Going back to the late ’90s, Linda Mussmann—co-director of Time & Space Limited, former Waterfront chair, and Hudson Democratic chair—has made many private and public pronouncements about Mayor Rick Scalera.
Most of these are now inconsistent with her current politics. In 2007, hoping to salvage her unpopular Waterfront plan, Mussmann did an about-face (to save face) by becoming a Scalera ally. Her primary run that year against Michael O’Hara, and subsequent independent bid—against the wishes of her board, many of whom resigned in protest—helped ensure another Scalera term.
But many of her past condemnations of Scalera, whether published in the papers or circulated via various email lists, are pretty difficult to walk back. Some choice nuggets follow below; Mussmann also has some pungeant things to say about a number of other familiar Hudson political figures, from the Elks Club and Tom Koulos to Jack Connor and Cappy Pierro. The typos, ALL CAPS and malapropisms have been left intact.
THE SAYINGS OF CHAIRMAN MUSS
Rick Scalera could not wait to tear [the 4th Street] school down. I know some don't like to remember the past but this was one of Mr. Scalera's grand achievements....Stalin had similar longings. [Linda Mussmann, May 2005]
I have not run for office because I need a job but because I thought that the people in power were not representing a larger view.....very few people are allowed to participate in Rick Scalera's government for example. In fact this is a very closed circle. [Linda Mussmann, Dec. 2004]
I did see in the Indep. a photo of Danny, Ricky, & Patty Mann [Assemblyman Patrick Manning] at Laura [Margolis]'s club....pretty cute---sure looks like Republicans havin' a good time. [Linda Mussmann, Nov. 2004]
it might be time for the Democratic Committee to censure Rick for breaking the law as well as Shook and Donahue. [Linda Mussmann, Sept. 2004]
the real issue here is "conflict of interest" ---it is against the City Charter to play a duel role in government. The questions have been asked all year and last year and years before that about these conflicts but we are told that "it has always been done this way and we should mind our own business" or Jack Connor(the inept city attorney) is checking on it---now an answer was delivered and now Rick Scalera will fix it because he has to keep Grandinetti employed. The CONFLICT OF INTEREST list is long and grows longer every day that these people are in office....please speak out about this gross act of self interest. Rick Scalera, Dan Grandinetti, Chris Nedwick, Bill Lowenstein, Dick Koskey, Eric Galloway, Bill Better, Judy Meyer, Charlie Butterworth, the Elks Club members (who voted on their own application which is now tied up in court and costing the city a great deal of money) Cappy Pierro (who cut one of the worst deals over the fire house building) and on and on. The deals constructed by SLC and this administration to get a "host" deal with the city goes back to Scalera's campaign contributions as well as block parties sponsored by SLC and on. The Spririt of Hudson boat deal, Colorusso deal regarding Hudson's backup water supply, Willard Place deal, the Library's Preservation obstruction by Scalera and company and ond, and on. There are more but time is short for me this morning. Please write a letter to Elliot Spitzer the attorney and ask for an investigation. Please write a letter to the ed. and ask that Rick Scalera be investigated, and the rest of the back room of Hudson's political players who are raising your taxes to pay for their deals. The mayor got a salary this year, so did Grandinetti, and so did Cappy Pierro----they will need more next time----and one would think that they use much of their time working to stay in power---what have these people done for the city of Hudson is the real question. [Linda Mussmann, Sept. 2004]
