Page Sixty-Eight

23 JANUARY 2006

A bright and dismal day.

41º | Hi 41º / Lo 24º |

Does Rochester NEED another $35 million from Albany?  You bet it does.

Does Rochester DESERVE another $35 million from Albany?  That's highly debatable.

As a lifelong Rochester area resident, let me say I've never seen this area so economically and psychologically depressed in my life.  A once-shining region of the state which garnered national attention for its innovative health insurance plans and higher than average per capita income has fallen on hard times.  REAL hard times.

As  a New Yorker, however, I also have to ask:  Who caused much of the current malaise and misery?  How much of the present misfortune was brought on by fate and how much was brought on by the Rochester area itself?

Born and briefly lived in the city, I grew up in the eastern suburbs, graduated from a suburban high school, graduated from a SUNY college and worked at a certain optics company and the Big Yellow Box until getting fed up and walking out.  It was a glorious day I couldn't improve upon even if I tried and has never been regretted.

I'm fairly typical of the local crowd in many ways and have absolutely nothing in common with most residents in many other ways.  As the years pass, I seem to have less and less in common due in part to the effects of evolution and revolution.  My Canadian roots also grow stronger as the years pass and that tends to cast the local area in a very different light.  It's a Canadian thing best understood by Canadians.

Two different countries, two different cultures, two different outlooks, two different perspectives, two different priorities.  Two different worlds.  Welcome to the Mohawk Nation.

"Rochester is last in jobs and first in homicides," (Mayor Robert) Duffy said ... "Rochester is last to rebound from the recession and first in (school) dropout rates; Rochester is last in state aid and first in child poverty rates."

Sadly, all true facts.  But how many were brought upon itself? 

Jobs?  Had Rochester area residents not been so cavalier in their assuming the great benevolent Yellow Box was incapable of EVER falling on its face, they would have seen the importance of diversifying its employer base by actively seeking to attract larger outside business to locate here.  The small city of Woodstock Ontario was able to attract manufacturing jobs by greasing the wheels to win the contract for an entirely new Toyota assembly plant -- the local whining about manufacturing jobs moving elsewhere falls on deaf ears.

Homicides?  Had local residents taken steps to address the drug trade and proliferation of handguns by innovative and radical measures (some quite possibly involving constitutional issues), possibly Rochester might not have earned the notorious title of Murder Capital of New York State.  Profound problems need profound answers which not only confront the status quo, but actively attack it.

Rebounding from recession?  Other parts of the state have moved on, why hasn't the Rochester area?  What local initiatives or flawed plans have held the area back?  How has the local area failed where others have succeeded?  It it up to Albany to managed Rochester's own development?

School dropout rates?  How many of these dropouts are related to teen pregnancy where the mothers and fathers need to start chasing the Breed-and-Consume financial cycle earlier rather than later?  How many local parents see having grandchildren as the ultimate culmination of a life's work and refuse to point out the many disadvantages of having children at an early age?  That's a social change.  That isn't dictated by legislators in Albany.

First in child poverty rates?  It sort of points back to a question of kids having kids, doesn't it?  Equally as important is the inability of workers with families to find jobs which pay LIVABLE wages and for anyone needing a roof over their head, a $10/hour job with no benefits isn't going to provide the income to do that.  Let alone providing the basic necessities for offspring.

Last in state aid?  Mayor Bob's intentions are honourable, but his timing is deplorable given the high publicity surrounding the demise of the fast ferry due to financial overextending.  Crying that Rochester deserves more money while it has frittered away tens upon tens of millions of dollars in a perfectly ostentatious and unnecessary pet project is sure to make non-local state legislators roll their eyes in amusement.

"Duffy pointed out that Pataki's proposal would provide Buffalo with $433 more in unrestricted state aid, Syracuse $368 and Rochester only $271."

