ALBANY, N.Y. – Mayor Jerry Jenning does the honors crowning Schenectady's Gail McNeil Mother of the Year. McNeil was nominated by her daughter-in-law, and was picked out of the five finalists. She's the 9th mom to get the nod at the annual Tulip Festival tradition.
“It was very humbling to be with all these people. We represent all that is good in women,” said Gail McNeil, 2008 Tulip Festival Mom of the Year.
“You always want to say thank you, and materialistic things weren't the way to go on this one,” said Maureen McNeil, Gail's daughter-in-Law.
While McNeil was the official mom of the year here at tulip fest, some kids we talked to say the judges got it all wrong.
So, we took a walk around Washington Park and as kids tipped toed through the tulips, we asked them, why is their mom, mom of the year?
A Schenectady woman has a Mother's Day she soon won't forget. She takes the home the honor of top mom at this year's Tulip Festival in Albany. But of course, everyone has a reason for why their mom is number one. Curtis Schick reports.
“Because she is so pretty,” said Jaleesa Ford, Albany resident.
“She takes me places and she sings a lot,” said Zion Ford, Albany resident.
“Because she cleans a lot and takes care of me all the time,” said Akinde Ford.
“Because she is special and makes good food,” said Ronel Ford, Albany resident.
“Because she is nice and pretty,” said Cynthia Balkis.
While all the kids had different reasons why their mom was best, they all agreed on one thing, Happy Mother's Day.