B.J. FLETCHER: Albany marches ahead strong after the storms

To everyone proud to be an Albanian today: It’s about the people, not the politics.

Once again I ride down the streets of Albany, proud to be called a citizen of this community.

It’s been two weeks now that our city was hit with “only Heaven knows what!?” And once again our community has rallied to become one community. There has been no color … no rich or poor … no Democrat or Republican … no division during our time of need.

That’s what a community is really about, coming together. About Ron Rowe, our Emergency Management Agency director and Albany Fire Department Chief; Sharon Subadan, our city manager and head of our Utility Board; Albany Police Department Chief Michael Persley, and all the other men and women who put in so much of their time and never once complained about the endless hours.

Our City Commission, our County Commission, our County Commission chairman and our city’s mayor … they all pulled together as one.

Were there mistakes made? Could we have done some things a little differently?

Maybe.

But I do know one thing: There’s no rule book available that could have told us everything we needed to do.

But there was one rule that we all did follow: We Marched On … We Are Albany Strong.

To all of the citizens who’ve struggled through these two weeks with no power and with trees and debris piled up in your yards: Thanks for your patience. I think all of us can join together and, the next time we see a city or county worker of any kind, give them a smile.

And, P.S., let’s don’t any of us ever forget that “flipping hero” we call Jimmy Norman, the one who led the effort to get 98 percent of the power back on in less than 10 days.

He’s my flipping hero …

B.J. Fletcher is the Albany city commissioner who represents Ward III.