Sustainable Saratoga will be doing its fall planting and is seeking volunteers.  It is both a fun event and something that makes a tangible difference.  Here is a link to the information Link To Flyer

 

Bloggers Wife: Threat To Public (And Times Union)

Recently, my wife, Jane Weihe, wrote a letter to the editor of the Times Union newspaper in which she criticized their coverage of the proposed renovations for the city’s Finance Office.  The newspaper responded that in order to publish her letter she would be required to make substantive changes.

The correspondence really speaks for itself but I would like to make several introductory observations regarding this controversy.

Jane’s letter criticized the Times Union Newspaper and the reporter, Wendy Liberatore by name.  The newspaper responded  that Ms. Liberatore’s name could not be used since, they asserted, all the stories are a collaborative effort.  You will see in Jane’s letter that she addresses the significance of a byline.  I would add to this (a bit snarkily) that using this logic, were a TU reporter  awarded a Pulitizer Prize they would have to decline it since all published work in the paper  is,  according to them, a collaborative effort and cannot be attributed to any one person.  For that matter, any letters congratulating the proposed awardee would have to be rejected.

As the readers will note, Rex Smith, editor of the TU, was copied on all correspondence.  I would assume anyway that as editor this policy reflects his standards for journalism.  As many will know, Mr. Smith opines on a radio program on WAMC called the Media Project.  This program is supposed to analyze media coverage.   I think the comedic character of the following letters raises some concern about Mr. Smith’s expertise on what constitutes good journalism.

Original Letter

From: Jane Weihe [mailto:jane.weihe@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2016 3:22 PM
To: TU Letters <TUletters@TimesUnion.com>
Subject: Saratoga Springs Finance Department renovations–letter to the editor

Shame on Wendy Liberatore and the TU editors for their front page treatment of proposed renovations to the Finance Office in Saratoga Springs.  I’m not sure what source Ms. Liberatore used to conclude that the renovations to the office which include a bathroom and kitchenette were for Commissioner Madigan’s private use but I would suggest she use caution before trusting this source in the future. These and other proposed renovations are not for the Commissioner’s private use. Instead the plans call for a much needed upgrade to the rather dilapidated Finance office including public spaces, and improved facilities are for the use of the entire Finance Department staff. I would urge the folks at the TU and their readers to take advantage of Commissioner Madigan’s invitation to tour the space and see the renovation plans first hand for a more accurate view of what has been proposed. Tours will be given every Tuesday at 2PM from October 4 to November 1.

Jane Weihe

44 White Street

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518 573-1732

First Response From Times Union

From: Tyler, Tena On Behalf Of TU Letters
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 12:25 PM
To: ‘Jane Weihe’ < >
Subject: RE: Saratoga Springs Finance Department renovations–letter to the editor

Thank you for writing. I’m interested in the letter; however, a couple of issues would have to be addressed.

It’s fine to criticize the Times Union, but we don’t publish ad hominem statements against individuals including reporters. Stories that are published are the result of a collaborative process. So, if you want to say “Shame on the Times Union…,” I would consider that for publication.

Also, the article doesn’t say that the renovations are for the commissioner’s private use, and letters are used for commentary on print-published content. There is a link to the story and a copy of it below. It says the renovations are for the private use of that department, which includes the commissioner. And, unless these facilities are going to be open to the public, then it would be for the private use of that department. However, if you would like to say “…early online versions of this story made it unclear who would benefit from the restrooms and kitchenette…” then I would consider that phrasing.

If you’d like to edit the letter and resubmit, I’ll consider it.

Tena Tyler

Senior Editor, Engagement

Reader Representative

Editorial Board

News and Information Services Department

(518) 454-5324

twitter.com/tenatyler

facebook.com/tenatyler

Box 15000

Albany, NY 12212

Fax: (518) 454-5628

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Jane Weihe’s Response

From: Jane Weihe []
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 8:04 PM
To: Tyler, Tena <ttyler@timesunion.com>
Cc: Smith, Rex <RSmith@TimesUnion.com>; Jay Jochnowitz <jjochnowitz@tu.com>
Subject: my letter to editor

 

Dear Ms. Tyler:

I found your response to my letter to the editor rather troubling.  While I appreciate your generous effort to assist me in writing a letter that would be acceptable to your newspaper, you have raised a number of issues that I think are at odds with the tradition of American journalism.

