More Primary Election Results

Here are the results received from the Fifth Ward in the race for alderman:

• Vicky Daskaloudi     73
• Dominic Merante     51
• Rebecca Borrer         50
• Mark Bodnar             29

Absentee ballots are still to be counted.

First News of the Primary Election

Early information from the polls is that Heather Campbell has won the primary and will be the Democratic candidate for city treasurer in November. More details to follow.

Fifty Years Ago in Hudson

There are three proposals for new, multi-unit buildings in Hudson, all to be designated as different levels of affordable housing: the two buildings the Galvan Foundation plans to construct on North Seventh Street, which between them will have 138 apartments; the plan for the adaptive reuse of John L. Edwards school as affordable housing--a plan that involves the construction of the new five-story building; the plan to rebuild and expand the properties owned by the Hudson Housing Authority. These plans, if realized, will have a significant, character altering effect on our little city, reminiscent of the impact Urban Renewal had on Hudson fifty years ago.  

With this in mind, Gossips shares these photographs that show Front Street in 1971, when Hudson's Urban Renewal Agency, which morphed into Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency, presided over the demolition of all the buildings on the west side of the street and the construction of what is now Hudson Terrace.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CAROLE OSTERINK

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since Friday, there have been no new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is one fewer than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that another county resident is now considered to be recovering from the virus. There is one more county resident in mandatory quarantine today than yesterday, and the number hospitalized with the virus remains the same. No one is in the ICU, and there has not been a death from COVID-19 in Columbia County since May 4.

The New York Forward dashboard is reporting a positivity rate for Columbia County yesterday of 0.0 percent and a seven-day average of 0.3 percent. By comparison, the daily positivity rate for the Capital Region is 0.3 percent and the seven-day average is 0.4 percent.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 2 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 430, and the number of active cases was 27. There were 9 county residents hospitalized with the virus, and none was in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 37.

Getting Back to Normal

Last year and for the beginning of this season, the Hudson Farmers Market has been spread out into two parking lots in order to achieve the physical distancing required during the pandemic. Now that COVID restrictions have been lifted, the market is moving back to its longtime location in the parking lot at the corner of Sixth and Columbia streets.

More than thirty local producers and vendors will be offering the bounty of the season--strawberries, peas, greens, scapes, and zucchini--in the their familiar spots in the old location. Masks are recommended for those who are not vaccinated. For those who are, masks and distancing are optional.

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since Friday, there have been no new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is two fewer than on Friday, from which it can be inferred that two more county residents are now considered to be recovering from the virus. There are three fewer county residents in mandatory quarantine today than on Friday, but the number hospitalized with the virus remains the same. No one is in the ICU, and there has not been a death from COVID-19 in Columbia County since May 4. 

The New York Forward dashboard is reporting a positivity rate for Columbia County yesterday of 0.0 percent and a seven-day average of 0.3 percent. By comparison, the daily positivity rate for the Capital Region is 0.4 percent and the seven-day average is 0.4 percent.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported no new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 428, and the number of active cases was 30. There were 11 county residents hospitalized with the virus, and none was in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 37.

Dead in the Water

Scrolling Facebook sometimes has its rewards. The following was reported on the Greene County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. Although the vessel in distress is referred to in the report as "The Spirit of the Hudson," the boat in question is Hudson Cruises Spirit of Hudson, recently renamed Spirit on Hudson. It would appear from this account of Sunday's misadventure that Spirit on Hudson also docks somewhere on the other side of the river.

Sunday our Marine Patrol was involved in a multi-agency assist with a disabled vessel (Spirit of the Hudson). Just before 2 p.m., the Spirit of the Hudson suffered a mechanical failure just south of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, disabling both engines. The cruise boat was transporting 16 passengers and 3 crew members. Our agency and Ulster County removed the passengers onboard and transported them safely to Dutchmen's Landing, the crew remained aboard to attempt to anchor the vessel out of the channel. Both agency vessels returned to assist the Spirit, which was unable to anchor itself, due to . . . the strength of the current and was floating close to shore. Ulster County Marine M-27 and our MB-1 (Deputy Sirago and Deputy Espel) assisted with towing the Spirit back to their dock due to another unrelated mechanical issue with SEA TOW. Spirit was returned safely and there were no reported injuries.

