Author: Thomas Dimopoulos

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The red-brick building located on the southwest corner of Broadway and Division Street that housed Fingerpaint Marketing has been sold for $11 million to Prime Group Holdings – a private equity company owned by Robert Moser with offices on Railroad Place. The future status of the building is not known at this time.

Ed Mitzen founded Fingerpaint in 2008 and in 2018 purchased the building at 395 Broadway for $9 million.  The building was originally developed in 2000 to house Borders Books & Music. Previously,  the spot had sited the Red Barn restaurant, Pope’s Pizza,  and the E-Z Laundromat earlier in the 20th century.  

More recently, Mitzen and his wife, Lisa, formed Business for Good, a nonprofit that aims to achieve social change through business. They plan to use the profit from the sale of the building for Business for Good, according to published reports. The sale closing on June 30 was first reported by the Times-Union.

Fingerpaint employs 800 people across the globe with a good number based locally, but with an increasing number having begun to work remotely in recent years, the two-story brick-and-mortar venue on Broadway was underutilized, and the marketing company plans on maintaining a smaller office nearby. 

“Admittedly I was a huge anti-proponent of working from home. I always felt if someone said they wanted to work from home they would be mowing their yard and watching ESPN, that they’re not committed, but now I’ve done a complete 180,” Mitzen told Saratoga TODAY in late 2020, when the effects of the pandemic, and people working remotely were in full effect.

“Our folks have been unbelievably productive – probably more productive than they’ve been in the office,” Mitzen said. “We’ve all learned different ways of doing things through all this.” 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A series of connected rooms showcase the type of work that will go on here as well offering the comforts of a personal touch by those who will be working in its second-floor offices. 

A spread of framed 8x10s cling to one wall, depicting the State Capitol following the soft drift of a winter’s snow. A large poster of Bobby Kennedy looks back from another. A bobble-head doll of Alan Chartrock and his West Highland Terrier Murray stands atop the desk of an aide, and a black-and-white portrait of Congressman Paul Tonko clings to the office wall of another. 

“It only seemed natural to move forward and grow a district office here,” said the congressman, seated inside his own office, two stories up with windows that look out over Broadway. 

Recent redistricting designated that all of Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady counties, as well as a portion of Rensselaer County, make up the 20th Congressional District.

“There was a sizable bit of redistricting that affected the district, so we thought: well, let’s reconfigure. As we added the 13 northernmost townships of Saratoga, it made sense to offer proximity for them and to offer another venue for southern Saratoga other than Albany.“

Tonko’s Saratoga Springs office – located on the second floor of 433 Broadway – and his office in Albany will serve as gathering points for those who live and work in the district.    

“It’s important to have that interaction with the district that you represent,” Tonko said. “And I have to say: this is a very interactive district and a great one to represent, calling with ideas, solutions, requests – not pulling away from government but getting in the middle of it, which I think was intended as a republic.“

Democrats Kirsten Gillibrand and Scott Murphy, as well as Republicans Chris Gibson and Elise Stefanik each set up city offices on Broadway over the past two decades, but it’s been a few years since the city has sited one. 

“This will be here for everyone in the district and beyond if you want to bring good ideas and opportunities for the 20th Congressional District,” Tonko said.  “It’s that building of a connection that’s important and we base that public service on trust: being a good listener and then taking action on what you hear. That trust is about making sure you do all that you can to honor the request of the people that you serve.”    

It is that communication from constituents that gets turned into action, Tonko explained. “If there is a struggle that a family or individual is going through, a business is going through, a not-for profit, a community – we want to be there,” he said.  “This is about truly responding to those in government and making sure they hear the voices of the people in the 20th Congressional District… I think it’s a major part of the job to listen and understand people, whether that’s in written format or conversation, and achieve as much as we can on their behalf.”

The opening of the office was celebrated June 30 and included approximately three dozen supporters as well as area dignitaries, Todd Shimkus of the Saratoga County Chamber, Pete Bardunias of the Capital Region Chamber, city Mayor Ron Kim and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner – both Democrats,  and city Supervisor Matt Veitch, a Republican, among them. 

“I pledge to continue to work in a bipartisan, bicameral way,” Tonko said. “It’s the way I think the Framers of our government saw this working best. So, to those of different faiths: thank you for the opportunity to build those bridges and to respond to constituents across the board… we’re in this together.”       

Kristina Kruk, a locally based single mother who emigrated from Ukraine, spoke about the hurdles she and her young son faced during their relocation, issues that were resolved through the congressman’s office. 