The first, and in many ways most problematic issue, is your requirement that my letter not refer to the reporter by name.  I understand that a reporter does not operate independently, and that their work is subject to the review by and consultation with at least their editor.  The basic nature of a byline, though, is that it establishes who is accountable for the work.   By placing their name as the author (byline) they are informing the public that they have researched the story and that they take responsibility for its accuracy and professional standards.  One would assume that were an editor to insist on changes that the reporter believed undermined the honesty of a piece, the reporter would decline to have their name associated with the story.  The “byline” in journalism is fundamental to the integrity of journalism.  Knowing Ms. Liberatore, I would assume that she would share this sentiment and that she would be the first to take responsibility for a story to which her name was attached.   If you are asserting that all the stories in the TU are ”the result of a collaborative process” and thus no one person is responsible for a story then perhaps the paper should do away with bylines and replace them with “written by staff” or better yet list the names of all those who were involved.

As to your characterization that my letter was an ad hominem attack on Ms. Liberatore this seems to me to be an abuse of the phrase.  “Ad hominem” is defined  as “an argument directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining.” My comments certainly did not attack Ms. Liberatore’s character.  I did not accuse her of being immoral, incompetent, or a bad person.  In fact I believe Ms Liberatore was a very good dance critic for many years at the Gazette and is a person of integrity who takes her work seriously. Instead I took her to task for her position in an article that bore her name, that is, “a position that she was maintaining”.  Ms. Liberatore’s original piece characterized a number of renovations as for the private use of the Commissioner.  I pointed out that in fact the renovations were designed to serve the entire staff of the Finance Department.   A front page story that would lead the public to believe that an elected official intended to spend many thousands of dollars of public money to frivolously indulge themselves is extremely damaging.  The failure to accurately reflect the true nature of the project was to any reasonable person, reckless to say the least.    I can fully understand that your paper might respond defensively to the word “shame”, but in this particular case it seems entirely appropriate.

There is also your direction that I should rewrite my letter to state that “…early online versions of this story made it unclear who would benefit from the restrooms and kitchenette…”  “Unclear” is a rather Orwellian euphemism here for what is straightforward inaccuracy.  The original version of the piece was quite clear and quite wrong in asserting that the restroom and kitchenette were for the Commissioner’s private use.

I must say that as problematic as Ms. Liberatore’s article was, the sensational and even more reckless headlines and captions were even worse.   In many ways, Ms. Liberatore’s errors were radically exaggerated by the New York Post-like headlines.   “Finance Chief Michele Madigan’s budget includes a private bathroom, a new ceiling and a kitchenette for her use” was the headline that went out on Twitter and Facebook. “Taxpayers on Hook for $750K” was the headline in the email sent out to the electronic subscribers (which we are). The photo caption in that version states “Work on City Hall office of Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan will include a private bathroom, kitchenette, and storage area as well as a private conference room” again suggesting this was for the Commissioner’s private use in “her “office not in the Finance Department’s office.

Your paper does deserve some credit for rewriting the story even though the headlines were not much of an improvement and continued to suggest the perspective of the earlier version. It would have been more honest, however, and more in keeping with journalistic standards had the paper indicated that this new story was not merely an “update” but in fact a correction.

Finally, I am struck by how threatened the Times Union appears to be by my letter.   When I sent the letter I fully expected that you would probably simply publish it as a token gesture of your tolerance to criticism and acknowledgement of the problems with the article to which you had given such prominence.  Of course I thought also that you might not publish it, but I never expected you to suggest I rewrite it to include a statement that “earlier on line versions  of  this story made it unclear who would benefit from the restroom and kitchenette” when it was unfortunately certainly not  unclear.  I do not intend to put my name on such a statement to help sanitize what the paper did.  I am, though, rather amused that you should go to such lengths to have me craft it to your approval.

