Interesting Sequence

Yesterday, Undersheriff Jackie Savatore announced her intention to run for the office of Columbia County Sheriff. Today, Sheriff Don Krapf, who currently holds the position, announced his intention not to run. The following is Krapf's press release.

After much reflection and with a deep sense of gratitude, I formally announce that I will not be seeking reelection as your Sheriff in the 2025 election. It has been an incredible honor to serve this community, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together over the past four years.

Throughout my time in office, we've worked to enhance the safety, well-being, and quality of life of our community. We've implemented important programs like Columbia County's first gun buyback initiative and Wheels of Justice, upgraded technology to improve accountability, greatly improved the professionalism of this office, and launched innovative initiatives in school safety, community engagement and corrections services. These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire sheriff's office and our community partners throughout this great county.

Together, I believe we have achieved more in one term than would normally be accomplished in three. However, I am most proud of the relationships we have built with the community. These connections have been invaluable, reminding us that the work of government is always a collaborative effort.

I am proud to say that, as Sheriff, I worked for the people of Columbia County. The countless meetings and interactions with community members provided me with great insight into the needs of Columbia County residents. These needs were a driving force behind creating true positive change, and I believe, in part, they greatly strengthened the relationship between the Sheriff's Office and the community.

As I prepare for the next chapter, I am excited to announce that I am endorsing my Undersheriff, Jacqueline Salvatore, to succeed me as the the next Sheriff of Columbia County. The Undersheriff has worked alongside me diligently and has proven herself to be a leader with exceptional skill, vision, and dedication to public safety.

Undersheriff Salvatore's commitment to the community makes her the ideal candidate to continue the important work we've started. She has been an invaluable partner in leading the Office of the Sheriff, enhancing public safety, improving community relations, and supporting the men and women of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. I am confident that she will uphold our high standards and continue to build a safe, just, and thriving Columbia County for all residents.

Thank you for your unwavering support and for the privilege of allowing me to serve you as your Sheriff.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead the many men and women of this office who work tirelessly to make this county a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. It has truly been an incredible journey, and I look forward to continuing our work together to build a safer and stronger Columbia County.

A great leader does not make choices based on what is best for themselves but considers what is best for all. In parting, please remember: You are the voice of change, and your elected leaders are most effective when they heed the insight and support of those who elect them to serve.

Stay the course, and God bless.

Mill Street Lofts: What It Will Look Like

The proposal to build seventy units of affordable housing on the cul-de-sac that is Mill Street, on the site of a former deed-restricted recreation area, has been before the Planning Board since July. At Tuesday's meeting of the Planning Board, the folks from Kearney Realty & Development Group finally presented renderings of what is being proposed: two four-story buildings bordering a parking lot on two sides--the parking lot being in the front, looking barren and huge, although it has fewer spaces than the buildings have units.

The renderings confirm what most people believed all along: the project is woefully out of character with the neighborhood for which it is being proposed. But then it's hard to imagine a location in Hudson where it wouldn't be out of character.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

Injury and Destruction Averted

The best news of the year so far is that National Grid will not be installing new powerlines and brutally pruning and removing trees in the 300 block of Allen Street after all. Gossips received this statement from Assemblymember Didi Barrett today.

"I am pleased to share the news that National Grid will not be installing utility lines and removing trees on Allen Street in the City of Hudson as part of their plan to provide new EV charging infrastructure at the Courthouse," said Assemblymember Didi Barrett.

"My office recently heard from constituents and small business owners who had been told that National Grid intended to do just that, a plan which would destroy the character and beauty of Allen Street. We quickly reached out to National Grid to relay these concerns, explain the impact this proposal would have on the neighborhood, and connected them with our constituents and local leaders to discuss the proposed plans directly. I thank National Grid for hearing our concerns and First Ward Council Member Margaret Morris for her advocacy. This is what local and state governments working together is all about." 

