On the Scent

Sam Pratt takes up the question of Fifth Ward alderman Cappy Pierro's reported change of residence on his blog: "Hudson alderman buys Taghkanic house." One little bit of additional information: At last night's Common Council Legal Committee meeting, while Pierro was complaining about Council president Don Moore's decision to suspend the process of recalculating the weighted vote to give the Council a chance to consider "a few very consequential questions," thus betraying his interest in preserving the disproportionately heavy weight of the Fifth Ward vote, it was revealed that Pierro recently changed his email address.

Another Vision

Spokesmen for Galvan Partners have twice presented designs for 67-71 North Fifth Street--designs that bear little or no resemblance to the house as it exists today and as we know it to have existed for more than seventy years--and twice the Historical Preservation Commission has asked them to propose a design more in keeping with the house as we know it.

The HPC has scheduled a workshop meeting about the house at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 24. In advance of that, Gossips asked Photoshop wizard Bob Mechling to work with a photograph of the house taken in April 2012 and a photograph that Lisa Durfee discovered of the house from the late '30s or early '40s to show what the house would look like if it were simply restored to what it once had been. Here is the result--a house not lacking in curb appeal that respects Hudson's diverse architectural heritage and fits comfortably within the historic context of the neighborhood.

About the Weighted Vote

The subject of the weighted vote came up as new business at Tuesday night's Common Council meeting. Two thirds of the way through 2012, the 2010 census still has not been reflected in the weighted votes of the Common Council. After introducing the topic, Alderman Carmine Pierro (Fifth Ward), who was chairing the meeting in the absence of Council president Don Moore, read from a memo Moore had sent to the aldermen. In the memo, Moore told the aldermen that he had received "basic data calculations" from Professor Lee Papayanopolous, a master calculator of weighted votes, but had asked Papayanopolous to refrain from translating these data into weighted vote counts "while the Council considers a few very consequential questions."

1888 Atlas Map

The 2010 census data reveals that all the wards lost population between 2000 and 2010 except the Fifth Ward, which experienced population gain of 113. The Third Ward saw the greatest decrease in population: 815. Less than half of that loss is accounted for by the change in law that counts prisoners, for legislative districting purposes, as part of the communities where they lived before they were incarcerated rather than the communities where they are incarcerated. Population loss in the First Ward was 113, the Second Ward 202, and the Fourth Ward 104.

Moore's memo continues:

In practical, numerical terms here is what leads me to call for a more deliberate examination. To state the basics, we have ten Aldermen, two from each Ward. According to the 2010 Census, the presumptive distribution of the weighted vote across the Five Wards is the following: 1st Ward 12%; 2nd Ward 20%; 3rd Ward 17.8%; 4th Ward 11.3%; and 5th Ward 38.8%.

Pierro's comment after reading the memo was, "It's a weighted vote, and that's what it is." Alderman John Friedman (Third Ward), however, noted that it should be of concern when "the disparity reaches a point where it ceases to be constitutional."

Moore has asked the city attorney to consult with the state attorney general about these issues. A change in ward boundaries would be a charter change requiring a referendum; however, if the current imbalance in the weighted vote is determined to be unconstitutional, amending the ward divisions to remedy the problem could be done by the Common Council. 

Alderman Wanda Pertilla (Second Ward) petulantly observed, "If the Third Ward hadn't taken the hit, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Don wouldn't be investigating the constitutionality if it hadn't been the Third Ward."

The Legal Committee, which meets tonight at 6:15, is expected to take up this issue. 

Public Safety in Columbia County

Sam Pratt has a report on his blog about Tuesday night's Public Safety Committee meeting, in the wake of the TCI fire: "Safety supes endorse reverse 911." 

Nathan Mayberg's coverage of the meeting appears today in the Register-Star: "After TCI fire, new way to notify."

Photo from sampratt.com.

Good News for South Bay

The Valley Alliance has just shared the news that, on August 15, the State of New York designated South Bay Creek and Marsh a "Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat." Read more about it here.

Not to Be Missed

Scott Baldinger comments on some of Hudson's newest business establishments on his blog, Word on the Street: "George Hath Come, etc." All good news. I'm only sorry LOAF is changing its name.

Ear to the Ground

It's rumored that Carmine Pierro, longtime aide to Rick Scalera in and out of the mayor's office and now an alderman from the Fifth Ward, is moving out of Hudson. He may have done so already. The word is that early last month Pierro bought a house in Taghkanic. There have been reports in recent weeks that he has moved out of his house on Parkwood Boulevard. If this is true, will Pierro resign from the Common Council, or will he try to establish a pied-á-terre in Hudson so he can continue to promote the former mayor's agenda and protect his legacy?

If at First . . .

The Register-Star reports today that Heinrich von Ritter is once again suing the City of Hudson over damages to his property on Tanners Lane: "Von Ritter taking city back to court." In February 2012, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court denied von Ritter's motions in his lawsuit against the City. 

