Lo c a l
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I n d e p e n d e n t
Volume 10 • Issue 5 • February 6 – February 12, 2015
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F r e e saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • (518) 581-2480
Inhospitable Mandate State Wage Board’s Proposed Increase Raises Concerns Locally by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Friday, Jan. 30, the New York State Wage Board, after several months of hearings, recommended that tipped workers’ minimum wage be raised from $5 to $7.50 per hour. This recommendation would affect all wait staff and bartenders at restaurants and other hospitality venues. The increase, if accepted by the Commissioner of Labor, would take effect on Dec. 31, 2015. The
recommendation had the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who said in a statement: “For far too long, wages for tipped workers in New York State have been too low.” However, in Saratoga Springs, which has a large number of restaurants and bars per capita in comparison to other cities, it was no surprise that local restaurateurs expressed several areas of apprehension about the implications, for both patrons and workers, if the recommendation is adopted.
by Stephanie Hale-Lopez Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Hamlet at Saratoga shopping plaza on Route 50, already home to The
Fresh Market and Compliments to the Chef, recently welcomed two new tenants – Smashburger and Gennaro’s Pizza Parlor. The mixed-use retail plaza, located at See Retail Plaza pg. 14
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce holds ribbon-cutting ceremony for Smashburger Wednesday, Feb. 4. Photo by MarkBolles.com
by Neil Benjamin Jr. Saratoga TODAY
The second annual Frozen Springs Classic takes place this weekend, and many feel the event itself, and the surrounding activities, will continue to be a boon for the city. The hockey tournament will take place Friday through Sunday at the Saratoga Spa State Park, featuring more than 60 teams from the entire Northeast. It’s a round-robin, four-on-four style tournament that is the culmination of Winterfest, presented by the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau. Mayor Joanne Yepsen attended a press conference Monday at the Gideon Putnam
Neighborhood
Buzz
and started with a brief anecdote about her youth and love of the game. She said that growing up, not many girls played hockey, so she focused her attention on other youth events such as music. “I always wanted to play hockey,” she said. “(My friends and I) used to go out on to a pond in Connecticut and play when it was frozen.” The games will be 40 minutes long and will begin Friday at 5 p.m. behind the Gideon Putnam on the pond rinks next to Catherine’s in the Park. Saturday and Sunday begin at 9 and 10 a.m., respectively. Aside from the hockey, attendees will be able to enjoy See Frozen Springs Classic pg. 35
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See Local Concerns pg. 7
Burgers, Fries & Pies Frozen Weekend On Tap Plaza Adds New Tenants
Featured Stories
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Inside TODAY Blotter 5 Obituaries 6 Education
10–11
Business 16–17 Pulse 29–31 Sports 35–39
Weekend Forecast FRIDAY
16|5 SATURDAY
23|9 SUNDAY
25|7