This early 20th-century post card image of the 300 block of Allen Street is from the History Room Collection at the Hudson Area Library

More News of a Political Nature

Sheriff Don Krapf will not be seeking reelection as Columbia County Sheriff. In his stead, Undersheriff Jackie Salvatore intends to run for the office. This news was announced this morning in the following press release.

Undersheriff Jackie Salvatore, a Hudson native with over 30 distinguished years of law enforcement leadership, announces her candidacy for Columbia County Sheriff. With a proven record of innovation, community engagement, and a commitment to public safety, Undersheriff Salvatore is ready on day one to keep Columbia County safe.

Statement from Undersheriff Salvatore:

"My number one priority is public safety. As your Sheriff, I will work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, support and advocate for victims of crime, use every tool available to combat the opioid epidemic, expand our training program for deputies to ensure they are well-trained to handle diverse situations, and foster a culture within the office that ensures our criminal justice system is fair.

"I've lived in Columbia County my entire life. I know our community, its needs, and its potential. I've spent my life in public service, and as your Sheriff, I'll put our community's needs above all else."

During her remarkable 28-year tenure with the New York State Police, Undersheriff Salvatore held various roles, including Trooper, Investigator, Senior Investigator, and Regional Coordinator. Her tenure culminated as the Director of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). As Director, she led a team of investigators and peer support members, providing confidential outreach and intervention for over 5,000 employees and their families statewide. Her efforts focused on addressing mental health challenges, substance abuse, and workplace crises, ensuring the safety and well-being of the State Police colleagues.

Since becoming the Undersheriff in 2022, Salvatore has worked to modernize the Columbia County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), implemented a multi-county Employee Assistance Program to address officer wellness, assisted in creating the Wheels of Justice program to refurbish bicycles for previously incarcerated individuals, and launched Columbia County's first Gun Buy Back Program. She also created a new Community Liaison position to serve as a bridge between law enforcement and the Columbia County community. Undersheriff Salvatore will continue her work to make the Sheriff's Office a model for the state.

A proud graduate of Hudson High School, Salvatore attended Columbia-Greene Community College and later earned an Associate's Degree in Biblical Studies from Vision Christian Bible College & Seminary.

Jackie Salvatore's candidacy for Columbia County Sheriff represents a commitment to leadership, community service, and innovative programs that enhance public safety and community well-being. She looks forward to continuing her service to Columbia County with integrity, dedication, and a vision for a safer and more inclusive future.

"Undersheriff Salvatore will bring a wealth of experience to the job and a deep commitment to our county and its safety. She will be an incredible Sheriff. I'm excited about her vision for the CCSO's future," said Sam Hodge, Chair of the Columbia County Democrats.

Sheriff Don Krapf informed Hodge earlier this year he was seeking other opportunities to serve our community.

Remembrance of Times Past

Celebrated graphic designer Woody Pirtle died this week at the age of 81: "In Memory of Woody Pirtle, 1944-2025." His passing has meaning for us here in Hudson because, in 2002, Pirtle donated his immense talent to design this poster for the Hudson Valley Preservation Coalition. 

The Hudson Valley Preservation Coalition (HVPC) was a group, led by Scenic Hudson and including such partners as Historic Hudson, HADA (Hudson Antiques Dealers Association), and Hudson River Heritage, that was organized to oppose "The Greenport Project," an enormous coal-fired cement plant, proposed by St. Lawrence Cement (now Holcim), to be situated in Greenport with a presence in Hudson at the dock now owned and occupied by Colarusso. With Friends of Hudson and The Olana Partnership, HVPC succeeded in making that terrible threat to our city and our waterfront go away.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

When No Change Is Good

There was some concern approaching the new year that there would be an attempt to replace Margaret Morris (First Ward) and Dominic Merante (Fifth Ward) as Common Council majority leader and minority leader. The uncertainty about who would hold those positions in the new year was cited as the reason this morning's Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meeting had to be rescheduled. The majority and minority leaders serve ex officio on the IDA. They also serve ex officio on the Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency (HCDPA).

