Forecast for 2008: More of the Same

Sens. Griffo, Valesky, and Seward; and Assemblymember Destito have all commented on their plans for 2008. (Assemblymembers Townsend and Butler did, too, in print, but their editorials could not be found on-line. Did someone forget?)

They are going to "create jobs" by "rebuilding" this, "supporting" that, and "reforming" the other. They will "work" cooperatively with and "support" all our stars of local government, development and educational institutions. They recognize that "property taxes are too high" and will insist on "prudent budgeting." We are assured that our "concerns" will be "heard" and we'll get "relief" and "results."

These guys and gal say a lot of stuff with strings and bunches of positive sounding words . . . but stop short of anything specific . . .

Hot Air . . . Same Old Same Old . . . Bah Humbug. . .

Let's throw in our local mayors, mayors-elect, and county officials, too. We all know change is needed, we even know the no-brainer things that could be done to help things along, but are we really hearing anything different from all these elected officials? No. . . we don't . . . so we do not expect change.

Wouldn't it be refreshing to hear all these elected officials say they will work for some ONE thing that can be specifically identified -- some ONE thing that will have a clear, undisputed, positive effect on our local economy -- and hear them all say they will work TOGETHER for the same ONE thing? Wouldn't it be terrific if all our local institutional heads and civic groups such as Genesis and Breakthrough all resolved to push for the same ONE thing . . . and they made such a loud NOISE for the ONE thing, that they succeeded in embarrassing or shaming all those who would oppose the ONE thing into silence? Wouldn't that be Great?

Can't we all agree on this ONE Thing: By the end of 2008, the course will be set into law for the dismantlement of the Thruway Authority and the removal of all Thruway Tolls within a specific period of time. And if we all ask for it -- together -- and agree not to take no for an answer -- can't we get it? The "squeaky wheel gets the grease" as they say.

With this ONE thing, a free interstate, we finally become, transportation wise, AVERAGE with the rest of the country . . . and doesn't AVERAGE look GOOD to us now? No fees on commuters traveling between Upstate's cities to work. No fees on manufacturers shuttling parts between their plants in different cities. A road block to Griffiss becoming a Cargo Port for the entire North East gets removed. . . . Wouldn't this ONE thing be a tangible step in the right direction?

The forecast for 2008 is "more of the same" . . . . but forecasts can be wrong. Let's ask for this ONE thing, and . . . maybe . . . . have a

Happy New Year . . . .