On a couple of occasions, Koedding referred to his opponent, Democratic candidate Joe Ferris, as a "same-old-story kind of candidate." In some respects, that was true. Ferris answered each question the way one might expect a candidate to respond--clearly and directly. Koedding did not. When asked if he would direct the Hudson Police Department to cooperate with ICE, Koedding would not answer yes or no. When asked about protecting the LGBTQ community, he responded, "I'm confused. Aren't they a protected group?" When asked about the potential impact on the city budget of cuts in federal funding, he questioned the existence of such a problem. When asked about climate change and its potential impact on the waterfront and the city, he declared, "Science people are part of the problem. They falsify information. They fake studies." In responding to a question about the gift of Galvan's Hudson properties to Bard College, Koedding opined, "Hudson should offer Galvan indemnification for any harm done to the city in exchange for the properties."
At several points during the debate, Koedding made reference to the novel The Celestine Prophecy, a copy of which he had with him and occasionally brandished.
In his closing remarks, Ferris outlined three key issues:
- Bringing competence back to City Hall
- Communicating with residents through open office hours, town halls, and newsletters
- Bringing a sense or urgency to addressing housing and safety issues
In his closing remarks, Koedding urged people to "start being real with yourselves and find your essence." He also said he was leaving copies of The Celestine Prophecy for members of the audience.
The entire debate can be viewed here.
To learn more about Joe Ferris and to ask your own questions about his views on Hudson issues, attend his town hall this Saturday, October 25, at 1:30 p.m., at the Park Theater.
Grabbing the yellow souls of feet in the palm of both soiled handa
ReplyDeleteThis is not as apparent in the video (fortunately for Joe) but the in-person experience of this debate was borderline insufferable. Lloyd, of all people, managed to suck all positivity out of the room. He no doubt managed to be unconventional but he did so in the least pleasant way imaginable.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't benefit Joe either who probably expected a more light-hearted opponent. Llyod was at times outright nasty and he debated himself out of public discourse with this display of obtuseness.
When people show you who they are, believe them. Lloyd is a Republican. Albeit not a conventional one, nor a member of the formal or local party establishment, that’s for sure. This was made clear by his deference or indifference to things like the subjects of ICE, undocumented migrants, and the LGBT community—as well as an ingrained distrust in institutions and norms.
ReplyDeleteJoe, on the other hand, represented what a lot of us desire to see in city hall: a return to normalcy and professionalism. He handled himself well. He was kind and not dismissive to Lloyd, but pushed back hard to assert his values and optimism in the potential of what Hudson could be.
I think the choice is clear for voters who are longing for a city government with less drama and more seriousness. If the primary results are a clue, Hudson’s residents and voters are ready for a new chapter of progress, away from the current administration’s theatrics, division and conflict. Hudson can truly become “The Friendly City.” One that welcomes all immigrants, domestic and international. Joe said it best when he stated: “If you live in Hudson, then you are my neighbor.”
Speaking as someone who deals with Lloyd on a regular basis, this was honestly a very restrained display. He can get extremely mean with his personal attacks and this is, in my opinion, him on some of his best behavior.
ReplyDeleteHe is not a well man, and I have compassion for him. He is also a bully with basically no capacity to compromise or work with people he decides are part of "the oppressive forces" out to get him. He did not answer Joe's question about who those forces are, but his conspiratorial mindset is informed by a daily diet of podcasts from Steve Bannon, and Alex Jones, so maybe you can guess. When he brings those conspiracies into his real interactions with people around town, it is very scary to be his target. He may say that he believes in harmony, but in reality his worldview is wholly self-interested and grievance-based. He would be a terrible mayor.
I hope that this public forum shows people that side of him. I hope that people like the Hudson Wail can stop using his image to generate clicks by making fun of him. I hope that he is not elected, because it would be miserable for everyone involved.
Carole, please allow me to share this opinion in relative anonymity. I believe he would harass me in person at my place of work and in public if my name is attached to it.
Just imagine how wonderful Hudson would be if everyone were allowed to park their one or two vehicles filled and topped with junk in a city parking lot and just leave them there for the year, maybe even sleeping in one of them. Our mental health, housing and parking problems would finally be solved. We wouldn't need a mayor anymore -- he or she wouldn't have anything to do.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest take-away from this debate has nothing to do with Lloyd or Joe. Rather, it’s the sitting mayor’s utter contempt for the citizens of Hudson exemplified by his refusal to stand and defend himself. If anyone was at all unsure of Kamal’s fitness or unfitness for any office — dog catcher to mayor or beyond — the scales most certainly should fall from their eyes now. Understand his message: he’s better than you, than me, than us all, individually and collectively. He doesn’t give one actual fuck about anything or anyone but himself. Least of all Hudson and its citizens.
ReplyDeleteThis comment was submitted by someone who asked to identified only as "Me Too."
