Superior To Whom?

This morning I noticed an unfamiliar name on a garbage truck doing its work on South 7th Street.  I also noticed that the operator of the truck was emptying trash and recycling receptacles with the Superior Waste logo on them into the same hopper of the truck. So I asked the garbage man if Superior Waste had changed its name to Oak Ridge Waste and Recycling.

What Price Crosswalks?

About 4 or 5 years ago at a Common Council meeting, I listened as 3rd ward alderman Shershah Mizan pleaded with DPW Superintendent Robert Perry to install crosswalks on the pavement at the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Rossman Street.  Shershah claimed that the crosswalks were needed for children who are picked up and dropped off by a school bus at the intersection along the speedy and busy Prospect Avenue hill.  Mr. Perry was not interested.   Shersah asked Perry how much it would cost for the intersection to have crosswalks across Prospect.  Mr. Perry responded, "Close to five thousand dollars."  (I kid you not, he actually said this!).   As it turns out, if you can believe it, Mr. Perry wasn't too far off. 

Nice Work If You Can Get It!

The Albany Times Union newspaper ran an article on May 7th regarding an officer in our Hudson Police Department by the name of Jacob Hoffman.  Written by Roger Gilson and Emilie Munson, it is titled Hudson Police Officer Investigated Four Times In Five Years.  Taken together, the officer's misdeeds are astounding.  More astounding is the fact that Hoffman is still a paid Hudson cop, though an inactive one.  I will offer some quotes from the article.

What is Going On With The Pocketbook Factory Project?

There seems to be no change at the Pocketbook Factory since I last reported on the lack of progress there about 6 weeks ago.  Work on the building on N. 6th Street seems to still be on hold.  The large crew that was there regularly earlier this year is long gone, and there has been no activity there in weeks.  Gates were locked late this morning, with no cars in the contractor's headquarters on Washington Street.

City Property. City Sidewalk. City Don't Care!

 

No Excuse!

Tall grass along a popular trail,
impossible not to brush
up against

If I were to write a book about ticks and the diseases they spread, I would include the picture to the left in the chapter titled Common Habitats of Ticks.  The caption to the picture would read: Ticks commonly occur on tall grasses such as these, waiting patiently in the questing position for a deer, dog or human to latch on to.  (Picture courtesy of a walking trail in Oakwood Lake Park, Hudson, NY, @ May 2023).  

Blocked Sidewalk Absurdity Of The Week

 

How many more months will this
 barrel remain blocking the sidewalk...

Is This How They're Taught To Park In Jersey?

 

A parking enforcer issued a $10 Improper Parking
ticket and a $10 Meter Violation ticket

You can deliberately park on the wrong side of the street in Hudson (including Warren Street on a busy Saturday) and, if caught, receive just a ten dollar ticket.  

There's no way the driver of this vehicle didn't know they were parking on the wrong side of the street.  They likely just got fed up looking for a space on the correct side of the street.

I Think I Witnessed An Incident Of Court Rage, Just As I Predicted!

On Tuesday, Judge Connor's scheduled 9:00 am court session began at 9:20 to a relatively small crowd of defendants, maybe 10 in total.

Does DPW Superintendent Robert Perry Find This Acceptable? Does He Even Care?

It used to be that if anyone wanted to ride their bicycle on the upper portion of Promenade Park, they had to dismount and carry their bicycle up the stairs or walk their bicycle along a short and bumpy trail to the park located on the other side of the Chamber of Commerce building parking lot.  Neither of them was an easy option, but it did not deter certain riders, including a few regulars on electric bikes (yuk!) often seen riding in the park.  After the recent improvements to the park's entrance, including a much needed pedestrian ramp to get to the top, riding a bicycle anywhere in the park is now a breeze, and apparently an acceptable activity.

Quick! Fix The Street For The Cars And Trucks! Don't Worry About The Carless Fools!