My short letter was never going to begin to mend the damage of the story your paper published.  I consider the letter I wrote originally to be sharp in its criticism but fair and well within the bounds of good taste.  If you feel that it threatens Ms. Liberatore and your newspaper, I expect you will exercise your power to simply not publish it.  The world will go on.

Sincerely,

Jane Weihe

44 White Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518 573-1732 (cell)

Last Response From Times Union 

From: Tyler, Tena On Behalf Of TU Letters
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2016 12:25 PM
To: ‘Jane Weihe’ < >
Subject: RE: Saratoga Springs Finance Department renovations–letter to the editor

Thank you for your note. As it happens, it is our standard guideline for letters criticizing articles that it is the Times Union that is identified, rather than individual writers, for the reasons I explained in my original response. I’ve re-included that email; the issues described in it remain unchanged. If you’d like to re-submit the letter tweaking in the ways described below, I will consider it. Otherwise, I understand that you don’t want the letter published.

 

In a casual conversation with a friend who is an architect I mentioned the controversy over the Finance Office restoration.  He asked who the firm was that had done the study and after a little looking I found them and told him Mesick, Cohen, Wilson, Baker Architects, LLP.  He told me that they were considered the premier architects nationally on projects that involved preservation.

This is a link to their web site: link

I have selected from their website some of their projects that the readers of this blog might recognize.

Civic

1. The Maryland State House
2. The Tennessee State House
3. Vermont State House
4. New York state Capitol
5. S. Federal Court (Washington D.C.)
6. Rochester City Hall

Cultural

1. Monticello (Jefferson’s Home)
2. Chesterwood Studio (Stockbridge)
3. The Hyde Collection (Glens Falls)
4. Saratoga Automobile Museum
5. Canfield Casino
6. Arrowhead (Pittsfield – Herman Melville’s Home)

Educational

1. Williams College
2. RPI
3. Skidmore
4. College of William and Mary
5. Union College
6. University Of Virginia

Commercial

1. Fort Orange Club
2. Daughters of Sarah
3. Proctors Theater
4. Stuyvesant Plaza

The following is a list of  their awards:

2011

New York State Preservation League Award for Excellence in Preservation

Interior Renovation and Restoration project.  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany, NY.

2010

The Thomas Jefferson Chapter of Preservation Virginia/APVA 2010 Preservation Project of the Year Award

This award was presented to the University of Virginia Office of the Architect and Facilities Management for the restoration of Pavilion X, one of Thomas Jefferson’s pavilions in the Academical Village. The Awards Committee was particularly impressed with the depth of research, the rigor of analysis and the strength of commitment to thinking in fresh ways about historic preservation in the Academical Village. Charlottesville, VA.

 

2008

The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Restoration.

This award was given to Florida Southern College for the complete restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Waterdome.

 

The New York State Historic Preservation Award

This Not-for-Profit Achievement Award was presented to the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway for the restoration of the Burden Iron Works building in Troy, NY.

 

2007

New York State Preservation League Award for Excellence in Preservation and the Historic Albany Foundation Preservation Initiative Certificate.

These awards were given for the Improvements to the Great Western Staircase project at the New York State Capitol. The project involved cleaning over one hundred years worth of dirt, grime, and soot from the massive sandstone staircase. The project also involved the cleaning and restoration of all the historic light fixtures within the stair.

 

2004

The New York State Historic Preservation Award.

This Not-for-Profit Achievement Award was presented to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany, NY for an outstanding restoration of one of Albany’s most prominent landmarks.

 

2001

The Maryland Historical Trust Preservation Project Award for Hancock’s Resolution.

This award was given for the complete restoration of Hancock’s Resolution, 2001. The project required dedication and skilled craftsmanship to stabilize the deteriorated structural systems and other components and restore the original detailing of the landmark’s masonry construction.

 

1999

The New York State Historic Preservation Award for Chatham Union Station, 1999.

