Monday, June 12, 2017

Harmony in the Garden

Comments on this blog intimated that the Historic Preservation Commission was discriminating against the Catholic church in its review of the fence proposed to surround a new garden beside the rectory of St. Mary's Church on East Allen Street. Several members of the HPC told Gossips they'd been accused by community members of being anti-Catholic. It seemed outraged parishioners might show up in force on Friday to argue their church's right not to be subject to the city's historic preservation ordinance, but that didn't happen.
On Friday morning, no one showed up for the site visit except the people one would expect to be there: the members of the HPC; Father Anthony Barratt and Charlie Vieni, representing the church; Mitch Khosrova, counsel to the HPC; Craig Haigh, code enforcement officer; and Gossips. At the site, it was clarified that the fence would go along the edge of the tilled area at the front of the garden (parallel to East Court Street), would set back two feet from the walk along the side, and would continue on to enclose a patio being constructed at the southern end of the garden. It was also revealed that a black metal fence was now being proposed, instead of the vinyl fence initially proposed or the wooden fence suggested next. The fence will be like the one installed in front of the Police & Courts Center at 701 Union Street.
Back at City Hall for the public hearing, there seemed to be no present to speak either for or against the fence. It was confirmed that a metal picket fence, between 5 and 6 feet high, would be used, and it was explained that the fence was needed not only to keep the deer out of the garden but also for privacy and security, since the garden was to be a prayer garden and there would be statues and a fountain in the garden. There were no comments from the public, only a question from someone who wanted to know what the fence would look like and was shown a picture of the proposed fence.

When the project came up for a vote, the members of the HPC voted unanimously to grant a certificate of appropriateness.  
COPYRIGHT 2017 CAROLE OSTERINK
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4 comments:

  1. VincentJune 12, 2017 at 11:59 AM

    There must be s sale on the fence in the 12534.

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  2. tmdonofrioJune 12, 2017 at 3:15 PM

    and the eternal question......what would Jesus think and or do

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  3. UnknownJune 12, 2017 at 5:56 PM

    If there is one thing I have been repeatedly told by smarter, more sophisticated, and more worldly people over the last decade, specifically in Hudson, is that I often "misunderstand" language, tone, sarcasm, irony, and context. Perhaps some of those folks who thought they were being labeled, branded, or accused of being "anti-Catholic" similarly misunderstood.

    Hudson and for that matter, Columbia County Catholics have, for better or for worse, in recent history, opted to not engage in identity politics. And local elected Catholics, as imperfect as they have been, or are, have also failed to rally their own troops. So, my guess is that in this one instance, some people were stunned, or perhaps even shocked, that a few local Catholics actually pushed back.

    I am hopeful that under our new leadership at Saint Mary's (and yes I know, technically, it's Holy Trinity), there will be more push back on issues we care about. For me, I am especially hopeful that Father Anthony will end the current practice of allowing our beautiful church to be used as just one more Hudson venue for those looking to come away with fabulous wedding photos.

    Finally, a thank you to Carole for her VERY fair coverage of this issue.

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  4. tmdonofrioJune 13, 2017 at 2:43 PM

    ah baloney....sanctuary for illegals but not for a private prayer garden.
    Somebody give me a hot and a beer the show is lasting lower.

    ReplyDelete

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