There are a number of good reporters covering Saratoga Springs. Unfortunately, due to the decline in newspapers, reporters have little time to explore stories in detail and are also limited in the space they are allowed to fill.
This blog is meant to dig deeper into the events and people who effect the city. There is simply a great deal that goes on that is never published. In addition, more and more people do not buy newspapers and depend on the web for their information.
It is also important to understand that this site will be strictly policed. Too many sites allow people to behave badly. Too many sites allow people to post things that are patently untrue. Offensive posts and posts that are clearly untrue will not be published.
John Kaufmann
Saratoga Springs Politics 
I’m looking forward to the content.
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Hi john, good luck on your wonderful effort. I hope it generates the awareness of what a cess pool Saratoga politics has become. Zeno
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So you are back on the street after all these years. A lot of people are looking for you. Time to change your name… maybe even your face.
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Hey Johnny, anyone looking for me knows where to find me, but I degress. I ran into Freddie Delmonico at the High Hat Club and he has it on good authority , that the Feds are going to start looking into the cronyism down at the city hall. The pols will start running down Union Ave like cockroaches. Later, Joey
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Joey, when did you start hangin’ out with the feds? Are you looking for a pair of custom made, concrete shoes?
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Would love to follow your perspective John.
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Welcome to my world!
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I lookf forward to following your blog John.
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Media advisory for Tuesday, October 20
Contact: Joe Seeman (518) 583-4326
Saratoga County Residents Against PACS
Protest against Corruption of 1% Buying Elections
Call for Democracy not Plutocracy
The 1% of Saratoga have formed their own Super PAC (Political Action Committee) which can spend unlimited sums to support and attack political candidates, and buy elections. So concerned citizens will protest against this Corruption outside the Saratoga PAC’s reception at the Holiday Inn, Tues Oct. 20 at 5pm.
Super PACs allow the wealthiest 1% to spend unlimited amounts to buy elections and political influence. This amounts to the theft of Democracy. All supporters of Democracy are invited join us to protest against the Corruption of PACs buying elections, and to call for Democracy not Plutocracy.
Protesters will call for all local candidates and elected officials to pledge to reject the money of this Super PAC, and ask voters to reject candidates who are willing to accept dark money from this or any Super PAC.
Since the Supreme Court’s absurd Citizens United decision, the floodgates have opened for unlimited amounts of money to be poured into political campaigns. Protesters will call for Campaign Finance Reform to close these floodgates, including a Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United, and publicly funded elections to allow candidates to run without legalized Bribes which result in virtual ownership of elected officials. In a recent Bloomberg poll, 78% said the Citizens United ruling should be overturned (http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-09-28/bloomberg-poll-americans-want-supreme-court-to-turn-off-political-spending-spigot).
“PACs are dangerous because they easily hide the names of who gives to them and who they fund,” said Regina Camilletti of Saratoga Springs. “The people behind this PAC are comfortable with gaining power and buying influence at the expense of their neighbors and their Nation”.
“People are sick and tired of Super PAC attack ads, and of 1 Percenters who think they can buy elections,” said Sharon McFarlane of Wilton. “The people of Saratoga County and all of America are demanding a government that represents all of the people, and not just wealthy developers and corporations who are behind these PACs”.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 5:00 PM
WHERE: outside the Holiday Inn, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs NY
WHO: Saratoga County Residents Against PACs, members of MoveOn and other concerned citizens
WHY: Super PACs Destroy Democracy
Visuals: Signs, Banners and speakers
supporters of Democracy are encouraged to RSVP at:
http://pol.moveon.org/event/moveonaction/145416 & https://www.facebook.com/events/1708661026032279
###
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I wanted to invite you to a presentation my Real Democracy seminar is giving on the outcome of the 2015 Saratoga Springs City Council election. It is on Monday, November 30th from 7-9pm in Gannett Auditorium at Skidmore College. The event is free and open to the public.
I can safely say that it is the most comprehensive study of Saratoga Springs local elections ever conducted. Their analysis will address some of the most important questions about the 2015 election: how has the political landscape of Saratoga Springs changed; who votes in local elections; what were the most important issues to voters; and how effective were the mayoral and Saratoga PAC campaigns. The presentation will also include a spatial analysis of which districts in the city participate the most in city politics. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
Their presentations will utilize multiple sources of data including:
• First ever exit poll of 437 voters in the 2015 City Council elections.
• Mapping the location of every political yard sign in Saratoga Springs
• Spatial analysis of political contributions to City Council Candidates and the Saratoga PAC
• Surveys of the attendees of City Council debates
• Individual interviews of every City Council candidate.
Please forward to any individuals or groups you think might be interested.
Bob Turner
Associate Professor of Government
Skidmore College
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Enjoy your blog. Found it a bit difficult to sign in. Will give it a try.
Best of luck with it. Much needed in SSNY.
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Hi John,
Look forward to knowing your perspective on matters of great importance in Saratoga Springs.
Margaret
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There has got to be some “behind the scenes” info on the messed up Pitney Farm transaction. Anxiously awaiting your take on it.
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John I missed the post on the Pitney farm. Maureen and I drove by and there was a sign that said save the Pitney farm. What has happened?
Sent from my iPad
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