Roefaro and the proposed EDGE Partnership

[Clipper]

Roefaro objects to criticism of possible EDGE partnership
07/14/2011 01:53:00 am Marques Phillips/Utica Daily News


UTICA, July 13, 2011 -- Utica Mayor David Roefaro took exception to a resolution introduced to the Common Council and authored by Councilman Frank Vescera (D-1) that would urge the mayor not to partner the city's Urban and Economic Development Department with Mohawk Valley EDGE.

Since Randy Soggs stepped down earlier this month, the position is now vacant. Vescera's resolution sited media reports that Mohawk Valley EDGE may partner with the city through the new office in an effort to consolidate and take a regional approach to the position. It criticized EDGE for having made progress in Rome, but none in Utica although it gets county funding and is a regional body. The resolution said that having one person represent two offices with different missions would present a conflict of interest.

"Be it resolved that the Common Council of the City of Utica suggests that the mayor of the City of Utica consider the temporary appointment of a Commissioner of Urban and Economic Development rather than consider a partnership with an organization who by its very existence is in direct competition with the needs of the City of Utica."

Roefaro took exception with the resolution, and said if officials questioned his approach to filling the position, they could have just called him.

"There's all of this speculation, nobody ever seems to call and ask me about it," he said.

The mayor said that losing Soggs was a blow to the city and that he has been working to keep the department running. He also said that he's aware that he'll be out office in six months and his successor may choose to go in a different direction. Roefaro also promised that he would have an announcement regarding the vacant position by the end of the week.

"You didn't want to ask me, that's o.k.," he said. "It doesn't matter, you'll know what's going to happen by the end of the week."

Roefaro said that the appointment was one for the executive branch to make and not the Common Council. The mayor also leveled a general criticism of city officials, saying they only like to talk about things like consolidation but back away when it comes to taking action.

"We like to talk about cooperation and consolidation, but only if it's with an agency you like," Roefaro said.

The resolution was sent to committee and wasn't voted on by the Council on Wednesday.

I don't live there, and I guess I don't know all the history but why would a lame duck mayor want to partner with an outside entity, when there is a capability right within the city already, that seems to be quite competent and capable of doing the job?

EDGE has a notorious reputation for favoring only the ROME area and their own interests.

Is the Mayor by chance feathering some sort of a nest for when he leaves office? Seems to me that the last thing Utica needs is to throw in with EDGE or allow them to have any input into spending Utica's grant moneys. They have proved over the years to be heavily prejudicial to the Utica area while promoting the rest of the county.

What's the local taxpayer's view of this proposal?

[corner]

the mayor is an arrogant, incompetent, asshole who has no clue what hes doing... EDGE benefits no one but EDGE it it a sselfsustaining beaurocracy with nointerest in utica except to suck up out tax dollars.................hope this helps>

[Clipper]

Thanks Corner. That is pretty much the impression that I have gotten, reading from afar, and thanking my lucky stars that MY tax money isn't involved in the misguided circus that is Utica politics.

I have oft wondered. Do you guys that pay taxes in the city, who in turn makes the mortgage payments on a hotel, get any sort of "owner's discount" should you want to put someone up at the Hotel Utica when they visit? Not that I would want to park my truck down there overnight, lol.

I wonder if the Hotel Utica could be picked up and moved to the Harbor Point area when it becomes a booming tourist area? I would think anyone driving into town would simply look at the neighborhood around the Hotel Utica, and say "hell no, I am not staying THERE." It will never compete with the Radisson which has adjacent parking in the garage.

[Ralph]

Corner hit it right on the head, EDGE benefits EDGE....and NO ONE else!

[corner]

now if could only spell and type

[Swimmy]

No one called the dope because we all know he would just say, "I'm the mayor and people voted for change. It's my way or no way." Besides, he's probably trying to figure out how to secure danny's role as a public trough feeder for when he leaves in 6 months because I think the next mayor, regardless who wins, will eliminate the PSC entirely.

[Clipper]

In the interest of "shrinking" government on all levels, there is probably no real reason for ANY "commissioner" positions if the Mayor is a full time mayor and isn't off leading funeral processions. The mayor's position would even be worth an increase in salary, if he were to preside over more of the city's daily activity, spend full days in city ahll, and take a more responsible role in supervising the goings on. You have department heads and chiefs to handle everyday operations, and there should be no need for an intermediate level between them and the mayor.

Corner, you will type better if you use two fingers INSTEAD OF JUST USING YOUR THUMBS. ROFL. ;D As for spelling, this forum doesn't have any policy for fining anyone for mispelled words, nor is there any cash awards for eloquent and flowery vocabulary or proper spelling. As long as I can understand the point of the post, I myself don't give a damn if you spell every word correctly.