We have the opportunity to learn something new every day. Just this morning, we learned that Mayor Kamal Johnson planted forty trees and launched the street tree planting program, which allows residents to request that a tree be planted in front of their home.
Many of us thought that tree planting was the initiative of the Conservation Advisory Council. The forty trees referenced (the CAC has planted a lot more than forty trees) are probably those planted along Harry Howard Avenue, which were planted using a grant the CAC applied for and received. I don't recall the mayor having much to do with that. In fact, I don't think the mayor has ever attended a CAC meeting, but I could be wrong. I also seem to recall the CAC's request last year for additional money from the City to plant street trees was denied by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, of which the mayor is a part.
Regarding the "century-old sewer systems," upgrading Hudson's combined sewer system is a process that started more than a decade ago and is ongoing.
Could it be that Johnson is taking credit for things that happened during the past six years, whether he actually had anything to do with them or not?
COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK
Phony "environmentalist" and true clown who walks his child down the middle of Warren Street, teaching her how to walk in the city safely and properly. Last I checked, it is a traffic violation to walk in the middle of any street. And stupid.
ReplyDeleteCome on, Bill. That’s what you’re gonna criticize him for? I think taking the streets for a publicity shot is excusable. However, the photographer’s choice of angle, as well as using a wide angle lens, was… a choice.
DeleteWhy, are you intimating the man is full of shit?! I'm shocked.
ReplyDeleteKamal had absolutely nothing to do with the tree planting via CAC. I wrote the grant with Hilary Hillman for Harry Howard. The CAC also started the tree program with initial donations from my professional office: Dirtworks, residents and the Hudson Parks Conservancy (a non profit). Nothing from the city.
ReplyDeleteMy fellow CAC members also sourced and physically planted the trees. The DPW removed concrete - and for that we thank Rob Perry and his team.
It is embarrassing to take credit for other people’s work. This leaves a bad taste.
We have young people helping with the campaign. They must of got this from some of their research. This is mistake and no I did not have anything to do with this which is why you never have heard me say this.
ReplyDeleteKamal -
DeleteWhy did you delete your (in) famous FB rooftop interview video with Justin where you took credit for other people's work?
Who is behind this new Instagram account?
How can residents know when you speak, or when those you claim not to coordinate with, speak on your behalf?
Why does the Columbia Memorial Hospital leadership have to call you to fact-check you and ask you not to spread falsehoods about hospital employment?
This is Kamal's Hudson... all narrative, no facts, constant crises.
Why are our tax dollars paying for your campaign manager, and why is City Hall doubling as a political campaign studio?
The next 10 days will be 🔥.
Do you want to go ahead and list which social media accounts you take responsibility for, and which ones are fake news and you disavow?
Between your personal eviction proceedings, the proactive Galvan legal action to muzzle the District Attorney on legal actions that involve you, and your half-a-dozen vocal and self-interested news peddlers.... where can residents hear from the real Kamal?
6 years and he's not given one State of the City address with questions from the public or something remotely similar. The ghost for a "mayor," never see him walking in town (like on a sidewalk). If your mayor is never walking, he probably doesn't know or care to know how unsafe the sidewalks really are.
DeleteSo, mayor, you are telling us there is a rogue agent on the loose who is campaigning and lying on your behalf? That is so convenient...
DeleteThis is rich Kamal, your response is to throw “young people helping with the campaign” under the bus. To save face you offer the upcoming generation of volunteers a slap in the face.
DeleteA real leader gives credit where it is due and takes responsibility for errors made in his/her campaign. Your “young people” got approval and funds from somewhere.
As Britt described, many, many hours of volunteer work has gone into getting trees planted in this city, there have been DEC and private grants awarded, fund raising and DPW has helped with in-kind services. The mayors office merely signed a letter of support.
Early Voting starts today at 401 State Street, I will aim to be among the first in line to cast my vote for Joe Ferris.
Hilary Hillman
1st Ward
He also likes to take credit for the UBI pilot program, even though it was totally administered and funded by the Spark of Hudson and the Utopia Foundation. I wonder if he gets to sign the checks, like Donald Trump did with the Covid stimulus checks, even though that was an act of Congress?
ReplyDeleteI beg to differ… i set up and hosted numerous town halls so people can learn about UBI. Even one with Andrew Yang. I also helped with outlining ways the lottery can be fair and equitable. Then i hit the streets getting people to apply lets be clear most of the people who entered the lottery because I was the credible messenger. You folks have a good I realize you guys can do this all day.
DeleteYes! I agree with what you just wrote. You were a champion and great messenger for the program. But on your latest podcast appearances you kept saying “we’ve” been giving people $500 a month to spend however they want. Not even mentioning Spark in one video. You should say “they’ve” been administering the program and funding it. It’s like saying that your favorite team won the Super Bowl as “we won,” when you weren’t on the field.
DeleteAnd as far as you helped them decide the weighting effects on the lottery, some would say that giving preference based on immutable traits and equity over equality would disqualify the “universal” thing about UBI.
You have a good day too and good luck at the polls!
I'm wondering if Kamal is going to claim responsibility for appointing a weak and ineffective Planning Board that is likely to give Colarusso everything the company wants on our waterfront? ~ PJ
ReplyDeleteKamal is tragic: tragically lazy, disingenuous and on the edge election law violations. Tragic.
ReplyDeleteIn a broader scope, the tragedy is that having been handed an opportunity to do meaningful work, Kamal opted instead to squander 6 years of his and the city’s life currying favor with hucksters and tax dodgers whose “work” he claims as his own (along with the efforts and accomplishments of actual good-doers (CAC and to a lesser extent FOPS).
I expect going forward “Kamal” will be the punchline of local jokes, a guffaw followed by a head shake. A sad, meaningless legacy and poor reflection of what might have been. An unfortunate and pointless waste of human potential.
Yes to all that, John. Also, 6 years of an unfortunate, shameful and pointless waste of the city's potential.
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