Family peer advocate Hirsch runs for Ninth Ward
Democrat Michele Hirsch, a family peer advocate for Family of Woodstock, says she will run for a seat on the Common Council.
In a press release, Hirsch said she will seek the Ninth Ward seat.
That position is currently held by Alderwoman Andrea Shaut, who announced this week she will run for Alderman-AtLarge in November’s election. Shaut was elected to her first two-year term in November 2107.
“My reasons for running are simple,” said Hirsch, 50. “I love Kingston, I love my neighborhood and I believe in being actively involved in my community where I work and raise my children.”
Hirsch said she would bring a certain energy to the council.
“A vibrant community depends on the energy its people bring to it, and it is my intention to be a strong, vocal advocate for the people of the 9th Ward,” Hirsch said.
Hirsch, who lives at 81 Brewster St., has worked as a family peer advocate with Family of Woodstock’s Adolescent Services Program for nearly five years. She has lived in Kingston for that time period. She is divorced and a mother of two teenagers.
Hirsch graduated from Goshen High School in 1986. She attended Berkeley College in White Plains where she received a certificate in business administration in 1987. She also attended Hunter College in New York City.
Hirsch holds a family peer advocate certificate from the state Office of Mental Health.
Among her priority issues are keeping taxes down, guaranteeing the” Build a Better Broadway” project will have minimal impact on residents and focusing on the Broadway corridor development in the Ninth Ward.
“I also want to continue Kingston’s work to preserve its historic architecture,” Hirsch said. Kingston’s history is one of the things that sets it apart from surrounding communities - and what is helping to give it its new vitality because people are moving here in large part due to its heritage.”
Hirsch says she has already been active in the community.
“As a Kingston resident, Hirsch has thrown herself into the community whenever she has seen a need; from launching a successful fundraising campaign to alleviating a plumbing emergency at a local food pantry to re-launching the Kingston City School District’s Special Education Parent Group, and speaking at City Hall and school board meetings on key issues that impact the community,” the press release says.
Hirsch says she will be an advocate for the neighborhood.
“The job of alderwoman means being a watchdog for your ward, an ombudsman – and advocate. And if the streets need paving or someone’s garbage isn’t picked up, City Hall will hear from me,” she said.
As part of her Family of Woodstock position, Hirsch says she has observed first-hand “tough issues that affect city residents every day and would like to work towards establishing more affordable, safe housing in the city so children aren’t disrupted every time a family has to move.”
Hirsch added that when she disagrees with other officials she will speak her mind.
“I am a Democrat, but I believe the needs of the people come first – before party interests,” Hirsch said. “If I disagree with people in my party, I will have no problem sharing my views publicly, and fighting for what I believe in.”
To that end, Hirsch said she looks forward to going door to door talking to the people who live or do business in the Ninth Ward to see what the needs are and to find out what city government can do better on their behalf.
In addition to her position at Family of Woodstock, Hirsch serves on the Board of Directors for Parents United Learning the Special Education System.