Seeing Local People and Places on the Screen

According to accounts, somewhere between 300 and 350 extras were used in the scenes from Odds Against Tomorrow that were shot in Hudson--most of them local people.

One of those extras was John Fiero, whose squirt gun fight outside a store on Warren Street, with a kid who played his brother, foreshadowed the film's dark conclusion and started Fiero on a lifetime of being an extra in movies filmed in Hudson. He can boast of being in every one, including the movie recently premiered in Hudson, Fighting for Freedom. (He's sitting in the back row of the courtroom.) Fiero, at age 11, appears in this picture, with Ed Begley and his children, arriving at the Community Theatre for the premiere of Odds Against Tomorrow. (Fiero is at the far right.)

Fiero is even quoted in the Knickerbocker News article that this photograph accompanied:

It was a big day for Hudson generally and for 11-year-old John Fiero, of 240 Robinson St., Hudson, in particular.

John is one of the extras. He and his buddy, Billy Hanna, 8, son of a local police sergeant, are convinced movie stars have it made.

"I got $290 for my part," John said. "Billy only got $280."

"I wanted to be an actor even before that. With that kind of dough who'd want to be anything else?"

The boys' earnings were turned over to their mothers in a check.

"I've got a bank account now," John said. "I think movies are marvelous."

So do the rest of the people of Hudson. It's estimated that the Belafonte company spent about $40,000 in the town. And you don't have to be an 11-year-old to get a kick out of seeing local people and places on the screen.

Don't miss your chance to see, if not local people you recognize, local places you will. Time is running out. Make your reservation now for dinner and Odds Against Tomorrow, Friday, October 25, at Basilica Hudson. A donation of $50 is requested to benefit Fairview Cinema 3--to purchase another digital projector and keep our local hometown movie house (over the border in Greenport) in business. Send an email now and let it be known that you don't want to miss this rare opportunity. The event starts at 7 p.m.

What Might Have Been

Back in 2008, Charlie Davi tried mightily to buy the Washington Hose firehouse and renovate it as a firematics-themed ice cream parlor and fast-food restaurant. He was thwarted in this by the four aldermen who represented the First and Third wards at that time, who believed that the City needed to retain control of the firehouse at the entrance to Promenade Hill in order to realize the long-term goals for waterfront development and were vilified for their obstructionist stand. 

Two years later, in 2010, Gossips celebrated a happy ending. Davi's Delights had opened in the old Dairy Queen building on Green Street, and the Washington Hose firehouse--still owned by the City of Hudson--was to be restored and renovated to become the location of the Chamber of Commerce. 

Recently, there's been a new development. It seems that Davi's Delights, closed for the season but promising to return in the spring, is for sale. If Davi had succeeded in purchasing the Washington Hose firehouse, would it now be for sale again?

Of Interest

In today's Register-Star, Mahlon Richards, president of Richmor Aviation, defends the need to expand the airport's safety zone, touts the economic benefits his business brings to the county, and warns of lost business if the proposed changes are not made: "Richmor boss backs safety zone expansion."

The photo accompanying this post is from the Richmor website.

Peter Wurster's Farewell

According to some reports, tomorrow--October 22--is Peter Wurster's last day as Hudson's code enforcement officer. He may, however, be staying on until the end of the week. Whether he'll be in the position for one more day or four more, this is how Wurster bid farewell today to a Hudson property owner trying to FOIL a document from his office.

OWOP?

When you Google the acronym OWOP, you discover that it can stand for "One World, One People"; "Our World, Our Problem"; "Original Works on Paper"; and "Only With Official People." It's not clear which if any of these meanings applies to the tags discovered this morning, spray-painted on two houses in the 200 block of Warren Street. One appeared on the facade of 239 Warren Street, the other on the side of 231 Warren Street, visible from Thurston Park.

