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County plans to “donate” 33 acres to Ginsberg’s, in addition to other giveaways

2014-05-14T23:46:44-04:00

The February 14th, 2014 minutes of the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency reveal that the County intends to make a “land donation” of approximately 33 acres to Ginsberg’s Foods.

Former Claverack Planning Board member (and Churchtown firefighter) Nathan Chess dropped that bombshell research at tonight’s joint meeting with the Ghent and Claverack planners, as part of a a scheduled public hearing.

The gift presumably is dependent upon approval of the company’s application for a new 300,000 refrigerated warehouse, office space and trucking center on Route 66, just north of the intersection with 9H on the Ghent/Claverack line.

The IDA minutes found by Chess state that the County’s Economic Development Council (CEDC) “continued to negotiate with Ginsberg’s about the land contract.” The 2014 head of CEDC is David Crawford, the principal of Crawford Engineering—the same firm which is spearheading Ginsberg’s application before the two Planning Boards. David Ginsberg himself was listed as a member of CEDC as recently as its September 2013 meeting.

Mr. Chess further noted that the company appears to be operating under two names, G. Best Realty and Ginsberg’s Institutional Foods, per a letter from County economic development czar Kenneth Flood authorizing the company to pursue an application for a project on County-owned land. Mr. Ginsberg was in charge of the candidate search which eventually hired Flood, according to sources familiar with the hiring process.

Sardonically referring to himself as “an investor” in Ginsberg’s—as a County taxpayer—Chess further noted that the IDA’s December 3rd, 2013 minutes discussed giving the company a $30,000 “mortgage tax exemption” in relation to its Payment In Lieu of Tax (PILOT) deal for its existing, smaller facility further west on 66.

In addition to the apparent land donation and mortgage tax exemption, New York State has agreed to provide Ginsberg’s with roughly $1 million in tax credits, and over $500,000 in community block grants to fund the expansion.

The public hearing was marked by an unusual number of interruptions and admonishments of public commenters by Ghent Planning Board chair Jonathan Walters, (who serves as an editor and writer at Governing magazine). Walters warned those wishing to speak not to repeat others’ comments, and made numerous interjections during various attempts by citizens to enter questions and comments into the record.

Resident Donna Davey was among those cut off by Walters, when she attempted to express concerns about “sprawl.” During the remarks of others, such as Mr. Chess, the hearing officer made eye and hand gestures indicating he wanted the speaker to hurry up or abandon certain lines of argument.

By contrast, officials such as Columbia County Chamber head David Colby and former Claverack Supervisor Jim Keegan, along with employees of Ginsberg’s who spoke in favor of the application, were allowed to speak uninterrupted. A supportive letter from County Supervisors chair Pat Grattan was read aloud by Brandee Nelson of Crawford Engineering, again without interruption.

Meanwhile, concerned neighbor Tom Runyon was lectured to “read the application” before the next time he offered comments, even though Runyon’s softspoken questions reflected an obvious familiarity with key details of the application.

Runyon pointed out that the two Boards had proceeded with a public hearing despite not having voted to deem the Ginsberg’s application complete, a normal procedural hurdle. Joint attorney for the two boards, Jeffrey S. Baker, argued that the application was “substantially” complete, conceding that some environmental formalities remained to be formally adopted.

Walters appeared impatient with what he characterized as Runyon’s “procedural” comments, and urged him to focus instead on the meat of the application. But Runyon was again shot down when he quizzed the Boards and their joint attorney about such particulars. He noted, for example, that the application was for a “warehouse,” but also included other components such as an 85-bay trucking operation. Board members and Ginsberg’s reps claimed that the trucking component was for “repairs,” though other discussion clearly indicated that the trucks would be loading food in and out of the facility.

Runyon’s concern about emissions from the 85-odd vehicles running “all night” appeared to be deemed more germane by several on the two Boards.

Runyon, along with Ghent resident Patti Matheney and others further managed to tease out information that the water tower proposal for the property was a “County project,” which apparently would be paid for by the County, not Ginsberg’s. Though the proposed water tower was a frequent topic of discussion at the meeting, it does not appear to be mentioned in the public notice for the project.

The often hostile back-and-forths with audience members struck this observer as highly unusual, given that Planning Boards serve in a “quasi-judicial” capacity—with an obligation to not render an opinion until all input, including public comment, is received.

