Because of the weather, the Ramble Music and Arts Fest has been moved indoors to T.F. Brown's on E. Main St.
There is an indoor stage for eletric bands and the acoustic bands are playing on the patio.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the region.
Josephine A. Boltz, 25, of 174 Burch Ave., of Buffalo, is charged with DWI following a minor property damage accident at Darien Lake Theme Park during the Nickelback concert. Boltz reportedly had a BAC of .08 or greater.
Other arrests associated with the Nickelback concert:
Joshua R. Handy, 25, of 6 Williams St., Mt. Morris, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
Nolan R. Boughton, 24, 188 Canal St., Lyons, was charged with harassment for allegedly striking a security officer while being escorted from the concert venue.
A 16-year-old from Hamburg was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
Richard W. Randall, 32, of 4349 Cemetery Road, Marietta, was charged with charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly fighting inside the concert venue. He is held on $100 bail.
Benjamin Q. Antonucci, 18, of 4192 Broadway, Alexander, charged possession of alcohol by a person under 21.
Christopher J. Burger, 18, of 9393 Stady Road, West Valley, charged with possession of alcohol by a person under 21.
Erica A. Taylor, 31, of 1802 Lodi St., Apt. 2, Syracuse, charged with criminal possession of marijuana and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly smoking marijuana in front of her 13-year-old daughter.
Michael Boland, 25, of 1802 Lodi St., Apt. 2, Syracuse, charged with criminal possession of marijuana and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly smoking marijuana in front of his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter.
Matthew J. Pentycofe, 22, of 29 Spencer Court, Batavia, charged with harassment for allegedly pushing and fighting with security guards inside the concert venue. He was held on $300 bail.
Peter B. Vanderwall III, 19, of 47 Seneca Street, Waterloo, is charged unlawful possession of marijuana and with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly smoking and possessing marijuana in front a child under 17 years of age.
UPDATE: Jeremy M. Pysher, 19, of 730 Exchange Road, Attica, was seriously injured and is in critical condition at Erie County Medical Center following a one-car accident on Route 238 this morning at 8:42.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash in which Pysher, driving a 1991 Chevrolet Lumina, drifted across the southbound lane and off the west shoulder of the roadway. The car struck a tree "virtually head-on" and twisted around the trunk of the tree before striking a second tree.
The car caught fire, but the fire was contained to the rear of the engine compartment.
Pysher suffered unspecified injuries as well as burns to his lower legs.
He was transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC.
The location of the accident on Route 238 was appoximately 4/10 of a mile south of Griswold Road in Darien.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by Deputy Eric Seppala with assistance from Sgt. James Meier, Sgt. William Scott and Investigator Timothy Weis. Also responding to the scene were the Corfu Police Department, the Darien Fire Department and members of New York State Corrections.
Original post:
A car reportedly hit a tree on Route 238 just south of Griswold Road in Darien.
At least one person is trapped in the car and extraction tools are needed. Mercy Flight has been requested. The car was also reportedly smoldering.
An apparent hit-and-run driver injured two people tonight after reportedly rear-ending a motorcycle as it slowed to pass over an unpaved area of Walnut Street.
A witness, Joe Elmore, of Walnut Street, said he heard a loud crack followed by a woman's "blood curdling" scream, and he rushed from his back yard out to the roadway. He assisted the driver and his female passenger, trying to get a passing BMW to call 911 and and follow the hit-and-run driver. He doesn't believe the BMW driver did either.
Elmore said he screamed at a semi-truck driver to stop and put on his flashers, and he did, to slow down traffic.
The location of the accident, about 143 Walnut St., is the start of a road construction area where the pavement has been completely removed and replaced by stones. There is an at least four-inch drop from the paved area to the rocky surface.
Both Elmore and T.J. McAllister, who lives adjacent the accident scene, said cars continue to come flying down Walnut as if there's no construction at all.
Elmore said the motorcycle driver told him that he slowed when he hit the unpaved area, but the car behind him didn't and plowed right into him.
"He said he did everything he could to protect his girlfriend," Elmore said. "He broke his leg just trying to hold up his bike."
Just in the five minutes or so Elmore, McAllister and myself stood there talking, after the accident scene had been cleared, at least a half dozen cars passed in each direction driving at or above the normal speed limit. One car hit the bump so hard something fall off of it.
Elmore said he wanted attention brought to the street so that people will be more aware that they need to slow down.
A few minutes earlier, while McAllister and I talked, he pointed to a police car pulling away and said, "This was bound to happen. See how bumpy it is. Look at that police car and how much it's bouncing even as slow as it's going. People come through here going twice as fast. It's just crazy."
