Referendum Prep

There is to be a referendum on February 9 to approve the $19.9 million capital project being proposed for the Hudson City School District. The capital project has two major elements: an addition to Montgomery C. Smith to accommodate PreK through Grade 1 and make it possible to consolidate the district into two campuses and a new athletic field at Hudson High School. A video explaining what is being proposed was released today and can be viewed here.

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A Field Trip to View the Erosion

At the Common Council meeting tonight, which begins at 7 p.m., it is expected that Maria Suttmeier, superintendent for the Hudson City School District, will be present to talk about the proposed capital project at Montgomery C. Smith Intermediate School and to answer questions about HCSD's interest in acquiring adjacent land currently owned by the City of Hudson. As the map below shows, the land is needed to construct an access road around the proposed new building.  

Environmental watchdog Timothy O'Connor has raised concerns about the impact of the proposed new construction, particularly about the erosion that has been caused by the storm water system currently in place at the intermediate school and the likelihood that the situation will only be made worse by the proposed alterations. 

On Friday, O'Connor and Suttmeier organized a site visit to examine the erosion. Accompanying them on the excursion were John Sharkey from Rhinebeck Architecture, a firm that is designing the new addition; Jeffrey Budrow from the engineering firm Weston & Sampson; Maria McLaughlin and Sage Carter from the HCSD Board of Education; Nick Zachos and Holly Gardner who serve on Hudson's Conservation Advisory Council; and Nate Davis from the Columbia Land Conservancy. The site of the erosion was extremely difficult to reach, and only the most intrepid ventured along the slippery, clay-bottomed stream bed to view the damage at close hand. 

Representatives of HCSD expressed concern about the impact of storm water runoff from the school's property on the adjacent City-owned property. Although their actions going forward could prevent further erosion, it is not clear if HCSD can be obligated to remediate the existing conditions. One possibility that has been suggested is that a deal be worked out whereby the land sought by HCSD from the City of Hudson be granted on the condition that the existing erosion be repaired with funds from the capital project budget--in other words, that the money not spent to acquire the needed land be spent to repair the erosion.
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Planning for Hudson's Elders

There is still no word about when the senior center at the Armory, now known as the Galvan Community Learning Center, will open, but Amanda Henry, Hudson's new Commissioner of Aging, is not letting that uncertainty deter her. "I decided," Henry told Gossips, "that without funding, programming, or an official space we could move forward on creating something unconfined by those parameters."

To that end, Henry is initiating a grassroots effort to start a series of different programs in various accessible locations in Hudson run entirely by volunteers "with a space, interest or passion." Two meetings have been scheduled to bring together all those who want to be involved--both seniors with ideas about the kinds of opportunities they want and non-seniors with ideas about what they might offer. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 27, at 11:00 a.m., the second on Wednesday, February 3, at 6:30 p.m. Both meetings are being hosted by Camphill Hudson at 360 Warren Street.

Henry hopes that working together and pooling their many interests and talents the people of Hudson can forge a "superhighway of elder excellence." "This," she told Gossips, "is a vitally important issue given the current statistics." Every year, in Columbia County alone, a thousand people turn 60. "We have to take a radical and proactive approach to returning elders and our care to a vital issue for society as we age."

The programming conceived and implemented by volunteers is meant to be a pilot program. "Once we have some idea of how well these volunteer programs are being supported, we can develop a budget and pursue funding." There are grant writers standing by to help with the latter.
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How $250,000 Will Be Spent

This morning, the Register-Star reported that the Shared Services Response Team--sometimes referred to as a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Team--has been awarded $250,000 by the Department of Homeland Security: "Tactical police team awarded grants to expand abilities." The creation last year of this unit, made up of members of the Columbia and Greene county sheriffs' offices and the Hudson Police Department, was not without controversy, fear, and misgiving, so the idea that there was now a quarter of a million dollars to be spent on this unit raised some questions.

