The Mohawk Valley's greatest creator of jobs is now a member of the Mohawk Valley's job-creation agency.
Oneida Nation Representative Raymond Halbritter has been elected to the board of Mohawk Valley EDGE.
While critics of the Nation questioned the choice, others said it makes sense to put Halbritter's expertise to work for the greater good of the region.I am not a critic of the Oneida Indian Nation. The Nation has done a lot of good for the region, and I wish them well in their continued success. Unlike the OD, I am not wringing my hands over OIN's using its economic influence over others, because that is simply normal human behavior.
HOWEVER, I am a critic of the way Our Government handles its relations with the OIN. . . and this appointment only makes things worse because it makes OIN part of our problem with EDGE.
"Who controls EDGE? " was a question I asked back in 2005.
It's reasonable to expect that whoever controls EDGE's money can exercise influence over EDGE's actions. . . .
The real issue is whether Oneida County's industrial development policymaking authority has been usurped by a group of private individuals who are, essentially, acting in their own interests.It is one thing to tap the "expertise" among our region's corporate elite. It is quite another to give the elite governmental authority over business competition. Just like the textile mill owners used their influence almost a century ago to keep Ford and other manufacturers out of the region so they could avoid paying higher wages to their employees, our new EDGE elite can use their influence over taxpayer-funded efforts to ensure their own interests are protected and promoted.
Those small local businesses who see OIN enterprises as unfair competition will only perceive this appointment as unnecessarily giving OIN even more of an advantage.
This appointment is only the latest reason to disband EDGE.
12 comments:
The EDGE board is largely window dressing. The decsion making authority is largely in the hands of DiMeo, the group's board head and the County Executive. Most of the board members do not spend any significant time on the business of the organization. The appointment of Halbritter is unprincipled on several layers.
The above comment is spot on. The directors do almost nothing - there are a few "chosen ones" who are privy to the names of clients EDGE is soliciting, but even that is simply to justify EDGE's existence. EDGE is nothing more than a publicly funded private development company. Frankly, in order for "EDGE's elite" to be protecting their own interests, EDGE would actually have to accomplish something outside of tenanting their own properties.
Yes, there appears to be no performance standards for the EDGE staff or board. If the board members ran their businesses like that, they would be bankrupt. And, the County which provides nearly $500,000 per year in operating funds does not seem to mind.
The OIN uses their sovereign nation status when it suits their needs. Now we have basically taken someone who is a leader of a seperate and independent State and put them in a position to influence how the citizens of this area spend tax dollars the OIN refuses to contribute to. (Insert all the usual arguements about how that statement is wrong).
What's next, foreign countries taking over our harbors?
Yes, the Oneidas want it both ways; citizens when it suits them and separate nation status when that suits them. The EDGE gets taxpayer dollars and then apppoints a guy representing a group that does not recognize their obligation to pay taxes.
OIN is not required to contribute to it. You really should spend more time educating yourself rather than insulting others more versed in the issues than you clearly are. (Insert typical moronic response at your leisure).
They're not required to contribute money because they are a seperate nation, which unless you are a moron should also remove reasonable thought's as to why they then should retain any ability to contribute ideas on how best to spend the money the didn't contribute to, in an effort to assist business's which they will then compete against (un-fairly). It's putting the fox in charge of the hen house.
Now Now . . . no name calling :-)
When conversation degenerates into using words as moron, it is useless.
I apologize for my part in the perceived degeneration of this discussion. The word moron was being bantered about prior to my hitting it back over the net. Unfotunately one's tone does not come across so clearly in the written word. In my mind it was a light hearted exchange of differing points of view. Nobody called anyone a moron.
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
- -- Joseph Jouber
After Picente tried to sell out Oneida County & it's citizens after being boombazzled by the OIN, EDGE appoints Halbritter to the board. Hmmmm. Gee, thanx Tony. Picente is without a doubt the most incompetent CE this county as ever seen.
Although Picente's career is one of incompetency, the Halbritter Oneida connection and promotion goes deeper. The Picente/Distito/OIN relationship is driven by money, influence and the voting block and financial contributions OIN organizes. Money and politcs rule to perpetuate the status quo here.
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