This award was given for the rehabilitation of Chatham Union Station, Chatham NY. This project restored the 1887 station to its original appearance while adapting it to its modern purpose, that of a bank.

 

1996

Build New York Award

The Pohndorff room, an addition to the Lucy Scribner Library at Skidmore College, was the recipient of this award for excellence in construction and teamwork.

 

Historic Albany Foundation Preservation Merit Award Recipients

 

Fort Orange Club- Award for restoration of the West Lounge

 

Albany Medical School- Medical Building Annex- Award for sensitive addition to existing historic building

 

Albany Law School- Moot Court Facility- Award for adaptive use

 

Rockefeller Institute of History and Government- Award for adaptive use/restoration of a Washington Park townhouse

 

1992

Massachusetts Historical Commission Project Award

The Eagle Office and Technology Park received this award for its adaptive use of a 19th century industrial space into a modern office and production space for the Berkshire Eagle newspaper.

 

 

 

On Friday I received a response from Wendy Liberatore  to my email to her which I posted in a recent blog and which I reproduce below.  I think Ms. Liberatore deserves a great deal of credit for engaging in a discussion on the coverage of the Finance Department’s renovations issue here.

I continue to disagree with Ms. Liberatore on the coverage of the issue but I think the matter has been pretty thoroughly discussed, so I am simply posting her response without further comment.

---

My Original Email To Ms. Liberatore

From: John Kaufmann <>
Date: Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 8:57 PM
To: Wendy Liberatore <wliberatore@timesunion.com>
Subject: Study By Architects

Per your recent blog, I have reviewed the study done by the architects for the proposed renovations to the Finance Office in Saratoga Springs.   They seem to me to be extremely thoughtful in their attempt to improve the offices of the Finance Department to make them both more efficient and to better serve the staff in doing their work.  Your original article and headlines like ““Taxpayers On Hook For $750K” strongly communicate that there was something improper in these plans that was newsworthy.  Could you take the time to email me what it is in the study by the architects that you found problematic?  The Facebook headline for your article stated “Finance chief Michele Madigan’s budget request includes a private bathroom, a new ceiling, and a kitchenette for her use”.  Could you please cite the section of this document that would support this statement.  Let me note that it would seem highly disingenuous to argue that these headlines would not lead the public to believe that these amenities were for the Commissioner’s personal use rather than for everyone in the department.

I look forward to your response.

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Ms. Liberatore’s Response

From: “Liberatore, Wendy D” <wliberatore@timesunion.com>
Date: 09/23/2016 9:37 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: John Kaufmann <j>
Subject: Re: Study By Architects

Dear John,

The details you described were amended in the article to state the bathroom was for her and her staff. The original post mentioned the ceiling would be restored and that there was a kitchenette. It did not mention “for her use” in connection with the kitchenette, only the bathroom.

This is what has been printed and has been online.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Saratoga-Springs-finance-chief-wants-750-000-9227194.php

We even printed one article on her defense of the project:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Commissioner-defends-750K-in-renovations-for-9236043.php

Here are the blog posts, which allowed the public to weigh in:

http://blog.timesunion.com/saratogaseen/finance-office-renovations-will-cost-taxpayers-750000/27933/

http://blog.timesunion.com/saratogaseen/read-the-specs-for-finance-commissioners-750k-renovations-project/27956/

In every instance, Madigan’s point-of-view was clearly stated. We feel that she has been treated fairly in this matter.

As for the headline, that was the editor’s choice.

We did the story because we all felt that the price tag was high and that taxpayers would be interested in how their money was being spent.

I don’t believe there is anything in these articles that is factually erroneous.

Thanks for reading and taking the time to write to me.

— Wendy Liberatore
Times Union

518-454-5445

518-491-0454

As the readers of this blog will recall Wendy Liberatore of the Times Union wrote a story which this blog challenged for accuracy.  In apparent response she posted the following blog on the Times Union website.

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THE SARATOGA BLOG

Read the specs for finance commissioner’s 750k renovations project

By Wendy Liberatore on September 21, 2016 at 9:26 AM

There has been a lot of back and forth on the merits of the Saratoga Springs’ Department of Finance Commissioner’s office renovations.