Yeah, so what?  Buffalo has always needed more help ever since the mass flight of heavy industry and manufacturing jobs for the past thirty years.  Buffalo's economy is still turning around to a service-oriented and high-tech job market and no one can say the community hasn't been trying to reinvent itself.  Buffalo wasn't the one who rushed to an auction and bought a money-pit of a proven loser of a business either.  It couldn't and much to it's credit, wouldn't.  The light-rail transit, while not an over-burdened urban form of transportation, is at least a step in the right direction and one which Rochester in no closer to than it has been since the 1950's.

Syracuse has had its share of problems as well but as anyone who travels the Thruway can tell, the former General Electrics plant off  Electronics Parkway is now occupied by Lockheed-Martin.. a sign that when one large manufacturing company up and moves, with the proper wooing, another can fill part of the void.  When Carrier Corporation moved its headquarters from Syracuse, another location for jobs, the Carousel Center mall, picked up some of the slack.  Today, the Carousel Center is poised to expand into one of the largest retail malls in North America.   Not without controversy, the Carousel has nonetheless attracted cash into the Syracuse area as well as a number of modest paying jobs.  It's a start.

Both of the Upstate neighbours to Rochester are trying to manage their own development using common sense.  While each city has always held a geographic advantage to Rochester -- Buffalo as a border town and Syracuse at the crossroads of the state -- Rochester has been historically in a higher income bracket. 

And well-heeled people who spend their money foolishly don't stay well-heeled for long.  That's something for which Albany and the rest of the state don't have to compensate.  From side-by-side sports venues to ersatz entertainment districts to fabulously expensive boats, the taxpayers of the state of New York are taking a look at the direction the Rochester area is headed and saying, "Have at it -- but don't look to us to support it".

Plead all you want, Mayor Bob.  I can almost guarantee the issue of the financial mess of the ferry will be dished back as a reason why another $35 million isn't 'deserved' by Rochester.

17:00 - My prediction?  A Conservative minority government by a nose.  The world will not end, but look for barroom brawls on Parliament Hill until the neo-Cons screw up.

24 JANUARY 2006

124	103	51	29
Total Elected and Leading
CON	124	0	36.30%
LIB	101	2	30.16%
BQ	50	1	10.49%
NDP	27	2	17.47%
IND	1	0	.52%
OTH	0	0	5.05%
Updated: January 24, 1:30:16 AM EST

01:35 - A Conservative minority government; but not by a nose.

I can live with that.  With 103 Liberal seats combined with 29 NDP and 51 Bloc seats, the Conservatives are going to have their hands full.  This way, if Stephen Harper thinks he's going to dictate Aboriginal policy to the First Nations, he's about to find out he's going to need a helluva lot more than 124 votes to do it.

Lest GWB think he's suddenly got a new friend in the Great White North, the three urban enclaves of Liberal power -- Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver -- not only hold most of the cash but create most of the noise to rock HIS world if he strays too far to the right.

Oh... and for the angst-ridden voters who were running around with pitchforks and nooses prior to the election... I'm sure it'll be quite comforting to know there'll NEVER be so much as a WHIFF of scandal and/or corruption under the saintly Stephen and his Conservative cronies.

Otherwise, that would make all of you look like the Canadian hypocrites of all time.  Let so little as one Conservative MP overspend on even their phone budget... and you can bet the Loyal Opposition is going to be all over it like stink on....

Count on it.  And keep your fingers crossed.  We'll be watching this new guy with a neutron microscope.  No-Confidence votes are unwanted, but certainly an option.

Back to the nonsense at hand.

New York City 'MAY' be interested in buying the fast ferry?  Is this along the same vein as New York City may NOT be interested in buying the fast ferry?  Sort of like, Houston MAY be interested in buying the fast ferry -- but probably WON'T?

Well, isn't that ducky?  Of course, even though NYC is around 320 miles from Rochester the only way to get the ship to the Big Apple is via the St.Lawrence and Atlantic Ocean... a 2000-mile voyage with a ship that takes... how many gallons to the mile?  Small potatoes, I know, when a willing and able buyer is found.

Still, you can bet the 'shipping cost' to transport the purchase to its new home is going to factor into the selling price.

