First World Problems, local edition

I'll be using this image. I'll use others if I find them.
Simply write your First World Problem in the comments. I'll be adding those.

UPDATE: For those who want context about the image above:

Kingston mulls urban chicken rules

"Urban Chicken" by John Coulter

Did you know that Kingston is considering clarification for its rules about urban chickens?

It's true!

The Kingston Times, which broke the story, notes that city code officer Mike Madsen is seeking clarification about the rules concerning raising chickens within city limits.

Though I have yet to find someone in the city who raises chickens  — and if you do, give me a call for a real story at (845) 331-5000 x502 or at ilajara@freemanonline.com — I took the issue directly to the person who brought it up.

This all happened on Twitter, obviously.

Hudson Valley politicians. BRAAAAAMMMMMM!!!!

I did a "Law & Order" edition last year. See if you can tell who's who.

Kingston Pike Plan's, uh, plan for the week

Kingston alderman smartypants Tom Hoffay posted this tweet today:

Follow the Pike Plan as the work progresses...City website, then links...click on Pike Plan..less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

The thing is, if you do just that, you won't find the link. So I gave Hoffay some Twitter grief and he coughed up the link, where the schedule for renovations will be (hopefully) updated. Points to the city for doing this, no points for making it impossible to find on the city's website.

So, as a favor, here's the schedule:

Work Period:  7/18 to 7/122

• Weather permitting, primer and patch bare wood surfaces throughout project site
• Finalization of bluestone replacement area on North Front Street
• Continued header repairs, where necessary
• Roof framing between locations 17 and 28 (301 to 335 Wall Street); time permitting move roof framing work toward location 35 (58 North Front Street)
  
• Continued installation of standing seam metal roofs between locations 17 and 28 (301 to 335 Wall Street)
• Continued installation of electrical components between locations 1 and 16 (334 to 300 Wall Street)
• Installation of bluestone curb along North Front Street between locations 17 and 35
  
• Continued demolition of existing ceiling and placement of new beadboard ceiling under the canopy between locations 1 and 16 (334 to 300 Wall Street)
• Skylights shipped from factory on 7/18
  
• Asbestos abatement with full-time air monitoring and inspection resumed on 7/18 between 335 Wall Street and 59 North Front Street (locations 28 to 35)

Area activists, politicians and journalists set to act on civic issues

A small group of area activists, politicians and journalists (and yours truly, for some reason) will gather in Kingston on July 14 with the goal of creating a vibrant community through "A Forum for Engagement," an event which aims to focus on turning vision into action.

I'll be representing THE EVIL MAINSTREAM MEDIA OF DOOM AND DESPAIR AND DECADENCE and will try, with the rest of the group, to find a way for you to easily participate with matters that, uh, matter to you. In short, my role will be, with your help, to figure out ways for us at the Freeman to collaborate and improve our coverage of issues that are important to you. I'll also be adding some needed DOOM AND DESPAIR AND DECADENCE, because that's how I roll.


The forum takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 14 at Stella May Gallery Theatre, 5 Sterling Street, Kingston.

Scott Tillitt, who organized the forum, explains:

Engaging with the audience, the group will use an organized creative thinking process to explore the issues that matter most and, more importantly, act on them. Following a discussion moderated by Brian Mahoney, editor of Chronogram, the group will break to organize the discussion into major themes. Then they’ll reconvene with the audience to focus on the most important issues, break them down further into actionable projects, and form teams to work on them.

Audience members are encouraged to engage with the group in the discussion and the action-focused process. But even if you go to just listen, your presence is participation enough, the organizers stress.

To bring more folks into the process, organizers will stream the event live online and monitor chat and Twitter during the discussion. Audience members and those who can't make it can submit comments and questions before the event and follow the action live on Twitter using the hashtag #civickingstonny.

The group is schedule to include: Kevin Cahill, NY State Assemblyman and person I like to make fun of; Michael D’Arcy, Kingston Neighborhood Watch; Elizabeth Hare, ReadyCollective; Tom Hoffay, Kingston Alderman and person I like to make fun of; Brian Mahoney, Chronogram; Rebecca Martin, Kingston Land Trust; Tillitt of BEAHIVE and me, of THE EVIL MAINSTREAM MEDIA OF DOOM AND DESPAIR AND DECADENCE.


The event is produced by BEAHIVE, sponsored by Chronogram and Freeman, and hosted by Stella May Gallery Theater.


