BONUS: Stefanik vows to target local teachers

Chapman Museum to hold program looking back at Glens Falls fires

Sep 16, 2025

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Rep. Elise Stefanik announced this weekend she was targeting school teachers if they say what she believes is the wrong thing.

She wants to go after their jobs.

She wants to punish them for statements they make on social media, despite the fact there is this pesky document called the Bill of Rights which guarantees that Congress shall make no law "abridging the freedom of speech."

But that is what Stefanik did this weekend.

Stefanik did it by demanding Gov. Kathy Hochul launch an investigation into school district faculty, teachers and employees.

"It has come to my attention that in the wake of the tragic and horrific murder of Charlie Kirk, a number of public school educators across New York State have made deeply inappropriate, offensive, and unprofessional comments on social media platforms," Stefanik wrote in her letter to Hochul. "While these individuals represent a very small minority, their conduct is disturbing and inconsistent with the high standards expected of educators in New York State. Other states have publicly announced a review but unsurprisingly New York has failed to do so under your (Hochul) leadership."

That's what makes this even more frightening.

The State of Florida announced it was opening an investigation into all educators who made "celebratory remarks" about the Killing of Kirk.

In Louisiana, Rep. Clay Higgins, a Republican, backed a similar proposal to go after "anyone" who "belittled the assassination of Charlie Kirk," but then took it a step further.

“I’m also going after their business licenses and permitting, their businesses will be blacklisted aggressively, they should be kicked from every school, and their drivers licenses should be revoked,” Rep. Higgins wrote on X as reported by the New York Times. “I’m basically going to cancel with extreme prejudice these evil, sick animals who celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination. I’m starting that today.”

It's hard to believe that a sitting congressman would promise a "blacklist" of Americans.

The New York Times went on to report:
Across the country, educators have been suspended or fired for posting opinions on social media that commented on Kirk’s death in ways officials deemed inappropriate. Legal analyst Asha Rangappa noted that “Americans are being conditioned to be snitches on their fellow citizens who don’t toe a party line on what is ‘allowed’ to be expressed. And employers are going along. It’s the new secret police.”

So while Rep. Stefanik's faults have included lying, taking credit for legislation she voted against and showing more interest in her own political career than the problems of her constituents, she is now demanding that the state go after the jobs and careers of people who say things she finds objectionable.

Obviously, there is plenty of that on both sides of the political spectrum.

"The comments and social media behavior exhibited by certain educators in the aftermath of this tragedy are not only disgraceful and morally repugnant, but they raise immediate and serious questions about whether these individuals should be entrusted with the responsibility of educating our children," Rep. Stefanik wrote.

She used as examples two teachers one in Beekmantown and the other at Naples Central School.

"These are not isolated missteps," Stefanik contends. "They reflect a broader, deeply troubling trend of radical ideology festering unchecked in our education system. While the vast majority of New York educators are responsible, ethical, and professional, those who abuse their positions to promote hate and division must be immediately investigated and held accountable."

I would ask Rep. Stefanik to review a couple weeks of her own social media postings before accusing others of violating an ethical, professional and moral trust.

But here is what I found most frightening from Stefanik's words.

Stefanik wrote that while educators have First Amendment rights as private citizens, these rights "are not absolute."

She suggested the comments made as private citizens might "raise questions about an educators's moral character" and could lead to a review under New York State Education Law.

Stefanik is not fooling around here.

She cites chapter and verse under New York State Education Law how she is going to do it.

She cites the New York State Code of Ethics for Educators as well as the Commissioner's Regulations and writes these chilling words for every teacher in the state to read:

Pursuant to New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR) Part 83 (Determination of Good Moral Character), including sections 83.1, 83.6, and 83.7, the Commissioner has authority to investigate, impose preliminary suspensions, and ultimately suspend, limit, or revoke a certificate for any educator whose public conduct raises serious questions about their moral character or who is convicted of certain offenses.

For writing something she doesn't like on Facebook, or some other social media platform.

In her letter to Hochul Stefanik demanded the New York State Department of Education do an immediate review of the two individuals she cited.

This is more than just bluster.

You may have forgotten back in March, the U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into the Saratoga Springs City School District after Stefanik pushed for a probe claiming the district was in violation of Title IX when the district passed a resolution titled “Affirming our Support for Every Student.”

What was Stefanik's beef with that?

