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Faces of City Hall: Tom Girard, Superintendent of The Department of Public Works

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Featured, Uncategorized.

Tom Girard

The Glens Falls Department of Public Works is located at 230 Dix Avenue. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; however, the DPW handles emergency calls 24/7. The Department of Public Works is responsible for all city-owned buildings and grounds, and the maintenance of all city-owned parks, recreation facilities, and green areas within streets.  Tom Girard – avid Mets fan and superintendent of the department – has worked for the City of Glens Falls for 11 years. He came to work for the city following a 32-year career working for Albany Engineering. 

Girard’s position as Superintendent evolved over time – after being hired by Mayor Jack Diamond as the Field Operations Manager for water and sewers for the city – a role that he is still responsible for today – he would take over the Superintendent role as well in 2021. The position had opened up due to the departure of long term Superintendent Bob Schiavoni – Schiavoni had been in and out of the DPW Superintendent’s seat since 1985. 

Girard pointed out that working for the city and working for the private sector have similarities: “You start out with one job and gain more responsibility. Mayor Jack Diamond hired me to become the field operations manager for water and sewer. I worked down in the water and sewer and I still do. I still have that ‘hat’” Girard said.

Girard sees himself continuing in the role as superintendent of the DPW:  “Most likely I will work for a few more years, and then think about retirement… I can’t see myself not working, after retirement I would probably like to work part time for a little bit” Girard said. 

Girard was born and raised in Glens Falls – he built a house in the east end in 1986, and still lives there today: “37 years I’ve been in the east end, and I know a lot of people.”

Girard enjoys his work, but admits that there are aspects of the work at the DPW that can be challenging… Like emergency calls when a water main breaks in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter when it’s below zero: “I have really been fortunate in the positions that I have had. I have a really great staff and I know that the job is getting done… That makes my job a lot easier. The workers and the supervisors are great” Girard said.

One of the challenges that the DPW faces is the grand patchwork of places that the they are responsible for maintaining: “There are the playgrounds, the recreation facilities, the sidewalks all around the city. The parking lots. There are little pieces of land all around the city and we receive calls regarding the maintenance of them. During the summer when we are busy, I receive 50 to 60 emails a day” he said. 

There are also services that the DPW provides to help the community… The DPW provides support to elderly residents, including eight senior citizens’ residences where they shovel the sidewalk; these are residents who meet the age and financial requirements for the service. The DPW also takes care of the “ghost properties” in the city; these are properties that are in the process of foreclosure. They shovel the snow in the winter and mow the grass in the summer, and will also drain the water in these properties so that the pipes won’t freeze. Girard recalled an incident about five years ago where a pipe had burst in a vacant building – because no one was aware that it had happened, the city lost over a million gallons of water in one day. 

Girard also has advice for people who are considering working for the DPW: there are currently about thirty positions that are filled at the DPW, but they are always looking to hire. “If you’re looking for a job, do a little research and look at the positions that are available. If you have a CDL license, that’s a bonus. If you don’t have one, we have grants now that will help pay for training. The grant is up to $3,700. The city pays the initial $1,200 for the first prep and permit step, and then $2,500 to the BOCES program for the hands-on training… It’s a pretty intense course… We have three employees who have just finished or are in the process of finishing” Girard said. 

There are a variety of opportunities at the DPW at the entry level and more advanced levels alike, and there’s the shadow benefit of being out in the community as well: “The guys here really enjoy getting ‘thank you’ from the community. They go out of their way to help, they really do” Girard said.  

GFSD Welcomes New School Resource Officer

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Education, Featured, Uncategorized.

GFSD

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.

GFSD HOPE Boutique a Huge Success With Help From Volunteers and LIA Auto Group

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Education, Featured, Local Leads, Uncategorized.

gfsd.org

On Saturday December 10, the HOPE Holiday Gift Boutique was held on the lower level of the Glens Falls High School. 142 shoppers participated in the event, the mission of which is to build and support trusting relationships with district families, compassionately fulfill immediate needs of students, and foster connections with community resources.

The Hope Boutique offers free clothing items, personal care items, and shoes; these items are donated by and accessible to all members of the school community. This event was a huge success due to the hard work of the HOPE committee, volunteers, students, staff and administrators. On Friday, after school preparations to set up for the event began, volunteers donated baked goods and refreshments – including sugar cookies made by Mrs. Shaffer’s middle school class. 

Lia Auto Group made a huge “Stuff the Truck”  donation of new winter clothing and toiletries; in addition, Lia donated $700 of merchandise.

