I have lived in Saratoga Springs my entire life. I grew up on Circular Street, in the house where my parents still live. I loved growing up near downtown, at a time where everyone knew each other and their families. It was a very tight-knit neighborhood and City. Early jobs I had were the groundskeeper at the Grand Union Motel, a dishwasher and prep person at Mother Goldsmith’s, and working at Minogue’s Beverage. I graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1990, and from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1994. I spent my early years after college as a substitute teacher, and working various outside jobs, and sometimes playing gigs with my band here and there, mainly in the Glens Falls area. After not getting hired permanently as a teacher I took a job with Bell Atlantic in customer service. I have now been with Verizon for 23 years, and my current position is that of a Principal Engineer in their Global Network and Technology division.
I am also the elected County Supervisor representing the City of Saratoga Springs. I am in my 8th term as Supervisor. I have served in many public roles in our community, and I was honored be the Chair of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors in 2015. I have served on many boards and committees at the Local, State, and National level in my role as Supervisor, and as a volunteer. I have served as President of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, and Treasurer of the Saratoga Springs History Museum. I am currently the 1st Vice-President of the Plattsburgh Alumni Association. It has been a honor to serve the residents of the City and County and to participate in and work with the various organizations that are such a big part of our community.
I currently live in the Southwest area of our City, off Geyser Road. I love studying our City’s history, especially the Urban Renewal program. When I am not working, I enjoy riding my bike with the Saratoga Cycling Club, hiking in the Adirondacks, traveling, and spending time with my family.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family has been a part of this community for many generations. The Veitch family arrived around the 1920s, but the Burnham and LaMontain families go back further than that. The Veitch family were all horse trainers and jockeys, and some eventually stayed here beyond the summer racing meet, and married into the local family. The family home was 123 Maple Avenue, now known as the Olde Bryan Inn. My Grandfather was the director of the Urban Renewal program in the City for much of the project’s duration. My father was a long-tenured teacher at the Junior High School and Middle School, and was a sportswriter for the Saratogian. On my mom’s side, my Grandfather was the principal of Saratoga Springs High school for a short period, when the school moved from Lake Avenue to the West Circular campus, although he and my grandmother moved to Oneonta shortly afterwards. My brothers were and are in the SSPD, with my brother being the former Chief of Police, and my other brother is the press officer for the SSPD. My youngest brother works in DPW as the Business Manager. Other cousins also worked and are still working for the City. My sister works for Empire State College. My Father-In-Law is former State Senator Roy McDonald. I married my wife Stephanie in 1999 and we have two boys, both adults who are both diagnosed with Autism.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
With Verizon, I love solving problems and fixing issues so that we can provide our customers with the best service possible. Every day brings a new set of issues. With Supervisor, my favorite part of that job is helping people when they are having challenges navigating the bureaucracy of government services. It might sound a little nerdy, but I also love reviewing obscure policies and laws and updating and modernizing them.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
For a burger-Bailey’s. Italian-Mama Mia’s. Steak-Pennell’s. Asian-Wasabi
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have been in Saratoga Springs my whole life, save for 5 years in Plattsburgh
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I have met so many interesting people in this community it is hard to pick one.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Shetland Islands. To me it just looks like a very unique, interesting and beautiful place to visit. See Bucket List below.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
You can’t pick just one….for movies I would pick Gandhi, Empire Strikes Back, Fight Club, and the Lord of the Rings movies. For TV shows, Seinfeld, Psych, 48 Hours/Dateline, and the original Battlestar Galactica for the classic.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Listen first, then speak. And choose your words carefully.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I have two things. First is to bike the entire Erie Canalway end-to-end. The second is to Hike the Northville-Placid trail end-to-end.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
The Beatles
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Kaydeross Park is a business that makes me nostalgic about ‘old Saratoga’. It was a family-friendly place where people could go and have a great time on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Never too crowded, and just a lot of fun. Saratoga doesn’t have that many family-friendly attractions anymore. Murphy’s Golf range and Mini-Golf is another one that is similar..
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Pete Buttigieg. I have heard him speak several times and I think he would make for some great conversation on both political and non-political topics. I think we would meet locally at Putnam Market for a sandwich or a salad.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing about this community is that on any given day year round there is activity in our City. So many places wish that they had the energy and vitality of downtown Saratoga Springs.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Semi-Retired, or serving in some elected or appointed Government position. Traveling more.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I crowd surfed at the Lalapalooza show at Saratoga Equine Sports Center in 1994 when Smashing Pumpkins took the stage.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is September. Holiday would be July 4th. Best single day on the calendar would be my birthday, April 16th.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Charles River Greenway in Boston gets a 10 out of 10. The best bike path, and for parts of it, the most beautiful, bike path I have ever ridden on.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and my parents.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Any kind of cooking meat. With all the restaurants in Saratoga it’s like walking around with my favorite smells when I am downtown.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Saratoga, Circular Street