Sadly, the Register-Star article was short on details. It explained that the goal of the grant program was "to strengthen anti-terrorism programs, enhance disaster readiness, and expand protections to critical infrastructure." It quoted David Bartlett, our county sheriff, who spoke of "active shooter events or other high risk counterterrorism missons" and "specialty services that are often lacking or absent." But there were no specifics about how the money was to be spent.

Given that, according to the article, the Shared Services Response Team has, since its creation, been primarily used in Hudson, Gossips asked HPD Chief Ed Moore if he would provide more specific information, and he did.

The $150,000 grant to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office will pay for training and equipment (ropes, climbing gear, litter baskets) "for the deployment of officers by rope." This may involve using ropes "to insert an officer into an upstairs window," to raise and lower a litter, or to rappel down a cliff in a rescue situation.

The $100,000 grant to the Greene County Sheriff's Office will spent on training--sending potential new members of the team to "Basic Operator's School," a boot camp that provides "rigorous training involving physical fitness, firearms proficiency, and decision making." The money will also be used to purchase standardized radios and headsets and maybe even a van to replace the old school bus HPD currently uses to transport the team.

Speaking of the Shared Services Response Team and the controversy that surrounded its creation, Moore commented:

Last year, a decision had to be made. I don't think we could we ever attain the standards required by the state to achieve our certification and maintain our own SWAT team. We had a choice: go without, and rely on other departments to deploy within Hudson, or team up in this shared services arrangement. I chose to join up with the Sheriffs. We have a smaller special services force than we used to, a higher level of training, a quicker deployment, all with less cost to the local taxpayer. It is a "win" across the board. Further, with this arrangement I remain in the command structure when it comes to decisions made within our city. In that decision-making process I bring the desires, sensitivities, and wishes of the people who live here. I have a sense of what kind of police action our residents will deem appropriate or excessive. That is my responsibility and what I will be held accountable for.

The formulation of the team occurred as our national discussion was focused on police shootings. We couldn't have picked a worse time, and people reacted viscerally. I truly believe when people learn the motives and analyze the facts, the whole effort will be more appreciated.

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Yandik Responds

Yesterday and earlier today, it was reported that, on Saturday, the chairs of the Democratic committees in the eleven counties that make up the 19th Congressional District in New York interviewed four potential candidates for Congress, and the majority endorsed Zephyr Teachout as the Democratic candidate. This afternoon, one of those potential candidates, Will Yandik, Columbia County farmer and deputy town supervisor for the Town of Livingston, issued this statement:

I greatly appreciate the time and consideration of the County Chairs, particularly the early support from those who backed me. It was a great discussion and I'm grateful for the advice they passed on.

Since Saturday, I have received invitations to speak directly to County Committees and I look forward to meeting with more Democrats and leaders throughout the 19th Congressional District.

I continue to receive more encouragement to run and we are taking steps forward to prepare for a strong campaign while we listen to more folks around the district.

This is my home. I grew up here and I believe strongly that our next member of Congress must understand and connect with the communities in every county.

On Thursday, January 21, at 5:30 p.m., Yandik will be at TK Home & Garden, at 441 Warren Street in Hudson, to connect with potential supporters. Those planning to attend are urged to arrive no later than 5:40 p.m. 

There are more meet-and-greet events coming up in the next two weeks: in Livingston on Saturday, January 23; in Rhinecliff on Sunday, January 24; in Chatham on Saturday, January 30; and in Germantown on Sunday, January 31. Visit the Will Yandik for Congress NY-19 Facebook page for more information.  
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More About the Endorsement

It seemed yesterday that only the Oneonta Daily Star was reporting the news that Zephyr Teachout had been endorsed as the Democratic candidate by the chairs of the Democratic committees in the 19th Congressional District. Now the press release has been distributed. It follows.

Chairs from the 19th CD Support Zephyr Teachout   

On Saturday January 16, chairs from Democratic committees across the 19th congressional district met and interviewed four potential candidates for the seat that will be decided in the upcoming November elections. "The chairs were impressed with the qualifications and commitment to public service shown by all four and would be proud to have any one of them represent us in Washington . . . ," said Dutchess County Chair Elisa Sumner.  

