Educator appointed to Town Board
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. » The Town Board Monday unanimously appointed Amy Flood to fill the open seat on the board the result of the December resignation of James Whalen.
An elementary school teacher in the Greater Amsterdam School District, the appointment is Flood’s first venture into elective office though not her first contact with local politics. She was the secretary of the Clifton Park Republican Committee for two years prior to announcing her candidacy for the open seat on the Town Board.
At the Republican Committee meeting last week she bested two other candidates for the Committee’s endorsement. In filling Whalen’s seat by appointment, Flood is expected to run for the seat in November to complete his unexpired term which ends Dec. 31, 2023.
Flood was sworn into office moments after the official vote of the board with her family joining in the ceremony. As a Town Board member she will earn $16,833 for 2021.
“I’m looking forward to building upon the successful record of the town board while focusing on the issues important to youth and young families, all the while preserving that which has made Clifton Park so special,” she said in a statement. In making the appointment the board resolution noted that Flood has the experience and qualifications that make her uniquely suited for the board.
A native of Troy, Flood said she and her husband moved to town just over two decades ago drawn by its quality of life and low taxes. The couple has two young adult children.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology and graduate degrees in Public Management and Elementary Education. Prior to starting her family Flood worked in the private sector for GE and with a multinational corporation that develops medical devices, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods.
When her children were young she returned to school and earned her a second graduate degree and her teaching certification. As they became teens she returned to the workforce and sought employment in the field of education landing a teaching position in Amsterdam.
In reflecting on making the change from the private sector to teaching and going back to earn the necessary credentials Flood said she believes deep down she always wanted to be a teacher.
“I love teaching young children to read and write but the most important thing I love about it is teaching them to cooperate, solve problems, and be kind to each other,” she said.
While at home with her children Flood said she took a position as an election official for the town and found she enjoyed the experience immensely. A proponent of fiscal responsibility and the way the town is run she was drawn to the town Republican Committee.
After serving on a number of its committees and helping with political campaigns she was nominated, appointed, and served two years as the Committee’s secretary.
“I think all my experiences, my energy and enthusiasm will help me in the (Town Board) position,” she said. “I feel I can represent a lot of people who want a variety of program and activity options, open spaces, and governance that’s fiscally responsible.”
Flood said as a member of the Town Board she would like to work on youth initiatives helping keep the town a place where youngsters enjoy growing up so much they want to stay put and raise they own children. She’s also interested finding a way to make the town-owned acreage fronting the Mohawk River accessible to the public.
“What moved me to run for the (Republican) endorsement was seeing all the people working so hard to keep Clifton Park a great play to live work and play,” she said. “I’m motivated and dedicated and ready to go.”