Eating Across That Getaway Region . . .

Oneida County has unveiled a very slick new website promoting itself as "the Getaway Region" ... and really, when you think about it, it is.

The area might not have the "biggest" or "best" . . . superlatives do not apply . . . but we seem to have a bit of everything: mountains, lakes, plenty of outdoor sports, important historical sites, museums, a world-class casino with golf and entertainment, and a world of different restaurants.  And everything is within a short drive.

As noted on Utica Daily News last week, a Rochester newspaper recently did a very complimentary -- and mouth-watering -- article on Utica ethnic cuisine which featured some restaurants I was unfamiliar with, Amy's Grocery and Ruznic Market.

Neither Amy's, nor Ruznic, are listed on the "Getaway" website. . ..

And what good meal does not deserve a "desert beyond the ordinary" to finish . . . like you can get at Cafe Caruso (mentioned in the article but not listed on the website), Cafe Florentine (the classic Utica location is not listed) ... and, of course,   "Deserts Beyond the Ordinary" on Bank Place, Utica (not listed).

Utica has some foodie gems that seem to have escaped the Getaway website. . . . gems that some people feel are worth traveling a couple hours to reach.

The website is off to a great start. . . . but it needs a bit more work in the food department ... Classification of the different cuisines would help people find what they are looking for. . . Perhaps another section could be added on where to buy (not necessarily dine on) unusual foods . . .

. . . and maybe a bit more digging to unearth the unusual in our own backyard.

Utica Grew . . .

Although last week the OD reported a Census update: Rare population increase for Oneida County, it left us in the dark about the City of Utica's population estimate for 2009. Readers would assume that city estimates were not issued, however papers all around the state have been reporting their city estimates.

The estimates are here: http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/SUB-EST2009-4.html 

Utica grew . . . by 70 people . . . from 57,970 in 2008 to 58,040 in 2009.

It could be a blip . . . or the start of a turn around.

Regardless, Utica fared better than Syracuse (down 69 to 138,560), Rochester (down 54 to 207,294), Binghamton (down 106 to 44,401), Niagara Falls (down 21 to 51,295) and Buffalo (down 980 to 270,240).

You gotta wonder why the OD never reported this.

What is Fair is a Matter of Perspective . . .

OD: New Hartford may handle own sewer repairs 

Town Supervisor Patrick Tyksinski may not sign on to Oneida County’s plan to fix the area’s $158 million sewer problem.

Instead, he said he is looking into whether New Hartford should do its own repairs — estimated by the county to cost about $26 million — because he fears sewer users there would pay more than their fair share if the town works with the county. . .

In January, county sewer officials asked that sewer users along the line pay a $1.05 surcharge per 1,000 gallons of water used in 2010, in addition to their regular bill to start covering the repair costs.

The town of New Hartford was the only municipality not to sign on to the plan. Instead, the Town Board opted to pay the equivalent amount of about $500,000 out of a town sewer account.

Yet Tyksinski said the repairs scheduled for this year amount to between $200,000 and $300,000.

“What about the extra $250,000 to $300,000 we have contributed?” he said. “They couldn’t give me an answer. They said the rates would be adjusted. When? They couldn’t tell me.”

Devan defended his plan and said in the end, all the municipalities would pay for their own repairs.

Mr. Tyksinski is doing the absolute correct thing for the residents of New Hartford, although from a Regional perspective, New Hartford should be on the hook for paying for *more* than repairing its own sewers. The illegal sewer connections that brought about the Consent Order made possible New Hartford's vast development. But because of these connections, residents of OTHER jurisdictions which did not create the problems (such as area Villages and Utica) are now forced to pay for repairs to their systems, or to the overall County system, that otherwise they might not have had to make.

The county could not give Tyksinski an answer about the extra 250-300K because the County has no answer. It is groping along with an implied goal of being fair to all municipalities, but with no idea of how to achieve it.

The cause of the County's dilemma is the manner in which the sewer system was organized from the beginning: as a part-county district overlaying many municipalities.

Supplying sewer services to Utica and area villages should be economical because of their greater population densities. In contrast, residents in unincorporated places in the Towns, because they are at greater distances from the population center and are often spread further apart due to larger lots, need more pipes to be connected. Those residents should be paying more in sewer fees to reflect the greater infrastructure needed to supply services to them. However, because everyone has been paying the same rates, residents in the city and villages, in effect, have been subsidizing services to the Towns -- and subsidizing Town growth. Since the town's growth in tax base does not result in money flowing back to the city and villages, the system is 'rigged' to promote more growth in outlying areas, expansion of infrastructure beyond what the regional population can sustain, and, ultimately, higher expenses for everyone.

Only a wholesale reorganization of local government can fix the inequalities. Until that happens, municipal officials need to do what is best for their own residents.

Nano Nonsense from EDGE . . .

Nanotech project still waiting on wetlands permit

It appears that development of the Marcy "Nanocenter" site is now being coordinated with development of "related facilities at SUNYIT."  From the article, it appears that SUNYIT will lease their land ...

