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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Lakshmi Nagarajan, CFP of Holistic Wealth Advisors Earns CFP Designation

CLIFTON PARK — Holistic Wealth Advisors (HWA), a Clifton Park-based wealth management practice, has announced that financial advisors Lakshmi Nagarajan has earned her Certified Financial Planner™ designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. 

Lakshmi Nagarajan joined HWA in 2011 as a Financial Advisor, after a decade-long career at Genworth Financial Securities leading their Broker Dealer Operations team. She brought her passion for partnering with clients to provide the intelligent advice needed for holistic financial decisions, supporting clients’ entire financial picture with plan-based, objective guidance. 

The CFP® marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP® Board, have successfully completed financial planning coursework, and have passed the CFP® Certification Examination covering the following areas: the financial planning process, risk management, investments, tax planning and management, retirement and employee benefits, and estate planning. CFP® professionals also agree to meet ongoing continuing education requirements and to uphold CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Rules of Conduct, and Financial Planning Practice Standards. 

“People are busier than ever and need someone who can thoughtfully help them navigate their entire financial picture,” noted Nagarajan, regarding her pursuit and attainment of the CFP® designation. “Marrying financial planning, estate planning, taxes, retirement planning, risk management, and investment planning enable us to provide our clients with a holistic plan which allows them to be empowered and educated regarding their financial wellbeing. The CFP® designation, which focuses heavily on fiduciary responsibility, requires a deep dive into this subject matter, and allows me to serve clients in a more robust manner.” 

Soroptimist “Saratoga Community Grants”

SARATOGA COUNTY — Soroptimist of Saratoga County’s Fund Distribution Program is now called “Saratoga Community Grants.” This year a total of $35,000 will be awarded to local organizations that support the needs of women and girls in Saratoga County. 

To qualify, candidate organizations must be based in or serve the needs of residents of Saratoga County. Grants are typically awarded for specific activities, start-ups, or capital projects. Consideration will be given to the number of people served. 

The application must be submitted by February 15, 2022 and is available on the SISC website at www.soroptimistsaratoga.org.   Grant recipients will be notified by April 15, 2022.  For more information, email the committee at funddistributionsaratoga@gmail.com. 

Bill McEllen Named Global President of Fingerpaint

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fingerpaint, biopharma’s global commercialization partner for analytics-enabled integrated solutions, has announced the appointment of Bill McEllen as Global President, effective immediately. 

McEllen, a 30-year industry veteran, will be responsible for overseeing the company’s integrated business units, including 1798, Leaderboard Branding, Engage, MedThink, and Fingerpaint Marketing, as well as its more than 700 worldwide employees. 

A Fingerpaint partner, McEllen will continue to build on the exponential year-over-year growth the company has experienced, set in motion by Fingerpaint founder, Ed Mitzen, who will serve as Fingerpaint’s Chairman and CEO. This move will allow Mitzen to continue focusing on growing the company’s capabilities through acquisitions. 

Mark Willmann, who serves on Fingerpaint’s executive leadership team, was promoted to head of Fingerpaint Marketing, which has physical locations in Arizona, New Jersey, Northern California, and Pennsylvania, in addition to its Saratoga Springs headquarters. Tracy Blackwell was promoted to head of Fingerpaint Marketing’s Cedar Knolls office, a position previously held by Willmann. 

Winter Coat Drive Begins in Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Shelters of Saratoga has partnered with Fingerpaint to provide winter coats to anyone in need. The 3rd annual “Take One, Leave One” winter coat drive was created as an easy way to provide warm coats for anyone in need one. 

The coat rack is located in downtown Saratoga Springs in front of the Fingerpaint building at 395 Broadway. Community members wishing to donate are encouraged to hang gently used or new coats on the rack which will be available through the winter. 

For more information contact Shelters of Saratoga office at 518-581-1097.

Home Made Theater Receives Grant to Support the Recovery of the Arts in NY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Home Made Theater (HMT) received a grant award totaling $49,500 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the recovery of the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Following New York State’s $105 million investment in the arts for FY2022, NYSCA has awarded more than $80 million since June 2021. 