Assisting responding agencies: Ulster County Sheriff's office, NYSP Marine Unit, NYS ENCON 

Back to Normal Tomorrow

About half an hour ago, Mayor Kamal Johnson reported on his Facebook page that the 2 million gallon plus tank that holds the City's filtered and treated water supply is expected to be back to full capacity tonight. Starting tomorrow, watering lawns and gardens, washing cars, and filling pools can once again be done without jeopardizing the City's water supply.  

About That Mid-Century Building

Yesterday's post about the hat purchased years ago in an antique shop in Pennsylvania which has now found its way back to Hudson inspired two readers to share some information about the building that now stands at 751 Warren Street, the address given in early city directories for the family of the hat's owner. The building that was constructed on the site in 1953 started out as a supermarket--First National Stores. Bob Tomaso provided this picture of the building believed to date from around 1970.

This picture may be earlier than 1970. It is not clear exactly when First National Stores transitioned to the acronym Finast, but in 1971, Gossips was shopping at a Finast on 14th Street in New York City.

Another reader shared this "inside information" about the building. Most of the building's basement is open storage space, but the walk-in coolers and freezers and employee changing rooms and showers from the Finast days are still there, "almost untouched." The reader described it as "a bit spooky but amazing."

COPYRIGHT 2021 CAROLE OSTERINK

Meetings of Interest in the Week Ahead

Today, of course, is Father's Day, but it is also the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Summer officially begins at 11:32 p.m. tonight. So, for the first week of summer, here's what's happening.

• It seems the Tourism Board has been meeting every Monday recently, but its meeting scheduled for this Monday, June 21, has been canceled. 
• The Democratic Primary in Hudson takes place on Tuesday, June 22. The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 9: p.m. The polling places for Hudson are: 
• First, Second, and Third Wards--St. Mary's Academy, 301 Allen Street
• Fourth Ward--County Office Building, 401 State Street
• Fifth Ward--Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street

Only registered Democrats can vote in the primary, and for voters in the First, Third, and Fourth wards, there is only one race--the one for city treasurer in which incumbent Heather Campbell is being challenged by Michael Hofmann. In the Second Ward, there are contests both for aldermen and supervisor, and in the Fifth Ward are is a contest for aldermen. To prepare yourself to vote, check out these articles that appeared in the Register-Star:

• "Campbell faces challenge from Hofmann in primary"
• "Garriga vs. Miah, Sarowar challenged"
• "4 candidates seek 5th Ward primary nominations"

To prepare further to vote, click here to see a sample ballot.

• At noon on Tuesday, June 22, the Hudson Development Corporation Board of Directors meets at noon. The agenda for the meeting includes an update on the sale of the Montgomery Street property and a strategic plan for the future of HDC. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
• At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22, the Planning Board holds a special meeting. Despite information to the contrary on the City of Hudson website, the subject of the meeting will not be the continuing review of Colarusso's application for conditional use permits. Rather it will focus on the Verizon application to locate communications equipment on Providence Hall, with the aim toward finalizing the decision. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.  

• On Wednesday, June 23, there are two Common Council ad hoc committee meetings. The Property Committee meets at 5:00 p.m., and the Solar Farm Committee meets at 6:15 p.m. So far, the link for neither meeting has been published on the City of Hudson website, but those links should appear at some point before the meetings begin.
• Also on Wednesday, June 23, the Hudson Housing Authority Tenant Relations Committee meets at 6:00 p.m. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
• On Friday, June 25, the Historic Preservation Commission holds its second meeting of the month at 10:00 a.m. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CAROLE OSTERINK

The Story of a Hat

Back in April, this appeal appeared on the Hudson, NY--Public Community Board Facebook page.

Someone on the Hudson Area Library Board saw the post on Facebook and alerted Brenda Shufelt, coordinator of the library's History Room. After doing some initial research herself, Shufelt turned the task over to John Craig, the History Room's indefatigable volunteer researcher. It is at their invitation that Gossips shares what Shufelt and Craig discovered about the hat and its owner.

