Popular Searches
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
Race heats up in 3rd Ward
By Jamie Larson
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Incumbent Hudson Democratic 3rd Ward Supervisor Joseph Finn said he doesn’t consider himself a politician, but just a regular guy serving in government looking out for peoples money and safety. “To me politician is a four letter word,” he said.
Finn has served two terms as Supervisor and said he feels the fight to keep the Department of Social Services in Hudson has been the biggest issue over his past term. He makes the claim that he voted no 100 percent of the time against the plan to move DSS out to the old Ockawamick school building in Claverack.
“The biggest factor is the people factor,” stated Finn, adding that he’s never seen the community come together the way they did to fight for services. “I’m their voice and I do what I have to do. I don’t understand how you can look people in the eyes who are saying ‘please stop’ and say ‘ha ha ha we’re going to do it anyway.”
Finn said he supports Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera’s original alternative plan to build a new building on Columbia Street for DSS. “It’s where someone as tight as me will spend some money,” he said.
Columbia County officials have struggled for years to find a solution for the growing number of homeless people in the county. Currently the homeless are put up in area motels at great expense. While discussions and meetings about of creating a transitional housing facility were held during the summer, the conversation has slowed. Finn believes their should be a transitional housing facility built, and Hudson is a good location for it. “We spend a lot of money on people that are on the taxpayers dime,” Finn said, “Any thing we can do to house people’s needs, we should
With jobs leaving the county said the county Finn said the county has been working hard to keep residents employed, and leaves the issue for professionals to address. “I don’t have those connections,” he said, “would I like to help people out? sure I would.”
Finn has been criticized by his opponent, Republican William Hallenbeck, for missing numerous board and committee meetings. Saying the supervisor has missed over 50 in his last term. Finn had not heard the criticism before and acknowledged he has probably missed 10 percent of the meetings. “Is 10 percent a lot?” Finn asked, saying that he thinks there are other supervisors who miss more. “I don’t think that’s a lot, and if i filled out an attendance slip I’d have a good excuse. Maybe I have missed 10 percent. I’m sorry, but it’s like a day off.”
Finn has served two terms as Supervisor and said he feels the fight to keep the Department of Social Services in Hudson has been the biggest issue over his past term. He makes the claim that he voted no 100 percent of the time against the plan to move DSS out to the old Ockawamick school building in Claverack.
“The biggest factor is the people factor,” stated Finn, adding that he’s never seen the community come together the way they did to fight for services. “I’m their voice and I do what I have to do. I don’t understand how you can look people in the eyes who are saying ‘please stop’ and say ‘ha ha ha we’re going to do it anyway.”
Finn said he supports Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera’s original alternative plan to build a new building on Columbia Street for DSS. “It’s where someone as tight as me will spend some money,” he said.
Columbia County officials have struggled for years to find a solution for the growing number of homeless people in the county. Currently the homeless are put up in area motels at great expense. While discussions and meetings about of creating a transitional housing facility were held during the summer, the conversation has slowed. Finn believes their should be a transitional housing facility built, and Hudson is a good location for it. “We spend a lot of money on people that are on the taxpayers dime,” Finn said, “Any thing we can do to house people’s needs, we should
With jobs leaving the county said the county Finn said the county has been working hard to keep residents employed, and leaves the issue for professionals to address. “I don’t have those connections,” he said, “would I like to help people out? sure I would.”
Finn has been criticized by his opponent, Republican William Hallenbeck, for missing numerous board and committee meetings. Saying the supervisor has missed over 50 in his last term. Finn had not heard the criticism before and acknowledged he has probably missed 10 percent of the meetings. “Is 10 percent a lot?” Finn asked, saying that he thinks there are other supervisors who miss more. “I don’t think that’s a lot, and if i filled out an attendance slip I’d have a good excuse. Maybe I have missed 10 percent. I’m sorry, but it’s like a day off.”
Share this Article
 |
 |
|
| DSS officials: County did no wrong by claiming $9M | Hallenbeck is a former cop |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