... to a new nonprofit, Fort Schuyler Management Corp., which will sub-lease the land to EDGE. 

EDGE, an economic development group, then would market the site and oversee initial site work, facility design and construction. In addition, EDGE would pay $4.2 million to the nonprofit to support the SUNYIT mission.

It always seems to be wheels within wheels within wheels whenever EDGE is concerned! 

And just where is the $4.2 million being paid to SUNYIT coming from?

However, one piece of the puzzle is still in limbo — a wetlands permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mohawk Valley EDGE spokeswoman Mary Rizzo said.

[Here, we could turn this into a sidebar discussion over creeping Federalism.  Federal jurisdiction to regulate wet spots that are not connected to streams carrying interstate commerce is really questionable.   But with the Feds taking over virtually every aspect of our lives, this is probably not the time to attempt to challenge it.  Let's face it, area residents are already paying for enough legal problems (sewer consent order, MVWA lawsuits) that could have been avoided had our local government leaders known what they were doing.]   

A draft permit from the Army Corps said the final permit would only be issued when there was an end user in sight, Rizzo said.

“To us that is unacceptable,” she said.

Instead, EDGE wants the permit now to be able to attract an end user, Rizzo said.

EDGE blew the AMD Chip Fab for the Marcy "Nanocenter" site because it shelved its Army Corps permit application back in 2002 -- even in the face of warnings that doing so was a mistake. Unless EDGE deliberately scuttled its 2002 application to enable local Republican leaders to curry favor with Joe Bruno, EDGE obviously did not know what it was doing then    What is the evidence that EDGE knows what it is doing now?

Frankly, if I was the Army Corps I probably would not issue a final permit either.  With the "wheels within wheels" approach, just whom would the Army Corps hold accountable to ensure that all permit conditions are complied with?  SUNYIT? EDGE? Fort Schuyler Management (with no track record, no assets, and no individual co-signers to secure performance)? An unknown developer or tenant for the site?

There are too many players involved for the Army Corps -- or we the taxpayers -- to keep track of.

Witness the Melting Pot . . . In Utica . . .

Coppa Mondiale . . . Calcio . . . World Cup . . . Soccer

All eyes turn to South Africa on TV for the soccer world championships . . .

But you could also enjoy international soccer . . . live . . . right here in Utica!

I didn't know quite what to expect when I arrived at Proctor Park in the middle of a rainy afternoon yesterday for the Redeemer Cup International Soccer Tournament.  I did not even know what the event was called at the time because I had heard about it from a family member, but could find virtually nothing in the newspaper online.

In spite of the lousy weather, there was a lot going on.  Four fields were in simultaneous action.  16 Teams were competing, each bearing the flag of a different nationality. Everyone was having a great time.  Fortunately Channel 2 was there to cover the events, so it did not go entirely unnoticed.

This is uniquely Utica, folks.  People from all over the world. . . coming together . . . having fun . . . forming bonds of friendship.  This is the melting pot at work through soccer, and is what makes this community and America great. Redeemer Church is to be congratulated for putting this event together.

More international soccer action takes place today. . .   At T.R. Proctor Park . . . Quarter Finals start at noon.


From what I saw yesterday, this event has the potential to grow into something really big.

Canning Upstate with Con-Con?

State GOP leaders want constitutional convention soon.

A new bill introduced by state Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, could lead to regular citizens having an opportunity to change the state constitution.

But it won’t get off the ground without grassroots support, local Republican legislators said.

I actually thought this was a great idea when I first heard Mr. Griffo broach it a few months back. I wouldn't mind even being one of the "regular citizens" having an opportunity to change the constitution.

But before jumping on the bandwagon . . . let's stop and think of who we may be sharing our bandwagon with . . .

People are waking up to the fact that they can no longer blindly vote for "change" without some idea of where the folks who want "change" really want to take us.

New York's Constitution worked just fine . . . up until 1964 when the US Supreme Court voided parts of it. . . . the very parts that ensured that Upstate New Yorkers would have a voice in their government.  

A "Con-Con" with representation based on Senatorial Districts as they are laid out now per US Supreme Court directive would look very different from a "Con-Con" as contemplated by the Framers of the NYS Constitution. The Framers'  Con-Con would have had Upstate and Downstate interests balanced. . . . to produce changes that would advance the interests of both regions.

That has been taken from us.

A Con-Con now would be dominated by Downstate interests whether it be Liberal Democrats from the City, or Conservative Republicans from Westchester and Long Island.  It would result in government reorganization that is appropriate for a wealthy, densely populated region . . . not a region that is a mix of vast rural areas punctuated with shrinking cities.

Before a Con-Con can fix things, we need to fix the rules under which a Con-Con would be based. . . . The Supreme Court Rulings of the 1960s need to be revisited with the evidence of the decline that their changes have wrought.