To read the specs and decide for yourself, click here.

You can also see for yourselves by taking one of Commissioner Michele Madigan’s office tours. They are planned for 2 p.m. Tuesdays from Oct. 4 to Nov. 1 in City Hall, Broadway.

---

I went to the link and what I found was the study done by the architects who were hired by the city to look at what renovations were needed for the Finance Office.

I encourage the readers of this blog to take the time to read the study which is actually relatively brief.  [financedept-revonvations] I am sorry to be so harsh but I find it difficult to believe that Ms. Liberatore could have read this study and written the story that she did.

The architects interviewed all of the employees of the Finance Department to learn what their work involved in order to better understand how best to design the offices.  What then follows is a very thoughtful explanation as to the design changes recommended by the architects to improve the work flow and environment for the employees.  They also make special note regarding the damage that previous restorations have done to many important architectural elements of the building and what they recommend be done to save what is left.

Of particular note was the fact that they recommended that the Commissioner and her deputy give up their existing space for smaller space in order to provide the IT staff with an area large enough for their needs.  There is no reference anywhere in this document to a toilet or a kitchenette being constructed for the private use of the Commissioner.  In fact, the floor plan of the option that has been selected  has neither the toilet nor the kitchenette adjacent to the Commissioner’s office.

How Ms. Liberatore can construe this document as anything but a thoughtful effort to address the Finance Department is really difficult to understand.

I have sent her the following email soliciting a response:

Per your recent blog, I have reviewed the study done by the architects for the proposed renovations to the Finance Office in Saratoga Springs.   They seem to me to be extremely thoughtful in their attempt to improve the offices of the Finance Department to make them both more efficient and to better serve the staff in doing their work.  Your original article and headlines like ““Taxpayers On Hook For $750K” strongly communicate that there was something improper in these plans that was newsworthy.  Could you take the time to email me what it is in the study by the architects that you found problematic?  The Facebook headline for your article stated “Finance chief Michele Madigan’s budget request includes a private bathroom, a new ceiling, and a kitchenette for her use”.  Could you please cite the section of this document that would support this statement.  Let me note that it would seem highly disingenuous to argue that these headlines would not lead the public to believe that these amenities were for the Commissioner’s personal use rather than for everyone in the department.

I look forward to your response.

 

Rita Cox: Gone from Saratoga Casino Hotel

According to the Albany Business Review, Rita Cox who served as vice president for marketing and public affairs is no longer employed by the Saratoga Casino Hotel.  Ms. Cox worked for what had been the Racino for thirteen years.  Ted Engle who the ABR described as the casino’s “media specialist” originally announced that the Casino would be issuing a statement shortly about Cox.  Subsequently the Casino told the ABR that they do not comment on personnel matters.

Scott Varley: Gone From RealtyUSA

The headline in the Albany Business Review announced that “RealtyUSA Ends Business Relationship with Scott Varley”.  Readers of this blog may remember that Mr. Varley’s face appeared on at least one billboard at an entrance to the city.  He had worked for RealtyUSA for twenty-seven years.

Al Picci, President and General Manager, would not discuss the “separation” with the ABR telling them that “It’s a private matter.”

Mr. Varley told the ABR that the decision was mutual and that it was the right move for him.  When asked about his future plans he told them, “When I know, I will let you know.”

According to the ABR, Varley and his “team” had about $90 million in sales last year which was the most of any team in the region.

The ABR described Mr. Varley as “a natural showman and self promoter.”

 

 

Michele Madigan’s office contacted me to ask that I make a correction in her statement.  The renovation was rated ninth by the Capital  Budget Committee.

 

 

I try to restrain myself from hyperbole when writing this blog, but a front page story in the Times Union on proposed renovations to the city’s Finance Office had a headline that was simply outrageous.  After Commissioner Madigan contacted the newspaper about the original post on their website, the newspaper did correct numerous inaccuracies in the article.  Regrettably, the tabloid headlines remained.

