Author:
Ned Depew
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Date Posted: 12:23:40 01/14/06 Sat
Casey -
The list is available through the Hudson City Web-site: http://cityofhudson.org/content.
Arts, Entertainment and Tourism looks good. I know Carol O and Ellen have both been intrumental in Hudson's biggest "events," Winter Walk and Arts Walk. So they have experience and expertise in at least those areas. They also have links to organizations like TSL, the Opera House, the Hudson River Theater (under previous management), the late lamented Fourth Down, and others with some "e&e" as well. That's what has to happen: the whole City, with all its resources has to be included.
Assessment Board of Review is a legacy from the Scaleranetti era. Kevin Walker probably ought to resign, as he works for one of the City's largest property owners, so it's difficult not seeing him having a conflict of interest. Bartolotta is a real estste professional, and so should bring a lot of knowledge to the job. I'm in the dark about 'Aldo Costacurta." Do you have any idea who this person is, or what expereience qualifies him for this board? I don't.
Board of Plumbers looks OK to me. The only one I know personally is Ihlenberg - and he certainly seems to know his stuff as far a plumbing is concerned. I'm not quite sure what this board does.
Finance Committee seems good to me. Both Judd and O'Brien run their own small businesses and are independently employed - so they have some experience of handling their own business finances - which should be some sort of preparation for the "budget process." And both Quintin and Bob have expereience on this Committee - although without Rick to tell him how to vote, Bob might be somewhat at sea - but I'm sure Scalera will try to keep his hand in by "advising" the Bobster.
Fire Committee seems adequate. I'm kind of sorry we don't have a volunteer fireman (unless Lyle or Bill is one?) on the CC to sit on this committee.
Historic Preservation seems again a bit fraught with potential conflicts of interest, with Hawkins, Swope and Kremer all having financial/professional interests in projects that could be affected by the decisions of the committee. But these people also have some expertise in the field - so it's kind of a split decision.
Apparently the HDCPA is winding down - it only lists two members (of five) and both their appointments expired in December. Franksly, this makes me happy, as this organization (and the IDA and HDC) needs a thorough house-cleaning and reorganization in my opinion.
IDA seems likewise under review....
The Legal Committee looks strong. I know they all have good analytical minds and Rob and Quintin have expereience on the committee. A lot depends on who is the Attorney who advises them.
Planning and Land use looks strong as well - the same good minds as on the Legal Committee! I'm not sure what the purview of this committee is and how it fits with the "Planning Commission." Do you understand the difference and the areas of authority? I know this is a committee of the CC - whereas the Planning Commission is a separate board - but I'm not sure who has decision making authority and function is what areas and who doesn't. Do you know more about this?
The Planning Commission is another Scaleranetti Legacy - with some very responsible appointees like Bob Lucke and Peter Jung, and others (who don't need to be named) whose entire qualification may have been that they are Scaleranetti Cronies.
Judging by their most recent decisions and the lack of deliberation involved - as well as the limiting of public comment in spite of new elements being introduced in the projects they were considering - I'd have to say that it looks, sadly, like the majority is doing the "business as ususal" of the Scalera regime - approving things without bothering to study them, for "reasons of their own."
I think the make-up of the Police Committee is good. A wide spectrum of the community is represented, and Hughes, Hancock-Snead and Cross all have expereience on this Committee, I believe.
It will be interesting to see what happens in Public Works. I expect Bob and Dick to continue to argue for rubber-stamping whatever Charlie asks for, but what the others will do - with limited expertise of their own in Public Works - is an unknown.
Hopefully they'll get some of the local independent contractors who really know the City systems - Myers Brothers, S.T. Hudson and Byron Parker leap to mind - involved and use their input well - not just "take Charlie's word for it." But this will be partly Commissioner O'Hara's responsibility as well.
Youth and Aging seems adequate - but I'd like to see Quintin on it, since we have lots of representation from the point of view of "aging" - but little from that of "youth." (This is an only-semi-serious smart-alec remark !-) apologies in advance to Norah, Ellen and Bill.)
The ZBA is another "Legacy" - loaded with Scalera Cronies (what other "qualifications" does Mary Ellen - for instance - have?) and people like Gail Walker - who like her husband may have conflicts of interests when it comes to the evaluation of projects proposed by the largest single private property owner in the City - who also happens to write her husband's paychecks.
With its long terms of appointment, this Board may prove problematic for years - but its powers are limited, so how much of an obstacle to progress - or expedience for insider deals - it can be remains to be seen.
As I said, I like the Police and Fire Commissioner choices, and I think Mike O'Hara will do a good job. He's independent-minded, expereienced and capable.
So, in general, I'm happy with the changes - but I would be. I've been agitating for change since the mid 90s.
My only problems are with the leftovers from years of bad, crony-intense government. But whether they'll be able to damage the efforts of our forward-looking newly-elected officials remains to be seen. I hope not, and I plan to work to support the Hudson Democrats to carry out a platform of real substantive change to benefit the City of Hudson. I hope you will too.
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