Ear to the Ground

Gossips has learned that Dominic Merante, who has represented the Fifth Ward on the Common Council since 2018, is considering a run for Common Council President. Merante is currently the Minority Leader of the Council and in that capacity serves on the boards of the Hudson Community Development & Planning Agency (HCDPA) and the Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Those observing the Council in the past seven years know that Merante's priorities are public safety and accessibility. He has spearheaded initiatives to ensure ADA compliance and to improve traffic safety with speed radar signs, crosswalk beacons, and speed reduction measures. He also frequently expresses concerns about Council meetings being conducted with respect and decorum.

Photo: Facebook

It is not known if Tom DePietro, who has held the position of Common Council President since 2018, will be seeking a fifth term in that office. Word is that he and his wife, Dorothy Heyl, have purchased a house in Missouri, near where their only child and her young family live. Could it be DePietro and Heyl are contemplating relocating to Missouri?

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

Of Interest

Tonight, the team of citizens proposing a charter change that would transition Hudson's form of government from a Mayor/Council model to a City Manager/Council model holds a public gathering to present their findings and answer voters' questions about the proposal. By design or coincidence, the Times Union published an article today by Roger Hannigan Gilson about a different proposal for charter change put forward by Peter Spear, founder of Future Hudson, who announced his intention to run for mayor earlier this month: "Hudson mayor pans plan to potentially remake city government." 

The plan referred to in the title is Spear's idea for creating a "citizens' assembly" to review the current city charter and make recommendations for change, not the proposal for change that has already been brought forward. Of course, we know Mayor Kamal Johnson doesn't like that one either. He was quoted in the Register-Star describing the citizens' initiative as "making backroom decisions about city government without the citizens." Similarly, in the Times Union article, Johnson describes the citizens' assembly Spear is proposing as "taking a handful of people and making decisions for a city of 6,000 people."

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

Happening Tomorrow

Tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Hudson Area Library, Hudson residents will have a chance to meet the team that brought the charter change proposal forward, ask questions, and discuss the proposal with friends, neighbors, and elected officials.

The folks who have worked for three years to craft this initiative have provided this information in advance of tomorrow's meeting. I am flattered it includes a link to a Gossips post.

What is the initiative about? This is a citizens' initiative to change Hudson's form of governance from a Mayoral/Council model to a City Manager/Council model, introducing professionally trained and experienced management of the City. The City Manager/Council form of government has been successful in many cities throughout the US for over 100 years. Currently, one-fourth of the cities in New York State have this form of governance.

Why need for change? In addition to several points made in the FAQs, a compelling example of the need for change is Hudson's annual budget. The Common Council recently passed Hudson's 2025 annual budget, again raising the budget by approximately $1 million. Since 2020, Hudson's annual budget has increased $1 million yearly, from $14.9 million in 2020 to $19.7 million in 2025. That's a 32% increase in 5 years!

Compared to the 62 cities in NY state, Hudson ranks #6 in highest per capita budget cost at $3,413 per person, and #1 in total cost and per capita cost compared to the 10 NY cities with populations less than 10,000 (our per capita costs are over $1,000 higher per person with the #2!).

Click HERE for an informal benchmarking study submitted to the Common Council by a concerned citizen.

Click HERE for a Gossips article on this initiative.

Click HERE to access the Citizens' Initiative for Charter Change website, including information about the change, proposed draft changes to the existing City Charter, and FAQs.

A Holiday, an Inauguration, and an Anniversary

It seems bitterly ironic that Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year coincides with the second inauguration of Donald Trump. NPR reported on Friday that this is only the third time the holiday and the inauguration have overlapped--the first time being Bill Clinton's second inauguration in 1997; the second Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013. The conjunction isn't expected to happen again until 2053--assuming that our democracy survives, and we still elect presidents a quarter century from now.

