Upstate gets (F) for economic growth
Upstate gets failing economic grade
WNY counties lag behind nation in jobs, income, population growth
By Fred O. Williams
Updated: 08/31/07 8:20 AM
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Western New York and the rest of upstate has received a failing economic grade in a study by the state’s business lobby, for trailing the nation in jobs, income and population.
The state as a whole lagged behind 27 other states, receiving a ‘D’ grade.
“The state is in a major crisis,” said Kenneth Adams, president of the Business Council of New York State, author of the study.
The “Economic Growth Index” study gave an ‘F’ to Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Allegany and Chautauqua counties, while Cattaraugus and Wyoming counties received a grade of ‘D.’
The study examined 1995-2005 trends in jobs, average wages, total personal income, per-capita income and population. Regions trailing the national average in all five measures got an ‘F,’ those missing four got a ‘D.’
The results underscore the need for lower taxes and a better business climate in the state to spur growth, Adams said.
But other manufacturing-intensive areas also fared poorly, indicating that global trade trends were partly to blame. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio also received ‘D’ grades.
Adams said that other large states including California, Texas and Virginia were able to match national growth rates and received A-plus grades.
“Other states have recovered better from globalization and off-shoring,” Adams said. “We need to look at what they have done in terms of policy.”
His conclusions echo previous themes from the business community. Business Council studies have repeatedly put New York’s taxes and business costs among the highest in the U.S. A business-backed campaign called Unshackle Upstate is pushing for reforms in Medicaid, employer liability and brownfield reuse, among other things, to drive down employer costs.
The state’s economic development agency didn’t argue the findings, while noting that the data comes from a period before the administration of Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer took office.
The results “reflect the same issues that Gov. Spitzer campaigned on,” said a statement from Daniel Gundersen, upstate chairman of Empire State Development. The administration’s economic development agenda aims at the causes of the economy’s weakness, he said.
“The data speaks volumes for adopting a new approach to economic development,” he said in the statement.
The Business Council’s study gave two counties in New York State ‘A’ grades, Putnam and Saratoga, while Suffolk and Dutchess each scored a ‘B.’
The five counties home to upstate’s largest cities got four ‘Fs’ and one ‘D,’ while New York City scored a ‘C.’
The economic measures behind the scores for the 10 years ending with 2005 were:
Job growth — 12.2 percent in New York versus 17 percent nationally.
Total personal income — up 53.9 percent in the state, 66.3 percent nationally.
Per-capita personal income — up 47.6 percent statewide, 49.4 percent nationally.
Population growth: 4.3 percent in New York versus 11.4 percent nationally.
Average annual wages per job — up 48.3 percent statewide, better than the national average of 46.3 percent on the strength of wage growth in New York City.
fwilliams@buffnews.com
Henslow Sparrow for Lancaster Supervisor
Cant wait for the street signs.
status quo in Lancaster-should we expect anything else
Anyone who watched the dog and pony show on monday the 20th and how the meeting took a complete turn wonders whats going on in this town. Mr Keysa who excused himself from voting in jan 2004 on Windsor ridge South(because his brother participated in the land sale)all of a sudden offers a resolution and turns the entire meeting around. Is this legal?????? I thought SEQR was a legal process on environmental issues.... Environment issues are suppose to be addressed by lead agency (the Town). When will mitigation begin after all the homes are in what do residents (taxpayers) do now!!! what happened with no building until traffic study is complete...More lip service ..Was site plan approved? Who the hell runs this town the developers and Keysa !!!!:mad:
This is what residents have come to expect from our leadership and the old saying that they'll build it while your sleeping the town passes everything holds true again!!!!!
With numerous issues and developement infringing on our way of life and causing more and more concerns in the community with traffic, flooding and who knows whats to come with building on these wetlands. 10 years from now will we be the next amherst with sinking homes and foundation problems.Is there anyone out there that cares lets put more houses on wetlands and fill In and not worry what will happen in the future. Lets over crowd the already crowded roads. who will suffer !!!! The residents who use those roads everyday and sit in traffic but when your sitting there waiting just remember our traffic study shows traffic has not increased much....:mad: Mr.Keysa the wonderful liason for traffic study says he doesn't expect many changes... Who the hell did they have doing this traffic study, were they sleeping. During busy times you take your life in your hands trying to pull onto William. Maybe the whole town is using Clinton now because of traffic congestion. Everyone I know tries to stay away from William and lake and William and Transit. Broadway is easier to travel down then William. yet we propose how many new developements. They say 77 homes in phase one for Windsor Ridge won't make no substantial traffic issues. 2 to 3 cars per house = 150-230 cars (no issues). In addition you have several other developements going on in different areas of Town. Do our glorious leaders think we are that stupid!!!!!! No substantial increase in Traffic,do they live in Lancaster:mad:
I am not an expert in politics nor do I want to be but there has to be something we can do for change something that will make a differance. What the community (taxpayers) want should count for something or atleast givin consideration when making decisions. With increased traffic, building on wetlands,flooding and overall Developer run town. What can be done how can I improve things and make a differance in my community and then the hardest part is how to get others to care!!!!!! No one has anything to say until the bulldozers come out then there outraged and want things stopped.Do our glorious leaders see that the community is not happy,do they see whats happening to our community? Does anyone care!!!!!
