Mizan is now in his second term on the Common Council. It is not known why, in the spring, Mizan chose not to seek reelection and has now changed his mind. The announcement of Mizan's write-in campaign boasts:
Shershah has worked tirelessly at community development and job creation for our city and played an essential role in the Stewart's Shop's expansion on Green Street. In addition, Shershah Mizan has helped to significantly increase revenue for the City. Shershah had worked hard to support local youth sports programs, improved public safety and much more.
Shershah also sleeps through most Common Council meetings (anyone who attends or watches recordings knows this), never returns emails or phone calls from his constituents, and generally seems like he is in a daze. I would like to know specifically what he has done to create jobs (is this a joke?) for Hudson or create revenue for the city other than champions property tax increases. He is a puppet of the Ward Supervisor- and any candidate would be a better council member than Shershah. (Is expanding Stewart's considered a good thing?-- it took about 12 affordable housing units off the market that have not been replaced). Does he think more gas pumps and coffee sweeteners is what the 3rd Ward wants or needs. Is he planning on bringing other chain establishments to the 3rd Ward? (Maybe Michael Chameides can write a response to these questions and submit for Shershah).
ReplyDeleteI tried to reach Mizan to discuss issues created by the hospital which is in the 3rd Ward. After 6 calls and 12 emails over 6 months he finally called me back. I asked him if he could reach out to the hospital administration to help with the issues of hospital employee parking and employees smoking around my house- because the hospital doesn't provide employee parking or a smoking area for its employees. Mizan seemed confused. Wasn't sure the hospital was in the 3rd Ward that he represented (REALLY????) and launched into a speech about the broken ice cream machine at the gas station he owns? or manages? in Greenport. He was aghast at the cost of repairs and went on and on about it. The guy is not in touch with reality and has no business representing a ward where he helps make laws and decide how tax payers money will be spent. How has this guy even gotten on the ballet for to run for two terms??
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage any 3rd Ward Democrat who might be considering "writing him in" to give him a call and speak with him. (If you can reach him). You will get a very clear sense of his (in)ability to be a leader of the 3rd Ward. Ask him about:
Delete1) How expanding gas stations and bringing chain stories to the 3rd Ward is good?,
2) His ties to and unrelenting support of Galvin,
3) What specific jobs he has worked to create in the city of Hudson?,
4) Why in the past he has run as a Republican? What in the Republican platform is he aligned with and what appeals to him about the Republican Party?
5) What has he done to increase revenue in the city other than support raising property taxes?
6) What has he done to cut property taxes?
7) Why does he support and red light the misappropriation of spending by the tourism board ($100s of thousands of dollars given to 'friends and family' that have NOTHING to do with tourism).
8) Questionable City Code violations at his home - particularly regarding signage in his front yard.
(Note: Writing to him will only result in a response written for him by the 3rd Ward Supervisor Michael Chameides - so don't bother.)
I have watched Mr. Mizan on the Common Council for years, have served with him on the Hudson City Democratic Committee, and am struggling to identify an iota of truth in what you quoted in that announcement.
ReplyDeleteIn truth, Mizan has been an extremely passive elected official, often aligning himself with one or another troubling public figure, from Linda Mussman to Michael Chameides. He is unresponsive to his constituents, uninformed as to the nuts and bolts of the job, and until recently, uninterested in continuing in the role. 4 years of underperformance can't be fixed in less than 4 weeks.
If residents of the Third Ward want to write in a candidate for the open seat, they should write in John Friedman. He was a solid alderperson who drafted and passed some meaningful legislation during his tenure on the Common Council, including the Formula Retail Ban and the original Lodging Tax, which has been a valuable revenue stream for the City.
More importantly, John Friedman is a community leader with more legal acumen than the current City attorney, more leadership than the current Common Council President, and the ability to help steer the City through challenges in both the short- and long-terms.
Whether Mr. Friedman would accept the role is another question entirely, but if he refuses, the Council can review again in January.