L. S. Moore, the owner of the hat, was determined to have been Lewis Sheldon Moore, who was born in Hudson on January 26, 1883. Census records for 1900 list him as the son of Charles and Jennie F. Moore. In 1899, the date written inside the hat, Lewis Sheldon Moore would have been 16 years old. The hat is considered to be a military hat, but there is no evidence that Moore served in the military, although he could have. The Spanish-American War ended in February 1899, followed almost immediately after by the Philippine Insurrection, and the range of ages for servicemen in both conflicts was between 16 and 60. Draft registration cards found for Moore, from 1918 and 1942, give no indication of prior service, but that is not information that was required on the cards.

The Hudson city directories for 1888 and 1900 indicate that Charles Moore, Lewis's father, was employed at H. Sheldon & Company, grocers & bakers. The business was located at 606 Warren Street, and Charles Moore's home was at 751 Warren Street. (Later records give 749 Warren Street as the address of the house.) H. Sheldon was Henry Sheldon, and Craig's research discovered that Charles Moore's wife, Jenny, was Henry Sheldon's daughter. The home address for Henry Sheldon in both those city directories is also 751 Warren Street. The house where the extended family lived can be seen at the right in the first picture below and at the far left in the second picture. 

The last Moore listed in the city directories as residing in the house was Lewis Moore in 1949, but other records show he had died two years earlier. The DPW Water Tap Book indicates that on July 15, 1949, the water was shut off to the house. It was subsequently demolished. The building that is now 751 Warren Street, where the Social Security office is located and the Hudson Code Enforcement Office is soon to be, was constructed in 1953, as a First National (Finast) supermarket. The parking lot to the west of the building is the site of the Sheldon-Moore home.

On June 10, 1906, the Columbia Republican reported that Charles Moore, Lewis's father, "dropped dead on the street." He was 52 years old. Lewis would have been 23 when his father died.

Not much has been discovered about Lewis's life except, according to his 1918 draft registration card, he was at that time, at the age of 35, employed as a traveling salesman for the Diamond Match Company. Some records suggest that Lewis moved to Tivoli and married a woman named Hattie in 1909, but his draft registration card from 1918 gives his address as 749 Warren Street and lists his mother as his nearest relative. The 1920 census lists Lewis Moore, now 37, living as a boarder in Dutchess County, and the 1940 census lists Lewis Moore, now 57 and widowed, as a servant in a household in Pine Plains. His draft registration card for 1942, when he was 59, gives his address once again as 749 Warren Street and lists Mrs. Mary Akin, housekeeper at 749 Warren, as the "person who will always know your address." Lewis Moore died in Hudson on July 17, 1947, at the age of 64.

Ed Petty, who, when he was a teenager, bought L. S. Moore's hat in an antique shop in Pennsylvania and now wanted to return it to Moore's descendants, has given the hat to the History Room at the library, where it now resides in its very own archival box wrapped in acid free tissue paper.

Gratitude to Brenda Shufelt and John Craig for inviting me to share their research.

Addendum:  Neal Van Deusen, a former assistant chief of the Hudson Fire Department and now a member of the FASNY Museum Board of Directors, contacted Gossips to suggest that the hat might not be a military hat but rather a "firematic" hat. He said HFD records show the Lewis S. Moore joined C. H. Evans Hook & Ladder Company, No. 3, on April 10, 1905. That, however, does not explain why the hat has the year 1899 written inside. There is no record that Lewis's father, Charles Moore, was ever a member of the Hudson Fire Department.

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there has been one new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is one more than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that no one in the county has recovered from the virus since yesterday. There is one more county resident in mandatory quarantine today than yesterday, and the number hospitalized with the virus remains the same. No one is in the ICU, and there has not been a death from COVID-19 in Columbia County since May 4.

The New York Forward dashboard is reporting a positivity rate for Columbia County yesterday of 0.0 percent and a seven-day average of 0.3 percent. By comparison, the daily positivity rate for the Capital Region is 0.4 percent and the seven-day average is 0.4 percent.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported one new case of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 423, and the number of active cases was 34. There were 12 county residents hospitalized with the virus, and none was in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 37.

A Multicultural Weekend

Yesterday, President Biden signed the legislation making Juneteenth a national holiday. The day marks the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The law making June 19 a national holiday went into effect immediately.

Here in Hudson, Juneteenth was celebrated for the first time last year, and this year there is a full day of festivities planned to take place at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. Because it is expected to rain tomorrow, June 19, the celebration was postponed until Sunday, June 20. One of the highlights of the day is the Melodious Thunk Jazz Festival, which takes place from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.