Don't Miss This Rare Opportunity

On Friday, October 25, Odds Against Tomorrow, the 1959 classic filmed here in Hudson, will be shown at Basilica Hudson. The event is a fundraiser to help Bruce Mitchinson, the owner of our hometown movie theater, Fairview Cinema 3 (across the border in Greenport), equip another of his three screening rooms with a digital projector and stay in business. In 1959, when Odds Against Tomorrow had its Eastern Premiere at the Community Theatre, Bruce's father, Wilfred Mitchinson, was a projectionist at the theater.

On October 15, 1959, the enormous theater (soon to be transformed into the Marina Abramovic Institute) was filled to capacity for the movie's first showing. Among those in attendance was one of the movie's stars, Ed Begley, who played Dave Burke in the movie, the mastermind of the bungled bank heist. Begley brought his two children with him--nine-year-old Eddie, whom we now know as Ed Begley, Jr., and ten-year-old Allene.

The Albany Knickerbocker News for October 16, 1959, reported that Begley had a special affinity for Hudson:

The movie introduced character actor Ed Begley to the town.

Begley is far from being the star of the show. Harry Belafonte and Robert Ryan share top honors in the cast. But in the weeks that the company spent in Hudson it was Begley who carved out a special niche for himself in the local scene.

[Begley] was made an honorary mayor of the town. . . . 

He told The Knickerbocker News:

"I would rather be here than on Broadway. I love Hudson and its people. I'm even thinking about trying to make my home here."

Begley's appearance in Hudson was something of a miracle. Until 6 p.m. he was rehearsing in New York for a new play. At 6:15 a black 1960 Cadillac chartered by the Walter Reade company, collected him in midtown Manhattan. Fifteen minutes before the curtain was scheduled to go up at 9 p.m., he arrived in Hudson.

Don't make your appearance for the showing at the Basilica something of a miracle. Email your reservation now and let us know you are planning to attend. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., prior to the movie. A $50 donation is requested.

Not to Be Missed

Two weeks before Election Day, Will Pflaum reports on his blog Hudson Sunshine the bizarre story of Ron Knott, supervisor for Stuyvesant, drilling out the lock on the room where the voting machines are stored and installing a new lock, without the knowledge of the Board of Elections staff: "Article in the Albany Times Union and a BREAK IN by the supervisor at the Board of Elections."

Tweed Ride 2013

Cyclists dressed in tweeds and plaids gathered at the entrance to Promenade Hill on Sunday afternoon for the second annual Hudson Tweed Ride.

Mounted on vintage bicycles, the group set out on a circuitous route through the streets of Hudson that would bring them finally to (p.m.) Wine Bar for celebratory after-ride libations. 

On this leisurely ride, there were plenty of stops along the way--the first being the Inn at Hudson, for cider (hot and cold) and cucumber sandwiches (spiked with a touch of jalapeno pepper). This video shows the first ranks pedaling up to the Inn; this one shows the arrival of those who fell behind at the traffic light at Allen and Third.

Having taken refreshment, the group posed for a picture before setting off again.

Hudson and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees were announced on Wednesday, and among them are The Replacements, the band formed in 1979 in Minneapolis by Tommy Stinson and his late brother, Bob Stinson. (Tommy Stinson, of course, now lives in Hudson.)

The other nominees are: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chic, Deep Purple, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Kiss, LL Cool J, The Meters, Nirvana, N.W.A., Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens, Link Wray, Yes, and The Zombies. You can vote for the nominees you think should be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Online Fan Poll.

Of Interest

On the front page of today's New York Times there's an article about Marina Abramovic and her plans for MAI here in Hudson: "For Her Next Piece, a Performance Artist Will Build an Institute."

Don't Miss the Chance . . .

to see Odds Against Tomorrow at Basilica Hudson on Friday, October 25. A suggested donation of $50 gets you dinner, the rare opportunity to see this American film noir classic, filmed here in Hudson more than fifty years ago, on a big screen, and the chance to help our hometown movie theater (even though it's in Greenport), Fairview Cinema 3, buy another digital projector and stay in business.

As Ed Begley says to Harry Belafonte in this scene from the movie, "It's now or never, Johnny." Seats are limited, and they're going fast. Send an email and reserve your spot now. 

