Mayor Keehn has been endorsed by local newspapers The Saratogian, The Times Union, and Metroland.
"She jumped right into the fire, threw herself into the job, has grown in the office, and almost immediately began making her mark. She brought new blood to the political process and championed progressive ideas. Perhaps most impressive is the way she has energized citizens to get involved in local government... Saratoga Springs voters should re-elect Keehn for another term. Saratogian
"Keehn has dug in and started pushing the line back against the overdevelopment in the Spa City; she ...has proven that she is honest and willing to work with anyone... Keehn has never looked more like a woman of the people..." Metroland
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Keehn receives State Comptroller DiNapoli's endosement
Keehn receives state endorsement
October 1, 2007 at 4:29 pm by Dennis Yusko
Times Union Local Politics Blog
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli endorsed Saratoga Springs Mayor Valerie Keehn for reelection on Monday, the mayor’s office announced.
DiNapoli, a Democrat, praised the first-term mayor, also a Democrat, for sound financial planning and environmental initiatives. Keehn supports building a new public safety building in the city, and Public Safety Commissioner Ronald Kim wants to start by using the city’s unbudgeted VLT revenue.
“She’s working hard to address the city’s financial needs by making sure that new revenues, like the special state aid for communities with video lottery facilities, are used for long-deferred capital projects,” DiNapoli said. “That’s a prudent way to plan for infrastructure improvements without putting the entire burden on property taxpayers.”
Scott Johnson, Republican candidate for mayor, favors using private contractors to build the public safety building in conjunction with a downtown parking garage.
Under the plan, the structures would be legally owned by a newly formed not-for-profit entity and governed by a majority-controlled board of city appointees. The city would enter into a lease agreement, and at the end of that, would be able to gain ownership of both buildings by paying $1, Johnson said. The plan would not saddle the city with debt, he said.
“Saratoga Springs needs solid leadership that isn’t afraid of new ideas and can think outside the box,” Johnson said.
Gordon Boyd, running for mayor on the Independence and Conservative lines, has said he would like to save $1-$2 million a year toward a new public safety facility.
October 1, 2007 at 4:29 pm by Dennis Yusko
Times Union Local Politics Blog
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli endorsed Saratoga Springs Mayor Valerie Keehn for reelection on Monday, the mayor’s office announced.
DiNapoli, a Democrat, praised the first-term mayor, also a Democrat, for sound financial planning and environmental initiatives. Keehn supports building a new public safety building in the city, and Public Safety Commissioner Ronald Kim wants to start by using the city’s unbudgeted VLT revenue.
“She’s working hard to address the city’s financial needs by making sure that new revenues, like the special state aid for communities with video lottery facilities, are used for long-deferred capital projects,” DiNapoli said. “That’s a prudent way to plan for infrastructure improvements without putting the entire burden on property taxpayers.”
Scott Johnson, Republican candidate for mayor, favors using private contractors to build the public safety building in conjunction with a downtown parking garage.
Under the plan, the structures would be legally owned by a newly formed not-for-profit entity and governed by a majority-controlled board of city appointees. The city would enter into a lease agreement, and at the end of that, would be able to gain ownership of both buildings by paying $1, Johnson said. The plan would not saddle the city with debt, he said.
“Saratoga Springs needs solid leadership that isn’t afraid of new ideas and can think outside the box,” Johnson said.
Gordon Boyd, running for mayor on the Independence and Conservative lines, has said he would like to save $1-$2 million a year toward a new public safety facility.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Fish Fry at Union Gables
On September 16th, join Val Keehn for a Fish Fry at the Union Gables Bed and Breakfast on Union Avenue. There will be a silent auction, food and much more! Join us for an evening of fun between 5:30 and 7:30 pm.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
Mayor Keehn endorsed by the Working Families Party
Mayor Valerie Keehn received the Working Families Party's endorsement for re-election. This means that "the people's mayor" has a party line to run on in November no matter what happens in September's Democratic primary. Valerie Keehn commented, "This sort of validates me as a candidate who is out there fighting for everyday working people who want to stay in our community,"
Thursday, July 5, 2007
City's New Waterfront Park opens at Saratoga Lake
Check out the Capital News 9 story about the opening of Saratoga Springs' new Waterfront Park. With other city officials participating, Mayor Keehn officially opened the new park for picnicking. More work still needs to be done to add other recreational facilities to the park.
