On Monday, June 13, some people may wish they could be in two places at the same time. At 7 p.m., there's a preview screening of WMHT's Our Town: Hudson, the video scrapbook of Hudson created by your friends and neighbors here in Rivertown. The preview screening takes place in the auditorium at Hudson High School, and WMHT is asking people who want to attend to RSVP at (518) 880-3400 or rsvp@wmht.org.
The preview screening is happening at the same time as the Common Council's informal meeting, where the Council may discuss the LWRP and GEIS and why it's taking so long to schedule a special meeting to consider these documents.
If you can't decide which event to attend, here's some information that could help. Our Town: Hudson will air on WMHT at 7:30 on Thursday, June 16. So if it's not important for you to be the first kid on your block to see this homegrown documentary about Hudson, you can see it on Thursday in the comfort of your own home.
On Tuesday, June 14, there are also two important events, but they've been scheduled so that you can attend them both. At 5:00 in City Hall, there's another meeting about the dog park. First Ward Alderman Sarah Sterling and her site location committee have been exploring possible places for the dog park and will likely be reporting on the results of their investigations.
The dog park meeting was scheduled so that there would be ample time for everyone to get from City Hall to the First Presbyterian Church by 6:30, in time for the community listening meeting and forum about a food co-op market. Peter Pehrson, a new resident of Hudson and a member of the New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NYSAWG), will explain how this long-sought goal for Hudson can be achieved and, more important, sustained.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
"Benevolence Became a Mania in Rivertown"
In our serialization of the original Gossips of Rivertown, we've arrived at the final segment: "Sketch the Sixth, and Last. RETALIATION." Central to the plot of these chapters is the founding of the Hudson Orphan Asylum, which actually occurred in 1845.
There are two interesting bits of background information for this chapter. Eliza Robinson Starbuck Gifford, the mother of Hudson River School painter Sanford Gifford, was one of the central figures in founding of the actual Hudson Orphan Asylum. Alice B. Neal, the author of The Gossips of Rivertown, had her own experience of being a near-orphan. She was born Emily Bradley in 1827. Her father, Giles Bradley, died on her third birthday, and when she was six, she was adopted by an uncle. Three years later, she was returned to her mother, after her mother's remarriage.
Our readers may recollect that a project was set on foot in Rivertown to establish an Orphan Asylum. This may perhaps seem an unnecessary institution in a country place, but recollect that Rivertown claimed by right of incorporation to be a city, and there is always more or less wretchedness, poverty and want, in the narrow lanes and dusty streets of every suburb. The lower part of the town which bordered upon the river, was composed almost entirely of low wooden houses, which had been among the first buildings erected at the time of its settlement, and were now rotten and dilapidated. These were principally inhabited by boatmen, negroes, and in fact the sediment of the population. This uninteresting district was familiarly termed "Wapping"—and was rarely entered by the better class, save on some charitable errand, or when an extra "washerwoman" was to be hunted up from among the idle and wretched creatures that inhabited it. In some such excursions, the ladies of the "Tract Distribution Society" had noticed several children who seemed to have no claim on any one, and were ignorant in the extreme. They were supported after a way of their own by the different families of the district, for it is a well-known fact to those who have visited much among the poorer classes of society, that they are often more truly generous than those who have the means to give liberally.
These children refused to go to the county poor-house, which was considered an open disgrace; and besides these, there was now and then some child of more respectable but equally destitute parents, left to the solitary lot of orphaned poverty.
There was no reason why these should not be comfortably cared for. Mrs. Townsend, who had often visited our best city institutions of the kind, at once proposed an Orphan Asylum. They could rent a convenient house until one could be built expressly for them, and a suitable person could be found at once to take charge of the institution.
Benevolence became, on the instant, a mania in Rivertown. Even the children were infected, and the little girls, we beg their pardon, the young ladies of the French Seminary—instituted a sewing and charitable society. This, however, proved rather an unfortunate movement, if it be true "that charity begins at home." There was a quarrel at the outset, as to who should have the honour of the official appointments,—the Secretary refusing to serve because she was not President, and the Treasurer being equally indignant that she was nominated third in command. One visiting committee of two was appointed, who lost their slippers in the mud of the unpaved alleys, and splashed their pantalettes to a terrible degree. Besides this, not being au fait in such matters, they gave mortal offence to one old lady by entering her room, and asking if she "was very poor," because they saw no carpet on the floor, a sufficient indication in their eyes of extremest penury. Their next attempt was repulsed by—"Whose child be you? Won't you just mind your own business?"—and on the whole, the little ladies "retired in disgust."