Tweed Ride Tomorrow

The tradition of the Tweed Ride started in England in 2009, where it is called a Tweed Run. A group of cyclists, dressed in traditional British cycling attire, rode through the center of London on vintage bicycles. Hudson had its first Tweed Ride in 2012, and its second is happening tomorrow--Sunday, October 20. Cyclists assemble at the bottom of Warren Street, in front of 1 North Front Street at 3 p.m., and ride through the streets of Hudson. Organizer Lisa Durfee offers these directives:

Please leave all spandex and plastic water bottles at home.

Suggested attire: tweeds, mismatched plaids, paisley and polka dots, knickers, jodhpurs, A-line skirt suits, sturdy oxfords and argyle socks, gaiters, woolen jerseys, bow ties, plus-fours, woolen trousers, natty suiting, hacking jackets with suede-patched elbows, monocles, handlebar mustaches, charming chapeaux, pearls.

Modes of transport: antique bicycle or velocipede, penny farthing, bicycle-built-for-two, unicycle, or other human-powered, pedal-operated vehicle.

If you're still uncertain about what to wear, check out the fashions from last year's Tweed Ride.

Another Gallery Opening in Hudson

In Hudson, there's always news of art galleries opening and hoping to open. On Wednesday, October 23, there's a new gallery opening in an unexpected space: the Hudson office of Assemblymember Didi Barrett. Working with the Hudson Opera House, Barrett plans a rotating exhibition of the work of artists from all over the community. The first artist whose work will be on view in Barrett's office-cum-gallery is Hudson's own Dan Rupe.

On Wednesday, Barrett is hosting an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Barrett's office is located in Hudson's East End, at 751 Warren Street.

The photo accompanying this post shows Dan Rupe and his self portrait, at the opening of Local Self Portraits, an exhibition, curated by Richard Roth, that took place at the Hudson Opera House in June 2010.  

The 1,500 Square Foot Contention

The issue of the 1,500 square foot apartments allegedly required in the R4 zone by Hudson zoning code--a story that Gossips has been following since August--is taken up by John Mason in today's Register-Star: "Does city code require jumbo apartments?"

For his article, Mason sought the opinion of two realtors--Karen Rosenthal and Peggy Lampman--who called the notion of 1,500 square feet as a minimum apartment size "crazy" and "ridiculous." Since publishing yesterday's post about the ZBA meeting, Gossips consulted a land use attorney, who concurred with Gossips that the 1,500 square feet per dwelling unit minimum has to do with lot area not interior floor space.

Mendolia Announces Town Meeting

The week began with Mayor William Hallenbeck announcing that he would not debate his challenger, Democratic candidate Victor Mendolia, because he was too busy running the city to prepare for a debate. Believing that "voters deserve the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates on the issues that are important to them," Mendolia has scheduled a town hall style meeting in place of a debate.

The meeting will take place on Saturday, October 26, at 2 p.m., in the auditorium of the Second Ward Foundation, the former Charles Williams School. The meeting will be moderated by Francesca Shanks, former city editor at the Register-Star and now an editor at the Berkshire Eagle. A second moderator is yet to be determined. Written questions will be accepted from audience members and organized and posed by the moderators.

In the press release announcing the meeting, Mendolia commented: "I am thrilled to be holding this town hall meeting in the Second Ward, an area of the city which is often the forgotten ward of Hudson. I look forward to seeing people from all over Hudson join us in the Second Ward, where I live, for this meeting to discuss Hudson's future."

Hallenbeck has been formally invited to participate but has so far declined. Mendolia indicated that the opportunity remains open to Hallenbeck should be change his mind. "I hope that the Mayor will reconsider," said Mendolia, "and allow the public to compare our visions and our plans for the city. But either way, I will be there ready to share my thoughts and hear from the public about their concerns."

Important Reminder

Don't miss the chance to see Odds Against Tomorrow, the 1959 American film noir, starring Harry Belfonte, Ed Begley, and Robert Ryan and set here in Hudson.