 

Coincidentally, this weekend--June 19 and 20--is also I ♥ New York Path Through History Weekend. As part of that observation, the Columbia County Historical Society is introducing a Drive Through History tour that explores how Dutch culture and Mohican culture "lived, interacted and diverged in 17th- and 18th-century New York." The map and itinerary for CCHS's "Dutch & Mohican Heritage" tour can be found here.  

From CCHS collection of historic post cards

OutHudson to Award Scholarships

There may be no Pride Parade this year, but OutHudson, a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ people in Columbia County is continuing its other traditions in recognition of Pride Month. Yesterday, OutHudson announced it is providing five scholarships to support local youth planning to attend college in Fall 2021.

OutHudson Scholarships are for $1,000 annually, and OutHudson is committed to supporting the recipients for up to four years, provided that they maintain a sufficient grade point average. In 2021, OutHudson is awarding two new $1,000 scholarships, continuing the $1,000 scholarship awarded in 2020, and, for the first time, is giving two one-time grants of $500 as honorable mentions. The scholarship and grant recipients are:

Logan Shields

Chatham, Class of 2021

Columbia-Greene Community College

Christy Gearing

Chatham, Class of 2021

University at Albany, SUNY

Olivia Oligny-Leggett

Ichabod Crane, Class of 2020

Dickinson College

Lula Langdon  Honorable Mention

Taconic Hills, Class of 2021

UC Davis

Katy Vanderoef  Honorable Mention

Taconic Hills, Class of 2021

University at Albany, SUNY

John Schobel, OutHudson Director, commented on the increase in awards. "We had an enormous response to our call for scholarship applications and are thrilled, particularly this year, to be able to offer a record number of scholarship opportunities. Supporting the advancement of LGBTQ youth and allies is just part of our mission, but one of the most tangible aspects of the work OutHudson does."

The scholarships will be presented tonight by OutHudson cofounder Rich "Trixie" Volo, at a private event, which will include a reading by author Chavisa Woods from her most recent collection of short stories, Things to Do When You're Goth in the Country. A review of the book on Lambda Literary commented, "I can't think of any other book that captures the essence of America the way this collection does." Booklist called it "Tight, intelligent, important, and sure to secure Woods a seat in the pantheon of critical twenty-first-century voices."

Those interested in attending tonight's event should message OutHudson on Facebook or Instagram or email charlie@outhudson.com.

Today's Water Update

The following information appeared this morning on Mayor Kamal Johnson's Facebook page. 

Water Advisory Update--6/18/21

Since restarting the Water Treatment Plant Wednesday night, the Hudson Water Department has been able to provide the city with necessary water, while simultaneously building our tank volume by 750,000 gallons.

Our finished water tank is now at 1.5 million gallons or 60% of its designed capacity.

Based on current usage, we anticipate that the tank should be at full capacity by Tuesday morning. At this point there is no expectation that Hudson will need to interconnect with Greenport, but we have the plan in place and the equipment on site should that need change.

The poly pig is still lodged in the "T" at our Claverack pump station and excavation of the site is the only solution to extract the pig.

There is a large degree of coordination that will be necessary given the age, depth and constraints of the site. There are also various materials and pipe components that have long lead times for fabrication and/or delivery. Because of these two (2) mitigating factors, we don't expect the extraction to be logistically feasible for a few weeks.

Since water flow is consistent, and our tank volume is steadily building, it is our plan to fill the tank, while we also plan and prepare for the extraction. The extraction must be done efficiently and safely. 

For the next few days, we ask all residents, businesses and guests to use water conscientiously and take proactive measures to manage their consumption.

We discourage using water for:

• Car washing,
• Lawn and/or garden watering,
• Filling pools

Our situation improves significantly with each passing day. We simply request YOUR cooperation for the next few days.

As with past water updates, the boldface is Gossips' addition. 

Water Update

Apparently, the whereabouts of the errant pig is still unknown, but water is now making its way from the reservoir in Churchtown to the water treatment plant here in Hudson. At the request of Gossips, DPW superintendent Rob Perry just provided this update:

Tank is filling and we are almost at 1/2 tank. We built our tank volume by 350,000 gallons since restoring flow to the treatment plant yesterday afternoon.

