FULTON, NY – Following is a letter from Fulton resident Marissa Hanlon regarding her candidacy for Fulton mayor:
Dear City of Fulton residents:
There’s a lot to be said, because there is a lot to do! There’s no shortage of opinion about our City of Fulton. I have had incredible feedback when asking thousands of residents for their input on what they want to see in our city over the next administration. Based on the consistent feedback I have heard, the following are the areas I will be committed to focusing on as the next Mayor of Fulton. This is not a short-term plan because of what needs to be accomplished. We will need to have a full 10-year plan; however, we will do it right and see progress made in the near future!
Quality of Life: From having job opportunities and successful businesses, the concern over substance abuse in our streets, having quality education opportunities, having recreation and entertainment for all ages and safe sidewalks to walk down, Fultonians want more for their city. We are missing opportunities for businesses and families and need to keep people here and attract more. Through collaborative efforts with department heads, the common council, educational leadership and business stakeholders, I will remain focused on new opportunities and do what I can to clean up the areas of our city that are not functioning ideally for the quality of life we should be experiencing.
Aesthetics: It is no mystery that there are unsightly properties and vacant real estate that needs significant attention. Our city properties are dated and underutilized as a result. I have already begun my research. I have been talking to residents, police, local attorneys, and working closely with Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow on this issue. First, I will take a hands-on, ride-along approach with Codes to learn the current system and see where efficiencies can be addressed. I will develop a plan for resources to support the intent of the law and propose new legislation, as needed, to serve our city optimally. In addition to establishing and enforcing the law, I will be looking for community and volunteer opportunities the city can team with, such as Fulton Block Builders, to target areas that need additional aid for a greater impact.
Development: There is no lack of development opportunities in our city. Most of the conversations I have had revolve around the ideas that people have for businesses or upgrades to our parks and common areas. From our Lake Neatahwanta and the Oswego River, to the raw potential of the Nestle site, we can see the need there is to improve the aesthetics and bring quality of life to these areas.
I will continue to support the efforts spearheaded by Mike Peterson with the Lake clean up planning and support Chris Waldron, Parks and Recreation Director, through the master planning of the lake shoreline development. I will be working hand-in-hand with our Community Development Agency and the Planning Board to best assist bringing a long-term vision to life with welcoming business development that will provide both jobs and the quality of life we deserve.
A grant writer will be needed to work with our city, focusing on building momentum and leveraging off the grants we have already with new funding opportunities.
An IMMEDIATE focus will be to determine where we are at with the current DRI projects and spending with a plan to establish and complete projects in an impactful way. I have been deeply frustrated with the lack of momentum and public communication on the DRI. We have a $10 million award that was supposedly developed into separate projects but there’s been no clear, public information on where these projects are at, which brings me to my next priority.
Communication: Clear, transparent, and consistent communication is a key to any relationship. As a representative for you, I will be committed to hearing from you and having you hear from me! I will have regular office hours, town hall opportunities, and invite regular emails, phone calls and face to face conversations. I want YOU to be informed of what is happening in our city. I will be using a muti-media approach, including an informative website. People deserve regular updates on city development and grant opportunities!
I will represent the people and will welcome suggestions, input and recommendations along the way, giving the people a voice so I can represent YOU and tell you where we are at in the progress towards our common vision for Fulton.
Join me in IGNITING CHANGE in Fulton. We have great bones and incredible opportunities, especially with Micron knocking at our door. It is our time to see changes in quality of life, development, aesthetics and communication to bring Fulton to the flourishing city it can be!
Sincerely,
Marissa Hanlon (R, Fulton, Ignited for Change)
Marissa Hanlon is the endorsed Republican candidate and will also appear on the ballot under the independent party, “Fulton, Ignited for Change.” She can be reached at Marissa Hanlon
P.O. Box 764, Fulton, NY 13069, 315-220-0116 or [email protected]
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Blah, Blah, Blah. The republican party has had control of the common council and mayor’s office for the last fifty years. And look at Fulton now. Three quarters of the city budget goes to the police and fire departments. Unless you’re willing to get those numbers to where you can afford them, you’re not going to do diddle poo. Get ready to trot out the same old lame excuses that we’ve been listening to for the last fifty years.