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High School Job Fairs Bring 2,100 Warren County Students Together With Employers

Job Fair at Glens Falls High School

This year, Warren County expanded its High School Job Fair to include more school districts, more students, and more employers… And it was a success!

More than 2,100 high school students from around Warren County connected with over 50 employers through three summer job fairs that were organized by the Warren County Department of Workforce Development. Due to the success of the job fair that was started in Lake George in 2021, this year, the event was expanded to include students from six school districts! The events took place between March 20th and April 3rd, at Lake George Junior Senior High School, Queensbury High School, and Glens Falls High School. The Lake George job fair – which was held on March 30th – was open to students from surrounding area schools, including Warrensburg, Hadley-Luzerne, and Bolton. Employers who attended the events represented a wide variety of businesses in the area, and during this hiring event, employers accepted applications, and even offered on-the-spot job interviews!

In Glens Falls, the job fair was combined with a “Career Expo”… This Career Expo featured local businesses, as well as employment experts and school staff members, and also offered seminars on several topics; including how to interview for a job, resumé building, work/life considerations, financial management, and dressing for success. 

Warren County Director of Workforce Development Liza Oschsendorf was proud of the success of the event, the generosity of the businesses, and the logistical assistance form the schools. Glens Falls Principal Kevin Warren was also pleased with the event: “It’s amazing what we can accomplish when our community partners and schools come together. Our students explored career possibilities and walked away with new curiosities. Many students are now thinking about different and expanded career options. We are pleased with the presentation and interactions our students were fortunate enough to have. This is one of the steps in educating our students to become lifelong learners, cooperative workers, quality producers, and exceptional citizens. I am grateful for the partnership we have established with Warren County, they really made the vision a reality. Liza Ochsendorf and her team are making a difference,” he said.

WAIT House and Habitat for Humanity Join Forces

Ribbon Cutting on Lawrence Street

On Thursday April 6th, 2023 the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at 37-40 Lawrence Street. This event was held to celebrate the partnership of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties, with the WAIT House. The partnership added 10 affordable rental units to the Glens Falls Community! This initiative helps to put individuals and families on the pathway to home ownership with stable and affordable housing.

Glens Falls and the surrounding area are experiencing a housing shortage… The evolution of the short term rental market has had an effect on affordability of homes in the area. The idyllic concept of knowing your neighbors and feeling a true sense of community faded long ago; as society shifts and changes, and our values shift and change along with it, we individually and collectively find ourselves changing how we use resources and income. The boom of the short term rental market has created challenges for the members of our community who are looking to become first time home buyers, and those who are in the rental market as well.

When you think of AirBNB and VRBO, you may be thinking of your next vacation… The concept of short term vacation rentals has reinvented the tourism and the homestay market. Short term rental have facilitated a peer-to-peer trading platform in an unprecedented way, and has intensified an existing housing shortage in towns across the country. Housing units that are converted into short term rentals are removed from the open rental market, which leads to an increase in rent costs as supply diminishes. The decrease in the supply in housing spurs displacement of people who can not afford the increase in the rent.

Currently, The City of Glens Falls has 78 short term rentals – an increase of 59% from last year. Short-term rentals have decreased the availability of regular rental properties for the community, so The WAIT House and Habitat for Humanity have partnered up to help underprivileged community members build a pathway to stability and home ownership.

The mission of the WAIT House is to provide stability to youth who present themselves as homeless. WAIT House started in 1998 when a group of community leaders came together to address the issue of youth homelessness in Warren and Washington County. WAIT House opened in 2003 and has provided shelter, support and services to homeless youths and those at-risk of homelessness. 

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington County is part of a global nonprofit housing organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing. Habitat works locally and worldwide through the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of homes, and advocates for fair and just housing policies. The housing shortage helped to facilitate the partnership between these nonprofit organizations – it’s created the opportunity for these two nonprofits to work together to help bridge the gap for those in need.