At the first quarterly meeting, the report was as follows:—
"ON HAND—Four pair of woollen socks knit by twenty-seven different young ladies.
"Two coarse shirts commenced.
"Three small aprons spoiled in cutting out by Miss Bradley.
"Five night-caps finished all but the strings, the borders, and sewing in the crowns.
"Sixty-two cents in the Treasurer's hands, and all the officers resign."
The society called a meeting of its creditors and ceased to exist. But first there arose a terrible broil on account of the disappearance of the "cash in hand," from the treasurer's work-box, and that young lady, of course, falling under the suspicion of defalcation, she was at once removed from school by her indignant mamma, who, from the hour of departure, lost no opportunity to speak ill of the Seminary—its teachers, and the mothers of the three principal accusers of her "darling Sarah Ann."
But to turn from this junior display of misplaced benevolence, which we should not have dwelt upon, but that it daguerreotypes so many mismanaged schemes for good, that have ended with similar disastrous results.
For a time the project of the Orphan Asylum progressed delightfully. The house selected for the purpose had been furnished by the contributions of different ladies, and the matron of the establishment seemed really to love the fifteen motherless little creatures placed under her charge. But the novelty wore off— dissatisfaction arose among the managers, and a few months after the death of their former director, Mrs. Townsend, the crisis of their poverty arrived. Winter was at hand—fuel and comfortable clothing must be provided, and there was not a dollar to commence their purchases with.
At this juncture, Mrs. McCloud, the wife of the principal lawyer in Rivertown, proposed the popular expedient of a fair. Miss Seymour, who thus beheld a grand opportunity for social gatherings in perspective, eagerly seconded the proposal. Mrs. Jackson rather discouraged the movement at first, but finding that it was decided on, resolved to lend any assistance in her power, as did Mrs. Jorden, who was once more re-established in her northern home, her health being fully restored, and herself as happy as the devotion of her husband could make her.
It was October when the first movement was made, and it was decided that, from that time until December, which was appointed as the end of their labours, they should meet for the purpose of preparing fancy articles, etc., once every week. Their meetings were to be held alternately, at the houses of the committee, which consisted of the ladies above mentioned with Mrs. Miller, who is also an old acquaintance.
Meanwhile storekeepers and milliners were besieged for "remnants" and "pieces"—while a standing advertisement was placed in a conspicuous part of the "Republican " and the Rivertown "Gazette," to the effect that donations would be thankfully received by the committee at their respective residences.
The young ladies worked most industriously at pin-cushions and needle-books, while dolls enough to supply several rising generations were distributed for the completion of their wardrobes. Younger sisters were pressed into the service, and made to hem towels, or quilt "holders" for the "kitchen table," and consultations were held over receipt-books, that the greatest quantity of cake should be made with the smallest possible outlay.
Sketch the Sixth, and Last. RETALIATION. Chapter I.
There are two interesting bits of background information for this chapter. Eliza Robinson Starbuck Gifford, the mother of Hudson River School painter Sanford Gifford, was one of the central figures in founding of the actual Hudson Orphan Asylum. Alice B. Neal, the author of The Gossips of Rivertown, had her own experience of being a near-orphan. She was born Emily Bradley in 1827. Her father, Giles Bradley, died on her third birthday, and when she was six, she was adopted by an uncle. Three years later, she was returned to her mother, after her mother's remarriage.
These children refused to go to the county poor-house, which was considered an open disgrace; and besides these, there was now and then some child of more respectable but equally destitute parents, left to the solitary lot of orphaned poverty.
There was no reason why these should not be comfortably cared for. Mrs. Townsend, who had often visited our best city institutions of the kind, at once proposed an Orphan Asylum. They could rent a convenient house until one could be built expressly for them, and a suitable person could be found at once to take charge of the institution.
