City of Newburgh resident and former city councilwoman Gay Lee has announced her run for ward one. The announcement of her candidacy brings the total to three candidates, with Giselle Martinez and Shnekwa McNeil as the other two. At the front of Lee’s campaign is a resilient attitude, with her claiming “it’s not the amount of times I get knocked down, it’s the amount of times I get up.” She is passionate about creating change and “doing something that matters” here in Newburgh. However, she is not just passionate – she describes herself as “loaded with action,” to execute her vision.

Lee is a mother of five, with strong family-oriented values, and is a licensed clinical social worker for over 25 years. She was born and raised in Brooklyn by two activist and advocate parents. In 2005, she relocated to the City of Newburgh. She obtained her master’s degree from Smith College.

“I have run for office before,” said Lee. “The question that I think most people want to know is why do you keep doing it?”

Lee decided to run for city council again to help the City of Newburgh become a place that everyone can thrive in, especially the youth.

“I want young people to see that their eyes are not lying to them,” said Lee. “Newburgh is a place that failed on offering them hope. It is a place where homeownership is possible. It is a place where people struggle but they get back up and fight for what’s right.”

She describes the current state of the city as being “distressed” with poverty rates remaining the same, high taxes, high unemployment rates, high crime rates and the city having overall “deplorable conditions.”

“I can take the same issues that I ran on in 2012 and apply them today,” said Lee.

If elected, Lee wants to bring new ideas to the table through her property tax repayment plan and jobs plan. Additionally, she plans to work closely with the city manager to help different City of Newburgh businesses and organizations receive the funding they need if they are helping the city. She also plans to work closely with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District to create a mock city hall for students to get involved with local government and introduce new ideas while meeting their councilmembers.

“What I envision is not sitting back on the city council and approving feel good legislation,” said Lee. “I envision helping to enact policies that address the needs of the residents in the City of Newburgh.”

When it comes to the crowded race, Lee said that while she applauds the other candidates’ passion and desire to see change, she believes she is the best fit considering her past experience as a legislator, policy developer and community social worker.

“I know what change looks like and I know how to write and explain problems and what positive change should look like,” said Lee.

She envisions herself as being a voice for the people in ward one, despite political affiliation.

“Newburgh might not be the place if change can’t occur,” said Lee. “When young people tell me that they’re leaving Newburgh, I understand. As hard as I try to turn around and turn them around, I can’t help but acknowledge how they feel. Perhaps if I was younger, I might feel the same way. At this age, I’m more stubborn and I know that change can happen. The people who live here and were raised here shouldn’t feel like they’re being pushed out of their homes and city.”

To learn more about Gay Lee, visit her Facebook page “Elect Gay Lee.”