Space is limited. Refreshments will be provided. Event details and RSVP are at http://on.fb.me/civickingstonny7-14.


You can also join the Civic Kingston NY Facebook group (http://on.fb.me/civickingstonny)

10 things your tweets say about you

Twitter fight!

As seen on How to fight with pols without trying

Tuesday night 'political' tweets

A twitterview with Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay

I decided to do a drive-by interview today, via Twitter, with Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay about the proposed fee that would be imposed to filmmakers who want to shoot in Kingston.
What follows is the twitterview.

@tomhoffay, Enlighten me, who supports the movie fee in Kingston?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckIvan Lajara
ivanlajara

@ivanlajara seeking enlightenment? from a politician?less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

That's neither an answer or enlightening RT @tomhoffay: @ivanlajara seeking enlightenment? from a politician?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckIvan Lajara
ivanlajara

@ivanlajara neither/nor...either/or...???less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

Yes, thank Autofill for that RT @tomhoffay: @ivanlajara neither/nor...either/or...???less than a minute ago via TweetDeckIvan Lajara
ivanlajara

@ivanlajara anyway....we all pay fees to go to the movies, unless you know one of the ushers...less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

@ivanlajara I use to be an usher, before I was a politician...less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

But who supports this measure? RT @tomhoffay: @ivanlajara anyway....we all pay fees to go to the movies, unless you know one of the ushersless than a minute ago via TweetDeckIvan Lajara
ivanlajara

@ivanlajara every council member would support free movies....where can we find these free movies?less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

@tomhoffay You're dodging the question. Who, besides council members, supports the proposed film fee in Kingston?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckIvan Lajara
ivanlajara

@ivanlajara dodging? what is this dodging?? are we having a real conversation on this subject...in Twitter?less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

@ivanlajara shouldn't we at least be in facebook?less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

@tomhoffay Nope. I like my beer cold and my public conversations public. Anyway, who supports the measure?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckIvan Lajara
ivanlajara

And then he called. Because, man, is it hard to have a twitter interview or what?
By the way, we spoke for a long time. And I just checked my copious notes.

No word on who supports the measure, other than the council.

Insensitive columnist responds to response by assembly people

I feel compelled to respond to the very well written letter by nice person and New York State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, which was prompted by this mean column.

(It should be noted that the assemblyman's letter was written before the Legislature decided to stick it to New Yorkers and take a break for the holiday - who needs a budget, right?)

Anyway, first of all, I have to say that I forgot to not name State Sen. James Seward.

Second, to members of Kevin Cahill staff who are also members of the city of Kingston Common Council and who are named Tom Hoffay and who like to criticize columnists while they're eating lunch at Keegan Ales on Wednesdays: If you guys are working so hard, how come the budget is three months late? What would your landlord do if you were three months behind in rent? Keep you there because you're a nice guy and are working hard?

Do try that and let me know what happens.

Third, about Molinaro's well intentioned reform efforts, all I have to say is this: How's that going?

Exhibit A, via the Associated Press:

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The Legislature on Thursday broke for the July 4 holiday weekend indefinitely, leaving a state budget that's three months overdue and Gov. David Paterson furiously vetoing the parts of the budget that were passed.

The Democrat-led Senate left Albany for at least several days and perhaps a week or more, declining to act on the critical revenue bill to close the state budget. Democrats also made their goodbye speeches and held a news conference to list their accomplishments of the 2010 session.

The Assembly later voted 88-56 to pass the revenue bill, the budget's final piece in that chamber, then left Thursday shortly before midnight with an unspecified return, pending a call by the speaker. The bill would raise an estimated $869 million this year and $1.77 billion next year through various tax adjustments.

"In the face of fiscal uncertainty, New Yorkers need action," admonished state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, a Democrat. "Stay in Albany and get the job done."

Let the blaming begin.

Also, a parting shot, again via AP, of the governor vetoing a little bit of legislation:

Pulse of the Hudson Valley, politics edition

* Chainsaw leg-cutting, gun-loving U.S. Rep. Macho Mo' likes strawberries.

I'm looking forward to marching in the Owego Strawberry Festival parade tomorrow!less than a minute ago via webMaurice Hinchey
mauricehinchey

* Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay doesn't like the sound of bagpipes in the morning.

