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| Photo courtesy Hudson Common Sense |
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Wednesday, September 17, 2025
To Whom Do We Owe Thanks?
New benches are appearing in the square in front of the Columbia County Courthouse, once known as Washington Park. The old benches, the same concrete and wood style that is ubiquitous in Hudson, were not objects of great beauty.
The new benches that are being installed to replace them, however, are quite hideous.
The appearance of the new benches raises the question of how these decisions are made. Is it just Ray Jurkowski, Commissioner of Public Works for Columbia County, buying the cheapest and perceived to be most durable benches with little regard to aesthetics? Is there any committee in county government that reviews these such choices? If so, it seems that committee would probably be the Public Works Committee, on which none of the five Hudson supervisors serves.
I haven’t seen them in person yet (just photos), but they do appear to very much resemble the new trash cans in materials and color.
ReplyDeleteI tried the benches out today. The seat portion has a very narrow depth. Not familiar with such small seats. Not a fan. Prefer dimensions of old fashion park benches.
ReplyDeleteI took a look at them myself this evening, DK, and it occurred to me that they may have been chosen because the seats are far too narrow for anyone to lie on, thus discouraging the unhoused from seeking a nap or a night's sleep in the square.
DeleteI followed your link to the "ubiquitous in Hudson" story and love the history -- and very much miss the always calm and practical voice of Vincent. I love the old benches -- a testament to Hudson's cement past -- if they can be kept cleaned and painted. Personally, the new ones are also great!!! With the tree-trimming in court house park, my many thanks for the improvements! --peter meyer
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