Deliberations and input gathered from the chairs resulted in a consensus to support Zephyr Teachout as the Democratic candidate in the 19th. 

The four candidates interviewed were Teachout, Will Yandik, Margo Miller, and Julian Schreibman. 

In an email today to local Democrats, Peter Bujanow, chair of the Columbia County Democratic Committee, explained that the decision "was largely based on [Teachout's] established name recognition as a credible and 'known' candidate, her existing networks that allow her to raise funds in a race predicted to cost $4M, and an established 'ground game' that allows her to execute tactically in a race where many chairs felt we were getting a late start." 

Bujanow reported that our local candidate, Will Yandik, was "extremely impressive in his first appearance in a forum such as this." He continued:

His passion, commitment and willingness to jump into a race was commented on by several of the chairs, and I reinforced those qualities along with all the skills that so many of us have remarked upon as we've worked with Will. . . . However, the need to immediately establish name recognition . . . across eleven counties, raise a significant amount of money, and have an almost immediate ground game, led the majority of county chairs to support Zephyr.

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Thoughts for Martin Luther King Day

News of the 19th Congressional District

The Oneonta Daily Star reports that the chairs of the Democratic committees in the eleven counties that make up the 19th Congressional District in New York have endorsed Zephyr Teachout as the Democratic candidate for the seat being vacated by Chris Gibson: "Teachout endorsed by Democratic chairs." The counties that make up the 19th Congressional District are Broome, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster.  
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The Mayor's Message

As is customary, the mayor of Hudson spoke this evening at the annual observance of Martin Luther King Day at Shiloh Baptist Church. As is not customary, Mayor Tiffany Martin Hamilton published her remarks on Facebook, and Gossips shares what she had to say here.

Good evening, everyone. It is a great honor and privilege to be given the opportunity to speak with you here tonight.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" A simple concept, yet such very wise words.

As I reflect today on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--the man he was, his many accomplishments, and the indelible impact his determination, philosophy, words, and actions had on America--I sit in awe, humbled. Born in the days of segregation, Dr. King was keenly aware of the gross inequalities in our country. With the benefit of strong, educated parents who instilled in him solid reason and a sense of justice, he channeled his anger and frustration to fuel the Civil Rights Movement. The way he approached life, how he treated others, and his ability to tackle the issues of racism and inequality so deeply ingrained in our society and--in the end--overcome, sets a stellar example for all of us.

Dr. King was an activist, a humanitarian, a thinker, and a catalyst for a movement that is as relevant today as it was in the mid-1950s. While we've seen so much progress over the past sixty years, there's still a long way to go . . . locally, nationally, and globally. In our own community and throughout the U.S., we see the uncomfortable truth play out in educational statistics, in economic disparity, and--even more painfully--in continuing acts of hatred and brutality. Globally, we witness horrific acts of violence against humanity. Our hearts break with the death of every innocent, man, woman, or child, whose only crime is to be of a certain religion, race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation. Awareness is key. We as a community, as a society, and as the human race, owe it to ourselves and each other to not rest until we reach true equality. To quote Dr. King, "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. . . . Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." WE ARE those individuals.

The civil rights movement, and the human rights movement, march on. I am encouraged to see many people from our very own community stepping up to fight injustice and be a voice for those who are all too often unheard. My heart swells with hope and pride when I witness someone take a stand, and not allow him or herself to be shouted down or ignored. It's happening . . . every day . . . and the movement only succeeds with the strength of many. Together, let's carry the torch lit sixty years ago by Dr. King to continue to shed light on the many inequities of our society with the ultimate goal of achieving peace and equality for all.

Dr. King reminds us that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." I ask that each of us honor his memory by keeping those words in our hearts to help guide us in our daily lives, and to instill that sentiment in others. With awareness, openness, understanding, and commitment to the great good, we shall overcome.

