Latest Census Dept. estimates confirm what we've suspected: Utica-Rome Metro continues to lose population . . . Now at only 293,572 . . . down from 293,752 last year, down from 299,397 in 2010, and down from 344,300 in 1972.
THIS is the accurate report card on how well state and local policies are working!
New buildings, new highways, new shopping areas, new college campuses, new "international" airport and "nano" sites, a new hockey team -- and a new hospital -- all give an appearance of success that cannot mask the fact that this region continues to fail.
We are fooling ourselves if we think that repeating the failed policies of the past will produce different results.
We deserve better than appearances.
"Ain't Nothing like the Real Thing, Baby!" - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Tyrell, 1967
1 comment:
"Growth" and progress mean population, job and wage growth. Achieving that is low taxes, less regulation of business, safe streets, solid infrastructure, good schools and a healthy housing stock. Business and population expansion cannot nor will not occur without those characteristics. We are kidding ourselves if we think that throwing taxpayer money at select projects while not addressing the basics will rescue the decline of the area. If the overall market of population not increased, the deck furniture is simply being rearranged. Nothing ever stays the same; a community either grows or contracts. Even with a heavy influx of immigrants we seem to be going backwards. Unless new thinking is introduced into the mainstream from Albany to here, the future does not look encouraging.
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