No official report on the accident is available at this time.
Mercy Flight announced job openings tonight, thanks to its new ground ambulance service, which is scheduled to start serving Genesee County Sept. 1.
We received the following announcement from Wade Schwab with Mercy Flight at 9 p.m.:
Mercy EMS, a ground ambulance service operated by Mercyflight of Western N.Y. is seeking qualified individuals to fill numerous job opportunities.
The company will be providing ambulance service to all of Genesee County as of September 1st.
The positions will be EMT's, paramedics, paramedic shift supervisors and dispatchers.
There will be open job fairs at the Mercyflight Batavia base at 4781 E. Saile Dr. Batavia on Wednesday 07/15 and Thursday 07/16 from 6pm until 8pm and on Saturday 07/18 from 9am until 11am.
Anyone interested in these local job opportunities is welcome to attend one of the sessions.
We'll need to wait until Monday to talk with officials with Mercy Flight to see how the open hiring and job fairs squares with statements previously indicating the organization was looking to hire many, if not all, of Batavia's ambulance personnel.
Kelly Kiebala is the new executive director for Go Art!.
She replaces Linda Blanchet, who retires at the end of the month.
Most recently, Kiebala is executive director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, and previously she spent nine years as program director for Go Art!
(Originally reported by WBTA.)
(Note: This almost seems like a trade -- We give Orleans County Pat Weissend (who is becoming branch manager for Bank of Castile in Medina), and Orleans gives back to Genesee County with Kiebala.)
The fire wasn't serious, but a good fire alarm system and regular fire drills certainly demonstrated this morning in Darien how a good fire plan can save lives and protect property.
The 5:30 a.m. fire started in the bedroom of Jeremy Rademacker when a halogen lamp was accidentally kicked to the floor and left on.
The fire alarm in Jeremy's room sounded, but because the alarm is wired into a house-wide alert system, both his father and sister were awakened by the alarm. All three people exited the house safely, with Mr. Rademacker closing the door to the bedroom on the way out, and they met at a pre-designated spot.
The fire caused $10,000 to $15,000 in damage.
WBTA interviewed Genesee County Emergency Manager Coordinator Tim Yeager who credited the family with smart smoke detector installation and prior planning with averting disaster.
Darrick Coleman, a Le Roy resident who often shares his photos on The Batavian, has some of his work on display at the Shirt Factory Cafe in Medina now through Aug. 31.
There is an opening reception July 18 at 6 p.m.
The show portrays "the beauty that can be found in many backyards in Western New York through all four seasons, but in particular Mr. Coleman's backyard," according to the press release.
The exhibit, titled "Out of Doors," is sponsored by The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
The Shirt Factory is located at 115 W. Center Street, Medina.
A Bergen woman is accused of stealing more than $58,000 using Internet transfers from an acquaintance.
Renee E. Rowan, 45, of 7527 Gilbert Road, Bergen, allegedly initiated four different transfers of at least $9,000 each.
Rowan was arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and is held in Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail.
The investigation was conducted by Deputy Matthew Butler and Investigator Timothy Weis, with assistance from Deputy Joseph Graff.
UPDATE: I'm not sure if this is related or not, but a reader points out that Rowan owns staubitzofbuffalo.com (WHOIS database). The other domains that seem affiliated with that business are registered via an off-shore source that apparently hides the true identity of the domain owners. Here's the WHOIS for hartmanmodelboats.com and loyalhannadockyard.com and taubmansonline.com. All three sites have contact information for Rowan.
UPDATE: I just spoke to Investigator Weis and he said the alleged theft was unrelated to Rowan's businesses and there is no further investigation going on related to those businesses. He said Rowan allegedly had direct access to the victim's account, but it wasn't business related.
Karl Matthew Churchill, 29, of 6018 Main Road, Stafford, is charged with harrassment. Churchhill allegedly made a threatening phone call to the Village of Corfu Court after receiving a traffic ticket for allegedly tinted windows.
Robert E. Magoffin Jr., 37, 3717 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater. Magoffin was allegedly doing 84 m.p.h. in a 40 m.p.h. zone on Route 20 in Darien when he was stopped. He was ordered to appear in Darien Town Court on Aug. 18.
Thanks for all the well wishes on my previous post about my cataract surgery yesterday (I even got some well wishes via e-mail from the Daily, which was nice). It went well -- I've had more painful dentist visits ... like every dentist visit. This was completely painless (here I was freaked out for weeks for nothing).