Some History of Underhill Pond

Photo: Timothy O'Connor

Our attention was drawn to Underhill Pond recently by Timothy O'Connor's warning that "The planned expansion of the middle school will simply pour more water into the same ravine, which will add to an ever-growing delta in Underhill Pond."

By coincidence, Gossips today stumbled upon this news item that appeared in the Hudson Evening Register a hundred years ago, on January 7, 1916.

Lake Charlotte is now known as Lake Taghkanic, the name having been changed when the property was donated to the state in 1929 and became Lake Taghkanic State Park. The report that the Clermont Ice Company was harvesting ice from Underhill Pond recalls a post published three years ago on Gossips, inspired by a picture of wagon wheel that had been pulled out of the mud at the bottom of Underhill Pond, which was shared by Jack Connor, who speculated that it may have been at the bottom of the pond since the time when ice was harvested from the pond.

A comment on that post, submitted by Seth Travins, brings together the topics of ice harvesting and the degradation of Underhill Pond. Travins provided the link to the annual report, for the year ending December 31, 1918, of the New York State Department of Health. In a section of the report devoted to "Special Investigations," it is indicated that state health department inspected Underhill Pond on January 9, 1918, in response to complaints from the Clermont Ice Company about the pollution of the pond. The complaints cited "four specific sources of sewage pollution," one of them being "the effluent from the disposal plant operated by Mr. Weaver, serving about 15 houses on the tract known as the Fairground boulevards." (Leander Weaver purchased "Fairground Boulevard" in 1913 presumably with the intent of developing the area.) The Health Department's findings are reported as follows:

The water of Underhill pond is undoubtedly polluted, and the degree of pollution is such as to render the water unfit for domestic consumption in a raw state. The pond itself is, however, apparently not polluted to such an extent as to create a public nuisance nor to constitute a menace to public health unless the water were used for domestic purposes which is not the case at the present time. The effluent from the Fairground Boulevards disposal plant and the overflows from the cesspools mentioned above, while they contribute largely to the pollution of the pond, are not the only sources of pollution. The pond is so located that it receives the surface drainage from a large part of the built-up section of the city and also the drainage from the city ash and refuse dump.    

The state health department made a number of recommendations for improvements to the "Fairground Boulevards disposal plant" and made a few recommendations to the "city authorities." One of the latter was this:

That the board of health of the city make such orders and regulations as may be necessary to prevent the creation of a nuisance by the discharge of the effluents from the cesspools in the rear of the houses on Glenwood Boulevard over the surface of the ground, and require the disposal of sewage from the dwellings in question by more satisfactory means than those is use at present.

Those were the good old days.

Bing Maps

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Mark Your Calendars

In the run-up to the referendum on the capital projects being proposed by the Hudson City School District, three more "community conversations" have been scheduled to give HCSD residents the opportunity to "learn details of the project, ask questions, and provide comments." The "conversations" will take place every Wednesday from now until the referendum on February 9--January 20, January 27, and February 3--from 6 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at John L. Edwards Primary School, 360 State Street.
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Officer Miller and a Winter's Tale

Last July, Gossips became obsessed with Officer Frank Miller, who joined the Hudson Police Department on March 3, 1914, and for the next three decades, until he retired in 1944, was the officer who seemed to make most of the arrests reported in the newspapers. Throughout July, Gossips followed the first decade or so of Officer Miller's career and then segued into the disgrace of Chief John Cruise, who, in the spring of 1922, was accused, tried, and found guilty of dereliction of duty. The Gossips' multi-part account of "The Scandal of 1922" wound up in September, and since then we have lost sight of Officer Miller. This little item, found recently in the Hudson Evening Register for January 6, 1916, is of seasonal interest and brings our attention back to the ubiquitous Officer Miller.

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What Will the Future Bring?

John Mason reports today in the Register-Star that Ken Flood, commissioner of planning and economic development for Columbia County, has announced his intention to be "moving on sometime this summer": "Flood says he will step down."
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Promoting the Local Economy 1916

You might surmise that encouraging people to shop locally began with the advent of national chains and big box stores. This ad, found in the Hudson Evening Register for January 5, 1916, is evidence that it's at least a hundred years old.