In January 2012, Gossips reported that von Ritter had listed the property for sale with an asking price of $4 million. Today's Register-Star article indicates that von Ritter would be willing to sell the property to the City for $5.5 million.

Following Up

An article in the Times Union this morning compares the testing done in New York after the TCI fire with that done in neighboring Massachusetts: "Massachusetts did more expansive TCI fire testing than New York." 

Not to Be Missed

Scott Waldman has a wonderful article in the Times Union, accompanied by some great pictures, about Marina Abramovic's presentation in Hudson last Sunday and the plans for her institute: "Hear the boom? That's art."

And here's the link to another article about the event--this one written by Mark Allen and published on The Awl: "'Andy Warhol's Factory Without the Drugs': Marina Abramovic Debuts Her New Space in Hudson."

Hotel Yesterday, Hotel Tomorrow, But . . .

We've been hearing a lot about hotels in Hudson these days. Marina Abramovic needs them to realize her vision for Hudson. The proprietors of The Croff House have gotten the go-ahead to turn 542 Warren Street into a sixteen-room hotel. Bill Hughes let it slip recently that the Department of Social Services is putting up homeless people in the city's only existing hotel, the St. Charles on Park Place, across from the Public Square. 

Meanwhile, a reader sent me this little item from the Columbia Republican for October 31, 1843, about the Hudson House, which my source informs me was the name in 1843 of the hotel that would eventually become known as the General Worth Hotel.

We take pleasure in referring the reader to the advertisement of our old friend Boutwell, of the Hudson House. On his part, there is never a want of that indefatigability which is so highly prized by the weary traveler, or the long sojourner in a public house. Mr. Boutwell makes his hotel a home, in fact, to all who visit him; and even the most fastidious cannot fail to be pleased with the elegance and well-ordered state of his house. To travelers--transient or permanent sojourners in the city, we recommend, with confidence, the Hudson House.    

News About Parking

Tom Casey has a wrap-up in today's Register-Star about City Hall's plans for parking in Hudson: "City plans for more parking spaces." What's in store? New spaces on Columbia Street beside the Olympic Torch Memorial, parking meters in the 300 block of Warren Street, and maybe meters in the 200 block of Warren Street as well. 

On the topic of parking meters below Third Street, the article reports that Mayor William Hallenbeck "hasn't spoken with the residents of those neighborhoods yet but believes it would be a positive thing for the 200 block and its businesses." Wouldn't it have been better if the mayor had talked with the residents before they read about it the newspaper? The article goes on to quote the mayor further on the topic of parking meters: "'I think everyone wouldn't argue that the city is in a position to create some revenue streams. . . . This is a way to have that consideration. Also, it is the business district and meters do help prevent taking up spaces . . . meters could be a benefit to businesses in regard to someone doing business in a timely manner and then moving to free that spot up for others.'"

Ear to the Ground

The Register-Star and Sam Pratt broke the news of bail being set for Quintin Cross and Jamont McClendon. Gossips has only one thing to add. Gossips has received an unconfirmed report that Linda Mussmann posted bail for both defendants. Careful scrutiny of the CBS6 coverage of the story lends support to that notion. In the video, Mussmann is seen standing in the corridor of the Columbia County courthouse, nodding to Cross and McClendon as they are escorted by officers into the courtroom. The image below is a screen capture from the Channel 6 video. Mussmann appears at the right, wearing a bowtie.

Thanks to Sam Pratt for pointing out this detail in the video.

Keeping the Issue Alive

Not much has been said or heard about the Furgary Boat Club in recent weeks, but today, Joe Gallo, spokesman for the North Dock Tin Boat Association, has a letter to the editor in the Register-Star: "A proviso."

"Would You Eat a Salad Out of My Garden?"

Scott Waldman reports in the Times Union on Thursday night's meeting about the fire at TCI: "TCI officials skip Ghent meeting."

John Mason reports on the meeting for the Register-Star: "Concern over PCBs draws hundreds to meeting."

Recommended Reading

A reader sent me the link to a recent article by James Panero, who last year wrote a piece for the New York Daily News that focused on St. Louis Hall on West 94th Street, a supportive housing facility operated by T. Eric Galloway's Lantern Organization: "'Supportive housing' doesn't help anyone." Panero's latest article, which appeared in City Journal, explores the struggle between gentrification and the social services empire: "The unending battle for the Upper West Side." Much of the article chronicles the history of the Upper West Side, and the parallels with our own Hudson are hard to miss. Of special interest, however, is the discussion, toward the end, of the Lantern Organization and its activities in this Manhattan neighborhood.

Full Disclosure: For my two decades in New York City, I lived on the Upper West Side.