A silver-haired guy who came back to the pre-op/post-op room told the nurse that very thing, which I found somewhat reassuring, and then when I was being wheeled out, he said to me, "Hey, it's nothing, buddy." And he was right. So if you ever find out you need cataract surgery (you don't have to be old to need it, but if you live long enough, you eventually will), just know it's nothing to worry about.
A little pain yesterday afternoon, but I've been fine since.
Dr. Alan Siegel put in a new lens that corrected the vision in my right a little bit, so now my prescription glasses aren't just quite right in my right eye, but I can't see out of my left without them. I'm seeing OK overall.
I'll be doing a little light work today. I expect I'll be in the office from 1 to 5 p.m. for anybody who needs to pick up gift certificates. I am planning on attending the Muckdogs game tonight (you should, too -- it's always great fun at Dwyer and there are fireworks tonight). I bet I make it to at least some of The Ramble tomorrow.
If you see me out and about, forgive me my dorky old-man sunglasses (needed to fit over my regular glasses, and apologies to any old men who wear them whom I just offended!).
Larry's Steakhouse, 60 Main St. The name says it all -- Larry's is a great place for steak. Larry's is a fine dining atmosphere with a great menu and outstanding service. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.
Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, N.Y.: People come from all over the region for a fine dinning experience at Alex's. Alex's is best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.
The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: Brighten up your home or office with flowers! We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.
T.F. Browns, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. The patio is open. It's also a great place to host group events. See the ad on the left side of the page for contact information. We have a $20 gift card for $10.
Valle Jewelers, 21 Jackson St., Batavia, N.Y.: Need a gift? Need some sparkle? Valle's has a large selection of jewelry and gifts starting at under $25. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.
A $1 PayPal service fee applies on items more than $10 and .50 cents on items below $10.
Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value. People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before. By state law, gift certificates cannot be used for alcohol purchase.
How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate.
If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.
Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.
Alex's Place
SOLD
Larry's Steakhouse
SOLD
Valle Jewelers
SOLD
T.F. Brown's
SOLD
The Enchanted Florist
Today at 9:45 a.m. I report to UMMC for cataract surgery (right eye).
Obviously, I won't be posting much this morning, nor even on the computer much all day. Tomorrow will also be mostly a day off. I'm hoping by Saturday, I'm ready to get out and about a bit. If so, I'll probably head over to Ramble, either just as a fan or maybe shoot some video, depending on how I feel. I should be back to a normal routine by Monday.
In the meantime, the crack news crew at WBTA will post news as necessary, and my wife, Billie Owens, will be available for breaking news, if needed.
Today's Deals of the Day is already posted and I have tomorrow's ready to go. Whether there is an e-mail with tomorrow's depends on whether I post it or Billie does, so don't count on an e-mail for that one (if you're on that list).
Daniel Nathan Bernard, 20, of 6083 Route 5, Stafford, is charged with petty larceny. Bernard is accused of stealing $60 in winning scratch-off lottery tickets from his father's locked car, which was parked at his father's house.
Eileen Barbara Ferrando, 37, of 53 W. Main St., Corfu, was picked up on a bench warrant issued in the City of Batavia for alleged unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Ferrando was turned over to the Batavia Police Department.
Scott Webb, 19, of 12 Grote St., Buffalo, is charged with petty larceny. Grote is accused of stealing game prizes from a game stand at Darien Lake Theme Park.
A 17-year-old from Corfu is accused of reckless driving and endangering the welfare of a child. The youth allegedly drove at a high rate of speed down Chapel Street in Elba, losing control and coming within feet of striking a child riding a bicycle. The youth was issued an appearance ticket.
Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, N.Y.: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Belladessa's Pizzeria, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, N.Y.: Um, pizza and wings! We have a Family Meal Deal ($25 value), which is a large pizza, 24 wings and a 2 litre soft drink for $12.50.
South Main Country Gifts, 3356 S. Main St. Road, Batavia, N.Y.: A large selection of gift items and items for the home, with new items arriving every week. We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.
Batavia Downs Grandstand Bar & Grille: Enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the regions most popular entertainment venues. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
A $1 PayPal service fee applies on items more than $10 and .50 cents on items below $10.
Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value. People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before. By state law, gift certificates cannot be used for alcohol purchase.
How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate.
If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.
Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.
Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles
SOLD
Belladessa's
SOLD
South Main Country Gifts
sold
Batavia Downs Grandstand Bar and Grille
SOLD
Through a special arrangement with Max Pies Furniture, 400 South Jackson St., Batavia, The Batavian is able to extend this special, online-only offer to its readers:
We have for sale a rocker recliner. This big, comfortable chair normally sells for $699. The first reader of The Batavian to act on this offer can buy it online for $399 (plus sales tax). That's a $300 savings!
