CMYK
Register-Star Copyright 2020, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 236, No. 31
Cloudy most of the time
Colder with some sun
HIGH 42
LOW 22
27 4
Price $1.50
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020
Mayor’s term may be extended
FRI
A little a.m. rain; cloudy
SEE PAGE A6
The nation’s second-oldest newspaper • Serving Columbia and Dutchess counties since 1785
All Rights Reserved
n FORECAST WEATHER FOR HUDSON/CA TODAY TONIGHT
Chatham Courier
By Abby Hoover Columbia-Greene Media
Complete weather, A2
n SPORTS
FILE PHOTO
Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson addresses the crowd at his inauguration ceremony in January. The Common Council wants to extend the term of the mayor’s office from two years to four years.
HUDSON — A local law was introduced Tuesday at the Common Council’s informal meeting to amend the City Charter concerning the term of the office of the mayor. It would be extended from two years to four. The
amendment would be on the ballot in the general election Nov. 3 election and take effect Jan. 1, 2022. “We need to have some continuation in leadership whether that’s me or someone else,” Mayor Kamal Johnson said. “I think the alderman position is a lot more complex. There
were conversations on staggering it or different resolutions or solutions for that, so it’s up to you guys whether you want to vote for this or not, but I think it’s best that I chose to separate it.” “I disagree,” 2nd Ward See MAYOR A2
By Abby Hoover Columbia-Greene Media
Patroon Conference basketball Williams drops 22 in Panthers’ victory PAGE B1
n LOCAL
Valatie crash injures two Police: Two drivers are hurt in a collision in Valatie PAGE A3
n THE SCENE
These ‘Birds’ are grounded Violence, incoherence sink Harley Quinn sequel PAGE A7
n INDEX Region Opinion State/Nation Obituaries Sports Classified Comics/Advice
A3 A4 A5 A5 B1 B4-5 B7-8
On the web www.HudsonValley360.com Twitter Follow: @HudsonRegisterstar Facebook www.facebook.com/ HudsonRegisterstar/
HUDSON — A 50-room hotel could be coming to 7th and Union streets in the old McKinstry Mansion. Plans were presented to the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency and city Planning Board on Tuesday. The building was originally constructed in the 1830s, with an 1870s addition, and is located in a historic district. Representatives of 620 Hudson House LLC will present their plans to the Hudson Historic Preservation Committee at its Feb. 28 meeting to obtain a certificate of appropriateness. Once the Home for the Aged for nearly a century, 620 Union has been vacant since. It is across 7th Street from Governor’s Tavern and Iron Horse Cigar Depot, and located diagonally across the train tracks from the Hudson Police Station. To the west, the property adjoins a church, and backs up to Cherry Alley. The group approached the IDA on Tuesday afternoon in hopes of securing a straight lease transaction. While the group is not looking for bond financing, it means the IDA would take an interest in the property and lease it back to 620 Hudson House LLC. The company would have all of the obligations of ownership. Since the IDA is a taxexempt organization, it would exempt construction See HOTEL A2
Union Street hotel plans unveiled ABBY HOOVER/COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA
The hotel proposed to the Industrial Development Agency and Planning Board on Feb. 12 will include the historic home located at 620 Union St.
6th-grader spells his way to the top By Sarah Trafton Columbia-Greene Media
CAIRO — “C-z-a-j-k-o-w-s-k-i.” Remember that name. Kingston Czajkowski, a sixth-grade student at Cairo-Durham Middle School has been honing his spelling skills his entire life. “It’s Polish,” Kingston said, referring to his speller’s-demon surname. Kingston, 11, of Cairo, recently won the Capital Region Spelling Bee in Schenectady and will travel to Washington, D.C., in May to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Out of the 113 contestants on Feb. 4, Kingston is the only finalist going to the nationals, he said Wednesday. His winning word in the Capital Region bee was the Egyptian term “ankh.” “It’s a symbol of life,” Kingston said. Learning the origin or root of words is part of Kingston’s studying technique with his spelling tutor, Drew Sirago, an 11th grader.
SARAH TRAFTON/COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA
Kingston Czajkowski, 11, stands with a banner signed by fellow students congratulating him on his victory in the Capital Region Spelling Bee and his upcoming trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May in Washington, D.C.
“Different languages have different rules and you can use that to try and figure out how to spell a word,”
RED APPLE REALTY, INC. Licensed Real Estate Broker • State of New York • 518-851-9601 396 Rte. 23 B • Claverack • www.redappler.com
Call us: 518-851-9601 www.redappler.com
Kingston said. Kingston prepares by studying the Greek and Latin roots of words with
flashcards and watching videos of other regional and state spelling bees on Youtube, he said. “And I read a lot of books that are old — not written in the past 50 years,” Kingston said. Kingston has been competing in his school’s spelling bees since first grade. “I didn’t win until fourth grade,” he said. “This was my third year in regionals.” Last year Kingston placed second in the regional competition. Despite his experience, Kingston gets a bit of stage-fright, he said. “I’m very nervous,” he said. “I’m nervous all the time. You’d think that after a few years of doing it I wouldn’t be nervous but I’m nervous every year. I’m also excited at the same time.” Kingston’s parents, David and Ling Czajkowski, have been supportive, Kingston said. Cairo-Durham Middle School See SPELLS A2
Another Quality Home SOLD by Red Apple Realty! Congratulations to the New Owners on their Purchase! Big or Small we SELL them ALL! With 49 Years of Expertise in Helping Buyers and Sellers, you’ll want the Experience and Professionalism of our Firm to assist you in your next Purchase or Sale!
This Property was SOLD by NANCY RANDALL, Salesperson with Red Apple Realty.
Thinking about selling? We have Buyers and can HELP! (518) 851-9601