The good news is that Morris and Merante will continue is those roles in 2025.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

Where Did That Money Go?

At the budget hearing last November, Robert Rasner, a member of the citizens' committee proposing charter change, pointed out that since 2020 the city budget has increased by close to a million dollars a year--from $14,910,741 to $19,771,551. He concluded by asking, "Where did that money go? Are our lives better for it?"

At the December meeting of the Common Council Finance Committee, city treasurer Heather Campbell undertook to answer the question of why the city budget increased by close to $5 million in five years' time. Her presentation included a lot of pie charts, which members of the committee had in hand, but members of the public attending both in person and virtually could not see. 

The visuals that accompanied Campbell's presentation can now be found online here. The video recording of the meeting can be found here. If you are interested in understanding the city budget and why it has increased by more than 30 percent in the past five years, you are encouraged to listen to the video recording of the meeting while studying the pie charts. 

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

News of the Public Square

Last night, at the informal Common Council meeting, Rob Perry, superintendent of Public Works, reported that the RFP (request for proposal) for Seventh Street Park "should be going out soon." This morning, Gossips received the following press release from Friends of the Public Square (FOPS).

Construction to renovate the 7th Street Park will begin in the spring of 2025. Friends of the Public Square, which has a memorandum of understanding with the City, has announced that a contract for the renovation is now ready to go out to bid. Groundbreaking will occur after a contractor has been selected in a competitive bidding process. Soon the construction fences will go up, and groundbreaking will be announced.

The detailed bid documents were produced by landscape architects Starr Whitehouse and a team from FOPS, along with various experts, Mayor Kamal Johnson, and the City of Hudson Department of Public Works. The bidding process lasts 30 days.

FOPS has raised over $1 million to support the first phase of work, which includes new pathways and benches, and the repositioning of the Veterans Memorial to Warren Street in a new Veterans Plaza, as well as landscaping and the infrastructure necessary to build a new fountain.

The park design reflects the input received from numerous community meetings and surveys to have a park that allows for gathering, entertainment, and perhaps most importantly a functioning fountain. FOPS also worked with the American Legion Post 184 and VFW Post 1314 on the repositioning of the memorial to its new Warren Street location.

Fundraising continues for the fountain and its surrounding plaza.

Katherine Kanaga, co-chair of the FOPS board stated, “We remain confident that generous donors and other grants will meet the remaining shortfall, and the fountain will take its rightful place at the center of Hudson’s Public Square.”

The challenges of updating a historic park for contemporary uses, while maintaining its original design intent and character, have been a fundamental component of the design process. Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects worked with FOPS and the City of Hudson to set forth a phased plan to bring back the Public Square Park to the forefront of the public imagination, while accommodating programming and activities which speak to the patrons of today and tomorrow.

Friends of the Public Square Hudson Inc is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit formed to renovate the 7th Street Park (the Public Square) in partnership with the City of Hudson. Further information is available on their website–fopshudson.com.

In Case You Missed It

Last week, an article by Jamie Larson about the new Frederic Church Center for Art and Landscape at the Olana State Historic Site appeared in Rural Intelligence: "Olana's New Award-winning Multi-million Dollar Building Is Almost Invisible."

Photo: Peter Aaron

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

The holidays are now well over, and the new year is in full swing meetingwise. The week ahead includes meetings of the Common Council, the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

• On Monday, January 13, the Common Council holds its organizational meeting at 6:00 p.m., followed by the informal meeting. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Microsoft Teams. Click here for the link to join the meeting remotely.  
• On Tuesday, January 14, the Planning Board meets at 6:30 p.m. The agenda includes many things that have been before the Planning Board for a while, as well as something that has been expected for a while: the conditional use permit for Colarusso's dock operations. It is worth noting that Colarusso has been carrying on its dock operations since January 24, 2017, without a conditional use permit. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely

• On Wednesday, January 15, the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meets at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at 1 City Centre, Suite 301, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

Update: The IDA meeting for today was canceled without notice and will be rescheduled.

