Well, I’m about as ready as ever to try new things. So…
I’m about change.
I’m about courage.
I’m about faith.
Enough said.
…except I’m married, mom, in my fifties, and the fitful Mayor of the City of Amsterdam, NY. All is as it should be.
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Your courage is your greatest inspiration for others to seek change and keep the faith!
Veni! Vidi! Vici!
Congratulations on your election, and congratulations on your fresh (and open!) approach! . . . Amsterdam is a great little city with a lot of potential.
The very best of luck to you.
. . . from a former resident.
Mayor, I don’t know how you put up with the unwarranted criticism.
Your ability to ignore the meanness is laudable. I wouldn’t be able to do it!
I am with you Bobby, how does she do it? I know that because she does rise above it she makes Amsterdam look better than the drips that complain about her all the time.
More people should speak up publicly and defend Ann Thane.
I havent heard much personal criticism of Ann Thane. I have heard criticism of decisions she has made though. why is that wrong? Are people who have an interest in the community not allowed to voice their concerns? Why should people stand up and defend Ann? If you stated that people should defend her ideas, I could understand that. People will defend when they see a good idea with real results. Still waiting for that though
What other people think or say about me is none of my business. You cannot do this job if your reason for doing it is validation. That’s an inside job. As far as defending or condemning ideas, this is democracy. “More better.”
The mayor is doing a remarkable job. Her performance in handling the affairs of the city has been magnificent.
I applaud her efforts. Those people that have negative re-actions or criticisms about the mayor, – I say to you that – You are entitled to your opinions but not to your facts.
Senora Alcadesa Ann Thane: MUY BUEN TRABAJO.
Su Colega,
CHE
CHE–
I say to you- I am a realist and concerned citizen. Name specific results and I will stand down. If you can name any that is. -If-. You have the burden of naming facts, not I. We have had no concrete results with Ann and it has been over a year. What say you to that?
NobleFire:
Please go to State of the City. There’s plenty of concrete success there. The Mayor has done a lot and will continue to do so. Everything works going through the appropriate channels.
The Mayor is also working with a common council that can be described as uncooperative at times. I give the mayor a lot of credit. What you think miracles happen over night?
Amsterdam is a city with many issues/concerns. The mayor is transparent and with her dealings of the city in comparison to past administrations.
I’ve went to the state of the city, again no concrete results. Over a year isnt overnight. Working with the common council that is uncooperative? Its the same as its always been and shes handeling it worse than the past few mayors thank you. I know Amsterdam is a city with many issues, I’m asking for one concrete result. 0
One can never find that which he does not truly seek.
Hello Mayor Thane,
I have been meaning to contact you about my new website http://www.mohawkvalleyguide.com. We focus on events and activities in the area and I would love to get more information about Amsterdam events so that we can help publicize all there is to do here.
Thanks
I was at your site just last night. Very nice. Should things come up, I will pass them your way and add you to my media list.
Just wanted to say, you need to learn how to respond to the media. How you acted on CBS 6 when asked about the water problems and the fires that have been plagueing our city was completely rediculous. You tried to close the door in their face and then ran away like a school kid. The best part of the interview was “I dont know, ill let you know as soon as i do”. As citizens of this city we must say these actions are not condoned and will not be tolerated. When the fire happened on Mechanic St. and there were water problems the engineering department should have immediately started working on a solution to this problem as it is a danger to the citizens of this city to not have the hydrants working correctly. You should publicly, perhaps on radio & television, aplogise to this city for your neglegence in making sure that things are addressed promptly especially when it comes to citizen safety. You should be embarassed for acting the way you did.
I hope to hear something of this.
Thank You
Disgusted Amsterdam Citizen
The one function TV news performs very well is that when there is no news we give it to you with the same emphasis as if there were.
– David Brinkley
I hear your frustration. The fact is, we have been working toward resolving deficiencies in the water distribution system (please see my post). The problem is, the system is 100 years old and repairs will take time and considerable money.
As far as the news cast, you saw a five second edit of a five minute conversation between the reporter and myself. I repeatedly told him that I could not make a statement on camera before staff had reported on the situation. That would have been plainly irresponsible on my part. I am only sorry that he would not wait until I had the information he requested. It was obviously his intention to hastily throw together his piece for the evening run.
Our first priority is, and will always certainly be, the health and safety of our residents.
p.s. … next time, man up and use your real name. It’s so cowardly to post your aggression anonymously.
Mayor Thane,
So many residents are behind you 100%. And we think you are doing a tremendous job as our Mayor. Thank you.
The rest of these negitive residents must not remember that you inherited this city and ALL its problems from the previous administration with Mr. Emanuele and his council.
I have a question? Why were all of these abandoned houses NOT demolished during the past administration? I’m sure they didn’t just get this way the day you were elected into office.
And why weren’t all the fire hydrants in the city checked during the past administration? I’m sure that the 100 year old pipes were just as bad then too.
