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

Thursday, March 12

CDTC announces public meetings for long-range transportation plan


The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC), which is responsible for federal transportation funding and programming in the 4-county region of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties, has announced the schedule for its public information meetings to introduce their new long-range, regional transportation plan, known as New Visions 2040.

CDTC is inviting the public to these meetings to learn about CDTC and what we do, to learn about our New Visions 2040 plan, and to share feedback on the plan.  The meetings will consist of a short presentation, followed by a general question & answer session, and then several interactive workstations where the public can ask specific questions and provide specific comments to CDTC staff.

The agenda for all the meetings will be the same.  Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of each meeting.

CDTC Public Information Meetings:

·       Thursday, March 12th – Schenectady County Community College, Stockade Room 101, 6:00pm-8:00pm
·       Thursday, March 19th – Sand Creek Middle School, Auditorium, 6:00pm-8:00pm
·       Wednesday, March 25th – Hudson Valley Community College, Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium, 6:00pm-8:00pm
·       Tuesday, March 31st – Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6, 6:00pm-8:00pm
·       Tuesday, April 7th – Saratoga Springs City Hall, 3rd Floor Music Hall, 6:00pm-8:00pm

The public can learn more about New Visions 2040, the draft subject area papers, and the draft recommendations at  http://www.cdtcmpo.org/rtp2040/white.htm.

“Transportation and transportation technologies are changing rapidly.  Self-driving cars and trucks, smart traffic signals and street lights, and drone freight deliveries are just some of the new technologies for which we must plan,” said Mike Franchini, CDTC Executive Director.  “In order to plan for the future transportation system in the Capital Region, CDTC needs and welcomes the community’s input!”

Tuesday, March 3

Saratoga National Historical Park Selects New Chief Ranger



Stillwater, NY:   Park Superintendent Joe Finan is pleased to announce the appointment of David LaMere as the Saratoga National Historical Park’s new Chief Ranger, stating “Dave brings with him experience and abilities honed during his National Park career at urban, natural and cultural sites.  We are fortunate to have an employee with such a varied set of skills, considering the variety of challenges that a chief ranger faces in the execution of his job.”

The Chief Ranger oversees visitor safety and resource protection of the park’s Battlefield and Old Saratoga units, heading up law enforcement and coordinating the structural and wildfire programs.

David LaMere is a fifteen year-veteran field ranger with the National Park Service serving at Cape Cod National Seashore, Boston National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Saratoga National Historical Park. He notes “I am excited to be a part of the team protecting a National Park that is fundamental to the history and creation of our nation".  LaMere holds degrees in history and education through Eastern Nazarene College and enjoys hunting and fishing.

For more information about this or other events, please call the Visitor Center at 518-670-2985 or check our website at www.nps.gov/sara or our social media feeds, Facebook: @SaratogaNHP  or Twitter: #SaratogaNHP