November 18, 2021 |
The usual business-like protocol and agenda of Saratoga Town Council was interrupted Tuesday by a surprise seldom seen in the chamber.
Before roll call could be taken and the bills paid, party favors began exploding toward the presiding officer. Mayor Creed James, whose birthday was Tuesday, appeared to be the only person in the room caught off-guard by surprise. After a minute, the council meeting resumed and business conduced as normal. Colorful confetti and party streamers remained on the chamber floor the rest of the evening, though, serving as a reminder of how much the complexion and personality of the governing body has changed since last year’s mass exodus of the old regime through resignations, retirements and an election.
One of the first items of business was brought by Clerk Marie Christen, who said she had received a letter requesting that the memorial park being built east of Veterans Island in the memory of fallen local soldier should include his military ranking. Councilman Ben Spaulding, who has helped lead the efforts to build the memorial to Tyler Picket, responded to the request.
Pictured above: File photo of Saratoga Town Hall/Police Department. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
The new council has rekindled interest in building the park, named for a soldier from Saratoga who was killed by an improvised explosive device targeting U.S. troops in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, on June 8, 2008. Staff Sergeant Pickett graduated from Saratoga High School in 1999 and enlisted in the military about a year later. Efforts to build the park in his honor began shortly after he was killed, but have been derailed several times for different reasons. Money has been one of the issues. Fundraisers have been held in recent months to get the project rolling.
One of those fundraisers was held recently by the St. Anne’s Catholic Church Youth Group. One of the members, Jayden Campbell, presented the council with a check for the park.
Jayden Campbell is the daughter of Councilwoman D’Ron Campbell. The council thanked Jayden for her group’s effort. Mayor James tallied up the donations so far.
Construction of the park is supposed to begin in earnest next spring.
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