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A Virtual Visit to the Bronson House

Neighbors with Lance Wheeler for January 2016 features, among other things, an interview with Historic Hudson president Alan Neumann recorded last November at the Dr. Oliver Bronson House. 

The show can be seen on Mid-Hudson Cable Channel 11 on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. or online by clicking here. The segment about the Bronson House, which discusses the history of the house and grounds, the ongoing stabilization and restoration efforts, and future plans for the site, begins at 15:53.
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Bed Race Memories

The reports about the plans to revive the bed races in Hudson inspired former mayor and current Fifth Ward supervisor Rick Scalera to share this picture of the winners of the bed races sometime in the 1980s.

Photo courtesy Rick Scalera

The winning team was sponsored by Arthur's Court, a Hudson nightspot that existed, according to Gossips' sources, from 1978 to 1985 in the building at the corner of Seventh and Columbia streets that was once the Community Theatre and is now the future Marina Abramovic Institute. Scalera, who was a member of the victorious Arthur's Court team, explained that, in the 1980s, the bed races were very competitive--more about speed than about artfully designed beds.

Scalera appears in the picture, the second from the right. Gossips invites readers to help identify the other members of the Arthur's Court team.
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Almost Like Being There

Back in March 2014, Dan and Mary Udell stopped videotaping Common Council meetings in protest over the Council's refusal to repeal the ban on dogs in Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, but at the first meeting of the Council for 2016, the Udells were back. Their coverage of Monday night's organizational and informal Common Council meetings will air tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on Mid-Hudson Cablevision Channel 11. If you can't wait to see it or have other plans for Friday night, you view it now on YouTube by clicking here.

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Remembering the 1960s

In observance of Martin Luther King Day, the Hudson Democrats are offering a free screening of the film Selma, at 3 p.m. on Monday, January 18, at Time and Space Limited, 434 Columbia Street.

And They're Off!

Last night's initial planning meeting to revive bed races in Hudson attracted a variety of folks--some who remembered the bed races in the 1980s, some who remembered the bed races in 2001 and 2003, and some who remembered neither.

Photo: Paul Abitabile

Although it was suggested that--with Flag Day and Pride Weekend in the summer, Arts Walk in the fall, and Winter Walk in the winter--Hudson needs a spring event, it was felt that scheduling the bed races in the spring didn't allow enough time for planning. A tentative date for the bed races was selected: Saturday, September 24, with Sunday, September 25, as the rain date.

There was talk of a pre-race event in Seventh Street Park (a.k.a. the Public Square), where all the participating beds would be on display to be viewed by race goers and judged in various categories. The race itself, which is expected to take a couple of hours, will run from Seventh Street to Fifth Street, with two beds racing down the course at a time. The event is expected to wind up at Seventh Street Park, where trophies will be awarded to the winning racers and to beds and teams that are distinguished in some way.

Three committees were established at the first planning meeting: one to draft rules and come up with prizes, one to pursue fundraising and promotion, and another to work out logistics. A Facebook group has been created, open to anyone wanting to be involved in the planning for this event, and a second planning meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 27, at 6 p.m., at 1 North Front Street.
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The School District and the City (Continued)

Photo: Timothy O'Connor

John Mason catches up on the story of Hudson City School District's proposed capital project at Montgomery C. Smith Intermediate School in today's Register-Star: "City, school district to confer on land swap." The headline is a bit misleading, since HCSD seems to be seeking a land grant from the City of Hudson with nothing offered in exchange. Mason's report offers this bit of new information: HCSD superintendent Maria Suttmeier plans to be present at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, January 19, "with at least a couple of board members if asked." He also quotes from an email from Suttmeier: "[Timothy O'Connor] and I have exchanged several email communications on the subject. I look forward to working with Mr. O'Connor and other interested parties to make this project a win win for the school and community. Mr. O'Connor and I are currently working to organize an onsite tour of the property and I am planning to invite all interested stakeholders."
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