You can't buy this recliner in the store at that price.
The winner of this exclusive item will be able to choose from an in-stock rocker recliner or custom order in one of the three available colors.
The rocker recliner features soft upholstery and plush contemporary styling so you can enjoy a comfortable relaxing time whether watching TV, reading or enjoying good conversation. With plush saddle arms and unique butler back design, these recliners are comfortable while retaining their design that compliments almost any home décor. The upholstery, construction and design are built to handle everyday living.
]The winning purchaser will need to arrange to stop by The Batavian office to pick up a purchase voucher. Final arrangements to take delivery of the chair are made at the Max Pies location at 400 South Jackson St. This item will be available until it sells.
The voucher has no cash value, but can be used toward an upgrade purchase on another item.
Deliver is free in Genesee County.
To purchase this online exclusive from The Batavian and Max Pies Furniture, click the PayPal button below (this is the only way you can make this purchase -- this price is NOT available in the store).
A pair of tractor trailers have collided on eastbound Interstate 90 at about mile marker 288. One is reportedly partially overturned. No injuries reported at this time.
One driver reports being cut off by another truck driver. No further details at this time.
New York has lost more than 160,000 manufacturing jobs and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants to do something about it.
That's noble, but her four-point plan doesn't address the major issues causing the swift decline of manufacturing jobs.
The main factors leading to closed plants and reduced workforces are trade imbalances, large chains forcing manufactures to reduce costs unreasonably, and New York's burdensome regulatory environment and high taxes.
Gillibrand's calls for manageable health care for small businesses and the self-employed, upgraded rail infrastructure, transition manufacturing to clean engergy production and expand a government program called manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Of course, health care costs are a major obstacle to small business start-ups, and providing adequate transportation to get goods to market is a reasonable role for government, and while clean energy is a noble idea, if the free market rejects it, what right does the government have to force the issue?
Gillibrand can't do much about Albany, but she is in a position to impact trade issues as well as anti-competitive practices of multinational chains such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot.
Full release after the jump:
Washington, D.C. – New York has lost more than 160,000 manufacturing jobs since 2001, or nearly one-quarter of its manufacturing base. To help New York’s manufactures get back on track immediately and to strengthen them for the long term, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today unveiled her plan to help small and mid-sized businesses afford health care, open and expand new markets, and transition to clean energy production that will power New York and the country for decades to come.
“It's no secret that manufacturing has been struggling in New York and throughout the country,” Senator Gillibrand said. “New York’s manufacturers powered us through the 20th century, but have been among those hardest hit by these difficult economic times. We cannot rebuild our economy without our manufacturers. We need to get New York’s small and mid-sized businesses back on track today, and harness the power of our manufacturing tradition to rebuild and fuel the new economy. My plan will help power our economy through the 21st century – creating thousands of new, good-paying jobs right here in New York.”
Every corner of New York State has been crippled by manufacturing job loss. In fact, 52 of New York’s 62 counties show significant loss of manufacturing jobs since 2001, with the rest only showing short-term, unsustainable gains.
According to Senator Gillibrand’s report, every corner of New York has shed manufacturing jobs since the start of the new century.
· New York City lost 58,507 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 2,385 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
· Western New York lost 23,627 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 1,583 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
· The Rochester-Finger Lakes Region lost 26,769 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 1,329 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
· Central New York lost 14,140 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 1,333 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
· The Southern Tier lost 6,332 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 590 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
· The Capital Region lost 7,367 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 771 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
· The North Country lost 3,236 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 395 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
· The Hudson Valley lost 6,791 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 626 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
· Long Island lost 16,841 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008. However, in the past ten years, 867 companies have benefited as a result of the MEP program, including retaining and creating new jobs.
To help New York’s small and medium-sized businesses get back on track now and transition New York’s manufactures to be the clean energy producers that will fuel New York’s economy for the long term, Senator Gillibrand unveiled her plan:
1. Make Health Care Affordable for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed. More than half of America’s uninsured work for small businesses or are self employed. Senator Gillibrand is pushing the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Act. This legislation would make health care affordable by allowing small businesses to buy into an insurance pool with other businesses – reducing costs for all by spreading out risk. The SHOP Act would also offer tax credits for small businesses and the self-employed. Businesses with less than 50 employees would receive a tax credit of $1,000 for each insured employee -- $2,000 per family. For the self employed, the tax credit would be $1,800 for individuals and $3,600 for families.