NY state senator pitches fast ferry to NYC 1/23/2006 6:00 PM (WROC-TV) Could the fast ferry be headed to the big apple? A state senator pitched the boat to New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg Monday. State Senator Jim Alesi said Bloomberg remembered the ferry well. The vessel got a lot of attention after it crashed into a Manhattan pier in April 2004, while on its way to Rochester. Alesi says New York City is looking to buy a ferry as part of its promotion of Governor's Island. "If it could go to New York City, I'm not saying it would, then perhaps we could look for some additional state funding to offset the cost of New York City buying the fast ferry from the City of Rochester," said Alesi.  State lawmakers were unwilling to put any more money into the Rochester ferry project. Mayor Bob Duffy tells News 8 he appreciate Alesi's help, but he'll sell the boat to whoever offers the best price. "The best gift we can give to our taxpayers is to get as much money as possible for the fast ferry to pay down the debt and simultaneously keep a very open mind, an open door to the services that may decide to choose Rochester," Duffy said.

(Oh GEEZ.  It's that damn Mohawk guy and his maddening attention to picky details again.)

Question for Rochester area residents:

Where is Governor's Island?

Answer: A picture is worth a thousand guesses:

At the southern tip of Manhattan -- a mere .7 of a mile from Battery Park -- lies Governor's Island.

Now, far be it for me to second-guess anybody, but why somebody would need a 774-passenger, 220-car, five story high-speed catamaran ferry to travel 1232 yards is beyond me.

I know things move fast in NYC, but even THIS defies explanation.

Unless of course, it's merely to gain some sort of political mileage for a local politician so he can say he's 'hard at work looking out for the best interests of his constituents'.  Remember; Alesi is hot to trot to get VLT's slammed into the ferry terminal even though the idea appears as plausible as slapping a casino in the middle of a decrepit old department store in the middle of... nothing.

That speaks highly of Alesi's lack of attention to reality.  So yes, I suppose to geographically-impaired Rochester area residents, the idea of The Big Guys wanting to buy a ferry which dwarfs the Staten Island Ferry makes sense.  At this point, the desperate aren't quibbling over -- or questioning -- the details.  False good news is better than truly bad news any day.... or so the logic goes.

Senator Alesi?  Do us all a favour and shut up.  If you REALLY want to help, how about working out a plan to turn Rochester Gas & Electric into a publicly-owned entity so dirt cheap electricity would lure business to this economic wasteland and save every resident who uses electricity a heap of cash each month?  Too radical?  Too anti-shareholder? 

Either you're representing the interests of the voters or you're representing the interests of big business.  Get real or get lost.

Tuesday   January 24, 2006

Mayors Duffy, Bloomberg to meet NYC Considers Buying Fast Ferry   by Rocco Vertuccio file photo Published Jan 23, 2006 Rochester's fast ferry could end up in New York City. It's an idea that could be discussed soon. The idea comes from New York State Senator Jim Alesi. He suggested it to Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy in Albany Monday. Alesi says he mentioned the idea to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The New York City mayor was open to the idea. In Senator Jim Alesi's conversation with Mayor Bloomberg, they talked about the tourism boom at the Port of Lower Manhattan and the emergence of Governor's Island. Mayor Bloomberg acknowledged the ferry could provide vital transportation to the region. "Not only could this save Rochester millions of dollars, but it would also keep this vessel in New York State, while providing a service to New York taxpayers," says Senator Alesi. Bloomberg and Duffy were not able to meet in Albany Monday. Duffy says he is open to speaking with Bloomberg about the idea. Duffy plans to set up a meeting soon with Bloomberg.

Great.  Wonderful.   Pack up the life preservers and sign the bill of sale.  Off to NYC it goes.

Oh.  It's only a 'possibility'?  Like it's only a 'possibility' the Turks are going to unload this tub from our hands?  Like it's only a 'possibility' a Miami-based company is going to buy the thing?  Like it's only a 'possibility' Caribbean interests might kick the tires?