This city has been a mess for a very long time. And no matter what some of these negitive people are saying, you are doing a fantastic job on informing us on everything you are doing here, in and for our city. Some of these people (I feel) are very intimidated to have a (creative and caring) woman in office (it’s so obvious). I hear the nonsense on the radio every morning. If I had my own radio show about Amsterdam, it would surely be the exact opposite of what I listen to now!
I say, to you and your council, “Keep up the great work”! This must be the most difficult job in the world. Just know how many of us appreciate all that you are trying to do for us and our beautiful city of Amsterdam.
Sincerely,
Karin Hetrick
[...] a little better, but let’s not be too quick to throw Ann Thane under the bus. On her blog, she took a hit from an anonymous poster but defended her appearance, saying what made it to the air was a snippet of a 10-minute conversation. As someone who’s [...]
Let’s get real here, I could not stand the last mayor, however this is not the time or place to blame the past administrations problems, Anne YOU man up and show us documentation showing that youre doing something for us. Atleast in the past the fire department has gone around the entire city in the past and tested every fire hydrant and placed signage on the ones that had problems so that DPW could fix them, i have not seen this done at all in your administration. This is deeper than the water pressure issue. I have seen no real change in this city as promised, instead I continue see my tax dollars being wasted hastily, police officers standing around in FastTrack or at Dunkin Donuts, DPW workers are no better. In these hard economic times the city should be working to bring something more than the large population of people in this city who are collecting welfare and food stamps and driving EXPENSIVE cars while not having a job.
In response to the past post & some others:
If the past administration supposedly didnt do anything about the delapidated houses that are un-occupied and need to be demolished, why havnt I seen a result from Ann?
Why hasnt the fire department done their job in checking all the fire hydrants?
Why is the police force hanging out in Fast Track or Dunkin Donuts or just sitting around in the city’s new police cars when they could be cracking down on the speeders, and the loud radios in peoples cars that shake our houses in the night and the hoodlams that wander the streets and vandalize our property????
Why this winter did I have trouble getting to the store to get my wife’s medecine because the roads were not being maintained and when i stopped along the way and get some gas and see two plow trucks i had to hear the nice girl tell me that they were standing around in there for over two hours sipping on coffee while the snow piled up outside. Who’s supposed to be supervising these people???
Why arent the delapidated properties being demolished so the land is freed so that someone might purchase it from the city and possibly build on it, vacant land with perhaps grass on it would be much more appealing to the eye and to people visiting our city than a run down dump with ply wood over the windows and doors and overgrown grass.
Theres so much going on that is DISTURBING to the citizens of this city. I could go on for hours but unfortunately the person running City Hall (Mayor Thane) doesnt care about the important things, instead City Hall is more concerned about more petty things.
Furthermore, instead of buying any more police cars, and new firetrucks that arent needed as the fleet of current equipment is more than adaquate by todays standards, why dont you bring in an outside firm that has no political ties to the city and the people who work for it to analyze the citys different departments and the problems that plague each of them and see how processes and proceedures may be modified to allow our city to work more efficiently. This would possibly help cut spending and perhaps allow some ideas to be brought in from the outside on how to re-develop Amsterdam, bring jobs in, and cut down on all the welfare and delapidated properties so that our city can thrive again.
Mayor Thane, I voted for you don’t get me wrong. You really need to step up to the plate for this city or we will not vote for you again and I would really hate to loose our city back to someone Duchessi and his cronies.
“None so blind as those that will not see. ”
- Matthew Henry
The news outfits make their money on sensational stories, not on the art of real journalism and like bees to honey the people that WANT to believe something DO.
Shame on you Mayor Thane for not getting your wrench, pipes and grease and getting to work on fixing Amsterdam’s hydrants and infrastructure.
Is it not enough that she works countless hours beyond a regular work week representing our city and what is in our best interest? That IS actually her job. Political figures are briefed by their department heads all over the world. Oh no, but not Mayor Thane. Super Mayor Thane is expected to have expert knowledge on a plethora of subjects at any given time the media approaches her. [Insert hysteria here] “The media is coming, the media is coming.” Because the media asked me a question I HAVE to answer…any answer, even a really good made up answer, as long as it sounds good and makes the media happy.
I have little time to work on suppressing my annoyance with the media.
In short order Mayor Thane released a well prepared statement on the matter. We all know Mayor Thane as being open and responsive and most certainly 100 year old hydrants will not change that.
I stand firm when I tell my kids that seven of the most powerful words are, “I’ll get back to you on that.” God help them if they get a job in the public eye.
Come on…come on out…really….you’ll be fine…it’s ok, it’s ok to leave from under the rock.
LOL
Dear Mayor Thane,
To change the subject . . .
When I was at City Hall yesterday (Monday), I saw a beautiful “Windmill” outside of the building. This was very impressive. I was told that someone in the city made it and presented it to you. How nice a jesture was this! This got me thinking. Why can’t we have beautiful windmills all over our city?