Mayor Keehn: “Saratoga Springs residents deserve to have access to Saratoga Lake, so we are so thrilled to provide public access through city bond money, open space bond money, and I know the residents are just very happy to have that.”
This is the first public access residents of the city have had to the lake since Kaydeross Park was sold more than 20 years ago.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Mayor Keehn with the Big Check for VLT Revenues
The Video Lottery Terminals at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway have paid off with the first check from the state. The first check, received thursday, June 28th, totlas $3.83 million. Mayor Keehn played a key leadership role in lobbying the state and winning a commitment for additional State aid to the City, to be measured by a percentage of Video Lottery revenues at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway. Mayor Keehn commented, "We are very pleased to have that state aid to give our taxpayers some relief."
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation
Mayor Valerie Keehn has appointed Lew Benton to the position of Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation, fulfilling a mandate in the current city charter that is long overdue. Here's what the charter says about this postion.
3.3. Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation.
There shall be an Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation under the direction of the Mayor. The Mayor, in accordance with Civil Service Law, shall appoint the Administrator. The Administrator shall be a qualified professional in the field of parks, open lands, or historic preservation administration, and shall be appointed on the basis of education and experience in a like jurisdiction.
The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall be responsible for the planning, management, development, and administration of a parks and open lands system within the City of Saratoga Springs and shall integrate and coordinate the activities of the Heritage Area Program, the City Historian, and all policies and programs of the City dealing with historic preservation. The City’s parks and open lands, whether used for active or passive recreation, environmental protection, or scenic enhancement, are held in trust by the City of Saratoga Springs for the public.
The parks and open lands may not be alienated from their purposes except as provided by the laws of the State of New York and the United States.
3.3.1. Policy development. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall recommend policies regulating the use of the lands and facilities in the City’s park and open lands system. Such policies regarding use shall be subject to review and approval by the Council.
3.3.2. Inventory. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands and Historic Preservation shall regularly update and maintain an inventory of City-owned land and buildings currently used as parkland, open lands, or for historic purposes and shall request formal designation of such lands and buildings by the Council.
3.3.3. Master plans. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Public Wo rks and the Office of Planning and Economic Development, develop a city-wide Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation Master Plan, which shall include all designated lands and facilities extant or proposed. The Plan shall be developed and transmitted to the Council for comment and adoption.
The Council shall hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the plan. If not adopted by the Council within 90 days, the Master Plan as submitted shall be the official Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation Master Plan of the City until subsequently modified by the Council.
Such Master Plan shall be reviewed and updated periodically, but not less than once every five years.
3.3.4. Capital plan. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall develop a long-range Capital Plan in cooperation with the Office of the City Engineer for all lands and facilities under its jurisdiction. The long-range Capital Plan shall be transmitted to Chairperson of the City’s Capital Program Committee in sufficient detail on or before August 1 and in time for inclusion in the City’s six-year Capital Program. The Administrator shall transmit its capital and operation budget requests annually , including maintenance and improvements, to the Commissioner of Finance on or before August 1.
3.3.5. Acquisitions. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and recommending lands for addition to the City’s parks and open land system including gifts offered to the City. The Administrator shall provide the Council with the following information for each recommended acquisition:
Location.
Size.
Description of natural and cultural resources.
Any needed improvements.
Whether the cost of such acquisition and improvements are within the limits of available monies and/or appropriations.
The Administrator shall utilize whatever acquisition techniques are appropriate, including, but not limited to, purchasing property, conservation, and/or development easements, or using private/public partnerships to achieve open land preservation and public access. No additions to the City park, open lands, or historic preservation system shall be made without approval of the Council.
3.3.6. Grants. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall, with approval of the Council, seek out and apply for private and public grants for the purposes and benefit of the system.
3.3.7. Bond and grant allocation. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall make recommendations to the Council regarding use of proceeds from bonds for park, open lands, or historic preservation purposes or from state, federal, or private grants for such purposes.
3.3.8. Concession standards. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall recommend general standards to the Council relative to concessions on City-owned property within the system, including concessions for sale of merchandise and food.
3.3.9. Coordination with the Department of Public
Works. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall assist the Commissioner of Public Works in developing a maintenance, operation, repair, and public use policy for each site in the system.