For several weeks last year (or, possibly, the year before), the sidewalk in front of 523 State Street was blocked, forcing pedestrians into the street.  There was never anyone working on the vacant house and no one at City Hall seemed to care.  The same nonsense is going on right now in my neighborhood once again, displaying a disgraceful disregard for pedestrians and the disabled.  We live in an automobile-centric world, where pedestrians are often, at best, an afterthought.  This is especially true in Hudson in general and in Hudson City Hall specifically.  Just ask the Federal Department of Justice. 

Unfounded Claims of "Personal Privacy," Alive And Well at HPD

It's likely old news to most readers that the City of Hudson Police Department has a long history of corruption, abuse, and shenanigans dating back over a hundred years.

They're Still Here! At Just $1,900 A Day!

GPRS listening to a fire hydrant on the
500 block of State Street in April

Almost 3 months ago, I reported on a company from Toledo, Ohio by the name of GPRS that was doing work for Hudson DPW in the form of leak detection of our underground fire hydrant pipes.  Titled Why Ohio? Why Not California?, from February 28th, it is the second most widely read article Hudseen has published, and it is time to revisit the issue. 

Another Reckless Driver (Or Two). 2 More Cars Totaled.

There was a terrific two-car crash near the intersection of 1st and Columbia today at about 5:00 that drew lots of spectators, as well as 3 fire engines (including one from Greenport), 2 HPD cruisers, a Greenport Rescue vehicle and several other emergency vehicles.  There was no fire of any sort, just two bashed up vehicles that were certainly totaled.

The Downtown Beautification Policy at Robert Perry's DPW

The cheaper, preferred method 

Last Friday I was directed by a DPW Water Department employee (yes, there is a Water Department within the Public Works Department!) to another employee by the name of Nate who was doing some pavement painting at the corner of State and 2nd Streets.  I asked Nate what his department's policy was regarding covering out of service fire hydrants with plastic bags as opposed to using simple and permanent "out of service" tags.

It Happened In Hudson City Court -- "In The Interest Of Justice!"

One of the most puzzling things to me about Hudson City Court proceedings (and there are a few!) is that there is no such thing as traffic court day -- that is, one day of the week or month where traffic violations, and nothing else, are handled.  As it is, showing up to court to get a simple traffic violation taken care of might find you waiting and watching all sorts of other court cases.  On rare occasions, there can be drama and amusement while one waits one's turn to face the judge, as was the case last Wednesday in Judge Connor's court.

The Maker, Making Things As Pretty AND As Difficult As Possible For Pedestrians

 

I counted 14 large metal planters along the sidewalk in front of the Maker's property, including near their gym.  At least two of them make the already narrow sidewalk/public right of way narrower.

What Is Robert Perry Concerned About If Not This?

Today I counted 74 plastic bottles and aluminum cans floating inside the storm drain in the northwest corner of the City Hall Municipal Parking Lot.  Of course, there's all sorts of other trash in there, too, and that may be just in the top layer.  This does not seem to be a concern for our DPW Superintendent Robert Perry.

If No One At City Hall Is Paying Attention, They Aren't So Much Accidents As They Are Inevitabilities

At about 11:00 this morning, there was another 2-car accident at the intersection of 4th and Columbia.  Have you already guessed that someone ran a red light?  Well, you wouldn't be too far off. 

Why Does DPW Even Bother Mowing This Huge, Unused Lawn?

We'd all be better off if we'd let 
nature take it back

How much money, how much time,
how much gasoline, how much carbon
 and particulate matter into the air?  For what?

 

Waiting For The Improvements

As part of the improvements to the Stewart's intersection, a new horizontal traffic light pole was installed a few weeks ago, and it awaits lights.  In the meantime, thanks to the new pole, from about 100 feet away it is impossible to see the red light as one approaches one of the city's most nerve-wracking and accident-prone intersections.  In fact, one sees no lights of any kind at a certain distance, as shown in the picture.  I believe there used to be 2 traffic lights for traffic headed in this direction.  Now, at least temporarily, there is just one.  

This is a truly slow work in progress.

There are now 4 pedestrian crossing signals installed in the ground waiting to be activated.  When this project is completed, signals and other improvements notwithstanding, it's still going to be a frightful crossing area for pedestrians.

How Low Can We Go?