At dozens of similar hearings attended over the years, this attendee has seen members of a diverse set of municipalities and agencies take input on a wide variety of topics, without attempting to divert or derail the commenter’s line of thought. Members typically do not interact with commenters during a formal public hearing, of which a transcript is supposed to be made, answering only the simplest procedural and factual questions when these can be addressed succinctly and without tainting the proceedings with any appearance of bias.

Issues and other comments raised by commenters are more usually addressed later in a reply document, which sorts out new substantive issues from those already addressed in the course of the review, and setting aside those not germane to the process. Such reticence helps preserve the appearance of a Board not rendering objective judgements free of premature, arbitrary or capricious decisions.

BREAKING: Hudson Aldermen reveal new ‘super powers’

2013-02-13T10:33:19-05:00

Council members gain ability to see 50 years into future
Discovery of Ricktonite expected to revolutionize local politics

HUDSON, N.Y. — In a bombshell revelation, the City of Hudson Common Council announced on Wednesday that its members have attained full-fledged super powers.

“All but two of our Aldermen recently gained the ability to see far into the future,” said Council President Donald Moore at a press conference held at the offices of A. Colarusso & Sons, Inc., just across the line in Greenport.

“This newly-acquired super-vision allows the Council to see as much as fifty years ahead with absolute, perfect accuracy,” Moore added.

The hastily-convened press conference came on the heels of the Council’s 10-to-1 vote to prevent future elected officials from changing Hudson’s Waterfront zoning in any way, or using eminent domain at that location, for the next fifty years.

“Fifty years ago, many thing were different than today,” 5th Ward Alderman and Taghkanic resident Carmine Pierro reminisced, pushing Moore from the podium and speaking from typewritten notes.

“Cable television, email, and the world wide web did not exist. There was no such thing as Medicare or Medicaid. Roe vs. Wade had not yet protected a woman’s right to choose. There were still segregated restaurants and funeral homes. American car companies dominated the global auto market. And the cement industry, God bless it, dominated our local economy.

“But we now understand that things aren’t going to continue changing,” Pierro added. “Hudson history has come to a standstill. With our new ability to see fifty years ahead, we are 100% certain that the City will be just the same in 2063 as it is today in 2013.

“Therefore, we predict that Hudson’s waterfront needs and vision will not change whatsoever over the next five decades. Even though a few malcontents say that LWRPs are supposed to be living, breathing, adaptable documents, we can say with absolute confidence that the current plan won’t need any changes for well beyond our lifetimes.

“We also are confident that no future Aldermen will ever think differently than we do,” concluded Pierro.

The Council’s new super powers of foresight were acquired, 3rd Ward Alderman John Friedman Esq. explained, thanks to the discovery by Paul Colarusso of a powerful metallic substance in the City’s former backup water supply off Newman Road, at the bottom of a soon-to-be-revived quarry.

“I’m a lawyer, not a scientist. But from what I understand it’s sort of like Kryptonite,” explained the ponytailed Friedman, whose crisp seersucker suit featured an American Flag lapel pin. “Exposure to this special magnetic metal, which may have arrived on a meteorite that splashed into the quarry eons ago, conveys astonishing powers of soothsaying.”

“We're thinking of naming it Ricktonite!,” Moore burst in, breathlessly adding that “City Attorney Cheryl Roberts also has super powers, but she got them from being bitten by a radioactive spider while campaigning for Assembly in Spencertown.”

“If only the Council had these powers back in the days of Urban Renewal,” lamented 1st Ward Alderman Nicholas Haddad. “We might never have built Bliss Towers, the Terrace Apartments, the low-rise, or bulldozed so many historic buildings. Imagine what Bill Loewenstein could have achieved if he’d only had a dose of Ricktonite!” Later attempts by reporters to determine whether Haddad was being facetious were unsuccessful, as he had stepped out for a smoke.

The Council took on its new super powers during a top-secret midnight visit to the former backup reservoir. During the hush-hush gathering, which was not publicly-noticed, members cannonballed off a craggy quarry cliff known to teenaged trespassers for generations as “Frankenstein.” Reaching the bottom of the frigid waters, each Alderman grabbed for a handful of Ricktonite—and was instantly enlightened as to the City’s future for the next half-century.

“It was freezing, but it was worth it,” said a still-shivering 4th Ward Alderman Sheila Ramsey. “Luckily, we had emergency heaters and blankets on hand, generously provided at only a nominal charge by the Galvan Initiatives Foundation.”

Two Council members declined, however, to take a dive for the City.