It's Time for a Lancaster Tea Party
Quote:
Lancaster’s Politically Disenfranchised Need to Organize: Part 2
By Gary S. Howell
Sep 2, 2007, 22:05
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What Options do the Disenfranchised Have?
In 2007 Lancaster voters don’t have a choice in the election of Town officials. Voters have options, but the options are limited. The options include, voting for the Democratic candidates, voting for candidates in other races without pulling the levers for town-wide races, or writing in candidates for town seats.
There is a Republican running for Supervisor, but he’s a mystery candidate. He says he didn’t know the Party included his name on nominating petitions. He doesn’t appear to be running a campaign. No one knows anything about him. His apparent unwillingness to participate in the process creates the impression he’s not interested in the job. It boggles the mind to think that anyone would vote for a candidate who shows no interest in running, let alone winning. And that raises the question; is voting for a disinterested candidate really an option?
There are rumors circulating on Speakupwny’s Live Forum that a Boston Tea Party type protest write-in campaign is in the works. But, at this point, it’s not clear how serious the bloggers are.
The point is; if you live in Lancaster, and you don’t like the Democratic candidates, too bad. Your right to choose Town leaders via the ballot doesn’t exist because you don’t have a choice.
You are a disenfranchised voter.
~
Lancaster’s disenfranchised may as well write off the 2007 Town election. It’s over, the Democratic Party won.
That doesn’t mean there’s no hope for the future. There’s no better time to get back on your feet then when you’ve been knocked down.
Now is the time to start thinking about the future.
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There are a number of things that can be done.
A number of the disenfranchised are actually Democratic Party members. They may want to take a page out of Frank Max’s book and do what he did in Cheektowaga. Max started a Democratic club. He brought together Democratic Party members who were disenchanted with the Party leadership. They organized and held fundraisers. As his club grew, he inspired members to become district committeemen. Committeemen choose Party leaders and candidates. When Max had enough committeemen, his club took over the leadership of Cheektowaga’s Democratic Party.
The Lancaster Republican Party is wide open. It has no clear leadership. It may be easier for disenfranchised Republicans to take over and revitalize the Party. Someone needs to step forward and inspire Republicans to organize, and find people willing to become committeemen. Right now, most of the district committeemen seats are empty. A well organized group of people could easily fill the committee slots and take over the Party.
Lancaster’s Independence Party is like the Wild West. There is a shoot out between real Independence members and the former Democratic Party members who changed affiliation to take over the Party. While the Independence Party is a minor line, it could become a major player, especially if the disenfranchised united and took over.
The problem with the first three options is, somewhere down the line, members may need to seek help from higher branches of the Party. Once you start asking for favors, you will be asked for favors in return. Some of the favors may not be advantageous to Lancaster.
Since we’re only talking about Town-wide politics, the best solution may be for the disenfranchised to form their own Party. The advantages include, focusing strictly on issues affecting Lancaster and no interference from Party hierarchies. The disadvantage is, since it’s a small, local Party, it will occupy a bottom line on the ballot. Voters will have to pass over the major Parties to find it.
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The options listed above are simple outlines. In reality, the process to proceed with any one of them is complicated.
The object of this article is to get voters to think about the future.
If you aren’t happy with politics in Lancaster, now is the time to start thinking about changing them.
~
© Copyright 2006 by Speakupwny.com
This is what Lancaster needs is an old fashioned Boston Tea Party to show the political leaders were not happy and we won't sit back and take it no more! enough is enough.....We want a leadership that will fight for what the people want not what the developers want to do....they are raping our town right in front of our eyes....it's time for a change in Lancaster, if Depew can change so can we......:mad:
Henslow is looking better and better- write in Vote!!!!
I think the write in vote for Mr. H.Sparrow for Lancaster Supervisor is the only true choice at this time . There needs to be some promotion before election time though .
I would gladly donate for some signs , news adds or what ever. If this write in campaign is to send any kind of a message we need at least 200- 400 votes.
I'm in for Henslow !!!!!!!!!
:D
Write in Vote - how to link
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadow
Right now Mr.Henslow is the only choice let the games begin.....Maybe our leaders will get the true message. I'd love to see this one on the news.....Bird kicks Giza's Ass
Try the link at the bottom for "How to" Video from New York State !
Its legal - it counts and they will feel it.