3.3.10. Coordination with the Recreation Commission.
The Administrator of Pa rks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall work closely with the Recreation Commission to ensure that the Recreation Commission has access to appropriate lands and facilities for scheduling the Recreation Commission’s programs.
3.3. Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation.
There shall be an Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation under the direction of the Mayor. The Mayor, in accordance with Civil Service Law, shall appoint the Administrator. The Administrator shall be a qualified professional in the field of parks, open lands, or historic preservation administration, and shall be appointed on the basis of education and experience in a like jurisdiction.
The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall be responsible for the planning, management, development, and administration of a parks and open lands system within the City of Saratoga Springs and shall integrate and coordinate the activities of the Heritage Area Program, the City Historian, and all policies and programs of the City dealing with historic preservation. The City’s parks and open lands, whether used for active or passive recreation, environmental protection, or scenic enhancement, are held in trust by the City of Saratoga Springs for the public.
The parks and open lands may not be alienated from their purposes except as provided by the laws of the State of New York and the United States.
3.3.1. Policy development. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall recommend policies regulating the use of the lands and facilities in the City’s park and open lands system. Such policies regarding use shall be subject to review and approval by the Council.
3.3.2. Inventory. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands and Historic Preservation shall regularly update and maintain an inventory of City-owned land and buildings currently used as parkland, open lands, or for historic purposes and shall request formal designation of such lands and buildings by the Council.
3.3.3. Master plans. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Public Wo rks and the Office of Planning and Economic Development, develop a city-wide Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation Master Plan, which shall include all designated lands and facilities extant or proposed. The Plan shall be developed and transmitted to the Council for comment and adoption.
The Council shall hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the plan. If not adopted by the Council within 90 days, the Master Plan as submitted shall be the official Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation Master Plan of the City until subsequently modified by the Council.
Such Master Plan shall be reviewed and updated periodically, but not less than once every five years.
3.3.4. Capital plan. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall develop a long-range Capital Plan in cooperation with the Office of the City Engineer for all lands and facilities under its jurisdiction. The long-range Capital Plan shall be transmitted to Chairperson of the City’s Capital Program Committee in sufficient detail on or before August 1 and in time for inclusion in the City’s six-year Capital Program. The Administrator shall transmit its capital and operation budget requests annually , including maintenance and improvements, to the Commissioner of Finance on or before August 1.
3.3.5. Acquisitions. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and recommending lands for addition to the City’s parks and open land system including gifts offered to the City. The Administrator shall provide the Council with the following information for each recommended acquisition:
Location.
Size.
Description of natural and cultural resources.
Any needed improvements.
Whether the cost of such acquisition and improvements are within the limits of available monies and/or appropriations.
The Administrator shall utilize whatever acquisition techniques are appropriate, including, but not limited to, purchasing property, conservation, and/or development easements, or using private/public partnerships to achieve open land preservation and public access. No additions to the City park, open lands, or historic preservation system shall be made without approval of the Council.
3.3.6. Grants. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall, with approval of the Council, seek out and apply for private and public grants for the purposes and benefit of the system.
3.3.7. Bond and grant allocation. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall make recommendations to the Council regarding use of proceeds from bonds for park, open lands, or historic preservation purposes or from state, federal, or private grants for such purposes.
3.3.8. Concession standards. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall recommend general standards to the Council relative to concessions on City-owned property within the system, including concessions for sale of merchandise and food.
3.3.9. Coordination with the Department of Public
Works. The Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall assist the Commissioner of Public Works in developing a maintenance, operation, repair, and public use policy for each site in the system.
3.3.10. Coordination with the Recreation Commission.
The Administrator of Pa rks, Open Lands, and Historic Preservation shall work closely with the Recreation Commission to ensure that the Recreation Commission has access to appropriate lands and facilities for scheduling the Recreation Commission’s programs.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Mayor Keehn appoints first City Administrator of Parks, Open Lands and Historic Preservation
Mayor Keehn is the first mayor to fill the Charter-mandated position of Administrator of Parks, Open Lands and Historic Preservation. This will fulfill the long-standing need to create a formally designated system of parks and open lands, implement the City’s adopted open lands and historic preservation plans, work on historic preservation issues, and recommend land acquisition projects under the 2002 Land Preservation Bond Act. The Administrator also will develop management plans for the park and open land the City owns, and prepare and recommend for consideration by the City Council fee schedules for use of City parklands and facilities. The Administrator will also provide ongoing supervision of the Heritage Area visitor center, and will be key in making sure the City does not miss out on thousands of dollars in State and federal grants for planning, open space acquisition, and historic preservation.
