Gossips just received the following message from Common Council President Don Moore: "The snow emergency is rescinded as of 8 p.m. tonight. There also should be no enforcement during the remainder of today."
This means that tonight--as would have been the case anyway--cars should be parked on the odd side of the street, but during the daytime tomorrow cars may park, without fear of retribution, on either side of the street, until the witching hour of midnight, when they must be on the odd side until morning.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Gossips Apologizes
The boiler here at Gossips Central gave up the ghost in the night, so I'm having to deal with that problem instead of creating today's post. Gossips will be back as soon as the situation is dealt with.
Hurra, Tortillaville!
William's Song
This collar comes off tomorrow,
So I gotta hang on ‘til tomorrow, come what may.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, no collar tomorrow,
It's only a day away!
So I gotta hang on ‘til tomorrow, come what may.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, no collar tomorrow,
It's only a day away!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Snow Emergency
The mayor has declared a snow emergency for 48 hours beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, Saturday, through 8 p.m. Monday. Vehicles must be parked on the even side of the street from 8 p.m. tonight until 8 p.m. on Sunday night and then moved to the odd side where they must remain until 8 p.m. on Monday night.
Remember the draconian ticketing and towing that went on during last winter's snow emergencies and be prepared to comply with the letter of the law, even when to do so seems to defy logic.
For William's Friends
At first, William was so humiliated by having to wear an Elizabethan collar--a.k.a. the "collar of shame"--that I was reluctant to photograph him, but now that he is actively and shamelessly soliciting sympathy from total strangers on the street, I have no compunction about sharing this picture.
Despite his woebegone look, William is doing fine. We're on Day 10 of the twelve-day ordeal, he's on his second collar (having bashed the first one to bits), and he's healing nicely. The stitches come out on Monday. Hooray!
Despite his woebegone look, William is doing fine. We're on Day 10 of the twelve-day ordeal, he's on his second collar (having bashed the first one to bits), and he's healing nicely. The stitches come out on Monday. Hooray!
Adios, Tortillaville
This was to be the last weekend for Tortillaville in Hudson, but because of the abysmal weather forecast for today, Brian Branigan has announced that Tortillaville will be closed today and possibly tomorrow as well.
Alas. We've ordered our winter stash of burritos, but we were hoping for a couple more fish tacos before the long, bleak winter began.
Beware!
There are some holidays coming up for which alternate side of the street parking will be suspended. They are :
- Thanksgiving (the night before to Thanksgiving Day);
- Christmas (overnight from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day);
- New Year's (overnight from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day).
DA and County Judge Races
Today's Register-Star has Audra Jornov's coverage of last night's debate between the two candidates for Columbia County District Attorney, Democrat Gene Keeler and Republican Paul Czajka: "Czajka argues leadership, Keeler change in debate."
If that doesn't give you enough information about these two, Jornov's articles based on the interviews with the two candidates were also published today: "Keeler is for a team approach" and "Czajka would be hands-on D.A."
Also in today's Register-Star are Jornov's interviews with the two candidates for Columbia County court judge: Democrat Richard Koweek--"Koweek has experience arguing and hearing cases"--and Republican Beth Cozzolino--"Cozzolino would bring 26 years in law to bench."
If that doesn't give you enough information about these two, Jornov's articles based on the interviews with the two candidates were also published today: "Keeler is for a team approach" and "Czajka would be hands-on D.A."
Also in today's Register-Star are Jornov's interviews with the two candidates for Columbia County court judge: Democrat Richard Koweek--"Koweek has experience arguing and hearing cases"--and Republican Beth Cozzolino--"Cozzolino would bring 26 years in law to bench."
Friday, October 28, 2011
Two Meetings--One LWRP
The Common Council
At a special meeting on Thursday night, the Common Council, predictably, passed a resolution "Adopting the findings statement for the City of Hudson Waterfront Revitalization Program and Implementing Laws." The vote was ayes: Don Moore, Geeta Cheddie, Robert Donahue, Richard Goetz, Abdus Miah, Wanda Pertilla, Sheila Ramsey, Sarah Sterling, Orhine Stewart; and nays: Ellen Thurston and Chris Wagoner.
In spite of the fact that this was billed as a special meeting of the Common Council to "consider" the GEIS Findings Statement, very little considering went on. Council President Don Moore made an opening statement in which he read the section about findings statements from the SEQRA handbook and then explained that "once a positive findings statement is accepted, the LWRP can proceed." The aldermen were asked, for the record, to affirm that they had all read the findings statement, and they all did so.