Morning meeting of Celtic Connections at the Broadway Lights Diner, little early for bagpipes....less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

* Also, hairless person Hoffay wants a piece of my scalp (a reference to my decision to crowdsource the fate of my hair to you). Voting ends today.

Where's Lajara? I want to witness the haircut.....it's tough to lose an election by one vote.less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

* Ulster County Legislator Michael Madsen discovers Kingston can be seen on Google Maps' StreetView (don't tell him about Saugerties or New Paltz or Woodstock or Rosendale or Rhinebeck or Red Hook or the entire Hudson Valley).

Thanx Mark, this is great! @ingwaem Hey so it looks like Google has finally added street view for #Kingston: http://bit.ly/c0dVpUless than a minute ago via webMike Madsen
MichaelLMadsen

* State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro is working hard on the budget - which was due April 1. Legislature FAIL!

Today, we are expected to consider several components of a budget proposal. Without any comprehensive budget plan,... http://fb.me/AxwSRow8less than a minute ago via FacebookMarc Molinaro
marcmolinaro

The Pulse of the Valley

* The Bardavon Opera House rubs it in.

getting ready for Jeff Beck on Thursday at UPAC!less than a minute ago via webBardavon Opera House
bardavon

* Months late on the state budget, the Senate picks up important issues.

More details on Senate's 1st in the nation free mobile app for #iPhone and #Android: http://bit.ly/bTtq0M #gov20 #OpenGovless than a minute ago via TweetDeckNew York Senate
NYSenate

* Alderman Tom Hoffay is very specific when he talks about a letter to the editor.

@DailyFreeman pathetic!less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

Pulse of the Valley

* John-Antony Bruno, CEO of the Ulster County chapter of the American Red Cross, reveals that he was a Freeman carrier.

Stopped by the @DailyFreeman today and was pleased to see the Paper Carrier of the Year plaque with my name on it (1993) was still up.less than a minute ago via HootSuiteJohn-Anthony Bruno
jabruno101

* Craig Shelley, Scout Executive and CEO of the Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America, thinks that revealing that you were a Freeman carrier is not so cool:

Dork RT: @jabruno101 Stopped by the @DailyFreeman today to see the Paper Carrier of the Year plaque with my name on it (1993) was still upless than a minute ago via OpenBeakCraig Shelley
craigshelley

* Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay hates repetition. Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay hates repetition. Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay hates repetition. Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay hates repetition. Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay hates repetition.

Wondering why I keep getting tweeted the same news stories over & over each morning?less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

Freeman publisher Ira Fusfeld does not care for vuvuzelas.

Here's the thing: Were it not for the constant buzzing of horns in the background, the #WorldCup telecasts would be putting me to sleep.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckIra Fusfeld
IraFusfeld

* Photographer Jen Kiaba begins an innovative "expe ..."

Hey, new blog post! So the brilliant Crissy from the Indie Biz Chicks had an inspiring idea: to do a blogging expe... http://bit.ly/cOZ0qOless than a minute ago via twitterfeedJen Kiaba
Jenkiaba

* Area techie and jazz singer Nancy Tierney is not having lunch with the famous CEO of Black Entertainment Television Bob Johnson.

Having lunch with the famous Bob Johnson. http://tweetphoto.com/27254052less than a minute ago via TweetDecknancytierney
nancytierney

* The Freeman needs your help with its version of parent company Journal Register Company's Ben Franklin Project.

We want your help with our stories for our very special July 4 edition! Let's do it! http://bit.ly/FreemanBFPbudget #JRC #JRCBenFranklinless than a minute ago via TweetDeckDailyFreeman
DailyFreeman

Part of that project, by the way, involves highlighting your tweets. Do you have or know of one? Send them! Post them at http://bit.ly/HVtweets or send me a tweet using #HVTweet.

When Tweeters tweet, the world still doesn't care

Tweets from around the Mid-Hudson Valley:

* Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay makes an important promise to his constituents, which has to do with moving furniture.

Okay...I vow...never to change my home office around again....ever..less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

* Chickens: the new tomatoes.

In my town, backyard chickens are the new tomato plants. Everyone seems to be growing their own! #HudsonValleyless than a minute ago via webLeslie Coons
LeslieCoons

* Marist College has a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, but it won't tell you what it is.

BIG announcement will be made at these events that will impact HS Class of 2011 and beyond.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckMarist College
Marist

* The New York State Senate has live coverage of the New York State Senate not passing the late budget.