ReplyDeleteI want to thank Raven for speaking out. I have been stalked by Lloyd. and it was not a pleasant experience. I was very close to reporting him to the police but instead chose to completely change my schedule to avoid him. I suspect others, like Raven, who cannot avoid him have not been so lucky. He has obviously (in my opinion) deteriorated mentally and does not take care of his personal hygiene. You have only to sit next to him at a meeting to know what I mean. I no longer enjoy the Hudson Wail as they seem to think he is funny and like to give him the attention he craves. Women like me are just grossed out and/or are threatened by his size and in your face behavior and stay as far away as possible. I am very grateful that he is no longer the unofficial door opener at the library.
I imagine that Lloyd will get some votes from those who think he is a joke and perhaps some will be voting the party line. I think the debate was a well-intentioned mistake. It only served to give him more attention in the paper and also here at Gossips. I do appreciate Gossips showing his behavior and trying to educate the public. There is no other place to get accurate information!
He is well known as a fixture at the Board of Elections and will make their lives hell when he doesn't win. Luckily, as a candidate, he has to stay away from the polling sites. I am looking forward to November 5th when, hopefully, he will no longer be the center of attention. I also wish he would get some mental health support, but, like a few others in our community, he doesn't seem to think he needs it. I encourage others to speak up. This is your last chance to sink this particular ship.
Me Too
I think Lloyd showed his ugly side at the debate, with the ICE and LGBT comments, as well as his talk about “dark forces” or whatever. Not the eccentric or cheery person he seems to be on the surface. I think the long format really showed people a side they weren’t aware of. The Hudson Wail even broke the forth wall to make a point to remind people to take the election seriously and not to vote for Lloyd, even as a joke.
ReplyDeleteBut there are some that, despite his debate performance, think Lloyd was fantastic and even “won” the debate. Who would that be? None other than Mayor Kamal Johnson and friends. Source: https://www.facebook.com/500498671/posts/pfbid0Je5X5zpex5zDkE3uRbeMRL4yurAWr4t21tZLmaGL3oGNpJiPgBkBchQk4DmKiJjPl/?app=fbl
And speaking of giving Lloyd more long format attention. Lloyd was featured and practically co-host on Tom “Lame Duck” DePietro’s radio show yesterday on WGXC. Lloyd was on for more than an hour, following a brief, tough, but fair (see Tom, I’ll give you credit :) interview with Joe Ferris. Mayor Johnson even came by to join Lloyd, and to tell him that he would make his latest request to City Hall happen. The three chummed it up, cracking some jokes at Joe (after he left), and even did an impromptu rendition of the Beatles “Yellow Submarine.” Maybe after the election, when all three are unemployed, they can take the show on the road! Start at the Park Theater, I’ll be the first in line.
Didn't Kamal bow out of the debate because he said he was too busy campaigning? Given that he was exchanging messages with his bestie Vern on FB during the debate, I must assume that campaigning didn't actually materialize on the night of the debate.
DeleteAnd as I am writing this, Kamal's message mysteriously disappeared. It was sandwiched between a Vern post from 7:41 PM and a Vern response to Kamal, tagging him, at 7:45 PM. What can we mere mortals really do against such devious cunning?
It’s still up there in the post in my link. They all really loved Lloyd’s performance. Very progressive
DeleteThanks to Raven and Me Too for speaking up. Hudson tolerates inappropriate behavior from more than just Lloyd but Lloyd has chosen to make himself a public figure.
ReplyDeleteI just recently opened a small shop on lower Warren, twice this week Lloyd has come in disrupting my business, and honestly scaring customers. First time I tried to be friendly, when he came back an hour later ringing a large bell when he walked in (I only wish I had a video), we were shocked. My quick thinking employee rushed to the door, blocked him and told him firmly to leave. She is a seasoned Warren street retail worker, obviously has seen this behavior before. Please voters let this insanity end!
ReplyDeleteThis comment was submitted in an email by Susan Troy:
ReplyDeleteOne interesting(?), alarming(?) fact that came out during the Mayoral Debate, was that 7% of the Hudson City School District student body is currently homeless. Based on enrollment numbers, that number is somewhere around 112 kids. More than a hundred kids are living . . . where?
It seems like that fact has flown under the collective radar. I've been surprised that no one from the School Board has posted on TGOR, acknowledging, if not directly addressing, this. Or frankly, any other child-centric organizations.
Homeless children are the most invisible segment of the homeless population. But they suffer the most. And have the least control, whether they are five years old, or fifteen years old.
Thanks Susan, for picking up on this. As always, I'd like to know the source(s) for that stat. It sounds authoritative. As to the School Board, despite having three new members, this one is acting just like the previous ones (from the last 5 years): take the oath, then hide behind executive session and claims of not being able to talk to the public about anything. It has jumped right into the same brambles as the last ones -- hiring expensive consultants to find a new superintendent -- without even wondering how they got two loser supes in a row. --peter meyer
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