Cool or Redneck?

Last month, Mayor Hallenbeck bragged on Facebook about the achievements of his two terms in office:

4th most visited City in America, 3rd coolest City in America, and 17th Richest Small Town in America. Please do not let the local social media propaganda bloggers ruin what we have worked so successfully to establish over the past three years. There really isn't much more to say. 

One wonders what the mayor will do with this information.

Yes, it's true. The rock 'n' roll radio station WPDH and the alternative rock station WRRV reported yesterday that, according to Roadsnacks.com, Hudson tops the list of the most redneck cities in New York. The categories on which this judgment was based--the number of bars in a city (can (p.m.) Wine Bar, Ör, and Back Bar really be considered "redneck"?), the number of mobile homes per capita (they are illegal in Hudson), and number of tobacco stores (do they include convenience stores that sell cigarettes?)--suggest that the City of Hudson may have been judged by the surrounding areas that share the 12534 zip code. (Surprisingly, one of the categories was not the number of pickup trucks flying Confederate flags.) The picture below--the only picture of Hudson that appears on Roadsnacks.com--pretty much confirms that Hudson was judged by what surrounds it: Greenport.

This is Fairview Avenue, beyond the bridge over the railroad tracks that some consider the city limits. On the left is the outer edge of Hudson; on the right is the Town of Greenport, home of the soon to be expanded drive-thru cigarette superstore, several mobile home parks, and, of course, Walmart.

There is one category used for judging "redneckness" that we in Hudson need to own: our low high school graduation rate, which this report sets at 67 percent.
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The Real Poop on the WWTP

As Gossips reported yesterday, a malfunction occurred at the waste water treatment plant sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. The hose to a pump that was being used to compensate for two elements of the plant being out of commission came detached in the night, spilling an unknown amount of untreated sewage onto the ground around the plant. Department of Public Works superintendent Rob Perry suspects vandalism. John Mason tells the story in today's Register-Star: "Sewer plant victim of breakdowns, possible vandalism."
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Another School Name Question Answered

This morning, Gossips recounted for whom John L. Edwards Primary School was named, but the reasons why were still unknown. This afternoon, thanks to the amazing Fulton History, the reasons were discovered, in a news item that appeared in the Kingston Daily Freeman on March 26, 1964. In it, Mayor Samuel T. Wheeler explained why he supported naming Hudson's new elementary school for a local physician.

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What Happened at the WWTP?

Earlier today, the news was received that there had been some sort of malfunction at the waste water treatment plant, and an untold amount of "raw water" (yes, that's what you think it is) spilled into the yard and possibly beyond. When a concerned Hudson rate-payer went to the plant to investigate what had happened, he was told to leave and unceremoniously escorted off the premises. 

This behavior by those in charge at the waste water treatment plant piques one's curiosity even more, since Article 13 of the 2008 Sewer Use Ordinance specifies that plant operations should be open to the public: "It shall be the policy of the City to conduct all business [at the plant] with full disclosure to the public."

Perhaps what is meant by "WWTP Operations Open to the Public" is that the public has access to the documentation of those operations not to the operations themselves. That is certainly the impression given by the signage on the fence around the plant.

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Question Asked and Answered

No more questions remain about the origins of school building names. A reader just provided the word that the new owners of the Charles Williams School had researched the building's history and published their findings on their website, Second Ward Foundation.

The Charles Williams School, which was constructed in 1924 and dedicated as the Charles S. Williams Memorial School, was named for the man who preceded Montgomery C. Smith as the superintendent of the Hudson Public Schools.
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What's in a Name?

A while back, when Gossips recalled the visit to Hudson of Beatrix, the Crown Princess of the Netherlands, in 1959, we learned for whom John L. Edwards Primary School was named. It was Dr. John L. Edwards, whose house at the corner of Prospect and Rossman avenues was the site of the reception for Beatrix which preceded what was probably the biggest parade in Hudson's history. It's still unclear, however, precisely why, a few years later, a school was named for the good doctor.

Recently, Rachel Spath Kappel shared a document found among her grandmother's papers. It's an invitation to attend the graduation exercises, on January 23, 1924, for the "Continuation School" of Hudson Public Schools.

A little research into the history of state education in New York revealed that the Wilmot Law of 1913 required young people between the ages of 14 and 16 who had quit school to go to work to attend part-time continuation schools. In the 1920s and 1930s, all the "big cities" in the state had such programs, and apparently Hudson did, too. 

What's interesting about this document, for those seeking to understand why schools bear the names they do, is the appearance of the name Montgomery C. Smith, then the superintendent of the Hudson Public Schools. It's not known (not by Gossips anyway) if Smith was still the superintendent in 1937 when the school that now bears his name was built, but we do know that when the school was first built it was not called Montgomery C. Smith Intermediate School. It was called Chancellor Livingston High School.

Now all that remains is to discover who Charles Williams was.
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Hurrah for Hudson Made!

It was announced this morning that The Hudson Standard, Hudson's own maker of small batch shrubs and bitters, is a finalist for the Martha Stewart American Made Audience Choice Award.

