We are NOT the Mohawk Valley

[dgriffin]

Nov 19, 2008 13:59:22 GMT -5 rrogers40 said:

I
So really we are caught between all areas- which is our biggest problem when it come to bringing people into the area. Why come here when you can go anywhere else and there is going to be more to do and see?

Except that I don't think that's the way things really work. I think people go where the jobs are, unless they're independently wealthy. Look at the Triple Cities area. Sure, it's hurting now, but back when I lived there in the late sixties, early seventies, it was jumping with job opportunities, education (SUNY Binghamton was building up), etc. etc. Most people who lived there were enjoying the area because they could support themselves well and do things they liked. No one who lived there ever said being downhill from 10 Million acres of cow sh*t which is the southern tier attracted all those people. I never heard anyone say, "When I grow up, I want to live in New York's Southern Tier."

I really like where I live now, but I didn't get here by reading a snazzy brochure. My work brought me here.

[Clipper]

In your case sunshine there is hockey game, hockey games, and hockey games, only outdone by visits with grandkids and kids, or maybe coffee with friends. Oh and don't forget "HOCKEY GAMES" hahaha!

[tanouryjr]

I agree, Dave. I lived in Tampa, Fl right out of high school. When I first moved there I thought it was the greatest thing. Tons to do and several pro sports teams. After a couple years I realized it was pretty much a full day trip just to attend anything though. With all the traffic and crowds, it would take all day to get to and from the events. Here, you can go (albeit not to a pro sport game) to an event like it was a simple stop at the store. You can be in an urban setting one minute and out in the mountains the next. It's great here.

As for MVCC...I actually mentioned the namong at one of our Education, Youth and Ag Committee meetings. They said we made a deal with Herkimer County years ago that if they didn't open a CC we would build ours on the boarder (Sherman Dr.) and call it Mohawk Valley. Then Herkimer opened HCCC. So I asked why we keep calling it MVCC if they went back on the deal. They said they would consider the idea of going with Oneida County CC. I won't hold my breathe though.

The whole idea is that we already have a problem with too many local municipalities and parochialism in NYS. We even see it in just Oneida County alone. So if we can't bring Oneida County's localities together, what makes us think we can bring a region as vast as the "Mohawk Valley" together? Let's focus on Oneida County. The two major cities are Utica and Rome and this is why we have always been known as the Utica/Rome region. And it still gets me that Rome continues to keep their identity while Utica's has been ripped to shreds. Utica's water...UMVWA - Utica's Red Cross...MV - Utica's Chamber...MV - and the list goes on. However, all of those same agencies in Rome have continued to keep "Rome" in their name.

What are we doing around here?

[bobbbiez]

Larry, don't sweat the small stuff. It proves one thing. We Uticans can always be proud of, we are more then willing to share with our surrounding areas no matter what they call us or how bad they think Utica is.

We are unique! ;D

[bobbbiez]

Clipper, you forgot also, KARATE, KARATE, and KARATE!


Sh*t, at least it's warm in there for these old bones

[bobbbiez]

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm off to a meet now at 4:00

[countrygal]

Larry,

I find it interesting that there is an Education, Youth and Ag Committee. I kinda chuckled to see Ag lumped in with Education and Youth. How often does the "Ag" part get talked about? Can you tell me who is on that committee? Just curious.

[tanouryjr]

Good point Bobbie, I just wish others would be a little more appreciative, lol.

Countrygal, it's funny you mention that. I too questioned that when I first got on the board. I have a good friend that owns a farm in Western and asked me why Ag was lumped in with Education and Youth. I had no answer. When I asked they said it was because we didn't have many Ag issues. Really? I thought at least 75% of Oneida County was rural farm areas. Just goes to show you the priorities of our leadership over the years.

[tanouryjr]

Here is a link to the committee structures...

ocgov.net/oneidacty/gov/leg/COMM%20ASSIGNMENTS3-13-08.pdf

The Chairman is from Utica and 4 of the 9 members are from Utica.

