Marissa Hanlon Announced Her Candidacy for Mayor of Fulton, NY

FULTON – From the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090478837209

It is with great joy that I announce my candidacy for Mayor of the City of Fulton! The launch of my campaign is underway, and I am excited for Futon’s future growth. Having grown up in Granby, NY, and graduating from Hannibal High School in 1999, I can remember Fulton being the hub for most of my childhood memories. I had countless Saturdays on the soccer fields with Fulton Youth Soccer and softball games with Kiwanis. Of course, my childhood memories are not complete without remembering the smell of chocolate in the air before a big rain. I had great memories, but growing up in a split home with my sisters, I experienced the struggles of my family living on a limited income. Despite that hardship, I watched my mother make sacrifices every day to better our futures. I was taught that hard work will lead to future impacts and often, the sacrifices made today will make for a better tomorrow. I thank God that I was given the opportunity to learn those lessons early as I planned my life goals. With hard work and determination, I was able to graduate with a Master’s Degree and Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Generally, my practice as a Physical Therapist for 19 years has been in local practices in Oswego County. I was also granted the appointment of Assistant Professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University in their Physical Therapy Education Department. Along with the rewards I have received from working with patients to decrease pain and restore function, I also have a passion for Fulton and continue to find ways to give back to the city that gave me my start. I have been fortunate to have opportunities to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals for over two years and help to facilitate discussions among a newly evolving group in Fulton, called “Reimagine Fulton.” Our focus has been to look at the changes we desire for our community and brainstorm how to implement solutions using the many resources that we have. Another volunteer group I’m proud to say I have assisted in the start up of is the
Special Events Committee. Since 2021, “Big Truck Day,” “Community Market,” “Fall Festival” and the “Christmas Tree Lighting” are some of the exciting activities our collaborative committee has brought to Fulton. The seemingly small investment into these events provided a culture shift we were looking for! An opportunity for investing in local business, promotion of tourism and a greater sense of community. It fills my heart to know that the community has come together in celebration during these memorable events. My family is one of my greatest joys and I’m proud to be married to my Fulton native husband, James Hanlon. In fact, we met playing volleyball in a recreational league at Fairgrieve School! James is a veteran, having served in our United States Navy for 17 years, and currently a small business owner in the telecommunications industry. We have two beautiful children, Sophia and Liam, and we have chosen to stay in Fulton to raise them. Sophia is a student at the Fulton Jr. High and Liam is a student at Fairgrieve Elementary. My life circumstances of having grown up in this area, living and working in the city, and raising our children in this city, allows me a unique opportunity to provide fresh and innovative ideas to the Mayoral position. I understand the inflation that families are facing. | share in the same frustration of watching properties around our homes deteriorate. I lay awake praying for our children’s safety today and hope there are future career opportunities for them to return to Fulton after they graduate. I hope to build on the proud legacy Fulton has and expand its potential. I see the promise of this city and ask for your support to allow me the great honor to serve in the office of Mayor to bring these hopes and dreams that we all share to fruition. It cannot be done without our collective community, and I plan to surround myself with people that are knowledgeable in each area of concern so we can arrive at actionable solutions. The facilitation of the needed conversations with all stakeholders, to do what’s best for our city, will be my primary focus. I’m not a politician, but rather a woman with a heart for our city. Fulton’s rich history, my fond memories, and the city’s raw potential have sparked my passion for realizing our city’s potential. By working together, we will ignite change by not merely looking to the past inspirations with nostalgia, but by making Fulton the place we love to be in the present and are excited to create for our future generations. My passion for the City of Fulton has grown exponentially through my everyday conversations with patients and through my volunteer efforts. Hearing about the city’s rich history and conversing about residents’ ideas and hopes for the city’s well-being, have inspired me to run for the office of Mayor of the City of Fulton. I plan to use my skills as an innovative thinker and problem solver to restore Fulton to its full potential; a place where residents can be proud of their hometown, as well as a place to attract new residents and visitors alike. Fulton has my heart and I would be honored to have your support to allow me to put my hard work and determination into making a positive impact for the future we all deserve- the future that Fulton was destined for.

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