In the news

Reactions to DSS vote vary
by John Mason
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

COLUMBIA COUNTY — Wednesday’s decision to move the Department of Social Services six miles out of Hudson to the former Ockawamick School was not a surprise, but it did spell relief for some and disappointment for others....

Alan Skerrett, county chapter president of the NAACP, was disappointed in Wednesday’s vote, but said, “Many people out there last night believe we need to continue to resist this move and will continue to resist any way we can. There seems to be a consensus of caring people that we can’t play dead.”

Speaking of caring people, Skerrett said he was most disappointed by what he saw as a lack of sensitivity among the decision-makers.

“People never respond, ‘We know it will be difficult, and we’re going to be sure it’s not a hardship.’ They never offer anything to that effect. At least say something to the effect that ‘We know this will be a hard road to go, but we’ll do our best to make it as feasible as possible.’ There’s no remorse: It makes them seem even more callous in their mission.”

He said Mayor Rick Scalera offered a dramatic contrast in his brief, but eloquent statement that was from the heart.

Supervisors approve DSS move

Protestors await the start of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors meeting inside 401 State Street, Wednesday. At that meeting, lawmakers approved the plan to move the Department of Social Services and 14 other county departments six miles outside the city of Hudson, to the abandoned former Ockawamick School. Pictured (from left): Dan Udell (C-G NAACP), Alan Skerrett (C-G NAACP), Mary Udell (C-G NAAC), Claudia Bruce, city Treasurer Eileen Halloran, Alderman Abdus Miah (D, Hudson-2) and Londa McCullough.
(Photo by John Mason, Hudson-Catskill Newspapers)

RALLY ON March 11

Bottom Line: Keep DSS in Hudson!
HOW MUCH WILL THE OCKAWAMICK PLAN REALLY COST? IS IT TRULY THE BEST OPTION?

The Columbia County Board of Supervisors is poised to move 15 county departments away from Hudson and into the abandoned former Ockawamick School in Claverack without full consideration of Plan "B," a viable option that provides the space needed, keeps the departments accessible and will cost the taxpayers less.

By contrast, the plan currently favored by the board leadership will place the Department of Social Services SIX MILES OUTSIDE of the city, despite the fact that the majority of DSS clients live in the 12534 area code. In these hard times, how can this be a smart, economic move? Is it reasonable to expect people to pay $10 to travel by taxi from Hudson -- and $10 to return -- when they need access to the services offered by DSS?

WITHOUT AN EXISTING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OR TRANSPORTATION PLAN IN PLACE HOW WILL PEOPLE GET TO OCKAWAMICK? HOW CAN A DECISION BE MADE WITHOUT THE ANSWER TO THIS ESSENTIAL QUESTION?

On Wednesday, March 11, the Board of Supervisors will be asked to vote on the proposal to remove DSS from the city. If the vote goes forward at that time the decision will be made without the benefit of critical information and analysis, and a substantial number of people will suffer as a result.

Come to 401 State Street (corner of State and Fourth streets) at 6:30 p.m. and,

• Tell the board a decision made now almost guarantees that children and families will be denied access to essential human services. People in need will fall between the bureaucratic cracks of an already unfriendly system.
• Tell the board to stop this ill-conceived and unfair proposal before it goes any further. Urge the supervisors to visit the existing DSS office on Railroad Avenue -- see what a day there entails, and experience the issues first hand.
• Tell the board to wait -- to vote after important questions are answered, and every supervisor has the information required to make a fully informed decision.

Rally to be seen and heard 6:30 p.m., Wednesday (March 11), 401 State Street, Hudson. For more information, call Linda Mussmann at (518) 209-7966.