Until Upstate is given back the voice that the founders of NY State Government had intended, a Con-Con will only make a bad situation worse.

Same Old Same Old in New Hartford . . .

It's really interesting how the elites think that they do not have to obey the law ... that rules are only for other people.

A good example of this thinking is the New Hartford Public Library board.  Most of the library's operating budget comes from New Hartford taxpayers . . . but when a taxpayer wants information on what the board is doing, he gets the run around.

As it turns out, the Library Board has been acting illegally for years. . . . Members reappointing themselves to their positions rather than being appointed by the Town Board, and members not filing their oaths of office. Now that a concerned taxpayer has been legally appointed to the Library Board, he gets the cold shoulder.

Clearly, the Town has been financing a renegade board that has been acting without proper legal authority . . . but with apparent authority as far as third parties are concerned.  This is a serious issue for Town Government and the Tyksinski administration because such a board exposes the Town to liabilities.

This needs to be fixed, pronto.

The Town administration needs to send a letter to the illegal members and bar them from further participation in library management.  Office computers and records need to be seized and sequestered, and library bank accounts need to be frozen.  No further payments should be made out of the Town Budget for library purposes pending reconstitution of a legal, duly appointed, Library Board.

The law must be followed . . . by everyone.

Cathy has the full details on this situation on New Hartford Online Blog.

Oneida Square Circle . . . vs a New Oriskany Circle . . .

Oneida Square Circle - - -

A traffic circle on Oneida Square . . . Two years ago the OD hated it . . . "a waste of money, time and resources," but now it likes it.

• It’s something fresh. Most will agree that downtown Utica needs that. And a planned park that would be built around the statue would be a nice complement to the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute campus.
•  It would improve traffic safety. The traffic flow around Oneida Square as of today is a challenge for motorist and pedestrian alike. There are nearly a dozen traffic signals on or around the convergence of at least five streets that make New Hartford’s Consumer Square traffic pattern actually look good. A roundabout would eliminate the can of worms and establish some order from the chaos.
• It could be good for business. As is, no turns are allowed onto Oneida Street or Park Avenue off Genesee Street, something that’s a detriment to business development along those streets. A roundabout would allow motorists to smoothly transition off Genesee onto either of those streets — from either direction — while Genesee Street traffic could continue uninterrupted. That could be a boost for businesses already situated off the square, as well as be a catalyst for additional development in that area.

So, just what was it, OD, that got you to change your mind? You never really explained what is different about the proposal now that you opposed before.

As a Rotary, Oneida Square will become a problem for pedestrians if the intent is to eliminate signals. . . . and signals seem to be the issue here. Imagine trying to drive through the circle: it will be difficult to look for a gap in traffic and look out for pedestrians at the same time. It will be an accident waiting to happen. If a problem is created for pedestrians, it will become a major hindrance to bringing businesses back to the square.

Just exactly how will someone get to enjoy the park that is going to be created, without a traffic signal to allow someone to cross to visit it?  Are we creating a space for people to gather and enjoy . . . or just look at from a quickly passing car -- one that is navigating through several entering streets and pedestrian crossings?

Places like Washington DC and Paris have traffic signals on their circles, especially where there is a park. Utica is a city, not a country town. There will be pedestrians.  Signals will be found to be necessary to protect the safety of pedestrians. And if signals eventually have to be added here, is moving the statue and reconfiguring everything really worth the effort?

And just what does this do to Genesee Street?  One of the things that makes Genesee Street so unique and a real treasure is its great width that is uninterrupted down its entire length.  This makes it the ideal regional venue for parades and celebrations.

Oneida Square as currently configured is NOT 'chaos' . . . not a 'can of worms.' Going one block out of the way to go from Genesee to Oneida, or Genesee to Park is not a significant inconvenience.  I go through this intersection every day from different directions. . . . via auto and on foot . . . It is no problem (except for that broken signal that flashes "cross" and "don't cross" at the same time -- a maintenance issue).

If the City wants a 'Fresh Look,' let it do some street scaping around the Square . . . maybe some cobblestones, period street lamps and garden beds to give the entire square a theme. Perhaps some of the establishments nearby can be encouraged to use the broad sidewalks for outdoor dining.  A more visible police presence would probably be the biggest help.

Street scaping would be a lot less expensive and a lot less disruptive than a roundabout and reconfigured streets.

A New Oriskany Circle - - -

I'm not aware of anyone proposing this so far, so I'm raising it here.  For those younger than 50, Oriskany Circle used to exist where Whitesboro, Liberty, State, and Varick Streets came together with Oriskany Blvd -- about where the N-S Arterial now passes over Oriskany Blvd.  It was a major intersection.

