The second letter, dated May 18, was submitted "to amplify the position of the Columbia-Greene branch of the Democratic Socialists of America in regard to the construction of affordable housing for 75 North 7th Street." The letter calls for a public hearing on the proposed project, carried out through videoconferencing, and enumerates information the Galvan Foundation should to provide. This letter concludes:
There is, also, a broader question that the Common Council should pose to itself: why can't the City construct and manage affordable housing? If the Galvan Foundation finds this plan for providing affordable housing profitable enough, can't the City just as well be developer and landlord, then to use they modest profits in rent to lessen the tax burden on the rest of Hudson?At its meeting last night, as is the routine, the Common Council was asked to accept the communications, which consisted of these two letters. In a voice vote, Alderman Eileen Halloran (Fifth Ward) voted nay, saying she was doing because the letters were anonymous. Both letters were signed "The Columbia-Greene Democratic Socialists of America," with no actual person's name. Counsel to the Council, Jeff Baker advised, "It's an organization. It's not anonymous."
Halloran's nay vote triggered a roll call vote, during which five Council members---Tiffany Garriga (Second Ward), Halloran, Dominic Merante (Fifth Ward), Shershah Mizan (Third Ward), and Jane Trombley (First Ward)--voted no, and five Council members--Calvin Lewis (Third Ward), John Rosenthal (Fourth Ward), Dewan Sarowar (Second Ward), Rebecca Wolff (First Ward), and Tom DePietro (Council president)--voted yes. (At this point, Fourth Ward alderman Malachi Walker had not yet joined the meeting.)
Commenting on the tie vote, Rosenthal said, "This is ridiculous. We should accept communications." Baker said, "They have a constitutional right to voice their opinion. It's been received." DePietro called the vote "very disappointing" and suggested it was "a bizarre form of red-baiting."
At the end of the meeting, Halloran explained that she wanted to be able to contact the person or persons who wrote the letters, particularly the second one, to understand better some of the things being suggested. DePietro told her the letters provided an email address and that should be sufficient.
In March, Rebecca Wolff announced on Facebook that she had joined the Democratic Socialists of America.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CAROLE OSTERINK
Rearranging the deck chairs, again, I see.
ReplyDeleteIf rents are really too high in Hudson and government wants lower rents, a better remedy would be to ban short term rentals and regulate rents, rather than build another gargantuan housing project.
ReplyDeleteSay for example, a 600 sq ft. apartment can rent for no more than $500 a month, 600-1200 sq ft, no more than $800 a month, 1200-1800 sq ft, no more than $1000 a month. Utilities must be included. Landlords won't like it, but who cares. Give B&B owners who convert to apartments rather than sell out a free pint of Hagen Daz.
Case closed, party over, the cost to taxpayers $0, all you have to do is write the law and sign some papers. Just give it one of those names like they do in DC, "The Hudson Housing Freedom Act", or something like that.
You're half way there, P. Winslow: banning "another gargantuan housing project." But you're wrong in blaming B&B owners and believing that rent controls (a variation on "gargantuan") will do the trick. You can -- and should -- fix the massively unfair and incomprehensible property tax system, penalize those who warehouse apartments, and incentive landlords, not with Hagen Daz, but dollars: real dollars. A much better--and cheaper-- use of tax payer money than subsidizing a non-profit housing plutocrat.
DeleteNo one from the Hudson City Council ever seems to respond to comments here, it’s rather uncanny. Say what you will but Gossips of Rivertown is an invaluable resource in this town. Where would we all be without Carole’s hard work? All I hear are crickets from local politicians, and isn’t that damning?
ReplyDeleteYou seem most frustrated when people don't do what you tell them to do.
DeleteAt other times you're coy, but by now it's widely known that your coyness is a set-up for character assassination.
Everyone, even politicians, know to keep clear of trolls.
Eventually, even the moderator will seek to mitigate the damage caused to Gossips by this want of decency.
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DeleteWhy doesn’t Galvan ever comment here? They must see these posts, am I right? Galvan must see how much people in Hudson hate them. I would LOVE to know more about the HISTORY of Galvan in Hudson. Carole, please give us all a chronology. Many people are new to town.
ReplyDelete