Dear Commissioner Flood
On Saturday, the Register-Star reported that the Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is selling 33 acres of land on Route 66 to Ginberg's Foods for one dollar. This morning, Ken Flood, Columbia County's commissioner for planning and economic development, sent out CEDC's e-newsletter, which made no mention of the sale. Hudson alderman John Friedman (Third Ward) responded with this letter to Flood, which he copied to several Hudson elected officials and gave Gossips permission to publish.
Dear Commissioner Flood:
Thank you for sending me the CEDC e-newsletter this morning. I was very interested to learn that you have nothing to say about the give away of 33
acres of County-controlled land to perhaps the wealthiest private business in
the county for the grand total of one American dollar. Rather than
discuss the rationale behind this breathtaking decision, you remain silent. Did the Register-Star report the wrong valuation, perhaps? As I
recall the report was the land was worth in excess of $300k. Well,
perhaps your silence is eloquent.
I
note in the past year the County petitioned the City of Hudson to waive a $35k
building permit fee for the reconstruction of the County courthouse. At
the time, the County pled poverty. Almost immediately after the Hudson
City Council acquiesced to the County’s petition (against my vote, by the way),
the County then entered into a lease with the Hudson City School District to
rent the vacant Claverack School for $100k per year plus the cost to the County
of upgrades to the School—when the asking price to purchase the entire
property was only in the $300k range. I’ve never— in over 30 years in
business and 20 years as a practicing attorney—heard of anyone paying 1/3 of
the purchase price to rent a run-down property. Never.
And,
now, we learn of this fabulous gift of property deeded to the CEDC to benefit
the County being given to a company that doesn’t need the gift. Ginsburg’s, we’re told, was going to leave the county if they didn’t get
the gift; and in return they will create a total of 50 new jobs. At the
same time, up and down Warren Street in the City of Hudson, hard-working
entrepreneurs carve out their economic fate despite our County government
(certainly not with the aid of it). Well in excess of 80 small,
independent businesses call Hudson home, and they employ 100s. Can the
CEDC provide some free rent money to these entrepreneurs—or do they have to
threaten to move to Greene or Dutchess counties to get the CEDC’s attention? And the City of Hudson—the only meaningfully dense and urban area in
the county and the County seat—gets beggared by the very County government
that we pay taxes to (and that, in return, pays no property taxes to the City
for all the land the County occupies within the city).
So,
again Commissioner Flood, thank you for sending me this morning’s CEDC
e-newsletter. It underscores what a wonderful relationship the citizens
of Hudson have with their County government.
Thank you John Friedman for such a well written letter, and for so strongly standing behind small businesses in Hudson, who are, after all, much of the draw for the visitors to our city year round.
ReplyDeleteI agree Bob.
DeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteI suggest the $35K building permit fee now be charged the County .
ReplyDeleteAttorney General Cuomo railed against IDAs 6 years ago. Change the name from Industrial development to Economic development and the $1 sales of million dollar property are back.
ReplyDeleteIn the most corrupt state in the country, is anybody surprised that the Moreland commission was made to heel, when the law dogs began sniffing in King Andrew's back yard?
Thought mi paesano was comming upstate to put Mr. Flood's foot in his back pocket. Instead he had him change names to (re)fill his pockets.
ReplyDeletePot calling the kettle black? Care to guess how many city of Hudson small businesses have been on the receiving end of CEDC funding?
ReplyDeleteI cannot fathom giving the land for $1 to a company as successful as Ginsberg's. From their website.."Today, Ginsberg’s employs over 220 full-time team members, serving customers throughout 49 counties in six states. Through three generations, and over 100 years of experience, Ginsberg’s has grown into the largest foodservice distributor in the Hudson Valley, with a reputation built on customer satisfaction and industry excellence." They can't afford to purchase the parcel? I don't get it.
ReplyDeletePot kettle: didn't mi paesano once "sniff" a bit? Then allowed Industrial "developers" to remove fishermen from shore???
ReplyDeleteGuess mi paesano can be governor but can't be a fishermen in Hudson.
Sure you can - just get the proper paperwork....
DeleteOur paperwork (501-C7) was filed by a CPA, right when hundreds wanted to donate to our cause.
DeleteIt was torpedoed by none other than Lois Lerner.
the rich get richer while the poor get poorer
ReplyDeleteOh, I get it, Warren Street vs Columbia Street/Bliss Tower.... - reflections can be painful - Think I need to read Huck Finn one more time!
DeleteMaybe try A Tale of Two Cities...
DeleteOn fifth and Warren last night a music fest, on fifth and state, a mini riot with two people stabbed.
DeleteOur Democratic leaders have forgotten the inner city while catering to the county elite, but then, "in the best of all possible worlds, all is for the best"...
Sally I don't have any idea what you are talking about. The small business on Warren, Columbia and State were built up and are maintained by hard working people not grant money. What are you talking about?
ReplyDeleteThank You Windle.
DeleteI am also in the dark about that comment.
And as a business here since 1990 there has been absolutely no recognition of the growth inspired by entrepreneurs on Warren - by anyone - politically or financially.
We even have to struggle with a town that leaves the businesses unplowed through the weekends .. our prime time for business.
And " development" agencies that remove citizens who pay for use, through boat/trailer registrations at DMV, hunting/fishing licenses at city hall, gas at hess, ice at Stewarts, all replaced by trail bikers and kayakers, who might buy a bottle of water on their way to Rick's Point.
Delete"It was the best of times"...