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The Saratogian Newsroom blog, complete with thoughts and commentary from our newsroom staff and regular posts on happenings around town.

Wednesday, August 6

A glimmer of hope?

No, still no sight of the documents still not afforded to me by City Hall, although I haven't had a time to call the City Attorney's office in a few days.

More interesting than that, it seems that there might be a kernel of cooperation growing like an olive tree among the members of the city council.

At Tuesday night's meeting, even after being told by Commissioner of Accounts John Franck that the current proposal was dead, Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim acknowledged that the "comprehensive" approach to the building, which would incorporate courts, and perhaps parking, was worth considering. He even acknowledged that he was ready to look at creative financing solutions that might bring in private development dollars.

In fact, Kim furnished to me earlier today a letter dated July 30 in which he makes overtures to Mayor Johnson on the very topic. Both said at Tuesday's meeting that they will meet on the matter.

Still, Kim maintains that the ongoing design process should not be interrupted. "The designers have said that a critical time is in October, so we can look a different design now, but we need to move quickly," Kim said to me earlier today.

Perhaps, with a little cooperation, Kim will be able to get the council, which has been unwilling to approve spending money on the project in recent month, to get something to happen, and quickly.

Mayor Scott Johnson appears to have also made strides. The man who ran on a platform of returning civility to the council seemed to be on the verge of loosing control at recent meetings. But he kept last night's meeting moving ahead smoothly, and seemingly with all tempers controlled.

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