The New York State Association of Counties released an updated economic impact report in late July that says counties and New York City face a catastrophic $13.5 billion loss in revenue over two fiscal years because of COVID-19 circumstances that could lead to significant cuts to services and permanent layoffs, slowing the economic recovery and threatening gains made against the virus.
“This is terrible news for New York and the United States as the taxpayers of New York are major donors to the United States Treasury,” an organization statement said.
The group said a U.S. Senate plan from the Republicans fails to deliver aid to state and local governments.
“While there are elements of this plan that are laudable, it simply does not deliver for our residents who will face cuts to essential services, or for the essential workers who fought this pandemic on the front lines and now face layoffs. As Congress continues negotiations, we will remain laser focused on fighting to ensure that the final bill includes unrestricted and flexible aid to allow states and local governments to offset expenses and significant revenue loss attributable to COVID-19 so our essential workers can continue providing essential services,” said Dan McCoy, Albany County executive and president of the New York State Association of County Executives and County Executives of America.
“Counties have reached a critical juncture in which the loss of revenue due to reduced economic activity and increased expenses from COVID-19 response have pushed them to the breaking point. Without direct, flexible state and local aid, counties across the state will be forced to cut local services and programs including transportation infrastructure improvement projects, services like county libraries and parks, senior meals on wheels, and human service programs benefiting thousands of New Yorkers,” said John F. Marren, president of the New York State Association of Counties and chairman of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors.
SUNY Empire State Starts RN Certification Program To Help Address Nurse Shortages
SUNY Empire State college has developed a new advanced certificate in nursing education to help address the looming shortage of nurses and nurse educators across the U.S.
The flexible certificate program was designed for working professionals, consisting of four courses that can be completed entirely online in as few as two terms. The certificate will help those with a master’s degree in nursing improve their skills and marketability when pursuing teaching positions in academia or practice settings. Enrollment is currently open for fall 2020.
Colleges and universities across the country have been forced to turn away qualified applicants from undergraduate and graduate nursing programs due to an insufficient number of faculty, access to clinical sites, or budget constraints. According to the American Association of Colleges and Nursing (AACN), more than 75,000 qualified applicants were rejected from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2018, while nearly 3,000 were denied admission to doctoral programs.
As fewer colleges and universities are able to meet student demand, concerns about the country’s nursing shortage mount. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are currently three million nurses working in the United States, and by 2024 there will be more than one million vacancies for registered nurses. This impending shortage means fewer nurses in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living and long-term care facilities, schools, clinics, in the military, and in homes.
Saratoga Hospital Officials Say Pooled Testing For COVID-19 Having Strong Local Results
A team of Saratoga Hospital doctors and laboratory professionals say they have demonstrated that pooled testing for COVID-19 can save time, preserve scarce resources and improve safety for patients and staff.
At a time when hospitals nationwide are hampered by shortages of testing materials, pooled testing has enabled Saratoga Hospital to test all patients before they’re admitted and isolate those who have the novel coronavirus, according to officials.
Pooled testing combines samples from several low-risk people in a single vial. If the test is negative, everyone whose sample was combined has tested negative for COVID-19—using supplies for only a single test. If the test is positive, each person must be retested individually.
Wired Coffee Moves From Malta Location Into Space Within Revamped Roosevelt II Spa
Courtesy Wired Coffee
By Christine Graf
Two months after announcing the permanent closure of their location in Malta, Wired Coffee Roasters has opened a coffee shop in the newly-renovated Roosevelt II Baths and Spa in Saratoga Spa State Park.
The ribbon cutting took place on July 20.
According to owner Marty Michele (pronounced Michael), the closing of the Malta location was heavily influenced by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had a nice run there, but it just wasn’t viable for us to survive,” he said.
Although the Malta closure was unexpected, Michele said plans to open a shop in the park were already in motion. He received notification in February that Wired had won a statewide bidding process and had been selected to occupy space in the Roosevelt II. As part of their agreement, the park receives a portion of monthly sales in lieu of rent.
Malta Business Community Alliance Unveils Website To The Community And Businesses
Courtesy Chamber of Southern Saratoga County/Capital Region Chamber
The Malta Business Community Alliance (MBCA) has launched a website to promote the benefits of doing business in the community.
The new website is the culmination of an effort, led by Malta businesses/residents, officials said.
According to the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County/Capital Region Chamber, it is the first initiative of the recently formed Alliance, which is the new name for the former Malta Business and Professional Association after it affiliated with the combined chambers.
At a meeting with local business community representatives on Feb. 27 at Bryant & Stratton College, development of a website was identified as a top priority by the businesses in attendance. Despite the ensuing COVID-19 crisis, which prevented subsequent face-to-face meetings, the website team, assisted by the Capital Region Chamber, worked to develop the website.
