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"

The Amherst Bulletin recently sent the candidates a questionnaire. Our answers were limited to 40 words. Here are mine. Hometown: Amherst (I grew up in Montgomery County, PA; went to school in Cleveland, OH; and prior to settling in Amherst, lived in Waltham, MA, Somerville, MA and Boulder, CO) Education: J.D. (2003), Case Western Reserve … Continue reading "Amherst Bulletin General Election Survey"

Amherst Arts Night Plus recently sent all Town Council candidates a questionnaire about the candidates’ views on arts and culture in Amherst. Being an amateur musician, this excited me. I just finished serving 6 years on the Pioneer Valley Symphony Board of Directors (3 as president) and have played in the symphony as a violist … Continue reading "Arts Night Plus Candidate Questionnaire"

Amherst Forward recently sent all candidates for Town Council appearing on the November ballot a new questionnaire. This one, unlike the first, asked open-ended questions (yeah!). It also had a fairly generous response limit (1300 characters), unlike some other questionnaires the candidates have received. Below are my responses. The new Town Council will need to … Continue reading "Amherst Forward’s General Election Candidate Questionnaire"

As I’ve been out talking to residents in Amherst, I’ve been getting asked about Amherst Forward. Many of those questions have been about the original questionnaire sent out back in June to all of the declared candidates for the preliminary election. So, at the urging of one resident, I am putting my thoughts out there. … Continue reading "The original Amherst Forward Questionnaire – My Responses"