2. Upgrade Rail Infrastructure to Help Businesses Connect to New Markets, Cut Costs, Move Goods Faster, Easier and Cleaner. New York has over 1,200 miles of short-line railroads – connecting manufacturers and communities to America’s rail system and business hubs. To incentivize upgrades to New York’s short-line railroads so more New York businesses can take advantage of them, Senator Gillibrand is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that will increase the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation Tax Credit from $3,500 to $4,500 and extend these tax credits through 2013.
Freight rail helps cut emissions, reduces highway congestion and saves businesses money. In fact, one freight train can take upwards of 300 trucks off New York’s highways. And one gallon of gasoline can move one ton of freight from Buffalo to New York City. They help attract new businesses to New York and help existing manufacturers move their products to larger markets. For every $1 invested by the federal government to maintain short line freight rails, these tax credits would leverage $2 in private investments, which are set to expire at the end of this year. By expanding and extending these tax credits, Senator Gillibrand is incentivizing upgrades to our rail infrastructure so more businesses can use short line railroads to move goods and services to new markets, and compete and succeed in the economy.
3. Transition New York Manufacturers To Clean Energy Production. Senator Gillibrand is working with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to introduce the Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology (IMPACT) Act this week. The legislation would invest $30 billion for states to establish a Manufacturing Revolving Loan Fund – helping small and medium-sized businesses retool, expand or establish homegrown clean energy manufacturing operation. The loans would help existing manufacturers get the capital they need to transition to clean energy production, and help get new businesses off the ground.
The IMPACT Act would also invest $1.5 billion over five years for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) – helping manufacturers access clean energy markets and transition to new, innovative, clean energy manufacturing technologies. This would increase the federal share of MEP funding from one-third to one-half.
Between 2000 and 2003 in New York, a network of 10 independent non-profit organizations overseen by NYSTAR – the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation – led MEP programs that helped New York manufacturers create or save 4,154 jobs, and earn $587 million in new revenue, cost savings and capital investments.
America imports 70 percent of our clean energy systems and components. America cannot afford to keep importing foreign fossil fuels, and cannot afford to let other countries take the lead in the new clean energy economy. The IMPACT Act would help make New York a leader in the industry, and create thousands of new jobs for the state.
4. Arm MEP With Resources to Make New York Leader in New Energy Economy. The federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program helps many manufacturers to improve their companies. Senator Gillibrand said the MEP Program has helped 9,881 manufacturing companies in New York over the last ten years and argued that the program is needed now more than ever. Senator Gillibrand is calling for $131.8 million to fully fund the federal MEP program as part of the America COMPETES Act to make sure the program has the resources it needs to transition more New York manufacturers to clean energy production, and attract new clean energy manufactures to New York.
The numbers for New York's economy don't look good:
And those are just the transitory, economic fluctuations that should be reasonably expected in a dynamic system.
New York, especially Western New York, suffers from longer-term economic trends that must be addressed whether we want to improve our standing in short-term fluctuations or build a strong economic foundation.
The New York State Association of Counties, which put out a press release prompting this post, jumps right to the conclusion that what is needed is more government, more stimulus, more taxpayer dollars.
Can the government really spend New York out of its current problems?
The government's power to spend money is mind boggling, but what really creates jobs and growth are private businesses making investments and taking risks.
Some of what is needed in New York is to clean up the mess in Albany, reduce the state regulatory burden and lower taxes.
But even with its faults, New York, especially WNY, has a lot going for it. Genesee, in particular, has access to inexpensive power, reliable rail and road transportation, a stable workforce, inexpensive housing, plenty of land and water, respected school systems and a great natural environment.
There's no reason jobs can't be created here.
But growth won't come from government programs. What WNY needs is a resurgence of entrepreneurship -- daring men and women who want to start businesses right here at home.
The biggest struggle WNY faces is how to convince business-minded people to take up the challenge of starting new companies. And again, I'm not sure a government program is the answer. People need to come to this conclusion on their own, but how to get the ball rolling ...
WNY was built by daring entrepreneurs, and only entrepreneurs will save it.
Full NYSAC press release after the jump:
“The Economy Watch continues to show that our state is suffering from severe economic decline. State and local leaders need to do everything we can to leverage funding from the federal stimulus plan to stem any further decline in our economy. We need to retain the jobs we have here in New York and attract new business and employment opportunities,” said NYSAC President Sarah Purdy, Yates County Administrator.
NYSAC’s Economy Watch is updated monthly and provides a range of data, including business cycle indicators, the consumer price index, job growth and layoff numbers, consumer and business confidence indicators, as well as local housing prices and sales activity.
Among the results presented in June’s Economy Watch include:
The complete NYSAC Economy Watch, county level information where available, and a full description of each of the indicators and what they mean, can be obtained by visiting the NYSAC website.
The New York Stat Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