Something that coincides with the inauguration every four years is the anniversary of The Gossips of Rivertown. It never occurred to me when I published the very first Gossips post on January 20, 2010, one year into Barack Obama's first term as President, that I was consigning Gossips to share its anniversary with the inauguration. Eight years ago, in 2017, I used the coincidence of Donald Trump's first inauguration and the seventh anniversary of Gossips to recount an event from Hudson's history, an event that was the crucible of the free press in the United States. On the occasion of Trump's second inauguration, I invite readers to remind themselves of the story of Harry Croswell and his indictment for "seditious libel" and contriving to "scandalize, traduce and vilify" the President of the United States--Thomas Jefferson--by reporting that Jefferson had paid newspaper publisher James Callender to run  articles in his paper that were hostile to Jefferson's political opponents, by revisiting that post from eight years ago: "An Inauguration and an Anniversary."  

Today marks the fifteen anniversary of The Gossips of Rivertown. For fifteen years, Gossips has been sharing news, history, and occasional gossip about the trials and triumphs of our river city, earning the respect of many and the disdain of a few. 

Today, as I do every year on Gossips' anniversary, I humbly acknowledge all the readers whose interest and loyalty have made Gossips an enduring success and offer my profound gratitude to the generous Gossips supporters and advertisers whose monetary contributions help pay the bills. Today, too, I invite readers to celebrate fifteen years of Gossips particular brand of hyperlocal reporting by joining those readers who have already shown their support for The Gossips of Rivertown in 2025.

For those who read Gossips on a computer, the process is easy. Just click on the "Donate" button near the top of the right column. For those who read Gossips on their phones, the process is a bit more complicated. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and touch "View web version." Then find the "Donate" button in the right column.

Your support--in any amount--will be gratefully acknowledged and will ensure the continuation of Gossips for yet another year.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

Meeting and Events in the Week Ahead

Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and it is likely most people will spend the holiday digging out from several inches of snow. Because of the holiday, two meetings are taking place simultaneously, along with an event that should be of interest to Gossips readers.

• On Tuesday, January 21, the Common Council Finance Committee meets at 5:15 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.
• At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, the Common Council holds its regular monthly 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.
• Also at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, the Hudson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners holds its monthly meeting. As always, the meeting may be an opportunity to learn more about HHA's redevelopment plans. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person in the Community Room at Bliss Towers, 41 North Second Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

• From 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, it is Volunteer Night at the Hudson Area Library--a chance to learn how you can support your library. The event takes place in the Community Room at the library, 51 North Fifth Street.

• On Wednesday, January 22, 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.
• At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, the Common Council ad hoc Truck Route Committee meets. 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.

Update: The meeting of the Truck Route Committee will not take place on Wednesday, January 22, but will be rescheduled.

• Also on Wednesday, January 22, the Citizens' Initiative for Charter Change holds a public gathering at 6:30 p.m. The team of citizens proposing the charter change will present their findings and answer voters' questions. The event takes place in the Community Room at the Hudson Area Library, 51 North Fifth Street. To learn more about the charter change proposal, click here. 

• On Friday, January 24, the Historic Preservation Commission meets at 10:00 a.m. The first part of the meeting will be a public hearing on the proposal to build a garage on Partition Street that is a miniature version of the original house at 123 Union Street. 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.

Update: This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission has been canceled. The public hearing on the proposal for 123 Union Street will take place at the next meeting of the HPC, which is scheduled for Friday, February 14, at 10:00 a.m. 

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

Reminder of What's Coming

At the meeting of the Public Works Board on Thursday, after a lengthy but inconclusive discussion about how property owners can get credit for past repairs to their sidewalks, the Justin Weaver, mayor's aide and ADA coordinator, led the board through a review of the plans for the "pedestrian plaza" at the western terminus of Warren Street, at the entrance to Promenade Hill. This is the illustration that was the basis of that review. (Click on image to enlarge.)

The "plaza" will be raised four inches from the road surface on Front Street and Warren Street. The image above can be found on page 15 of the Hudson Connects Connectivity Plan. 

David Marston, who is a member of the Public Works Board, commented that he liked the wildflower plantings. One has to wonder who will be charged with the design and maintenance of these beds. 

The work on the connectivity plan, which is the City's major project funded by the DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative), is suspended for the winter, but it expected to be completed in the spring.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK

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.