Learn about Plan B and join in the discussion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 10, 2009HUDSON -- The BOTTOM LINE will host a community speak-out 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, to learn more about Plan B, and discuss the decision to move the Columbia County Department of Social Services away from Hudson to Claverack. The meeting will take place at the First Presbyterian Church (Warren and Fourth streets, Hudson).
The Bottom Line wants to hear from the public. This meeting is an opportunity for the community to learn more, and speak out about the two proposals:
Plan A, which will move DSS to an abandoned school building, six miles outside the city of Hudson.
Plan B, an idea to keep DSS in Hudson (where the majority of clients live), and locate it just steps away from the existing county human services building at 325 Columbia Street.
Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera will present the details of Plan B, the idea county Board of Supervisors President Art Baer (R-Hillsdale) refused to make available to the full board prior to its March 11 vote. That plan calls for the construction of a new 30,000 sq. ft. DSS building and a new parking garage on Hudson's north side, directly adjacent to existing county facilities. Scalera will provide an artist's rendering of the projected structures and discuss the estimated costs.
The evening will also include a presentation by the BOTTOM LINE PLAYERS, a live performance in puppet-style theatrical ways and means, recapping how we got into this state of affairs. The characters include THE CHAIR, MAC GIMME, PLAN B, and more.
Coffee and donuts will be available to kick off the event.
Plan A, as approved, will relocate not only DSS, but the Veterans Office, the Public Defender and Probation, as well. Anyone requiring the services of these offices and/or seeking specific assistance with Medicaid, energy assistance (HEAP), health insurance or any other form of temporary/emergency assistance will be required to travel. Lacking a public transportation system, those without access to a private vehicle will have to travel via taxi ($20 roundtrip) or walk.
It is a long walk to Claverack from Hudson. Six miles out and six miles back. Speak out! Let us open the door to this closed-door backroom deal that was rushed to a vote, long before the Board of Supervisors had all the facts.
This rush to judgment by county leaders created a tremendous burden for the people of Columbia County, especially the most fragile among us. We will have to live with this decision for a very long time.
Join us Tuesday night to learn how this plan will impact our community, and to voice your opinion. Tell our elected officials that the decision to move key social services away from the people who need them most is a very bad idea, especially when an economically viable alternative exists.
Join us 6 p.m., Tuesday (April 14) at the First Presbyterian Church, Warren and Fourth streets, Hudson.
About the Bottom Line:
Founded in 2001, the Bottom Line Party focuses on issues that effect the health, safety and economic well-being of all Hudson residents, but especially for the working class and poor.For more information:
Linda Mussmann at (518) 209-7966
