New Councilwoman Steph Newton listens to Mayor Alex Johnson II deliver his address.
With three new members, the Albany City Council held its first meeting of 2023 on Wednesday night. It was a ceremonial affair, and if you weren’t there and want to see how it went, you should look it up on YouTube.
Lots of people were there, including families and friends of the three newly elected council members: Steph Newton, Ramycia McGhee and Jackie Montague.
Outgoing council members Bessie Johnson, Stacey Bartholomew and Dick Olsen were recognized and presented with shadow boxes.
Olsen, who first served on the council in 1973, wasn’t there. If he wants his shadow box, he’ll presumably have to pick it up.
Mayor Alex Johnson II had this advice for the people of Albany:
“Talk to us,” he said. “Don’t be shy. Talk. To. Us. Because your voice helps us do a better job of getting stuff done.”
That’s something to remember in the coming year.
If you want to reach the mayor or any of the councilors — and even if you don’t — all their City Hall message phones and email addresses are listed on the city website here.
A few scenes from Wednesday’s session after the new councilors took their seats. (hh)
Council members Ramycia McGhee, newly seated, and Ray Kopczynski, who explained that “DoD” stood for “Dinosaur on the Dais.” He’s the oldest councilor at 74.
Marilyn Smith, left, who was elected council president, and new member Jackie Montague.
Congratulations for a new council member, Steph Newton.
When it was over, the audience milled about in the council chamber.
More milling about.
I don’t blame Dick Olsen for not being there. He has put in a lot of years serving the city and he is no longer on the Council. Also, the mayor and Bessie Johnson have just finished an attack on him about his telling something that happened at a closed-door work session. And, as I understand it, there is no hard and fast rule against telling something that happened behind closed doors when it concerns running the city of Albany which relies on fees from citizens and taxpayer’s money.
YeH SuPer ClAsSy MoVE. SuRe ShoWeD TheM!!!
As with the other councilors, Dick would have been honored for his many years of service. He should have been there to receive the accolades…
You should leave your attempt of humor (D.o.D.) at home. It doesn’t belong at a council meeting. Try and take the job seriously.
If you can’t ever laugh at yourself or the work that you do, you do live in a dark world…
Most of us expect more for our elected officials. If we wanted a comic, we’d go to a comedy show.
Yes, he did show them, Mr. Unclassy Calhoun. If I were Dick Olsen, I would tell them what they can do with their shadowbox.
The city and the council have devastated many lives with their flippant decisions and put them in a dark place. I guess the jokes were on them and at their expense. They should be content that they gave you something to smile about. We are glad to be your source of comic relief.