Uticans should stay on top of this situation

[Clipper]

By DAN MINER
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Jul 08, 2011 @ 02:50 PM
Print Comment
UTICA —

Another suitor has emerged in Mayor David Roefaro’s quest to fill the leadership role in the city’s Urban and Economic Development department.

Roefaro met Friday with officials from the Utica Municipal Housing Authority to discuss the possibility.

He termed it a “positive meeting” but said it’s still unclear whether the city can simply hire another agency to run the department, or if such a process is subject to public bid.

He said officials for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which fully funds the city department, will clarify that situation next week.

If a bid process is necessary, it will likely take two weeks and the mayor plans to hire somebody to run the department in the interim.

“We have to be up and running with federal programs,” he said.

Randy Soggs recently resigned from his commissioner post only six months after he was hired.

Check back to www.uticaod.com later for more details.
Copyright 2011 The Observer-Dispatch, Utica, New York. Some rights reserved


It seems like another player has entered into the game. I have no knowledge about the reputation or composition of the leadership at the Municipal Housing Authority, but I DO see two entities and what seems to be a rush to make a hasty decision by an OUTGOING Mayor. While there may be a certain degree of urgency needed in addressing the situation, I would be very wary and insistent that no political wrangling goes on that will leave the city residents with a politically motivated, and unwanted legacy from a former mayor.

I honestly believe that EDGE IS NOT the way to go. Utica will simply become a cash cow to those people and Utica will remain the redheaded stepchild when it comes to disbursing funds.

[firstamendment]

Must be a close friend or relative needs a city job. heh.

I have my doubts about EDGE and these development ''corporations''. I don't see much of anything in terms of tangible results and have yet to see any accountability either. Its not like we see people getting fired for NOT performing well. You know, the kind of accountability you'd see in the private sector. No, we'll just keep dumping more tax dollars into the hole because its free money growing on trees ya know.

[firstamendment]

Industrial Development Agencies (IDA) was the other groups I was thinking about. The Herkimer County IDA blew like $50K on new signs for business parks in Herkimer county. At least one of which is still vacant, the old pumpkin patch off 5S. as if a fancy sign will promote job growth. Cart before the horse?

[Clipper]

I guess you mean to say that they were a little premature in advertising and industrial park without any provision for bringing electrical power to the park. That just might be a show stopper to any sort of industry, unless they were planning on courting an Amish furniture factory that could run on horse power and manual labor.

[firstamendment]

Pfft. They've been dicking around with the pumpkin patch for at least 15 years now and a couple of weeks ago they FINALLY strung some power lines over 5S to it.

[Clipper]

I know. I got a major chuckle out of it when I read in the OD that traffic might be delayed while they pulled the cable across 5S.

Kind of like the big "shovel ready site" that was supposed to bring the chip fab facility to Marcy. Is it shovel ready even now?

[clarencebunsen]

Only if your definition of "shovel ready" includes a headstone with the letters R.I.P. engraved.

[Clipper]

Isn't there an issue now with an attempt to take some farm land by eminent domain to add to the parcel? Or is that a completely different thing, unrelated to the issue and parcel originally planned for the chip fab deal?

[firstamendment]

they keep shovelling bullshit to the public. Is that the shovel ready you speak of?

[Ralph]

PRECISELY!!!!!