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Cheddie seeks to primary for Dem nomination
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| Robert Ragaini/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers Geeta Cheddie |
By Jamie Larson
HUDSON — Geeta Cheddie wants to be 1st Ward alderman in the city of Hudson, and the Democrat won’t let the fact that she didn’t get her party’s endorsement get in her way. In the span of about a week Cheddie has received the endorsements from the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties.
Wednesday Cheddie was also out canvassing for signatures so she can primary for the Democratic nomination in September against incumbent Alderman Carole Osterink and Sarah Sterling who was an alderman two years ago. Cheddie said she knows and likes both women — having worked with them in the past — but that won’t stop her from fighting for her party’s endorsement.
Until earlier this year, Cheddie, whose husband is 1st Ward Supervisor John Musall, had been deputy Democratic commissioner for the Columbia County Board of Elections for three and a half years. She said that position gave her important experience working with politicians from all parties, and that she feels this played a big role in wrapping up her three endorsements.
“It made me open to all sides,” she said of her time as deputy commissioner. “It’s made me a listener and see that people of all parties need representation.”
Cheddie, like all city candidates, opposes the Columbia County Board of Supervisors’ plan to move the Department of Social Services out of Hudson to the old Ockawamick school in Claverack. Cheddie also responded Wednesday to the new county proposal to convert one of the city’s few hotels, the St. Charles on Park Place, into a homeless shelter and DSS satellite station. Cheddie said the move is troubling especially because Democratic supervisors who she’s worked with and thought wouldn’t go for the Ockawamick plan have supported it, and she called the fact that no city officials were consulted perplexing.
“I can’t believe it,” she said. “I don’t know what’s the disconnect. All their policies have been counterintuitive.”
Cheddie said there is an obvious need for more adequate transitional services in the county, and Hudson is the best location, but not in what she feels is an important economic location.
Another 1st Ward issue that Cheddie wants to work on if elected is the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. She has been a part of the LWRP in the past but said she feels the plan has been stalled recently and would like to push to get it moving again. She said a vibrant and active waterfront would go a long way toward revitalizing the local economy and creating jobs.
She also said the poor condition of the Ferry Street Bridge needs immediate attention after Saturday’s Flag Day celebration, when a man walking across stepped on an old board, his leg falling through a hole. The man was unharmed, but Cheddie said it shows a present risk that the bridge poses to residents.
“I have lived in Hudson for 12 years,” Cheddie said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes for the better, but in the past six years it seems we’ve unfortunately hit a roadblock. I wonder if a different face would help us out of this tough economic time. I think sometimes people forget the big picture.”
Cheddie said despite the fact that the Common Council is almost completely filled with Democrats it has become very adversarial, which can get in the way of progress. “There’s a minority and a majority,” she said. “Why don’t we get things done? I’m surprised it’s at a standstill. I think new blood would be good.”
To reach reporter Jamie Larson, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2269, or e-mail jlarson@registerstar.com.
Wednesday Cheddie was also out canvassing for signatures so she can primary for the Democratic nomination in September against incumbent Alderman Carole Osterink and Sarah Sterling who was an alderman two years ago. Cheddie said she knows and likes both women — having worked with them in the past — but that won’t stop her from fighting for her party’s endorsement.
Until earlier this year, Cheddie, whose husband is 1st Ward Supervisor John Musall, had been deputy Democratic commissioner for the Columbia County Board of Elections for three and a half years. She said that position gave her important experience working with politicians from all parties, and that she feels this played a big role in wrapping up her three endorsements.
“It made me open to all sides,” she said of her time as deputy commissioner. “It’s made me a listener and see that people of all parties need representation.”
Cheddie, like all city candidates, opposes the Columbia County Board of Supervisors’ plan to move the Department of Social Services out of Hudson to the old Ockawamick school in Claverack. Cheddie also responded Wednesday to the new county proposal to convert one of the city’s few hotels, the St. Charles on Park Place, into a homeless shelter and DSS satellite station. Cheddie said the move is troubling especially because Democratic supervisors who she’s worked with and thought wouldn’t go for the Ockawamick plan have supported it, and she called the fact that no city officials were consulted perplexing.
“I can’t believe it,” she said. “I don’t know what’s the disconnect. All their policies have been counterintuitive.”
Cheddie said there is an obvious need for more adequate transitional services in the county, and Hudson is the best location, but not in what she feels is an important economic location.
Another 1st Ward issue that Cheddie wants to work on if elected is the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. She has been a part of the LWRP in the past but said she feels the plan has been stalled recently and would like to push to get it moving again. She said a vibrant and active waterfront would go a long way toward revitalizing the local economy and creating jobs.
She also said the poor condition of the Ferry Street Bridge needs immediate attention after Saturday’s Flag Day celebration, when a man walking across stepped on an old board, his leg falling through a hole. The man was unharmed, but Cheddie said it shows a present risk that the bridge poses to residents.
“I have lived in Hudson for 12 years,” Cheddie said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes for the better, but in the past six years it seems we’ve unfortunately hit a roadblock. I wonder if a different face would help us out of this tough economic time. I think sometimes people forget the big picture.”
Cheddie said despite the fact that the Common Council is almost completely filled with Democrats it has become very adversarial, which can get in the way of progress. “There’s a minority and a majority,” she said. “Why don’t we get things done? I’m surprised it’s at a standstill. I think new blood would be good.”
To reach reporter Jamie Larson, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2269, or e-mail jlarson@registerstar.com.
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