We have the pump and all necessary fittings to make an interconnection with Greenport if necessary. These are all rented, and we will return them once the tank is full. We also have verbal approval for the emergency interconnection from County & State Department of Health.

We are cautiously optimistic that the tank will be filled to capacity over the next week. But we need the community to resist the temptation to:

• water gardens,
• water lawns,
• fill pools,
• wash cars.

Independently, these actions don't seem like much, but when compounded by hundreds of property owners, this represents a significant strain on our compromised system.

Gossips wants to add one more exhortation: "Tell everyone you know." The number of Hudson residents who don't read the mayor's Facebook page or the Register-Star or The Gossips of Rivertown for that matter is likely very significant. While returning from Fairview Avenue earlier this evening, I noticed evidence that suggested a car had been washed on Carroll Street. The street was wet, and water was running in the gutter. I would wager the person who washed the car knew nothing about Hudson's current water emergency.  

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been six new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is six more than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that there have been no recoveries reported in the past 24 hours. There are sixteen more county residents in mandatory quarantine today than yesterday, but the number hospitalized with the virus remains the same. No one is in the ICU, and there has not been a death from COVID-19 in Columbia County since May 4.

The New York Forward dashboard is reporting a positivity rate for Columbia County yesterday of 0.4 percent and a seven-day average of 0.3 percent. By comparison, the daily positivity rate for the Capital Region is 0.4 percent and the seven-day average is 0.3 percent.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported no new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 422, and the number of active cases was 36. There were 13 county residents hospitalized with the virus, and none was in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 37.

Heaven Help Us Raise the Roof

On Saturday, June 26, Friends of First Presbyterian Church and OutHudson are partnering to host Saints and Sinners Social, an event to celebrate Pride Month and to raise money for a beloved Hudson landmark: the First Presbyterian Church. The church has always been more than a church. For at least a hundred years, it has been a community, cultural, and social center. In addition to having a vibrant congregation, the church currently houses Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood and the local community radio station WGXC. Its preservation needs and deserves the community's help. The church now must have a new roof, and Saints and Sinners Social happening on Saturday, June 26, is meant to raise much needed funds for the project.

From 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, you can enjoy bubbles and nibbles in the sanctuary of the historic church and rub elbows with some divine guests. At 5:00 p.m., there will be a not-to-be-missed presentation by a tantalizing group known as Haus of Peculiar. Those attending are welcomed to come dressed in festive costume, intimating if they be saints or sinners or devil may care.

First Presbyterian Church is located at 369 Warren Street, at the corner of Warren and Fourth. Click here to purchase tickets. All proceeds from the Saints and Sinners Social will go toward the preservation of the church.  

Water Crisis Update

Gossips just received this information from DPW superintendent Rob Perry.

The water department was able to successfully insert and send the "swab" with the intent to push the pig backwards into an open receiving pit. After a few hours, the swab made its way to the open pit at the water plant. The pig did not.

Our options:

• temporary interconnect with Greenport, and
• emergency excavation and removal of the Claverack "blow-off" to retrieve the pig.

We also evaluated the available flow and current status of tank volume. Our tank is at a dangerously low level [of] 835,000 gallons or roughly 1/3 the usual operating capacity.

We know that the pig is still partially in a section of our transmission main and we know this poses a threat to our flow. But for now, we are able to manage raw water flow in excess of 1,000 gpm, and filling the tank is our first priority.

At this rate and considering consumption trends, it will reasonably take a week to reach full capacity.

During the next few weeks, we will evaluate the plan to extricate the pig.

The takeaway here, it seems, is that it is still necessary to conserve water. As before, the boldface is Gossips' addition.

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there has been one new case of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is one fewer than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that two more county residents are now considered to be recovering from the virus. There are four fewer county residents in mandatory quarantine today than yesterday, but one remains hospitalized. No one is in the ICU, and there has not been a death from COVID-19 in Columbia County since May 4.

The New York Forward dashboard is reporting a positivity rate for Columbia County yesterday of 0.0 percent and a seven-day average of 0.2 percent. By comparison, the daily positivity rate for the Capital Region is 0.2 percent and the seven-day average is 0.3 percent.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported no new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 422, and the number of active cases was 39. There were 12 county residents hospitalized with the virus, and none was in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 37.