Ken, another area of strength that doesn’t get a lot of attention here is our level of philanthropy. We’re able to have a symphony, great museums, a robust theater community, an outstanding library, strong health care institutions because people give their money and time. We’re able to support activities like the basketball tournament and Special Olympics because volunteers make it possible. Our quality of life in enhanced because people step up
Altoona, home of the Mallo Cup, my favorite candy, made the cut!. Of the list, I would like to put in a plug for Baraboo, Wisconsin. Wisconsin has a lot of great places and Hayward Lakes in the North and Baraboo in the South are my favorites. Baraboo is near the Wisconsin Dells ( which I don't like at all) and is home to Circus World, an interactive historic site that was once the winter headquarters of Ringling Brothers, and the International Crane Foundation, which has all 15 species of cranes and nature trails, it is super cool. There are just so many wonderful places to live and visit in this country.
And Kearney, Nebraska was an interesting choice. I went to a cool museum there called the Great Platte River Archway, which sort of oddly was an arch over I-80. But maybe I-80 was the Platte River road once. That was what the exhibit celebrates- the Oregon trail and Mormon trail a bunch of other travel corridors were part of it. But I would wonder about weather there, though. That part of the country seems to get bad heat AND bad cold, and who needs both.
A great place to live, raise kids, retire, and have fun! What more could one ask for? And as Connie Bosse said, an incredibly generous and welcoming community. It may be "red" politically by party affiliation, but it's "welcome, I'm glad you're here" by neighborly affiliation. I hope and pray I never have to leave again. Thanks for this, Ken!
Thank you for letting us know we live in a great place with very few places that might be better. Let’s all work to keep it this way. Thanks again Ken.
Glens Falls has been on numerous lists for best places to retire, quality of life, affordability, etc. for some years. That's good news and bad news. Post COVID, many people from the greater NYC Metro area discovered upstate from Saratoga, Glens Falls, Lake George well in to the Adirondack Park and discovered the beauty and convenience of 4 seasons from Gore, to Lake Placid, Whiteface, Long Lake, Old Forge, and more. Real estate prices have skyrocketed in Saratoga, Glens Falls, Lake George and other resort areas. That's where the bad news comes in. The housing squeeze for first time home buyers has become problematic, work force and seasonal housing is being bought up for Air BnB, short term rentals, and cost of new construction due to inflation and other cost increases, makes the situation very difficult. Properties on Lake George that might have sold for less than a million a few years ago are now being bought for astronomical prices, torn down and McMansions being built costing millions. Quality of life is going to become more expensive and there are other serious issues that come along with that from infrastructure needs (the new LG water treatment plant cost about $23+ million) and increases in crime (drug issues have increased significantly in the past decade up here just ask the DA's office), plus finding reliable labor that can afford to live here and work/raise a family is becoming problematic. Growth is needed but carefully balanced growth to preserve and maintain the lifestyle and quality of life for ALL residents is going to be more difficult and expensive going forward.
I find it instructive that Sen. Chuck Schumer completed his 25th annual tour of every county in the state last year. He clearly likes to get out and about throughout NYS to speak at events, participate in announcements of new initiatives, and get to see his constituents.
Contrast that with our Congresswomen Elise Stefanik, who rarely, it seems to me, shows her face in public locally, with the exception of some carefully-curated events limited to her supporters. Has our Congresswoman ever made a tour, even once, of the towns and counties in her congressional district? Is she afraid her mean-spirited and divisive approach to politics might result in protests at public events held outside of her safe spaces?
We have to also give credit to the Post Star, Chronicle and Ken's substack for their reporting. Not sure who Mr. McNulty was blaming for "accusations" and "politicization" when it was his very own email calling for the Queensbury Republican Committee to attend the Town Board meeting to voice their support for filling the Ward 2 vacancy. Mr. McNulty knew full well he already had the three votes necessary for calling for the vacancy to be filled. Politics at its worst.
I remember when Eliot Spitzer ran for governor of NY. He had my vote when he aired his campaign ad for governor. It inspired me. Eliot Spitzer was known as The sheriff of Wall Street. The titans on Wall Street got back at Gov. Spitzer with a prostitution scandal which forced Spitzer to resign. Fast forward to today. In spite of everything Trump has done he has a loyal following. How times have changed.
How can it be great when social media tells us everyone is being terrorized by teen biker "terrorists" who everyone bitches about on social media but refuses to actually call the police about? Or when we have to look at the "riff raff" that dare congregate in a PUBLIC PARK outside the library?