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner was on hand for the ribbon cutting: “I am here to say congratulations and to lend my thanks to our phenomenal Wait House and Habitat for Humanity. The partnership that you bring to this is really powerful and you each bring expertise and a dedication to the mission and I think it is really wonderful to see and I hope that it is one of many. And, I celebrate your willingness to work outside the box and think outside the box to accomplish something amazing for our communities” she said. 

Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins was also on hand for the event: “I am just so grateful to be here and in the last few years we have had Habitat projects; three on Hovey street, one on Orville street. The City is very happy to support Habitat. For those of you who have not noticed, we have a housing shortage in Glens Falls, Warren County, and the surrounding area, and THIS is helping to address that. If you had a chance to drive by these properties just six, nine months ago, you would have seen a completely different scene… I like the fact that these are not all done. So you can walk into this one and see what a new apartment is going to look like… I agree with Carrie, how to change your model and be flexible so you can help people… Housing prices all over the region have risen, and we need to make sure that people can get out of apartments and into homes… Owning homes in Glens Falls is what we need more of; Thank you for all you have done,” The Mayor said. 

Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties Adam Feldman said a few words at the ribbon cutting as well: “Those were all very kind words and I am humbled to hear everyone’s support and I was reflecting on our journey… About 6 years ago I had the Chamber come to a single family home in Lake George when I recently took the position, and at that (event) we recorded it and one of the things I said was ‘This is just the first step. I am committed to being a leader in not just home ownership but housing in the greater community.’ Three years later… We raised the first wall as a new partnership with the city. So, thank you very much. That sort of set the tone. And now two years after that, we have expanded and have 10 new rental units here,” Feldman said. 

The members of the community that are supported by WAIT House are between 16-24 years old. When they age out of the program, they often don’t have any place to go… Creating affordable housing helps to create stability and community for the segment of the community that needs the help and support.

Scotlander Brewing Company Teams up With StacheStrong to Benefit Brain Cancer Research

 Scotlander Brewing Company – located in Argyle, New York – is participating this year in a national beer collaboration with StacheStrong. Over 350 unique craft breweries have participated to date, which helps raise vital funds and much needed awareness for brain cancer research. Participating breweries will raise money through sales of their specialty beers, and each brewery will have a unique recipe!

“Our #BrewStacheStrong Kinetic Kölsch (4.5 % ABV) is a classic Kölsch style ale, featuring NY state grown base malts and Columbus hops… You can find our version of the #BrewStacheStrong at Scotlander Brewing Company’s taproom location on draft… Having worked in the neuroscience and oncology spaces, I’ve seen how vital the advocacy and support that Colin and his team are providing at StacheStrong for patients and their families. We’re truly humbled to be participating in this campaign,” said Matthew Puhl, Co-Owner and Brewer of Scotlander Brewing Company.

“Being in a position to not only provide hope for families and patients diagnosed with brain cancer, but also serve as a catalyst for change by collaborating with Scotlander Brewing Company to raise significant funds and awareness for brain cancer research is something I’m truly passionate about,” said Colin Gerner, President and Co-Founder of StacheStrong.

This vital campaign will kick off during the Spring of 2023! For more information about #BrewStacheStrong and the participating breweries, please visit www.StacheStrong.org/brewstachestrong. For regular updates about the campaign, follow @StacheStrong on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

About StacheStrong: StacheStrong is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research. Defeating brain cancer and improving the quality of patients’ lives is our daily focus. StacheStrong has become a beacon of hope for countless individuals and families affected by this disease and serves as an ardent advocate for all those impacted by brain cancer. Together we WILL flip the script on this disease – learn more and get involved at www.StacheStrong.org as we fight towards a cure!

Senate Majority Leader Schumer Visits Glens Falls to Champion Firefighters

Glens Falls Fire Department 134 Ridge Street Glens Falls

On Tuesday, April 4th, 2023, Senator Chuck Schumer stood along local officials at the Glens Falls Fire Department on Ridge Road. He visited the Glens Falls Fire Department to announce his plan to save a program known as “SAFER’” which helps provide fire departments with funding for crucial equipment and supplies… The funding for this program is expected to run out this year. 