Third Ward Alderman Ellen Thurston expressed her concern that none of the agreements in the LWRP about easements or land transfers has been negotiated with Holcim and there are no guarantees that things outlined in the LWRP are actually going to happen. She called the two-phased plan for moving truck traffic to the waterfront "a problem" and said she had no faith that Phase 2 would ever happen, pointing out that the City has no way of making Holcim/O&G stop running trucks through South Bay. She concluded by saying the LWRP and GEIS were "flawed documents" and she could not vote yes on the findings statement.
In response to Thurston's criticism, Cheryl Roberts talked about the triggers that would require Holcim to obtain a conditional use permit from the City of Hudson Planning Commission. She noted that the "causeway" is not currently being used because of damage to the roadway as a consequence of Hurricane Irene and noted that "if this [LWRP] gets passed within the next month, they would have to get a conditional use permit to fix it." She also noted that the "triggers," which she seemed to consider "hair-triggers," although she never used the term, were proposed by the Department of State, and Roberts said, "DOS has promised to defend if the City gets sued by Holcim."
Moore then declared: "This document gives us what we need to control what we want to control. . . . I personally am proud of what we've gone through." He went on to say that he hoped "the groups"--by which he meant Scenic Hudson, Friends of Hudson, The Valley Alliance, and the South Bay Task Force--"don't feel excluded, because I don't think they have been." Interestingly, yesterday Scenic Hudson sent a letter addressing the findings statement to Moore, intended for the full Council. There was no mention of the letter at the meeting and no evidence that it had been distributed to the aldermen before they were called upon to vote on the resolution. The South Bay Task Force has also produced extensive comments about the findings statement. Roberts dismissed the comments and criticisms of "some of these groups," saying they were "full of misunderstanding of the document."
The Planning Commission
The special Common Council meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m., and at 7:00 the "workshop" meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order. Although, it had been described as an opportunity for the members of the commission to ask questions about the proposed zoning changes, none of that happened. Roberts talked them through the Coastal Consistency Review Law, which among other things creates a three-member LWRP Consistency Review Board to be appointed by the mayor; led them through the answers to the five questions, described as "threshold questions," submitted by Friends of Hudson; and then coached Planning Commission chair Don Tillson as he went through the criteria outlined in Chapter 325.40 of the City Code. No one on the commission, except for Tillson himself, seemed more than occasionally engaged in this process. In fact, one member appeared to be dozing off.
In the end, needless to say, the job was done, and Roberts, who had said earlier that she would have a draft of their report ready for this meeting, said she would have the draft prepared for the commission's review at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
The LWRP marches on.
At a special meeting on Thursday night, the Common Council, predictably, passed a resolution "Adopting the findings statement for the City of Hudson Waterfront Revitalization Program and Implementing Laws." The vote was ayes: Don Moore, Geeta Cheddie, Robert Donahue, Richard Goetz, Abdus Miah, Wanda Pertilla, Sheila Ramsey, Sarah Sterling, Orhine Stewart; and nays: Ellen Thurston and Chris Wagoner.
In spite of the fact that this was billed as a special meeting of the Common Council to "consider" the GEIS Findings Statement, very little considering went on. Council President Don Moore made an opening statement in which he read the section about findings statements from the SEQRA handbook and then explained that "once a positive findings statement is accepted, the LWRP can proceed." The aldermen were asked, for the record, to affirm that they had all read the findings statement, and they all did so.
Third Ward Alderman Ellen Thurston expressed her concern that none of the agreements in the LWRP about easements or land transfers has been negotiated with Holcim and there are no guarantees that things outlined in the LWRP are actually going to happen. She called the two-phased plan for moving truck traffic to the waterfront "a problem" and said she had no faith that Phase 2 would ever happen, pointing out that the City has no way of making Holcim/O&G stop running trucks through South Bay. She concluded by saying the LWRP and GEIS were "flawed documents" and she could not vote yes on the findings statement.
In response to Thurston's criticism, Cheryl Roberts talked about the triggers that would require Holcim to obtain a conditional use permit from the City of Hudson Planning Commission. She noted that the "causeway" is not currently being used because of damage to the roadway as a consequence of Hurricane Irene and noted that "if this [LWRP] gets passed within the next month, they would have to get a conditional use permit to fix it." She also noted that the "triggers," which she seemed to consider "hair-triggers," although she never used the term, were proposed by the Department of State, and Roberts said, "DOS has promised to defend if the City gets sued by Holcim."