Holiday music created a festive background as shoppers wandered the hallways, which were filled with items ranging from toys and games to holiday and home decor. Shoppers were able to get 10 items and five stocking stuffers per person. The shoppers were also given the opportunity to have the items gift wrapped, and then head to the clothing boutique.

gfsd.org

This Committee began seven years ago, and has expanded to serve anywhere from 50 to 100 families a month. The HOPE Committee has fundraisers, food drives, clothing drives, a sock drive, and hat & glove drives to supply the pantry and boutique; for more information, visit gfsd.org. 

The Season Is Changing But Our Leaves Should Stay Behind

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Featured, Home & Garden, Uncategorized.

Photo: Xerces Society / Justin Wheeler

Every year as the pages slip off the calendar we look forward to each new season in upstate New York. As the seasons change we change things around our homes and gardens. As fall gives way to winter the days are filled with the sounds of leaf blowers and rakes as people collect and bag up their fallen leaves. However, there is an alternative. If leaves are left on the ground to winter over there are benefits to the soil and to the insect population. 

 Every year lawns and gardens are tidied up and beneficial leaves end up in landfills. These leaves are essential for the survival of caterpillars,butterflies,moths,spiders and bees. Caterpillars and butterflies use leaf litter for protection against the cold and protection against predators. Bees that winter over 1-2 inches underground use leaves for an extra layer of heat.  According to the Soil Health Institute, increasing soil health can increase biodiversity, and agricultural productivity. 

 Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, explained these benefits in an article Leave the Leaves! Improve Soil Health and Habitat by Leaving Leaf Litter posted to their website, “They (leaves) cycle nutrients back into the soil, improving soil health. The decaying leaves add organic matter to the soil, providing nutrients for the microbial communities and improving the structure of the soil. Organic matter is an important component of soil, along with minerals, water, and air. Having an appropriate amount of organic matter in the soil ensures that it maintains a healthy structure, with space for movement of air, water, and soil microbes. Fungi and bacteria in the soil work to break down plant matter, making the nutrients available to growing plants.”

When leaves and yard trimmings are bagged up and taken to landfill their nutrients do not go back into the soil. These trimmings  take up space in landfills, and let’s not forget they add to the chore list. People do like to have their yards and gardens look neat and tidied. In this case collect the leaves and use them as mulch around your garden beds. This keeps the nutrients in the ecosystem where they came from.

Operation Rolling for Resilience hosting second annual Veterans Day fundraiser at Atlas Jiu-Jitsu

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Business, Community, Featured, Uncategorized.

Image provided by Justin Hall

UPDATE (11/2): This event has been rescheduled to Nov. 19.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Veterans Day is fast approaching, and Atlas Jiu-Jitsu in South Glens Falls, along with nonprofit Operation Rolling for Resilience, is preparing to host its second annual Veterans Day fundraiser event on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Justin Hall, a veteran who helped start the event, said the initial idea came after he competed in 22 jiu-jitsu tournaments in a ten-month span from October 2021 to this August, raising money for veteran suicide awareness.

“Operation Rolling for Resilience is the name that we gave our movement for the tour for veterans suicide awareness,” said Hall. “In doing that, we came up with the idea to turn it into a nonprofit organization for people with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and things of that sort.”

Hall said he and Atlas instructor Joseph Zakriski initially discussed hosting a seminar, but it quickly evolved and has become an annual event.

“Then we decided to take it a step further, and ask some other people to get involved and join up on it, and they all did,” Hall said. “At the time, we got a yoga instructor, we got everyone involved and it ended up just taking off from there.”

Hall said he runs Operation Rolling for Resilience along with Zakriski, Nicholas Regner, and Miranda Smith.

The Veterans Day event will offer both adult and childrens’ lessons for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, as well as a judo class. Hall said the classes will be aimed at beginners, encouraging new people to try it out.

“They’re going to be entry-level classes, or just some basic techniques to get people introduced to the sport,” said Hall. “Some things that aren’t going to require a ton of skill up front, that way anybody can walk in and give it a shot.”

The childrens’ no-gi jiu-jitsu class runs from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., with the judo class following from noon to 1:30 p.m. The adult no-gi jiu-jitsu class runs from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. After the adult class, Atlas will host a ‘Veteran and First Responder Intro to Operation Rolling for Resilience.’

A minimum donation of $20 is required, and will allow guests access to all three classes. The introduction to Operation Rolling for Resilience is open to the public, Hall said. The nonprofit has a page on GoFundMe, Hall mentioned, and also accepts cash donations.

Hall said the mission of Operation Rolling for Resilience is to help veterans who are struggling connect through jiu-jitsu, free of charge.

