This year, Kamal Johnson, who has been the mayor of Hudson for nearly six years, running unopposed in the last two elections, has three challengers. Six years ago, Johnson launched his campaign promising to halt gentrification and bring those displaced by gentrification back to Hudson. In 2019, after he had won the Democratic primary, Johnson said in an interview on Channel 10 News he had a "huge plan for housing" that he had been working on "for about a year now."
That "huge plan for housing" turned out to be the Galvan Foundation's plan for two apartment buildings on North Seventh Street. One of those buildings, 76 North Seventh Street, is now nearing completion. Development of the second building, 75 North Seventh Street, was recently suspended "due to macroeconomic uncertainties." Based on the marketing of 76 North Seventh and the advertised rents (this building is the more affordable of the two), this project will do nothing to bring back those displaced by gentrification.
The question is, given his failure in six years to deliver on his most basic stated goals, can Johnson withstand the challenges that await him?
The first challenge comes next month, when he faces Joe Ferris in the Democratic Primary on June 24. Ferris kicked off his campaign on Friday, at Union Street Brewing Company. Prior to that event, Ferris, who is identifying himself as "the Practical Progressive," distributed this information to the media:
Who Is Joe Ferris?
Joe Ferris grew up in a family that believed deeply in public service. His father was a five-term Assemblyman who worked with Rep. Shirley Chisholm, a civil rights pioneer. His mother successfully led tobacco cessation efforts at a high school in Vermont. This action-oriented upbringing informed his life’s work. Whether working in city government, as an anti-hunger advocate, or in public affairs advocacy, Joe has always been committed to enhancing quality of life in his community. He has seen firsthand how competent leadership can improve quality of life for people in places like Hudson, NY, now his chosen home. Joe is seizing an opportunity to put his decades of experience in government and administration to work for the people of this city.
Why Is Joe Running?
As a Fifth Ward homeowner, a Hudson Area Library Board Trustee, and active member of the Hudson City and Columbia County Democratic committees, Joe has witnessed the numerous inefficiencies and shortcomings of the current administration over the last 6 years. Those include:
- An endemic mismanagement of the City that includes:
- A failure to collect $2.5 million in property taxes (with an annual budget of approx. $20 million),
- $11,000 in unpaid utility bills at the senior center that went unnoticed for a year
- A more than one million dollar shortfall in the city budget
- An affordable housing crisis that impacts homeowners and renters with Hudson lacking much-needed affordable housing
- Crumbling infrastructure that is being ignored by the current administration
- Hudson’s “Crosswalk Crisis” - intersections across the city that are dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers
- Perpetual radio silence from City Hall
- The last City of Hudson Instagram post was in April of 2024
- Businesses are consistently left in the dark about street closures and are not at the table when it comes to promoting the city
- Poor, and sometimes non-existent communication from City Hall, including the city website domain name going up for sale
What Are Joe’s Solutions?
- Build a two-way line of communication between City Hall and residents: Joe will facilitate that dialogue by releasing a regular newsletter from the mayor’s office, holding a monthly town hall in each ward, staying up-to-date with the city’s digital presence, and hosting routine “Meet the Mayor” hours at City Hall
- Hire a City Manager: This role will help to manage the completion of day-to-day tasks of city management - filling potholes, repairing broken street lights - and long-term work that will help Hudson address its housing crisis and roadway safety, to sustain a city that can be home to all
- Appoint a planning board that brings the subject matter expertise to address issues of infrastructure and public spaces
What Sets Joe Apart from “Politics as Usual”?
While civic engagement is etched into his DNA, Joe Ferris lacks the baggage that comes along with “politics as usual.” There is no malice, no ethical compromise, and no hidden agenda. As mayor, Joe Ferris will be the Practical Progressive Hudson needs now.
If Johnson survives the challenge from Ferris in the primary, he faces further challenges in the general election on November 4, from Peter Spear, who is running on his own Future Hudson line, and Republican candidate Lloyd Koedding.
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ReplyDeleteI just want to flag for readers that "city manager" was supposed to be "city planner."
ReplyDeleteAn unfortunate typo in the campaign material sent out after Friday's event. As I've made clear on my website and when talking with voters across Hudson, I believe City Hall needs a city planner with urban planning expertise on staff.
The Practical Progressive reminds me of the “Compassionate Conservative.” I guess both are signals that they keep their core values grounded in reality. We’ll see.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the “city manager” hire goes; the current system, with a now fully compensated “strong mayor” is already supposed to be doing the day to day business of running the city. Yes, it can be mundane and yes, you actually have to be a boss to the department heads and demand accountability. Just because the current mayor does not do this, because he lacks both managerial experience and doesn’t seem to care about that stuff, doesn’t mean we need to hire an additional “administrator mayor” so that the elected mayor can just play politician. If you want that then vote for charter reform, have the council hire the city manager to run the city, and then you can run for the figurehead mayor role and shake hands and do ribbon cuttings. Just don’t expect a full time salary. I think we’ve had enough of mayors who want the title but not the work. But Joe is cognizant of the systemic issues and the current lack of leadership. Accountability, transparency, and budget, including increasing revenue sources and assessment reform are what I see as the top issues.
Peter Spear seems to be the only one going deep on policy and the nitty gritty.