Vibrancy and much greater interaction between fellow community members is precisely what makes Glens Falls a far superior place to live than Queensbury (which is still a fair place to live as long as you own a car)
Senator Schumer is a wonderful politician. He has visited up here even in little old Hudson Falls. He works hard and efficiently on my issue, the Equal Rights Amendment. And he stood up to his Native Israel.
At 5:30 yesterday afternoon Scott Gushlaw and his wife arrived at my front door with clipboards in their hands and when I opened my door he introduced himself and offered me his campaign flyer. I interrupted his pitch to say I was glad they delayed his immediate selection as I felt it was a very underhanded deal to try to get him in before we as Ward 2 voters were allowed to vote for our chosen candidate. He quickly responded “0h I wasn’t involved in that, I had nothing to do with that…” to which I replied “unfortunately, you ARE associated with that, as part of the party…and I will not be voting for you because of the way this was proposed. I added that it dishonored the memory of my preferred Ward 2 rep, Harrison Freer, by rushing to get a GOP preferred candidate into Harrison’s vacant seat and undermining our democratic system.
He and his wife both reiterated they had “nothing to do with it”. And I replied that Harrison’s legacy deserved to be honored longer before McNulty and the boys decided to play their game of back room/small town politics.
Mr. Gushlaw was very polite and again offered me his campaign card if I wanted to read it. I wished him well and they departed.
Trust your instincts. Both were in attendance at the meeting two weeks ago where the majority of the Town Board voted to interview and fill the vacancy. Agree, Harrison Freer was an honorable man.
I'm sorry for your loss. It was good of the Senator to send the letter. I dread the day I lose my husband but I would hate to leave him behind as well. I guess we will deal with it when we have to. I pray for the strength to cope for both of us. Feeling this at age 70... Hope you are coping well.
Ken, another area of strength that doesn’t get a lot of attention here is our level of philanthropy. We’re able to have a symphony, great museums, a robust theater community, an outstanding library, strong health care institutions because people give their money and time. We’re able to support activities like the basketball tournament and Special Olympics because volunteers make it possible. Our quality of life in enhanced because people step up
Great points!
Altoona, home of the Mallo Cup, my favorite candy, made the cut!. Of the list, I would like to put in a plug for Baraboo, Wisconsin. Wisconsin has a lot of great places and Hayward Lakes in the North and Baraboo in the South are my favorites. Baraboo is near the Wisconsin Dells ( which I don't like at all) and is home to Circus World, an interactive historic site that was once the winter headquarters of Ringling Brothers, and the International Crane Foundation, which has all 15 species of cranes and nature trails, it is super cool. There are just so many wonderful places to live and visit in this country.
And Kearney, Nebraska was an interesting choice. I went to a cool museum there called the Great Platte River Archway, which sort of oddly was an arch over I-80. But maybe I-80 was the Platte River road once. That was what the exhibit celebrates- the Oregon trail and Mormon trail a bunch of other travel corridors were part of it. But I would wonder about weather there, though. That part of the country seems to get bad heat AND bad cold, and who needs both.
...yes, as you say, to Mallo Cups / and yes, to Boyer Smoothies...
A great place to live, raise kids, retire, and have fun! What more could one ask for? And as Connie Bosse said, an incredibly generous and welcoming community. It may be "red" politically by party affiliation, but it's "welcome, I'm glad you're here" by neighborly affiliation. I hope and pray I never have to leave again. Thanks for this, Ken!
Strange that you did not receive a condolence letter from our present member of the US House of Representatives,
No, not really, but sense some sarcasm.
Yes, the sarcasm was intended, although she will never read the comment.
Yes, I believe you are right.
Thank you for letting us know we live in a great place with very few places that might be better. Let’s all work to keep it this way. Thanks again Ken.
Glens Falls has been on numerous lists for best places to retire, quality of life, affordability, etc. for some years. That's good news and bad news. Post COVID, many people from the greater NYC Metro area discovered upstate from Saratoga, Glens Falls, Lake George well in to the Adirondack Park and discovered the beauty and convenience of 4 seasons from Gore, to Lake Placid, Whiteface, Long Lake, Old Forge, and more. Real estate prices have skyrocketed in Saratoga, Glens Falls, Lake George and other resort areas. That's where the bad news comes in. The housing squeeze for first time home buyers has become problematic, work force and seasonal housing is being bought up for Air BnB, short term rentals, and cost of new construction due to inflation and other cost increases, makes the situation very difficult. Properties on Lake George that might have sold for less than a million a few years ago are now being bought for astronomical prices, torn down and McMansions being built costing millions. Quality of life is going to become more expensive and there are other serious issues that come along with that from infrastructure needs (the new LG water treatment plant cost about $23+ million) and increases in crime (drug issues have increased significantly in the past decade up here just ask the DA's office), plus finding reliable labor that can afford to live here and work/raise a family is becoming problematic. Growth is needed but carefully balanced growth to preserve and maintain the lifestyle and quality of life for ALL residents is going to be more difficult and expensive going forward.
