Bflo Common Council meeting on storm. Why not JOBS?

[PickOranges]

We have been battling storms all our lives. Why doesn’t the Common Council and the Mayor hold a summit to address economic development issues instead.

It is politics as usual. Both sides are Democrats attacking each other and they are still getting paid for it. Let continue to argue with each other on the taxpayer's dime for POWER. This time the snow..Both sides are sterile anyway with a control board. I guess that is why the Control board just appointed some new members too in November. Everyone is getting a nice big fat paycheck.

Just some stats to remember:

Buffalo Niagara lies in the center of a key international market. Buffalo WNY is home to six international bridges, facilitating $81 billion in annual trade between Canada and the United States. That's 31 percent of the total trade conducted between the world's two largest trading partners.More than nine million people live within 125 miles/200 kilometers of the international border between Buffalo, NY and Fort Erie, Ontario. Being at the center of this international market gives Buffalo Niagara businesses a logistical advantage while providing convenient access to a host of professionals with expertise in international business.500 miles from 41% of the US population90 percent of Canada's population of 30 million living within 100 miles of the U.S.-Canadian border.Trade between the United States and Canada represents $590 billion annually, and 87 percent of Canadian exports are bound for U.S. markets, according to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

We still have some of the best rail in the country. I still remember that CSX planned a big intermodal terminal in area a couple of yrs ago. They wanted to turn the freight yard in Lackawanna into a jumping-off point for ocean-going shipments — its probably a toilet issue now.

In 2007 , Senator Charles Schumer announced new steps in the campaign to transform Niagara Falls International Airport into an international cargo center. Hopefully, with the new airlines starting in January, at least, we will bring more passengers there in 2011.

Hey.. do nothing City Democratic politicians --Everything can still be linked through Buffalo including the snow..

The new term Rust belt means lets "wither away".. That is why I say, I will never open a business or buy property again.

They will continue to dig trenches instead of creating jobs. They will continue to promote poverty as the economic engine of prosperity.

[knowsitall]

I don't think control board members get paid. But I believe they do have staff. Do they still get paid even if the Board is in "soft" mode? If so, where do I apply?

[PickOranges]

I am not saying all but Buffalo and also Erie County Fiscal board get paid and I remember they also voted their own pay increase.

The point is no one in the city or county talks about jobs. Everyone has political appointees that are suppose to be economic experts and quasi-governmental agencies like IDAs.

What is the forecast for snow?

[joe d.]

"Bflo Common Council meeting on storm. Why not JOBS? "
Whadya Mean....they all have lobs...some of them 2!!

That's all that matters to them...now move on to something meaningful....like how much snowfall is anticipated for the total year!!

[mnb811]

FYI:Regarding that CSX Intermodal yard in Lackawanna it is up and running with more on the way I heard.

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

The point is no one in the city or county talks about jobs.

I think when you talk about things...all of a sudden expectations happen and that is the last thing politicians want.

[PickOranges]

American Cities That Are Running Out Of People

All of the cities on this list experienced at least one of these devastating problems, which have caused tens of thousands -- and in some cases, hundreds of thousands -- of its residents to leave the region for other jobs and other homes. While it has been the primary focus of these cities to create new sources of employment for their residents, it may be years before people return, if they do at all.

I didn't want to start another thread.

City Of Buffalo population loss is rank# 3 and Rochester is #7.

[PickOranges]

I saw a piece on CBS Evening News that talked about Austin, Texas.

Now, before people try to politicize it by saying it is a blue state or red state or conservative or whatever, I think attitude and organization is first and foremost. WE DON'T HAVE THE BASICS. Austin claimed no sales tax and have been successful with new starts ups in the state and states like Florida claim no personal income tax which is true.

Austin, Texas Leads the Nation in Job Growth

With all the money our state gets in revenue, it goes in unproductive pockets.. Send our lazy unquantified economic CZARs to Austin and copy it or fire them.

Cuomo mentioned consolidations of economic agencies. From cities, counties and IDAs to one agency doing the directing. I hope this doesn't take 4 yrs and I hope this is not BS again.

I want to hold these people accountable.. They are still getting BERC monies and the county still have Konst in Environmental & Planning and we still have all the divided IDAs in Hamburg, Ton, W.S. etc.

[Bioguy231]

I am not saying all but Buffalo and also Erie County Fiscal board get paid and I remember they also voted their own pay increase.

The point is no one in the city or county talks about jobs. Everyone has political appointees that are suppose to be economic experts and quasi-governmental agencies like IDAs.

What is the forecast for snow?

Actually the county is working to create jobs. Phil Corwin is working with Kathy Konst to pull all the IDA's and other resources together to function on the same page with a goal of creating businesses, helping existing businesses grow, and creating jobs. The county exec has also put together an economic development council to advise and help further. This council has business leaders, representatives from the IDA's and local governments, university leaders, and even the Canadian consulate.

[PickOranges]

Actually the county is working to create jobs. Phil Corwin is working with Kathy Konst to pull all the IDA's and other resources together to function on the same page with a goal of creating businesses, helping existing businesses grow, and creating jobs. The county exec has also put together an economic development council to advise and help further. This council has business leaders, representatives from the IDA's and local governments, university leaders, and even the Canadian consulate.

Since we never hear from her, I thought maybe she jump off somewhere.

Ok, so now I know where they are headed...

It looks like she jumped the gun before Cuomo. Who knows maybe the plan was presented to Cuomo and he liked it. Her biggest headache will be the IDAs boards as they want control along with the other power mongruls. If they can break that.. then hopefully progress. Well.. at least they would be forced to work together because all their funding will be tied together.

Maybe , this is why Brown is lackadaisical about BERC.

Do you know if they included Ms. White from the BiNational Alliance? She has pushed trade and tourism from Ontario to the US for years. She called it the Golden Horseshoe.

[Bioguy231]

Here's a link to the council

http://wwww.erie.gov/exec/?rebuild-t...velopment.html