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Post by concerned on Mar 13, 2009 11:38:05 GMT -5
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Post by corner on Mar 13, 2009 12:22:53 GMT -5
watch out Lucifer hes gonna want to take over
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Post by bobbbiez on Mar 13, 2009 12:57:41 GMT -5
 Have to agree with ya Corner but I do hope his soul is at rest.  If anyone needs our prayers it would be Mr. Hanna. 
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Post by lefty on Mar 13, 2009 15:43:47 GMT -5
Say a prayer for the soul of the departed, Mr. Hanna did things his way; whether the majority agreed with him or not, he leaves quite a legacy a legacy in local politics and was truly one of a kind.
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Post by bobbbiez on Mar 13, 2009 20:41:00 GMT -5
Yep Lefty, I do agree with you on, "he was truly one of a kind." Thank God for that, because Utica couldn't take two of him. 
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Post by tanouryjr on Mar 13, 2009 22:10:41 GMT -5
I guess I might not be popular here with this one, but I was extremely sad today. Having know Mayor Hanna all my life, he was the most generous man I've ever met. I've never seen anyone care more about this city. He was certainly unconventional and a love him or hate him kind of guy, but that's what it takes around here. He never did it the good old boy way. He took the machine on in the 70's and beat them against all odds. Many don't realize that Rufie outspent him 3-1 in that first Mayoral election, and Hanna still won as an Independent. As tough and mean as some may have seen him, he was actually the opposite. He just didn't trust any politicians or media. He made some mistakes, as does anyone.
Mayor Hanna, in my opinion, will always be The People's Mayor. I know he will always be My Mayor. My father went from great friends, to bitter enemies and back to great friends with him many times, but he told me today (for the first time) that he always looked up to Hanna. He said he was the best Mayor we ever had and that he truly cared for the people. And for that, he was always the target of the political bosses.
Rest in peace Mayor.
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Post by lefty on Mar 13, 2009 22:31:46 GMT -5
Well said Larry, I can remember as a kid going to Terrace(Hanna) Park and getting salt potatoes and hot dogs and then throwing money in the fountain, those were great days ; he truly did care about the City of Utica and took great pride in the way that it looked.
Rest in peace Mayor Hanna
Lefty
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Post by bobbbiez on Mar 14, 2009 19:22:33 GMT -5
I really hate doing this and I mean speaking poorly against the deceased but I am one who will not allow credit being given where it is not deserved. I was very involved with Ed Hanna even before he became Assemblyman. I worked with him on his campaign and even did plenty of PR work to help him get elected. Hate to inform y'all but that's when Rufie, the Democratic party and Ed Hanna were all buddy, buddies. He was not "a target of the political bosses" then. With their help Ed was elected as Assemblyman. Once he officially won that position Ed openly turned against both which caused the bitter feud between all parties involved. Needless to say, Ed was not re-elected to another term. When Ed ran for Mayor the people in Utica were fed up with both parties and were looking "over the rainbow" for a change but with Ed we went for the frying pan into the fire. Ed ran and won on his "Open Door" to the Mayor's office policy. People, including myself, believed in him. Ed had the door of his office taken off which made the AP news and rightfully so. Well, it was only a matter of a few weeks when Mayor Hanna ordered the door put back up and made Utica a laughing stock on the AP news who picked it up again. How quick people forget. Do I believe Ed Hanna really wanted to make 'the impossible dream" come true for Utica? At that time, yes, I believed in him but somewhere along the road he fell off into his own little world and his own "FAME" and "POWER" became his sole priority. In his thinking do it "my way" or take the highway he was losing more for Utica then he gained. If you liked flowers and parks then Ed Hanna was the man but if you wanted to attract industries or businesses here then Ed Hanna was not the man. No company will be dictated to as Ed Hanna liked to handle people. Sure Ed handing a $100 to the little kid running a lemonade stand was very generous but he also created many law suits against the city and allowed plenty of waste and mismanagement take place at the cost of the taxpayer. When he packed up and deserted the people of Utica he left us in a hugh deficit. Many will argue because he was railroaded or because of health reasons he fled Utica during the sexual allegations but knowing Ed extremely well, I know, if those allegations weren't true Ed would have stayed here in Utica, would have spent his last dime and would have gone willing to his grave to prove his innocence. He ran like a scared rat deserting the city some claim he loved. That, you can't prove to me. "The best Mayor Utica ever had." Not in my book.  Everyone needs and deserves to be prayed for and I will do that for Ed. RIP
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Post by corner on Mar 14, 2009 19:57:11 GMT -5
there is a reason the rainbow was his symbol
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Post by tanouryjr on Mar 15, 2009 15:35:13 GMT -5
I hear ya Bobbie. Clearly you have much more personal knowledge of his career than I do. Maybe I am too young to remember any of that, or too naive. Maybe I just choose to believe more in the message of hope and independence than the means by which he may have used to govern. I wasn't born yet during his first terms, and was in Florida during his terms in the 90's. I only know the stories and the man that I knew as a child.
I guess this is a perfect example of the unique life he led. They loved him or hated him. I also liked how he refused to have a big huge obituary printed today. No picture, no long self absorbed article. Just Edward A. Hanna, 1922 - 2009. These other politicians probably already have their obits written, which will be two pages long, with every dang board and committee they sat on.
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Post by corner on Mar 15, 2009 17:26:15 GMT -5
no obit because somebody would have to acknowledge he had 2 sons both of whom hated his guts definately physical and psychlogical abuse and given his proclivities lots of rumors back in the day re sexual abuse,,i knew his brother jim that verified this way back when.. hanna was a legend in his own mind a rich power hungry demagogue who wanted a hobby and utica was it. he loved it so much he moved to fayetville and came back only when he thought he could be mayor again
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Post by bobbbiez on Mar 15, 2009 20:49:59 GMT -5
I guess it boils down to Ed Hanna was unique and an eccentric. He lived a life style that many don't agree with and I to believe Utica was another hobby to him. I state that because he did pack up and moved out of it too many times to even call Utica his home. I being a long life Utica resident who truly loves my city and is willing to stay here through no matter what, took offense to Ed being given so much credit for loving Utica when he is guilty of causing so much turmoil then packing up and leaving everyone in the dust. No way can I give him credit for loving or wanting the best for Utica. The man has passed and I truly pray he is at rest.
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Post by snickers on Mar 16, 2009 20:36:38 GMT -5
Rest in Peace, Mister Hannah. I guess this means you're definitely NOT in the running for reelection to the Mayor's Office.
Whatever was the story behind that giant watering can?
He is definitely one of the most colorful figures in Utica history.
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Have to agree with ya Corner but I do hope his soul is at rest. 