The headlines asserted that the city was spending three quarters of a million dollars on the Commissioner of Finance’s personal office.  A photo caption on the front page claims the work will include a “private bathroom and storage area as well as a private conference room.”  Given the wretched excesses we have seen in numerous stories about government waste, an uniformed reader would rightly be outraged at the supposed excesses of a profligate commissioner.

It is my understanding that the reporter, Wendy Liberatore, told Ms. Madigan that she had come upon the story when reading the city’s capital budget.  I worked closely with her predecessor, Dennis Yusko, when his beat included Saratoga Springs, in fact, his beat was huge and included military affairs as they related to the Capital District, as well as other breaking news North of Albany.  In this blog, I often lionized Dennis for the extraordinary reporting he did, especially in light of how much he had to cover.  It is simply not credible that Ms. Liberatore would have the luxury of reading our city’s capital budget to simply better inform herself.  Would that our sadly depleted newspapers had the resources to do that kind of digging.  It is especially ironic that having studied the capital budget she did not take the time to look at the actual plans for the improvements nor to visit the offices to assess their conditions.

This is a link to the latest iteration of the story.  The TU protects many of its stories behind a pay wall so you many not be able to access it.  Link To Story

I invited Commissioner Madigan to respond to the Times Union article.

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Commissioner Madigan’s Statement

The recent Times Union story on the proposed renovations of the Finance Office is a sad example of the on-going decline in journalism.  With a sensational title that panders to the public’s legitimate concerns about waste in government, they have done an injustice to not only myself, but to the staff that has worked under some really trying conditions.

The front page includes the accusation that the city will be paying for a private bathroom and “kitchenette” for me as part of a $750,000.00 renovation of my office.  I am sure that such a shocking title will sell newspapers but it has little to do with what I hope will be a long needed renovation that will serve not only the needs of the employees who serve the citizens of our city but the citizens of our city as well [See The Proposed Schematic Below].

It also is unfair to the members of the Capital Budget Committee, composed of representatives of all of the city’s departments and chaired by the Mayor.  These dedicated individuals spent months, reviewing and prioritizing the critical needs of our city mindful of the need for fiscal restraint.  Their decision to include the improvements to the Finance Office in the capital budget and rank it nineth was not done frivolously.  Consistent with this, no one spoke against any of their recommendations at any of the public hearings.

The Finance project is about renovating the front Finance Office and other employee space including space for the Information Technology Department, Benefits and Payroll.  It is not about renovating my personal office to include a private bathroom, kitchenette and new ceiling for “her use.”  The offices of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Director of Finance, have become useful in the new configuration, but they have nothing to do with the motivation for this renovation nor do they impact majorly the cost of this project.   I am not getting a private bathroom or my own kitchenette or a new ceiling.

The “private bathroom” is simply a single stall bathroom for the employees who work for the Finance and IT Departments.  It is worth noting that Finance is the ONLY department in City hall that has no bathroom.  We share a public restroom, this bathroom sees much use, and is often found covered in urine, feces, blood, dirt, hair, dirty diapers, vomit, etc.  It is a highly utilized public restroom and one of the few available to the public in our downtown.  The public bathroom is a busy place and often unavailable to staff.  The public bathrooms are locked after 5:00 PM, leaving no bathroom for staff who work later than 5:00 PM or on the weekends.

Bathroom

Our current “Kitchenette” is a storage space that houses numerous boxes of paper, wires, and old IT materials. A small refrigerator that currently sits in the public space, next to filing cabinets containing private, confidential, HIPPA protected health care data will be removed from the front office and placed in that space along with a toaster and microwave that are of unknown age and origins “ that is our new” kitchenette.

“Kitchenette” Current Kitchenette Area   

Current Refrigerator By Public Area Beside Filing Cabinets

The Times Union’s updated article on this project provided a financial comparison of the Finance project with the Canfield Casino, but they used inaccurate figures stating that for the entire structure, repairs for the Casino total $600,000.  The Canfield Casino is in the 2017 list of capital projects for $600K to cover the final phase of plaster repairs and painting in the ballroom & parlor, rewiring the sagging parlor sconces and replacing electric boxes.  However, Casino renovations are yearly, and have been an ongoing project that easily has cost millions of dollars, it’s an important building and our commitment to it has been exemplary.  The TU comparison is unfair and not remotely accurate.