the Library has become this season's political football---starring Rick (Rough & Ready) Scalera, Pat (tall man) Manning, Ed (ever-ready to serve) Cross, and Dan (I want to Mayor) Grandinetti....no way should the Library let the city get this building with out an army of Lawyers making a contract that it can only be a Library and this deal can only be used for THE Library....It is clear that the School board was outa the loop on this one.,...I guess it would have made sense to ask the school board what they thought about this swap first before going public at the "press conference?!!". The Library should be free of this nightmare----the Library board should make a statement on the position it wants to take and not be used by Rick, Pat, Ed, and Danny as a tool of political monkey business. I doubt that these men have read a book lately???!!!!! favors, exchanges, swaps, this Library Fiasco sounds like classic ole' timey Hudson Politics or a poker game gone sour. (here is a little factoid that I learned last night at CCF meeting)---the closing of the new fire house will cost over a 1/2 million dollars.....how about that for steering the ship of state right into the river bank?) [Linda Mussmann, Aug. 2004]
Rick Scalera hates this idea of saving anything that does not benefit him and he thinks the preservation commission is worthless. If he can't control it he is going to dismantle it. [...] Sarah Sterling seems lost, Lew Kramer was stunned, Ashton was holding Rick's hand, and Jamison Teal???!!!! wow! where's the gavel ???? it sure could have been used last night. The meeting was a platform for Rick, Tom Koulos, Tom Flemming, and Shailer Evans (school board pres) to rant about the irrational Preservation Committee” [Linda Mussmann, July 2004]
Willard Place is under siege---saws, trucks, earth movers, seem to have taken the post-modern axe[the chainsaw] to the contested trees----T. Eric Galloway/Rick Scalera the Paul Bunyons of Hudson have won another victory-----Willard Place looks like Baghdad....check it out. Reports came in that the attack came Friday night at 5:30pm buzz buzz crash democracy in action Ricky style. [Linda Mussmann, July 2004]
My guess that the $81,000 problem with the audit ticked some people off. That was an old wound and Scalera, has dirt all over his hands from this little mess. This was the ruling of the DEC regarding the DSS building being built on petroleum site. THis may be part of it. Or it is the good ol' boys just taking care of business. The last thing the Demo's need is a Republican watching the dough???!!!!! [...] Jimmy Dolan at work? Was it the Hudson cops that got him?? I missed it. I don't believe Scalera was upset, remember the Chief Martin was brought down and disgraced. Payback time. [Linda Mussmann, Feb. 2002]
THERE IS NO GOOD IN SITTING ON A PANEL BY ST. LAWRENCE, FOR ST. LAWRENCE---THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY WHEN THE COMPANY IS IN CONTROL. THIS IS A JOKE. THIS REMINDS ME OF RICK SCALERA'S PANEL TO OVER-SEE JIMMY DOLAN. THIS WAS A WAY TO SHUT THE OPPOSITION UP AND MAKE A MOCKERY OF FAIRNESS AND INCLUSION. [Linda Mussmann, Mar. 2000]
This is another plot by Rick S. to save his ass---he could have had this property for the city but was out bid by Sun. Now Sun wants to sell---but I don't know if the selling price is right?? However-- this is another bash to the Antiquers---cause who needs another Antique Store???according to the locals??? and Mr. Scalera---is saying this in coded words. Hudson could use a grocery store---and Ricky wanted his buddy from Philmont to come on down here to serve us some snacks---but failed to get the space cause he wanted it another way---this is another HDC/HCDPA deal that failed(ie) bankrupt/auctioned off and SUN became the owner. This could be a better plan then the Scrap Yard project ---maybe some one should mention it to Rickky and Jimmy (the HudStones). [Linda Mussmann, Jul. 1999]
the actions of various parties going to Jimmy Dolan Jr. or Scalera with their hands out for HUD money --these requests have all revolved around the HUD money: The parking lot for the Opera House is one, Historic Hudson (Chicken Shack) is 2, and Columbia County (Carrie Haddad's) art mall idea for the 300 block of Columbia Street is 3, Operation Unite is 4, and I am sure there were/are more. These are just some examples of the inability to listen to some who have stood up to speak out while others went behind closed doors to do a deal with the devil. There has always been a desire to believe that Jimmy Dolan and Rick Scalera could be changed. (WHat a joke)! [Linda Mussmann, Apr. 1999]
These are the people Rick's gang s really likes--they provide the way for HUD money to roll on into Hudson---this money comes off the backs of the poor people---if Hudson was not so poor and filled with blight Rick's gang would have not grants to write. [Linda Mussmann, Feb. 1999]