Not a bad thing if it was simply Education and Youth, but I agree that Ag deserves its own committee.

[countrygal]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Not that many Ag issues.....I'm cracking up. I guess not that many that anybody wants to know about. I've said it before on this forum but Agriculture is Oneida County's number one industry. The powers that be either don't want to admit that and/or don't want anyone to know. But not to worry, it won't be the number one industry for long because farms around here are dropping like flies!

Thanks for the info

[countrygal]

Oh by the way, your comittee is welcome to come visit our farm anytime. And in June there is an event called Farm Fest that I think every Oneida County politician should go to and support. It's on a different Oneida County farm each year. It gives people an opportunity to visit a working farm and see where their food comes from. All kinds of agriculture is represented at the farm. Hopefully we'll be able to keep having it. Funding is becoming very limited!

[Clipper]

Boy are we represented by idiots or what? Where would the area be without it's farms? Milk produced in the area is sold downstate. What do you think a gallon of milk will cost if it is trucked in from Wisconsin or somewhere?

What will the area look like when more dairies shut down and instead of close cropped pasture and beautiful holsteins to look at, there is thistles and burdocks and brush because the pastures are not grazed on or clipped? What will hayfields become? Clumps of sumac and weeds. That is what bare farms will become, while the well kept barns and outbuildings fall into ruin and the paint peels off of the abandoned farm houses.

What happens to all the hard working farm families? They are self employed and won't even qualify for unemployment.

Wake up America, not just Oneida County! Farms feed us all. Legislation needs to support and value agriculture, not ignore it for the ill conceived projects of urban politicians.

Hang in there Countrygal. You are not only respected by me, you are appreciated.

[countrygal]

Thanks Clipper! Those farm fields around here would turn into housing developments that nobody can afford to live in. It's an uphill battle because most politicians would rather have houses than farms even though we use less utilities and pay the same in taxes! Oh, don't get me started

[rrogers40]

Nov 19, 2008 14:13:22 GMT -5 bobbbiez said:

I don't know about that, Ryan.

Having traveled a lot I disagree with you. I believe this area offers plenty to do and things to see.
People from out of state while visiting have often stated that they do love the sites and lakes in our area.

There are always popular activities offered if one wants to attend them.
I never have a problem finding things to do or see in our area.

I do know this, the few times I moved away, the areas I relocated to had things to do also but the drive to do them was ridicules.

Not so, in this area.

Welp it wouldn't be one of my posts if I didn't have to clarify what I said - I was talking more about tourists and events. Along with presenting more of a view that people from outside tend to have about this area. As far as actual settlement goes its all about jobs.

As far as having things to do there are activities around and I support most of them. But there are many issues with a lot of the activities once you really get into the nuts and bolts that go into them. The biggest issue being that people do not get out and go to those events.

Now that is an issues everywhere- people from NYC will go to Boston for Vacation and people from Boston will go to NYC. And those people will never see anything in their own back yard.

But from what I've seen this is even more so in Oneida County- to the point where people go out and denigrate and rip many events and places apart. Many times we are self destructive- and it doesn't help when when these events/activities/places are being run into the ground. Many events are getting to the point where there is not enough people make it worthwhile.- I remember doing one of those Utica Monday Nite things (not even in Utica) that had a total Visitation of 2. There were more people working there than actual visitors!

I've seen some of Rome activities- such as Taste of the Arts- that had a fair turn out but if there is not an improvement in Vendors over the next few years there will be no point in bothering to do it in a few years. And there needs to be more connection between all the different activities within CNY. And they need to connect them to the Valley or the Adirondacks as that is where the tourists go.

The "If you do it they will come" philosophy is not going to keep the various activities going.

[bobbbiez]

Ryan, I do agree with you in the fact that many that live here are their own worse enemies. They have no pride in their own area, don't participate in anything and criticize every chance they get, which I have a hard time understanding.

It's the same old story over and over again. It's always the same groups of people in many fields who constantly try to do right by this area and work hard to bring different events and activities to our area while others just sit at home on their big dupas and complain "there's nothing to do."