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Albany County reveals winners of inaugural snowplow‑naming contest
Summary
The Albany County Legislature and Department of Public Works announced seven winning names chosen from more than 280 submissions and 2,100 votes; some plows will appear in a March parade.
The Albany County Legislature on March 10 announced the seven winners of the county’s inaugural snowplow‑naming contest, a public engagement initiative intended to highlight the Department of Public Works’ role in winter road safety.
Joanne Cunningham, chair of the Albany County Legislature, said the majority office launched the contest on Dec. 11 and received more than 280 submissions with over 2,100 votes cast. From those entries, judges — including County Executive Dan McCoy, Department of Public Works representatives and legislators Bill Ricard (chair of the public works committee), Lynn Lukakas (deputy Democratic majority leader) and Carolyn McLaughlin (legislative black caucus chairwoman) — selected seven names for the county fleet.
The winners announced during the meeting included Stokesquatch (submitted by Craig McCrosscott of Albany News), Plowosaurus, Excelsior, No Way Jose, and Sleep and Salty among others. Cunningham and others emphasized the public‑safety role of plow crews during recent storms and encouraged residents to give snowplows room while they operate.
Several of the newly named plows are scheduled to participate in a county event tied to local parades; the chair invited the public to join a Saint Patrick’s Day parade on March 15, 2025, where some plows will appear.
Why it matters: The contest is ceremonial but intended to raise public awareness of the county’s snow‑removal operations and to recognize Department of Public Works crews for winter road safety work.