I find it instructive that Sen. Chuck Schumer completed his 25th annual tour of every county in the state last year. He clearly likes to get out and about throughout NYS to speak at events, participate in announcements of new initiatives, and get to see his constituents.
Contrast that with our Congresswomen Elise Stefanik, who rarely, it seems to me, shows her face in public locally, with the exception of some carefully-curated events limited to her supporters. Has our Congresswoman ever made a tour, even once, of the towns and counties in her congressional district? Is she afraid her mean-spirited and divisive approach to politics might result in protests at public events held outside of her safe spaces?
The comparison is striking.
so glad to see Queensbury residents are active in their government...
We have to also give credit to the Post Star, Chronicle and Ken's substack for their reporting. Not sure who Mr. McNulty was blaming for "accusations" and "politicization" when it was his very own email calling for the Queensbury Republican Committee to attend the Town Board meeting to voice their support for filling the Ward 2 vacancy. Mr. McNulty knew full well he already had the three votes necessary for calling for the vacancy to be filled. Politics at its worst.
It's "Class" all the way!!!!
My heartfelt sympathies to you and your son . I have fond memories of your beautiful wife.
Thank you Donna.
I remember when Eliot Spitzer ran for governor of NY. He had my vote when he aired his campaign ad for governor. It inspired me. Eliot Spitzer was known as The sheriff of Wall Street. The titans on Wall Street got back at Gov. Spitzer with a prostitution scandal which forced Spitzer to resign. Fast forward to today. In spite of everything Trump has done he has a loyal following. How times have changed.
How can it be great when social media tells us everyone is being terrorized by teen biker "terrorists" who everyone bitches about on social media but refuses to actually call the police about? Or when we have to look at the "riff raff" that dare congregate in a PUBLIC PARK outside the library?
Vibrancy and much greater interaction between fellow community members is precisely what makes Glens Falls a far superior place to live than Queensbury (which is still a fair place to live as long as you own a car)
“Glens Falls - that means the entire surrounding region and not just Warren County - is a great place to live.”
The GF “metropolitan” area presumably includes Queensbury.
I believe it includes most of Warren and Washington counties as well as northern part of Saratoga county.
It does. I'm just making the point that I was trying to make.
Senator Schumer is a wonderful politician. He has visited up here even in little old Hudson Falls. He works hard and efficiently on my issue, the Equal Rights Amendment. And he stood up to his Native Israel.
At 5:30 yesterday afternoon Scott Gushlaw and his wife arrived at my front door with clipboards in their hands and when I opened my door he introduced himself and offered me his campaign flyer. I interrupted his pitch to say I was glad they delayed his immediate selection as I felt it was a very underhanded deal to try to get him in before we as Ward 2 voters were allowed to vote for our chosen candidate. He quickly responded “0h I wasn’t involved in that, I had nothing to do with that…” to which I replied “unfortunately, you ARE associated with that, as part of the party…and I will not be voting for you because of the way this was proposed. I added that it dishonored the memory of my preferred Ward 2 rep, Harrison Freer, by rushing to get a GOP preferred candidate into Harrison’s vacant seat and undermining our democratic system.
He and his wife both reiterated they had “nothing to do with it”. And I replied that Harrison’s legacy deserved to be honored longer before McNulty and the boys decided to play their game of back room/small town politics.
Mr. Gushlaw was very polite and again offered me his campaign card if I wanted to read it. I wished him well and they departed.
Trust your instincts. Both were in attendance at the meeting two weeks ago where the majority of the Town Board voted to interview and fill the vacancy. Agree, Harrison Freer was an honorable man.
Shows a bit of class on his or his staffs part.
I'm sorry for your loss. It was good of the Senator to send the letter. I dread the day I lose my husband but I would hate to leave him behind as well. I guess we will deal with it when we have to. I pray for the strength to cope for both of us. Feeling this at age 70... Hope you are coping well.