Edward A. Hanna

Edward A. Hanna
Hanna in 1975
Mayor of Utica, New York
In office
1974–1978
In office
1996–2000
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 130th district
In office
January 1, 1966 – December 31, 1966
Personal details
Born(1922-04-07)April 7, 1922
Utica, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 13, 2009(2009-03-13) (aged 86)
Fayetteville, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (1955–1973, 1991–2007)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (1973–1991, 2007–2009)
Spouse
Ellen Eichler
​
(m. 1947)​
Children2
RelativesRichard Hanna (nephew)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • businessman
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
RankSergeant
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsPurple Heart

Edward Arnold Hanna (April 7, 1922 – March 13, 2009)[1] was an American businessman and politician. He was mayor of Utica, New York, from 1974 to 1978 and from 1996 to 2000, running as an independent. Often described as a populist, Hanna was widely regarded as eccentric and abrasive and constantly clashed with the Utica business and political establishment, the rest of city government, and other local groups. A "non-stop talker"[2] who The New York Times called "flamboyant, combative, and controversial",[3] he once described Utica as "a stinking, rotten town"[4] and "a lousy place to live" and told Uticans to move away for better opportunities.[5] He built and renovated a number of parks and public artworks during his terms. However, Hanna failed to stem Utica's long-term economic and population decline.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference OD20090314 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT0617 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Mayor of Utica 'Scores' A Point on Water Bill". The New York Times. January 7, 1976. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference syr2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT1018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).