Contributions To “It’s Time Saratoga!”: So Much For The “People’s Campaign”

I have come to believe that the behavior of the leadership of the Charter Review Commission and their political action committee, “It’s Time Saratoga!”, borders on…no, is bizarre in terms of their almost sociopathic indifference to the truth.  Some of you may have become bored by my many posts documenting this.

Now we have the financial reports that “It’s Time Saratoga!” has submitted to the New York State Board of Elections.

On November 8th, on the “It’s Time’s Saratoga!”  Facebook page they defended their loss by asserting that they were outspent 2 to 1.  According to their report to the state, however, they took in a little over $45,000.00.  SUCCESS, the group that opposed them, took in approximately $28,000.00.  Math has never been my strength but even someone like me can observe that the statement by “It’s Time Saratoga!” falls into the Alt Fact realm.

In the same vein, Gordon Boyd, who often acted as a spokesperson for the charter change campaign, told area newspapers that they had run a “people’s campaign” against entrenched interests. But a review of their expenditure statement shows that they paid Southpaw Strategies, a professional campaign marketing firm, approximately $10,000.00.

Here is how Southpaw Strategies is described on their website:

Southpaw Strategies is a Full Service direct mail consulting firm with the expertise to lead your campaign to victory. From fundraising to field to communications, Southpaw Strategies has a proven record of winning races by delivering a well framed message with a strong campaign.

Steve Napier is one of the principals of Southpaw.  Mr. Napier has in the past worked on Mayor Joanne Yepsen’s campaigns.  Most recently he was the campaign manager for Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. 

To get the full flavor of Southpaw’s operation, here is a link to their website:  http://www.southpawstrategies.com/ourwork

There is also the source of “It’s Time Saratoga!”  money.  It didn’t come from bake sales.

The International City/County Management Association and their local branch, the New York State City\County Management Association, already identified as generous donors in the last financial filing, kicked in even more money in the final weeks of the campaign.  Their grand total came to $29,000.00 which if my math is right, is more than the total of $28,000.00 raised by SUCCESS from all its supporters.

There is also the extremely odd contribution by Anthony Ianniello.  Mr. Ianniello wins the award for the most generous individual donor in the Charter fundraising world.  Mr. Ianiello contributed a whopping $7,5000.00.

According to a May, 2014, story by Brendan Lyons of the Times Union Mr. Iannello was linked to a controversial land deal in the town of Halfmoon that precipitated the resignation of the assistant town attorney.  The stories are well worth the read:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Halfmoon-deputy-attorney-s-firm-had-role-in-land-5458304.php

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Halfmoon-deputy-attorney-leaves-amid-ongoing-5460768.php

The only recent story related to Saratoga Springs that I could find regarding Mr. Ianniello concerned his involvement in the Paramount Development’s proposal for a mixed use concept for the land where the City Center wants to build a parking garage.  While the suits involving the Mouzon House and the City Center grind on leaving the future of the site still in some doubt, it is hard to believe that this would explain his hefty donation.

Maybe one of the readers of this blog can offer an insight on his grand donation.

So between Ianniello and the Managers’ associations they contributed $36,500.00 of the total $45,284.00.  That doesn’t sound like a people’s campaign to me. 

Below is the complete list of the donors along with the list of the vendors who were paid.  It is interesting to note that there seems to be a balance of $11,000.00 that has not been expended as of this report.  It seems odd that they would not have spent all their money on the campaign.  We will see if it is accounted for in the next required report.  Maybe they are saving it for their next bite at the charter apple should their defeat at the polls this time be confirmed or maybe it is being used to pay the lawyer they told the public they didn’t need.

I will be posting the SUCCESS reports in several days.

Contributions To “It’s Time Saratoga!”

CITIZENS FOR YEPSEN 1,000.00 01-1 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General C N/A N/A
CITIZENS FOR YEPSEN 800.00 11-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General C N/A N/A
FRIENDS OF BILL MCTYGUE 250.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General C N/A N/A
INTERN CITY/COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
777 NORTH CAPITOL ST, NE, SUITE 500
WASHINGTON, DC 20002-4201		 15,000.00 17-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General B N/A N/A
INTERN.

