Meet the Candidates: Town of Saratoga

Supervisor: Thomas Wood III

For the past several years I have had the privilege of serving the town and during this time we have achieved many positive accomplishments.  These include keeping the tax rate low, promoting agriculture, developing recreational facilities such as parks and trails, purchasing a new town hall and making it a central meeting place for community groups and organizations, and expanding communication with and involvement of town residents. 

As a lifelong resident of the Town of Saratoga, I want to ensure that the town continues to be a pleasant, peaceful, economical community in which to live and raise a family. I believe in setting goals and developing plans for their achievement.

The most pressing issues facing the Town of Saratoga today are continuing to keep the town tax rate low and promoting a strong agricultural industry while at the same time encouraging business growth and job creation within the town. We can keep the town tax rate low by closely monitoring and controlling spending and by increasing business development that broadens and expands the tax base. We can develop a balance between a strong agriculture and business growth by careful planning that involves residents. Communication with and involvement of residents of the town is critical in the decision making process.

Council Member: Gary Squires

I believe it is important to preserve, maintain, and seek to improve the quality of life we enjoy in the Town of Saratoga. We have history, a thriving agricultural economy, and access to many resources within the town - including Saratoga Lake, Fish Creek, and the Hudson River. Beautiful rural landscapes, Schuyler Park, and historic walking trails are available to our residents and visitors.

It is important to respect the property rights of our residents while keeping the community well-being in mind.

We must resist the tendency to use a broad brush to paint political labels on any particular group or idea. The best solutions come from people with diverse opinions working together. It is important to talk less and listen more.

Annual budgets are consistently one of the most challenging issues we face as a town board. We have worked diligently to be fiscally responsible – keeping taxes as low as possible, always within the state tax cap which is at or below 2%. Not an easy task when employee raises and health care benefits, pension expenditures, and equipment costs increase at a higher annual rate than that each year.

Council Member: James Sullivan

Platform: I am a progressive Democrat who is fiscally conservative.  I believe government exists for serving the greater good of the town residents as a whole.  Transparency in government is fundamental to fostering participation from town residents.  I believe strongly that keeping taxes low is fundamental to sustaining the community and promoting future growth from within.

Issue: While the Town of Saratoga’s comprehensive land use plan does encourage controlled growth and development, it is my belief that the biggest issue facing the Town of Saratoga is monitoring the development of all open space. This monitoring and regulation of the development of open space will ensure our town creates stable growth and maintains rural areas.  In addition, the Town of Saratoga has undergone many changes over the years, with increasing population growth from urban areas which is creating more complex problems for infrastructure within the town.  While funding sources for infrastructure are currently sufficient short-term, long-term funding sources will likely dwindle.  I believe I have the knowledge and background from my time as mayor and from my professional experience to assist the Town Board in developing new revenue streams to promote sustainable growth in the town. 

Council Member: Ruth Drumm

I would like to give you a little of my background.   I came to be a candidate due to the heartbreaking death of Mike Booth, who was running for the office.  I came forward because I care about the town and have served the town as town clerk for twelve years, until my retirement four years ago.  I was previously a planning/zoning clerk, and am presently on the Board of Assessment Review. 

Platform/Issues: As a homeowner and landowner in the Town of Saratoga for 60 years, I would strive to keep taxes low.  I would support additional recreational sites, such as trails and boat, kayak, and canoe launches in the town for all to enjoy.  It is important to me to preserve the historical, recreational, rural, and agricultural attributes of our town.

Concerning the ever-changing issues in our town, I would strive to listen to all, research, and make an informed decision.        

Council Member: Bryan Drew
Candidate did not respond.