With the N-S Arterial, the ramps, and arterialization of Oriskany Blvd., this area has become a major headache for anyone passing that wants to go in directions other than where the arterials go.  Traveling north on State St., just try to get on Oriskany Blvd. going west.  Or try going from Whitesboro St. behind the Aud to Whitesboro and Varick Streets on the south side of Oriskany Blvd.   These movements are virtually impossible.   Aside from the businesses that were actually removed from Oriskany Circle (as well as from the tax rolls) for these arterial projects, economic activity on Whitesboro St. has withered away to virtually nothing.  Does the city seriously expect any significant development to be able to occur on the former Washington Courts site when it sits on a practically dead-ended Whitesboro St.?

It would seem that if the city really wants a traffic circle, this would be the place to do it. Street connections and driver movements would be restored, cutting many blocks off of certain trips.  Developable areas will be made accessible.  Restored street connections would make the entire neighborhood more pedestrian friendly.  It would then become possible to walk directly from the Aud to Varick Street.

The N-S Arterial could either be routed over it or under it, but if the city is interested in creating a "signature entrance" into Utica, and, perhaps creating a climate where its neighborhoods could be restored, the Arterial would end right on the circle's north side, and pick up as a boulevard on the south.  The circle would be a park, designed like Place D'Italie in Paris, or a gathering place like Dupont Circle in Washington.  Yes, there would be signals to make it both traffic and pedestrian friendly . . . but it would be made beautiful, so the stop would be pleasant. If it is necessary to reduce traffic through the circle,  then route Oriskany Blvd. beneath the park (like Connecticut Ave. goes beneath Dupont Circle in Washington).

With street connections restored, Whitesboro Street could move some of the arterial traffic to New Hartford via Champlin Ave., or via a new connection with York St. . . . or it could move some Oriskany Blvd. traffic.  Connect Champlin Ave. with Oriskany Blvd, and more alternatives will be created. There are many possibilities.

The key to this idea is that a place that once was the site of a lot of activity, but now is only good for certain traffic, could be made amenable for reuse as a vibrant part of the city.


A New Oriskany Circle is worth considering.

Sink Your Teeth Into Rome . . .

Utica has Chicken Riggies, Greens, Tomato Pie and Half-Moons as semi-official standard-bearers for signature dishes. Now a woman in Rome is proposing the Chocolate Chip Cookie as Rome's signature dish.

Why Not? 

But I can think of ANOTHER item that may truly be Rome's signature food:  Turkey Joints! 

We may be poor in these here parts . . . but we eat very well, thank you! 

Solutions Looking for Problems . . .

Two stories about traffic in tonight's OD . . .
To shorten Genesee St. stoplight waits, state budget must speed up

... Utica leaders are optimistic the time has finally come to untangle one of Utica drivers' greatest frustrations - the many waits at red lights incurred during a trip up or down Genesee Street.

"Greatest frustrations?" True, we all get stuck at a light now and then, but frustration? I don't think the people claiming frustration really drive down Genesee Street.  Since some of the lights have been removed and replaced with stop signs, traffic flow has been much better. A little coordination would be welcome, but Utica is a city after all, and an occasional light or two should be expected. Frustration is an overstatement.

If you want  real frustration, try getting through the lights on Commercial Drive in New Hartford . . . especially at the interchange with 840. They seem to go on forever.  Now THAT is frustrating!

Fixing Oneida Square may come in roundabout way

And the recommendation would likely be a traffic circle, or roundabout, built around the 128-year-old Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Zywiak said. A park would be built around the statue.

“It allows connections that don't exist today, and we eliminate the five signals there,” Zywiak said. “It reduces the future long-term costs, makes it pedestrian-friendly and provides for a continued flow of traffic.”

A traffic circle with no signals is pedestrian friendly? Is DOT serious?

Imagine, you are driving north on Genesee St and arrive at the brand new Oneida Sq. Circle. You are concentrating on finding an opening in the traffic within the circle to get through it because it is constantly moving. You also have to watch for pedestrians at the same time because there are no signals. It will be difficult to do both.  This will be a disaster in the making.  Someone will get killed.

This proposal will make Oneida Square pedestrian UNfriendly and detract from redevelopment that is starting near by. Ultimately signals will have to be installed.  Google Map Dupont Circle in Washington, DC, or some of the traffic circles in Paris and go to "street view."  Pedestrian crossings are controlled by signals.

Frankly, travel through Oneida Square (I go through it every day) is no big deal.  This is just an excuse to spend federal money with no real objective being accomplished. . . . unless the objective is to kill off this part of Utica.

Oneida Square "ain't broke." There is no need to "fix" it.

Meltup - Prepare for Hyperinflation

An excellent documentary from the National Inflation Association . . .

Another Reason to Disband EDGE . . .

Halbritter joins EDGE Board of Directors

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.   

Snow Daze

May 27th -- 90 degrees -- and it's a Snow Day!  At least that is the case for several of our local school districts.  Snow Day tomorrow, too.  So if the streets seem quieter than normal, it's because the kids are not in class. . . and neither are the teachers even though they are being paid as though they are working.

Snow Days were practically unheard of when most area people lived mainly in Utica.  Even outside the city, you walked to school.   The school year was more like 190 days give or take. 

