On the agenda last night were resolutions approving three grant recommendations from the Tourism Board. The first, a grant for $1,000 to Daniel Rothbart Studio for a sculpture installation on Oakdale Lake passed unanimously without any discussion. A new resolution was introduced to grant for $5,000 to Basilica Farm & Flea 2020, which will, of necessity, be a virtual market to run for three days, with the potential for a fourth day. It was argued that the market would encourage not shopping on Amazon and support small businesses. Although a virtual market will not bring visitors to Hudson, the definition of tourism, Council president Tom DePietro argued, "Farm & Flea has been a really important part of tourism, and this is a way to keep it alive during this time."
When it came time to vote, Alderman Dominic Merante (Fifth Ward) asked Jeff Baker, counsel to the Council, if it was a conflict of interest for an aldermen who would be a vendor at the market to vote on the grant. Baker said it wasn't a conflict of interest but said any alderman who would be a vendor at the market should disclose that. Alderman Tiffany Garriga (Second Ward), who will be selling her Moisturize Me products at the market, did not disclose the fact but simply prefaced her aye vote by saying she was doing it "under the attorney's advice." Alderman John Rosenthal disclosed a "long-term working relationship with the Basilica" and abstained. The rest of the Council voted in support, and the resolution was passed.
The resolution to approve a $12,840 grant for Open Studio Hudson did not fare as well. The resolution was being reintroduced because, according to DePietro, "it didn't get a proper hearing the first time." When he invited comment on the proposal, Pauline DeCarmo spoke in support of Open Studio Hudson, telling about her experience last year and attesting that the event "brought a lot of traffic to Hudson." This year, however, because of the pandemic, the event will be essentially a website that will run for six months. DeCarmo argued that the website would give "marginalized artists the opportunity to show their work."
Alderman Jane Trombley (First Ward) asked if the 30 to 40 artists to be involved had been confirmed. She was told that the outreach for the event had not started and would not start until the grant funding was approved. Trombey expressed the opinion that the administrative fee written into the budget seemed high. It was $2,500 of the $12,840. Tourism Board member Sidney Long responded, "You must be kidding, Jane." Garriga agreed that the administrative fee was "a lot of money."
Merante asked about handicapped accessibility and was dissatisfied with the answer that the website would be close captioned.
Alderman Rebecca Wolff argued in support of funding the project on the basis that it would "benefit artists who are struggling for visibility" and "keep this event alive during this time." She went on to say, "If tourism dollars are going to create the Hudson we want to be in the future world, we should support it."
Still, when it came time to vote, four aldermen (Garriga, Merante, Shershah Mizan, and Dewan Sarowar) voted against it, and four alderman (Calvin Lewis, who chairs the Tourism Board; Rosenthal, who said it was "ultimately good for the community"; Malachi Walker; and Wolff) voted in support. Trombley abstained. DePietro then cast his aye vote, thinking he was casting the deciding vote, but alas, his was the fifth affirmative vote, and six affirmative votes are needed to pass a resolution.
DePietro said of the outcome, "The Tourism Board still exists and will continue to exist. We can always revisit it."
COPYRIGHT 2020 CAROLE OSTERINK
Wolff should eat some crow, Kill of the Air b&b, but give K 12.5 to a 3rd rate artist.
ReplyDeleteTrue to Form, she loves to screw the taxpayers
DeleteBad Art Bankrupt City the new Hudson
ReplyDeleteSo let me understand this: The City is giving Basilica (a non-profit organization, if I'm not mistaken) $5K for a virtual event to "keep it alive". Admittedly the event will not bring any visitors town; Tom D says so himself. So no restaurant will benefit, no lodging business will benefit, no retail shop will benefit, no gallery will benefit. Who benefits? Certainly nobody in Hudson.
ReplyDeleteOH WAIT! Tiffany Garriga and John Rosenthal will! (and how, might I ask, will this event stop people from shopping on Amazon?!) Some of our Council continue to support activities in town that only benefit themselves. Hudson is also getting cut out of all the sales tax revenue "real live" visitors to the City would have paid; money Hudson DESPERATELY needs right now. So short-sighted. Thankfully they nearly avoided making the same mistake with OS.
Instead of thinking of creative ways to hold these events live (outdoor heated tents, Pocketbook factory, Elks Lodge, etc.) and get people up here which will benefit the WHOLE town the event producers take the online route - thereby only benefitting themselves. Hasn't CoVid taught us the importance of being a mutually supportive community; "rising tide" and all that?
You should read more closely, Funky Hudson. I disclosed a relationship to the Basilica (I am not an employee nor am I currently working with them now), and I abstained from voting. -John Rosenthal
ReplyDeleteIf people disagree with using funds from the Tourism board to fund local arts groups like Open Studio Hudson that’s one thing. Considering our local financial situation it is understandable, but I really wish that people would stop making mean-spirited, unwarranted comments about the quality of art under consideration. I was one of over 40 artists involved in Open Studio Hudson last year and it was an AMAZING event. I managed OSH’s Instagram account which has hundreds of followers from all over the world because of the exciting work that Hudson artists are making. There are obviously MANY other artists who did not participate in OSH as well. I would encourage people to take a look at the OSH’s Instagram and website. There are so many really, really good artists living and working here in Hudson and artists are struggling right now during this pandemic just like everyone else. Again, people can debate whether or not local funds should be used right now to support arts events, that’s fine, but please stop with the cheap, ANONYMOUS shots about the quality of art here in Hudson.
ReplyDeleteNo one is questioning anything of what you say - at all. The art here in Hudson is fantastic, not in question whatsoever. The issue is the event you yourself promoted, which you termed "amazing", is NOT the same thing that is being requested now. While it's sad that there are artists - really great ones - struggling in the City, the Tourism money should be spent on getting people TO VISIT THE CITY IN PERSON not click an icon, which does no local business any good.
DeleteI'm interested in creating a brochure that would be a guide to local bicycle tours, including maps, that could be given out at local hotels and bike shops as a way to promote bicycle tourism. Would it be appropriate to request funding from the Tourism Board for such a project? If so, please tell me who I could contact for assistance and advice. I have never requested a grant from anyone, so I'm starting from scratch and want to do it right.
ReplyDeleteYou should probably contact Calvin Lewis, the alderman who chairs the Tourism Board. You can find his email address on the City of Hudson website. But you may be too late. As was reported elsewhere, the Tourism Board has already committed $292,000 of its funds, and they want to keep what's left for projects proposed by marginalized communities.
DeleteThank you for the information, Carole. Given the city's current financial situation, I'll research ways to pay for this project out of my own pocket until the financial picture improves.
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