Plan to merge four county departments. Good or bad idea?

[Clipper]

www.cnyhomepage.com/news/proposal-to-merge-four-oneida-county-departments-may-bring-along-job-cuts/

It may save the county money but I would fear that folding the services all into social services might result in the shortchanging of those seeking services specifically for veterans, for the aging, or for youth. The social services department is already overwhelmed with a caseload that is barely manageable. Why subject those who are seeking the services of the other offices to dealing with a combined department where their cases may not be handled in a timely manner?

[Deleted]

Good. If it saves money even better. If it adds to productivity then by all means even if it casts more since that would even out as time moves forward.

[clarencebunsen]

I would be interested in how other counties handle this.

[Clipper]

I agree CB. I don't see it will necessarily increase productivity. It could have the opposite effect if they cut personnel and further overburden the remaining staff.

[BHU]

I'd be more interested in finding out why Picente is sticking county taxpayers for $40 million dollars for a new parking garage for a private for profit hospital. I'd like to know why Picente keeps sinking millions of dollars a year into the Rome airport where a passenger airliner hasen't touched down in over 20 years.

And what sevices are being "leapfrogged"? Veterans & youth bureau? Youth bureau & office of aging? Gimme a break.

[clarencebunsen]

Not for profit. The general public will also use the garage for things like the Aud and the U district if that ever gets built.

[Clipper]

If the parking garage will help with parking for events at the Aud, they should considered that when they made the original site plan, and put the garage in the immediate vicinity of the Aud, rather than making it a fairly long walk to the Aud. I am relatively sure that all the conflict will settle once the hospital is built and protesting no longer serves any useful purpose. The Utica taxpayer will be left bent over and freshly screwed again. It seems as though that train has already traveled too far down the track to really make protesting even minimally effective in bringing about any change to the plans. BHU, I totally agree with you when it comes to the money that continues to be spent on the "international airport" that sees absolutely NO commercial passenger service. I have always been of the opinion that it should have been marketed as a cargo port like Stewart Field outside of Newburg, where a large amount of cargo destined for the metropolitan NY and New Jersey area is handled. Access both East and West via the Thruway, coupled with the long runway, and the geographical location in the middle of the state seems as though it would make it a perfect location for such an endeavor. As far as dreaming about any future passenger service, I think the best that would ever be seen would be a few puddle jumper regional flights. With Syracuse so close it is doubtful that any major airline would offer any flights to or from Rome. Spending money on a passenger terminal at Griffiss was an outrageous waste of taxpayer money.

[clarencebunsen]

From the maps I have seen the parking garage will directly across Oriskany from the Aud. Some parking spaces will be for the hospital but many will be for the general public. From what I have seen most of the downtown area doesn't have a parking problem. No one goes there anymore.

[clarencebunsen]

Agree that the passenger terminal at Grifiss was a total waste

[Deleted]

I cannot wait for after the election. This election is all about the hospital and parking garage and lowering taxes including the sales tax and Hennessy is preaching he will stop the hospital, end the parking garage, lower sales tax to 8.25% and drop the property tax. The guy running for Mayor of Utica is on the fence as to the hospital. Should be interesting. Also the voting this year has been extended by a few days by adding voting days before the actual voting day so will have to see if that drew in more voters.

[BHU]

Nov 5, 2019 9:21:12 GMT -5 Clipper said:

If the parking garage will help with parking for events at the Aud, they should considered that when they made the original site plan, and put the garage in the immediate vicinity of the Aud, rather than making it a fairly long walk to the Aud. I am relatively sure that all the conflict will settle once the hospital is built and protesting no longer serves any useful purpose. The Utica taxpayer will be left bent over and freshly screwed again. It seems as though that train has already traveled too far down the track to really make protesting even minimally effective in bringing about any change to the plans. BHU, I totally agree with you when it comes to the money that continues to be spent on the "international airport" that sees absolutely NO commercial passenger service. I have always been of the opinion that it should have been marketed as a cargo port like Stewart Field outside of Newburg, where a large amount of cargo destined for the metropolitan NY and New Jersey area is handled. Access both East and West via the Thruway, coupled with the long runway, and the geographical location in the middle of the state seems as though it would make it a perfect location for such an endeavor. As far as dreaming about any future passenger service, I think the best that would ever be seen would be a few puddle jumper regional flights. With Syracuse so close it is doubtful that any major airline would offer any flights to or from Rome. Spending money on a passenger terminal at Griffiss was an outrageous waste of taxpayer money.

Me thinks that one of the reasons Picente is spending all this money at the "International Airport" is because the politically connected in this county want hangar space to store their private planes & with that all the maintenance costs of maintaining the place. And the suckers who pay taxes get handed the bill.