Former Mayor Meg Kelly Responds To Michele Madigan’s Claims

[I received this piece from former Mayor Meg Kelly. It addressed claims made by Michele Madigan in a recent letter that appeared in the Saratogian.]

In her August 16th Reader’s View, Michele Madigan proffers her plan to “fix” the Planning, Zoning, and Building Department.  However, in doing so, she reveals her lack of knowledge and understanding of the very department she seeks to oversee.

She claims that, if elected, she will “launch a digital permitting and inspection system” to address delays.  This idea, or plan, is not new and is already being implemented by Mayor John Safford.  Indeed, the City Council approved a multi-year contract with Granicus several months ago for a cloud-based management system to support permitting, inspections, and other services.  The system is expected to be fully operational in the coming months. It will provide the Building Department with the digital tools necessary to enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and community engagement. 

She also indicates that she will “introduce Temporary Certificates of Occupancy (TCOs) for safe, unfinished properties so residents and builders aren’t left in limbo.”  However, she fails to either understand or appreciate that the ability to provide for TCOs already exists and, thus, there is nothing for her to “introduce”.  Chapter 118 of our City Code explicitly covers this, and our Building Department regularly issues temporary or conditional COs to allow for occupancy prior to the completion of all necessary work when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

She incorrectly refers to our Design Review Board as a “Commission” and then baselessly claims that they are not adhering to the standards relating to the historic district, which she will somehow address, if elected, and “ensure” their adherence.  The Design Review Board is an independent body with authority to review all development activities within the historic and architectural overlay districts, and it is not controlled by the mayor.  It is comprised of community members who volunteer their time to protect the integrity of those districts and to ensure that all activities adhere to the strict criteria outlined in the UDO.  They provide an invaluable service to our community, and their efforts should be commended, not criticized in such a baseless manner.

During my term as Mayor, we successfully decreased permitting times and increased efficiency, even when the Comprehensive Budget put forward by Michele Madigan did not include the funds requested and deemed necessary to allow the department to handle the enormous volume of work it is responsible for.

John Safford is continuing these efforts.  He has hired additional staff, continued to digitize all records, and is implementing management software to expedite permitting and inspections, thereby better serving the community.  He is already doing what Michele Madigan purports to be her plan, and he already understands what she does not.

Respectfully,
Meg Kelly
Former Saratoga Springs Mayor

10 thoughts on “Former Mayor Meg Kelly Responds To Michele Madigan’s Claims”

  2. I have to say I’m not surprised that you, John, have jumped into defend or encourage Meg’s misguided perspectives. While you try to put this blog out as facts about politics, you become more and more biased in your presentation.  It has been long known that you don’t think Meg can do any wrong and lately Michele can do no right. Not exactly objective in any way,

    That said, the picture you place at the top, if I see it correctly, it totally incorrect in all except that I’m quite sure Michele (or I) have no desire to accept any offering from Meg. Her repeated tendency to be disingenuous in any interaction would keep any sane person from believing anything she says. I have personally experienced this

    That said:

    IF “Months ago” a system was purchased where is it? Why has it not yet been implemented and will only be implemented “in coming months”. With so many citizens still struggling what are they waiting for?

    IF there is a current ability to issue temporary COs, why are we hearing at the doors, meetings and phone calls so many frustrated citizens. Just because something exists doesn’t mean it is being used.  

    The DRC is still listed on the City website as a commission yet, as is so common for Meg, nothing is too petty for her to call out.

    Can Meg give any proof that Michele did not provide the needed funds?  My understanding is that she received significant funds to hire more people in a department that still struggles to function effectively during her administration or the current. This is based on remarks from many of the citizens they were elected to serve.

    Lately:  If Meg was so successful and John is continuing that success, why are so many citizens reporting so many struggles and frustrations? Meg can say whatever she wants, the proof is in the experiences of the people who deal with these departments. It is those experiences that Michele Madigan is developing her plans.

    I have a PS:

    just last week, I was in a business on Broadway. Before the owner was aware I work on the Madigan campaign or that I even know her, she was sharing the NIGHTMARE (her words) her business is experiencing in their process of getting permits for a new location. Apparently, they have been told SEVERAL TIMES that all was ready and nothing more was needed only to be told something more was needed. This has been going on for some time and is costing them both time and money and a whole lot of frustration.

    Seems all those improvements Meg and John have made are working so well…..

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  3. Mini Michele will cost her heroine a good 600 votes, all by herself, from her unhinged rants.

    Given she doesn’t even live here any longer, it is nothing more than a sad spectacle of glassy eyed devotion.

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    1. Someone who hides behind a pseudonym has a lot of nerve. I don’t have to live here to care or to know exactly who Meg Kelly is and learned that long before I helped Madigan with any campaign. I’m so sorry whatever bug you have is turning you into a MAGA like puppet.

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      1. Hey Gayle,

        whatever happened to the fiber project that Michele was shoving down our throats?
        Did she get her piece of the pie out of it? Someone really ought to look into this waste.

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      2.  Gayle, you post regularly under Susan Adams and various other pseudonyms including your dog’s name. So are you kidding when you say “Someone who hides behind a pseudonym has a lot of nerve”?

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