WHEREAS, the subject real property at the corner of 4th Street and State Street is surplus property that is no longer needed or desired for any public purpose of the City of Hudson, and
WHEREAS, there is a need for quality housing in the City of Hudson for those seeking to remain and/or relocate to the City of Hudson, and
WHEREAS, sale of the subject surplus real property at the corner of 4th Street and State Street, with a condition that the highest bidder at public auction be required to complete construction of housing on the subject parcel within 18 months of delivery of the deed, will promote access to housing with the City of Hudson. . . .In the discussion of the resolution, the aldermen's concerns seemed mostly that the language of the resolution lacked the specificity needed to achieve the desired goal. Alderman Nick Haddad (First Ward) pointed out that someone could buy the property and build a single-family home there. Alderman Bart Delaney (Fifth Ward) asked if the mayor was "looking for multiple dwellings." There was also concern about the City's liability for possible contamination, since the school building was demolished by the City, and legend has it that the demolition was done by bulldozing the structure into its own cellar and fuel oil tanks were left in the ground. The entire discussion is ably recounted by John Mason in today's Register-Star: "Plan to sell parking lot raises eyebrows." In the end, Council president Don Moore referred the resolution to the Economic Development Committee.
Tuesday, February 10, 7 p.m. Common Council Informal Meeting at City Hall. There are two items of interest on the agenda: the Council will be receiving the mayor's veto message on the resolution to hire a legal adviser for the Council, and a resolution will be introduced to sell the vacant lot at Fourth and State streets.
Wednesday, February 11, 6 p.m. The Planning Board takes up the matter of the building on Green Street that was erected in the wrong place.
Thursday, February 12, 6 p.m. There is a public meeting, called by the Common Council, on the proposed lodging tax.
Friday, February 13, 10 a.m. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting at City Hall. It is expected that the design for the police and court building may come before the commission at that meeting.
Zurofsky brings thirty years of experience and an extensive background in the museum field to her role as Interim President. She has previously served as Interim Director for other National Historic Sites, including Philip Johnson Glass House and Chesterwood, as well as for museums. As a consultant for the past fourteen years, she has specialized in stabilization and optimization of cultural institutions. Prior to founding her firm, Zurofsky held positions at the American Museum of Natural History, the Newark Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
"Frederic Church's Olana is one of the country's most beautiful and significant estates. Art, architecture, and landscape design combine to fully embody the sublime vision of the Hudson River School, the first truly American art movement. I am privileged to be here," says Zurofsky.
Zurofsky resides in the Berkshires and holds and MBA from Columbia University. She has taught graduate courses in nonprofit arts management and marketing at NYU, and has lectured on the same subjects internationally.Photo courtesy B. Docktor
The New York World of yesterday contained a cartoon of the "Hon. Richard A. Brandon, former chief executive of Hudson," who is acting "A Man About Town" at the Eltinge Theatre in that city. Two episodes from the life of the politician-actor are given. In one Mr. Brandon appears on a platform addressing a shouting crowd who carry banners, "Vote for Brandon" and "Our Choice." In the other Mr. Brandon appears before the footlights as an actor and has a bouquet thrown to him from an admirer in the audience. The World says:
Drop around the Entinge [sic] Theatre and ask the genial guardian of that magic door how it seems to get messages for the Mayor. He'll tell you it isn't half so bad as when some titled foreigner condescends to take a barrel or so of honest American dollars and all their friends come a calling.
The reason the Eltinge in particular is mentioned is because Judge Atwell, man-about-town in the "Song of Songs" while on, is Richard A. Brandon, ex-Mayor of Hudson, N.Y., off, and once in a while some of Brandon's old political friends from the city up the river come to town and "go back" either before or after the show to see their old Mayor.
It isn't that he's a bit ashamed of his record as Mayor that keeps Mayor Brandon from boasting of it around town, but it's his idea that when a man's on the stage he ought to be judged solely by his work as an actor and not as a reformer, for instance.
Not that Mayor Brandon back in 1896 was a reform Mayor for Hudson. Not for a minute. He was just a good Mayor. Altho, it wasn't thru any wish of his that he ever was Mayor.
Hudson in those days was a rock-ribbed Republican stronghold. The Democratic party had to pay a man to run for office. Then, in 1896, the political machines became so split to pieces that it seemed as tho the political leaders just couldn't agree on a candidate.
