"MEET THE CANDIDATES" published in the November Hudson Life Magazine....
Meet the candidates was a peculiar read. The answers from the candidates were interesting as well as the questions. The first response by Goetz was Phase 2 land has already cost “the city” $681,487.22 in interest only payments. Reflect on who, or what, is “the city”. It is a corporation, an independent entity that extracts money from the citizenry only to redistribute it as it deems proper. Should a “city” own land in a republic? As opposed to dearly cherished private property? Should a beautiful quaint American city become a corporation that exceeds one hundred million annual budget?
Note the Q&A, regarding Main Street vacancies. One candidate suggests a “vacancy tax.” Wait… is that not private property? Does not the owner of the land have the right to do with the business as they deem proper? They may lower the lease price. And if it is vacant is not the land owner already loosing money? So the answer is to tax them more?
Regarding Phase 2 development one candidate strongly suggested providing empty nester homes being very concerned for elderly residents that have lived in Hudson all their lives but can no longer afford it. So, the corporation should tax the citizens so they can build homes for the citizens that can’t afford to stay in town because the taxes are too high?
The following question that was asked, was interesting in and of itself. “How will you ensure that residents have a voice in city matters?” The only reason this would be a concern is if the quaint little town was in fact a behemoth so large that voices would not naturally be heard.
We have come a long way from “We the people.” We could cut the albatross in half so that We the people, the American citizenry, can distribute the funds they earn as they deem proper. The elderly could just stay in the home they raised their children in, beside the neighbors they love.
Not to be naive, to think government would ever shrink, for sin nature never chooses to relinquish power, but to acquire more.
Nevertheless, solutions are available. Cease pouring double wide sidewalks that are seldom used right beside bike paths painted in the street. In fact, we could save thousands by not painting arrows to direct bicycle riders. I’m certain they know the direction. Similar to the “No turn on red” for Hudson Dr. the people are smart enough to look out their window and determine if a car is coming without a several thousand dollar traffic survey and “the city” telling them when it is safe.
One last suggestion…since the corporation is multi, multi millions, and to him that much is given more shall be required, the exorbitant spending on Pickle Ball could be re-routed. To quote a wise man “vanity of vanities” there are better ways to redistribute the wealth. The Hines Hill property where for decades a youth rehabilitation program was run, could be built back better. Perhaps a state of the art trade school for those not able to attend the top universities. Beginning at middle school so that by graduation they are shown good ethics and character, and are old fashioned craftsmen, yet with cutting edge skill. The Hudson Corporation, world renown for its benevolence.