Not to Be Missed
Sam Pratt has an account on his blog of a conversation with Ken Flood, commissioner for planning and economic development for Columbia County: "Ken's convo with Kevin." A sample of what Flood said: "Restaurants in Hudson and Chatham . . . don't provide good jobs except for the owners."
If Ken Flood doesn't understand what Restaurants can do for a community (take a look at Park Slope Brooklyn for example), then he doesn't deserve to hold any position related to economic development!!
ReplyDeleteKen Flood need to be fired ASAP.
ReplyDeleteAfter "piloting" Industry, the IDA morphs into an "Economic" Developer. Great news for the graft writers of Hudson, now they can sell the Interpace/Local Ocean property a third time. Heaven help us!
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that Mr. Flood do a poll of the people who work in Hudson's restaurants. Many of my friends who work in Hudson's restaurants have worked there for years. Obviously they continue working there because the earn a decent living doing so. Columbia County has never understood how important Hudson's economy is to to Columbia County's economy. The disrespect of Hudson never ends.
ReplyDeleteHow can the economic development czar for Columbia County be this clueless? Or is it just that that restaurant folks (in fact, all the new folks) ain’t his friends? How else to explain his blithe dismissal of the value of these businesses—not just in providing decent jobs, but in driving the growth of tourism, expanding agricultural opportunities, and spurring an influx of artists, designers, and forward-thinking entrepreneurs.
ReplyDeleteI know here in Chatham, that the waitresses must make enough to get by. Some restaurant owners in chatham are so wealthy that they don't need the revenue generated from the restaurants they own (two of these restaurants come to mind), and have previously made their money in other endevours. The owners of these restaurants may just have them for a hobby, something to do, something to call their own. Whatever it is, keep it coming!
ReplyDeleteHow about some comment from Ken Flood? Was he quoted accurately; is the record as stated in the letter correct?
ReplyDeleteThe circle continues. Now that restaurants are making news and bringing people and helping ancillary businesses in and around Hudson, they are being dismissed, just as the antiques dealers and their supportive services (trucking, restoration, upholstery, etc. have been for the last 20 years. Hudson is the envy of many a river town in upstate New York and people keep coming because of it's lively character and changing entrepreneurial spirit but some people, unfortunately those in political power, just don't get it. Nothing has changed.
ReplyDeleteSad but true Jennifer and u might add
ReplyDeleteDon't get it and don't want it