Hello

Subject: Formal Concerns Regarding Ethics, Conduct, and Leadership in the Town of Ballston

Hi John,

As both a resident and business owner in the Town of Ballston, I have a direct stake in how our local government is run. Over the past three years or so, my family and our farm have faced repeated harassment, along with 4 to 6 newspaper articles containing false and misleading statements about my husband, myself, and the sale of two acres of land.

To be clear, I am referring to the two acres Chuck’s sister sold to the Evans family, who once lived right next door and later sold the property to Laurie Boucher and her husband. Despite this being a straightforward and documented transaction, false information surrounding it has continued to be repeated.

My understanding is that this matter has still not been resolved. When Chuck left the signing of the paperwork in 2012, there was a map and the correct wording needed for the paperwork to be filed. At the time of filing, someone crossed off that a map was attached and initialed it. We all know that it was not Chuck, yet because he owned the land at the time the easement was established and owns it again now, the responsibility has been placed back on him.

If those items were missing at the time, Patty Southworth, who was the Town Supervisor then, and Skip Pott, Chuck’s attorney present, would not have allowed the paperwork to be considered complete. Given that, I am asking: when and how will this matter finally be resolved?

Recently, it has come to my attention that Emilia Seerup Medick, owner of Hop City Maple, has been the catalyst behind running your campaign, the Facebook page Ballston 4 John, and, most recently, The Ballston Onion. On February 16, 2026, she conducted an interview with you and posted on the Ballston 4 John page, this quote is an excerpt:

“John didn’t seek this role. We had to convince him to run, to step forward not for fame or fortune, but because he saw Ballston needed him.…we’re proud our committee could persuade him…”

Those are not my words. They are Emilia’s. They plainly suggest that you did not want to be Town Supervisor and had to be persuaded to run.

I would also point out that residents have been commenting on social media that after three months in office, the Supervisor’s office phone recording still says it is Eric Connolly’s office. That gives the appearance of someone not fully stepping into the role.

In addition, part of Eric Connolly’s effort toward transparency and better dissemination of information included using the Town’s Facebook page. You announced at a Town Board meeting that you would not be using it. That represents a step away from communication that had been serving the community.

At the February 24, 2026 Town Board meeting, my husband spoke regarding a pattern of unethical behavior by Ms. Medick, including repeatedly lying, purchasing the domain name of our farm store and redirecting it to her business, knowingly spreading misinformation about our easement, and other conduct that has directly impacted us. At that same meeting, another board member spoke about her excessive FOIL requests, and we are all aware that she filed an Article 78 against the Town.

Given that background, I want to know why you voted against the rest of your board when they sought to table the resolutions to appoint her to the Farmland Protection Committee and to make her chair. In light of her role in spearheading your campaign as part of the Saratoga County Conservative Party, do you believe it was ethical to vote on that matter at all? At minimum, this presents a clear appearance of a conflict of interest.

There has also been comments on Facebook regarding an investigation into Emilia Medick and her family residing in the building constructed on the Hop City Maple property (identified as 550 Devil’s Lane by The Heavy Hitters, described as an agricultural building. I am asking:

• Is this true? How was this information leaked?

• Did you tell her?

• What is being done about her living in that structure without proper permitting?

Publicly shared information, including permits posted by Ms. Medick herself, shows that the electrical permit identifies the structure as a single dwelling residence. Additionally, widely circulated drone images show that it is not an agricultural building.

I am also asking you if Emilia’s public conduct is what you look for in our town committee chairs. On March 19, 2026, she posted on her The Ballston Onion page:

“Word has it, ex-Eric Connolly has been creeping around town hall…”

And on March 22, 2026, she posted:

“Rumors are... creepy councilman curtiss is flying drones over and spying on people and children…”

accompanied by hashtags including #creepy #watcher #ballston #peepingtom.

Do you consider this appropriate conduct?

Additionally, Ms. Medick has FOILed my husband, Chuck Curtiss, and used that information to pursue ethics-related claims, including matters that have also occurred with others but were not reported in those cases. That raises a serious concern of selective targeting. Do you believe that is ethical?

This is not speculation. These are documented statements, dates, and actions.

I am requesting a direct response addressing:

• Why you voted as you did on February 24, 2026

• How you are addressing the appearance of the conflict of interest

• How the easement matter described above will be resolved and on what timeline

• How information regarding the Hop City Maple property investigation was disclosed

• What actions are being taken regarding the use of that structure as a residence without proper permitting

• Whether you believe Ms. Medick’s public conduct and selective targeting are ethical

• What steps you are taking to ensure transparent, independent, and accountable leadership

The residents and business owners of Ballston deserve governance that is consistent, ethical, and free from personal influence.

I look forward to your direct response.

Sincerely,
Sara Curtiss

Willow-Marsh Farm