Moore then declared: "This document gives us what we need to control what we want to control. . . . I personally am proud of what we've gone through." He went on to say that he hoped "the groups"--by which he meant Scenic Hudson, Friends of Hudson, The Valley Alliance, and the South Bay Task Force--"don't feel excluded, because I don't think they have been." Interestingly, yesterday Scenic Hudson sent a letter addressing the findings statement to Moore, intended for the full Council. There was no mention of the letter at the meeting and no evidence that it had been distributed to the aldermen before they were called upon to vote on the resolution. The South Bay Task Force has also produced extensive comments about the findings statement. Roberts dismissed the comments and criticisms of "some of these groups," saying they were "full of misunderstanding of the document."
The Planning Commission
The special Common Council meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m., and at 7:00 the "workshop" meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order. Although, it had been described as an opportunity for the members of the commission to ask questions about the proposed zoning changes, none of that happened. Roberts talked them through the Coastal Consistency Review Law, which among other things creates a three-member LWRP Consistency Review Board to be appointed by the mayor; led them through the answers to the five questions, described as "threshold questions," submitted by Friends of Hudson; and then coached Planning Commission chair Don Tillson as he went through the criteria outlined in Chapter 325.40 of the City Code. No one on the commission, except for Tillson himself, seemed more than occasionally engaged in this process. In fact, one member appeared to be dozing off.
In the end, needless to say, the job was done, and Roberts, who had said earlier that she would have a draft of their report ready for this meeting, said she would have the draft prepared for the commission's review at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
The LWRP marches on.
The Party Responds
Victor Mendolia, chair of the Hudson City Democratic Committee, responds to Geeta Cheddie's vitriolic farewell to the Democrats in today's Register-Star: "Chairman responds to Cheddie."
More Candidate Interviews
Today, the Register-Star publishes articles based on interviews with the candidates for mayor and Common Council president.
Mayor
Nick Haddad
Bill Hallenbeck
Although Hallenbeck doesn't appear to have stressed in his interview, as he has elsewhere, the fact that he has lived in Hudson his whole life, Haddad makes the point in his that, if elected, he would be the first mayor born outside of Hudson--a fact that has been used as a major criticism against him and one that he calls "preposterous." While the statement may be true of the people who have served as mayor over the past fifty years or so, it's certainly not true about the mayors who served in the 18th and early 19th century, when Hudson's amazing growth and development inspired the admiration and awe of all who visited.
Common Council President
Don Moore
Bart Delaney
In his interview, Don Moore suggests that it's time to replace the sole assessor, although it's not clear what he wants instead: “This city has had a series of sole assessors who have frankly not lived up to their responsibilities as public servants and have left a trail of miscalculation of erratic assessments and behavior. I’d very much like to see this city be confident citywide that its assessments are as close to accurate as possible.”
In his interview, Bart Delaney, after saying that he'd like to "sit up there where my father sat" (Delaney's father had been an alderman, Common Council president, and mayor), seems to want to make a dog park a campaign issue, saying that "he does support the park and is a dog owner, but would like the council to prioritize issues and other things 'need to take precedence over that.'” This suggests how little he has been paying attention. Although the issue of a dog park has been taken up by an alderman, Sarah Sterling, and has been mentioned by Sterling a couple of time at Common Council meetings, it is hardly an issue that is consuming the attention of the entire Common Council.
Mayor
Nick Haddad
Bill Hallenbeck
Although Hallenbeck doesn't appear to have stressed in his interview, as he has elsewhere, the fact that he has lived in Hudson his whole life, Haddad makes the point in his that, if elected, he would be the first mayor born outside of Hudson--a fact that has been used as a major criticism against him and one that he calls "preposterous." While the statement may be true of the people who have served as mayor over the past fifty years or so, it's certainly not true about the mayors who served in the 18th and early 19th century, when Hudson's amazing growth and development inspired the admiration and awe of all who visited.
Common Council President
Don Moore
Bart Delaney
In his interview, Don Moore suggests that it's time to replace the sole assessor, although it's not clear what he wants instead: “This city has had a series of sole assessors who have frankly not lived up to their responsibilities as public servants and have left a trail of miscalculation of erratic assessments and behavior. I’d very much like to see this city be confident citywide that its assessments are as close to accurate as possible.”
