Hudson Democrats Endorse Kirsten Gillibrand and Didi Barrett

HUDSON DEMOCRATS ENDORSE 

KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND 
FOR US SENATE AND 

DIDI BARRETT 
FOR NYS SENATE

The Hudson City Democratic Committee, at its monthly meeting held March 9th 2010 has unanimously endorsed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in her first election for United State Senator.  Ms. Gillibrand was appointed to the seat by Governor David Paterson last year, to fill the vacancy resulting from Hillary Clinton's appointment as Secretary of State.

Hudson Democrats Chairman, Victor Mendolia said:
"Senator Gillibrand has quickly become a leading, progressive voice, fighting for New York in the Senate.  The fact that she has become such a major force, while an appointed freshman Senator, is remarkable; that she lives here in Columbia County is a also great source of pride for us. The committee has unanimously voted to endorse Senator Gillibrand, and we look forward to working actively and forcefully for her election this Fall." 
 

The committee also unanimously endorsed Dutchess County resident Didi Barrett for New York State Senate (41st SD). Ms. Barrett is a longtime advocate for women and girls and was the founding chair of Girls Incorporated and founder of the New York Women's Foundation. She has also been active in an array of non-profit arts organizations including the American Folk Art Museum, Half Moon Theater and others. In the political word, she has served on the finance committee for both Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign committees.

Chairman Mendolia continued:
"People are disgusted with gridlock in state government. Senator Saland with his thirty years in office, is part of that problem.  We need a fresh voice, without the political baggage, to help break the cycle of pay-to-play in the State Senate.  Didi is not a career politician, she is running because she wants to change Albany. The Hudson City Democratic Committee is proud to have unanimously endorsed her and we look forward to helping her win in November."

Visit Senator Gillibrand's website at kirstengillibrand.com
Visit Didi Barrett's website at didiforsenate.com 

Underpayments to Democrats and No-Show Job for Republican Exposed

The Hudson City Democratic Committee has uncovered documents that expose a pattern of underpayments to Democratic election custodians in the City of Hudson.  

The first instance of the underpayments has been traced to Geeta Cheddie, former Deputy Commissioner at the Board of Elections (BOE) and current 1st Ward Alderman.  Cheddie has admitted to the payment differential but claims that the difference in pay was due to difference in duties between the Republican and Democratic custodians.  There is no basis in fact for this explanation.

After Cheddie was terminated, the underpayments to the Democrats were continued, seemingly with the knowledge of at least some of the Republican BOE staff, until their discovery.


In addition, the committee has uncovered an improper payment to former Republican Deputy Election Commissioner, Michael Nabozny.

A voucher indicates that Nabozny was originally to be paid $150 to be the Republican Party Representative for the 2009 General Election. That is 3 times the amount that the Democratic Party Representative was paid. After the discrepancy was discovered the payment voucher was altered to indicate that he was being paid to be Republican Custodian.  However, the regular Republican Custodian was already paid the proper $300. Those present and working on election day do not recall Nabozny performing the duties for either position on election day. In fact the voucher was signed (attesting that the work had been performed) before the election had even taken place.

The payment voucher is fraught with cross-outs and white-outs. In addition, the voucher was not actually signed by the Republican Commissioner, Don Kline, but rather a subordinate who signed his name.  The voucher should have been co-signed by Democratic Commissioner, Virginia Martin, but the voucher was instead signed by former Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Baer, overruling the newly instituted policy requiring both Commissioner signatures. To date there has been no explanation as to why Chairman Baer would have signed the document, which in effect circumvented the checks and balances that bi-partisan approvals create. It also remains unclear whether he had the legal authority to do so. To date there has been no comment from current Chairman Roy Brown.

Sam Pratt has done an exemplary job of explaining the details of the issue. 
You can read it at: SamPratt.com and an update here.
Also see "Unequal Pay Rates Cause Stir" in Register-Star

Hudson Democrats Urge Look at New Form of Government

Hudson Democrats 

make call

to explore the possibility of 

changing form of government.

At the February monthly of the Hudson City Democratic Committee, a vote was taken on a resolution which requests the Columbia County Board of Supervisors to begin exploring the possibility of changing Columbia County's form of government by charter.

