Sean Palladino: Writing and Local Action in Glens Falls Community
Sean Palladino, a freelance writer and Glens Falls Common Councilperson-Elect, shows how storytelling and civic participation can strengthen neighborhoods. His work in Glens Falls highlights everyday people, local businesses, and community spaces while encouraging others to get involved. Through vivid articles, transparent council summaries, and hands-on volunteering, Palladino proves that small actions create lasting impact.
Finding Home and Purpose in Glens Falls
Palladino moved to the Glens Falls area in 2017 to join his now-husband, Michael. The couple married in 2025 and purchased a home along the Feeder Canal in 2021. A lifelong runner, he regularly joins the Adirondack Runners and the Glens Falls Run Club. He also serves as a recording clerk for Warren County.
Writing, however, remains his central passion. “I’ve always loved to write since I was little,” he says. After years in logistics and manual labor jobs, he discovered his calling through freelance articles and public service.
Bringing Local Businesses to Life
Palladino’s pieces for Buying Local stand out for their immersive storytelling. He’s written stories on places like the Glens Falls Karate Academy, Stinky’s Coffee, and a local pinball arcade called Arcade Archaeology. Rather than arriving with a fixed idea of what he wants, he combines prior research with open conversations that let the subject’s energy shine through.
“I try and walk into an interview not knowing where it’ll go, but also try and research history beforehand to get the context,” he explains. His attention to detail helps him notice small elements others might miss: handcrafted bookshelves in a romance bookstore, decades-old artifacts at a karate dojo, or the unique backstory of pinball machines donated to children’s hospitals through Project Pinball.
His goal is simple yet powerful: help readers feel the same vibrancy he experiences. When writing about the pinball arcade, owner Lonnie’s enthusiasm was so contagious that Palladino noted this, hoping readers would leave knowing far more about pinball history than when they walked in.
Writing as Healing and Connection
Palladino openly shares how writing has been a lifeline for him. In 2024, he faced a serious mental health crisis that led him to seek treatment at Glens Falls Hospital. Journaling, creative projects, and therapy helped him rebuild. “When it’s out of your mind, you’re able to think clearly again,” he says.
By speaking publicly about his journey, he hopes to reduce stigma around mental health. “We all deal with depression, anxiety, or trauma,” he notes. “Finding that confidence again after depression has allowed me to try things I never thought possible, like reaching out to a local paper to write or running for office.”
Serving on the Common Council
Palladino won his seat on the Glens Falls Common Council by just 28 votes in his first run for public office. “Every single vote matters,” he says. Motivated by a lifelong desire to help people, he now focuses on improving the quality of life for Ward 5 residents.
On his website, seanpalladino.com, he publishes clear, accessible summaries of council meetings. These posts highlight key discussions and make local government easier to follow. He credits recent improvements, like better-organized agendas with page numbers and links, to the city’s new chief of staff and deputy clerk.
Cleaning Up and Giving Back
In his spare time, Palladino volunteers with the Feeder Canal Alliance, helping organize cleanups that have removed over 100 trash bags since May of 2025. These efforts protect wildlife, keep public spaces welcoming, and show how small, consistent actions benefit the entire community. He also recently helped submit a Parks and Trails application to “adopt” a section of the canal trail, aiming to secure supplies and better reporting channels for maintenance issues.
A Call to Get Involved
Palladino’s core message is straightforward: anyone can make a difference. “If I can do something, anybody could do something,” he says. “There should be no gatekeeping. Democracy requires our active participation.”
Whether joining a running group, pitching a story to a local publication, picking up litter, or running for office, small steps matter. In today’s world, a quick search can show anyone how to begin.Visit seanpalladino.com to read his articles, council summaries, personal essays, and reflections on Glens Falls life. His work reminds us that community isn’t something we simply live in. It’s something we build together, one story and one action at a time.