 Senator Schumer is championing the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 to reauthorize funds through the U.S. Fire Administration. This bill would reauthorize appropriations for the operations of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), and for two grant programs that the organization administers. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds training and purchases equipment and vehicles. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) helps state and tribal fire departments hire and retain firefighters and first responders. This bill was introduced to the Senate on February 28th, 2023.

Warren and Washington County have received nearly a million dollars from these programs in the past three years, and Senator Schumer is rallying support to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act in the Senate by the end of this month: “We really depend on these folks, the Capital region in the last three years has gotten over 16-million dollars to help our firefighters. New York State over the life of the program has gotten 700-million, and they pay for things like up-to-date pumper trucks. The kind of breathing equipment is much better now, so firefighters can breathe pure oxygen. This is a very important program we have to fight for it. We believe in our firefighters and they need the help,” Schumer said at the event. 

This bill would authorize the appropriation of $95-million each year over the 2024 to 2030 period for the USFA’s operations. Congress would collect and provide $58-million for that purpose in the fiscal year of 2023. 

Glens Falls High School Job Fair

Glens Falls High School Job Fair

On Wednesday, April 5th, Glens Falls High School hosted the inaugural 2023 Job Fair and Career Expo event. 35 employers set up tables in the gym, and 12 area business leaders held seminars in classrooms. There were also workshops to help students with resumé building, work/life considerations, and financial management. This event gave high school students the opportunity to get a head start on their career search, and develop valuable skills. 

There were also job fairs at Queensbury High School and Lake George Junior-Senior High School. Employers from both large and small companies attended the event, as well as companies associated with the Lake George tourism industry. These job fairs give the employers an opportunity to prepare for the summer hiring season; summer jobs fill an employment need and help young people contribute to the workforce, and also provide students with valuable social skills that set them up for future employment. Criteria for the businesses to participate in the job fair included location and number of positions available. All attending businesses took part in a 30-minute virtual orientation program to ensure success in recruiting teens to their open positions. 

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) President and CEO Tricia Rogers was also on hand for the event. The job fair featured many of the ARCC members and regional businesses with employment opportunities… The mission of the ARCC is to partner with and support regional businesses to grow, succeed and thrive. It unites industries collectively to positively impact continued growth and continual investment.

Glens Falls High School Principal Kevin Warren, Tricia Rogers, Director of Warren County Employment Liza Ochsendorf and Glens Falls Assistant Principal Bill Levett

Warren County expanded the high school job fair to Glens Falls High School and Queensbury High School this year as a result of the successful 2021 and 2022 job fairs at Lake George Junior-Senior High School.

Local Entrepreneur Starts Family Business “A Jump Above”

Carl Mattison has an entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of energy. He has spent his professional career in law enforcement, and now – thanks to listening to his son – has a new business: “My son came to us about a year and a half ago and asked us to try this.” Carl said… Carl’s son wanted his parents to start a bounce house party rental business. So… They did! “A Jump Above” was born. The company provides inflatable rentals, including waterslides, bounce-houses, and bounce-house and slide combos. 

Carl saw the upside of investing in his son’s idea: “It’s hard for kids to get jobs. So, our kids could work and see what it’s like to build a business.” Carl said. The family started out with five bounce houses, and now with 12, their home garage is at capacity.!The Mattison’s started getting bookings in the middle of last summer, and learned as they went along. 

“Last year, we did better than expected. We changed our entire website over the winter and now use the website Event Hawk. The clients can choose everything from the website” Carl said. Through the website, the client can make a deposit on the rentals, or pay in full. There is also the option to finance the rentals: “Our largest inflatable is 700 pounds, and is $600 for a daily rental. There is a lot that goes into these rentals – the rentals leave the house at 5:30 in the morning, then we have to pick them up in the evening and start prepping for the next day,” Carl said.

Carl is excited for the season ahead. As the weather begins to improve, more parties are being panned, so the traffic on the website increases!

For more information, visit ajumpabovellc.com, or call (518) 920-2448.