In his interview, Bart Delaney, after saying that he'd like to "sit up there where my father sat" (Delaney's father had been an alderman, Common Council president, and mayor), seems to want to make a dog park a campaign issue, saying that "he does support the park and is a dog owner, but would like the council to prioritize issues and other things 'need to take precedence over that.'” This suggests how little he has been paying attention. Although the issue of a dog park has been taken up by an alderman, Sarah Sterling, and has been mentioned by Sterling a couple of time at Common Council meetings, it is hardly an issue that is consuming the attention of the entire Common Council.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Of Interest
Photo of Bo and an unidentified pal by Helen Arrott
Hudson Supervisor Races
Today's Register-Star reports on interviews with the two candidates for First Ward Supervisor: Sarah Sterling and John Musall. In her interview, Sarah Sterling, who is the challenger in this race, expresses a fairly predictable goal: to make the city's voice heard at the county level. Musall, on the other hand, who was elected to the office as a Democrat and is now running for reelection on the Republican line, proposes a fairly unorthodox notion: Hudson should no longer be the county seat. Musall claims that, if Hudson weren't the county seat, the city would "'no longer need a $3 million police force' and could include county buildings in the city on its tax roles [sic]." Expressing a position that is completely opposite from Sterling's, Musall says that in his tenure as supervisor for the First Ward he has "tried to instill the idea that Hudson is ready to listen to the county rather than the county listen to it.”
There are three people running unopposed for supervisor positions in Hudson, and the Register-Star has interviews with two of them: Bill Hughes, Fourth Ward, and Rick Scalera, Fifth Ward. Ed Cross, who has been the supervisor representing the Second Ward for as long as anyone can remember, did not, the Register-Star notes, complete the candidate questionnaire or respond to phone calls.
There are three people running unopposed for supervisor positions in Hudson, and the Register-Star has interviews with two of them: Bill Hughes, Fourth Ward, and Rick Scalera, Fifth Ward. Ed Cross, who has been the supervisor representing the Second Ward for as long as anyone can remember, did not, the Register-Star notes, complete the candidate questionnaire or respond to phone calls.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Say Cheese
A message posted yesterday on the Grazin' website indicates that the diner will "no longer be offering blue cheese from Finger Lakes Dexter Creamery." Blue cheese was the only product the diner purchased from this source.
The Third Ward Battle
Today's Register-Star has interviews with the two candidates for Third Ward Supervisor: Ellen Thurston and Glenn Martin. According to Tom Casey's account, Thurston--three term alderman and vigilant observer of what's going on at the county level, especially as it pertains to tourism and economic development--questioned "whether being a retired police chief was enough to be a supervisor." Some of Martin's reported comments make one wonder if he actually knows who his opponent is. His disparaging references to authorizing the mayor to "negotiate the sale of property that is not for sale" and prioritizing "bringing a dog park into Hudson"--two initiatives for which First Ward Alderman Sarah Sterling gets the credit--makes one wonder if perhaps Martin thinks he's running against Sterling not Thurston.
The Great Debate: Part II
It wasn't Lincoln-Douglas. It wasn't Kennedy-Nixon. It wasn't even Tracy-Grandinetti (2005) or O'Hara-Mussmann (2007). It's unlikely that anyone went to the debate undecided about who they supported or that the debate changed anyone's mind, but since it appears unlikely that there will be a second debate, last night was our only opportunity for a side by side comparison of the two candidates, and so it deserves our attention. One question that emerges from this debate--indeed from the whole campaign--is this: Which would be more beneficial to Hudson--a mayor with a lifelong history of living in Hudson and working at public sector jobs, or a mayor with real world experience in the private sector, success in managing businesses and people, and a vision for the future?
The debate started out with each candidate making a brief statement. Bill Hallenbeck, after introducing his wife, his daughter, his parents, his sister, and his niece, made the statement that seems to be the theme of his campaign: "I've lived here all my life." He summarized what he described as his "stellar career" in law enforcement: Hudson Police Department, County Sheriff's Department, and now "safety officer" for the Hudson City School District; and concluded by saying that he understood the issues facing Hudson and was "compassionate and passionate" about them.
Nick Haddad also began by introducing his family--his wife, his son, his father--and then talked about his father, whose hopes for attending college had to be abandoned when he was drafted into World War II, recounted his father's military career, praised his father's generation--the Greatest Generation--for "providing us our future," and segued into his theme: the need to provide a future for Hudson that "reflects our aspirations." Haddad talked about jobs, opportunity, and quality of life. He talked about making our school a "magnet for people" and said of Hudson that it is "more than shovel-ready, and we have the work force." He also urged that we be "Hudsoncentric," working together to ensure a bright future.
