More GOP Fog

If you’re following the Patch “comments” as the campaign season rumbles along, you’ll have noticed that a lot of pseudo questions are being asked by pseudonymous supporters of the Peekskill GOP candidates. Having no record and no vision to run on, they hope their insinuations will cast doubt on the Democratic candidates.  At the risk of encouraging these characters, here are some fact-based answers. 

The “fuss” about the debate is that the Democratic candidates want to debate.  It’s part of their commitment to open, transparent government.  The GOP candidates claim to be for open, transparent government now, and also claimed early on that Mary was “reluctant” to debate, right on Frank Catalina’s Facebook page (don’t bother looking, he edited that out when it became inconvenient).  He sure got quiet when the League of Women Voters invited him to an actual debate with a moderator who will be nonpartisan and only interested in maintaining a level playing field for all participants. 

The GOP ticket continues to exaggerate the state of Peekskill’s infrastructure, counting on the voters to forget the conditions that existed, from infrastructure to council meeting protests, under a succession of GOP mayors.  I wouldn’t bet on public ignorance and forgetfulness if I were a candidate.  Folks tend to resent being treated as if they are fools.

Submarine Galley closed because the owner wanted to retire.  It was immediately replaced by an excellent Italian food and pizza restaurant that is packed every time I happen to be in the neighborhood.  Hugo’s closed due to the unfortunate personal circumstances of the owner.  The building was purchased by a new owner and is being rehabbed, upstairs apartments as well as the restaurant.  Hugo’s will rise again.  

The BID sponsors street festivals. The point of holding them is to introduce more folks from away to the new Peekskill, a great place to come and have fun. I doubt the festivals do more than break even, which is OK.  It’s worth it for the good press and good word of mouth and to bring in more customers for downtown businesses.  It also creates a more positive, supportive climate that is successfully encouraging more businessmen and –women to invest in our community.  Increasing the number of new businesses and patrons increases sales tax revenue, the lion share coming from those folks from away. 

Celebration was a private, nonprofit corporation that our city propped up for several years when they started to have financial issues.  They finally couldn’t go on.  Kind of like the old Paramount.  Any lost luster there is due to mismanagement, so thank the old board of directors, chaired by GOP Chairman Vesce.  Give me Paramount Hudson Valley any day. 

Here’s one item that keeps cropping up, and I have to say that I just don’t understand what the GOP’s beef is with barber shops and salons.  I counted the number of salons and barber shops listed in the phone book for Peekskill, and then also for Scarsdale.  The ratio of barber shops and salons per 100 residents is higher in Scarsdale.  It’s simply true that most people, of whatever socio-economic status, make an effort to look nice.  Variety stores, another dog whistle.  There are a lot of residents who shop in these stores because it’s what they can afford.  Does the GOP intend to drive all residents of modest means out of our community?

Ginsberg Development Corp has not abandoned Peekskill.  They ceased operations here only when it became clear that the housing market would not be making a quick recovery after the bubble burst.  It was some time after Mayor Foster was elected before he paused his application for site plan approval on the St. Mary’s development, his written threat to abandon our city forever during the 2007 election notwithstanding.  And with real estate up 31% this summer, guess what?  His people have been discussing a new concept for his St Mary’s property recently with the planning staff.  All this is exactly what any competent businessman would do. Market for your product collapses, stop making it until conditions improve.  Market stabilizes and begins to grow again, get back up and running.  The only politics in this is what the GOP tries to inject.  This administration has steered our city through the worst times since the Great Depression.  They did what any responsible government would do: cut costs, keep taxes stable, maintain the AA credit rating, continue to encourage local business development, and keep planning for the future.

That takes a long term view, and a willingness to do the right thing at the risk of paying a political price. The local Republicans are trying to exact that political price from Mayor Foster for putting our city’s long term interests ahead of her personal, political interest.  I’m sure the voters of Peekskill know better than to give credence to this baloney.