Benevolence became, on the instant, a mania in Rivertown. Even the children were infected, and the little girls, we beg their pardon, the young ladies of the French Seminary—instituted a sewing and charitable society. This, however, proved rather an unfortunate movement, if it be true "that charity begins at home." There was a quarrel at the outset, as to who should have the honour of the official appointments,—the Secretary refusing to serve because she was not President, and the Treasurer being equally indignant that she was nominated third in command. One visiting committee of two was appointed, who lost their slippers in the mud of the unpaved alleys, and splashed their pantalettes to a terrible degree. Besides this, not being au fait in such matters, they gave mortal offence to one old lady by entering her room, and asking if she "was very poor," because they saw no carpet on the floor, a sufficient indication in their eyes of extremest penury. Their next attempt was repulsed by—"Whose child be you? Won't you just mind your own business?"—and on the whole, the little ladies "retired in disgust."
At the first quarterly meeting, the report was as follows:—
"ON HAND—Four pair of woollen socks knit by twenty-seven different young ladies.
"Two coarse shirts commenced.
"Three small aprons spoiled in cutting out by Miss Bradley.
"Five night-caps finished all but the strings, the borders, and sewing in the crowns.
"Sixty-two cents in the Treasurer's hands, and all the officers resign."
The society called a meeting of its creditors and ceased to exist. But first there arose a terrible broil on account of the disappearance of the "cash in hand," from the treasurer's work-box, and that young lady, of course, falling under the suspicion of defalcation, she was at once removed from school by her indignant mamma, who, from the hour of departure, lost no opportunity to speak ill of the Seminary—its teachers, and the mothers of the three principal accusers of her "darling Sarah Ann."
But to turn from this junior display of misplaced benevolence, which we should not have dwelt upon, but that it daguerreotypes so many mismanaged schemes for good, that have ended with similar disastrous results.
For a time the project of the Orphan Asylum progressed delightfully. The house selected for the purpose had been furnished by the contributions of different ladies, and the matron of the establishment seemed really to love the fifteen motherless little creatures placed under her charge. But the novelty wore off— dissatisfaction arose among the managers, and a few months after the death of their former director, Mrs. Townsend, the crisis of their poverty arrived. Winter was at hand—fuel and comfortable clothing must be provided, and there was not a dollar to commence their purchases with.
At this juncture, Mrs. McCloud, the wife of the principal lawyer in Rivertown, proposed the popular expedient of a fair. Miss Seymour, who thus beheld a grand opportunity for social gatherings in perspective, eagerly seconded the proposal. Mrs. Jackson rather discouraged the movement at first, but finding that it was decided on, resolved to lend any assistance in her power, as did Mrs. Jorden, who was once more re-established in her northern home, her health being fully restored, and herself as happy as the devotion of her husband could make her.
It was October when the first movement was made, and it was decided that, from that time until December, which was appointed as the end of their labours, they should meet for the purpose of preparing fancy articles, etc., once every week. Their meetings were to be held alternately, at the houses of the committee, which consisted of the ladies above mentioned with Mrs. Miller, who is also an old acquaintance.
Meanwhile storekeepers and milliners were besieged for "remnants" and "pieces"—while a standing advertisement was placed in a conspicuous part of the "Republican " and the Rivertown "Gazette," to the effect that donations would be thankfully received by the committee at their respective residences.
The young ladies worked most industriously at pin-cushions and needle-books, while dolls enough to supply several rising generations were distributed for the completion of their wardrobes. Younger sisters were pressed into the service, and made to hem towels, or quilt "holders" for the "kitchen table," and consultations were held over receipt-books, that the greatest quantity of cake should be made with the smallest possible outlay.
Sketch the Sixth, and Last. RETALIATION. Chapter I.
Another Hudson Parking Dilemma
It's minutes after midnight. Here on my block of lower Allen Street, those of us who are savvy about alternate side of the street parking have moved their cars to the north side of the street, because tomorrow is an even numbered day. BUT there are "No Parking" signs on the north side of the street, so most of the cars are still parked on the south side.
Who will get tickets? The people who heed the "No Parking" signs, or the people who are trying to abide by the law, in spite of signs indicating the contrary?
Who will get tickets? The people who heed the "No Parking" signs, or the people who are trying to abide by the law, in spite of signs indicating the contrary?
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Not to Be Missed
Slow News Day?
