Officials announce Lindsey center

[Disgusted-Daily]

Well I guess this is the proof we been waiting for. It is a relief to me that they did not honor Tom after a street. This is so much more fitting for someone who was larger than life.

I wish them all the best of luck and hope this will help clean up the neighborhood so everyone feels safe to attend the functions or to witness a great thing in motion.

www.uticaod.com/news/x1620717923

[Ralph]

This has been a long time coming and I feel will make a great impact on the neighborhood.

A fitting honor for an Officer dedicated to "The Job"
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I like Kaye's remarks. I now her personally and she has a good head on her shoulders. If she thinks it is doable, than it certainly is. She has been pushing for something of this nature for years, as many of us have.

I had my doubts about Dan's ability in the beginning, but this has come a long way to make me a believer in him.

Kudos to the entire group for making this effort, it could not have happened at a better time or a better place.
I only hope that Tom can see the results of this and will smile down on it.

[denise]

What a wonderful and productive idea for an empty building on James St! So much better than renaming Neilson Street.

[Disgusted-Daily]

Dan is a super great guy that I have known for awhile. Kids are his passion and given a chance he will go above and beyond for them.

[rrogers40]

It may sound like a great idea but what is the real reaction that the local community will have? I just don't see it making that much of a difference. If they want to they need to have a greater increase in foot patrols- that way real interaction (Preferably Good) can occur.

[frankcor]

Ryan, I think we have the answer to your question.

The Rome Sentinel tonight is reporting the NAACP is complaining the community was not consulted in the planning for the center.

romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20080415-141251

::sigh::

When will it end?

[thelma]

The "community" is NOT spending one dime on the repairs on the Lindsay Youth Center. Why should they be "consulted". If anything, they should be damn glad the City is doing this as a place for the youth of Cornhill to go and "hang out". All the repairs are being done from a $50,000 Grant given to the City to do this.

Is this one of those situations "You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't"?

[wcup102]

yes it's sad they don't appreciate an olive branch but sometimes ther is no pleasing people. next thing you know it will become a race thing again.

[denise]

Weren't there people bitching when the Parkway Rec Center opened that it was too far for the Cornhill youth to travel to? What's not to like about the Cornhill youth having a center on James St? It seems as though it might get kids off street corners.

[wcup102]

I could give you the reason Denise, but it would not be politically correct on an open forum. And yes, they bitched about that too. Go figure.

[Clipper]

With the effort being put forward by the police and the city, it will be sad if any race card is played on this issue. The black leadership needs to back the city on this issue, instead of playing to the newspapers. Gratitude for taking the first step, might be a nice gesture. There comes a time when it is not about local community power, and a battle between a church doing something and the city. It matters not, as long as the goal is accomplished and the kids get the place to be off the streets. It is a good opportunity for neighborhood citizens of all races and from all the churches to get behind the initiative and help it to succeed and grow into something positive and long lasting.

[tanouryjr]

I was in attendance during last night's NAACP meeting and can try to clarify the concerns.

Several business owners raised concerns over the press conference, not the actual public safety center. They were a little upset that no one contacted them to give them a heads-up that a huge press conference with several big fire trucks, police cars, media vans and many people would be happening in front of their businesses on this date and time.

They all support the project and welcome it, but think that they should have been included, as I believe business owners in South Utica would have. It didn't have anything to do with a race issue, but rather a concern that something was being shoved down their throats.

Like I say...I like pizza, but if you shove it down my throat It won't taste very good. Let me chew it and enjoy it for a little while.

I don't think the city meant any disrespect and KNOW that LaBella is doing an outstanding job. But these were just a couple concerns that needed to be raised. Not that big of a deal.

Let's stay focused on the fact that we finally got this to happen. I was looking through old newspaper clippings on Monday and came across one from 1982 where my father was calling for a sub-station/public safety center in Cornhill. So this was long overdue. They have said for decades that it couldn't be done, and in only three months in office, Roefaro has opened the center at no local cost to taxpayers. So I guess if you start thinking outside the box, you can do anything. Great job!

We do, however, need to be mindfull of the concers of business owners in Cornhill. It is hard enough to get people to invest in Cornhill. If the concerns are invalid, then so be it, but we need to keep an open mind and listen. After all, that is the whole point of this center...to foster relationships with the communitty and government (particularly law enforcement). Let us not get bogged down in divide and conquer missions.

[Clipper]

Thanks for the update Larry. I am happy to see some of your dad's dreams and efforts coming to fruition, even at this late date. He was ahead of his time, and so are you. You may be able to bring more of his good ideas to realization.

For those that did not know your dad, I admired his dedication to the causes of the city, especially cornhill, and I am ecstatic that you have picked up the torch that politics forced him to lay down so many years ago. His legacy may finally be realized in concrete and paint.

Cudos my friend! I am sure your dad will be proud where you are taking the Tanoury name, and I am happy to see progress. I had and still have some reservations with Rofaroes intentions, but I have to be impressed with LaBella so far. The relationship you are building with the city leaders will be productive to all.

We needed someone local to buffer between Pylman and the local community. I don't think he has the personality or true love for the city to get done what needs to be done to mend the fences in the neighborhoods. He is an administrator, not a people person. Not only that, I have a suspicion that his motive is a post/state retirement job, and money, not true concern for the citizens.

[frankcor]

Maybe it's just a blunder by an inexperienced mayor and PSC. But it does give the appearance that the announcement was less about actually doing something for the community and more about being seen doing something. Involving the community is almost a no-brainer.

I admit, it does seem petty to be indignant about not being told about a press conference. You expect that from the Dave Townsends of the world, not business people. I hope both sides get better at this with time.

[Ralph]

I am glad you added that here Larry as I was about to blast the daylights out of them for their attitude.

This spot, I would dare say, was chosen as much for it's location in the neighborhood to attract kids as it is to try and curtail some of the ongoing problems there.
It is less than 100 feet from one of the most horrid corners in Cornhill, as far as hangouts and drug sales go.

That being said, the business owners, NAACP and anyone else around here should welcome the "Center". But you can't have your cake and eat it too I guess. For years they have wanted it and now, since some weren't included in the photo op, they will bitch about it.

It is sadly typical of the area.

My only thoughts are, where will the scumbags that hang out around there go? It is already getting somewhat "sporty" around here and it is only early spring. I can hardly wait till summertime.

Oneida Square was getting squirrely enough for me to go into work earlier than usual last year, and it looks like it will be starting sooner than expected this year.
And it is already pretty sporty around Loretto, more so than usual!!!