Gary Purnhagen, who announced in July that he was not running for First Ward alderman but made the decision too late for his name to be removed from the ballot, made it known today that he has changed his mind and is back in the race. Here is the statement he made today:
Back in July, I announced that I would not serve as a First Ward Alderperson due to employment considerations. Those considerations no longer exist, and I am now announcing that I will actively campaign and, if elected, represent you in the Common Council.
When I made that announcement, I urged the citizens of the First Ward to launch a write-in campaign so that we would determine who represents us. I believe at least one person has indeed stepped up. I applaud that person for doing so and urge you to consider all such candidates in November.
Meanwhile, if elected, I re-commit to:
- Showing up
- Putting in the time to understand the issues
- Communicate the issues so that I can better represent you
Wow Gary, I'm really unimpressed! You've known for quite awhile that Margaret Morris was running. You seem to have lost the job that was going to take all of your time and now you will commit to showing up? The time for you to understand the issues is already past. Margaret is hands down a better candidate. She is already up to speed and ready to serve the First Ward. She has my whole hearted support.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed and think it is refreshing to see a candidate that will commit to doing the work to understand the issues and needs of the people he represents before making promises and positional statements. Too many people here seem to come to the table with an agenda that is their own, or not held by the majority of the constituents in their ward.
ReplyDeleteOk, but I sometimes suspect that some just hide their agendas until after they are elected. A candidate should do the work ahead of their campaign, educate themselves on the issues and let the majority of the constituents decide. Seems like the easiest thing to do if you were one of the two names on the ballot would be to just lay low and try to get the votes from voters not informed about the write-in candidates. But I agree with the idea that they should be flexible and willing to weigh the issues during their term. But I want something to go on here. I don’t want another Wolff in sheep’s clothing, if you catch my drift
DeleteI have been placing calls to all voters in the First Ward precisely because I want to hear from the residents about the issues that are most important to them. I cannot represent you if I do not know what your issues are. I have had many substantive conversations with First Ward residents. My goal is to have reached out to every voter before the election.
DeleteAnyone wishing to contact me can reach me at (516) 708 5295. Or you can click on the link on the right which will take you to my web page. There is a contact link on the web page.
Margaret Morris
Union Jack:
DeleteI agree. I am in the process of reaching out by phone to hear from the voters in the First Ward. I want to hear about the issues that are of most concern to the residents. My goal is to contact all voters before the election.
To contact me, you can click on the link on the right hand side -- Margaret Morris Write-In Democrat 1st Ward Alderman. There is a contact page on the website. Or you can call me at (516) 708-5295.
Margaret Morris
Yeah, I was originally impressed with Gary since he took on the Shared Streets challenge, but not so impressed anymore. Either he’s wishy washy with his commitment, or someone behind the scenes is afraid that a better candidate has emerged that won’t go along with the status quo. Either way, that’s a no from me dawg.
ReplyDeleteMargaret will be getting my vote.
Thank you Union Jack.
DeleteI am continuing with my campaign, making calls to all the residents in the First Ward to hear directly from them as to what their concerns are. I continue to be committed to serving Hudson.
Margaret Morris
I agree, Morris will be getting my vote as well in the First Ward, but there are 2 openings to be filled.
DeleteThanks Holst
DeleteI am so confused.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that may have been the point.
DeleteLots of well intentioned and probably smart people running for alder seats. Good luck getting anything worthwhile accomplished in the dysfunction palace known as Hudson City Hall which is overwhelmed with issues few can or want to deal with properly.
ReplyDeleteActually, that unfortunately is not the case, it's surprising given the level of overall dissatisfaction that there seems to be with the current common council, but far too few people are running this year. President is unchallenged, 1st ward only had 2 candidates, so both were guaranteed a seat, with no vetting or competition, and then one withdrew, I believe 3rd ward also had too few candidates, so write ins are happening now... The truth is there is very little choice this year. Unfortunately, I think it may be a commentary on the level of frustration and resignation with Hudson politics, that so few want to be involved. While there is now a race in the 1st, I agree with others that it is perhaps unfair to rejoin the race after withdrawing and encouraging a write in. Margaret Morris will also have my vote.
DeleteWOMP WOMP.
