Steve Ellman of Midtown, besides doing documents research for law firms, is one of Kingston Wire’s most popular contributors. Bringing a writing style reminiscent of the Village Voice’s way of doing journalism, Ellman writes frequently on county government and the ongoing Winston Farm proposal in Saugerties, as well as social phenomena of all makes and models. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Kingston Wire: How did you or your family come to Kingston?

Steve Ellman: The family and I drove here from South Florida in a two-car caravan just as Hurricane Irma was making landfall on the chancred peninsula. People who say they moved to Florida for the weather are nuts, but nuts is what that place is. Hope the friends I left behind make it out before sea level rise puts the damned thing under water.

KW: What do you like about Kingston?

SE: What we like is Kingston's variety, the street life and cafés on Broadway, the cliffsides and canyons of the Rondout and Ponckhockie, the aging artifacts of its Rust Belt and maritime glory days, the working stiffs and artisans and artists and activists struggling to get by, the old timers griping about change and hoping for better days.

KW: What would you change about Kingston?

SE: I don't think I've been here long enough to say what I'd change about Kingston that is specific to Kingston. It would be cool to see ethnic and gender lines dissolve and a sense of our common humanity prevail, and there's some hopeful signs of that, especially among the young. I can think of things that were done here that I wish had not, specifically the destruction of the Old Post Office and so much of the Rondout.

KW: How do you think Kingston will be different in 10 years?

SE: Ten years from now Kingston will be thriving economically if not equitably, though people of color will have more clout. I think we'll be seen as a city of refuge as the nation and the world grow dark, maybe even a major way station on the next underground railroad to what remains of Free Canada.