Joint hearing "From Battlegrounds to Classrooms" happening now. Details & live video here:http://bit.ly/bhDtZp #Education #Veteransless than a minute ago via TweetDeckNew York Senate
NYSenate

* Assemblyman Marc Molinaro is an angry man.

Back to Albany... I share your anger. http://bit.ly/cEhssfless than a minute ago via FacebookMarc Molinaro
marcmolinaro

* Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders comes to the area:

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders will be playing a live show with her new band at the farm Saturday 5/29! http://bit.ly/aObNOsless than a minute ago via webWoodstockFarm
WoodstockFarm

Wait! Did I just learn something on Twitter?

Twitterverse, politics edition

* Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay works very hard for his constituents.

...mmmm a nap may be in order...less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

* State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro tweet like Bob Dole speaks:

"Marc Molinaro has been a real friend to farmers. He understands the difficulties we face and is always there to... http://bit.ly/cg2oNyless than a minute ago via FacebookMarc Molinaro
marcmolinaro

* Ulster County legislator Michael Madsen thinks Jay Leno is funny.

The market was so bad today that Goldman Sachs had to lay off three congressmen."---Jay Lenoless than a minute ago via webMike Madsen
UlsterMadness

* The New York State Senate would like to remind you of many things, minus the state budget - late for more than a month.

#NY's volunteer #firefighters and #ambulance workers now qualify for more affordable health insurance: http://bit.ly/9aIHlDless than a minute ago via TweetDeckNew York Senate
NYSenate

* Karl Rove hates polls.

Let's get rid of exit polls. I hate 'em. http://bit.ly/cxRGm3 #TCOT #SGPless than a minute ago via HootSuiteKarl Rove
KarlRove

* Karl Rove loves polls.

Updated Map: 2010 Senate Races http://bit.ly/9lQd33 #TCOT #SGPless than a minute ago via HootSuiteKarl Rove
KarlRove

More Hudson Valley Twitterverse*

* Now featuring the just-released Blackbird Pie and 100 percent high-fructose corn syrup.

- The Kingston Neighborhood Watch is looking for people who can write words like "posting."

The watch is looking for a member to step up and help us with blog psoting. If you have the time and writing... http://fb.me/x0jKGFNhless than a minute ago via FacebookKingston Town Cryers
KingstonNYWatch

- The Woodstock Film Festival hosts a screening that's not in Woodstock.

HOLY ROLLERS at Soho House WFF Benefit on Thursday May 6. http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/cart/sohohouse.phpless than a minute ago via webWoodstock Film Fest
woodstkfilmfest

- Alderman Tom Hoffay doesn't have sweat glands.

@DailyFreeman swimming....swimming....not "sweating"less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

- Dutchess Tourism's rack is massive.

The Hyde Park Trails and Podcast brochure is now available in the brochure rack. http://bit.ly/bCAmgHless than a minute ago via TweetDeckDutchess Tourism
dutchesstourism

- Unemployment solved! U.S. Rep Maurice Hinchey has helped create 10 jobs.

I'm headed to Highland, NY to break ground on Phase II of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail - a Recovery Act project to create 10 local jobs!less than a minute ago via webMaurice Hinchey
mauricehinchey

- The Bearsville theater can't wait for its pornos.

Looking forward to @TheNewPornos w/Will Sheff ~Th, 8pm~ http://tinyurl.com/BearsvilleTheater It'll be slammin' !less than a minute ago via webBearsville Theater
BearsvilTheater

- Dragon Search's Claudia D'Arcy has a geographical beef with the Ulster County Development Corp.

Wondering why @ulsterny invited so many out of towners to speak here? Nothing against @BrianReich, but we got home grown social media folks.less than a minute ago via TweetieClaudia C D'Arcy
FauxClaud

- Ulster County Community College advertises how to stop classes from happening.

The College is closed until Noon today. A car hit a nearby pole and we have no... http://www.facebook.com/sunyulster/posts/119233568100527less than a minute ago via FacebookSUNY Ulster
SUNYUlster

- The Culinary Institute of America can't find commencement speakers and/or has a dean that likes to talk a lot.

CIA Dean Holds Record for Presiding Over Most College Commencements http://bit.ly/bLWydQless than a minute ago via TypePadThe CIA
CIACulinary