There are two ways to change the structure of a county government. One is for the Board of Supervisors to propose a change and then put it to the voters in a referendum.  The other way is by direct petition. If citizens collect signatures equal to 5% of the number of Columbia County voters who voted in the last gubernatorial election, a measure could be placed on the ballot with or without approval by the Board of Supervisors.

The Hudson City Democratic Committee supports an open and bipartisan discussion, weighing the pros and cons of our current form of government. The committee also supports exploring a number of other governmental structures which might serve the citizens of Columbia County better. 

Following is the full resolution:

Whereas, the Hudson City Democratic Committee desires a county government which is responsible, accountable and representative in equal proportions and;

Whereas, currently the Chair of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors is not selected by popular vote of all the voters of Columbia County and;

Whereas, the duties and responsibilities of Town Supervisors have increased to such an extent that having Town Supervisors also serve as their town's representatives to the county government no longer makes practical sense and;

Whereas, Columbia County's current system of government has been rejected by the overwhelming number of counties in New York State and;

Whereas, we believe that a county legislature with an elected county executive would increase the efficiency and accountability of the executive functions of county government and;

Whereas, we believe an elected county legislature would increase the focus on county issues in local elections and provide better long-term planning for the future of Columbia County;

Be it therefore resolved, that the Hudson City Democratic Committee calls on the Columbia County Board of Supervisors to immediately begin the process of exploring options to reform Columbia County's form of government by charter.

The committee further recommends that a County Legislature with representatives elected from districts of equal population along with a County Executive elected by voters county-wide be one of the options studied for this new form of government.


Passed unanimously by the Hudson City Democratic Committee

Read More in Register-Star and The Gossips of Rivertown

New Members Join Committee

The Hudson City Democratic Committee is proud to welcome Kari Rieser and to welcome back Eileen Halloran as committee members.  Ms. Rieser who is a resident of the 3rd Ward and works in the 4th Ward will be the new 4th Ward committee member.  Ms. Halloran who is also Hudson City Treasurer will return to the 5th ward 2nd District seat she had previously held.  With the filling of these two vacancies the committee now has members filling every position.

We would like to thank both members for putting themselves forward for these important positions and for their service to the Democratic Party and the citizens of Hudson.

Get More Involved in the Process

Ever wanted to get more involved in Democratic politics?

Now is your chance.

The Hudson City Democratic Committee has two vacancies.

One of the vacant seats is representing Hudson's 4th Ward, and the other is representing the 5th Ward-2nd District. You do not necessarily have to reside in those districts but preference may be given to those who do.


A seat on the Hudson City Democratic Committee also conveys with it, a seat on the Columbia County Democratic Committee. Both the Hudson Committee and the County Committee each meet once a month in Hudson.

Requirements: You must be an enrolled Democrat and live in the City of Hudson.
No special knowledge of government or politics required. Just a desire to help build a stronger, more vibrant and more inclusive Democratic Party. Young people are particularly encouraged to apply

Duties: carry ballot petitions for candidates, help fundraise, attend at least 2 meetings per month and contribute your ideas energy and convictions to the discussion.

Please address letters of interest to hudsoncitydemocrats@gmail.com

Public Hearing on Waterfront Plan

 
Waterfront
Plan

Public
Hearing

This coming Wednesday, The Hudson Common Council will hold a public hearing on the Draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS).

On December 15th 2009, the Hudson Common Council passed a resolution accepting the Drafts. See previous report. This set in motion the next round in the process, the public comment phase.

The public hearing will take place:
Wednesday, January 20th at 7:00pm
at John L. Edwards School
360 State Street Hudson

NOTE!

There will be a discussion group with waterfront walk to review the LWRP and GEIS in advance of next Wednesday's public hearing.

on Sunday, January 17, 2pm

at Strongtree Coffee Bar

60 South Front Street (opposite the train station)

Read the LWRP and GEIS
You can download the Draft LWRP here.
You can download the Draft GEIS here.
Read more:
Scenic Hudson's Waterfront Planning Principles