"Audience Choice" means you have to vote. There are lots of finalists, and it's not easy to find The Hudson Standard (it's in alphabetical order by T instead of H), but click here to go straight to the page where you can vote for this favorite local enterprise. The voting began today at 9 a.m. and ends at midnight on October 19. Amazingly, you can vote six times a day every day. Show your support for this entrepreneurial Hudson business. Vote now and vote often for The Hudson Standard.
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How It Happened

Yesterday, Gossips published a picture received from a reader showing damage to the tree at 544 Warren Street. Today, thanks to information from other readers, the story of how this happened can be told.

The tree was a casualty of what seems to have been a rather dramatic traffic accident that occurred on Friday, involving a car and a pickup truck. The car, which ended up on the sidewalk, dealt a glancing blow to the tree before coming to rest under the awning in front of The Barlow. All this happened not in the dead of night when the streets are deserted but in the middle of the day, around lunchtime. Let's be careful out there.
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Grant to Promote Cultural Tourism

Assemblymember Didi Barrett announced this morning that the Hudson Opera House has been awarded a $60,000 economic development grant. The grant will be used to commission a visitor demand study to assess the needs of tourism in the Upper Hudson Valley, to be conducted by George Wachtel of Audience Research & Analysis, who specializes in working with arts, cultural tourism, not-for-profit organizations, and retailers.

In the press release announcing the grant, Barrett states: "The Hudson Opera House has been a leader in the revitalization of historic downtown Hudson, which has rippled across the region. This funding will play a crucial role in drawing visitors to enjoy our historic and cultural assets--one of the economic drivers in our community."

HOH co-director Tambra Dillon commented: "As the City of Hudson and the Hudson Valley continue to attract new generations of artists and audiences, the creative economy spurring the region's renaissance is emerging as not only the core driver but also a highly transformative one, with the ability to attract new businesses and visitors to the area."

All Things Are New Again

In case you missed it, Travel & Leisure this past week featured a story about the joys and delights of our ever evolving little city: "How to Spend a Fabulous Weekend in Hudson, New York." 

In Praise and Defense of Trees

Study after study attests to the many benefits of street trees--to humans and the environment--yet in Hudson, trees are more likely to be abused and destroyed than protected and venerated.

  
A reader sent this picture, taken yesterday, of the tree in front of 544 Warren Street. The cause of this damage to the tree is not known, but it doesn't appear to have been a casual accident.
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"The Ideal of Quiet and of Genteel Retirement"

Not long ago, Gossips reported that the "No Dogs on Lawn" signs in Washington Square, a.k.a. Courthouse Square, had been replaced with signs advising dog walkers to clean up after their canine companions. Now the transformation of what was once dubbed "Negativity Park" into a more welcoming and usable public green space has taken another step forward.

Not long ago, the gazebo was encircled by a chain, and there were chains at both sets of stairs giving access to the interior. Today, not only are the chains gone, but the gazebo has been fitted with benches to allow people to sit in its shelter and enjoy the cool and green surroundings of the square.

The benches, which were designed and constructed pro bono by Joe Rapp, are a gift from Carrie, Nick, and Henry Haddad.
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The title of this post is from Washington Square, by Henry James

Galvan Watch

Gossips is not on the Galvan Foundation's media list, but the following press release, distributed today, somehow found its way to Gossips Central. Gossips doesn't normally publish press releases, but the following is the press release in its entirety, including photographs.

GALVAN FOUNDATION COMPLETES THREE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS:

CREATES FOUR COMMERCIAL SPACES AND FOUR UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COLLABORATES WITH CAMPHILL HUDSON

HUDSON, NY September 18, 2015 – Galvan Foundation is pleased to announce the completion of three buildings in Hudson, NY. Construction is complete at 202-204 Warren Street, 366 Warren Street, and 35 South 3rd Street, creating four commercial spaces and four units of affordable housing. The four commercial spaces are now leased to three small businesses, including:

• Ör, art gallery, café, and bar, 35 South 3rd Street
• Princeton Architectural Press, publishing company, 202-204 Warren Street
• Hudson Home, furniture store, 366 Warren Street

These new commercial spaces were developed as part of Galvan Foundation’s Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, which generates revenue for Galvan Foundation’s philanthropic activities by expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs. T. Eric Galloway spoke of the project’s completion saying, “Businesses like Ör and Princeton Architectural Press provide new quality employment opportunities in Hudson. Galvan Foundation is pleased to help generate economic opportunity by developing high quality rental spaces.”

The four residential units are spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments rented for only $923 a month. Two units are rented to Camphill Hudson as life sharing homes for adults with developmental disabilities. Galvan Foundation sought to collaborate with Camphill Hudson after learning about their innovative programs and life-sharing homes in the City of Hudson. Kam Bellamy, Director of Camphill Hudson, spoke of the collaboration saying, “It has become increasingly difficult to find affordable housing in the City of Hudson. Collaborating with Galvan Foundation has helped Camphill Hudson achieve its mission of creating community with people of all abilities by allowing us access to quality housing for individuals who otherwise might be unable to afford it."