“A lot of the struggles, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and those kinds of things, we’re looking to kind of alleviate that and give them the community, sense of camaraderie, and purpose again,” said Hall. “That’s what jiu-jitsu has done for me, so I aim to give that back to them and kind of make it like a space where they can be themselves and work on themselves. … An environment where it’s sociable, it’s safe, and it’s a good stress outlet.”

Hall served for nine years in the Army, he said, noting the need for services to assist veterans is important as he, “was one of those people that needed that at one time.”

“I know if I needed that help, and those sort of resources weren’t available when I needed it, there’s definitely a need for it in the community,” Hall said. “Instead of sitting back and waiting for that miracle to happen, we want to be that for everybody else. We’re going to be there, we’re going to take the reins, and take this wherever it takes us.”

Hall, who is a blue-belt at Atlas, mentioned that the attendance at last year’s event was better than anticipated, and said he hopes to see “a big turnout” this year. Hall grew up in the Glens Falls region, and emphasized the community support in the area, saying “the roots run deep all around.”

“This area is known for the local support,” said Hall. “It’s one tight-knit area, and there’s a lot of love that gets around, for sure.”

Adirondack Stampede Rodeo brings ‘family fun’ to Glens Falls Nov. 4-5

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, Uncategorized.

GLENS FALLS — The Adirondack Stampede Rodeo returns to Glens Falls for a 31st year next month, running from Friday, Nov. 4 to Saturday, Nov. 5 at Cool Insuring Arena.

With eight events, an afterparty, music, and more, the Rodeo will be “good family fun,” said marketing promoter Shana Graham.

“It’s been a wonderful event,” said Graham. “There’s not many events, I believe, that have been going on that long in the area. … It’s just a great event for the community.”

The Adirondack Stampede Rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo, and will feature “all the excitement of pro rodeo’s top national and regional competitors,” according to the rodeo’s website. 

The rodeo will begin at 7:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the rodeo website, adirondackstampederodeo.com, or by calling the Cool Insuring Arena box office at 518-798-0202.

Events at this year’s rodeo include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, bull riding, team roping, and ladies barrel racing. Graham also detailed a new event to this year’s rodeo, ladies breakaway roping.

“This will be the first time that Cool Insuring Arena has ever offered the ladies breakaway roping,” Graham said. “In the world of professional rodeo, it’s one of the new and upcoming events, and we decided to add it to this.”

Announcer Greg Simas will return for his 15th year calling the Rodeo. Simas has experience announcing rodeos in Australia, Canada, and 34 states of the U.S., according to the rodeo’s website. Music will be provided by sound technician Jesse Knudsen, a native of Wisconsin, Graham said.

Rodeo clown Rob Gann also returns for another year, with Graham noting that Gann is “extremely funny.”

“(He’s) guaranteed to make the whole family laugh,” said Graham. “It’s good family fun.”

The rodeo will also feature appearances by the Miss Rodeo New York Queens, Graham said, who will be crowned in the arena during the rodeo and signing autographs.

Following the conclusion of each night’s events, a ‘Round-Up Party’ will be held at Heritage Hall inside Cool Insuring Arena. The Round-Up Party will feature live music and an open bar, and offer fans a chance to meet and interact with cowboys and cowgirls.

“That’s just a fun little night to meet cowboys and cowgirls after the rodeo, and sign some autographs, and some dancing,” Graham said. “It’s a good way to end the event.”

The Nobody Special Band will perform at the Round-Up Party on Friday night, while After-Fx Professional DJ Service will handle the music on Saturday, said Graham.

“We’re pumped,” said Graham of the rodeo. “We love this time of year, it’s one of our favorite events. We’re very excited to be a part of it. Proud of it, and proud to keep it going.”

Graham also emphasized the community aspect of the event, referring to it as “heartwarming.”

“It’s a great time of year, because it’s like the last rodeo of the season. Everybody meets, families come together,” Graham said. “It’s just great to see all of the lovely faces and all of the community come together for a special event.”

For more information, visit adirondackstampederodeo.com.

Funding Business in Today’s Challenging Economy

Written by Pete Bardunias on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Securing enough operating or investment capital is often a very difficult thing for a business owner, especially as the company grows from a startup to a more established operation. Traditional funding such as that offered by banks and credit unions are trusted resources, but gaps often appear due to the nature of underwriting loans and assessing risk. There are non-traditional sources of financing, plus special aids that have appeared in recent years to help businesses deemed desirable to attract for economic development, impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, or located in under served neighborhoods.

“Funding is not one-size-fits-all, so access to a portfolio of opportunities is critical to helping businesses grow,” says Katie Newcombe, Chief Economic Development Officer, the Center for Economic Growth (CEG). “Additional or more flexible resources are often needed to complement traditional funding sources. Fortunately, in the Capital Region, we have strong public and private partners that help our companies succeed.” There are a host of grants available to manufacturers for training, productivity project and growth projects. The top 6 are listed on CEG’s funding page. www.ceg.org/grow-here/grant-loan-assistance.  

