Hudson mayor listens to his constituents

In January, when federal changes began threatening Social Security services, I was concerned about the impact on Hudson Valley communities.

Working in this field, I saw potential office closures coming and felt compelled to reach out to local leaders to share what I was seeing.

I sent letters to county executives and mayors along the Hudson River, explaining the situation and offering to meet with anyone interested in understanding how these changes might affect their residents — particularly seniors, disabled individuals and working families who depend on Social Security services.

Of all the officials I contacted, only one responded: Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson. Mayor Johnson didn’t just send a form response. He invited me to City Hall to sit down with him and his aide, Justin.

We had a real conversation about what was happening and what it could mean for Hudson residents. His genuine concern was evident when he asked, “What can we do to help?”

While other leaders remained silent, Mayor Johnson took time to listen to a concerned citizen and understand an issue affecting his community.

My concerns proved valid when the Poughkeepsie Social Security office later appeared on federal cut lists, creating uncertainty for thousands of........

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