Photo Provided by: City of Glens Falls: Megan Nolin
Megan Nolin is a well known face at City Hall – she is the City Clerk, and has been working intermittently at the Clerk’s Office since 2007. In the City Clerk’s Office, Megan and her team assist taxpayers and residents of the City by providing a variety of diverse services. The Clerk’s Office houses the records of all of the City’s public board and commission meetings, as well as other vital statistics.
The staff in the City Clerk’s Office is made up of seven employees: five full-time, and two part-time. There are three full-time clerks, a part-time records manager/historian, a part-time records manager, the Deputy Clerk, and the City Clerk. “People are mostly coming in (to City Hall) to pay their taxes, coming in for court, and they come into our office for a wide array of things. Birth, death, marriage, vital records really and to take out marriage licenses so that they can get married. We have records back to 1888 in our vaults. Right now it is people traveling and people getting passports” Megan said in a recent interview.
One of the reasons that Megan is so well known in City Hall is that everyone stops at the City Clerk’s Office first: “Everyone comes to our office first. A lot of people come through to go to City Court. If they are wondering where that is, it’s on the third floor.”
Megan also recommends stopping into the City Clerk’s Office: “The girls in our office are great. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll find the answer for you.”
Megan was born in Glens Falls and raised in the area around Glens Falls, Queensbury and Hudson Falls. Her role in City Hall has shifted and changed throughout the years – she is both the City Clerk, and the Webmaster. “I started out in the Clerk’s office in ‘07 as a part time clerk. I had my daughter in 2010, and came back for a little while. Then I wasn’t able to secure daycare that my husband and I were ok with, so we decided with the cost and how we both felt that I would stay home. Then around 2018, I got a call from Bob Curtis who was the former City Clerk asking how I was with technology and asking me to come in and meet with Mayor Hall and himself to discuss taking care of the website part time. Then in 2020, I started as the Deputy Clerk, and then at the end of 2021 Bob Curtis retired and in 2022, I became the City Clerk and still retained the webmaster role as well.”
For anyone who is interested in working in the City Clerk’s Office or City Hall, Megan recommends starting part-time: “If you want to work in City Hall, start part-time. There are a lot of opportunities. Most people who are here started part-time. Everyone in our office started out 15 hours a week, 20 hours a week. That’s a good way to get in the door.”
The City Clerk’s office is located on the first floor of City Hall, and is open from Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Marriage licenses, Hunting/Fishing licenses and Dog Redemptions are available until 4:00 PM. For more information, visit Cityofglensfalls.com
The City of Glens Falls has had three armed robberies within a 36-hour period, and the Glens Falls Police Department is asking the public to remain vigilant; it is unknown if the incidents are unrelated, or if the same suspect is involved. The public is being asked to call Glens Falls Police Department if they see anyone looking suspicious.
The first two incidents were reported to the Glens Falls Police department on January 10th, at approximately 11:30 PM… Both occurred in the same area of Larose Street and Broad Street. The suspect was described as wearing black-colored clothing and a black-colored face mask, and they reportedly walked up to victims, pointing a handgun and demanding money. The suspect did obtain a small amount of money before leaving the area on foot.
The third incident was reported to the Glens Falls Police Department on January 12th, around 1:05 AM… This incident took place at the intersection of Bay Street and Union Street. This suspect was described as wearing black-colored clothing as well, but with a red-colored face mask. The suspect walked up to the victims, pointed a handgun and demanded money; however, this time, the suspect left the area without obtaining any money.
The suspect(s) is described as being about 5’ 7” in height, with a skinny build, wearing all black clothes, a face-mask and having a red backpack. All three incidents are being classified as “Attempted Armed Robberies”.
The Glens Falls Police Department is also asking for the assistance of anyone who lives in these areas to check their web cameras and security video equipment and to notify police if anything is found. If you have any information, please contact The Glens Falls Police at (518) 761-3840.
Today, Gary discusses warnings from Warren County to stay off of frozen lakes until temperatures drop, and the ice becomes thicker. Also, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce announces four new members to their board of directors, a construction company seeking zoning changes to build residential units at a former commercial site, Hiland Park Country Club opens its golf course until the next big snowstorm, and the Battenkill Chorale’s “Winter’s Night” concerts planned for this weekend.