Downtown Hudson, NY in 2023

Chapter 244-25 of the Hudson City Code covers the content of signs.  The last sentence in that section states that "It shall be unlawful for any person to display upon any sign or advertising structure obscene, indecent or immoral matter."  If the Green Street Deli's cigarette signs aren't obscene and indecent, I don't know what is.  Does Craig Haigh decide what content on signs may be immoral, indecent or obscene?  

Even the drive-thru cigarette shack on Fairview Avenue in Greenport doesn't have this amount of obscene cigarette advertising out front for all to see.

Will This New Ginko Tree Be A Benefit To Pedestrians?

Are The Hudson Police Chief and Commissioner Merely Figureheads? Still?

According to old articles found online, former Hudson Mayor William Hallenbeck referred to both Police Chief Ed Moore and Police Commissioner Gary Graziano as "figureheads" during a mayoral debate in October of 2015.  Hallenbeck was not reelected; Ed Moore stuck around for 7 more years; and there have been 2 police commissioners since Graziano stepped aside after an embarrassing comment and disagreement with Mayor Hamilton a year later.

How I Will Remember Police Chief Ed Moore's Tenure

In homage to our departing Police Chief, I would like to share a personal story about the Hudson Police Department that I will always associate with Ed Moore, the person supposedly in charge of HPD officers (at least until tomorrow).  It's a story that typifies how unprofessional some HPD officers could be during Ed's tenure.

Property Of The Month (Part II)

Vacant, dangerous and unsafe.  For how
much longer?

Following up on my March 1st article, titled Property of the Month (Part I), we will move one block east, to the 300 block of State Street, to have a look at another ugly and concerning vacant house that is difficult to miss.  

Do You Think Robert Perry Cares? [with update]

A paving contractor from Troy known as Bob Talham, Inc. (BTI) recently dug up at least two large portions of sidewalks in town.  Last Friday I asked the DPW clerk if anyone had been issued permits to rip out and block the 2 sidewalks, and if she had even heard of the company BTI.  The answers were no and no.

Robert Perry Spent $1,360 For What Purpose?

As I wrote about in the April 21st Hudseen article titled The Other DPW Fiasco Continues, Hudson DPW had no choice but to buy stones for the heavy machinery they needed to use to get at the pipe buried by the mudslide of a portion of the fill and debris dumped in the Washington Street lot last year.  Stones are not cheap. 

Robert Perry's Problem Is Our Problem, Too

Since I am naturally drawn to all bodies of water -- lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, marshes (love me a marsh!) -- I have been curious for several years about the stream that runs along the parking lot of Oakdale Park feeding Underwood Pond and, ultimately, our Hudson River.  The only water feeding that stream used to come from the large pipe, known specifically as Outfall Pipe #6, which funnels water from near the County DSS building located to the east of the park.

How Many Registered Short-Term Rentals Are There In Hudson?

A few years ago, at an Informal Common Council meeting, I asked City Treasurer Heather Campbell why there was no list of the registered short-term rentals (STRs, made up primarily of hotels and AirBnB's) on the Treasurer's website.  Considering the proliferation of STR's at the time, as well as the issue of AirBnB's skirting Hudson's STR laws, a list available to the public online seemed like a logical thing to have, so I asked Heather if she thought a list on her webpage would be a good idea.  She replied that if any Hudson resident wanted to know if a property was a registered STR, they could call her office to get an answer.  I decided not to push my point. 

Shake Your Moneymaker

 

Who Thought That Anyone Would Actually Want To Read This?

Who at Hudson City Hall 
approved this?

Even The Trucks Making Deliveries Are A Problem

Never should have been on Warren
in the first place

This tractor trailer attempted to turn on to 3rd from Warren late this morning, but gave up after a few back and forths.  The driver then proceeded slowly up Warren with hazard lights flashing.  Then he turned on to Park Place, turned left on to Columbia and, now out of my sight, likely followed the truck route west and south out of town, finally getting through the intersection of 3rd and Warren properly.

When Will CSX Return To Make Things Look Decent In The Park?

CSX finish replacing tracks and asphalt on S. 7th Street, as well as replacing tracks between the park and N. 7th Street, in October of last year. They haven't been back since. 