Galvan Foundation continues to develop new commercial spaces in Hudson, including 11 Warren Street, 260 Warren Street, 405 Warren Street, and 449 Warren Street.

Galvan Foundation is a private grant making and operating foundation which began operations in January 2012. The mission of Galvan Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the people and communities of greater Hudson, especially those most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged. For more information, contact dkent@galvanfdn.org.

Democratic Primary: It Isn't Over Until It's Over

The absentee and affidavit ballots were counted this morning at the Board of Elections, and Gossips was there to witness the proceedings. 

In the First Ward, where things seemed pretty much decided on primary day, with Rick Rector getting 77 votes, Michael O'Hara 40, and Nick Haddad 33, the six absentee ballots counted today didn't alter the outcome. All six voters who voted absentee voted for Rector; two also voted for O'Hara, and two for Haddad. Gossips' final, albeit unofficial tally in the First Ward is: Rector 83; O'Hara 42; Haddad 35.

In the Fourth Ward, Rich Volo and Lauren Scalera ended last Thursday only one vote apart. What remained to be counted were two affidavit ballots, cast by people who had moved within the city and not changed their voter registration in time, and twenty-one absentee ballots. Because of a challenge, the affidavit ballots were set aside, and this morning, Victor Mendolia, on behalf of candidate Volo, challenged eleven of the absentee ballots. One was challenged because the voter's signature on the application for the absentee ballot did not match the signature on record; the other ten were challenged because the voters, all residents of the Firemen's Home, did not, according to the ward boundaries defined in the city charter, reside in the Fourth Ward. 

It will remembered that when the discrepancies between the ward boundaries as defined in the city charter and the boundaries used in practice were discovered, the Common Council requested that the Board of Elections amend their boundaries to reflect the charter. Both commissioners--Virginia Martin for the Democrats and Jason Nastke for the Republicans--must agree to do this for it to happen, and Nastke refused. The Council passed a resolution to file an Article 78 lawsuit against the county to force Nastke to comply, but Mayor William Hallenbeck vetoed the resolution. Council support for the resolution eroded, and there were not enough votes to override the mayor's veto.

Because of the challenges, the two affidavit ballots and eleven of the absentee ballots were set aside. When the ten ballots that remained were opened and counted, Scalera picked up eight votes, Volo two, and Alexis Keith, the incumbent who was the front runner on primary night, added seven. The unofficial count in the Fourth Ward is at this point: Keith 59; Scalera 44; Volo 39.

Rick Scalera observing the count at the Board of Elections this morning

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Of Interest

The Register-Star reports today on HCSD superintendent Maria Suttmeier's new five-year contract approved on Monday by the Board of Education: "Board of Ed OKs $154,000 superintendent contract." 

Heartbreaking Outcome

The sad news has been received that Ahmir Spann, the five-year-old who was critically injured in the car crash on Sunday, has died.

Meet the Candidate

Yesterday, on the WGXC show @Issue, Debby Mayer, with co-host Peter Jung, interviewed Tom DePietro, who is running for Common Council president as a candidate on his own party line, the All Hudson Party. DePietro explains the job of the Council president and tells some of the things he would like to accomplish if elected. Also during the hour-long program, Jung talks about the Hudson cemetery and his efforts to restore and maintain this historic open space.

The show has been archived and can be heard by clicking here.
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Not to Be Missed on Saturday

One of the great benefits of living in Hudson is that Olana--Frederic Church's last and in many ways greatest work of art, with its serene and nurturing grounds and stunning vistas--is always there for us, but sometimes we need a little incentive to get out there to experience it. The perfect incentive comes this Saturday, September 19, with the third iteration of Groundswell.

For the third year, The Olana Partnership joins Wave Farm and WGXC to present an exhibition of site-specific performance and works in sound, installation, broadcast, and movement. From 1 to 4 p.m., you can walk along the carriage roads of this revered estate and view the works of artists "who reflect on and react to Olana and its integral viewshed as an ambitious and early environmental work." Click here for more information and to buy tickets.
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Of Interest

For years, many have advocated for the removal of the transmission pylons that cross the Hudson and climb up and over Mount Merino.

In light of this, it is interesting to learn that National Grid is removing similar transmission lines in four areas of England and Wales to reduce their visual impact on the landscape: "Pylons to be removed in four protected areas."

Thanks to Ian Nitschke for bringing this to our attention

Issues Mayoral: Mark Your Calendars

Justin Weaver announced this morning on Weather with Weaver that next Wednesday, September 23, Mayor William Hallenbeck will be the guest, for an entire hour, on Something to Talk About, the WGXC show Weaver hosts with Columbia County clerk Holly Tanner. Two weeks later, on Wednesday, October 7, the first live, on air debate between Hallenbeck and his Democratic challenger, Tiffany Martin Hamilton, will take place on Weaver and Tanner's show. Something to Talk About is broadcast from 10 to 11 a.m. on 90.7 FM or online at wgxc.org.
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