Register-Star Endorses My Candidacy, ccSCOOP Profiles

The Columbia County on-line publication, ccSCOOP, has profiled my opponent, John Porreca, and me.

First, thanks to All of the people who have endorsed me, most importantly Mayor Rick Scalera and Treasurer Eileen Halloran, and my fellow Democrats from the Hudson City Democratic Committee

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One step at a time, but not bad news for a rainy day:

Register-Star Endorsement

Publish Post

Common Council President

Published:

Saturday, October 24, 2009 2:14 AM EDT

The race for the city of Hudson Common Council president, pits Democrat Donald Moore against Republican John Porreca.

Moore has lived in Hudson for three years and is retired from university administration. Porreca, a self-described hometown boy, is a former Third Ward alderman.

Jobs — or lack thereof — for city of Hudson residents is a concern of both candidates. The city has seen more than its share of companies closing up shop and it this has had a devastating effect on Hudson.

Porreca said he feels that Empire Zone program funds should be used to revitalize manufacturing in the city and that the program isn't taken advantage of enough. He would also like to establish some committees aimed at making the city more "business-friendly."

Moore said that the agencies in charge of economic development are not getting the job done. He would also like to see the creation of a committee that would promote growth and find development resources. He would also find ways to build on the variety of different businesses that already exist in the city.

Moore recognizes that quality of life plays a big role in economic development and would work to address that as well. He said this includes maintaining and improving parks, creating affordable housing and supporting the Hudson City School District.

Porreca, also sees affordable housing as an issue facing Hudson. He worries about overcrowding at some homes that present some health and safety issues. He supports the plan to replace Bliss Towers.

The city needs someone at the helm of the Common Council that can keep control over the differing personalities on the Common Council. We feel that Moore is the person for the job. A job that he will commit to like it is a full-time job to make sure all the aldermen are informed on issues and resolutions before it's time for a vote. Moore's plans to help the city become more economically sound and viable are good ones. They demonstrate that he has a great understanding of how many of the issues that the city faces are intertwined. While Porreca may have experience from being on the Common Council, we feel that Moore's breadth of experience from his volunteerism and work experience will serve him well as the leader of the Common Council.

We recommend Hudson voters elect Moore as their next Common Council president.

http://www.registerstar.com/articles/2009/10/24/opinion/editorials/doc4ae23d17cce33296966913.txt

There is also the news story:

Moore: Let's reshape the city

By Jamie Larson
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

Published:   Saturday, October 24, 2009 2:14 AM EDT

Democratic Candidate for Common Council President, Donald Moore says that if elected he will work with city officials and business professionals to reshape the way the city, and Columbia County looks at bringing business into Hudson, and he already has plan to do it.

"We need to organize ourselves around the common objectives of business growth and revenue generation in Hudson," Moore said. "The leadership of Hudson must take charge of the city's economic development, because it is absolutely clear that the current county mechanisms are inadequate and unacceptable. Go on the Columbia Hudson Partnership Web site.  I challenge anyone to find the listings of the buildings, large or small, currently for sale in Hudson, or the mention of a port, or of a developing waterfront recreation area. The only mention of Hudson is a one-sentence description of the city as 'once a busy port city frequented by whalers.' Is this how Hudson will gain a competitive (edge)?"

A resident of Hudson for three years, Moore attends nearly every common council and committee meeting. He said the president has to be "chief cook and bottle washer," both leading the council, keeping it informed and moving smoothly, while also working in the trenches on policy to get things done.

Moore has received the endorsement of his party members, Democratic Aldermen and has been explicitly endorsed and supported by Mayor Richard Scalera and City Treasurer Eileen Halloran.

Moore said he already has a good relationship with Scalera and Halloran, and feels he can work as a cohesive team with the city's two top politicians. Moore said if elected he will bring professionalism and dedication to the head of the council.

Moore outlined four tasks he said will help make Hudson more economically successful, and can be implemented at the same time.

He proposes that if elected he would work with city officials, business people and nonprofit organizations to create a new city initiative with programs to support economic development for small and large businesses, and improving employment opportunities in Hudson.

Moore also suggests the city re-evaluate how to utilized assets such as real estate, uses for the deep-water port, and access to the Amtrak rail line and transportation arteries. In addition he proposes that Hudson develop a thorough "21st century" marketing plan that presents economic opportunities in Hudson by highlighting the character and potential advantages of doing business in Hudson.

Lastly, Moore proposes Hudson build up housing and social support services that he feels are critical to a "stable and enthusiastic local workforce."

"Accomplishing our goals during difficult times will take new structures, new levels of cooperation, and new direction." Moore said, "Hudson can have all this with the Democratic leadership of Mayor Scalera, Treasurer Halloran, and renewed vigor and focus in the Common Council."

http://www.registerstar.com/articles/2009/10/24/news/doc4ae28d747a942051735248.txt

Common Council #3 Economic Development - Press Release 10/19/09

Hudson Common Council President candidate Don Moore said Wednesday that the City of Hudson needs to immediately establish “an economic development action plan” to create jobs, expand businesses, and “take charge of our future, since the County plans show almost no interest in improving the economic opportunities in Hudson.”

Moore challenged the County’s economic development arm, The Columbia Hudson Partnership, to show where it has made a difference “either in what Hudson has to offer the economic development of the County or what Hudson needs to strengthen its standard of living.”

“Despite the economic recession, the County’s response is a $50,000 study released a year ago called ‘Assessing Opportunities for Economic Development: Building Businesses for Tomorrow in Columbia County’ that nearly everyone in Hudson, for very good reason, dismissed out of hand,” said Moore.  The ‘Baldwin Bell Green’ report, was “notable for two things,” Moore said.  “First, it hung economic development on bringing The Big Apple Circus to the County every year, and second it never once mentioned the City of Hudson, let alone suggested a role for the City in the County’s economic development,” he said.