I remember when Saratoga presented the “Painted Horses” for display throughout their city. What a great idea! Maybe if the city can have more of these windmills made, they can be painted by local artists and be on display as a perminent attraction, we are however, Amsterdam, sister city of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Also, when I browse the internet on our sister city, all I see are beautiful tulips and waterways in every picture. Maybe we can hold our own “Tulip Festival” in the upcoming years and start a new tradition. We haven’t really had anything like this in our city that I know of. I remember as a child, we always had church bazaars, mostly Italian Festivals. But a Tulip Festival (on a smaller scale than Albany) just might brighten up our city!
Also, do you know why the windmill coming off the Thruway was never rebuilt? I am curious. That windmill was such an awesome sight when you entered into Amsterdam. I wonder if there is anyone out there who would donate their talents and rebuild and “old fashioned” windmill to replace it. Maybe they could have a plaque put on it “donated by” or call it by the person or company name (ie: The Beechnut Windmill”). . . The view of Amsterdam from the Thruway is the most scenic of all exits. What a nice way to Welcome people into our city.
In the past, prominent people in our city would donate or will their monies to the building of parks, adult homes, etc. Do people do this type of thing in this city anymore? Just wondering.
I know that at Proctors Theatre, a large percentage of the expansion to the Theatre has be donated and dedicated by the people of Schenectady. In fact, almost every “seat” has been donated and dedicated to people who enjoy the Theatre. These areas are recognized by naming them after the person or business. This is a huge reason that the Theatre is still alive.
Amsterdam could really use the niceness and generosity of its people again. I think that there must still be people and businesses (ie: Doctor’s, Attorney’s, Small and Large Companies, and so on) here, who would be proud to help out our city and help maintain its beauty.
Just a (long) thought, Sincerely,
Karin Hetrick
Dear Mayor Thane,
It’s great for me to find your blog : )
I’ve been in Amsterdam for over a year and find it such a lovely place for the group of us.
Several days ago, I dropped in the City Hall and left a piece of “good news” for you. I think you might have read it. It is real good news for the people in Amsterdam, and now the schedule for the Dharma course mentioned on the news is fixed. Please take a look at it:
http://angelheart174.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/free-guang-huan-mi-zong-three-tier-health-yoga-dharma-course-in-amsterdam/
We strongly believe our more and more upcoming events will facilitate the development of the City of Amsterdam, and we’re looking forward to more communication with you.
Sincerely,
Mew-Yee
Great work so far…keep it up, lots of support.
Dear Ann,
Why is the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce ‘celebrating’ the move of Fownes Outlet Store to Fulton County?????????
in Recorder !2/28/10
This is my response from the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce…my follow-up comment is first in view…
—– Original Message —–
From: AELMY@nycap.rr.com
To: Membership at The Chamber
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 9:31 AM
Subject: Re: Fowne’s
That’s nice that they are remaining a member….however to the uneducated reader, such as myself, the endorsement of their store’s relocation appears as ‘questionable’ activity to celebrate! Someone wasn’t thinking???
Also, perhaps you could share with them that many of their long time patrons, whom I work with ( that live in Scotia and Schenectady) were dismayed…and doubted they would traverse the distance to Johnstown!!!!
—– Original Message —–
From: Membership at The Chamber
To: AELMY@nycap.rr.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 8:45 AM
Subject: Fowne’s
Judith,
Fowne’s Factory Outlet did move to Fulton County but they are continuing to remain a member of the Montgomery County Chamber. Their membership to our Chamber helps support other Montgomery County businesses and our Chamber to grow, so we in turn can help more small business owners within Montgomery County. If there is anything else I can help with, please let me know.
Thank you,
Andrea Brooks
Membership Assistant
(518) 842-8200 ext 10
http://www.montgomerycountyny.com
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Your Partner in Business!
To opt out of future emails or faxes please send an email to unsubscribe@montgomerycountyny.com
Dear Ann,
Just some new ideas for the landfill…I don’t know why no one hasn’t thought of these!!!!
In the spring and fall as I ride the bike trail on the southern side of the Mohawk, I see, peeping through the trees, much dilapidated junk. I wondered what this area was at one time…Ah! It comes to me! Nathan’s Junk Yard!! My goodness! I’d hadn’t been there since childhood. Since this land most be terribly polluted already what a great place for a ‘clean’ landfill. Its also just a hop, skip, and jump from the Chalmers building….wouldn’t it just be convenient to dump that rubble there!!! What a tremendous savings for the demolition contractor…don’t you think???
Oh, yes, I almost forgot….going in the OTHER direction, towards Schenectady, again peeping through the trees for what seems to be miles and miles is an automobile graveyard!
Perhaps the owners of this property would be interested in an arrangement with AMR??? Once again, what convenience!!! And BOTH properties are sooo close to the Thruway!!!
And just to be clear, I DO NOT live in the 4th Ward.
Don’t know if you do anything like this but one of my contracts this year is to provide project management to our city Public Library in hosting a literary festival. One of the pre-event promotions I’ve created has been a series of radio interviews with community leaders on their thoughts on reading, a favorite author or library memories. We have gotten such great feedback on our leaders sharing these warm and human stories, and I think this is what you do here as well.