Many are of the opinion that campaigns in this country last too long, and the local election in Hudson this year may well prove that months of lead time are not necessary. With just a week and a day to go before early voting begins, two more candidates have declared their write-on candidacy.
My family and I made Hudson our home because of the welcoming, inclusive energy of its citizens; the vibrancy of a growing community with a deep, layered history; and the exciting diversity of its population. Our family sees ourselves represented in the many colors of Hudson, and I would like to join the Common Council to represent the citizens of Hudson.
As Alderman, I'm eager to continue the exceptional efforts of the community leaders and our mayor, who work tirelessly to provide real opportunities and equitable solutions for the families who have lived here for years, decades, or generations.
Here are some ways in which I will support the Hudson community:
- Housing: Advocate for additional subsidized and workforce housing to serve the needs of all who live and work in Hudson.
- Community spaces: Expand and maintain public and community spaces, from parks and greens spaces to arts organizations and social programs, and foster a sense of community pride and ownership by all citizens.
- Quality of life: Improve quality of life in the city through environmental conservation, an alternative state truck route, vaccination programs that reach all residents, and substance abuse and mental illness solutions beyond incarceration.
Binder's campaign Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/JeffreyBinderAlderman.
Binder is now the third candidate running for the two seats as First Ward alderman against Art Frick, whose name appears on the ballot, and Margaret Morris, who launched her write-in campaign last month. Morris, who stresses accountability, commitment, and experience on her campaign website, has been endorsed by former First Ward alderman Rob Bujan, former Columbia County Democratic Committee chair Keith Kanaga, and current First Ward alderman Jane Trombley.
I am proud and excited to announce that I am running as a write-in candidate for Third Ward Alderwoman. I believe that City government should reflect our community as a whole, and I am genuinely eager to do my part to govern Hudson in a progressive, thoughtful, fiscally responsible manner. I take such pride that we as a city celebrate diversity and embrace inclusivity. We face many obstacles and complicated issues, all of which I view as opportunities for Hudson to evolve in a positive way. I will welcome the privilege to serve you with sensitivity to the needs and aspirations of born and bred locals and newcomers alike.
A woman of color, I grew up in Hudson, raised in a one-parent household, and was lucky to have a very supportive extended family. I hold a BA from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, an MFA from Emerson, and am currently pursuing further degrees in the medical field. As someone on the autism spectrum, I have overcome great obstacles and understand the value of hard work and the benefit of a solid educational foundation. I recognize that I will face a learning curve--as there is for any new, incoming Council member--and I am ready to tackle that challenge.
Harris is now the third candidate running for the two seats as Third Ward alderman against Ryan Wallace, who is currently serving as Third Ward alderman and whose name appears on the ballot, and Shershah Mizan, who announced his write-in campaign for re-election earlier this week.
Mr. Binder has my gratitude for specifying "environmental conservation" for a Ward which includes a Class I wetlands and a locally protected Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat.
ReplyDeleteThere was NO MENTION of the natural world in candidate Margaret Morris' statement.
And where is Mr. Frick on a subject so important to the 1st Ward?
Anyway, thank you Jeffrey Binder.
A statement on Ms. Morris' campaign website:
Delete"Experience in developing collaborative relationships with multiple stakeholders with diverging interests"
If that doesn't address the current challenges confronting the First Ward (and all of Hudson) regarding the controversial environmental and conservation issues, I don't know what does. It's easy to hang the flag for environmental justice, it's another thing altogether to have the skills to bring divergent views together and solve the problem.
Alderman Trombley,
DeleteI have absolutely nothing against Ms. Morris whom I've never even met. But praising a catch-all phrase for catching something she doesn't treat directly is a pretty weak defense.
Nor is "Environmental Justice," necessarily the same thing as conservation, though happily in relation to the Colarusso application these occasionally clashing concerns were perfectly meshed and unified in the 2011 LWRP (waterfront program).
Because the compromises memorialized in the LWRP are our perfect guide to resolving the gravel truck situation, there's absolutely no need to "bring divergent views together [to] solve the problem."