When a reporter shows up at a Historic Preservation Commission meeting, you have to wonder what he thinks is going to happen, but the explanation for John Mason's presence at yesterday's HPC meeting may simply be that it was a slow news day. Not much of interest happened at the meeting. The HPC granted a certificate of appropriateness to the alterations and expansion of the Columbia County Courthouse. They granted a certificate of appropriateness to Tony Thompson and Margaret Saliske's plan to build an artist's studio behind their house on Allen Street. And then, with no new applications before them, the HPC decided to catch up on some unfinished business, all of which Mason saw fit to report: "Hashing out some historical projects."
The situation with respected regional historian Ruth Piwonka requires more background than Mason provided. In early 2007, the Historic Preservation Commission received a Preserve NY grant from the Preservation League of New York State to do an inventory of historic properties on the north side of Hudson. All the buildings on Warren Street and those on the south side of town had been inventoried in 1985, but, except for 400 State Street and a few other notable buildings, nothing on the north side had been inventoried. Ruth Piwonka was hired to do this inventory.
At one or several points in this project, there was miscommunication and misunderstanding. When the project began, Jamison Teale was the chair of the Historic Preservation Commission; when Piwonka submitted her work, Teale had resigned, and Tom Swope had taken over as chair of the HPC. Apparently, information about this ongoing project was not passed along from Teale to Swope, and although Swope thought the work being delivered seemed of little value, he never questioned if it was in fact what had been commissioned. The work was accepted, and Piwonka was paid.
In May 2008, as First Ward alderman, I applied, on behalf of the City of Hudson, for a Preserve NY grant to hire landscape architect Robert M. Toole to do a historic landscape report for Promenade Hill. I had to withdraw that grant application because the City still had an outstanding grant from the same source--the grant made the previous year to the Historic Preservation Commission. Three years later, the situation is still unresolved.
This April, it became clear, with the changes and improvements proposed for the entrance to Promenade Hill, that a historic landscape report was needed to inform those plans and decisions. Since the City still had an outstanding Preserve NY grant with the Preservation League and was prohibited from applying for another until that one was closed out, it was decided, by the board of Historic Hudson, that Historic Hudson would apply for the grant, oversee the project, and turn over the historic landscape report to the City. Unfortunately, when I proposed the project to the Preservation League, I was told that Historic Hudson also had an outstanding Preserve NY grant, awarded in 2009 to complete a historic structure report on the Dr. Oliver Bronson House. Not long after that, Historic Hudson completed its historic structure report and submitted it to the Preservation League for approval but not in time to allow us to apply for this year's round of Preserve NY grants.
The situation with respected regional historian Ruth Piwonka requires more background than Mason provided. In early 2007, the Historic Preservation Commission received a Preserve NY grant from the Preservation League of New York State to do an inventory of historic properties on the north side of Hudson. All the buildings on Warren Street and those on the south side of town had been inventoried in 1985, but, except for 400 State Street and a few other notable buildings, nothing on the north side had been inventoried. Ruth Piwonka was hired to do this inventory.
At one or several points in this project, there was miscommunication and misunderstanding. When the project began, Jamison Teale was the chair of the Historic Preservation Commission; when Piwonka submitted her work, Teale had resigned, and Tom Swope had taken over as chair of the HPC. Apparently, information about this ongoing project was not passed along from Teale to Swope, and although Swope thought the work being delivered seemed of little value, he never questioned if it was in fact what had been commissioned. The work was accepted, and Piwonka was paid.
In May 2008, as First Ward alderman, I applied, on behalf of the City of Hudson, for a Preserve NY grant to hire landscape architect Robert M. Toole to do a historic landscape report for Promenade Hill. I had to withdraw that grant application because the City still had an outstanding grant from the same source--the grant made the previous year to the Historic Preservation Commission. Three years later, the situation is still unresolved.
