New York State’s newly appointed Governor David Paterson will make his first visit to Saratoga Springs as governor when he attends the Democratic Rural Conference of New York State during its annual convention being held at The Saratoga Hilton Hotel and Conference Center April 4-5.

The convention will kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4 with opening remarks from Congresswomen Kirsten Gillibrand. At 7 p.m. Gov. Paterson will address the conventions opening banquet and Saratoga County Supervisor Joanne Yepsen will deliver the city’s welcoming remarks before hearing from other top elected New York Democrats.

Saturday, April 5 will feature work shops and panels on subjects like “Running a State Senate Campaign” and “Using the Internet in Rural Campaigns.”

The theme of this years convention is “Take Back the State Senate.” Aside from Gov. Paterson a list of attendees include U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli among many other high ranking Democratic state officials.

According to the DRC’s Communications Director Brad Mintener, the rural conference was created 10 years ago in order to draw the attention of state politicians to the problems and concerns facing rural counties in Upstate New York.

Mintener also said that in light of the state budget, the decision to hold the conference in Saratoga Springs was largely due in part to its close proximity to Albany

The DRC is made up of 47 rural counties throughout Upstate New York, including six new counties who joined this year. Saratoga County Supervisor Joanne Yepson said the conference is a big deal to area Democrats because this is the first year that Saratoga County will be a member of the rural conference.

Aside from the speakers, there will also be performances by local residents including Saratoga Springs High School, Senior, Maggie Doherty singing the national anthem, Soul Sessions lead singer Garland Nelson performing “America the Beautiful,” Iraq War veteran and Corinth native Sgt. Matthew Welch will help lead the conference in the “Pledge of Allegiance” and music will be performed by Nat Osborne of the Skidmore College Jazz Quartet.