Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa at the start of Monday’s council session. Councilman Bill Coburn sits next to her.
Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa returned to the city council in person Monday, nearly a month after being injured in a two-car crash.
Since the crash on July 22, the mayor had taken part in other meetings by telephone, but for Monday’s council work session she was back in her customary seat at the end of the council table.
She and her husband, Stephen, who was driving, were hurt when another driver ran a stop sign and ran into their Toyota SUV on Fish Hatchery Drive near Scio.
Both vehicles flipped several times. The mayor suffered several broken ribs and a dislocated left arm. The shoulder injury has turned out more serious than she had hoped at first. She needed surgery to install clamps to hold her arm in its rotator cuff, and the healing will take much longer. She’s been told it will be several more weeks before she can drive and up to a year before she can hold her baby grandson.
Despite all that, she seemed upbeat. And by the way, she has filed for re-election to another two-year term. (Only one other person filed for mayor. He’s Charley R. Smith, who’s been on the ballot several times.)
At council work sessions, Konopa sits next to council President Bill Coburn, who is recovering from knee surgery. On Monday, the mayor was laughing about her with her arm in a sling and Coburn with his cane lying next to his chair on the floor. (hh)
I wish someone else would attempt to be mayor in Albany!!!
“if wishes were horses…’ So why didn’t you throw your name in the hat?
Good lord, Ray, not everyone can run for public office.
I agree – It all boils down to personal priorities for your time and your willingness to get involved…
Now that both Konopa and Coburn have faced the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, perhaps the City’s plan for Medicare For All-Bany will have a chance to pass.
I also wish someone else would run for mayor of Albany. And, no, Mr. Kopcynski, I will not throw my hat in the ring.
She was injured, she survived, she is healing, she chose to return to her seat, she chose to run again – thank you for your tenacity, your stamina, your vision for the City. Appreciate what you have dear citizens. If you complain, you will remain. Every city has its ups and downs. Consider other cities of the same size. This is truly not the worst scenario.
How about wishing the Mayor well and for quick recovery.
And leave the bitch and moan comments for the political post.
As if we don’t have enough of that already.
So glad to hear the mayor is recovering and back to serving her community. I hope her recovery continues as fast as possible.