This is a civil service appointment, based upon a selection from several candidates who applied and took the civil service test. Mayor Keehn's appointee to fill this position is Lew Benton, who has a remarkably extensive record of service to the city. For more information, Click Here.
This is an important step toward fully implementing the current city charter, which was enacted in 2001.
This is a civil service appointment, based upon a selection from several candidates who applied and took the civil service test. Mayor Keehn's appointee to fill this position is Lew Benton, who has a remarkably extensive record of service to the city. For more information, Click Here.
This is an important step toward fully implementing the current city charter, which was enacted in 2001.
A Comprehensive Plan for Using Wind Energy
The City of Saratoga Springs spends approximately $550,000 each year in utility charges to support the electric energy requirements of the Casino, City Hall, the Garage, Drink Hall (i.e., the Visitor Center), Weibel Rink, Vernon Rink, and the Water Treatment Plant. These facilities consume 4,372 MWh of electricity on an annual basis. The City currently pays an additional premium ($50,000) on top of this electric bill to support the development of wind energy in New York State. This premium does nothing to reduce long-term electric energy costs for Saratoga Springs. Basically the project to support the development of wind energy provides the city with "bragging rights" to claim involvement in wind energy.
Mayor Keehn is exploring a comprehensive long-term plan for the city to use wind energy that will save taxpayer money while reducing environmental pollution. The Saratoga Energy, Environmental, and Development (SEED) Project put in place by Mayor Keehn has developed a plan with long term implications for Saratoga Springs to actually use wind energy instead of just helping to fund wind energy development in New York.
For more information, the SEED report is available at Saratoga Wind Energy Project: Investing in Wind Energy to Reduce Long-Term Electric Energy Costs (PDF file).
Mayor Keehn is exploring a comprehensive long-term plan for the city to use wind energy that will save taxpayer money while reducing environmental pollution. The Saratoga Energy, Environmental, and Development (SEED) Project put in place by Mayor Keehn has developed a plan with long term implications for Saratoga Springs to actually use wind energy instead of just helping to fund wind energy development in New York.
For more information, the SEED report is available at Saratoga Wind Energy Project: Investing in Wind Energy to Reduce Long-Term Electric Energy Costs (PDF file).
Sunday, June 17, 2007
An Invitation
A Conversation with Mayor Valerie Keehn
Join Amejo Amyot as she hosts Val on the porch at 219 Woodlawn Avenue at 5;30 pm on June 28th.
Val is continuing her conversation with the citizens of Saratoga Springs as she renews her commitment to serve as The People's Mayor.
Please stand with Val and join in the conversation.
Join Amejo Amyot as she hosts Val on the porch at 219 Woodlawn Avenue at 5;30 pm on June 28th.
Val is continuing her conversation with the citizens of Saratoga Springs as she renews her commitment to serve as The People's Mayor.
Please stand with Val and join in the conversation.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sign petitions to get Val Keehn on the ballot
Be sure to sign a petition to get Valerie Keehn on the ballot to run in the September primary.
Sign Val's petition first!
Petition carriers will be coming to your door starting on June 12th.
Sign Val's petition first!
Petition carriers will be coming to your door starting on June 12th.
Message from the Mayor
I promised to fight for you and for Saratoga Springs when I ran for election two years ago, and I have kept that. promise, Now I need your help to continue the advances we've made.
Some of the important steps forward in my first term:
* As a member of the States Committee on the Future of Thoroughbred Racing I fought to maintain the character of Saratoga's world-class summer racing scene. I remain in close contact with Governor Spitzer and the Legislature as they choose a new operator for the historic Saratoga Race Course.
* Plans for expanding our City Center are finally moving forward, thanks to a $12 million state grant.
* I led the City Council in lobbying for additional state-aid based on video lottery revenues, beginning with $4 million this year.
