Residency Law Passed.

[bobbbiez]

Kim. reality is that the surrounding areas will never go for joining forces with Utica. I don't think Utica would oppose it.

I for one would love to see that happen for everyones benefit but sadly I don't think it'll happen in my life time.

[bobbbiez]

:)Denise, for the life of me I can't see how Utica just narrowed their margin because of the new residency requirements.
If anything, it'll bring more relief to us in tax revenues.

I do hope we finally reap what we sow.

[bobbbiez]

Stoney, as I stated before anyone from anywhere can take the civil service test to become a Utica Officer, but the candidates are made aware that if appointed they must move into the city if they want the position. They sign a contract stating they will comply if appointed.
It has been that way for as long as I can remember. ;D

[bobbbiez]

Now Clipper, I never once in all my post said the city of Utica hasn't changed or gone down hill, but all areas have.
Just as the economy has dropped drastically all over this whole country. I found out first hand that the grass is not greener on the other side when I moved out of this whole area for a short period of time. I gladly returned to Utica knowing it has it's faults but was much better then the area I thought would be better.
Just as my sister is finding out who moved to California four years ago.

The city residency requirement does not put the police department in the hands of politicians. Read again in my earlier post how one is appointed to the UPD.
Sorry to disappoint you but my two boys did not get appointed because of knowing or being related to an E.Utica crook.
Number one they were born and raised in W.Utica.
Number two they scored high on the civil service test, both had college degrees and also lived in the city of Utica. They could not be over looked when it came to being appointed no matter what any politician wanted which goes for most that take the test.
You mess with a civil service test you leave yourself open for big problems. The results of the test are available to all the candidates and to the public.

If you're interested in how the housing market is in the Mohawk Valley check out the front page of Sunday's OD. You'll be in for a big surprise. Our housing market has remained pretty stable and reasonable so don't let that be a reason you fear coming back to our area. We still have many benefits and offer much more then other areas.

[Clipper]

I would not be disappointed to find that your two boys have the same integrity that their mom does. But then there are others that don't. I watched Kathy's nephew, whom you know, get passed over time and time again with high scores on the tests for Lt. because he was NOT in anyones pocket, or related to anyone on the east end.

I guess it could be taken as offensive, but I don't mean it that way. I have nothing against Italians. I just have lived in the area most of my life, and anyone that lives there has to admit, that Italians have dominated politics in the city forever, and not always honorably.

There was a time when the city majority was Italian, but that I would imagine has changed with all the diversity in the city now, and many families moving to the suburbs from the old East Utica homesteads.

I would like to see consolidation of services with the city of Utica also. It would be a real savings if all the little village police forces became part of a Utica "Metro" area police force. You will never see Whitestown or New Hartford settle for any of that stuff.

[denise]

Bobbiez ;D

What I meant by Utica narrowing it's margins was with the residency requirment they have decided that location is a higher priority than quality.

I certainly hopes it works out especially in regards to the police department. My parents moved back into Utica a few years ago. Public safety is the utmost importance, and one would always want the best possible candidates working on the their police force, not just the most adequate that does/will live within the city limits.

[bobbbiez]

Denise, we are all wanting the same as you posted. I am a long live citizen of Utica, (65 yrs.), and I am very involved in trying to help the police department and all other departments in this city by getting involved. I am not one who sits at home and just complains . I am constantly trying to get others involved because without the help from those that live here not much will improve.

I can assure you that just in this last year things are improving. It might be a slow process but with the help of ALL citizens we can get Utica back on a recovery road. In doing this we have to accept there will be changes. We may not like all the changes but anything is worth the try. Especially since nothing was done for so long in the past.

In the past I have seen many not willing to help when the help was needed. They just packed up and moved to other areas, not realizing the problems Utica was facing would eventually follow them. That is why State and County task forces and other agencies were formed. Now, it's not just the city with major problems.

The residency requirement was always there. It is not something new. I do not fear we will lower standards by this requirement, especially in our police force. I have witnessed first hand on many occasions what our Officers face and how they handle most dangerous situations since I live in a target area in Utica and I proudly state Utica has an "excellent" police force.

Being the Mom of two senior investigators I do know many great accomplishments our Officers have succeeded in do not make the newspaper. For whatever reasons the newspaper only enjoys printing the negative and the bad but believe me the good does outweigh the bad by a far margin.
I would like to send out a personal invitation to you to be my guest at the annual police award ceremony next year so you can witness yourself what our Officers have bravely accomplished throughout the year. I believe it will give you a whole different attitude on just how adequate our police department is.

Keep the faith girl. We will do just fine.

[bobbbiez]

Denise, please allow me to just blow my own horn.

Remember when that guy living in Malone, N.Y. killed his aunt, took off and also committed other crimes along the way in his travels until he was caught in Utica?
I proudly state it was the Utica Police that finally captured him and it was one of my sons who found where he was hiding out. ;D

Told you we had the best!!!!!!!!!

[Clipper]

Isn't Constable near Malone? I was worried at the time that the old lady had simply pissed YOU off, and you had done her in, hahaha. I thought for a minute that she might have said something bad about the Rangers and caught you in a bad mood, LOL.

[bobbbiez]

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For awhile I thought the authorities there would think the same as I lived there when the murder took place and most of them favored Canadian teams.

Yepper, Malone is only 8 miles south of Constable.

Got to run.
Catch ya later.

[Clipper]

Hmmm. That close huh? Well, if I move back, I will have to get you to buy me glazier hotdogs from Malone. They are bright red hotdogs and have a unique flavor. They are made in Malone in small meat market from what I hear, and I used to have a neighbor get them for me in 10lb bags. I love them for chili dogs and on the grill in summertime.

Just one of those local things like Croghan baloney I guess. Have ya ever had them? My neighbor used to make what he called "michigan sauce" which was just a hamburg based chili sauce of sorts.

[bobbbiez]

Yep, couldn't wait to try them because everyone who lived there bragged about them including my better half.

Speaking honestly hoping not to offend my dear friends in Malone and Constable, Clipper, I would rather have Voss's or the Patio's hot dogs with chili any day.

I guess when that's all ya got to brag about and nothing to compare it with the truth gets lost in the shuffle. ;D ;D

[Clipper]

Oh you are right about Patio's hotdogs. I never like Voss's for anything except ice cream and that was years ago. Just never cared for the place or could see what all the big deal was.

Now Ike's chili sauce. That is a different story. THAT is some kind of good chili sauce. Anthony actually was going to bottle it commercially a few years ago, but the hassles were too much of a problem. He just gave up the idea.


Voss's DID used to have the best frozen custard around, when soft ice cream and frozen custard first became popular. The Frozen Cow, also had great soft ice cream.

Glaziers are just something different, and a treat once in a while. You can't make Patio chili dogs at home, or Voss's either. Glaziers are actually closer to the old Pilgrim Franks than they are to Hoffman's or Tobin's Franks.

Patio hot dogs rock! Can't be beat anywhere in the area, and probably anywhere in the world. ;D

[golden]

toilet, PLEASE!

[Clipper]