PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JOANNE YEPSEN
518 – 526-5272
June 5, 2007
SUPERVISOR YEPSEN TO ANNOUNCE RE-ELECTION BID
Joanne Yepsen of Saratoga Springs will enter the race for re-election to the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on Saturday, June 9. She will announce her candidacy that day at a rally in Congress Park, immediately following the noon Saratoga Springs Flag Day Parade, and will introduce her 2007 campaign theme, “A STRONG VOICE FOR OUR CITY”. The public is invited to attend.
Yepsen won election to her first term as Supervisor for the city in 2005, with her ABC platform—Access, Balance, Control. She defeated two long-term incumbents, earning support from a broad-based coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. She received endorsements from the Democratic, Independence, and Working Families Parties.
“I pledged to be a hard-working, accessible and accountable Supervisor,” Yepsen recalls, “and I have passionately worked to improve our community through projects, partnerships, progress, and personal relationships. I’m a regular person helping regular people, and am proud and honored to be representing Saratoga Springs. It’s that simple.”
A strong believer in open government, Yepsen has addressed this pledge for improved access and communication through regular open meetings and meetings with community groups, constant public reports on County Board of Supervisors activities, and publicity through local media and her website about board decisions that affect citizens’ lives and pocketbooks. She has brought fresh air and sunshine into the previously closed-door dealings in Ballston Spa. She takes pride in her open communications with constituents and her prompt attention to their questions and concerns. “The people have a right to not just know exactly what goes on in County government, but I want them to have every possible opportunity to be a part of it”.
As Supervisor, she has also embraced the challenge of balance between economic growth and preserving the environmental and historic virtues that make our city and county a great place to live. She has represented city residents’ concern to the County Open Space Committee, and she lobbied for and helped pass the new County Green Infrastructure Plan. She will continue to fight for increased funding to create an appropriate balance for our City between smart development projects and protection of surviving open space, farmland and recreation.
Supervisor Yepsen has also helped our city maintain greater control in its relationship with the county. She successfully spoke up for the citizens of Saratoga Springs by coming out against the Board of Supervisors’ plan to lend $15 million interest-free to the County Water Authority as a potential abuse of our county surplus, and the board subsequently abandoned the idea. “The County should not be playing the part of a bank and rolling the dice with taxpayers’ money.” Yepsen explains.
In her capacity as Supervisor, Yepsen has helped secure funding for important city projects involving many local groups including the City Center expansion, the restoration of the Congress Park War Memorial, the Saratoga County Arts Council, and West Side’s Frederick Allen Lodge and founding the first eastern chapter of Grants to You program, to name a few. Her professional expertise as a fundraiser has carried over to her role as County Supervisor assisting many community nonprofit organizations to continue in their mission of helping others and reducing the dependency on governmental dollars.
Other ways Yepsen serves our City is through leadership positions. She has recently been asked to serve on the Supreme Court Law Library Board, and has been active on the SPAF Re-grant Evaluation Committee for the County Arts Council, an appointed member of the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway Foundation Board, and a member of the Saratoga ArtsFest Committee as well as numerous speaking engagements throughout the City and region. She has also been active in several NYSAC (New York State Association of Counties) training opportunities for governmental officials over the past two years.
Yepsen serves on the County Racing Committee and sees the sport’s future as demanding special attention. “Racing is number one,” she insists. “The future direction of racing will help determine the future financial and cultural health of Saratoga Springs. The new franchise must benefit us economically, but it must also preserve the historical significance of the most beautiful racetrack in the country.” Supervisor Yepsen will acknowledge racing’s special importance to both the city and her campaign by hosting her initial major fundraising event on Opening Day of the track season, July 25.
Other important issues at the top of Yepsen’s list include advocacy and services for small businesses, downtown economics, municipality efficiencies, and health of our residents. To learn more about Supervisor Yepsen’s 2007 platform contact her at www.joanneyepsen.com or 691-8024.
“Issues are important but sometimes it is how we conduct our business that matters. My door is always open; I am here to help.”