The Great Upstate Boat Show: “Summer Starts Here”

On Friday March 31st, 2023, the ARCC opened the Great Upstate Boat Show with a celebratory ribbon cutting. The 75,000 square-foot Adirondack Sport Complex “The Dome” was transformed into a bright and festive boat showroom… The ribbon fell, the crowd cheered, and the 15th annual Great Upstate Boat Show was underway!

This year, The Great Upstate Boat Show ran from March 31st to April 2nd. This event attracts thousands of people to the area each year, and showcases the latest innovations in the boating industry at a time of year when dealer inventory is at its highest. There were over 175 boats on display, and more than 1500 boats available through dealers. Live seminars added to the festivities, as locals and tourists alike wandered the turf fields turned boat showroom. The three featured seminars focused on boat maintenance, safety, and water sports training. 

Doug and Terri Miller, the owners of “The Dome” as it is fondly known, work tirelessly on all events that they host there. “We started work on Monday. Every piece of sporting equipment had to be taken out and stored,” Terri said. “But, this should be a good weekend. Some years it’s been brutally cold and others it’s been too nice and people have wanted to spend time outside. But this year the weather should be mild enough that a lot of people will come,” she said.

March 2023 DBA Filings

WARREN COUNTY

True North Plumbing – Benjamin J. Olszewski, 235 Dickinson Hill Rd, Diamond Point, NY 12824

Found Bridge – Diana Palmer, 33 Glen St, Suite 200-D, Glens Falls, NY 12801

Pierson Well Pump Service and Excavation – Cody Pierson, 16 Ryan Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804

Boofrikityhoo – Joseph Dell, 3328 Route 9N, Apt 1, Lake George, NY 12845

Adirondack Finish – Andrew Coulter, 1699 Jersey St, Essex, NY 12936

Corey’s Tree Removal – Corey & Gracie Bennett, 662 State Route 28N, North Creek, NY 12853

NY Nail Spa – Zou Wen Jun, 324 Quaker Rd, Suite 3, Queensbury, NY 12804

Sophie’s CBD – Julie Garcia, 3873 Main St, Warrensburg, NY 12885

Pretty Useful Things – Rebecca A. Little, 5 Pioneer Pt, Queensbury, NY 12804

Faerie Quiltmum – Wendy K. Scott, 71 Lawrence St, Studio 217, Glens Falls, NY 12801

Guardian Property Management – Andrea Lucynski, 6 Centennial Dr, Queensbury, NY 12804

Plan B Real Estate Solutions – Steven Jordon, 8 Glenwood Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804

Inside Out Marketing Group – Alyson Popa, 194 Middle Rd, Lake George, NY 12845

Bell Motorsports – Edward Bell, 16 Patton Dr, Queensbury, NY 12804

High Ledg Works – Edward Bell, 16 Patton Dr, Queensbury, NY 12804

Aspen Ridge Consulting – Anthony Bruno, 11 Aspen Rdg, Queensbury, NY 12804

Adirondack Golf Vacations – Eric McCauliffe, 93 Olmstedville Rd, Pottersville, NY 12860

PR Paradise – Ayden James Rushia, 21 Meadowlark Ln, Warrensburg, NY 12885

Local Electric – Paul Levesque, 2883 Schroon River Rd, Warrensburg, NY 12885

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Hoofbeat Hill – John & Theresa McKittrick, 109 North Rd, Fort Ann, NY 12827

Alden Property Management – John L. Alden, Jr., 110 Pleasant Valley Rd, Argyle, NY 12809

Alden Excavation – John L. Alden, Jr., 110 Pleasant Valley Rd, Argyle, NY 12809

Cambridge Antiques Center – Richard G. Bump, 30 West Main St, Cambridge, NY 12816

NY Bag Taxi – Jerry Ross, 15 Needhamville Ln, Fort Ann, NY 12827

Damian Dingman – 209A Deer Run Dr, Hudson Falls, NY 12839

Matt of All Trades Handyman Service & Woodcrafts – Matthew J. Parker, 428 Blind Buck Rd, Salem, NY 12865

Tiger’s Entertainment and More – Leroy Degroat, 25 North St Apt A, Granville, NY 12832

