Good-Bye Remarks for Amy Finnegan, Forum President

Remarks delivered by incoming Forum President Phyllis Slusher at outgoing President Amy Finnegans last Forum meeting, May 25, 2010.

As much as Amy Finnegan loves this neighborhood, she’d finally had it with some out-of-control neighbors --and bought a new home outside of College Hill.

In February, the College Hill Forum Board unanimously rejected Amy’s offered resignation and asked her to stay on through the end of her term.

Sadly, that’s tonight. When we lose Amy Finnegan, we lose a major contributor to this community. And we lose a Forum president who never lost her cool -- or her class --during her busy term as president.

Amy led us through a tough decision making process with the Episcopal Retirement Homes proposal for the Eastern Star property. She took a lot of slings and arrows on behalf of the Forum, but never returned fire.

Perhaps, in her finest hour, Amy convinced the owners of the Hillrise apartments to work with the CH community - after years of unsuccessful attempts to get the owners to respond. Amy organized the investigation which disclosed no workable plan to improve conditions for residents. She led the community campaign to keep Hillrise from being rewarded with government money -- and to hold Hillrise accountable for their failings – and for their bedbugs.

Instead of simply complaining about EZ Market, she went to the store to discuss our concerns with the owner and get him involved. She later worked with the CPOP committee to effect some major improvements there.

Amy founded our National Night Out celebration to honor our fire fighters and police officers. Every year, she only got the exhibitors, got the food, got the drinks, got the volunteers, got the band, made the fliers, did the marketing and made sure it always was a fun event that got College Hill on the news – in a good way!

Amy has walked with Citizens on Patrol, she’s cleaned up litter and trash at every clean-up, worked every Pumpkin Patch and every Rhythm Race. She’s taken every Garden Tour, shopped at Farm Market, patronized most every business on the Avenue and built relationships with state and local officials – and she’s done it all with energy and enthusiasm.

Please join me -- with energy and enthusiasm – as we say goodbye and thank you to Amy Finnegan.