Dear Mandi Jo, Thank you for your willingness to serve our community. We applaud all candidates’ efforts to run for elected office in our town. This email is to inform you that Amherst Forward will be endorsing your bid for a town council seat in the upcoming election.  Our endorsement decisions were made considering several factors … Continue reading "Amherst Forward Endorses Mandi Jo"

I am thrilled to have received the endorsement of the Amherst Fire Fighters Local 1764. For too long we have understaffed the Department. Amherst has 47 full time fire fighters. Northampton, with a population 75% our size, has 72. Westfield, Pittsfield, and Leominster, all with similar populations to Amherst, have between 80 and 93. In … Continue reading "Amherst Fire Fighters Local 1764 Endorse Mandi Jo"

The Progressive Coalition of Amherst has requested candidates respond to their Questionnaire. Below are my responses. Both broadly (and with specific examples when possible), please explain your understanding and positions on the following issues, along with your intended actions if elected: Public health, safety, and emergency services Keeping every resident in Amherst safe is one … Continue reading "Hanneke Responds to Progressive Coalition of Amherst Questionnaire"

Amherst Forward has asked candidates to answer a questionnaire. Below are my long-form responses to the questions. I submitted shortened responses to comply with their request to limit my answers to 300 words. What would you say are the biggest challenges Amherst faces? Amherst faces some big challenges. The good news is that the new … Continue reading "Hanneke Answers Amherst Forward’s Candidate Questionnaire"

It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been over 30 months since I was sworn in as a Councilor-at-Large on the inaugural Amherst Town Council. When I ran for the office in the summer of 2018, I could not have predicted what was to come. I knew it would be hard and I knew … Continue reading "Mandi Jo Launches Re-election Campaign"

On July 13, 2021, Councilor-at-Large Mandi Jo Hanneke pulled papers to run for re-election. During her first term as a Town Councilor, she successfully co-sponsored wage theft legislation, continues to sponsor surveillance technology oversight legislation, and voted to support the Jones Library renovation and expansion project, funding for the affordable studio apartments on Northampton Road, … Continue reading "Mandi Jo Hanneke Pulls Papers to Run for Re-election"

Tonight I proudly voted to fund the expansion and renovation project for the Jones Library. Nine other councilors joined me in this vote, which will ensure our beloved Jones Library will be able to meet the 21st century needs of all patrons. Below are my prepared comments. A century ago, the Jones Library Trustees had … Continue reading "My Support of the Library Expansion and Renovation Project"

The Republican recently sent a survey to all the candidates. Below are my responses (limited to 100 words per questions). 1] Amherst North Common What are your thoughts on the “preferred concept” recently submitted by the planning department? The re-design of the North Common is intended to last more than 50 years. It needs to … Continue reading "The Republican Candidate Questionnaire"