According to the format of the debate, the opening statements were followed by three questions, asked of each candidate, that HAALA said “speak to the diversity and importance to all citizens.” Those questions were:
On the issue of the two percent tax cap, Haddad talked about the police force being more engaged, suggested that "shared sacrifice" may be required to "keep what we have," and advocated "inviting people into the conversation" and working together to achieve "the community of our memory." Hallenbeck complained about "unfunded mandates" that are "crippling municipalities," pledged to "make sure that quality of life is not affected," and promised he would have more to say about the two percent tax cap.
On the issue of African American representation in the City's workforce, Hallenbeck seemed to try to demonstrate that the premise was not true, claiming that the current administration had "done a good job," but he also recommended reviving the 1991 Minority Task Force. Haddad maintained that public hiring must be "merit based and colorblind," stating that "we cannot remedy the inequities only in City jobs." He talked about encouraging private industry and private business and about empowering people and working with the schools and the community college to "get people ready to take tests"--i.e., the civil service tests required for most City jobs.
Among the questions from the audience, two are worthy of note. Mayor's aide, Cappy Pierro, asked a question clearly intended to give Hallenbeck a chance to talk about his experience as a DARE instructor and as a safety officer in the Hudson City School District: "What is your involvement with the youth of the community and what is your vision?" Predictably, Hallenbeck reviewed the phases of his career in law enforcement that had to do with kids and said he wanted to see "programs implemented that coincide with programs in the schools." Haddad acknowledged that he had not been involved with youth recently (his two sons are now adults) but knew from past experience that "the hardest people on the planet to engage are youth." He alluded to the fact that the Youth Department in Hudson (whose annual budget is around $400,000) is used by only about a hundred kids. He talked about the need to "give children a reason to participate" and to "do what we can to make it relevant and attractive."
The question of the moment was asked by Nicole Vidor: "What is your vision for the waterfront?" Hallenbeck began his answer by stating that he was in favor of the LWRP and appreciated what Cheryl Roberts had done. He claimed that he was "ecofriendly" and believed that "parks and recreation can exist with small businesses and restaurants," but nowhere did he mention heavy industry. He then said that the Common Council President, the majority of the Common Council, and the majority of residents, so far as he could tell, were in favor of the LWRP and asked: "Can we all be wrong?" Haddad, on the other hand, expressed the opinion that the LWRP was "not a perfect document," stated his concern that it will be "very difficult to get necessary investment in place if it has to coexist with heavy industry," and predicted that "what we want will not happen so long as the industry is in place."
The entire debate may be heard online at WGXC; a videotape is promised to be available soon on YouTube.
Nick Haddad also began by introducing his family--his wife, his son, his father--and then talked about his father, whose hopes for attending college had to be abandoned when he was drafted into World War II, recounted his father's military career, praised his father's generation--the Greatest Generation--for "providing us our future," and segued into his theme: the need to provide a future for Hudson that "reflects our aspirations." Haddad talked about jobs, opportunity, and quality of life. He talked about making our school a "magnet for people" and said of Hudson that it is "more than shovel-ready, and we have the work force." He also urged that we be "Hudsoncentric," working together to ensure a bright future.
According to the format of the debate, the opening statements were followed by three questions, asked of each candidate, that HAALA said “speak to the diversity and importance to all citizens.” Those questions were:
- What qualifications do you have to be mayor, and what would you do differently from the current administration?
- How will you protect the quality of life in Hudson given the imposed two percent tax cap?
- How will you address the fact that the African Americans are underrepresented in the City's workforce?
On the issue of the two percent tax cap, Haddad talked about the police force being more engaged, suggested that "shared sacrifice" may be required to "keep what we have," and advocated "inviting people into the conversation" and working together to achieve "the community of our memory." Hallenbeck complained about "unfunded mandates" that are "crippling municipalities," pledged to "make sure that quality of life is not affected," and promised he would have more to say about the two percent tax cap.
On the issue of African American representation in the City's workforce, Hallenbeck seemed to try to demonstrate that the premise was not true, claiming that the current administration had "done a good job," but he also recommended reviving the 1991 Minority Task Force. Haddad maintained that public hiring must be "merit based and colorblind," stating that "we cannot remedy the inequities only in City jobs." He talked about encouraging private industry and private business and about empowering people and working with the schools and the community college to "get people ready to take tests"--i.e., the civil service tests required for most City jobs.
