Lew’s First Email To Saratoga Springs Public Works Commissioner BK Keramati
From: Lew Benton <l>
Date: Wed, May 20, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Subject: Congress Park Veterans Walk Condition
To: BK Keramati <>
CC: John Safford <>, JoAnne Kiernan <>, Tim Coll <>, Jessica Troisi <>, Matthew Veitch <>
Commissioner,
This year, as last and with Memorial Day around the corner, I ask PW to repoint the granite curbing flanking the Veterans Walk in Congress Park. Bricks should be power washed.
The attached photos taken today clearly show the Walk’s state of disrepair.
Last year I made the same suggestion to the then commissioner. Regrettably it was ignored. In the interim the Walk’s condition has further deteriorated.
Ultimately all bricks should be removed, thoroughly cleaned and relaid on an appropriate level base allowing good drainage. Engraved bricks no longer legible should be replaced.
I am confident that many who are named on the Walk, their families and others would gladly help underwrite the improvements.
Hundreds of the community members names and service dates are inscribed on the Walk. Some attest to the multi-generational service of Saratoga families and to those KIA.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Lew Benton
Lew’s Second Email
To:BK Keramati
From: Lew Benton
Commissioner,
Several days ago I sent via email photographs of the deteriorated condition of the Veterans Walk.
Perhaps you did not receive my note. So here again are some recent photos. I hope they will encourage PW to initiate the necessary improvements: i.e., granite curbing repointing, brick cleaning and leveling, replacement of worn bricks and those with illegible names.
I noted in my original email that the same request had been made last year prior to Memorial
Day but no action was taken. I trust you agree that the current condition is untenable and an affront to those whose service is memorialized there.
Thank you.
L. Benton
Lew’s Third Email
Commissioner (BK),
Thank you for your response to my recent emails detailing the deteriorating condition of the Veterans Walk in Congress Park.
I appreciate your comments regarding budget constraints. It’s a never-ending battle. And I am well aware that the current City budget, as those of the last three or four years, is likely to be in deficit. In fact, the Council should have been well aware that the 2026 budget advanced by Finance was seriously out of balance.
However, as I mentioned in my initial note, I see no reason why the repointing of the granite curbs lining the walk and removing, cleaning and relaying the bricks could not be done by force account or city labor. While labor intensive, I doubt that there would be any material costs.
I note that the 2026 Park and Casio Operating Budget includes $370.009 for labor, $15,000
for “Other Supplies,” $8,500 for “Landscaping” and $5,000 for “Professional Services.” Is there nothing to be found in these lines and other PW operating lines that could be transferred to the
Veterans Walk budget account?
And regrettably the Veterans Walk operating line has been zeroed out. That is all the more disturbing because the Walk’s current advanced stage of deterioration has been well known for some time.
In my nearly 40 years experience in local, county and state government and eight years on the City Council, I know even in the leanest of times there is $ to be found to address such needs. This is particularly true if the need is real, low cost, and the proposed improvement would remove, as in this case, a rather ugly blemish and a potential trip hazard. Of course not to finally act degrades the service of those whose names are inscribed in the Walk and mirrors the neglect of other Park amenities such as the Reservoir.
Finally, and as I mentioned in my initial email, I’m sure that private donations earmarked exclusively for Walk restoration would be made available if requested. And I am certain that some veterans and others would be willing to solicit same.
Lew Benton
7110 PARK & CASINO
A3537111 51900 LABORER 297,177.02 382,900.00 393,484.81 319,346.85 393,484.81 328,715.00 ________
A3537111 51960 OVERTIME 24,709.26 12,000.00 22,148.26 24,137.92 12,803.13 15,000.00 ________
A3537111 58030 SS CITY PO 23,873.23 30,209.85 30,209.85 25,734.42 30,209.85 26,294.20 ________
TOTAL PARK & CASINO 345,759.51 425,109.85 445,842.92 369,219.19 436,497.79 370,009.20 ________
7110 PARK & CASINO
A3537114 54110 OFFICE SUP 296.55 200.00 200.00 200.00 200.00 .00 ________
A3537114 54140 JANIT SUPP 6,910.18 4,500.00 6,195.25 6,195.25 4,500.00 4,500.00 ________
A3537114 54160 UNIFORMS 3,978.25 4,800.00 4,400.00 5,211.42 5,211.47 6,000.00 ________
A3537114 54180 OTHER SUPP 30,297.00 18,000.00 21,148.00 21,147.74 19,500.00 15,000.00 ________
A3537114 54320 TOOLS 198.98 150.00 150.00 28.49 150.00 .00 ________
A3537114 54330 REP MAN EQ 6,196.00 5,000.00 1,988.27 1,984.30 2,500.00 3,000.00 ________
A3537114 54510 REP MAN VE 2,000.00 1,250.00 1,250.00 1,245.76 1,250.00 2,000.00 ________
A3537114 54610 REP MAN BU 25,731.39 24,000.00 25,058.48 25,585.50 24,527.02 24,000.00 ________
A3537114 54650 UTILITIES 57,760.36 60,000.00 67,900.00 67,859.48 60,000.00 65,000.00 ________
A3537114 54670 PHONES 1,300.00 1,300.00 1,635.75 1,167.90 1,450.00 1,300.00 ________
A3537114 54680 LANDSCAPIN 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 8,500.00 ________
A3537114 54720 PROF SER 4,832.56 5,000.00 7,805.50 14,216.43 11,410.93 5,000.00 ________
TOTAL PARK & CASINO 149,501.27 134,200.00 147,731.25 154,842.27 140,699.42 134,300.00 ________
Saratoga Springs Politics 
I would be happy to donate my time to help repair the Veteran’s Walkway if the union contracts will allow it. And yes, I would be happy to help financially if the City will establish an account so that the City Council can accept the donations.
The script on my father’s brick is less legible than when it was initially placed. Can something be done about the bricks that need to be touched up? There are quite a few that need attention.
Chris Mathiesen
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sad how unresponsive City and Town governments have become…in this case with a well respected former Commissioner. Unfortunately, even affluent, Saratoga Springs, has suffered the affects of recent, incompetent politicians , that have no longevity tied to the City that they live in. This would never have happened under Tommy McTygue’s watch. Do better Saratoga Springs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t forget that the guy that got elected to run DPW wanted the city to hire someone for $100K to basically do his job for him. He’s no Tommy or Skip. Those guys could run circles around this clown, BTW how’s our water doing lately. Haven’t heard much.
LikeLike
Hey Don’t knock BK. He was able to eliminate the poisoned water in one week
LikeLike
Agreed. Instead of betterment of the city, new politicians are concerned with betterment of themselves.
LikeLike
I happened to take a walk in Congress Park a couple of weeks ago. It was disturbing to visit the memorial, to see the bricks, and as shown in the photos, the dead leaves and the very shameful deterioration of the bricks with the names of local veterans. The brass plaques seem to still be in good condition.
BK needs to sharpen his pencil, get the Council to find the funds, and fix the problem.
LikeLike
As someone with a personal connection to the named individuals on many of those bricks…
if PUBLIC funding is a dead pursuit:
i’d be willing to head up a Fundraising Appeal to fix this matter — If a handful of others are willing to team up with me on the effort.
If YOU: Get a hold of me (Facebook, Mayors Office, etc) .. or .. say HELLO at my current community giveback project (The Flag Day Parade’s ‘Save the Parade!’ initiative) on the 13th.
RM
LikeLike