Lee’s Entertainment and More – Leroy Degroat, 25 North St Apt A, Granville, NY 12832

Norse Property Management – Jason Ronald Winters, 7 King St, Fort Edward, NY 12828

J.D. Enterprises – Jeanette Miclette, 39 Ives Hill Rd, Valley Falls, NY 12185

Autumn Ray Apiaries – Peter & Laura Norwich, and Raymond Rogers, 139 Windy Hill Rd, Greenwich, NY 12834

Under Pressure – Luke R. Shattuck, 305 Queens Dr, Apt C, Hudson Falls, NY 12839

Humble Roots Marketing – Robert Johnsen, 5442 Firehouse Way, Fort Ann, NY 12827

Elihu Farm – Mary T. Pratt, 654 Beadle Hill Rd, Valley Falls, NY 12185

Fort Ann Super Stop’s Big Kahuna – Shannon O’Brien, 11300 State Route 149, Fort Ann, NY 12827

JP Property Maintenance – Jason Mingo, 230 Green Barn Rd, Hudson Falls, NY 12839

Greene The Cleanout Specialists – Raymond T. Greene III, 59 Williams St, Whitehall, NY 12887

Forged Tattoos and Piercings – Nickolas Mancuso, 258 Main St, Hudson Falls, NY 12839

Chase It Trucking – George Knapp, 78 Casey Rd, Hudson Falls, NY 12839

A.A.A. Finishing – Adam Ashline, 4 Main St, Apt 4, Whitehall, NY 12887

DP Enterprises – Darren Pemrick, 42 Washington St, Greenwich, NY 12834

  Daigle Cleaning Systems Eyes Glens Falls Expansion

As you go about your day, you may start seeing more Daigle Cleaning Systems trucks in Glens Falls… Daigle Cleaning Systems is starting to expand their business into the Saratoga and Glens Falls area, after their recent stint working in town on the Glens Falls National Bank project.

President and CEO Derek Foster and Vice President Michelle Daigle have owned and operated Daigle Cleaning Systems in New York’s Capital region since 2011. The company was named in honor of Michelle’s father and Derek’s Grandfather Wilfred Daigle – Wilfred was a successful entrepreneur and contractor, who sadly passed away in 2016.

Daigle Cleaning Systems is a multifaceted commercial cleaning company, that is certified Green with Honors by the International Sanitary Supply Association and Cleaning Industry Management Standard (ISSA / CIMS). This comprehensive assessment is given by an independent accredited assessor, and accreditation means that the company demonstrates a commitment to the delivery of environmentally preferable services, designed to meet customers’ needs and expectations.

Derek is proud of this certification, and recognizes that this industry-leading certification helps demonstrate to their prospective clients that they have been vetted, and are legitimate. “We do everything from basic janitorial tasks to complex commercial move-in and post-construction cleaning operations. We offer multiple specialty services, including electrostatic disinfection, multi-surface floor care, window cleaning, and storefront cleaning services. You name it, we can do it. There is no building too big and no job too small for Daigle Cleaning Systems. We consider ourselves problem solvers in the world of cleaning, so we like to listen to the problems and challenges that our clients are facing, and work towards mutually beneficial solutions that solve those problems,” Derek said.

Derek is an RPI graduate, and has a background in construction management. After graduation, he wanted to start his own company… The opportunity for post-construction cleanups came along, and Derek realized that this type of work was a niche market in the world of construction – these services were often needed at the last minute! To make his dream a reality, he worked construction during the day, and worked with Michelle on the business at night. Things progressed quickly, and in only a short time, Derek and Michelle were able to make the jump and be fully committed to their own business. 

Team Daigle currently manages over 210 client accounts, and is growing rapidly across multiple regions in New York State. They currently has 130 employees in the Capital Region: “We have three offices, two in Albany and one in Clifton Park. Our Clifton Park office strategically enables us logistically to push north,” Derek said.