ReplyDeleteYeah, no, Gary. Make a decision. Go with it.
Flip flops are sandals.
Looking forward to a candidate who can make a decision and stand by it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not in the First Ward, but I would certainly throw my support behind Ms. Morris. I agree with Rich - flip flops are sandals! But remember, we vote for TWO alder people per Ward. Ms. Morris needs someone beside her at the common council table.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support Kristal
DeleteArt Frick is also running in the first ward and has been from the beginning. I will go with him and Margaret Morris. They have both reached out personally and are enthusiastic. The First WArd needs strong alderpeople (which ward doesn't) but we have the Colarusso issue to deal with and the waterfront needs carefull guidance.
ReplyDeleteTo my knowledge Art Frick loudly applauded and supported the PILOT that was recently granted to Galvan, please correct me if I am wrong. I think that everyone running for the city council needs to talk about whether or not they support sweetheart PILOT tax breaks going to extremely wealthy developers with a very bad history of manipulation in Hudson. Gary? Meanwhile, Amber Martin sounds really great, FAR FAR better than Shershah Mizan who is by all accounts an incompetent puppet.
DeleteThank you for your support Jennifer
DeleteMargaret Morris
OMG I am so sorry I meant to type Amber Harris. Jennifer: Go to Art Frick’s campaign Facebook page. Please. All I see since last spring are a handful of lazy reposts from the mayor or the Hudson/Catskill Housing coalition with zero likes. My cats are more popular on Facebook! When I went to Binder’s new campaign page yesterday I saw exactly TWO LIKES, Rebecca Wolff and Art Frick. I smell a rat.
DeleteThank you for your support, Jennifer!
DeleteHolst - I've never 'loudly applauded and supported the PILOT that was recently granted to Galvan'. I've never made any public (or private) commentary to that effect. That being said, I think Hudson needs to be proactive in fostering relationships with developers that ARE NOT Galvan, in addition to holding Galvan accountable for the several parcels of property that they own that continue to be undeveloped. I will be on the ballot in November, and would love to discuss further if you'd like.
DeleteMs. Morris seems to be the only serious candidate in the 1st Ward. There is little or no information on the others on which to make a decision. Margaret is the only one to launch a website for her campaign. Sorry, but a Facebook campaign launch just doesn't show much initiative.
ReplyDeleteI became familiar with Mr. Purnhagen when I saw him interact with local businesses and the Tourism Board trying to turn the tanker around on the Shared Streets program the Tourism Board executed so poorly. I will say that he seemed to bring a modicum of professionalism to the role, and local businesses reported working with him was a big step up from their previous Tourism Board contact, whose appalling behavior was described to me in words I frankly don't think Gossips would print.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, Mr. Purnhagen needs to demonstrate a more articulated set of policies and positions and explain his eleventh hour return to the race to be taken seriously as a viable candidate.
Agreed. It’s not too late to win my vote. When I go to Art Frick’s Facebook page all I see are a handful of reposts from the mayor or the Catskill/Hudson Housing Coalition, and that is it. And I know absolutely nothing about the latest candidate who moved here last year.
DeleteBased on Mr Binder's introduction, it doesn't seem he has his finger on the pulse of the community or a reasonable grasp on the issues facing it.
DeleteGossips of Rivertown is by far our most reliable source for local politics. Maybe if more council members were willing to show up here and talk about their positions we wouldn’t all be left guessing where they stand on the issues.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThanks for your feedback; I’ll put you all in the MAYBE category and hope you vote for me on November 2.
ReplyDeleteBack in April, when it looked like there would be only one Alderperson in our Ward, I stepped forward. Then, 3 months later, an employment opportunity was presented to me, which was very important to me on many levels, one being having a positive impact on our commuinity. Unfortunately, I could not hold a political position. I announced my decision as soon as possible and urged voters in the First Ward to step forward with a write-in candidacy.
I am grateful as a voter in the First Ward that Ms Morris stepped forward. When my employment situation changed, I decided to step back in because I care for our town. And, I don’t see my being back in the race negating Ms. Morris’ candidacy. We are electing 2 alderpersons for the Ward with 4 candidates.
Personally, I like the choice. It looked like I would get elected based on 35 individuals signing my petition back in April. This feels more democratic to me.