Friends of Fairview Cinema 3 and Basilica Hudson invite you to dinner and a movie at 7 p.m. at the Basilica on Friday, October 25, at 7 p.m. A donation of $50 is requested to benefit the Fairview Cinema 3 Projector Fund. Great movie, great venue, great cause!

Space is limited and reservations are required. Secure your place now by clicking here and sending an email to let us know you plan to attend. 

The image accompanying this post is a still from the movie. Do you recognize the view through the window?

Fighting City Hall

Gossips has been following the progress of Per Blomquist's proposal for 248 and 250 Columbia Street as it makes its way through the regulatory boards. In August, the project came before the Planning Commission. According to the applicant, code enforcement officer Peter Wurster had reviewed and approved the plans, but city attorney Cheryl Roberts, who is counsel to the Planning Commission, checked the Schedule of Bulk and Area Regulations for Residential Districts and declared that the proposed project was in violation of the zoning code. According to Roberts, in an R4 district, each unit in a multiple dwelling building must be a minimum of 1,500 square feet. Blomquist is proposing one-bedroom apartments that would be 770 square feet.

In September, the project came before the Zoning Board of Appeals for an area variance. At that meeting, the ZBA did little more than accept the application for a variance and schedule a public hearing, which took place this past Wednesday. Between the September ZBA meeting and the public hearing, Blomquist appeared at the Common Council Legal Committee meeting, at the invitation of committee chair John Friedman, who promised to "fight with him" to get the necessary permits for the building.

Meanwhile, Gossips, at the suggestion of a reader, looked at the chart on which Roberts was basing the claim that all dwelling units in an R4 zone needed to be a minimum of 1,500 square feet, and came to a quite different conclusion: the 1,500 square feet per dwelling unit had to do with the size of the lot not the size of the dwelling unit itself. Here's the relevant portion of the chart. (The entire chart can be viewed here.)

The words Per dwelling unit appear as a subset of Lot area, which seems to indicate that there is a minimum required number of square feet per dwelling unit for the lot on which a multiple-family dwelling sits. The narrative that references this chart (Chapter 325-18 Schedule of Bulk and Area Regulations; density calculation) says nothing about interior square footage. It has all to do with lots.

Schedule of Bulk and Area Regulations. There is hereby established, at the end of this chapter, a Schedule of Bulk and Area Regulations for all zoning districts. Such schedule sets forth regulations applicable to the following area and use dimensions of a parcel: the area of lots; the heights of buildings; the yards and open spaces provided; the minimum floor area ratio; and required off-street parking spaces. Additional off-street loading and parking requirements are contained in Article IV; alternative area or use dimensions and additional regulations, including those related to conservation development and incentive zoning, are contained in Article V.

What seems to be a reference to floor area here has to do with the relationship of building size to lot size. Floor area ratio is defined at wiseGEEK.com in this way: "The Floor Area Ratio is a commonly used real estate metric. Also known by the acronym FAR, the Floor Area Ratio is the ratio of a building's available square footage to the total area of the lot on which the building sits. . . . Cities and towns often use this ratio in their zoning laws . . . to control congestion or help enforce other municipal ordinances."

This past Wednesday, the ZBA held a public hearing on the project. It was hoped the question of 1,500 square feet requirement would be cleared up, but that didn't happened. A letter from Wurster was read aloud stating that the project was being denied a building permit because the size of the apartments would be less than the required 1,500 square feet each. When Blomquist presented the argument that the 1,500 square foot requirement had to do with lot size not the size of the dwelling unit, Roberts told him that he could have challenged the interpretation of the law or applied for an area variance, and he had chosen to do the latter. Later on, when Gossips presented the same argument--that the 1,500 square feet per dwelling unit applied to lot size not to apartment size--Roberts said it was Wurster's interpretation, and the ZBA had to go by it.

Roberts acknowledged that 1,500 square feet seemed an unreasonable requirement, but speculated that the intent of establishing such a large minimum requirement for the size of individual dwelling units within a multiple-family dwelling was to prevent the creation of SROs (single room occupancy). Democratic mayoral candidate Victor Mendolia pooh-poohed the idea, saying that he'd lived in an SRO that was only 70 square feet. When Gossips pointed out that the Habitat houses recently constructed on the same block had a total of 1,200 square feet on two floors, Roberts said that those buildings did not have to meet the requirement because they were single-family homes.