Then, when Snow Days were first instituted as busing became the norm, they were like sick days. 

You take sick leave only when you are sick, not when you want a long weekend in Vegas.

The 180 day minimum class days have become a joke as it is with all the distractions and interruptions -- such as the Ride for Missing Children. (Sorry, but there is no reason why the "Ride" cannot be done on a weekend).  Now 180 days is more like a maximum.  And students are now celebrating a 5 day weekend -- just what they need before exam time.

This scheme must stop.  Snow days should be used like sick days -- only when needed -- for snow.  They should not ripen into extra vacation when not used.  The kids could use the extra work and the teachers are already being paid for it.

Students and taxpayers alike are cheated by late May "Snow Days."

Is Now the Time for a Municipality of Greater Utica?

When the topic of conversation turns to regional economic development, invariably EDGE's focus on Rome comes up. While EDGE bills itself as “your one-stop shop for economic development needs and business assistance in Oneida and Herkimer Counties,” a view of EDGE's website reveals a decidedly Rome-centric emphasis. Even though it is heavily subsidized by (and owes its existence to) Oneida County, why does EDGE have its offices in Rome rather than the county seat in Utica? Why does its website show nothing regarding the county's industrial park at the old County Airport in Whitestown? Why does EDGE have no programs targeting redevelopment of brownfields or small abandoned parcels and industrial sites in Utica and nearby villages like New York Mills or Oriskany?

The closure of the old Oneida County Airport (UCA) was a blow to the Utica area because it caused a loss of jobs at the airport and in the surrounding industrial park; it made the industrial park less marketable; and it made the improved access from the new Route 840 less purposeful. In spite of the old airport being fully equipped to handle the air-related needs of the entire region, somehow the County deemed it appropriate to duplicate what was already at the old airport and to move operations to the much larger facility in Rome. Now county taxes, the bulk of which come from the Utica area, are used to support a facility that not only is far larger than the region needs but one that has actually removed jobs from the Utica area. Since the old airport served everyone's needs, why was it necessary to inflict harm on Whitestown?

New Hartford and Utica residents (comprising more than one third of the County's population) pay charges on their phone bills for the Oneida County 911 system but receive no service in return. Now that these jurisdictions are considering dissolving their separate 911 systems to save money and letting the county system take over, county officials intend to impose a special fee only on New Hartford and Utica residents to continue the service.  Why was it OK for these residents to have subsidized the county's service for years, but now that they need the county's services themselves, they will have to pay charges that are not levied upon other county residents receiving the same services?

In the mid-1990s, a water authority was created (with county involvement) to take over the Utica area's water system. A few years later, the authority proposed to extend the water supply to Verona even though other sources were known to be more readily available. That raised concern over whether there would be enough water for the Utica area's future needs – all the more concerning now that a court has ruled that the water supply will be limited to the amount of water used back in 1970.

Why are the needs of the Utica area – which holds more than half of the county's population and pays most of the county's bills -- overlooked or handled incompetently while the Rome area seems to get so much attention? Perhaps it is because, unlike Rome which is geographically large enough to include most of its suburban areas, there is no clear voice or policy-making body that can advance all of Greater Utica's interests.

When it contained most of the area's population, the City of Utica was Greater Utica's voice and policy maker. With the advent of the automobile, that population spread out into more than a dozen jurisdictions. The City now speaks for only about half of Greater Utica's residents. Although all these communities view themselves as separate places, they economically depend on each other. For example, no one can seriously dispute that New Hartford could not have become the retail hub of the county but for the population base of Utica and its other suburbs next door to draw upon. The communities of Greater Utica also share a common infrastructure. Their residents drink the same water and their waste winds up in the same river.

Perhaps Greater Utica's failure to move forward is the result of it being AN ECONOMIC ENTITY BUT NOT A POLITICAL ENTITY.

What should be a common public policy-making body is dissected horizontally among 12 municipalities.  In addition, the "regionalized" services of water and sewer, which make "growth" possible, have been delegated to two county-affiliated agencies with narrow responsibilities. This means that public policy for the economic entity of Greater Utica is split among 14 policy-making bodies!

In the past this fragmentation resulted in the City of Utica being "selfish" with its water and sewer resources -- because Utica leaders knew that, if Utica extended water and sewer services into suburban areas, Utica would be subsidizing erosion of its own tax base.

In the present, now that water and sewer have been removed from Utica's control (but still paid for by Utica residents), the fragmentation has become obvious.  Policies are made that encourage situations like the creation of more sites for offices on green fields in New Hartford, while such sites are being abandoned in Utica and the villages. Reuse of brown fields and the existing infrastructure is ignored.  Greater Utica residents either lose a suburban quality of life (if they live in New Hartford) or have to travel farther for goods and services (if they live in Utica), but all bear the burden of higher taxes to maintain an ever-expanding infrastructure.