Moore said that the plan he proposes, working with the Mayor, Treasurer, and Common Council would “undertake a rapid series of discussions with community and business leaders in Hudson on the creation of a new ‘Hudson development authority’.  The new City unit would identify business and job creation opportunities for Hudson residents, and facilitate workforce services like child care, transportation, and training.

“For over a decade, government officials and hundreds of people have worked hard on plans for Hudson’s future”, Moore explained.  He cited the Vision Plan; the Comprehensive Plan; the 2008 Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, a new waste water treatment system that meets all the Federal and State requirements of Hudson’s Long Term Control Plan for the river.  “Now it is time to put those opportunities into action,” Moore said.  “There were many good ideas and proposals that haven’t been implemented that should be and other ones that should be revised to meet the needs of the present.  We need to organize ourselves around the common objectives of business growth and revenue generation in Hudson,” Moore said.

“The leadership of Hudson must take charge of the City’s economic development because it is absolutely clear that the current County mechanisms are inadequate and unacceptable,” Moore said.  “Go on the Columbia Hudson Partnership web site.  I challenge anyone to find the listings of the buildings, large or small, currently for sale in Hudson, or the mention of a port, or of a developing waterfront recreation area,” he said.  The only mention of Hudson is a one sentence description of the City as “once a busy port city frequented by whalers,” Moore pointed out.  “Is this how Hudson will gain a competitive edge?” he asked. 

The candidate outlined these tasks, many of which can occur at the same time:

·         The Common Council and the Mayor hold discussions with city leaders and other experts on creating a new city initiative with programs to support a range of economic development for small and large businesses. This effort would involve agencies and organizations like the Hudson Development Corporation, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Hudson Housing Authority, the Hudson City School District, the Columbia Green Workforce New York Office, and nonprofit service groups whose support services are targeted on improving employment opportunities and training.

·         Identify all the current real estate opportunities such as commercial buildings for sale or rent and their potential for adaptive reuse, potential uses of the deep water port, and access to rail lines and major transportation arteries.

·         Develop a thorough, 21^st century marketing plan that presents economic opportunities in Hudson and the quality of life in our small but diverse and entrepreneurial city that make it a great place to live and to establish or expand a business.  Get the word out about the quality of life in Hudson including our openness to diversity and our family friendliness, our arts and cultural institutions, our first class medical center, our rapidly improving school system, and the proximity of in-city and near-city recreational and educational facilities, like the Henry Hudson Riverfront and Charles Williams Parks, and our Hudson Library.  All of these together show the freshness, breadth, and energy of the communities that make Hudson hum.

·         Build up housing and other support services that all economic development experts acknowledge are critical to a stable and enthusiastic local workforce.  “A city that can come together to replace Bliss Towers and transform the housing opportunities for its residents, a city that looks out for its families and children will be known as a city that knows how to take care of its own and to take care of business.

 “Accomplishing our goals during difficult times will take new structures, new levels of cooperation, and new direction.  Hudson can have all this,” Moore argued, “with the Democratic leadership of Mayor Scalera, Treasurer Halloran, and renewed vigor and focus in the Common Council.” 

The Soul of Our Community?

With great good thanks to John Farley's North Fifth Street blog post, More Coffee Please, check his link to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation funded Gallup Organization study called "The Soul of a Community" and related comments.  Gallup asked 28,000 people during 2008 in 26 communities (mainly small cities) “What makes a community a desirable place to live? What draws people to stake their future in it? Are communities with more attached residents better off?”  

The material is fascinating. It confirms studies that assert cultural and educational as well as social amenities and opportunities are what drive people’s enthusiasm for their communities. Gallup speculated initially they would only be addressing, the intersection of attachment to a community and economic opportunity. What they found seems to confirm my hunch that the level of attachment in Hudson comes in large measure because many of us, especially the newer residents, select the city for its character, which is all about its life, people rich and diverse culture.  Hudson is a community with strong, well-defined parts.

The residents of longer standing have their own set of deep social and economic connections that bind them here. The problem is that the level of economic opportunity is dwindling and changing for them (as it is for any of us) meaning that fewer younger members of these families can afford to stay and enjoy the benefits of a smaller, more intimate community. A question sits quietly by. It is that a sizeable number of older people are moving here. Is this the wave of the future? Is it enough, or at least something to seek out, market for?

We who have (almost) emptied our nests are an important part of Hudson's revitalization. We help (see Gallup) with the aesthetics factor, the social factor, and openness. But I hazard to say that attracting an older crowd is only one piece of a strategy if for no other reason than that their (our) income is passive.  It is unlikely to increase or to invest locally in a start up.

I see Gallup's point because many people here would corroborate their conclusions.  I prefer, as a city person, a built and peopled environment that is multi-dimensional. I want to be neighbors with young families and young people, people of color, gay people, people who have been here for generations, and those who, only moments ago, came here from thousands and thousands of miles away, who will want jobs and schools and recreation and social life and cultural stimulation just as much if not more than I will. Their lives, their decisions to come here or put down roots depend upon adopting notions of diversity.   To the extent that they do not depend upon it, there may be tensions.  People will come because it is a cool (open, sociable, pretty) community to visit. They will try to live here if we help them, as with long standing citizens of the city, to establish new businesses and cultural venues, find affordable housing and jobs.  And they will help us, if we help them, create the social spaces and educational opportunities (schools, libraries, HOH/TSL type mixed cultural educational opportunities) they require and that are appropriate to their tribes, for a fully functioning, sticky small city of the 21st century.

I posted twice on the12354.com. This post condenses and updates those. Others posted there and I encourage you to follow their comments and the Gallup material and findings.