Revitalizing Utica

[rodwilson]

"Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a new initiative to better connect children to their food and create opportunities for local farmers to provide their harvest to schools in their communities as part of USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will team together and form 'Farm to School Tactical Teams' to assist school administrators as they transition to purchasing more locally grown foods."


"As part of this announcement, USDA will make $50 million available for schools to buy local produce."

What a great program. Just sitting there to get involved in. Go figure.

www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/09/0441.xml

[rodwilson]

AND while poking around the '09 Capital projects budget it would appear that the county is spending AT LEAST $30 million a year to redevelop Griffis? Wow, how much is that per job they've created? It's just a fiasco. Anybody still thinking that there's no money to get this area turned around?

[Clipper]

That is exactly the kind of political crap and patronage that has put Oneida County where it is. We need to promote tourism and snowmobiling is part of it, but NOT ahead of our local farmers and agriculture.

[rodwilson]

What do you think this little trip is costing? Hope they're having a great time wasting money that go to far more productive endeavors. It's time to scale back on spending for this "dream". Just like the CyberTech facility and countless other failed initiatives to lure the next savior of Oneida County. I'm in no way trying to be negative, just a realist. It really is time to explore other directions.

"This week, representatives from Mohawk Valley EDGE will be taking their efforts on the road, exhibiting with the NY Loves Nanotech team at Semicon Europa, according to a news release from the agency."

www.uticaod.net/blogs/mvnanotech/2009/10/marcy-nanocenter-team-takes-marketing.html

[rodwilson]

SO apparently, I've been given the boot from the "open process" that is the Master Plan Steering Committee without so much as a courteous "Kiss my ass". As I stated, I signed up online for their forum, was granted rights so limited that I couldn't view what few posts were there. Then today, I tried to login and the site wouldn't recognize my login and there was 1 fewer member in the count.

So it's pretty clear here with who's willing to play nicely with others and who's not. I am looking forward to finding out who the admin is.

The kicker is as I've stated. I can do far more for Utica than it can do for me. Hell that's already happened. I don't need anything from the city admin to achieve my goals, that's the beauty. The other part here is that I don't go away. I LOVE a battle. It puts me right in my element.

And it tells me that I am quickly becoming a pain in someone's ass.

[rodwilson]

So I did receive a response which follows:

"Dear Mr. Wilson

Thank you for your interest in the development of the City of Utica Comprehensive Plan.

The forum to which you refer is specifically reserved for use by the members of the Planning steering committee. However, the process is absolutely open to the public. Numerous opportunities have been and will continue to be provided to elicit public input. We have made every attempt to publicize these opportunities through the local media. Information regarding the planning process, along with the ability to submit comments, is available through the projects website – uticamasterplan.org.

Additionally, we are in the process of arranging neighborhood meetings in North Utica and South Utica later this month. The meeting in South Utica will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes School Auditorium at 6 PM on Tuesday, October 13th. The North Utica meeting will be held at the North Utica Senior Center later in the month. I encourage you to attend and participate in either or both of these meetings. Finally, you can always feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts as we move through this process."

So my final thoughts are this. The work before ANYONE to turn this area around is significant to say the least. Many of you have pointed that out and it's been understood. As I've mentioned, my wife and I had been considering a move. While I waffled and examined my own degree of commitment and thought it was where it would need to be to make a contribution, we last night decided otherwise. The writing really was plastered all over the wall, I just tried to ignore it. This is as much a business decision as it is personal as I've always expected Utica to be my weakest market anyway. The challenge and opportunity to "help" were very appealing but the reality is that my interest in remaining a private citizen is too strong and quite honestly I'd rather spend my time and energy in other directions. The more I see of what Utica continues to becomes, the less hopeful I am.

So I thank you all for your lively debate and exchanges but I'm done even thinking about the Utica economic climate or the city's politics. And I haven't succumbed to any type of anything other than my own feelings and thoughts.

[dicklaurey]

Rod- So, are you anticipating a move?
Considering your age, education, experience and family situation, what part of the country currently holds the most promise of employment, or, the creation of your own business?
If you own a house, it may be awhile before it sells, considering today's economy.

[Clipper]

Well, Rod posted those last posts, and then deleted his own account at 9:47 AM today. I am sorry to see him go. He was among those of us that still had hope for the city. I guess one can only watch the foolishness for just so long before we realize that it is not a problem that can be solved anytime soon, or anytime while the current corrupt political machine is allowed to influence and inhibit growth unless it plays into their own personal agendas and personal pocketbooks, through developer "friends" or relatives.

So long Rod, and good luck with whatever endeavor you choose to follow. I am sure with your charisma, you will find success in your life and your business.

I am sorry to lose you as a member however, because there are many subjects discussed on here other than saving the city from decay and destruction. You are welcome to come back anytime you wish to reconsider and return. You are part of the "family".

[dicklaurey]

I hope that Rod re-considers his decision, however, I understand hs frustration.
I hope that someone will attend the neighborhood meeting in south Utica, on the 13th, and, will post a report on this website. I'm sure we would all be interested in the tone of the meeting, and, exactly what was discussed and/or accomplished.

[Clipper]

I hope he does also Dick. I am sure he was frustrated, not only by recent events, but also when he got behind the recall effort, and then what I perceived to be a mean spirited psychotic pirated all the credit for the effort, and rode it into failure.

Time and time again, people come forward, filled with hope and looking only for cooperation to make a difference. Unfortunately their hopes are all too often dashed by lack of support, and lackluster interest in putting forth any efforts to help.