The Part-County Sewer District best illustrates how fragmented government and county-level regional solutions work against Greater Utica's interests. While the county treatment works and interceptor lines are governed by the Board of Legislators, the sewers feeding into that system are governed by city, town, or village councils.  Recently, a county official complained that grease from New Hartford restaurants was getting into the county's system. There would have been no complaint if the county felt able to rectify the situation, but unless the grease also caused problems with New Hartford's sewer, there would be no incentive for the town to take action. Imagine this type of problem replicated in each municipality within the sewer district. Enforcement of sewer regulations becomes overly complicated and costly.

During the 1990s county officials allowed new town sewer lines to connect to the county's system, increasing the load of pollution spilling into the river at the Sauquoit Creek Pump Station. Since most legislators represent areas upstream of the pollution, would the situation even come to their attention? In spite of the pollution load, the county had an incentive to permit more connections: development and an increase in the county's tax base.

Now that action has been taken against the county through the Consent Order, fragmented local government presents an obstacle to the county implementing a solution.  The sewers that need repair belong to several municipalities, not the county. Repairs to some village systems could drive them into bankruptcy.  The county cannot just shut them down. On the recommendation of an advisory committee, the county is now seeking permission from each affected municipality to impose a uniform sewer user fee.  The problem here is how to apportion the monies collected to ensure that residents of one community do not wind up paying to fix sewers owned by another.  The county is still trying to figure this out because it has asked for approval of the fee without providing an enforceable written agreement detailing how the fees will be accounted for, spent, and how long they will be collected.  If a solution is not implemented, the county will incur fines, but do not look to the county legislature to solve the problem. The county's fines will merely be passed on to all Greater Utica residents through their sewer fees.

What will the future bring for Greater Utica?  If past practices are continued, the county or a county-affiliated authority will be relied upon to provide “regional” solutions to Greater Utica problems as they arise. Policing may be the next service to be regionalized. Expect more of the same incoherent results.

We need to admit that our fragmented system of local government has outlived its usefulness.  We need to spend less time concocting poorly thought-out solutions to Greater Utica issues that do no more than preserve the status quo.  Time would be better spent figuring out how we can merge a dozen jurisdictions and several districts and authorities into a new local government that gives the economic entity of Greater Utica a political presence.

While the people of Greater Utica would benefit from this new local government, the county will as well.  Responsibility for location-specific services such as the sewers, water, libraries, zoos, theaters, and industrial development, for example, could be devolved to the new government.  This would free the county to concentrate on social services and its traditional role of providing a governmental presence in undeveloped areas. The benefits to the county make it appropriate for the county to kick-off the process. The county should create a volunteer citizens commission with access to planning department personnel. The commission should be charged with engaging the public in developing the blueprint for constructing the new municipality.

Is now the time for a Municipality of Greater Utica?  I think it is.

[The above article was originally published in the February, 2010 "Utica Phoenix."]

Seeing The Light . . .

Two amazing editorials appear in today's Observer-Dispatch.

Our view: It's time to talk metro government

A study by the Cornell University Program on Applied Demographics ... predicts the population decline across Upstate New York, particularly the Mohawk Valley, will continue for many years to come. . .  

It’s time to start a conversation about metro government... 

we have too much duplication of government. And as the population dips, there are fewer people to pay for it. That takes its toll on everything from property taxes to infrastructure, and that hurts the city more than the suburbs it spawned. But if we choose to abandon the city rather than invest in it, it will eventually destroy us all..

Guest view by Peter B Fleischer: Upstate must refocus itself in wake of changing patterns

... new development outside upstate cities and villages continues, seemingly unabated by the population patterns and economic realities, as too many local leaders and citizens try to solve development-caused problems through more development.

This upstate type of sprawl is not your father or grandfather’s sprawl – it’s not just an aesthetic blight of generic strip malls, cookie-cutter tract home developments, big-box stores, enormous parking lots and roads so wide with turning lanes that few dare to cross. It is far worse. 

Today’s upstate sprawl extends considerably further away from town and city centers; consists of larger homes built on larger lots (many of which demand more in services that they create in tax revenue); demands extension of increasingly costly municipal services to far-flung communities; and requires more infrastructure that is more difficult and expensive to build, operate and maintain. The associated cost and tax burden is borne by a shrinking and aging pool of taxpayers. 

There is simply no reasonable expectation in most of Upstate New York that population, home values or tax revenues can cover the costs of future decline and expansion of infrastructure.