Among the questions from the audience, two are worthy of note. Mayor's aide, Cappy Pierro, asked a question clearly intended to give Hallenbeck a chance to talk about his experience as a DARE instructor and as a safety officer in the Hudson City School District: "What is your involvement with the youth of the community and what is your vision?" Predictably, Hallenbeck reviewed the phases of his career in law enforcement that had to do with kids and said he wanted to see "programs implemented that coincide with programs in the schools." Haddad acknowledged that he had not been involved with youth recently (his two sons are now adults) but knew from past experience that "the hardest people on the planet to engage are youth." He alluded to the fact that the Youth Department in Hudson (whose annual budget is around $400,000) is used by only about a hundred kids. He talked about the need to "give children a reason to participate" and to "do what we can to make it relevant and attractive."
The question of the moment was asked by Nicole Vidor: "What is your vision for the waterfront?" Hallenbeck began his answer by stating that he was in favor of the LWRP and appreciated what Cheryl Roberts had done. He claimed that he was "ecofriendly" and believed that "parks and recreation can exist with small businesses and restaurants," but nowhere did he mention heavy industry. He then said that the Common Council President, the majority of the Common Council, and the majority of residents, so far as he could tell, were in favor of the LWRP and asked: "Can we all be wrong?" Haddad, on the other hand, expressed the opinion that the LWRP was "not a perfect document," stated his concern that it will be "very difficult to get necessary investment in place if it has to coexist with heavy industry," and predicted that "what we want will not happen so long as the industry is in place."
The entire debate may be heard online at WGXC; a videotape is promised to be available soon on YouTube.
The Great Debate: Part I
Gossips account will follow in "The Great Debate: Part II."
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
HCSD Board Vacancy
Candidates will be asked to speak to the board at a meeting on November 14, 2011, and respond to a list of questions. Those questions may be requested from the Clerk of the Board prior to the meeting by calling 828-4360, ext. 2100. It would seem that it is not necessary to have submitted a letter of intent before requesting the list of questions.
The Board of Education is currently made up of the following six members: Jeri Chapman, Elizabeth Fout, Kelly Frank, Peter Merante, Peter Meyer, and Peter A. Rice. Meyer, who has served on the school board since 2007, makes this appeal to people who are concerned about the quality of our schools:
Every time there is a board opening, there is a chance of improving our schools, however slight.
Being on the board is not, as you all probably know, an easy thing, nor, much of the time, is the business done in a hospitable environment. But it remains one of the most important jobs in government--educating our kids. Even if you throw your hat in the ring JUST to address the school board about what can/should be done--it's a butterfly flap and will make a difference.
If you want public service, this is it! The kids need YOU!
The Other Shoe Drops
At the end of September, incumbent First Ward Supervisor John Musall, who has not been endorsed for reelection by the Hudson Democratic Committee, ended his brief affiliation with the Democratic Party, charging that Democratic leadership had "employed the most malicious and vengeful tactics to undermine my position and my constituents' trust with innuendo and slander." In today's Register-Star, Musall's wife, First Ward Alderman Geeta Cheddie, who has been a Democrat for much longer than her husband's two years and who like Musall was not endorsed by the Democrats, announces that she too is now registered as an NOP (no official party): "MY VIEW: Why I have no party."
Cheddie's statement contains a lot of vitriol, much of it directed at Democratic Committee chair Victor Mendolia, but Fourth Ward Supervisor William Hughes, Second Ward Alderman Abdus Miah, and the legislative body on which she has served for the past two years (and which she repeatedly refers to as the City Council) also come under attack--even Gossips gets a glancing blow. She calls Democratic leadership in Hudson "corrupt, small-minded, reprehensible" and accuses the Democrat-controlled Common Council of "incompetence" for making decisions that are "costing the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars": "We [the Common Council] approved the hiring of an outside assessment company to complete an assessment that has already been done; we extended public comment periods [for the LWRP] beyond what was required; we tried to rid the City of industry that pay taxes because outside parties object to them; we do not question contracts that are payouts to individuals who purport to act in the City’s interests but are really thinly disguised attempts to skirt the law." She even takes voters to task for complaining about the large chunk of the City budget taken up by the Police Department and then not showing up for a budget hearing. One wonders if this orgy of spite and anger will win Cheddie votes in November.
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