[rodwilson]

Thank you Clipper for your kind words and graciousness. Please don't take my action as any reflection on how I feel about the Corner. It was strictly based on my obvious frustration and I knew as soon as hit the button that it wasn't the right move.

Dick, at this point a move is imminent. What I wanted to help foster and create here was a quality of life. For my family and for others. The reality is that it's far easier for me to move to where it already exists. I've got 2 beautiful little boys to think about. I want them to have every opportunity and those are far and few between here. Besides, every minute I spend battling for people who aren't willing to help themselves is a minute I'm not at a little league game or chasing my boys around the yard. A friend told me once that "just because you get it doesn't mean that everyone else does". The apathy and learned helplessness here is just stunning and the fear overwhelming. The negativity is deadly. I don't want my kids to see or have any part in any of it. When I moved here 20 years ago it was very apparent to me that people here were "different" from where I had been. Despite the fact that I didn't come from Disneyland. The reality is that for this area to move forward some major social re-engineering has to take place. Some serious change in thought by the residents. The $2 Million food stamp scandal just puts an exclamation point on it.

I had shared that this past summer that we sponsored a team in a new inner city league. While I enjoyed it and found it very rewarding on the kids side, the parent side was a different story. Parents for the most part came out and were supportive but the thing that most stood out to me was a conversation that I had with a father. This guy had just moved back to the area. He stood there, well dressed, brand new brand name sneakers on his feet and there he stood complaining that social services wasn't working fast enough for him. Apparently he was waiting on a furniture voucher. "and they wonder why we sell drugs" he said to me. It never even dawned on this guy to go get a friggin' job. And I was paying for his kid to play ball.

So while we've discussed Colorado Springs, we'll prob head back to Saratoga Springs area. We both have family there and I grew up in the Capital District region. I have been working to launch an organic nut butter and food company that goes way beyond nut butters and by design is a model for some of the local economics and environmental aspects that I've touched on here. Everything is in place I've just been dragging my feet on the commitment to this area part (and I played with my kids all summer). The response in the Capital District area has been far more welcoming and the opportunities far more plentiful. Worse case scenario, I'm a former IT guy so I'd be able to find employment in most markets. My wife is a teacher and we have freinds in that area so she would likewise be employable although I am working hard to convince her to do something she really loves which is writing children's books. Additionally, I actually left the IT industry to pursue my own dream which was shooting some films that I had written. Somewhere I got all caught up in the craziness that is Utica and lost sight of that. Now I can get back to it. So it with some disappointment but with much relief that I walk away.

Oh, the Master Plan. I wouldn't hold out much hope. All they've done so far is collected some demographic info from the Census Bureau. Which by the way is far worse that I thought. Did you guys know that 1/3 of Uticans don't have a high school diploma? And this area is going to saved by Hi-Tech. I don't think so. All they'll have are some pretty pictures of projects that will never be completed. Saratoga Associates is a joke. No one IN Saratoga will hire them. These local clowns haven't been able to find the solutions for decades now if they throw the same people in a room together they come up with answers? Unlikely. And what positive they do come up with, they'll NEVER get significant private investment to get on board. And I am honestly not being spiteful, just honest. Dick, if you're thinking about putting a penny into this city you better come and visit first.

[rodwilson]

And these guys never learn.

"I'd like to update everyone by reporting that my administration has been working with officials from Pyramid and Riverside Center to help with the future phases of retail expansion that will occur at this site. Through tax incentives, and pilot payments, the city of Utica is assisting Pyramid with this important redevelopment opportunity."

Again more tax shifting.

"Very soon, you will see an additional four pads being developed along route 12, which will eventually be the home to restaurant and retail establishments. The additional sales tax revenue that the city will realize from this development is crucial to stabilizing our tax base and ensuring that we keep taxes at a manageable level for the residents of this great city," the mayor said, as he stood next to his wife Cindy, a self described Burlington Coat Factory addict."

Note to Dave. Replacing a semi constant (property, school taxes) with a variable (sales tax) is not good economic planning. See New Hartford and Oneida county.

www.cityofutica.com/Mayor/Media/2009-10-06.htm

[fiona]

ROD; I have been reading your posts with some interest. That's all. Just reading them with some interest and I have come the sad conclusion that you are not really in it for the long haul. Living here is a boot camp for life, Rod. Sometimes it aint pretty, but you sure do learn a lot. It's just my feeling, but perhaps you really would be better off in Saratoga Springs. It's all a matter of degree, Rod. PS: We're not trash here, so stop throwing statistics in our faces. We are all very aware of our shortcomings. Life is a school, rod. Attend and graduate or drop out. Which path will you take?

[gearofzanzibar]

Oct 7, 2009 23:03:08 GMT -5 @rodwilson said:

The reality is that it's far easier for me to move to where it already exists. I've got 2 beautiful little boys to think about. I want them to have every opportunity and those are far and few between here.

A wise decision, although I'm surprised you're still considering anywhere in New York as a destination.

[gearofzanzibar]

Oct 8, 2009 13:06:35 GMT -5 fiona said:

We're not trash here, so stop throwing statistics in our faces.

I totally agree. Just ignore all those figures showing the area's average educational levels steadily dropping. Don't pay attention to the fact that median incomes are in freefall. Those numbers showing the insanely high tax load on the average citizen? Pointless. Census figures showing an steady and inevitable increase in the average age as young people flee in droves? Just wacky propaganda.

Don't let things like that blind you to how great things are in beautiful upstate New York.

Heh.