Do the Laundry, Rent a Van

Into all the activity going on in the vicinity of State and Fifth streets--illicit, criminal, and otherwise--Selha Graham-Cora wants to introduce something else: a U-Haul truck franchise. Avowing that the Sip 'n' Sudz laundromat she operates at 453 State Street isn't profitable enough, Graham-Cora wants to rent U-Haul trucks out of the space, in addition to operating the laundromat, and is requesting a use variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals and site plan approval from the Planning Commission. Last night, the ZBA held a public hearing on Graham-Cora's request.

Graham-Cora ran the U-Haul business for about six weeks earlier this year but was shut down by code enforcement because the area is not zoned for commercial businesses and because U-Haul trucks and vans were being parked on the street overnight. (The owners of the building got a use variance from the ZBA seven years ago to open a laundromat there. During the public comment period, a resident questioned if that variance could legally be transferred to Graham-Cora, who now rents the laundromat from one of the owners.) 

In requesting the use variance, Graham-Cora maintains that she has solved the problems that brought a "cease and desist" order from the City. With the owner's consent, she plans to demolish a building on Long Alley behind the laundromat and use the vacant space to park three trucks, which Graham-Cora attests will be the maximum number of vehicles to be handled at her location. Until the building can be demolished, trucks will be parked at two remote locations: in the parking lot at 98 Green Street and somewhere "near the Basilica." Trucks will continue to be picked up from the street in front of the laundromat and returned there, and Graham-Cora herself will drive them to and from the remote locations.

Residents in the area don't accept that Graham-Cora has solved all the problems attendant on her business plan. They recalled the problems caused by trucks being parked on the street and being dropped off at all hours. It was reported that one truck stood for seven days in front of the Armory without being moved. Another was dropped off in the dead of night, and the renter cleaned the trash out of the truck and dumped it on the sidewalk. One resident of North Fifth Street claimed that trucks parked in the street invite problems: "Trucks create walls that people can hide behind to engage in nefarious activity." 

Residents anticipated problems with the plan to park trucks in the alley. There was concern about the increased traffic going in and out of the alley and trucks exiting the alley on Fourth Street, in close proximity to John L. Edwards Primary School and children walking on the sidewalk and in the crosswalks. Although they acknowledged that the building to be demolished was a problem because it harbored vagrants, drug trafficking, and other illicit activity, they warned that unlocked vans and trucks parked in the alley presented the same attractive nuisance as the abandoned building does.            

Armory block resident Jamison Teale, who called the proposed business a "totally inappropriate enterprise for a residential neighborhood" and described the neighborhood as a "beleaguered part of the community that we are trying to turn around," presented ZBA chair Lisa Kenneally with a petition objecting to the use variance, signed by residents and homeowners in the immediate vicinity of the laundromat. Graham-Cora had her own petition, signed, she said, by people up and down State and Columbia streets "who don't have a problem with the plan" and who want a "walk-up location" where they can rent vans. 

Because the ZBA had no legal counsel present (city attorney Cheryl Roberts recused herself because of a conflict of interest), no decision was made last night about granting a use variance. The public hearing remains open, and the ZBA will consider the application at its next meeting, now scheduled for September 19.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today is William's and my anniversary. We've been together for thirteen years--that's ninety-one in dog years! To mark our special day, I am republishing the story of William's arrival in Hudson thirteen years ago, at the end of the last century.  

Dog Tales: The Homecoming  

I adopted William from a shelter in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I was there, a few weeks after my dog Niklaas died, on a weekend visit to a friend. On the evening I arrived, I recounted over dinner my sad tale of looking for love at the Columbia-Greene Humane Society. After a week of daily visits to the shelter, meeting dogs, walking them, playing with them, wanting to adopt all of them and none of them, but mostly weeping for Nick, I gave it up out of fear that dogs I'd met would start disappearing and I wouldn’t know what had happened to them. (Back then, the Columbia-Greene Humane Society was not yet a “no kill” shelter, or if it was, I didn't know it.)

After hearing my story, my friend declared that, before the weekend was out, I would have a new dog, and first thing the next morning, we went to the Lancaster County Humane League. The shelter has a very efficient design. Small dogs, puppies, and cats are housed in a room at the center of the building. Ranged around the perimeter of the building are quarters for medium and large dogs, each with an indoor space and access to an outdoor area. People wanting to adopt a dog circumnavigate the building to view the dogs who need homes.

On my first trip around, I saw nothing that tugged at my heart. There was a Golden Retriever, and my friend urged me to ask about her. I did and learned that she wouldn’t be available for almost a week and there was already a waiting list of more than twenty people wanting to adopt her. Desperate to find a new dog to love, I went around for a second time, and it was then that I saw a dog who'd been outside on my first go-round. He was black, long-legged, and gangling, with one ear that stood up straight and one that flopped over. Only his color and size made him similar to Niklaas, a purebred Belgian sheep dog (hence the Flemish spelling of his name), but when he looked at me, I saw my dear departed Nick in his eyes. It was love at first sight.