He is excited for the opportunities in Glens Falls: “There are larger companies that are up in the Glens Falls area. There are pockets of industrial parks. From a marketing perspective, we haven’t put ourselves out there and pursued business…  Now, we are looking to get our name and our brand up there and help more people. There are a lot of opportunities and incentives in the Glens Falls area – the local economy is booming, everybody is busy. This is going to continue, and lines up well with our expansion and growth vision,” Derek said. 

Daigle works with a lot of real estate developers and property managers: “What we are looking for and targeting are buildings that are 20,000 to 30,000 square feet. That’s our target client… We currently manage facilities that are over 500,000 square feet as well. We love the challenge of organizing and replicating our processes and procedures at any scalable level. We have been operating for 12 years… Michelle and I own the business and take a lot of pride in what we do… In Glens Falls, there are a lot of opportunities, a lot of new buildings and (old) buildings being restored. We are proven experts in our current operations, and want to continue to provide these services in other geographical areas,” Derek said.

Derek is also excited about the employment market in the Glens Falls area: “There is a lot of talent in Glens Falls. We can tap into the labor market. We can train people and train them well. We put our employees through our Official Daigle Cleaning Academy, and get them started on a solid and secure career path. We take pride in bringing in new people and watching them grow in the industry.”

The Daigle Cleaning Academy teaches employees the cleaning processes, standard operating procedure, and all of the basics of the company. The employee spends a full week in the Daigle Cleaning Academy before going into the field.  

As well as his dedication to his company and his passion for the industry, Derek is also interested in the future of the trades. He wants to see more young people choosing trades for their careers: “We have seen the labor market pick back up and be closer to what it used to be,” he said.

Derek credits his management team with the success that they have had, and anticipates their involvement as Daigle pushes to the next level: “Our company core values are communication, integrity, and teamwork. We live those values day in and day out, and they guide every decision we make and every interaction we have. We have a talented and experienced management team, and we’ve taken our time to put the team together… We are finally at the point where we have a solid leadership team and that is who is going to help push us forward to the next level. Internally, we have high expectations, just like our clients do externally,” Derek said.

With their eyes on the Saratoga and Glens Falls area, Daigle Cleaning Systems is excited to continue their growth.

Queensbury Town Board to Host Public Meeting – On Expanding Municipal Water Service to Eastern Areas of Community

The Queensbury Town Board invites the community to a public informational meeting on Monday, April 17th, 2023, to discuss possible approaches to expanding municipal water service in the Jenkinsville area and nearby parts of Eastern Queensbury. The Town Board engaged engineering firm C.T. Male Associates to identify ways to provide municipal water in Jenkinsville after contaminants were found at low levels in some residential wells in the area. C.T. Male engineers identified two possible approaches; both of which involved installing municipal water mains in nearby areas, also unserved by town water, in order to reach the Jenkinsville neighborhood.

The alternatives and their projected costs will be presented and discussed at the informational meeting, which begins at 7:00 PM at the Queensbury Town Hall. Those who can’t attend the meeting in person are invited to join the meeting on Zoom, or to watch the broadcast of the meeting on the town web site, or on Look TV. To answer residents’ questions, the Town Board will be joined by representatives of C.T. Male, and the Town Water Department.

No decision on expanding municipal water service will be made at the meeting. The Town Board is exploring the alternatives and costs, and are soliciting public comments and suggestions. The Board’s goal is to provide municipal water service that is affordable, beneficial, and attractive to the majority of town residents in the area.

The Town Board hosted an initial community discussion on municipal water alternatives in the Jenkinsville area last August – the Town Board and C.T. Male took residents’ comments and suggestions from that meeting, and developed the updated proposals which will be presented on April 17th.

To Join the Meeting by Zoom:

When: Apr 17, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Topic: Zoom – Queensbury Town Board Meeting, Monday, April 17, 2023, 

7:00 PM

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85703161765

Or One-Tap mobile:

US: +19292056099,,85703161765# or +16469313860,,85703161765#

For Telephone:

Dial: 1-929-205-6099

Meeting ID: 857 0316 1765

Zoom access can also be achieved by visiting the Town’s website at www.queensbury.net.