WOW -- I was starting to think that I was alone on these issues. It has been one of the main themes of this blog since it was started. Here's a sampling:

• Tear Down Walls? - 12/31/09 
• You Can't Depend on Oneida County - 7/8/09
• Consolidation ... From a Downstate Perspective - 6/7/09
• Divided We Fail - 5/15/09
• "Economic Development" - A Tale from the Mid-West - 1/31/09
• "Teamwork" . . . or Hiding Passing Costs to Others? - 1/23/09
• Consolidation: Top-down, or Bottom-up? - 12/06/08
• In An Absolut World . . . 4/6/08
• The Wrong Approach - 11/20/07
• Sprawling in New Hartford - 11/5/07
• Disconnect and Reconnect - 9/8/07 & 9/10/07
• Paving Paradise - 4/11/07
• Special Districts and Sprawl - 3/28/07
• "Consolidation" vs Merger ... - 9/17/06
• Urban Sprawl: The bill becomes due! Now ... Who pays? - 1/28/06
• "Consolidation" - 11/23/05
• "Sprawl" or "Growth" ? - 8/22/05

This conversation should have started 30 years ago when we regionalized the sewer system. . . or 15 years ago when we regionalized the water system. . . . but better late than never.

Regional issues were taken care of by spinning off new governmental entities . . . or by kicking them up to the County level where there were competing demands. This resulted in more government with higher taxes or fees for all; myopic government that could only see its narrow mission (like the water authority or sewer district) without regard to the broader implications of what it was doing; incompetent government (water authority and sewer district) violating the law or old agreements, and committing us to expensive fixes or lawsuits; and the residents of denser older and poorer communities (Utica and the villages) paying the freight to supply services to less densely populated surrounding towns.

The old way has not worked for a long time.

Yes, let the conversation begin on how we can do this . . . how we can have one government for Greater Utica . . . while preserving what we love about our many individual communities.

Cuomo Announces . . .

The suspense is over . . . Andrew Cuomo has announced his candidacy for governor.  After Spitzer/Paterson many people are breathing a sigh of relief . . . and with the totally lackluster candidates the Republicans are offering, Mr. Cuomo actually looks good.

But before singing "Happy Days Are Here Again," let's remember an old saying:  The apple does not fall far from the tree.

Mr. Cuomo's father, Mario Cuomo, was a total disaster for Upstate, New York.

The first Cuomo killed off a 99% built nuke plant on Long Island . . . and later sent Upstate power via the Marcy South Power line to Downstate to ameliorate the resulting high electric rates there . . . because we were part of the "Family of New York."   Of course, it raised OUR rates making us unable to compete with other states. 

When US Senator DP Moynahan got the Feds to pay NYS for the Thruway in the late 80s, did the tolls ever come off? Again, Upstate was placed at a disadvantage to its competition.

And who was governor when the deal with the Oneida Nation was brokered that allowed them to open a casino without the state getting a cut of the take - - unlike virtually every other Indian casino in the country?

Not fair to visit the sins of the father onto the son???  Then consider . . .

Who headed HUD when all the subprime mortages were created -- the ones that led to our financial collapse?

No, we do not need another Cuomo.  Unfortunately, the Republicans don't seem to be giving us a better choice.   

NOT a Political Endorsement . . .

I received the following press release in my e-mail today:

GREG JOHNSON CLAIMS “POLITICS AS USUAL” CLOSES ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD, STATE PARKS

Candidate for Assembly Greg Johnson says Assemblywoman Destito’s fiscal irresponsibility contributed in part to the plan to close 55 parks including Oriskany Battlefield.

Greg Johnson, candidate for the 116th Assembly District, today said Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito’s (D- Rome) role in Albany's dysfunction is to blame for the governor’s plan to close dozens of state parks including the Oriskany Battlefield, and has also led to the inability to pass a state budget.   “This is a perfect example of her having all the authority but accepting none of the responsibility,” said Johnson.

The Paterson Administration is closing 41 state parks and 14 historic sites in an attempt to cut New York's spending and has ultimately led to the inability of the state legislature to pass the 2010-11 New York State budget -- which is now 48 days late.  Johnson noted that as a long-time member of the Assembly Democrat Majority, Destito should allegedly have influence with her fellow Democrats to make more meaningful cuts in spending in order to save the parks, but instead has done nothing to keep the parks open, end the gridlock and pass a responsible budget.

“This is Albany politics as usual and it’s robbing families of their quality of life,” said Johnson, who also noted that New York is facing bankruptcy because of years of overspending and overtaxing by Destito.

“Our park system is a jewel and one of the few areas of state spending enjoyed by all New Yorkers from all walks of life. It’s inexcusable that families are being forced to suffer because the politicians in Albany won’t sit down and talk to each other to pass a fiscally responsible budget.  Let’s not close our parks and destroy our natural legacy that so many New Yorkers have fought so hard to preserve,” said Johnson.

“Our parks are more than just an affordable place for families to spend a few hours; they are a promise to future generations that they too will inherit our rich, natural heritage. It should never have come to this and it would not have if RoAnn Destito was more responsible with our tax dollars,” concluded Johnson.
###

I can't say that I disagree with Mr. Johnson's assessment of the State Park situation. . .

But what does Mr. Johnson propose to cut to solve the State's budget crisis?

It is easy to criticize but politically risky to offer solutions.

State spending has been intractable for years.  Government has taken such a large piece of the economy that there is little left for anyone else.  Only in wealthy Downstate areas is there enough money left over to support a growing private economy (which is probably why Downstate still increases in population while Upstate shrinks).