The front Finance Office is the first office the public sees when they enter City Hall. Finance probably has more visitors than any other office in City Hall.  Over 11 thousand tax bills per year are processed in the Finance Office, totaling 16 million in receivables.  Finance also processes all utility bills, recreation fees, etc.  All these invoices are paid to the Commissioner of Finance via the front office and total more than 20 million dollars that we receive every year, and with nothing more than a piece of plywood for staff safety.

Front Desk / Office Area

In addition, numerous City Hall employees stream in and out all day, everyday, for various payroll, financial tasks and issues, healthcare questions, retirement questions and advice, because the Finance Office houses the health benefits coordinator and city payroll.  When an employee or family member approaches to discuss private and confidential issues such as health insurance coverage for breast or prostate cancer, wage garnishment and child support, retirements or terminations, they must stand at the counter in the open space with employees and taxpayers within a few feet of them.  There is no private space for employees to discuss these confidential matters.

Payroll

Benefits

Carpeting

   

The front Finance Office has never been renovated, and renovations are at least 20 years over-due.  There are no safety features, no privacy for confidential business matters, soft flooring with asbestos, no bathroom, leftover and broken file cabinets and desks, old raw sewage leaks and more asbestos.  Our new ceiling is not new at all, we are simply removing a dirty and stained drop ceiling to show the existing original ceiling.  We are not putting in a new ceiling for my use.

Original Hidden Ceiling

Drop Down Ceiling That Hides Original

Finance furniture includes desks and chairs that were literally picked out of the trash, an assortment of ill shaped and oddly designed file cabinets with no locks, cabinets with plywood doors, which house highly restricted health care, payroll and personnel data.

File Room From Two Views

 

The staircase to the basement is a winding one, barely two feet wide, with an overhang that is dangerous to a person of even average height. The basement has a lower than standard ceiling with little ventilation and poor air quality.  The City IT Department spent over 10 years in this moldy and substandard space. The IT Department’s current space is cramped and inappropriate for its people and equipment.  The City Fire Department has declared it unsafe.

Stairs To Basement

 

IT (Information Technology) Offices

 

Basement

With the help of an architect we have devised a plan that not only puts front office to more appropriate use, it allows the City IT department to exchange its cramped and inappropriate area for more suitable space.

The City’s Director of Finance is willing to swap her office to go into the basement space, but it must be renovated.  The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Finance are willing to swap their office for the current IT space.  This will provide IT with much needed space for equipment and staff, eliminate our cited fire code issues, while relocating the Commissioner and Deputy to a smaller space in order to accommodate the needs of staff employees.  The majority of the Finance Department project cost is for the front offices (asbestos removal, removing a dirty and stained by raw sewage drop ceiling, etc.); swapping space with IT is a smaller but necessary part of the plan.

Every area in City Hall has had some sort of upgrade.  Finance, one of the most visible parts of the building, has waited patiently and been overlooked.   We cannot force our citizens and employees to conduct business under these conditions. A disgusting workspace may eventually cost us in grievances and employees.  What employer forces employees to work in a potentially unsafe environment that is dirty from years of neglect? You simply cannot clean this sort of dirt, with sagging floors, holes in the walls, trash picked furniture, a cacophony of wires in the open space, no privacy and no bathroom.

I believe we must maintain City Hall and the work-space that our staff is required to call home for the major portion of each day.  This project is not just about the front Finance office; it is about taking care of City Buildings responsibly.  We are the stewards of these buildings for the taxpayers who own these buildings.  They are city assets, aesthetically, historically, functionally and financially.  This is not the frivolous project it has been portrayed as, and exaggerated about, in the Times Union newspaper and via their social media sites.  It is our job, as elected officials, to maintain the City’s buildings, parks, streets, and places that citizens and employees conduct City business.  We don’t allow property owner’s buildings to fall into gross disrepair; we have city code enforcement to work on such properties.  Why should the City be allowed to do so with our valuable city assets?