The CEG funding page is quite a good resource in identifying and locating grants and funding available throughout the Capital Region for businesses large and small, including specialties such as manufacturing and the tech sector, and highlighting not only the many traditional sources of funding from banks, etc. but also the various local programs, unique resources and available IDA support in one easy to navigate spot.

If you are a manufacturer, companies such as National Grid can often assist through their ShovelReady program. National Grid’s Economic Development Department can utilize NY Public Service Commission approved Manufacturing Productivity Economic Development grants to help manufacturers who need assistance to develop new products or implement lean manufacturing, to produce critical items to support the pandemic response. Funding will be made available to eligible manufacturers working with their regional NY State Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers on eligible activities (according to their website). For more information and complete details on the program please visit shovelready.com.

An IDA or Industrial Development Agency is a public benefit corporation established under New York State’s General Municipal Law and the Public Authorities Law to foster economic development in specific localities. For example, the Saratoga County IDA (saratogacountyida.org) was created in 1971 to “promote, develop, encourage and assist in the construction, expansion, and equipping of economically sound industrial and commercial facilities in order to advance the job opportunities, general prosperity, and economic welfare of the citizens of Saratoga County” (as described on the IDA website). The Agency provides financial assistance and incentives to the business community of Saratoga County to create and retain jobs within the County.

Catherine Hover of Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio and Palette Café utilized a low interest Capital Region Advancement Fund loan this past year to stay relevant and meet clients’ needs.  The Fund is being reconstituted into a revolving loan fund that will assist businesses throughout the Capital Region, including Saratoga County, in meeting critical needs.

The Workforce Development Institute (WDI) awarded Vara Safety of Troy a $15,000 grant for the purchase of a three-axis CNC mill that would be used for product development and early production.

Simmons Machine Tool, an Albany manufacturer with over 120 years of experience building materials for the rail industry, was assisted by CEG’s Business Growth Solutions to secure $12,283 in New York State Workforce Development Institute (WDI) and National Grid Manufacturing Productivity Program grants for training through the VIA Revenue Throughput Program (RTP). The program is an initiative offered by BGS and Value Prop Interactive, a Malvern, Pennsylvania strategic planning consulting firm. 

The Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) works alongside the county wide IDA as well as some local ones such as Clifton Park or Mechanicville, chambers of commerce, local downtown business groups, banks, utility companies, Empire State Development (ESD), the Center for Economic Growth (CEG), elected officials, and other resources in order to manage economic development projects, negotiate incentives, and bridge the gap between government and the business community as site selectors consider Saratoga County for their next project. Tax breaks and so-called Payment in Lieu of Taxes programs (PILOT) are various ways that companies can find help with the cost of locating in Saratoga County, though those breaks tend to be out of the reach of the average entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs need not despair however – there are some interesting financing options to pursue.  If you are starting a business or have an early-stage company with smaller capital needs, the Capital Region Chamber has a microloan program that could be considered. Through management of different public and private monies, the Chamber provides financing in amounts from $1,000 to $50,000 for eligible companies within Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties. There is also a multi-county, regional program called the Capital Region Advancement Fund that assisted Saratoga County businesses to the tune of $1.575 million in 2021, with funding from the CARES Act. It is in the process of transitioning to a permanent revolving loan fund that will continue to assist businesses starting in 2023. Details on both loan programs can be found at www.capitalregionchamber.com/loan-programs.

Empire State Development has been working with organizations such as the Capital Region Chamber and others to provide a resource called the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program to area businesses. This program provides flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in the State of New York who have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For details, please visit www.nysmallbusinessrecovery.com. 

Finally, there are other sources that may be outside the normal scope of where businesses look for support. The Workforce Development Institute (WDI), for example, has childcare subsidies that might help employees with families hold jobs that they otherwise would struggle to work into their challenging schedules. They also research trends in other areas such as manufacturing and the energy and climate sector and provide business resources.  Some financial institutions such as SEFCU offer programs like Fresh Start, which can provide small amounts of financial assistance for individuals who wouldn’t normally qualify for loans under traditional underwriting methods. And there is even a site called bizideashower.com, where early-stage business startups can sign up on a gift registry and supporters can offer a “shower” of such gifts to help them get started!

You can indeed start a business in the Capital Region, and keep one going, from the tiniest of home-based businesses all the way up to the mightiest of world class manufacturers. The resources discussed above will hopefully be of help in doing so.