Columbia County Democrats Announce Blue Tsunami Voter Rally

Blue Tsunami
The Rally in the Valley
A Massive Six County Hudson Valley Voter Rally
Saturday October 18th 4pm - 4am

More Info at: http://BlueTsunami.com
Buy tickets at: http://www.actblue.com/page/bluetsunami


6 Counties - One Mission
On October 18th the Columbia County Democratic Committee is sponsoring Blue Tsunami a massive voter rally in Hudson NY. Joining the Columbia County Committee as co-sponsors are the Democratic Committees of the five surrounding Hudson Valley counties, Albany, Dutchess, Greene, Rensselaer & Ulster. This will be a first for this area.

Democrats ready to take power and lead.
These areas of the Hudson Valley, long considered Republican strongholds are now on the verge of becoming solidy Democratic. Blue Tsunami will work toward better coordinating our efforts, raising funds for the crucial local elections next year and informing voters.

Fostering dialogue between candidates and officials and voters.
The voter rally is aimed at energizing voters to get to the polls in November and to make the most informed decisions when they do. There will be elected officials and candidates participating in the event (We will announce them shortly) with speeches, information and the opportunity to speak one on one.

Having a blast while we get the work done.
There will be live music by a wide variety of bands. The headliners are The Little Dead. The bands members include Laura Dawn, Daron Murphy and Aaron Brooks and it's most famous member Moby. Find out more about the bands that are playing here. The event will close with an all-night dance party with DJs to be announced.

So please join us in Hudson NY for Blue Tsunami as we help turn the Hudson Valley a beautiful shade of Democratic Blue.

If you are on Facebook or MySpace. Join the Blue Tsunami Event pages that these links go to.
Blue Tsunami Event on Facebook

Blue Tsunami Event on MySpace

Blue Tsunami Event on Facebook

Why I am Supporting Richard Koweek for Hudson City Judge

Dear Neighbors,

During the past few months, I have gotten to know Richard Koweek pretty well and I now believe that he has both the wisdom and temperament to be a great City Judge for the City of Hudson.

His campaign committee, on which I feel honored to sit, is a diverse and well-respected group of Hudsonians of many different backgrounds. People of many ethnicities have stepped up to work for him. Life-long residents next to former New Yorkers. In spite of some of the toughest divisions that we have faced in the past, even the divisions based on race, class and sexual orientation seem to not matter. Instead people of many stripes have all come together behind him because they know that he is a fair and honorable man who will make a great City Judge.

Some people are not very aware of the importance of the City Judge position. The City Judge's term is six years, Three times as long as all of our other elected officials in Hudson. The duty of City Judge is to literally decides peoples fate. Rehabilitation vs. punishment, jail vs. freedom, productive life vs. wasted life. Matters that demand a thoughtful and reasoned person on the bench.

I'd like to urge you to get to know him better. There is a reason that such a diverse group of people from every ward in the city are supporting Richard Koweek. He is clearly the best candidate for this very important job.

Check out Richard Koweek's website:http://koweekforcityjudge.blogspot.com/
and there is always up to date info on:http://hudsoncitydemocrats.org

Sincerely,

Victor Mendolia

Hudson Flag Day 2008 by Abel

Adult Entertainment Busines Zoning in Hudson NY

I want to commend the Hudson Common Council for struggling with the issue of adult entertainment zoning and for getting it right. The proposed bills do not encourage or welcome adult businesses to the city, in fact it restricts them to an almost undoable area of the city. The US Supreme Court has ruled decisively on this issue. While a municipality can restrict the areas such establishments can operate in and can restrict the density (number) of such establishments, they cannot ban them completely. If the complete moratorium that has been in place was a permanent ban it would be unconstitutional. The temporary moratorium was in place to give the city time to draw up zoning that will theoretically allow adult businesses but limit the number and minimize the impact that these establishments would have on the community. That is what they have done.

The first proposed bill only included the North Bay which is in 2nd Ward. As a resident of the 2nd Ward, I agree that any adult business zone should not be targeted only in the 2nd Ward. The ward has long been the dumping ground for unpopular and ill-conceived projects. People who live here and understand the constitutional issues, understand the reasoning and necessity for such zoning. But they want it to fairly applied. The second proposed bill which includes both the North and South Bay areas of the city is the correct solution.

But I also support the second bill for another reason. The proposed zoning in the first bill would have effectively, only allowed one adult business in the entire city. This could open the door to a lawsuit on constitutional grounds that the zoning is too restrictive. By including the South Bay, it minimizes this potential liability and the ensuing costs to the city. It also sends an important message to residents of the 2nd ward.

I understand that people have a real aversion to any adult businesses operating here. But what the council is attempting to do is make sure that it complies with its duty to allow this type of activity (speech as defined by the Supreme Court). While at the same time limiting the number of establishments allowed to operate and relegate them to the far reaches of the under-used industrial areas of the city, preserving the beauty and charm of the rest of the city. I can live with that. So can we all.