CITY/COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
777 NORTH CAPITOL ST, NE, SUITE 500
WASHINGTON, DC 20002-4201

 5,000.00 13-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General B N/A N/A
NEW YORK CITY/COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
20 FOXHILL ROAD
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 1,500.00 06-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General B N/A N/A
NEW YORK STATE CITY/COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
20 FOXHILL RD
VALHALLA, NY 10595		 2,500.00 12-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General B N/A N/A
 

UNITEMIZED

,

 734.00 24-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
ALDRICH, PHYLLIS 100.00 10-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General A N/A N/A
 

ALTAMARI, JEFFREY

 200.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
BARNETT, TIM 100.00 21-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General A N/A N/A
 

BOARDMAN, JOHN

 25.00 17-AUG-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General A N/A N/A
 

BOARDMAN, JOHN

 40.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
 

BOARDMAN, JOHN

 100.00 01-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
BOYD, GORDON 250.00 08-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
BOYD, GORDON 500.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
BOYD, GORDON 500.00 08-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
BOYD, GORDON 500.00 28-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
BOYD, GORDON 500.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
BOYD, GORDON 250.00 12-SEP-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General A N/A N/A
CUNEO, JULIE 250.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
DAKE, GARY 500.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
DAKE, PERNILLE 100.00 08-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
ENGLERT, LINDA 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
ENGLERT, LINDA 100.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
FENTON, RICHARD 100.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
FENTON, RICHARD 20.00 17-MAY-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
FENTON, RICHARD 40.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
GAGNE, MARGARET 100.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
GEIGER, J T 100.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
GEIGER, JOE 50.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
GLASER, BARBARA 500.00 03-JUL-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
GODINE, AMY 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
GOLD, JAMES 250.00 04-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General A N/A N/A
HART, SARAH 50.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
HART, SARAH 100.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
 

HOLMBERG, ARTHUR

 50.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
 

IANNIELLO, ANTHONY
805 RT. 146
CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065

 7,500.00 30-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General D N/A N/A
KANE, BETH BRUCKER 200.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
KELLY, MARGARET 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
 

KERAMATI, BAHRAM

 100.00 08-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
KERAMATI, BAHRAM 50.00 24-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
KIRWIN, JOHN 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
 

KRACKELER, ANTHONY

 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
 

KRACKELER, RACHEL

 300.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
LAIRD, MARTI 100.00 23-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General A N/A N/A
LEIDIG, JENNIFER 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
LOS, MICHAEL 500.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
MASIE, CATHY 100.00 17-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General A N/A N/A
 

MORRISON, CHARLES

 400.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
 

NICHOLSON, JOHN

 100.00 27-SEP-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General A N/A N/A
OLSON, JEFFREY 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
PINGEL, MARK 500.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
PROUGH, MARGARET 100.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
RILEY, ALMEDA 500.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
RILEY, ALMEDA 500.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
SANGHVI, MINITA 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
SCHULTZ, FRANCIS 200.00 08-AUG-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General A N/A N/A
SCHWARZ-LAWTON, HELEN 100.00 03-JUL-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
SHOEN, TIM 50.00 15-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General A N/A N/A
SHOEN, TIMOTHY 50.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
SWADBA, CYNTHIA 100.00 11-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
THOMAS, BARBARA 200.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
 

THOMPSON, RICHARD

 75.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
 

THOMPSON, RICHARD

 50.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
TRYPALUK, BARBARA 50.00 25-SEP-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General A N/A N/A
VAN METER, MARGIE 100.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
VAN METER, MARGIE
175 WASHINGTON ST
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 100.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
WAINWRIGHT, JOHN
80 CRESCENT ST
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 100.00 26-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic A N/A N/A
WATKIN, RAYMOND
9 WOODLAND CT
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 200.00 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General A N/A N/A
Total Contributions: 45,284.00

 