The three-page resolution outlined policies to protect transgender and immigrant students while affirming its commitment to follow state laws including a call to action to ensure every student feels “valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.”

In a complaint to Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Stefanik claimed the district's policies violated Title IX under President Trump's “Keeping Men out of Women Sports” executive order.

And the Department of Education opened an investigation.

Stefanik is going after the criminals - local teachers.

it shows how dangerous Rep. Stefanik to her own constituents.

Saratoga Springs Board of Education President Anjie Emeka told WAMC Radio in April that none of the Saratoga Springs board's policies have changed.

“The school district is still adhering to all applicable laws including Title IX. New York state education law, Dignity for All Students Act [DASA], New York state human rights law, and even the Public School Athletic Association. There is nothing that we are willfully ignoring or not adhering to. We stand by our statement. It was the right thing to do and still is. We remain committed to fostering a safe and inclusive, respectful learning environment for every student,” said Emeka.

WAMC also reported that the New York State Department of Education said the district has adopted policies that reflect its legal responsibilities, adding, “any attempt to create a controversy where one does not exist detracts from the important work performed by the staff of the district each day."

There has been a lot of hate talk over the past week or so and Rep. Stefanik has decided to deal with it by suspending our rights and going after teacher's jobs.

But that's the thing.

Teachers are just a starting point.

It could be anyone.

Saying the wrong thing online could make you a criminal in the eyes of these politicians.

How long before she starts going after members of the press, or the multitude of people who write on Substack like Will Doolittle and myself.

This is from a woman who is contemplating running for governor.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Hometown fires

The Chapman Museum's program "Great Fires in Glens Falls" will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

While Glens Falls remains a vibrant city today, you may not be aware it suffered a series of catastrophic fires during its long history that continually reshaped downtown.

The Chapman describes it this way:
Step into Glens Falls’ dramatic past with retired Assistant Chief John Ellingsworth as he shares the history of the Glens Falls Fire Department. Discover how firefighting equipment has evolved over the years and hear gripping stories of the city’s most significant fires.

Program is free for Chapman members, but $10 for non-members. To register, please call (518)793-2826.

Repair Cafe scheduled

This is an event at Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls that every citizens should be aware of.

The Glens Falls Repair Cafe will be held Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at the library where 10 to 12 volunteer repair experts from the area will assist with repairs at no cost. They will come prepared with appropriate tools and some common spare parts to help with your needed repairs. The repair coaches bring practical know-how in fields such as general repair, woodworking, electrical appliances, electronics, sewing, textiles, jewelry-making and leather work.

The repair coaches include a retired engineer, a former military mechanic, serious hobbyists, jacks of all trades and lifelong fix-it people. They urge you to bring any cords, chargers and replacement parts you happen to have to facilitate repairs. Arrive by noon if possible to ensure that you will get assistance with your broken item.

Those attending are urged to enter at the Glen Street entrance and go downstairs to the community room. At previous Glens Falls Repair Cafés, repair coaches helped fix a wide range of functional and decorative items, including a sewing machine, blender, clock radio, cassette player, record player, walkman, convection oven, vacuum cleaners, and a number of lamps.

This is the third Repair Cafe in 2025. The first two were attended by over 101 people brought in 114 items of which 88 were repaired. The event is open to the public.

`1984' event

It is being billed as "a community discussion of the ongoing significance of the most banned book of all time."

The press release is referring to George Orwell's 1950 novel 1984.

I read it years ago in high school and thought it was out there and considered more science fiction than political commentary. All these years later, I still have the paperback book in my collection. Coincidentally, I pulled it out of recently to give it another read, but haven not yet started.

I'm afraid it might like too much like what we are experiencing today.

The event is scheduled for Monday, October 6 (6:30 p.m.) at Davis Auditorium at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs where Dr. Timothy Wientzen, chair of the Skidmore College English Department, will make a presentation and be introduced by Dr. Janey Casey.

Profiles in Courage

The League of Women's Voters has scheduled its second "Profiles in Courage" event called "Freedom Now! The Civil Right Movement of the '60s."

It is scheduled for September 24 at 7 p.m. at the Davis Auditorium at Skidmore College. Registration is required by going to: at www.lwvsaratoga.org/events

Ken Tingley spent more than four decades working in small community newspapers in upstate New York. Since retirement in 2020 he has written three books and is currently adapting his second book "The Last American Newspaper" into a play. He currently lives in Queensbury, N.Y.