1st Ward Alderman David Marston abstained from the recent Council vote, after obstinately refusing to be exposed to the mystery magnetic metal. Pressed for an explanation, Marston glumly said the substance’s long-term health effects “required more study,” a statement which elicited a chorus of groans from his fellow Aldermen. “I’ve noticed that ever since they got their doses of Ricktonite, my fellow Council members seem even more lethargic and complacent,” Marston retorted.

But to the surprise of many, 5th Ward Alderman Robert “Doc” Donahue also declined to take the polar bear-style plunge, though voting in favor of the fifty-year moratorium on Waterfront changes.

“I’ve always had the power to see into Hudson’s future, thank you very much,” barked Donahue, saying that to learn what will happen next in Hudson politics all he has to do is “just ask Rick himself.”

4th Ward Alderman Sheila Ramsey disagreed very mildly with Donahue’s assessment: “The next time some pesky citizen comes in here, demanding to know whether we think we have a crystal ball to see into the future, we’ll be able to say, Why, yes. Yes, we do.”

In response to questions about whether the City might benefit economically from the discovery of Ricktonite, Moore indicated that Roberts had instructed him that all rights to the super-mineral were held by Colarusso, even though the company is still technically leasing the former quarry from the City.

“If we wanted to try to ‘claw back’ the rights to the discovery, we’d have to repay the company for the lease they’ve held for several years now,” explained Moore. “I’m not sure the power to see into the future is worth a million dollars. We probably couldn’t afford it. But I may ask Cheryl if she’d be willing to advise us further on that during a future executive session. Actually, all that was off the record—I’d prefer you didn’t print it.”

“Now, if only we could also see into the past,” concluded 3rd Ward Alderman and Police Committee member Chris Wagoner, “Then maybe we could solve the City Hall burglary.”

Quiet flows the Don

2012-07-19T05:33:00-04:00

According to a longtime member of the Furgary Boat Club, Hudson Common Council President Don Moore has stonewalled that person’s efforts to discuss the fate of the 100-year-old local fishing encampment with him—going silent for over a week, after demanding to know where the member lived, and being told that member resides outside of Hudson.

If Moore, fashioning himself a man of principle, intends to adopt a consistent policy that he won’t discuss City of Hudson issues with non-residents, he may wind up with a long list of people with whom he’d have to stop talking. Don’s Don’t Talk List would also have to include, among others:

Gary Schiro, head of the Hudson Opera House, who lives in Staatsburg;
Peter Paden, head of the Columbia County Land Conservancy, who lives in Taghkanic;
Elena Moseley, head of Operation Unite, Cyndy Hall, Columbia County Democratic Chair, Colin Stair, head of Stair Galleries, and Paul Mossman, head of DSS, who all live in Claverack;
Todd Erling, Director of Hudson Valley AgriBusiness, who lives in Livingston;
Ken Flood, head of development for the County, who lives in Castleton;
Ann Cooper, head of Columbia County Tourism, who lives in Stockport;
David Harrison, the Columbia County Sheriff, who lives in Austerlitz;
Sheena Salvino, Director of HDC and HCDPA, and David Colby, President of the Chamber of Commerce, who both live in Athens;
Cheryl Roberts, Hudson Corporation Counsel, who lives in Austerlitz;
Giff Whitbeck, Assistant District Attorney, who lives in Greenport;
Ken Faroni, lawyer for O&G Industries, who lives in Connecticut;
Donald Stever, lawyer for Holcim, who lives in New York City;
Chelsea Clinton, who is rumored to be buying a house in Old Chatham;
Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator, who lives in Brunswick;
Barack Obama, President of the United States, who lives in Washington, D.C.

Moore’s (alleged) new law of discourse would also preclude him from discussing concerns with most every lawyer, banker and accountant in town; several Hudson police officers; all of the non-Hudson County Supervisors who represent other towns; all the non-Hudson members of the County Democratic Committee; and about half of the shop, gallery and restaurant owners on Warren Street.

N O T E : About 10 years ago, when the right to speak at Common Council meetings was finally granted to the public, the Council President at the time briefly attempted to prevent non-residents from speaking at meetings. When the unwise, impractical and probably unconstitutional nature of this idea was decried, the then-President relented—recognizing that nonresidents often have business, family, property and other personal ties to the City which may require discussion. Perhaps Moore wants to turn back the clock, and try that gambit again.

We bring benzenes to life

2010-12-23T19:57:46-05:00

As one astute observer of the Hudson River PCB problem remarked to me today: “Capping roughly a quarter of the dredge area isn’t a victory.”