The only things wanting in city government are brains and resolve.
I've now spoken with Margaret Morris and she has my full-hearted support.
DeleteMs. Morris could have quoted me back to myself on the wisdom of taking extra care with Hudson's environment and conservation issues.
For example, elsewhere today I commented on the waterfront program's admirable melding of ecology and Environmental Justice interests. The LWRP's two-phased solution for removing gravel trucks from our streets satisfied both sets of interests.
What followed, however, were years of the mischaracterization of the Great Compromise of 2011 by cynics who hoped to still exploit the pre-LWRP resentments, which were no longer applicable, by rekindling them.
Ms. Morris didn't actually say any of these things, nor did we discuss them. I'm just remembering aloud my own best reasons to take care when stepping into that conversation.
As for the waterfront program itself, Ms. Morris agreed that the LWRP is "settled." And it is. In local law. New residents should seek to understand why the waterfront program remains the best solution for removing gravel trucks from our streets while at the same time limiting any intensification of the gravel industry at our waterfront.
Thanks for your support Unheimlich
DeleteMargaret Morris
Amber Harris is an exciting option in the 3rd Ward. I'd love to hear more about what she hopes to accomplish on the Council. A seat is an opportunity to make changes -- this requires hard work and ability, 2 things Amber has exhibited as long as I've known her and traits she's used to accomplish much in her young life. I'm very happy to see someone of her caliber step up.
ReplyDeleteMr. Friedman, thank you so much. I am her grandmother, and I have witnessed her ability first hand. She is one extraordinary young woman.
DeleteDoes Binder understand that the job of a representative is to actually represent the constituents of the ward? Pretty sure if you surveyed the residents of the 1st ward you would find limited support for more subsidized housing and the expansion of "the hood". This seems to be the talking point of the day. How about someone actually taking the time to do an analysis and make a realistic determination if an expansion of subsidized housing is warranted before making positional statements? Do any of these folks actually understand the amount of subsidized housing that already exists in Hudson relative to it's land mass and population? How much exists in Hudson in comparison to other cities and towns of similar size? What is the burden to taxpayers and obligation to provide more tax subsidies? The City of Hudson and it's citizens are not a social service organization. Everyone wants to lend a helping hand to those in need, but assisting the needy is a societal obligation, not the obligation of one small city or town.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, P. Winslow.
DeleteHear, hear! I think Mr. Binder is just new and wants to participate, and just copy/pasting the generic liberal boilerplate of pleasantries that he assumes people want to hear.
DeleteBut when I hear “eager to continue the exceptional efforts of the community leaders and our mayor, who work tirelessly to provide real opportunities and equitable solutions for the families who have lived here for years, decades, or generations,” I can read between the lines: more of the same… anti-business, fiscally irresponsible, PILOTS for billionaires, increasing property taxes for everyone else. No thanks.
How about volunteering and joining a committee first? I’m relatively new here as well and I’ve noticed that there’s a learning curve to understanding how deep some of the problems are with Hudson. Most are too busy with their homes, work and businesses to notice and assume their government is in good hands. Hey, we’re all democrats, right? How bad can it be? Well, I think people are starting to notice and understand that they need to start paying attention. But I think this guy just wants to be in the club.
As for Ms. Harris, she sounds great. I hope people from the 3rd support her.
Amber is my granddaughter, and I have never known her to be eager to tackle a challenge. I am so proud of her
ReplyDeleteI have made a serious error here. I meant to say Amber is my granddaughter, and I have never known her to be anything but eager to tackle a challenge I am so proud of her. She is a dynamo!
DeleteI am absolutely thrilled to see Amber stepping up as a write in candidate for Alderwoman in the 3rd. I've known Amber for over 10 years - she's worked with me on many committees, many Pride programming weekends/events and on numerous local and regional campaigns.
ReplyDeleteAmber has always shown up; she's participated and she's always there to the end. She's practical, a quick leaner, transparent and always there when you need her.