This April, it became clear, with the changes and improvements proposed for the entrance to Promenade Hill, that a historic landscape report was needed to inform those plans and decisions. Since the City still had an outstanding Preserve NY grant with the Preservation League and was prohibited from applying for another until that one was closed out, it was decided, by the board of Historic Hudson, that Historic Hudson would apply for the grant, oversee the project, and turn over the historic landscape report to the City. Unfortunately, when I proposed the project to the Preservation League, I was told that Historic Hudson also had an outstanding Preserve NY grant, awarded in 2009 to complete a historic structure report on the Dr. Oliver Bronson House. Not long after that, Historic Hudson completed its historic structure report and submitted it to the Preservation League for approval but not in time to allow us to apply for this year's round of Preserve NY grants.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Fine Art of Abandoning Goals
Jamie Larson reports in today's Register-Star that the library board, after getting assurance that HCDPA (Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency) would take possession of the building when the library abandoned it thus releasing the library from any obligation to repay the $300,000 used to buy it, has now decided to put the building on the market for $450,000 to see what it will fetch: "Library hits the market for $450,000."
For those who saw in the combination of a public library--perhaps the most democratic of American institutions--and a historic building that had provided asylum of one sort or another to the people of Hudson for the better part of two centuries a synergy with the power to ennoble Hudson's under-appreciated library and elevate its mission, the library board's current course is profoundly disappointing. Of course, achieving such a lofty goal requires passion and commitment, not to mention tenacity and perseverance, so it's not hard to understand why the current board has convinced itself that giving up on that goal is the necessary and even the responsible thing to do. But it wasn't always so.
In April 2008, the library celebrated, with symbolic ceremony, the installation of the new fanlight, reproduced from historic images of the building. Dignitaries gathered for the unveiling, including Senator Stephen Saland and Assemblyman Marc Molinaro. As required for an unveiling, the ceremony began with the fanlight covered by a piece of canvas on which Chelle Mayer had painted a sunburst. The significance of the sunburst was explained by Dr. Norman A. Posner, then president of the library board, in his comments that day:
For decades—certainly for as long as anyone here can remember—the fanlight in the central pediment of this venerable building has been missing and the gap in the stone filled with a piece of plywood painted black. This rather bleak black shape was what the eye was drawn to as you approached the library from the south along Fourth Street, and it stood as a symbol of the disregard and neglect that this great building has suffered in the most recent quarter of its long history. But the missing fanlight had a somewhat different effect on longtime library trustee Bill Cranna, who used to teach history in the corner room on the second floor of the building across the street when it was the junior high school. Bill was not able to be here today to tell the story himself, so with his permission, I will tell it for him.Contemplating the missing fanlight, Bill was reminded of an anecdote from American history. The setting was Philadelphia in 1787—two years after the founding of Hudson and only thirty years before this building was built. The scene was the Second Continental Congress, convened to write the Constitution of the United States. Throughout the lengthy proceedings, President George Washington was seated in a high-backed chair, which featured a carved ornament found in many examples of colonial American furniture: a sunburst, not unlike the one you see now in the central pediment of the library.Through the tempestuous weeks of argument and debate, as disparate factions representing the interests of the thirteen original colonies struggled to forge the framework of a new nation, Benjamin Franklin contemplated the emblem that adorned the back of Washington’s chair. At the conclusion of the sessions, when the document had been crafted, signed, and declared “little short of a miracle” by Washington himself, Franklin drew the attention of the delegates to the emblem of the sun on the back of Washington’s chair and told them: “I have often in the course of the session, and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that sun behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting sun.”Almost three years ago, the library board purchased this building, with the help of Mayor Richard Scalera, and became the stewards of this important piece of Hudson’s architectural and cultural history. Almost two years ago, the library board announced with celebration that they had hired an architect, Walter Sedovic, to plan and oversee the restoration. Still today the building remains virtually unchanged, with few visible signs of improvement. Seeing it, one might well wonder, as Franklin did about the country, if the library is a rising sun or a setting sun.
As we reveal what is concealed by the brilliant sun emblem, we hope that you and all the citizens of Hudson, Greenport, and the surrounding area will see it as a rising sun, a sign that brighter days are ahead for the Hudson Area Library and for this beloved historic building.
At the end of Posner's speech, the sunburst was dropped to reveal the new fanlight. Pretty inspiring stuff, one would think, but apparently not. The lofty goals of the library seem never to have captured the imagination of the community and certainly not the imaginations of those members of the community who make up today's board. That day in April seems very long ago now. Judge Cranna, whose erudite musings about the missing fanlight were the inspiration for the unveiling ceremony, died in January. Dr. Posner, the last advocate for staying in the building still on the library board, resigned in March, his final annual meeting being the one at which Theresa Parsons announced her intention to "begin in earnest the process of exploring . . . financially viable alternatives to remaining at 400 State Street." The sunburst is still in the library, affixed to the wall in a second-floor hallway, along with a copy of the Register-Star article about the event, with the headline "A new day is dawning for Hudson library."
