In The Year 2525, If Hudson Is Still Alive!

Four or five years ago, while attending a meeting of the Columbia County Public Works Committee at 401 State, I asked Chairman Ron Knott when the county was going to replace the long stretch of longtime dangerous sidewalk in front of the county building at 610 State Street, a so-called pedestrian walkway that my neighbors and I are all too familiar with.  While I didn't laugh at Ron's response at the time (it was more of a groan), in retrospect it's comical (and SAD) to consider what he said well before the acronym SID came into existence.  In essence, Ron told me and the committee members in attendance, "We understand that the City of Hudson is going to be replacing all the sidewalks in town, so it isn't our plan to replace that sidewalk." Ron didn't say the sidewalk was damaged, dangerous or in need of replacement (nor did I ask if he felt it was), but his answer sure implied he felt that way, didn't it? 

Hudson Just Might Be, Hands Down, The Most Poorly Managed City In America!

 

A few months ago, while out for a walk, I was able to talk to a Washington Street neighbor who had grown up in Hudson, having attended Hudson High School in the 1980's.  After telling me stories about what kids did for fun around here in the 80's ("driving up and down Warren Street among all the vacant buildings..."), the conversation became all about the parking mess surrounding the Pocketbook Hotel and business complex.  One of the last things my neighbor said to me was, "For as long as I can remember, parking in Hudson has been a problem."  It still is, but it doesn't need to be.  And, unless we start over, parking likely always will be "a problem."  Even on Warren Street.  

The following is further evidence to be added to the file titled, "Parking is Great As Long As Parking Captain David Miller Says It Is."

It's Just A Matter Of When, Not If, Isn't It? And What Will The Price Be? So Many QUESTIONS!

Six or seven days ago, when I first noticed the new stop sign for westbound traffic on Warren at Park Place, I guessed that it was 8 feet from the curb.  A measurement the following day proved I was exactly right.  I also figured that by the weekend the new sign would be damaged or just knocked over altogether with the new signpost.  I was wrong, so I gave it another week.  

Here Are The Facts and Pictures. You Be The Judge.

 

Here are a few recent historical facts.

On at least two occasions in the past 12 years, a common council member has made a request of DPW Superintendent Rob Perry concerning on-street parking that has nothing to do with overnight parking.  It's been a few years since I've heard a reprise of that request, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear it again soon, and for it to go nowhere at all once again. (It's one thing we can count on from the Hudson Common Council.  Members come and go, and the same old issues are brought up and shot down -- primarily by Rob Perry -- every few years.

I Had To Laugh! Twice! (With An Important PSA!)

Yesterday, two days after HUDseen's article about the unregistered, uninspected, unticketed yellow car with the nearly deflated rear tire that had been parked unmoved on North 6th Street at Prospect for at least 6 weeks, the adorable car was gone.  It was nowhere in sight; not even a trace remained.  It had moved on, either on its own or with help from a tow truck. That was my first laugh. (I would pay $20 to know who at HPD was involved in getting the yellow car removed, how much time they spent on the task, and, perhaps most important, how often they are sure to read HUDseen!*)

Who or What Is Broken At City Hall? Is Hudson's Demise Right Around The Corner? (A Pictorial Of Decay and Neglect)

More pictures below 

In Case It Hasn't Hit You On The Head Yet, There's Something You Should Know About 333 1/2 State Street!

 

If you happen to get slapped on any part of your body, including your head, by a branch attached to the sidewalk tree in front of 333 1/2 State Street, you should know two things.  First, you aren't the only one to be treated with such disregard by the homeowner.  Second, that unmaintained sidewalk tree that got in your and so many other people's way stands directly in front of 4th ward council member Rich Volo's house.  That annoyance and code violation sidewalk tree is Rich Volo's tree.