Early voting in the Primary Election begins in just twelve days, on Saturday, June 14, and there is still no news of a debate between incumbent Kamal Johnson and challenger Joe Ferris, who are vying to be the Democratic candidate for mayor. Time is running out.
Two candidates in the Democratic primary: the mayor who makes such a big deal about being a native Hudsonian (though I'm pretty sure he's not), and his challenger who essentially just arrived in Hudson and is standing for the chief executive's seat. On what basis can the mayor's avoiding Ferris's debate challenge be seen as anything except cowardice?
ReplyDeleteIf the mayor continues to duck frank public discussion of important topics with his opponent, I'd hope that Mr. Ferris holds a general public meeting, perhaps at the elementary school or high school, where he can stand in front of the electorate and tell us his thoughts and take questions. I'm out and about and all over town on a daily basis and I've only run into him once. I don't know very much at all about his professional background and managerial experience -- things I'd like to know about a candidate running for our highest office before I pull the lever for him or her.
Kamal is from Westchester County (Yonkers), came here as a teen.
ReplyDeleteJoe might actually be younger than Kamal and Peter spent roughly the same number of years on these streets.
According to his own account, Kamal was 34 when he was elected in 2019, which makes him 39 today. As I recall, when he was running for office in 2017 or 2019, he said his family had moved to Hudson in 1993. (I remember that because it was the same year I bought my house and settled here.) If he is 39 today, he would have been 7 years old when he moved here in 1993. I think he has the right to say that he grew up in Hudson. Of course, the same 32 years in Hudson just makes me an old outsider.
DeleteGossips - if Kamal moved to Hudson at 7 then he was a "school-aged" child, and not a teen. So then I stand corrected.
DeleteThank you for pointing that out. Kamal, please confirm so that we have the facts.
According to public records and self-disclosure Kamal was born in December 1984 and Joe in February 1985.*
So Joe Ferris is officially the youngest candidate in the race, if that mattered to any one.
But your main point stands Gossips... if one looks a certain way and has the "right" views... then you are "community". If not, then you are a gentrifying outsider.
A half Mohican half Dutch resident, with a British name and American vibes who was born in a home birth in the Hudson Furgary... but was not a card carrying member of Kite's Nest and spoke out against expensive middle income housing in a flood zone, and dared to live without government aid, would be labeled an outsider, a Cidiot, a Republican, gasp, an Android user. π
In any event... I guess now we know why the 40 under 40 was not continued...
¯\_(γ)_/¯
* Avoiding the exact birth dates in case it is a password somewhere with an old bank.
Susan Troy submitted this comment by email:
ReplyDeleteUnder David Colby's always-proactive-leadership, the Chamber of Commerce used to act as the neutral third party in Mayoral Debates. He also "MC-ed" other important community conversations, again, always as the neutral third party.
From the state of the HCSD--which affects residents and taxpayers outside of Hudson proper--to the state of Hudson, itself, to upcoming elections, there's no shortage of vital community conversations to be had.
No State of the City address (or anything similar) in 5 years from the so-called mayor of Hudson, a city awash in issues and problems. Why should we think he'll make an effort now to get in front of the public, scripted or not? Kamal knows that however a debate goes for him, it won't change any voters' minds about him. It's too risky, especially if his immaturity, lack of any coherent plan or accomplishments to boast about, and his inability to make much sense are put on display. Better to play it safe and stick to FB where his 'friends" and supporters are found and he is most comfortable getting his job done while Hudson crumbles.
ReplyDeleteA word of warning to Joe: Do not wait for Kamal to approach you to set something up. As the incumbent, it is not the mayor's imperative to schedule a debate. It's entirely counter to his interest. It is Joe's responsibility alone to make this happen. At the very least, make a public post that you are ready to debate with Kamal on a specific day and time at an easily bookable place.
ReplyDeleteSusan Troy touches on another issue that needs to be addressed here, namely the moderator. Who would it be? It has to be someone acceptable to both parties.
Traditionally, political debates are moderated by journalists who, traditionally, are not afraid to ask tough questions. For better or worse Hudson is still a small enough town that the most important issues are like the hot potatoes that no one wants to even hold. Race, for example. Influence peddling is another. Education, which is my beat, is perhaps the single biggest avoided subject of them all.... My suggestion: a panel comprised of Mary Dempsey (editor of the RS), Carole Osterink, and yours truly. Get Mid-Hudson cable to host. --peter meyer
ReplyDeleteAgreed Pete!
ReplyDeleteAnd that is why I have been dialing up the uncomfortable questions and observations here. (For example; Kamal, why exactly did you get fired (correction; asked to resign or face termination) from the Hudson after school program? Was it what you did, or her age, that was the problem?)
The issue is not that we are not willing to ask public officials tough questions... it is that they do not answer because we do not hold them to account... the silent majority does not want to offend and challenge the status quo.
Just yesterday Kamal lied through his teeth about not raising taxes, in a regional publication featuring him and Joe Ferris. When he is back from Albany he must walk past a dozen residents and half a dozen city employees, how many asked him about his lie?
Most residents, rightfully, have better things to do and have to work to pay the high property taxes and take care of kids and grandparents.
Many would say that the Overton Window opened quite a bit over the last six months... Hat tip to Union Jack, the charter reform folks, and the new mayoral candidates... and even Max for calling Kamal & Tom out on Facebook for untruths.
The city is also about to get hit with a very embarrassing lawsuit or two... Directly related to appointee malfeasance.
There are also two real investigative news reporters sniffing around town and finding it a treasure trove of hypocrisy...
~
And that is also why, with my more tame and polite European immigrant friends... there will be more moderate Editorials and Op-Eds in Hudson Commons Sense.
Let's save Hudson with sunshine and accountability.
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ReplyDeleteThe polarization of America has certainly flooded Hudson.
DeleteIt is such a shame... it seems other towns in the County (like equally populous Kinderhook) get around this by avoiding the National Party Machine.
See this excerpt from a Register-Star story;
"New Kinderhook Party candidates T. Kevin Monahan and Susan Patterson, as well as Astrid Montagano, of the Village People’s Party, and Christopher van Moessner, of the OK Community Party, are running to fill the two open seats on the village board this year.
Village Trustee Dorene M. Weir is not running for reelection on the board, instead she is running unopposed for the village mayor’s position under the Lindenwald Party. Mayor Michael Abrams is not running for reelection."