Albany Ward II commissioner-elect plans eastside cleanup day

ALBANY — Some people like to test the waters when taking on a new venture, get their feet a little wet before they dive in.

Not Ward II Albany City Commissioner-elect Matt Fuller.

Fuller, at the recommendation of the “Save Albany” group and with the support of other civic-minded organizations and individuals, has planned a Saturday work day on Jan. 13 to help clean up Ward II. This before he’s even been sworn in as a bona fide commissioner.

“I want to make this clear that this was not my idea; it was a recommendation of the Save Albany group,” Fuller said. “But I thought it was a great idea, and I support it fully. We’re going to try and get other groups involved and start a campaign to clean up the city. There’s nothing political about this at all. It’s just people who want to improve their city.”

Fuller defeated Ward II incumbent Bobby Coleman in a runoff election Dec. 5 after the two emerged from a five-candidate municipal election as the top vote-getters. One of the other candidates in that race, third-place finished CaMia Hopson, endorsed Fuller when he assured her that he will focus attention on the poorer east side of the expanded ward.

“I’ve shared with Mr. Fuller that I will personally hold him to his word to ensure that he engages with ALL people and personally address the concerns of our ward, especially the eastside,” Hopson wrote in an endorsement letter that she shared with The Albany Herald. “I’ve shared with him that he needs to help push decisions that will not help the richer live and get richer and the poorer live and get poorer, but push decisions that equally enhance our ward and make it better for all. Mr. Fuller has given me his word that he is committed to doing so and will give an even greater focus to the eastside as it’s where the most focus is needed. He has given me his word that he is committed to helping promote better solutions for helping our elderly and children with the various challenges they face in our community. In exchange, I have agreed to help him in any way that I can to continue to do my part in helping Albany be a better place for all of us.”

Hopson was true to her word, speaking on Fuller’s behalf in districts of Ward II where he fared poorly. He, in turn, appears to be intent on keeping his work to Hopson and to the voters in Ward II.

“This is just something that I believe we can all do to help make our city better,” Fuller said. “We are going to start our cleanup campaign on the eastside of the ward because that’s where it’s needed most. Again, this isn’t political at all. It’s just people who want to start bringing Albany back to where it should be.”

Persons interested in helping with the cleanup campaign are encouraged to contact Fuller at (229) 869-6973.