New York State needs risk takers at this point. The alternative is more of the same, with eventual financial collapse.

For all her faults, Mrs. Destito has seniority now and on occasion brings home the bacon.  Sometimes it is better not to change horses in midstream.  Or as Bob Seger more recently put it:

And if you can't be with the one you love, honey
Love the one you're with
Love the one you're with . . .

Mr. Johnson has yet to demonstrate that he offers an alternative. . . that he will have the nerve to propose spending cuts and do other unpopular things a leader will have to do to save New York State and save our area.

Mr. Johnson, give us reasons to vote for you other than you are not the other guy.

It IS Fair . . .

Per the OD: Forbes study: Business outlook bleak for Utica area 

The Utica metropolitan area finished 195 out of 200 sites.

Look at the bright side: At least Utica is still being ranked . . . for now.

“I don’t believe that it’s right or fair for a magazine … to include a community like Utica in some sort of list based on hypothetical, arbitrary figures they’ve collected,” Utica Community Revitalization Director Robert Sullivan said.

Of course, it IS fair. Everyone considering a move to someplace new will judge their move using criteria that are somewhat subjectively chosen or are subjective in and of themselves.  That's life.  There is no reason to believe that Forbes has an axe to grind with the Utica-Rome Metro Area (the population quoted makes clear that it is Oneida and Herkimer Counties including Utica, Rome, New Hartford, Whitestown, southern Herkimer villages, etc combined that are being ranked). Utica-Rome is being judged by the same criteria as every place else that is ranked.  Unfortunately, we are practically at the bottom.

Sullivan said many of the region’s issues in attracting businesses are statewide — a view shared by Mohawk Valley EDGE President Steven DiMeo.

“There’s too much government regulation, too much red tape and high energy costs,” DiMeo said. “Add to that the lack of stability from the state governor standpoint, which has impacts on the decision-making process for businesses.”

Agreed, agreed, agreed, agreed and agreed.  But . . .

(1) What have local officials done to control those things that are within their ability to control?
(2) What have local officials done to get the state to change those policies that place us at a competitive disadvantage?

I have yet to hear local officials talk seriously of merger of Utica, its suburbs, and all Utica-centric authorities and services. These entities are inextricably bound to each other by infrastructure, geographic proximity, and a common marketplace. . . but they all move in their own directions with one adversely affecting the other.  They are also so small that none can afford competent direction.  It is bad government . . . and it is expensive, redundant  government.  No one wants to give up their turf. . As a result, outsiders don't come here because they don't want to be bothered with the cost, incompetence, and multiple fiefdoms. (The same can be said for the Rome area and for the southern Herkimer County villages).

As far as the State is concerned, where are the coalitions of Upstate representatives in the Assembly or Senate? And where are the other local officials?  Not a peep out of them, e.g., when the tolls were continued on the Thruway long after the road was paid off.  Not a peep when tolls have been increased on multiple occasions.  Not a peep when tolls were shifted to maintain I-84 downstate, which is a free expressway.  It seems we Upstaters are plagued with representative that place their own interests above their constituents.

While Upstate may not have the votes, reason, when marshaled and clear, can be a powerful persuader. . . but there is no reason.
  
Here is the Report on Utica from Forbes. 

This is only the latest wake-up call of many. It's time to stop hitting the "snooze" button . . .

Plunging Populations: New Forecast --- Or Old Reality?

Per the OD: New Mohawk Valley forecast: Plummeting population

Wow! ... If this is news to you, then you haven't been around the area since 1970 when the Oneida County population peaked ... or you have not been reading "Fault Lines-The Greater Utica Blog."  Population loss, its cause, and what could be done about it, is a constantly recurring theme here. Here's a sampling:

• What's the Fix for Upstate? (June 9, 2009)
• Stemming Population Loss  (October 20, 2008)
• Plunging Populations . . . Exactly What We Deserve! (July 10, 2008)
  
• That Sinking (population) Feeling . . .  (June 29, 2007)
• Causing Upstate's Demise (October 11, 2006)
  

In a Nutshell:
The problem: OUR GOVERNMENTS (State & Local). 
The solution:  US GETTING GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR WAY.
The starting place: Get rid of the politicians in charge who are clueless as to the cause-and-effect of what they've been doing for the last 40 years.

May Phoenix Now Available . . .

After a couple months off, I'm back writing for the Utica Phoenix.

This month I look for the Utica Master Plan . . . not the one under development now . . . nor the 1960 nor 1950 plans . . . but the ORIGINAL master plan.  It's there . . . if you look hard enough. . . . and that vision from the past might be just what we need today.  Read "Uncovering Utica's Original Master Plan" in the Phoenix, now available.

Also check out the great coverage of the Montecassino exhibit and City Hall ceremony at which several local veterans were honored . . . Good things are happening in Utica that many don't know about!