At this point, the front office and the finance configuration cannot be fixed with a coat of paint and new carpet.  We cannot even change the carpet without getting involved with the hole in the floor and asbestos issues.  How long do we let it go before it is too far-gone? Saratogians are proud of their commitment to the preservation of its beautiful buildings and architecture.  This project should be considered among them.   Citizens and employees will be served better, more effectively and safer space means better service and better value.

Finally, I will be inviting the public to tour with me to view the Finance space and other space in City Hall that is desperate for renovations every Tuesday at 2:00 pm, beginning on Tuesday October 4th – Tuesday November 1st.  Taxpayers deserve to see their money in action and this is their space too.

Proposed Schematic

 

Thank you,

Michele Madigan

Commissioner of Finance

Please feel free to contact me at 518-587-3550 ext. 2557 for any questions regarding this project or email me at michele.madigan@saratoga-springs.org or simply show up for a tour.

Robin Cooper of the Albany Business Review had a piece on the Moore Hall demo.

According the ABR, Jackson Demolition of Schenectady is the contractor for the take down.  Bonacio has placed the cost of the whole project at $23 million dollars.

Bonacio expects it to take a month to complete the removal.  He expects to start excavating the foundation in October.

The project manager is Christopher Levitas.

Norstar Development whose corporate offices are located in Buffalo paid Skidmore College $1.12 million dollars back in 2009.  Rick Higgins, who lives in Saratoga Springs is one of the principle executives at Norstar.

Balzer + Tuck Architecture did the design.  Brett Balzer is the architect.

Capital Demolition of Amsterdam removed the asbestos and the internal structures such as the drop ceilings, furniture, etc.

Levitas estimates it will take sixteen to eighteen months to construct the five buildings that will contain the condos.

 

TREE TOGA #5 on October 1, 2016 Sustainable Saratoga’s Next Planting Day

[From the blogger: With regrets to our friends at Sustainable Saratoga, I could not properly format their invitation to volunteer.  To view it properly visit their website.]

Tree Toga Volunteers – April 30, 2016 Photo courtesy of David Aimone

 

Since 2014, Sustainable Saratoga’s fabulous volunteers have planted 114 trees in key locations around town. And our great tree hosts have given needed care (mostly water) to help the trees thrive and mature.   On Saturday, October 1, with the help of many people, we will put another 25 trees in the ground. Generous donors to Sustainable Saratoga’s tree fund have made this planting possible.

 

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Here are four ways you can contribute to our success on October 1st.

 

Would you like a FREE TREE? Know someone who would? Share this Free Tree Flyer to help us place the trees in good sites. Send us an email at trees@sustainablesaratoga.org to volunteer as a Tree Host. Believe it or not, helping us to identify good planting sites (with tree hosts) is one of the best things you can do for Sustainable Saratoga’s tree efforts. Join our team for October 1st. Sign up as a planter. Or help behind the scenes to organize the event. Send us an email at trees@sustainablesaratoga.org and let us know how you can help. Planting at Tree Toga is a great family activity.

 

 

Spread the word about our progress. Help celebrate our efforts by enjoying and sharing this map of the 114 trees planted since 2014.  Click the image to download a map of trees planted since 2014.

(Colored pins indicate different planting dates. Blue pins are the first to be complete with photos, showing how much fun the planters had in 2015.) Fire up Google Earth and then follow these instructions to explore the map. Share it widely with your circles of friends.

 

 

Donate to Sustainable Saratoga. The generosity of donors like you has enabled Sustainable Saratoga to purchase and plant trees since 2015. The October 1 planting will bring the total of our donor-funded trees to 64. Your donation can help us blow past the 100 trees threshold in 2017 !!  (Sustainable Saratoga volunteers have also planted 75 trees that were paid for from the tree budget of our partners at DPW.)