* My bipartisan appointees have brought new perspectives to the zoning, planning, and design boards, which no longer automatically approve the kinds of luxury condo and mega-mansion projects that were driving housing costs beyond the reach of ordinary working families. Other city boards have been re-invigorated by the appointment of citizens who were previously excluded from participation in local government,
*I commissioned a comprehensive study of downtown parking and transportation needs, projecting twenty years into the future.
* We increased funding fo recreation by requiring condo projects, like other developments, to pay additional impact lees.
* We closed a loophole in the /oninglawto keep luxury condo developers from claiming density bonuses meant only for low- or middle-income senior citizen housing.
* At my urging, CDTA listened to the concerns of senior citizens and agreed to retain dedicated bus stops at the Embury and Stonequist apartments.
For some Saratoga Springs politicians, maintaining their exclusionary, entrenched establishment has been the number one goal. My Democratic challenger represents a business-as-usual approach. I represent Democrats who want a fresh approach that brings all constituents together to make Saratoga a community where citizens' voices are heard, elected officials put the public interest before personal interests, and city government is marked by civility, professionalism, and dedication to public service. I want to continue leading the fight to make Saratoga a place where "progress" doesn't Just mean commercial real estate growth but cultural and community well-being overall.
Please support my campaign with your ideas and contributions. And don't forget to vote in the Democratic primary on September 18th. Thankyou.
Sincerely,
Mayor Valeric Keehn
Some of the important steps forward in my first term:
* As a member of the States Committee on the Future of Thoroughbred Racing I fought to maintain the character of Saratoga's world-class summer racing scene. I remain in close contact with Governor Spitzer and the Legislature as they choose a new operator for the historic Saratoga Race Course.
* Plans for expanding our City Center are finally moving forward, thanks to a $12 million state grant.
* I led the City Council in lobbying for additional state-aid based on video lottery revenues, beginning with $4 million this year.
* My bipartisan appointees have brought new perspectives to the zoning, planning, and design boards, which no longer automatically approve the kinds of luxury condo and mega-mansion projects that were driving housing costs beyond the reach of ordinary working families. Other city boards have been re-invigorated by the appointment of citizens who were previously excluded from participation in local government,
*I commissioned a comprehensive study of downtown parking and transportation needs, projecting twenty years into the future.
* We increased funding fo recreation by requiring condo projects, like other developments, to pay additional impact lees.
* We closed a loophole in the /oninglawto keep luxury condo developers from claiming density bonuses meant only for low- or middle-income senior citizen housing.
* At my urging, CDTA listened to the concerns of senior citizens and agreed to retain dedicated bus stops at the Embury and Stonequist apartments.
For some Saratoga Springs politicians, maintaining their exclusionary, entrenched establishment has been the number one goal. My Democratic challenger represents a business-as-usual approach. I represent Democrats who want a fresh approach that brings all constituents together to make Saratoga a community where citizens' voices are heard, elected officials put the public interest before personal interests, and city government is marked by civility, professionalism, and dedication to public service. I want to continue leading the fight to make Saratoga a place where "progress" doesn't Just mean commercial real estate growth but cultural and community well-being overall.
Please support my campaign with your ideas and contributions. And don't forget to vote in the Democratic primary on September 18th. Thankyou.
Sincerely,
Mayor Valeric Keehn
Monday, June 4, 2007
Mayor Keehn fixed loopholes in zoning laws
Zoning regulations were established under previous mayors to encourage developers to build affordable housing, and to include affordable housing units in development projects. But Mayor Keehn found that the regulations did not match the intent of the law. Mayor Keehn closed a loophole in the zoning law to keep luxury condo developers from claiming density bonuses meant only for low or middle-income senior citizen housing.
Mayor Keehn also closed another loophole in the law by requiring condo projects, like other development projects, pay additional impact fees --- fees that increase funding for recreation. Previously, developers could bundle condos to only pay one fee, based upon the development "footprint" rather than the individual condos. Major Keehn has eliminated this loophole. As a result, this will significantly increase the dedicated money for the new recreation center.
Mayor Keehn also closed another loophole in the law by requiring condo projects, like other development projects, pay additional impact fees --- fees that increase funding for recreation. Previously, developers could bundle condos to only pay one fee, based upon the development "footprint" rather than the individual condos. Major Keehn has eliminated this loophole. As a result, this will significantly increase the dedicated money for the new recreation center.
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