I respect Sheldon’s motives as a longtime trail-only advocate, but his attack claiming I do not serve my constituents and am controlled by the CMRR is the very type of discourse that has brought us to where we are.
I try to get as much unbiased information as possible before supporting a plan, resolution or taking an action. Blindly accepting “experts” hired to support one side does not fit that charge. We need to work together to reach what is the best use of this corridor for recreation and economic development. I can’t yet come to the conclusion that a 28-mile, 14-foot-wide paved road-style trail, is the best and only workable solution.
Legislator David Donaldson, Kingston
Mayor way overpaid
The mayor’s total compensation in the Jan. 1, 2012, budget was $107,784, not, as reported in the Dec. 3 Freeman at $75,000 by Alderwoman Elisa Ball or in the Dec. 9 Freeman at $75,000 by past mayor James Sottile. It is disappointing to me to hear both these respected city officials misquote the facts to the public. Both of them should be well-versed on the facts in the budget, but apparently are not. This mayor, based on his performance and the condition of the city, is way overpaid at $107,784.00. Traditionally raises are awarded for accomplishments so let us look at his track record:
- The Washington Avenue sinkhole is three years old and still sinking at a cost of $4.5 million.
- Kingston has 50 unsafe buildings of which this mayor says two will be addressed now.
- This leaves 48 unsafe buildings diminishing property values in their neighborhoods.
- The slumlord inspection program is only 10 percent completed, dragging down area values.
- Many city homeless in Jan. 15, 2014 subzero temps were “not the mayor’s responsibility.”
- Allowing payroll double-dipping on the city and Kingston Housing Authority payroll.
- Blocking railroad tracks with a city dump truck causing a court order to desist.
- New sustainable living jobs, industrial jobs are non-existent in Kingston.
- Kingston has some of the highest combined school and general taxes in the region.
- Mortgage amounts are decided by property values plus taxes, leaving many buyers out.
- Kingston’s population is down from a high of 29,000 to 22,500 — the exodus continues.
- Inappropriate firing of ex-chief Rea could cost the city in excess of $350,000.
- The sinkhole lawsuits are being filed in state Supreme Court as this is written.
This writer has served on the Common Council with five different mayors from both sides of the aisle, all of which knew how to talk to people to get maximum productivity, and avoid the pitfalls of arrogance.
Charles Landi, Kingston
Thank you, Mr. Donaldson, for the much-needed fact-check. It sickens me to see the trail-only partisans circling like vultures over the CMRR “waiting for it to die” so that they can rip it to pieces. It must tear them up that the railroad continues to show more and more signs of life and renewed strength; that wasn’t in their script.
I am sure that any new UNBIASED corridor studies, especially in the light of CMRR’s successes this fall and winter, will show that keeping the rails in place and expanding the railroad is the way to go. Mr. Hein appears to be getting the message: CMRR’s success is speaking loudly. I would suggest that a “next right move” on the part of the county (and city) would be to visibly and actively support the railroad next year and to see how it rebuilds itself and helps the economy of Kingston and Ulster County. I believe they will not be disappointed in the results.
David Donaldson – If you actually replied to emails from people living in your district, you might have a better idea of how best to serve your constituents!
2006 transportation plan: http://ulstercountyny.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rail_exec.pdf
It is interesting, it is positive but it says nothing about the feasibility… not in this document.
On the other hand, this is the first time I have seen any reference to this document… that there was already long consideration for a trail… 2006…this has been around for 8 years… 5 06 when the hubbub started..
Does anyone else have a reading on this document?
I think this is important, and needs to be said and repeated until it registers: CMRR’s events and operations – and that of any future operator, if not CMRR – depend on creating and maintaining a REGIONAL, not just local, attraction. That is what will bring new and much-needed money into the area. The railroad’s through operation, from Kingston to Phoenicia, in addition to the intermediate attraction of the reservoir, could highlight the historic districts of Kingston. create a bus connection to Woodstock, and help rejuvenate Phoenicia, which has the potential to be a very attractive destination. Even Kingston to the reservoir alone would yield significant results; there would be a destination, not just an out-and-back ride. Yes, adding a trail would be a bonus, but substituting trail for rail would yield little if anything of significant value in the long run except a maintenance drain on taxpayers for a little-used trail.
May everyone enjoy a wonderful holiday season, and may we work together in 2015 to give the railroad the support that its latest series of events shows that it deserves. Let’s help it realize its potential benefits for the city, county and region.