AQUECS, INC.
916 BYRD AVE
NEENAH, WI 54956		 1,826.00 LWNSN 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
BILL O’DONNELL
157 CAROLINE ST
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 224.00 PRINT 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
BRAVO CATERING
3246 SOUTH BROADWAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 512.00 FUNDR 25-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
BRAVO CATERING
3246 SOUTH BROADWAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 250.00 FUNDR 13-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
CANTINA
430 BROADWAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 341.00 OTHER – ELECTION NIGHT HEADQUARTERS 07-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
DIGITAL XPRESS
5 SAND CREEK RD
ALBANY, NY 12205		 6,839.00 CMAIL 27-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
DIGITAL XPRESS
5 SAND CREEK RD
ALBANY, NY 12205		 4,948.00 CMAIL 20-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
DIGITAL XPRESS
5 SAND CREEK RD
ALBANY, NY 12205		 3,331.00 CMAIL 24-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
DIGITAL XPRESS
5 SAND CREEK RD
ALBANY, NY 12205		 749.00 CMAIL 05-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
DIGITAL XPRESS
5 SAND CREEK RD
ALBANY, NY 12205		 530.00 LITER 03-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
DIGITAL XPRESS
5 SAND CREEK RD
ALBANY, NY 12205		 217.00 CMAIL 03-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
DONNA JINKS
9 MAYER DR
CLIFTON, NJ 07012		 275.00 CMAIL 28-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
DONNA JINKS
9 MAYER DR
CLIFTON, NJ 07012		 250.00 PROFL 05-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
DONNA JINKS
9 MAYER DR
CLIFTON, NJ 07012		 115.00 PROFL 21-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
EVISION DIGITAL MARKETING
356 CLENDON BROOK RD
QUEENSBURY, NY 12804		 745.00 PROFL 29-JUN-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 July Periodic F N/A N/A
EVISION DIGITAL MARKETING
356 CLENDON BROOK RD
QUEENSBURY, NY 12804		 745.00 PROFL 30-AUG-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General F N/A N/A
EVISION DIGITAL MARKETING
356 CLENDON BROOK RD
QUEENSBURY, NY 12804		 75.00 PROFL 05-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
EVISION DIGITAL MARKETING
356 CLENDON BROOK RD
QUEENSBURY, NY 12804		 48.00 PROFL 09-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
FEDEX OFFICE
21 CONGRESS ST
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 .00 R-DET 07-SEP-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General F N/A N/A
FEDEX OFFICE
21 CONGRESS ST
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 .00 R-DET 16-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
JOSEPH GEIGER
51 WATERVIEW DR
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 59.92 REIMB 20-SEP-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General F N/A N/A
RICHARD FENTON
23 LEFFERTS ST
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 781.98 REIMB 21-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
SARATOGA GUITAR
75 WEIBEL AVE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 37.00 FUNDR 25-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
SARATOGA GUITAR
75 WEIBEL AVE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 37.00 OTHER – RENT PA SYSTEM 08-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY CENTER
522 BROADWAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 500.00 OTHER – ROOM RENTAL FOR DEBATE 26-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
SARATOGA TODAY
5 CASE ST
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 561.00 PRINT 31-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
SOUTHPAW STRATEGIES
307 COLUMBIA ST
COHOES, NY 12047		 3,482.00 CMAIL 26-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
SOUTHPAW STRATEGIES
307 COLUMBIA ST
COHOES, NY 12047		 3,446.00 CMAIL 31-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
SOUTHPAW STRATEGIES
307 COLUMBIA ST
COHOES, NY 12047		 2,900.00 OTHER – CALL CENTER 02-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
SPEEDY BUTTONS
10241 COUNTY HIGHWAY 26
PLAINVIEW, MN 55964		 .00 R-DET 04-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
STAPLES
3035 RT. 50
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 .00 R-DET 04-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
STAPLES
3035 RT. 50
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 .00 R-DET 11-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
UNITEMIZED 326.00 BKFEE 30-NOV-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 27 Post General F N/A N/A
UNITEMIZED 13.53 OTHER – FEES FOR PAYPAL DONATIONS 02-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 32 Pre General F N/A N/A
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 BROADWAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 45.00 OFFCE 05-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 BROADWAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866		 .00 R-DET 16-OCT-17 IT’S TIME SARATOGA! 2017 11 Pre General F N/A N/A
Total Expenses 34,209.43

 

5 thoughts on “Contributions To “It’s Time Saratoga!”: So Much For The “People’s Campaign””

  3. ​Your blog is missing some important facts:

    1. Their most impactful advertising, mailing the charter with the city seal to all households, was billed to the city and it is not included in It’s Time Saratoga reports.

    ​2. The “education” budget was $20,000, although I don’t know the actual cost.

    ​3. The advocates to change our government spent more that twice as much as the pro commission group.

    ​4. Charter commission chair Robert Turner and vice chair Pat Kane contributed nothing. So much for being committed to their cause.

    5. Please double check because I’m not sure of all of the charter commission members, but I believe only 6 of the 13 members who voted for changing to a city manager contributed: Boyd, $2,500; Los, $500; Altamari, $200; Thomas, $200, Keramati, $150; and Sanghvi, $100. Or looking at this from the other point of view, more than than half of the proponents didn’t care enough to even contribute to help their city manager government become law.

    6. Previous candidates contributed $2,050 of their unspent campaign funds: Mayor Joanne Yepsen, $1,800; and failed DPW candidate Bill McTygue, $250.

    7. Net: Of more than 9,000 Saratoga Springs voters, only 38 who were not involved contributed only $6,084 to the city manager campaign. Not a mandate for change.

    8. This lack of public financial support is very similar to Saratoga Citizen’s financials from 2012 that received $25,000-30,000 from City Manager associations, $20,000 from a single developer, and very little from “the public.”

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  4. Good point. All monies must be accounted for, before this is “put to bed.”
    And, as a follow up to Mr. Sellers comments: Are there no PR firms in SARATOGA SPRINGS that the charter change people could have hired? And no printing companies in SARATOGA SPRINGS that the charter change people could hire to print their brochures? So much for supporting the LOCAL community.
    Why did they send their funds to Cohoes, Clifton Park, New Jersey instead of SARATOGA SPRINGS businesses? This must be answered by Mr Fenton and Mr Boyd.

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