The top two leaders of the Downtown Business Association have resigned and been replaced with other board members.
President Andrew Brindisi and Vice President Roger Goldsmith quit their posts this week, halfway through their two-year terms.
Brindisi, owner of Brindisi’s Restaurant on Broadway and Union Grille at the Saratoga Hilton, could not be reached for comment Thursday. New President Jeff Clark said the strain of owning two restaurants made it difficult for Brindisi to do the volunteer job as well.
“His time was evaporating before his eyes,” Clark said.
Goldsmith has been on the DBA board on and off for the 15 years he’s been a DBA member.
Clark has owned a local franchise of Ameriprise Financial Services for 16 years.
He has been DBA treasurer for three years and a DBA member for five years. He also serves as an ambassador for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
Tim Holmes, co-owner of Wheatfields Restaurant on Broadway, is the new vice president.
“Tim and I have a good relationship and I think it’s going to be very positive for our members,” Clark said.
Clark said DBA board members recently conducted a series of retreats in town to discuss the association’s mission and values. The threat of paid parking posed to downtown businesses loomed large during those discussions.
The DBA and the Chamber of Commerce vocally opposed paid parking, and city officials backed off on their proposal to implement it on downtown streets and parking lots.
Clark said the priorities members came up with during the retreats include: creating a healthy downtown, fostering a positive image in the community, boosting creativity and arts events, sustaining the downtown’s charm and cooperating with other entities such as the chamber and not-for-profits.
Categories: Business