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Another Misleading Headline
Jamie Larson's account of the Valley Alliance's review of the LWRP and GEIS appears in today's Register-Star with the headline: "Valley Alliance: City should go back to the drawing board." Now that seems to be a rather reckless and extreme recommendation to make about a document the City has been working on for close to twenty years, and in fact it is not what the Valley Alliance recommended. Going back to the drawing board suggests starting over. What was actually said by Sam Pratt was, "If it's going to take another three to six months to get it right, let's do it." The recommendation for how the desired outcome can be accomplished was made by Peter Jung: "The quickest way to fix the document is to re-create the Citizens' Advisory Steering Committee."
Hudson Political News
One true thing about Hudson politics is that you can't tell the players without a scorecard--at least you can't always tell which team they're playing for. The Register-Star reports today that the Republicans have announced their slate of candidates, which includes the husband-and-wife First Ward supervisor-alderman team of John Musall and Geeta Cheddie. Didn't they used to be Democrats or at least, in the case of Musall, run as Democrats? And then there's Glenn Martin, former Hudson police chief who now works for IBM and hence "understands the business paradigm." Martin will be running for Third Ward supervisor against Democrat-endorsed Ellen Thurston, who has decided, after three terms on the Common Council, to move on to the county level.
The Register-Star also reports a shakeup in the Democrats' camp. It seems that Eileen Halloran, who early on declared she was not interested in running again for treasurer, a position she was initially appointed to in 2007, has changed her mind and intends to primary Don Moore to be the Democratic candidate. It will be remembered that Moore, too, had something of a last-minute change of heart about his political intentions. From the time Moore became the candidate for Common Council president back in 2009, he appeared to be the Democrats' heir presumptive to the mayor's office. Then in February, he surprised many by deciding that he didn't want to be mayor after all but instead wanted to be treasurer. Halloran's entry into the race will give Moore a run for the money.
The Register-Star also reports a shakeup in the Democrats' camp. It seems that Eileen Halloran, who early on declared she was not interested in running again for treasurer, a position she was initially appointed to in 2007, has changed her mind and intends to primary Don Moore to be the Democratic candidate. It will be remembered that Moore, too, had something of a last-minute change of heart about his political intentions. From the time Moore became the candidate for Common Council president back in 2009, he appeared to be the Democrats' heir presumptive to the mayor's office. Then in February, he surprised many by deciding that he didn't want to be mayor after all but instead wanted to be treasurer. Halloran's entry into the race will give Moore a run for the money.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Fugitive Dust
At about 7:20 this evening, when the wind was blowing hard from the west, I took this picture of dust being swept from the dock into South Bay.
Not to Be Missed
Lynn Sloneker has an assessment of the Hudson City School District's budget fiasco on her blog, Unmuffled.
Last Night at the Basilica
The visuals from last night's presentation, reviewing the issues and highlighting the inconsistencies in the LWRP and GEIS, can be viewed here. Pratt and Jung were interviewed this morning by Victor Mendolia and Columbia Paper reporter Debora Gilbert on WGXC's @ Issue. To listen to the tape of that interview, click here.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Word from the IDA Meeting
This morning at the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency meeting, it was revealed that the sale of the building is expected to be finalized within the next two weeks. The IDA passed an inducement resolution this morning to consider a PILOT request that would reduce the property tax on the building by 25 percent for ten years and a request for exemption from mortgage tax and sales tax on equipment.
Flanders Corporation plans to manufacture residential air filters in the former Kaz plant, which accounts for their interest in this location. There are major distribution centers for Target, Ace, Home Depot, and Walmart not far away. Production is scheduled to begin in late September, and it is expected that 150 employees will be hired immediately. The plant's full workforce is predicted to number between 200 and 300.