This Chestnut Tree On N. 6th Might Be The Prettiest In Town

 Is there a prettier, grander tree in bloom than this chestnut on N. 6th?

The Washington Street Lot Fia$co Continues -- The Fun Begin$

That's Robert Perry on the left, leading a tour of
 the mess he created for the engineering
 firm he was forced to hire by the NYSDEC

DPW Superintendent Robert Perry was seen this morning in the Washington Street lot with two employees of the land engineering firm Delaware Engineering of Albany.  In case you haven't read any of my articles on the subject of the mudslide and ensuing work DPW has had to do in the lot, the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation is forcing Mr. Perry to clean up the mess he created in the nearby stream and wetland by allowing far too much dumping of fill and debris in the lot last year. 

High Times At Hudson City Hall

 

Opportunities Careers or
 Career Opportunities?

Pictures Not Seen On The City's Website

I wonder if 2nd ward alderman Mohammed Rony,
who lives across the street, gives a hoot about this

Sidewalk Trees Wanted, Dead or Alive

There appears to be a new sidewalk tree on the way in front of a house on the 200 block of Union Street which will accompany a dead tree and a patch of missing sidewalk full of grass.  How many trees is one property allowed to attempt before they are denied another tree?

What You May Have Missed At Last Night's Common Council Meeting

This way to the exit?

I feel somewhat special knowing that Ed Moore informed me about his impending retirement at least three weeks before he "gave notice" on April 24th of his intent to retire on May 19th.   I believe Hudseen was the first to mention the subject, even if it was in the form of a question.

Does Our Police Chief Offer A Complete And Accurate Report?

At an Informal Common Council Meeting last October or November, Police Chief Ed Moore cited data regarding drunk drivers in the City of Hudson.  He claimed that 3 drivers had been found to be driving while impaired during the previous month, chalking this low number up to his department's efforts to curb drunk driving in the city (how they do this, I do not know).  The impression Moore was trying to convey, at least in my mind, was that drunk driving in the city is not a big problem, and that HPD has it under control.

When Sidewalk Trees Are An Unwelcome Annoyance

Many new sidewalk trees will be installed this year, as evidenced by spray-painted white boxes that have recently appeared on our sidewalks.  The Conservation Advisory Council takes requests for the trees, and, if approved, someone (the CAC? DPW?) spray paints a box on the sidewalk where the sidewalk is to be removed and a tree planted.  Residents can request exactly where on their sidewalk they would like the tree to be placed, but if there are overhead wires or other issues, then the CAC (or DPW?) decides where the tree will instead be installed.

Dandelions, What Dandelions? Grass, What Grass? Weeds, What Weeds?

Website picture of the Armory

Our friends at Galvan are really proud of their old building at 5th and State, which they display prominently on their website and refer to as the "Galvan Armory."  It houses the Hudson Area Library and a few other essential city services, and it is an attractive structure.  Considering the number of people who walk in and out of that building on a daily basis, you'd think the people at Galvan would care enough to have mowed the goddam lawns in front by now.  

Exhibit A: The Direct Result of Dysfunction And Lack Of Accountability in Hudson City Hall

Last night there was yet another auto accident at the intersection of Columbia and N. 6th Streets.  I did not witness the accident, but the results were still strewn all over the street this morning.  A nearby resident who heard the accident and saw the aftermath told me that a pickup truck and a car met in the middle of the intersection, like so many times before.  Yes, someone likely ran a red light again at this busy intersection along our truck route.  (One of the vehicles may have been going the wrong direction on 6th, according to my neighbor)

Galvan Runs A Nursing Home On State Street?

Here is one of Galvan's lovelier properties, 313 State Street.  It was recently assessed for $210,000, and because they claim to be using it for tax-exempt purposes, Galvan does not pay a penny in taxes on it.  Technically, 313 State is owned by Galvan Asset Management, Inc., one of Galvan's subsidiaries, if you will.  They have owned the 2-family building since 1999, according to public records.

Today's (and Probably Tomorrow's) Sidewalk Challenge