00:03 – Intro 00:43 – Ad Break 1 01:48 – Story 1: New ARCC Board Members 05:48 – Story 2: Zoning Changes Sought for Apartments at former Nursery Site 07:17 – Ad Break 2 07:40 – Story 3: PSA: Stay Off The Ice! 10:04 – Story 4: Hiland Golf Course Opens Until Next Snowstorm 11:45 – Story 5: Battenkill Chorale “Winter’s Night” Concerts 13:05 – Outro
On January 1, 2023, the City of Glens Falls returned to their pre-COVID parking regulations and enforcement methods – the City had previously suspended its parking enforcement in March of 2020, but the City now once again enforces the two-hour parking limit for parking spots in the downtown area. To communicate this upcoming change, the City had given out “warning” tickets when a car was parked in a spot for too long, issuing approximately 900 warnings in the last three months of 2022. The return of these regulations has been met by the business community with exasperation and support alike.
Bill Dingman – District Operations Manager for Spot Coffee – is concerned not only about the availability of parking spots, but also the cost to his employees: “My workers are 18 to 25 (years old), they are just starting out in their careers and they can’t afford the extra expense” Dingman said. Since the reinstatement, Spot Coffee employees have had to stop work to move their cars, with some even having been ticketed! “This is costing the company employee productivity… The tickets are $30 and $60 if you don’t pay in 10 days. For an 18-year old cashier at a coffee shop to pay a $60 parking ticket is punitive” Dingman said.
Dingman knows that the parking in the downtown area is a complex situation: “I fully understand that businesses need convenient parking for their businesses, I fully support that… (But parking) is equally important to the workers, the business owners and the residents who live downtown. There are not enough spots” Dingman said.
Dingman also has an eye on the upcoming tourist season when the parking will become that much harder for people in the community to navigate: “I think there has to be a solution from the City… whether it be a seasonal approach or a discounted rate for workers.”
Another perspective on the parking situation comes from Robb, who’ has been’s worked with the Lake George Olive Oil company for 8 years and has been vocal about the lack of parking enforcement – during the two-year enforcement hiatus, he has seen cars parked for hours taking up valuable downtown spots. This is a detriment to his business, where customers have come into the store because, “I saw a spot, so I stopped.”
Samantha from Rude Betty buys a pass for parking – she found that in a year’s time, she was paying about $300 for parking in the garages in town, while the parking pass was only $150, and she has always found a spot for her car.
The City is invested in finding parking solutions moving forward – there is a Special Parking Committee that is looking over the entire issue, who will provide recommendations in February. Glens Falls has also invested in parking sensors that will feed into an app that can be downloaded onto any phone; this app will show where the open parking spots and occupied parking spots are throughout the downtown area. The City is currently working on calibrating this system.
The COVID pandemic which led to the pause of the parking enforcement has had lasting effects on communities and businesses alike. “I think there has to be a solution for the workers and the employees… In the restaurant industry we, in this city, are lagging dramatically behind the state and the region… In re-employment… So, how can I then ask the employees that I’ve got to incur extra expense to work here?” Dingman asked.
Mikaela Bee graduated from Queensbury High School in 2010, and has now written her fifth novel!
Up until her successful writing career, Mikaela worked as a teaching assistant and waitress. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bee had a golden opportunity to start writing; her first book “The Lake House” was written during the first year of the pandemic.
All of her books are thrillers set in the region between Lake George and Burlington, Vermont. Her latest book, “Hazardous Conditions” involves a serial killer in Lake George, and mentions both Warrensburg and Bolton in the plot. One of the main characters is modeled after Bee’s real life sister who likes to ride horses – in the plot of the book, the characters travel to a remote horse barn during a blizzard, and the plot twists and turns during their travels back home.
Mikaela enjoys writing and also works part time at a doggy daycare. Fans will be happy to hear that her writing career has only just begun – her next book is the first in a three-part series, called the “Wedding Nightmare Series”. Mikaela’s books are available in paperback on Amazon for $13.99, and also digitally on Kindle Unlimited.
Mikaela enjoyed her time in the Queensbury Schools, and has particularly fond memories of the fifth grade. Mikaela encourages anyone with an interest in writing to go ahead and try it: “If I had any clue a couple of years ago that people I’ve never met in my life would be reading my books and telling me it was their favorite book of the year, I would have never believed them” Mikaela said.
