Earlier yesterday, Gossips learned that Foster's wife, Susan Vernovage Foster, resigned from the Planning Board. It will be recalled that at the Planning Board meeting on September 10, when the board was considering the 70-unit apartment complex being proposed for Mill Street, Foster expressed her opinion that it seemed the project was being fast-tracked. Theresa Joyner, Planning Board chair, denied that was the case. Foster also wondered why the Planning Board wasn't concerned about density with the Mill Street project (it is estimated that the project will increase the population of the street by 600 percent) when concerns about density prompted the board to recommend that the number of units in the project proposed for Fairview Avenue be reduced by half, from 30 to 15. Foster was the only member of the Planning Board to vote against issuing a negative declaration in the SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) process--a negative declaration signifying that there is no substantial evidence that the project could result in significant adverse environmental impacts.
Post hoc ergo propter hoc, which is translated "after this, therefore because of this," is considered a logical fallacy, because it assumes a causal relationship based only on sequence of events. The two resignations, coming soon after the Planning Board's determination that constructing a 70-unit apartment complex on a narrow dead-end street, in a neighborhood of one- and two-story houses, in a flood plain, on land with deed restrictions intended to preserve it as parkland or recreational space would have no significant environmental impacts, do seem to suggest that, in this case at least, post hoc ergo propter hoc may not be a fallacy.
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The steady stream of bizarre events occurring in Hudson is not losing any momentum, it seems.
ReplyDeleteSo just to get this straight...
ReplyDeleteThe two responsible and experienced members of the Planning Board, who pointed out on the record that the Planning Board may be operating an unlawful two-tier system, suddenly resigned or left for 'personal reasons.'
I can hear the lawyers and litigation finance firms in Albany sitting up straight for this one.
(Of course that would be horrible and undesirable for Hudson tax payers)
But spare a thought for the developer… imagine you are the sincere but young scion, let's call him Sean, of the property development firm who stepped into this Mill Street land grab.
You had no idea that Hudson still runs a Tammany Hall-style government in 2024. You were told everyone was supportive and this would be a walk in the park… little did you realize that it was actually a protected State Park! And a funky property deal NOT done at arms length... that directly harmed tax payers.
This project was supposed to be your moment to prove yourself before taking over the family firm.
But now, every time the Planning Board missteps or breaks a law or rule, you lose profit or face, or both.
This is like an episode of 'Succession,' Columbia County edition. Without the helicopters.
Does Ms. Joyner know the full extent of her personal and indemnified legal exposure?
Does Mayor Johnson appreciate the nuances of the case as it relates to a conflicts of interest?
Will Sean not inherit the family business?
What will happen to the hard-working, diverse, and blindsided families of Mill Street?
Only time will tell...
To correct you, FNI, it was one member of the Planning Board and the Commissioner of Public Works who resigned, not two members of the Planning Board.
DeleteMinor correction (unless I've missed news regarding the PB) but only Susan Foster stepped down from the Planning Board.
DeleteYour other points do stand.
Peter Bujanow resigned as DPW Commissioner (or was asked to leave by the mayor) and now his successor (also chosen by Kamal) is already gone. The dysfunction at City Hall, primarily coming from the second floor, is starting to cripple this city. We rely too much on people who aren't paid or are paid a bit to show up. Amateurs and well intentioned people, including the 11-member council, just ain't getting it done anymore. You get what you pay for.
ReplyDeleteApologies Gossips... I may have front run some news on the Planning Board not yet entirely in the public domain...
ReplyDeleteScion Sean, flat white to discuss?
Turns out it is easier to build a Walkway over The Hudson than build in the City of Hudson... welcome to our lived experience...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Well, now you truly have everyone's attention! Someone else left?
DeleteYou might as well go all the way now. Don't be coy!
This same Planning Board thought it was a great idea to permit a major gravel dump and industrial truck route immediately next to our waterfront park. That project involves 65-foot long dump trucks crossing both our major highways (9 & 9G) where 13,000 cars motor along each day, and also involves a truck crossing at a busy railroad line that features 28 trains per day. The Planning Board is an embarrassment to the citizens and taxpayers of Hudson.
ReplyDeleteLike all weak leaders, our crop doesn’t tolerate dissent at all well. I’m sure a great deal of pressure was put on the Fosters by the usual suspects. Up is down, right is left. In the People’s Republic of Hudson, you toe the party line or you’re persona non grata.
ReplyDelete