I also been lucky enough to watch her transition from High School to College and excel at every step - setting high goals for herself and exceed them.
The Third Ward is incredibly lucky to have someone of Amber's ability to write in for Alderwoman and the City of Hudson would benefit from her service.
I strongly support Amber as write in candidate for Alderwoman and hope that my friends in the Third Ward do too.
Ryan Wallace spit in my face (not droplets from his mouth, but a full on SPIT) last summer, after I tapped into his car trying to pull out of a tight parking space. He didn't have the spine or manners to apologize. He does not have the temperament for the job.
ReplyDeleteThis laundry list of utopian drivel is what got us all in trouble in the first place. We need people willing to roll up their sleeves and run the city. We desperately need alderpersons who will engage, listen to, and REPRESENT their constituents. Not people who want to use the Common Council as a platform to push through radical ideas and waste time on quixotic and unproven notions of equity and fairness.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted that Amber Harris is running. She doesn't know me but I remember her when she was very young in the upper blocks of Warren Street with her Dad. And what a great Aunt in Tiffany. I have heard about her early struggles. If I were in the Third Ward as I was until a couple of years ago she would most definitely have my vote. Go Amber and thanks for stepping up.
ReplyDeleteI've known Amber for years. She's smart, driven, practical, and comes to the table ready to go. She would make an excellent addition to the Common Council as a Third Ward alderperson.
DeleteI had the opportunity to meet Mr. Binder the other week when I was at the dog park with Francis (it was Mr Binder’s first time there, and we took the opportunity to chat.) As many of you know I’ve been away lately, and going to City Zoom meetings is most of the opportunity I have to see members of the Hudson community, and I have never laid eyes on him there.
ReplyDeleteI would first like to say that he seemed very affable, though I consider that to be lower on the hierarchy of need than competent or ethical when gauging one’s suitability as a public official. As Sondheim said, “you’re not good, you’re not bad, you’re just…nice.” Such a good show.
I will add that his dog was very cute. His dog was, I think, a puppy? Anyway, it was also very new to Hudson, and just learning it’s way in a strange new environment. The messes they make at that age. Sigh.
Finally, while I tend to dress in clothes that make a statement appropriate to the environment, I really like the gingham pattern on the shirt he’s wearing in the photo. It seems very versatile to season and setting. Must have also worked well in Florida, and still looks new from the move. Well done!
Having said that, it seems clear from his statement that Mr. Binder (or whoever wrote this introduction) has no grasp on the particulars of the issues currently facing the Hudson community, or very, very bad priorities. It’s telling that the first person to like his campaign announcement on Facebook was Rebecca Wolff. (Indeed, someone today likened him to a Wolff in sheep’s clothing. Puns are great.) Given his purchase of a multiple family dwelling on Warren which he converted to a single-family dwelling with an in-law unit, his cries for more subsidized housing in Hudson seem kind of hypocritical.
Hudson doesn’t need another penthouse socialist on the Common Council, and while his theater background will probably help him fit right in with the arts community, Hudson residents have clearly had enough with performative governance, which the adults in the room will have to pick up after for years to come.
Puppies are so full of shit, aren’t they though? God love em, they don’t know any better.
DeleteI would like to update my post based on a conversation I have had with a member of the community who has pointed out a factual error in my reporting. Accuracy in communication is important, and when we err, we should admit to our faults.
DeleteThe shirt pictured above is plaid, not gingham.
I deeply regret the error.
It's very exciting to hear that Amber Harris is stepping up and running for Alderman. I've watched Amber grow up as well. She is whip smart, dedicated, can always be counted on to be there and she is funny as hell.
ReplyDeleteAs Chair of the Hudson City Democratic Committee for almost a decade, I remember Amber being a near constant presence in campaign after campaign. I have no doubt that Amber will be an amazing representative for the 3rd Ward and I encourage all voters in the 3rd Ward to write-in AMBER HARRIS. The Common Council needs her. Hudson needs her. Vote 4 Amber.