“When I arrived in this country I faced numerous challenges, including the denial of my son’s social security application,” Kruk said through interpreter Elizabeth O’Connor. “When I reached out to Congressman Tonko’s office, things started to change. They listened to my concerns and took immediate action. He looked into our case and reached out to the Social Security Administration. Thanks to his intervention the matter was expedited, and my son’s application was accepted,” she said. “I encourage all of you to reach out to his office if you ever need his assistance.” 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —New city police chief Tyler McIntosh took the oath of office during a 75-minute ceremony at Saratoga Music Hall June 27. The event included a swearing-in of three new officers, multiple promotions of current department members and a variety of citations and recognitions formally commending officers for their recent actions in the line of duty.

“Last year in November, three of our officers lived up to all the training they had undergone and ran in the direction of gunfire,” said Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino. “They protected the lives of others and quieted a tumultuous situation. We are here to thank all our men and women in SSPD and we’re here to commit ourselves to support them here and out there to the best of our ability.”

Retiring Police Chief Shane Crooks recognized members of the current department and offered advice to new department hires Kelsey Lawlor, Vinay Rathore and Sean Carey. 

“Law enforcement is more than just a job, it’s a calling,” Crooks said. “Never forget why you took this job…You will see people at their worst, but also have the ability to be the difference that the world needs.”

Saratoga Springs Police Lt. Tyler McIntosh told those assembled at the music hall that he is both humbled and honored in being named city police chief. 

“I’ve had a true desire to serve and put others before myself since I was a kid,” said McIntosh, whose military service during the past 17 years included two deployments into combat zones. 

“That (military) experience really made it clear to me the importance and power of people working together toward a common objective. That same concept of collaboration and cooperation holds true in ensuring the continued safety of Saratoga Springs,” McIntosh said. “Collaboration between the police and the community is essential.”

McIntosh, a graduate of Plattsburgh State University, joined the Saratoga Springs Police Department in 2012 and rose through the ranks from Patrol Officer to Patrol Sergeant and Patrol Lieutenant before being assigned the duties of Accreditation Lieutenant upon the retirement of Lt. Robert Jillson. Continuing his education after joining the city police department, McIntosh earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College in 2019, a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia, and earlier this month graduated in the FBI National Academy.

Saratoga Springs has had 21 previous police chiefs and acting police chiefs dating back to 1887. 

Police Chiefs 

George W. Blodgett, 1887 to 1898

Dennis Conklin, 1898 to 1901

James H. King, 1901 to 1909

Edward T. Carroll, 1910 to 1921

Edward Morrison, 1922 to 1925

James L. Sullivan, 1925 to 1927

John E. Armstrong, 1928 to 1930

Patrick F. Rox, 1930 to 1937 and 1940 to 1950

John J. A’Hearn, 1938 to 1939

George H. West (Acting Chief), 1950 to 1952

Robert F. Flanagan, 1952 to 1965

Anthony C. Scavone (Acting Chief), 1965 to 1966

Peter Pemberton, 1967 to 1986

Kenneth E. King Jr., 1986 to 2003

Robert J. Flanagan, 2003

Edward F. Moore, 2003 to 2009

Christopher J. Cole, 2009 to 2013

Gregory J. Veitch, 2013 to 2019

John Catone (Acting Chief) 2019 

Shane Crooks 2019 to 2023

SARATOGA COUNTY — Incumbent city Mayor Ron Kim defeated challenger Chris Mathiesen in the June 27 Democrat Primary Election in Saratoga Springs.

Approximately 1,432 of the 8,330 registered Democrats in Saratoga Springs voted in the primary. Kim secured approximately 60.34% of the votes to Mathiesen’s 39.53%, unofficially.

Notably, Kim and Mathiesen were each also endorsed by other parties, so both – along with Republican candidate John Safford – are anticipated to be on the November Election ballot.

Registered city Democrats hold a 41.5% to 29.1% lead over registered city Republicans among all registered city voters, but it will be interesting to see if that lead varies given the potential of votes being split among Kim and Mathiesen supporters.

Voters registered to vote but unaffiliated with any party (No Party) represent 27.5% of the city vote. The 1.9% balance is made up of voters registered with the Conservative, WF, and other parties.

Primary Election races took place in six municipalities in Saratoga County June 27. 

In Clifton Park, Robert A. Rybak bested Vida Sheehan on both the Republican and Conservative lines for Clifton Park Town Justice, and Murray A. Eitzmann (40%) and Craig M. Warner (38.67%) emerged victoriously over Timothy F. Dunn (21.33%) in the town of Malta’s Vote For Two councilmembers race in the Conservative Party. 

For a comprehensive list of all county primaries, go to: saratogacountyny.gov. All unofficial Primary Election results sourced from the Saratoga County Board of Elections.