Get Ready
Jamie Larson has an article in today's Register-Star about Saturday's Flag Day extravaganza: "Fall out for flags and fun." The article includes a useful inventory of street closings and parking regulations. The parade starts lining up at 12:30 and steps off at 2:00.
The Benefits of Historic Designation
Monday, June 6, 2011
Saturday Night
It's rumored that some people leave town in the morning on the day of the Flag Day parade and don't come back until it's all over, but if you're contemplating doing that this year, Gossips encourages you to return in time for Spencer Day's concert at Stageworks--even though it means venturing into the heart of the postparade/prefireworks Flag Day festivities.
This is Spencer Day's third appearance in Hudson. The first time he was here, in 2008, performing at the Hudson Opera House, I wrote this review of the concert. His songs are witty and engaging, and hearing him perform them is a rewarding experience. So, at 7:30 on Saturday, turn your back on the Iron Eagles Air Show on the river and come to Stageworks for a glass of wine, and at 8 o'clock, shun the Mirage Band performing at riverfront park and come listen to Spencer Day.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Eyes Peeled
Gossips is intrigued by the notion that a real-life Willy Wonka may be planning to create an artisanal chocolate manufactory in the Italian villa on Union Street that was once the Hudson Elks Lodge, so we were thrilled to get this intel, which suggests that something is afoot at the villa. A battered green van and a U-Haul truck have been observed at the old Kaz warehouses on Cross Street. The same battered green van and U-Haul truck have also been observed at the Italian villa on Union Street. What's being moved from the villa to the warehouse appears to be old furniture--antiques.
Common Council President Don Moore has confirmed that space in the old Kaz warehouses, which now belong to HDC (Hudson Development Corporation), has been leased on a month-to-month basis to Eleanor Ambos, who owns 601 Union Street (the villa), or to someone who has been leasing space from Ambos in the villa. Moore also told Gossips that floats for the Hudson Pride Parade on June 18 are being constructed in the Kaz warehouse space.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Ear to the Ground
Rumors have been swirling in the past few months about something new going into the Kaz plant on Route 9, just over Hudson's southern border in Greenport. The first rumor was that the building was going to become a Budweiser bottling plant. Some research discovered, however, that Anheiser-Busch has breweries, and it has can manufacturing plants, one of which is located in Newburgh, but it doesn't have bottling plants per se. Of course, there's always a first time.In December, we learned that Kaz Inc. had been sold. There were hints, subsequently, that the building in Greenport may also have been sold. A week ago Friday, three Bangladeshi men appeared in the library wanting to know how they could apply for jobs at the new factory that was opening in the Kaz building. Recently, Gossips discovered what they were asking about.
Flanders Corporation, a company, founded in 1950 and headquartered in Washington, North Carolina, that designs, manufactures, and sells air filters, is looking to hire people for an operation located in Hudson called Precisionaire of NY. At present, they are looking to fill the following positions: human resources manager, maintenance manager, production supervisor, general manager, maintenance mechanic, and maintenance electrician.
Misleading Headline
Friday, June 3, 2011
Of Interest
In a letter to the editor in today's Register-Star, Timothy O'Connor of the South Bay Task Force takes issue with the schedule outlined by Common Council President Don Moore in a statement issued in May 19 for the GEIS (Generic Environmental Impact Statement): "Retract fictional schedule."
According to Moore's statement, "The public and other involved and interested agencies must be given a minimum of 10 calendar days to comment on the accepted FGEIS before the Council can consider a SEQRA Findings Statement--which concludes the SEQRA process. The Findings Statement must be presented to the Council no more than 30 days after publication of the Notice of Completion." O'Connor maintains that the State Environmental Quality Review Act mandates no such time limits.
According to Moore's statement, "The public and other involved and interested agencies must be given a minimum of 10 calendar days to comment on the accepted FGEIS before the Council can consider a SEQRA Findings Statement--which concludes the SEQRA process. The Findings Statement must be presented to the Council no more than 30 days after publication of the Notice of Completion." O'Connor maintains that the State Environmental Quality Review Act mandates no such time limits.
What Might Have Been
John Greenleaf Whittier notwithstanding, sometimes these are not the saddest words but words of great relief.
This model shows a 1970s vision for a revitalized Hudson waterfront. The picture below, found in the same planning document, shows Promenade Hill and its surroundings as they were at that time.
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