The mayor and administration received an “ice cold” challenge from Township Council members this week.
Taking time out of their personal lunch breaks on Aug. 19, Mayor Yaede and her administration accepted the “ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Ice Bucket Challenge” issued by Council President David Kenny, Vice President Dennis Pone, Councilman Ed Gore and Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer.
”This was a challenge that I was happy to accept,” Mayor Yaede said. “In this day and age, when people hear about ‘challenges’ between different branches of government, their first thoughts are about partisan gridlock, political fighting or obstruction. But this challenge is for a great cause in raising awareness of ALS.”
ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain. The “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” has gained notoriety recently, in an effort to raise ALS awareness and money for research and those affected by the disease. Those who accept the challenge willingly get doused with buckets of ice water, record the event and then share it on social media to help promote awareness of ALS. Then, those accepting the challenge nominate others to do the same. Those who do not wish to be doused with ice water are asked to make a donation to the ALS charity of their choice.
Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer said, "We were challenged by Denis Pone’s daughter, Alyssa. It was during our challenge that we challenged the mayor and members of her administration. When you see individuals suffering from this terrible disease it’s easy to say, yes, I’ll take the challenge and donate and continue the movement because it is helping to raise awareness about ALS and in the meantime it has become something fun for people to participate in. With all the chaos in the world and in our own country it’s nice to be able to do something with others that is fun and in return your helping a very worthwhile cause."
Before accepting the challenge, the mayor and members of her administration fulfilled their duties by each challenging three other individuals to take the challenge. Mayor Yaede and her administration will also each be making private donations to the ALS Association.
”For many years, I have participated in the ‘Polar Bear Plunge’ to benefit the Special Olympics; and in comparison I can report that the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ was easy to accept,” joked Hamilton’s Director of Water Pollution Control, Richard Watson. “But in all seriousness, both are important causes that I am happy to take part in and help make a difference.”To see the mayor and her administration complete the ice bucket challenge, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUhukiv8mWA.