Officer Pete Casertino has joined the GFSD as a School Resource Officer (SRO). Officer Casertino is a Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy, who will have a desk at Glens Falls Middle School but be working throughout the whole district. He will be providing additional support to current SRO John Norton; Officer Norton became the school resource officer in 2019. He has a daily presence in Glens Falls High School and Middle School, and visits all three elementary schools.
The new position creates a new partnership between the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Glens Falls City School District. Adding another resource officer is part of the district’s continued focus of safety and security throughout the district.
Officer Casertino is a familiar face in the community – he is a Glens Falls PAL sports coach, and a retired Detective Lieutenant for the Glens Falls Police Department. He is also a former Glens Falls Board of Education member, and his children recently graduated from GFHS.
Safety and security of the Glens Falls Schools has been in the forefront of the school community since the beginning of the school year – on the first day of school, the High School was put in lockout and the Middle School was put in shelter-in-place when a High School student engaged in an altercation with the school hall monitor and principal. During this time, a BB gun fell out of the student’s backpack.
It was less than a week later that a toy replica handgun fell out of the backpack of a Middle School student… In both incidents, the Glens Falls Police Department responded and removed the student. Due to those incidents, backpack searches and increased security have been implemented.
Today, Gary discusses updates in the ongoing story of Glens Falls City School District’s search for a new mascot. Also, a man rescued after falling through the ice on Glen Lake, a Lake George resort acquired by new owners, an invasive insect species appears around Lake George and Queensbury, and Crandall Public Library’s upcoming used book sale.
00:02 – Intro 00:35 – Ad Break 1 01:44 – Story 1: Man Rescued After Falling Through Ice on Glen Lake 03:02 – Story 2: Menter Family Acquire Depe Dene Resort 04:31 – Ad Break 2 04:56 – Story 3: Process Outlined for Replacing GF School Mascot 06:58 – Story 4: Invasive Insect Appears Around Lake George 08:56 – Story 5: Crandall Library Used Book Sale 09:35 – Outro
Today, Gary discusses the FISU Winter World University Games arriving in the Adirondacks. Also, an update in the story of a Warrensburg town employee elected to also serve on the town board, Glens Falls High School’s plan to add Unified Bowling to its sports program, a new School Resource Officer coming to the Glens Falls School District, and Fort Edward issues a boil water alert during repairs of a town water line.
00:04 – Intro 00:40 – Ad Break 1 01:47 – Story 1: Reed Declines Warrensburg Board Seat 03:32 – Story 2: Glens Falls High School to Offer Unified Bowling 04:30 – Ad Break 2 04:55 – Story 3: FISU Winter Games Welcomed to ADK 06:47 – Story 4: New School Resource Officer at Glens Falls 07:32 – Story 5: Fort Edward Boil Water Alert 08:16 – Outro
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) announced the addition of four new members to their Board of Directors – the new board members are F. Raymond Agnew (Ray), Bill Moon, Paula Traina, and Daniel W. Washburn.
Photo Provided by ARCC: F. Ray Agnew
F. Ray Agnew, CFRE, is Vice President for Hospital & Community Engagement at Glens Falls Hospital. He took on the role at the hospital in 2020, after having previously served as Vice President for College Advancement at Paul Smith’s College since 2011. Ray has previously served as Vice President of Community Relations of Glens Falls Hospital, and Executive Vice President of Glens Falls Hospital Foundation. He joined the Glens Falls Hospital Staff after spending 18 years with the State University of New York (SUNY) as Vice President for College Advancement at SUNY Potsdam. Other credits include Assistant Vice President for development at SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, and development work at SUNY Binghamton and at Geneseo in both residential life and institutional advancement. He received his CFRE credential in 1996.
Ray graduated from the Crane School of Music, and is a member of ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers). He is a member of Rotary International, and was named Rotarian of the Year by the Glens Falls Rotary Club in 2008; he was also named Humanitarian of the Year by Rotary District 7190 in 2008. Ray was also the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Recognition Award, and has been named faculty “Heavy Hitter” for his presentations to both the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy.