HMT will use the funds to help fulfill their mission, which is to enrich the cultural life of the Capital Region and beyond by offering a diverse range of locally-sourced live theater created by professionally-minded artists, providing the opportunity for exciting and rewarding participation in all aspects of theater to the community.

For more information about Home Made Theater visit www.homemadetheater.org.

December 18 – December 24, 2021

COURT

Travis R. Austin, 36, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Dec. 10 to criminal contempt in the first-degree. Sentencing scheduled March 9. 

Ivan Joy, 54, of Fort Edward, pleaded Dec. 10 to criminal contempt in the first-degree, in Moreau. Sentencing Feb. 10. 

Anthony R. Young, 49, of Albany, was sentenced Dec. 10 to 3 years of probation on a felony DWAI charge, first charged in Wilton in November 2018. 

Miles H. Latimer, 27, of Schenectady, was sentenced Dec. 8 to 8-1/2 years’ incarceration and 5 years post-release supervision, after pleading to felony attempted burglary, two felony counts each of burglary, and grand larceny, and the misdemeanors: petit larceny, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass. First charged February 2019 in the town of Clifton Park. 

Damani A. Went, 22, of Schenectady, pleaded Dec. 8 to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, in Milton. Sentencing Feb. 23. 

Thomas Tedesco, 42, of Mechanicville, pleaded Dec. 9 to felony criminal possession of a weapon. Sentencing March 10. 

Shawn R. Bultman, 41, of Northumberland, pleaded Dec. 9 to attempted assault in the first-degree, in Wilton. Sentencing Feb. 10. 

Jeffery E. Tennyson, 59, of Queensbury, pleaded Dec. 9 to felony DWI, in Moreau. Sentencing Feb. 10. 

Alfredo Lebron-Rivera, 36, of Albany, was charged Dec. 7 with two felony counts grand larceny, and unlawful fleeing of police and reckless driving. He is accused of stealing a vehicle from the Cumberland Farms in Ballston Spa and fleeing police. 

Jai’Anthony D. Holley, 20, of Lake City, Florida, pleaded Dec. 8 to criminal possession of a firearm, a felony, in Moreau. Sentencing Feb. 9. 

Guy Pierce, 56, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Dec. 8 to 2-1/2 years’ incarceration, and 1-1/2 years post-release supervision, after pleading to assault in the second-degree, first charged in Saratoga Springs in May 2019. 

Michael A. Thomas, 58, of Levittown, was sentenced Dec. 8 to 4 years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI, in Ballston. 

POLICE

Michael J. Kennedy, 33, of Amsterdam, was charged Dec. 10 with multiple felony robbery, burglary, assault, and criminal use of a firearm in connection with an alleged larceny attempt in Galway Dec. 5 that resulted in both, Kennedy and the robbery victim, receiving non-life-threatening wounds by gunfire, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.   

Danielle N. Pereira, 31, of Newburgh, was charged Dec. 2 with two felony counts grand larceny. She is accused of stealing merchandise from the Kohl’s Department in Clifton Park on two separate dates.

Justin D. Traver, 33, of Malta, was charged Dec. 15 with grand larceny. He is accused of receiving $7,900 in August 2020 to perform construction-related work, which he did not perform. 

Renee Tanner, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to yield the right-of-way.

Daniel Mooney, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with disorderly conduct/create hazardous or physically offensive condition. 

Jarod Green, 28, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with misdemeanor DWI, and unsafe backing of vehicle. 

Abigail Bartlett, 23, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and an equipment violation. 

Dustin Quirion, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and vehicle registration suspended. 

Nathan Shreve, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated family offense, and harassment. 

Shawn Smith, 28, of Scotia, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, DWAI felony, use of vehicle not equipped with interlock device, and following too closely. 

Christopher Brewer, 39, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense – both felonies, and criminal trespass misdemeanor. 

Joshua Shippey, 35, of Greenfield Center, was charged in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Philip Fear, 56, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with misdemeanor DWI, failure to keep right, and speed not reasonable. 

Harrison Blackington, 25, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with criminal mischief and criminal tampering. Both charges are misdemeanors. 

