Common Council Watch

We won't know for sure who's running for seats on the Common Council until designating petitions are filed, which will happen between April 3 and April 6, and maybe not even then, but today two candidates announced that they are stepping up to run in the Fourth Ward: Jennifer Belton and Rich Volo. The announcement provided this information about the candidates.

Jennifer Belton grew up in central Virginia, along the James River. After frequent visits to Hudson, she and her husband Dave, a master plasterer and cabinetmaker, felt it was the perfect place to settle and make their home, as it was reminiscent of the place where she grew up. After nine years in Hudson, she decided to enter the race for Fourth Ward councilmember.

A professor for more than twenty years, Jennifer has taught at Albright College, Marist College, and Parsons | The New School for Social Justice. As a leading member of UAW Local 7902, she helped to organize strike duties, attended collective bargaining meetings, and relayed information to the 1,600 members of The New School's part-time faculty.

She served as secretary of the Flag Day Committee in 2018, a community event that is close to her heart.

The things that are important to her are community, the environment, and making sure the decisions made by our city government reflect the desires of its constituents.

Jennifer has worked at small businesses and nonprofits in Hudson and understands the challenges that these businesses and the community members who own and work for them face. She feels a close connection and a deep warmth to the city of Hudson and especially to her neighbors in the Fourth Ward. She will make a spirited and dedicated councilmember if elected.

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Rich "Trixie" Volo served as Fourth Ward alderman for two years, 2018-2019. As alderman, Rich obtained for the City $45,000 in grants from New York State and National Grid for the electric car-charging stations behind City Hall, as well as $35,000 from NYS Climate Smart Communities for completing the first four high-impact climate actions.

Rich organized the first Pride Parade in Hudson in 2010 and was involved in the next ten years of Pride Parades.

In 2015, Rich set up a small computer support team in Hudson which still employs several Hudson residents.

Rich currently manages the website Trixie's List, an event calendar, and the accompanying walking map of the city of Hudson. He also serves as chair of Hudson's Conservation Advisory Council. 

You can find Rich selling cookies fresh from Trixie's Oven every Saturday at the Hudson Farmers' Market.