Finally they came to Brandon. At that time he was managing two theatres in the town and the free lists at both of them were not--no, never!--suspended. Was it any wonder, then, that Manager Brandon was the most popular man in Hudson? It was--not.
At first Mr. Brandon wouldn't listen to the suggestion that he run for Mayor. Frankly, he said he had no such aspirations. And, what's more, it isn't at all likely he would have run had the committee appointed to see him not taken an unfair advantage of him.
"You won't run, eh?" they said. "Well, if you don't we won't renew the licenses for your theatres this fall."
That settled it. Rather than lose his licenses, Mr. Brandon consented to run for Mayor. 'T'isn't that he wants to boast, but facts are facts, and so long as the subject was not brought up himself, why--well, when they come to count the votes they found that Manager Brandon had been elected on the Democratic ticket by a majority--359--greater than that ever given a Republican candidate.
And he's just as good an actor as he was a Mayor, which is going some--in Hudson.
The snow has forced a reconsideration of the schedule for our February Informal Council meeting. We were scheduled to meet at Bliss Towers. Unfortunately no other evenings are available at Bliss this week. So we will hold the February Council meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, at 7 PM at City Hall. I have asked to schedule the Bliss Council meeting for March 9, but have not at this writing had that date confirmed.The February informal meeting will be held tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 10, at the usual location in City Hall. Among the items on the agenda is receiving the mayor's veto message on Resolution 7, passed on January 20, 2015, enabling the Common Council to retain a legal adviser.
Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. has issued a Snow Emergency for the City of Hudson beginning 8:00pm this evening Sunday February 8, 2015. After coordinating details with Superintendent of Public Works Robert Perry on the impending snow storm “Marcus” this decision was made. The City of Hudson takes Snow Emergencies very seriously and makes every effort to provide timely and updated information to our residents and for those who visit our City. . . .
The tendency of the age is to make cities greater cities. New York and other ambitious towns in the State have bills before the Legislature looking to the accomplishment of this object, by annexing all the surrounding territory that can be reached by the long arms of monopoly.
Hudson must not be behind in this progressive age. We are a "great city" in everything except territory and population. Let us overcome that by advocating "a Greater Hudson." Let us contemplate, in framing our new Charter, the annexation of Jonesburg, Greenport Centre, Greendale, Athens, Mt. Merino, Claverack village; and, with the extension of the trolley system, we might take in Ghent and Chatham villages as desirable suburban residences.
By the consummation of this feasible scheme, we would acquire an extent of territory, wealth and population commensurate with the loftiest ambition of the most enthusiastic politician, and have plenty of room to "grow and stretch ourselves." We would outrank our neighboring settlements of Albany and Troy, except, perhaps, the desirable adjuncts of the unfinished State capitol and protected collars and cuffs. But these could be overcome with the proposed new jail and enlargement of the House of Refuge.
Hurrah for a "Greater Hudson"! Hoop 'er up, boys! Make it an issue in the new Charter and the next Charter election.
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Snow removal for tonight is cancelled. Equipment broke down again.Presumably tonight all cars must be parked on the even side, in compliance with the alternate side of the street parking regulations.
Mayor Hallenbeck and Rob Perry, DPW Superintendent, report snow removal will resume tonight at 12 midnight. No parking allowed on the even side unless otherwise posted. Vehicles should be removed before 11 p.m. tonight. Residents and businesses should pay particular attention to the posted signs forbidding parking on designated streets.
Hudson DPW Superintendent Perry has notified Hudson elected officials that there will be no further snow removal tonight. The suspension is as a result of a breakdown of the City’s snow blower, the one seen filling trucks over the last twelve hours. DPW was able obtain the services for a short while today of a Columbia County snow blower, but that machine has also gone out of service. Orange "No Parking" signs will remain in place until 4 a.m. Thursday when the DPW crew will be back for work. At that time either the signs will be removed or snow removal will begin again. HOWEVER, no tickets or towing will take place tonight. Regular alternate side of the street rules are in effect.
The full extent of the continuing rise in school spending since the recession was not inevitable or unavoidable. It was the result of (a) increasing teacher compensation costs driven largely by automatic pay raises, and (b) continued relatively high levels of staffing, relative to enrollment, especially in non-teaching titles. State law clearly is a major factor in the first trend, while the second needs to be more closely examined.COPYRIGHT 2015 CAROLE OSTERINK