He wasn’t ready to be adopted. He wouldn't be available until the next day. After I was interviewed and judged to be a worthy adopter, and the dog and I spent time together under the watchful eye of a member of the shelter staff, my name went first on his dance card. The next afternoon, I could claim my new love.

I don’t remember how I spent the rest of Saturday--I think I may have visited Longwood Gardens—but at the appointed hour on Sunday, I was back at the shelter eager to take possession of my new companion, whom by that time I had named William. After I’d signed all the papers and paid the adoption fee, William and I piled into the back seat of my friend’s car together, like teenagers being chauffeured by a parent on their first date.

I don’t really recall how we spent the rest of Sunday. I remember worrying that, although the shelter assured me he was housebroken, William might soil the white carpet in my friend’s condo, and I remember sleeping at the edge of the pullout couch, with my hand on William who lay beside me--I on the bed, he on the floor.

On Monday morning, my friend headed off to work, and William and I, after taking a long walk around the neighborhood, got in our car for the six-hour journey back to Hudson. Halfway home, we took a break in a little National Park somewhere in Pennsylvania, where William got a walk, a snack and a drink, and a chance to relieve himself. When I was ready to go, William wasn’t keen to get back in the car, but after a little coaxing he did. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but that was my first clue that William had a troubling aversion to cars.

When we finally reached Hudson, there wasn't a parking space right in front of my house, so I had to park a few doors down. As we walked up the street, William turned and tentatively approached the front door of our next-door neighbors’ house—a house I’d entered many times. He hesitated, appeared to reconsider, then made a beeline to the next house, and bounded up the steps to the front door.

We were home.

Can Scalera Serve Two Masters?

Last night, it was standing room only at City Hall for the informal Common Council meeting at which Council president Don Moore had agreed to allow a public discussion of the proposed Galvan Quarters at State and Seventh streets. Tom Casey has the story in today's Register-Star: "Anger over homeless shelter plan." 

A major theme of the comments last night was that homeless people--people who are victims of circumstance and down on their luck--don't deserve to be warehoused and treated like prisoners, and the current plan is too dense and on too large a scale to address "the humanity of the problem." Another recurrent theme was Rick Scalera's apparent conflict of interest: representing the Fifth Ward, where the proposed facility is to be located, on the Board of Supervisors, while being employed by the Galvan Foundation, whose proposal it is.

In Casey's article, Scalera is quoted as saying of his critics, "They have a real misunderstanding of the situation and any ethical issues it might have. . . . I stay out of the discussions and all negotiations." Elsewhere, Scalera has claimed that as "special adviser" to the Galvan Initiatives Foundation his only job is to to make recommendations for recipients of the grants awarded by the foundation. An incident witnessed last night and reported to Gossips suggests that Scalera's work to promote the interests of Eric Galloway and the Galvan Foundation may go far beyond his published "job description," and although he claims to "stay out of discussions and all negotiations," he engages in behind-the-scenes efforts to influence policy for his employer's benefit.  

At about 6:50 last evening, Scalera was witnessed passing off an envelope to Cappy Pierro at the intersection of Warren and Fifth streets. Later, during the Council meeting, Pierro--Fifth Ward alderman and longtime aide to Scalera in the mayor's office--extracted from that envelope the illustrations used in the latest of his periodic rants against the Historic Preservation Commission for allegedly "holding up" one or another of Galvan's projects. This month's topic was 67-71 North Fifth Street. 

Displaying the renderings of the two faux Greek Revival designs, Pierro claimed that the HPC had "shot down" two perfectly good designs and people on the east side of the street (the Fifth Ward) were complaining about the "delay with the eyesore."

Aldermen Nick Haddad (First Ward) and John Friedman (Third Ward) defended the HPC, explaining that the proposed designs depart from the authentic character of the building and do not relate to the rest of the neighborhood. 

Nevertheless, on cue, Alderman "Doc" Donahue (Fifth Ward) declared: "If historic preservation can't accept these plans, historic preservation should be done away with." Then, as this little routine between Scalera's water bearers typically goes, Pierro protested that he did not want to do away with historic preservation, he just wanted to reduce the HPC's power to an "advisory capacity." Were this to happen, Galloway would have carte blanche to impose his taste and sensibility on Hudson and to destroy willy-nilly its architectural authenticity. 

Concern About TCI Fire Continues

Sam Pratt has just posted on his blog a video interview: "TCI neighbors speak out."

On Thursday, August 16, there is a public information meeting at the West Ghent Firehouse. Assemblyman Didi Barrett has arranged for local and state officials to be present to answer questions. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The West Ghent Firehouse is on Route 9H near the entrance to the industrial park.