Lashawn M. Hawkins is throwing her hat into local politics.

The activist and non-profit founder of “Lashawn’s Heart,” formerly “I Can Breathe and I Will Speak,” announced Tuesday that she is running a write-in campaign for Gloversville Councilwoman-at-Large.

In delivering her announcement at St. Thomas Square, Hawkins said she formerly ran for the position in 2021, but backed out because she felt she couldn’t give the community what it needed. However, she’s kept up with council meetings since, and is ready to campaign again four years later, she said Tuesday.

“I watch those [council] meetings and I see [them], but for me, it’s more so about the people that aren’t being served in this community, that don’t go to those meetings, that don’t watch those meetings, that don’t even realize how important their voice is in this community,” she said. “We’ll all sit on Facebook and say this and complain about that. We really need to get active – that’s the bottom line.”

Hawkins additionally said she wants to tackle large issues facing the community, specifically drug-related problems and homelessness.

“My main concern is our neglect towards the drug epidemic that we have been noticing in this community,” she said. “It can’t just be who wants what and what area. The whole damn city can need some improvement.”

The activist has a storied history in Gloversville. Shaken by George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Hawkins founded “I Can Breathe and I Will Speak.” The non-profit was formed on July 2 of that year, and was among a bevy of Black Lives Matter advocacy groups to emerge in response to the brutal slaying, many varying in ideology, size and objectives. Hawkins recently re-branded the non-profit to “Lashawn’s Heart” during a Juneteenth ceremony this year, where she also announced tentative plans to build a family shelter in the city.

Determined to improve relations between young Gloversvillians and local police, the group’s messaging was comparatively moderate in contrast to Saratoga BLM, Schenectady-based All of Us and Troy 4 Black Lives. The non-profit became known for holding peaceful protests and community events targeting issues such as youth poverty. Hawkins additionally is known for organizing backpack programs and food drives for the community.

Current Councilman-at-Large Wayne Peters is not seeking re-election in November, citing that he doesn’t have the time these days to commit to the position for another term.

“That’s what she wants to do, she’s got the right to run,” Peters said.

Hawkins will be running against former Councilman-at Large William Rowback and Mohawk Valley Cooperative Market manager Jeremy Krajewski. Rowback is running as a Republican, and Krajewski is running as an Independent.

Councilman-at-large is the second-highest-ranking seat in Gloversville government. Rowback served in the position from 2020 to 2021.

Rowback commended Hawkins for starting her own write-in campaign. Krajewski said he wishes her luck.

“Congratulations to her that [she’s] put her hat in the ring,” Rowback said. “We don’t get very many people that want to step up and [help] our community get better. It’s going to be a fight [since it] seems that there’s three of us that are actually running for Councilman-at-Large.”

Hawkins has spent time in the community to ask for support for her write-in bid on Election Day in November.

“I’ve sat with people from all walks of life, some of our most prestigious residents and some of our most overlooked,” Hawkins said. “In every room, I carry your stories and your hope. Now I’m asking you to help me take this commitment to the next level.”

A Canada goose meanders on Great Sacandaga Lake in Mayfield on a recent, calm water day.

Enjoying the cool water

FILE - The Fulton Center.

A skilled nursing facility company with related facilities in Schenectady and Fulton counties and across the country is paying more than $6 million to resolve allegations over Medicare statements, U.S. Attorneys officials said Tuesday.

Centers Healthcare is paying related to 44 skilled nursing facilities nationwide, 15 of them in New York state, officials said.

The allegations concerned the facilities submitting cost reports to Medicare that contained false statements or omitted material........

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