Kimberly Hickok of Marketing Kangaroo assisted with web development. Pamela Grandin, owner of Clipcorner Business Solutions in Malta, and Pete Bardunias, Chamber senior vice president, community advancement, provided content.
Malta Drive-In Still Getting Cars In For Movies, Using Other Ways To Bring People In
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jill Nagy
Business at the Malta Drive-In theater is “not near where we were last year,” noted co-owner Ed Caro, but, he added, “I’m glad I’m not an indoor theater. I’d be glad to see half of last year’s income. Fifty percent is better than zero percent.”
Last year, the drive-in was showing first-run films from the major studios. This year “the studios are not releasing,” he said. With some 300 drive-in theaters nationwide and no functioning indoor movie theaters, it is not worth it for a studio to release new films.
On a recent weekend, Malta Dive-in was showing two golden oldies from the 1970s on one screen, “Grease” and “American Graffiti.” On the other screen, they offered two new independently-produced film, “The Lentil” and “The Big Ugly.”
A big draw this season was not a conventional movie at all but a filmed concert by Garth Brooks, At $100 a carload, Caro said. Other filmed concerts are planned for August and September. In addition, live bands play before some of the movies.
Insightpath Formed To Help Companies Organize Feedback From Customers, Others
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Many businesses, both large and small, need customer feedback to be successful.
In response to the need, Insightpath LLC, was cofounded by Terry Nawrot, CEO, and Joe Tyler, CTO. The Saratoga company has developed a system for businesses to gather feedback from their customers in an organized and efficient way that will allow for improved customer satisfaction.
Nawrot said in her experience running a business, she found that she needed something that would collect and organize feedback from both customers and employees through live interviews. She and Tyler worked hard to develop a product that efficiently takes customer feedback and turns it into information that can aid businesses in various ways.
Shelters Of Saratoga Hires Duane J. Vaughn As Its New Director Effective This September
Courtesy Shelters of Saratoga
Shelters of Saratoga (SOS), homeless service providers and operator of Saratoga County’s Code Blue program, has hired Duane J. Vaughn as its new executive director.
Vaughn starts on Sept. 7.
He joins the SOS team with significant nonprofit leadership experience. He served as executive director for the Tri-County United Way for the last four years and was previously the executive director for 13 years of WAIT House, an emergency and transitional shelter program for homeless youth in Glens Falls.
With the WAIT House, he opened the emergency shelter program in December of 2003 and the transitional living program for homeless pregnant and parenting youth in July of 2010.
“We are confident that Duane’s leadership will help Shelters of Saratoga continue to expand and strengthen its mission of providing individuals with safe shelter, supportive services and sustainable strategies to end homelessness in the Greater Saratoga region,” said Peter Capozzola, board chair for Shelters of Saratoga. “Duane’s many talents, collaborative approach and wide-ranging experience will help us accelerate opportunities for long-term sustained housing for Saratoga Springs’ most vulnerable population. He’ll be an asset to the community, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him lead our organization.”
Business Report: How Secure Is Your Business?
By Rob Shauger
Most businesses these days are very aware of security threats and have policies in place to keep themselves protected. However, even with these policies in place, there are many seemingly-innocent documents that are often forgotten about that can leave your business open to security breaches.
Here are five documents you should be shredding, but probably aren’t:
1. Junk mail. While junk mail seems harmless, enough personal data is usually included for identity thieves to use against you. For example, names and addresses are inserted into pre-approved credit card applications. It would be all too easy for a person to send in these applications and use them for their own personal gain.
2. Photos. Photos of employees, customers, and suppliers may seem harmless, but thieves can use these photos to make up an identity. Combine this with any other personal information they may have collected from your business, and you could be in trouble. Keep your employees and customers safe by shredding these photos instead of tossing them into the garbage.
Business Report: During Trying Times, Stop And Listen
By James Marco
One need not look far to find turmoil, conflict, anger, and in some cases aggression in today’s climate. We can blame it on a lot of things, the George Floyd incident, the coronavirus pandemic, or other reasons.
We hear about shaming, the “cancel culture,” conservatives, liberals, and so on. These issues are dividing friends, families, communities and workplaces.
Many companies have received negative press and have had employee backlash for not releasing a statement that they felt was appropriate for the current issues facing our society. Executives have been fired for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and igniting a firestorm on social media as a result. Companies don’t like the negative press and poof! Executive gone.
Have you ever been accused of something that you felt was untrue? How did you feel? Were you defensive, maybe a little angry?
All of this controversy has brought issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, racism to the forefront. But while controversy swirls and accusations fly, there seems to be one thing missing. Are we stopping, even for a moment, and listening?