Because the ZBA had not received an opinion from the Planning Commission, it was determined that the public hearing on 248 and 250 Columbia Street would remain open. The ZBA moved on to the public hearing on a use variance for the Hudson Farm Box, but returned to 248 and 250 Columbia Street when Friedman arrived. Soon after his arrival, Friedman and Roberts withdrew to the hallway to confer. When they returned to the Council room, Friedman alternately encouraged the ZBA to "listen to your lawyer" and expressed the hope that "you can find a way to give the variance that's being requested here." Referring to the city's need for small, affordable apartments for young people--singles and couples--coming to Hudson, Friedman said, "Here we have an attempt to solve a critical problem," noting that Columbia County is the oldest county in the state by median age. 

When Roberts warned the ZBA that a 50 percent reduction in the required size was a substantial change, Friedman urged the members to see the request in terms of the city's greater need. "If you look at it in the larger light," Friedman told them, "the substantiality is less." When Roberts cautioned that granting the variance could be considered "arbitrary, irrational, and capricious," Friedman argued that "the arbitrary and capricious standard is overcome by the deliberation" the ZBA members had been engaged in. Roberts, however, had the last word. "This is not a variance you can grant," she advised the ZBA.

The public hearing on this proposal will continue on Wednesday, November 20. It is expected that the ZBA will have a recommendation from the Planning Commission by that time and will, after hearing additional public comment and closing the hearing, vote on granting the area variance. Of relevance to this discussion, it has been made public that October 22 is Wurster's last day as code enforcement officer. He is retiring to operate a fish and chips restaurant in Greenport, in the former Bubba Bean BBQ.
COPYRIGHT 2013 CAROLE OSTERINK

Odds Against Tomorrow at the Basilica

This promises to be one of the truly memorable events of Hudson's recent history. On Friday, October 25, Friends of Fairview Cinema 3 and Basilica Hudson are collaborating to present Odds Against Tomorrow, the classic American film noir set here in Hudson.

The movie is a cult favorite for many Hudsonians, primarily because it provides such wonderful documentation of the city half a century ago. See Warren Street when it was an archetypal pre-mall American main street. See Promenade Hill before Urban Renewal leveled all the 19th-century buildings that surrounded it. See the waterfront when it was a gritty place of industry and oil tanks.

The event is a rare opportunity to view this classic movie on a big screen, in the company of other Hudsonians, in a former industrial building on the waterfront, a stone's throw from the setting of the film's spectacular climax. 

The special evening begins at 7 p.m., with dinner served prior to the movie. A donation of $50 is being requested to benefit Fairview Cinema 3--to help Bruce Mitchinson equip another of his theaters with a digital projector and keep our only hometown (albeit over the border in Greenport) first run movie house open. Reservations are required, so click on RSVP and send an email to let the people organizing this event know you plan to attend.

Meeting Reminder

Tonight--Wednesday, October 16--the Zoning Board of Appeals is holding a public hearing on two applications for variances:

• A use variance to create a certified kitchen at the Hudson Farm Box, located in Cherry Alley

• An area variance to build a five-unit apartment building that will take the place of 248 and 250 Columbia Street

The public hearing on the first application begins at 6 p.m.; the hearing on the second begins at 6:15 p.m. Both take place in City Hall.

The Word on Those 4.4 Acres

At the Council meeting last night, before the wrangling over 701 Union Street got started, Council president Don Moore announced that the title search commissioned to test the veracity of the Valley Alliance's revelation that the City was negotiating with Holcim for land it already owned confirmed that the Valley Alliance was right. 

Of the 9.97 acres that Holcim was offering to the City, with conditions that would be in place for fifty years, 4.4 acres had been illegally sold by the City to Holcim (then St. Lawrence Cement) in 1981. Since the sale was illegal, the 4.4 acres still belong to the City of Hudson. 

The map is from the Valley Alliance website.