A longtime Hudson resident shared this email exchange with Hudson Mayor Bill Hallenbeck, on the current controversy over finding open space for dogs to be exercised in town:
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2014 2:41 PM
To: Mayor@cityofhudson.org
Subject: dog park
Mayor Hallenbeck,
As you know, we disagree on some current issues in Hudson and that is o.k. I feel we can still have a decent, productive conversation. I just wanted to invite you to go to some of the local dog parks with me and my family. They really are not bad places as some of the citizens of Hudson believe. We go to the Friends of Kinderhook Dog Park and the Athens Bunker Hill Dog Park frequently. I understand you have a new puppy and it would be great to visit the parks with him/her. These dog parks are self sufficient and I do not believe they would be costly to the city. These parks are very well run and cared for by the users.
Just a thought,
[Name Withheld by Request]
On Tuesday, May 27, 2014 3:20 PM, Hudson Mayor <hudsonmayor@valstar.net> wrote:
[Name],
I have never said I did not favor a dog park first and foremost. Secondly, I will not burden the Taxpayers of this City with the cost of upkeep and creation of a Dog Park in a City where there is approx. 2.7 sq. miles to walk dogs. There is a minority here in the City who feels the City should accommodate dogs in a “Park” for some reason but I refuse to have taxpayers pay for it. So the first issue is funding. Issue number two, at the dog parks you mention to which I have visited in some cases, there are rules and regulations to abide by for the health and well-being of not only the dogs but human beings. If a simple “No dogs allowed” sign prohibiting dogs in the cemetery can’t be followed by you and your associates, why would I believe you would follow any other rule at any other location? It is apparent to me if a rule was created at an dog park of your choosing and you and a few people didn’t like it, then you would rally against it with total disregard for that rule as evident by your recent history in the cemetery. These questions need to be answered and I need to believe in the intent of those individuals such as you wanting a dog park before I would consider supporting such an idea. With that said however I have met with and continue to meet with some elected officials who are supportive of the idea. Dialog continues in reference to your belief that the City of Hudson, a City which never had a dog park needs one now. Thank you much for reaching out to me.
Mayor William H. Hallenbeck
