Remembering a generous, Grammy-winning Saratogian. Insurance company expands.
Register TODAY for the law enforcement civil service exam.
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In this edition:
Top: HMS Agency deepens local roots.
Bottom, News Briefs: Grammy winning Saratogian. Civil Service exam registration.
Positively Saratoga
This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
HMS Agency deepens local roots with acquisition of Debra LaMay Agency
By: Lauren Halligan Behan, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
A family-owned and operated, Saratoga County-based insurance agency is growing through an acquisition.
HMS Agency, which serves the entire Capital Region, recently announced its acquisition of the Debra LaMay Agency.
This change strengthens the agency’s presence in the region and reinforces its commitment to providing clients with the personal, relationship-focused service.
Debra LaMay, an insurance professional with nearly 50 years of experience, brings a loyal client base and a long-standing reputation for integrity and community service. She will remain with the agency in her current role, continuing to serve her clients with dedication and personal attention.
“Debbie has built a legacy around care, trust, and responsiveness, which are values that are at the heart of our mission at HMS,” said Bill Mather, Jr., Principal of HMS Agency, in a press release. “We’re honored to welcome her and her clients to the HMS family.”
As part of this acquisition, HMS Agency has relocated its Ballston Spa office to a new location at 2537 Route 9, Suite 200 in Malta.
Founded in 1997, HMS Agency, Inc. is full-service insurance agency offering expert advice and service spanning all lines of commercial and personal insurance and a full range of employee benefits. With a focus on building lasting relationships, HMS is committed to helping clients protect what matters most. HMS Agency is certified by the New York State Economic Development Corporation as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE).
Going forward, clients of both agencies can expect a seamless transition with no changes to the level of service and personalized attention they’ve come to rely on over the years.
This acquisition reflects HMS Agency's steady growth while staying true to its roots as a business built on trust, community, and exceptional client service.
More information on HMS Agency is available at hmsagency.com.
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News briefs
Grammy-winning Saratogian Joel Moss dies at 79
Grammy-winning music producer and engineer Joel Moss, a familiar face around Caffè Lena, has died of an aneurysm at the age of 79, reports the Times Union.
Moss won a total of six Grammys from 11 nominations throughout his long and storied career, says the TU, from his work with such legends as Tony Bennett and Ray Charles. He also worked with Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Led Zeppelin and The Eagles.
Locally, Moss was known for his collaborations with Jim Mastrianni and dedication to Caffè Lena. He is survived by his wife, photographer Terri-Lynn Pellegri; and his daughter, Rachael Moss, among other family members.
Law Enforcement exam registration TODAY
On Sept. 7, New York State Forest Rangers with the Department of Environmental Conservation joined members of law enforcement from 10 different agencies to talk to those interested in a law enforcement career. They met with dozens of people at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a press release says.
Today is the last day to apply to take the next Civil Service law enforcement exam scheduled this fall. The exam is a multiple-choice test. All candidates who are qualified to take the entry-level law enforcement exam will receive an admission notice via mail approximately two weeks prior to the date of the written test with additional details. Visit the Civil Service website to learn more.
Hochul to Congress: Pass the Affordable Care Act Extension
Governor Kathy Hochul today called on Congressional leadership to pass an extension of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025, a press release from the governor’s office says. New York is one of 18 states to sign a joint letter stating that without these subsidies, millions of Americans will see their healthcare premiums rise by thousands of dollars. More than 140,000 New Yorkers rely on these enhanced credits to access quality, affordable health coverage. In addition, these credits support a further 1.7 million New Yorkers on the Essential Plan, which provides low or no-cost coverage for working families statewide.
Extension of these tax credits is critical, as New York State grapples with the devastating impacts of the GOP reconciliation law, which guts federal funding for the Essential Plan by $7.5 billion annually, more than half of the program’s total funding, beginning in 2026. Read the full letter here.
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