Coll to challenge Montagnino. Shimkus pens book to fight alzheimers.

News & Notes from Saratoga Springs

by

Coll to challenge Montagnino for Commissioner of Public Safety

From a press release from Tim Coll: I decided to run for office because I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of the mismanagement that currently plagues the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Safety. While recruitment problems are not unique to Saratoga Springs, the toxic environment that exists in the Public Safety Department here in the city is no secret to the greater network of law enforcement.

At some point, our inability to attract qualified recruits will result in incidents that threaten the safety of both the public in general and the men and women of our department.

While I am a registered Democrat, I refuse to be drawn into the tribalism of Democrats vs. Republicans. I sought the endorsement of the city Democratic Committee and am seeking the endorsement of the Republican Committee.  In the case of the Democratic Committee, I was denied the opportunity to address the full committee for their support.

I believe that if given the chance, I may well have been able to convince them of the merit of my long experience in law enforcement and leadership.

I believe that the voters of Saratoga Springs are as tired as I am of the use of labels to promote or oppose decent people who seek to serve this city.  I ask that the voters consider my qualifications and my willingness to take on a very difficult job as the way to measure me. 

Issues

  • As Public Safety Commissioner I hope to repair and restore relationships that have been damaged by the current City Council.
  • This city needs less drama and more thoughtful leadership.  I have watched with increasing concern the exodus of some of our most valued employees from city hall. Nowhere is this trend more alarming than in the police department where most of the leadership has either resigned, taken early retirement, or announced their early retirement.
  • In order to carry out local police work, we depend upon a close working relationship with the District Attorney who must prosecute our cases.  I have worked extensively with prosecutors over my long career.  I feel confident that I can rebuild our relationship with the DA in spite of the unhelpful conflict that has come to dominate the city’s relationship with that office.
  • Homelessness is a growing problem in our city. The reality is that addressing homelessness has a law enforcement element, a mental health element, and a social work element.  Over emphasizing any of these will undermine any effort to successfully deal with this issue.

Chamber president Todd Shimkus pens book to help fight Alzheimer's disease

Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus is holding a book launch March 8 for his memoir “I’m not ready for this.” The launch will be held at Walt and Whitman in downtown Saratoga Springs, and the $50 entry fee includes a book, and the money goes toward alzheimer’s research, Shimkus said.

In the book, Shimkus discusses his year, or more, leading the chamber and Saratoga through the pandemic while simultaneously caring for his mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. 

"Often the two items were connected,” Shimkus said in an interview with FoothillsBusinessDaily.com. 

One connection was quite personal: Just before the pandemic hit, Shimkus moved his mother to the Wesley Community, a senior care facility. She had been diagnosed with the disease years before, but care outside a facility became too much.

"The book actually starts on Dec. 26 [2019] sitting at the Wesley as she became aware of what was happening,” Shimkus said, adding that it was a moment of clarity for his mother. 

She said: “I’m not ready for this.”

That line became the title of his book. 

"Wild, right, that she said that, and it became true for all of us," Shimkus said.

About three months later the world went into a pandemic-forced lockdown and Shimkus, who had visited his mother daily, would not see her in person again for nearly year. He kept thinking if he could work to open the economy, the nursing homes would open, too.

At the same time, with the help of local business leaders, Shimkus and others drew the slogan "Stronger together" as a way for the community to make it through what they were not ready for.

Shimkus said: "One of those lessons is they say the most resilient people are those who understand you can't go it alone in a crisis."

Shimkus is also holding an author event at Northshire bookstore in Saratoga Springs on Thursday March 16, 6p..m.

Proceeds are going to Amy's Army Team in the walk to end Alzheimer’s Disease.