Ray’s community involvement also includes currently serving on the Board of Directors of High Peaks Hospice, and he served as past Chairman of the Board of Adirondack Medical Center (serving on the Board from 2012-2020), along with serving on the Board of The Adirondack Health Institute (2016-2019), and a previous holding of the President role at the Rotary Club of Glens Falls. Ray has been on the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) Board and the Saratoga County Arts Council (now called Saratoga Arts) Board, and he is currently serving a temporary assignment on the Warren County ARPA (American Recovery Plan Act) committee.
Ray lives in Glens Falls, and has two children – Mary Victoria and Zane.
Photo Provided by ARCC:Bill Moon
Bill Moon has been the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks since 2015. Bill is also a local rest estate agent, assisting clients in both residential and commercial real estate transactions. Bill lives in Fort Ann with his wife, Bethany, and their two boys Jason and Colby. Bill holds a degree in humanities and social services, a BA in Psychology, and a master’s degree in Human Resources – strategic alignment.
Bill enjoys working closely with other agencies and businesses to provide local families with the resources that they need to be successful. He believes the key to organizational success includes a strong sense of strategic alignment and sustaining an effective team.
Photo Provided By ARCC: Paula Traina
Paula Traina is the CEO of Traina Insurance and Financial Services Incorporated, with two Warren County agencies specializing in providing insurance and financial services products offered by State Farm. Paula is a transformative leader known for building teams who execute at a high level – she has led multiple start-ups and cross functional teams.
Paula was professionally groomed by a Fortune 500 Company, and has benefited from one of the top leadership and development programs in the corporate world. She holds an MBA in Organizational Leadership, and is currently pursuing FINRA investment advisor licensing.
Paula and her family call Queensbury their home, and enjoy all of the activities that the Adirondacks have to offer. Paula Looks forward to serving the business community as an ARCC board member.
Photo Provided By ARCC: Daniel W. Washburn
Daniel W. Washburn is the Vice President of Commercial Operations and Shareholder of Hilltop Construction Company; he has been a part owner of Hilltop Construction since 2006. Dan helped to diversify the company with a strong focus on the commercial construction side of the business. He served as an ambassador for the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves as a councilman for the Town of Kingsbury. He is a commissioner at the Washington County Sewer Department, and was president of the Hudson Falls Girls Softball Organization from 2009-2014.
The ARCC extends its gratitude to the board members whose terms were completed in 2022: Ash Anand of the Lotus Group Company, Jared Humiston of Adirondack Technical Solutions, and Zach Moore of French Mountain Commons.
The ARCC would also like to announce the appointment of Mark Yrsha, EVP, Director of Relationship Banking of Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company, as the ARCC Board Chair.
“The ARCC plays a critical role in our region by championing the needs, ideas and goals of our business community. I am very appreciative of the opportunities to chair this great board of highly engaged volunteers and work alongside the tremendous team at the ARCC. Together, we will continue to be the local leader supporting, educating, advocating and delivering for the members of the ARCC and our business community. Thank you to all the members of the ARCC: we really appreciate you” said Mr. Yrsha, EVP and Director of Relationship Banking at Glens Falls National Bank.
“The ARCC is so fortunate to have a board that is dedicated to the organization and our business community. We are grateful for past board members’ service and excited to welcome our new board members. We can achieve so much together” said ARCC President and CEO Tricia Rogers.
The ARCC was founded in 1914, and is 100% membership funded. The mission of the ARCC is to serve the members and business community through advocacy efforts, educational opportunities, and the power of connection and collaboration. To learn more, visit www.adirondackchamber.org
Queensbury 71, Gloversville 12… Queensbury hosted the Gloversville girls on Monday, January 10th, but the hosting was anything but hospitable; Queensbury scored 12 points in the first quarter of play, which was the total number of points that Gloversville would score for the entire match. Kayla Zehr, the Queensbury sophomore guard, scored 16 points with 4 assists and 2 rebounds to lead the Spartans to an easy victory over Gloversville. Only two players scored for Gloversville – Z. Tesi scored an impressive 10 points, and A. Christian added 2 points for Gloversville’s total 12 points.
Queensbury improved their overall record to 5-5, and are in 3rd place in Section 2 Foothills with a record of 5-1. Queensbury girls will take on Broadalbin at home on Thursday night; tip-off at 7:00 PM.