• Also on Wednesday, January 15, the Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 6:00 p.m. On the agenda for the meeting is an application for the area variances needed to demolish a single-story structure at 9 Partition Street and construct in its place a three-story single family dwelling. The meeting takes place in person only at City Hall.

• On Thursday, January 16, Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency (HCDPA) meets at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Microsoft Teams. Click here for the link to join the meeting remotely.  
• Also on Thursday, January 16, the Public Works Board, a.k.a. the Sidewalk Board, meets at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Microsoft Teams. Click here for the link to join the meeting remotely.
• On Saturday, January 18, the People's March in opposition to the Project 2025 agenda takes place on Warren Street. Marchers are asked to assemble at noon in Seventh Street Park. The march will proceed down Warren Street, ending at Promenade Hill. Click here for more information.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

Me & Mini Me Redux

In the early aughts, Eric Galloway acquired 317 Allen Street, the Jacobean and Dutch inspired mansion designed by Marcus Reynolds for Morgan A. Jones, a young man who had inherited a fortune from his father's manufactured soap company. In the brief time he owned the property, Galloway divided it into three parts: the main house, the carriage house, and southernmost part of the parcel where a tennis court and an overlook were once located.

This photograph, which appeared in 1910 in the architectural magazine Brickbuilder, shows the carriage house, the formal garden, and the path leading to the tennis court and the overlook. 

On the southernmost part of what had once been the grounds of an elegant urban mansion, Galloway built two faux Greek Revival houses, one smaller than the other. Disgruntled residents of Willard Place, unhappy about the intrusion of these houses of anachronistic design into their pristine late 19th-century neighborhood, dubbed them "Me & Mini Me."

Now it seems Galvan is proposing another architectural Me & Mini Me for Hudson. At Friday's meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission, Walter Chatham presented plans for 123 Union Street, a building that has been owned by Galvan since 2010, first by Galvan Partners LLC, then by Galvan Initiatives Foundation. 

Chatham described the house as a "lovely former mansion" which for many years had been "broken up into apartments." The plan is to turn the house once again into a single family residence. An alteration being proposed for the exterior of the house is adding four windows on the west side of the building that replicate, in size and design, the windows at the front.  

The plans also involve removing the tumbledown garage at the back of the property, facing Partition Street, and replacing it with a building that is a miniature of the original house, replicating all the finishes and details of the larger house. The building would house a two-car garage and a second-floor apartment. Chatham referred to the two buildings as "Me & Mini Me."

Chatham explained, as Gail Walker, wife of Kevin Walker, who designed the original Me & Mini Me on Willard Place, did years ago, that it was a common phenomenon in the South to have an outbuilding that was a miniature version of the main house. Chatham admitted he had yet to find any examples of this practice in the North.

Chatham acknowledged that the construction of the new Mini Me would entail the removal of two large maple trees, which he said were "kind of at the end of their life," but he assured the HPC that their loss would be compensated for by new landscaping.

Reacting to the proposed new building, HPC member John Schobel said it looked unconventional, "because it's a garage that looks like a house." Miranda Barry asked if the proposed new building would be an exact copy of the original house. When Chatham confirmed that it would, Barry commented, "It's like a dollhouse in the back." She went on to say, "It's unlikely the original owner would have built a replica of the house." Phil Forman, who chairs the HPC, opined, "There is something startling about the replica concept."

Chatham responded to the HPC's less than enthusiastic reception of Mini Me by saying he would try to figure out how the design could have "a little humor and a little style" while meeting the HPC's standards for appropriateness and compatibility.   

A public hearing on the project has been scheduled for Friday, January 24.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

Hudson in the New York Times

On Wednesday, the "What You Get" feature in the Real Estate section of the New York Times was this: "$2.3 Million Homes in Florida, New York and Maryland." The $2.3 million home in New York is "an 1890 townhouse in Hudson," specifically 522 Warren Street.

According to the county assessment rolls, the last time the building was sold, in 2020, the price was $755,000.