Is all this supposed to make Rochesterians jump for joy at the very real fact they're about to start paying for a ship that will be long gone before the debt is?

The clock's still ticking and the rust grows more prominent by the day.  Go on.  Take a look at berthed beast.  No hurry, though.  Despite a non-existent winter, the St.Lawrence Seaway still doesn't open for a few more months and until it does, the ship stays tied up and looking pretty forlorn.

Prozac, anyone?

ROCHESTER WILL CONTINUE TO WELCOME CANADIAN VISITORS

01-10-2006

Greater Rochester Visitors Association Responds to Mayor Duffy’s Decision Regarding the Ferry ROCHESTER WILL CONTINUE TO WELCOME CANADIAN VISITORS Rochester N.Y.- "The termination of the City's fast ferry venture is not a reflection of the health, vitality or promise of the Rochester community," said Ed Hall, president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Visitors Association (GRVA) in response to Mayor Duffy's decision to cease ferry operations. "GRVA understands the fiscal environment in which this difficult decision had to be made, however, it is vital to note this is not a failure of Rochester as a destination, but rather, a failure of a transportation company’s business plan."  (Pffft.  Pointing the finger at the losing team is no indication of how well the home team played.)  The cessation of the ferry will not affect efforts by the Visitors Association to continue to pursue Toronto and Ontario as viable tourism markets, added Hall. Hall believes GRVA did everything possible, with available resources, to assist in promoting the ferry to the Canadian market. He points to the fact that the GRVA sought funding assistance from the local New York State delegation to market the Rochester and Finger Lakes area to Canada. Although the funding was approved by the senate and assembly, the state executive later vetoed it. (Again, pointing the finger of blame does not exonerate a lackluster performance by the suits at the GRVA.) It is anticipated with diminished border challenges and favorable currency exchange, Canadian visitors will continue to visit Rochester. (Huh?  The border crossing experience is about to get more complex... not easier.  And why talk about favourable currency exchange if Canadian money is generally not accepted at so much as the local Burger King?) According to the GRVA, the ferry carried a very small percentage of Canadian visitors to the Rochester area, and therefore, did not have a significant impact on the area's visitor numbers. Ferry ridership indicated that in the first year of service, one-half of the riders were Canadians, while in the 2nd year, they made up just one-third. Hall continued, "Rochester is an attractive destination with many nationally and internationally known events and attractions. The GRVA will continue to promote the area to markets within a 250-mile radius, including our Canadian neighbors. As recently as this past weekend, 75,000 copies of GRVA's coldrush winter guide were inserted in NOW magazine in the Toronto market." GRVA is expecting to announce soon that 2005 was a very good year for visitor business. Over 1,700,000 visitors came to Monroe County this past year from at least 50 miles away. Monroe County's occupancy at its 6,600 hotel rooms grew, as well as estimated day visitors from nearby markets such as Syracuse and Buffalo and smaller communities in the Finger Lakes. Visitor spending estimates for 2005 are expected to exceed $265 million. To assure the Canadian market that Rochester is “open for business” and a great close-to-home destination, staff and members of the Greater Rochester Visitors Association will travel to Toronto in early February. They will meet with travel industry associates and media to give presentations about the diversity of special events and attractions available to Canadian travelers this year.  (As if meeting with the corporate crowd is going to compel Mr. and Mrs. Sauga to buzz on down for the weekend.)

Alrighty, then.  Just don't bring that Canadian money here; currency exchange makes our heads spin.

Candy-coated hype.  Oh, we didn't forget to mention our latest claim to fame as the Murder Capital of NYS, did we?  Why not?  Canadians know about it anyway.

Spin-spin sugar. 

28º | Hi 45º / Lo 28º |

"Too costly. I'll take my car, on the road."

Just waking up from a five-year sleep, are we?

"I'll bet the average city resident could never afford to ride the ferry."

There's a word for people who make wild assumptions and gross generalizations with no basis in fact... and it's not 'enlightened', either.