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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.”