Darian Rivers, 25, of Saratoga Springs, with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle without insurance, and registration suspended. 

Ricardo Guana, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with operating motor vehicle while impaired with drugs, after being involved in a property damage accident. 

Edouard Questel, 72, of Gansevoort, was charged in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, failure to keep right, and unsafe turn. 

Patricia Hunter, 28, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief. All three charges are felonies. 

DeCrescente Distributing Co. Mourns the Loss of its Patriarch

MECHANICVILLE — Carmine “Carm” James DeCrescente Sr., the second-generation former president of DeCrescente Distributing Co, has passed away at 94 due to complications from COVID-19. 

Carm DeCrescente served in the U.S. Navy during World War II after graduating from Mechanicville High School. In 1948 he started working for the family business alongside his father, Angelo DeCrescente, growing the beverage supplier to 11 million cases per year through 20-plus acquisitions. 

Carm DeCrescente saw consolidation as the future of beer distribution. Through 22 acquisitions starting in 1986, the DeCrescente’s purchased small and large competitors, including Saratoga Spring Water and Arizona teas, to expand the company beyond traditional beer.

His son, C.J, has been running the business since 1997, but he has left behind many important philosophies and lessons about company culture, work ethic, and investments. 

Throughout the years Carm DeCrescente quietly donated to several charities. He was also a musician, playing the saxophone and clarinet at local restaurants, private golf clubs, and bars for many years. 

Carm DeCrescente was predeceased by his wife and business advisor of 60 years, Mary Cicchinelli, and his son Leo John Boyland. He is survived by his son C.J. DeCrescente Jr. and his wife Marybeth; sister Angela “Babe” Dugan; grandchildren Jessica Aiezza, Carmine DeCrescente III, Matthew DeCrescente, and Payton DeCrescente; and five great-grandchildren. 

A private burial with military honors will be held in the family plot at St. Paul’s Cemetery. 

Pioneer Presents $3,000 Donations to 21 Local Nonprofit Locations

ALBANY — Aligned with its charitable mission of “Helping Kids Be Kids” and its recognized commitment to supporting children, families, and communities throughout the Capital Region, Pioneer has presented $3,000 donations to each of 21 local nonprofit organizations. With these donations, Pioneer has now exceeded $1 million in giving to the Capital Region community since its Charitable Foundation was launched in 2018. 

The donations were made during a check presentation ceremony at Pioneer’s headquarters in Albany. 

Each of the nonprofit organizations receiving donations are located in, and serve residents of, the Capital Region. They include: AIM Services, Inc., Autism Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady, Capital District YMCA, CEO, Crossroads Center for Children, Family and Child Services of Schenectady, 15-LOVE, Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (HATAS), Hope 7, Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club, Living Resources, Northern Rivers, Rensselaer County Department for Youth, SEAT Center, Things of My Very Own, Troy Youth Association, Unity House, Vanderheyden, and Wildwood Programs. 

Since being established in 2018, Pioneer’s Charitable Foundation has supported more than 375 local organizations that focus on the health and welfare of children, addressing critical needs such as housing, nutrition, and health care, and providing educational, social, and recreational opportunities. In addition to financial support, Pioneer’s employees are actively engaged in outreach efforts, volunteering more than 10,000 hours and helping to select organizations to receive funding. 

Organizations seeking charitable requests establish a Pioneer employee link prior to the request being completed; the employee then assists with submitting a request for consideration. Importantly, all administrative costs of the Foundation are covered by Pioneer, ensuring that 100% of all donations go directly to local charitable organizations. 

Individuals interested in supporting the Pioneer Charitable Foundation may make a secure online donation at www.pioneerny.com/community.

George Potter 

GREENFIELD CENTER — George Potter died on December 4. A funeral service was held December 8th at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs. Interment was held at Middle Grove Cemetery, 400 Middle Grove Rd, Greenfield Center, NY 12833. Visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

Colleen Ann Kirchhoff 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Colleen Ann Kirchhoff (Nana), died on December 9th. A funeral service was held on December 18th at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. Interment will be held at a later date in Queen of All Saints Cemetery. Visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com