Campaign Q&A:
On the economy, stupid
Kodak's down. Valeo's out.
Sure, every month or so we get word of a company moving here or expanding local operations. And COMIDA's doing a bang-up job of creating employment opportunities one or two at a time. But a few dozen jobs here and there don't really even begin to offset the much larger numbers many of Rochester's traditionally large employers are hemorrhaging.
And following those jobs out of Rochester and the rest of the Northeast is our population base, our critical mass of people.
Without people or jobs or both, our property values and tax base dwindle, which means so does the pot of money we can spend on highways, police, and schools. Which means we graduate kids less prepared for the 21st century workforce, further deterring businesses. Without feasible jobs, it's hard to blame many of those kids for profiting from the drug economy instead of sitting in unemployment lines.
This tangled-up problem doesn't have an easily identifiable beginning or end, and lots of people are involved. But plenty of people look to City Hall for leadership. Yes, we all know that the mayor --- or any governmental body for that matter --- can't solve all our economic problems. But in case we ever decide to stop kvetching about this town's woes long enough to want to do something about them, we'll probably want to have a mayor who's up to that challenge.
Two weeks ago we laid out the problems ("It's the economy, stupid," July 27), through the eyes of many of the people who know this community and its economy best --- business leaders, politicians, bureaucrats, economists, the list goes on. Then, armed with their perspectives, we turned our questions on the men seeking to represent the Democratic Party in the race for mayor. Edited transcripts from those interviews follow. To view our comprehensive election coverage, go to www.rochester-citynews.com and click on the Election 2005 tab.
--- Krestia DeGeorge
Read City's interview with Tim Mains by clicking here!
Read City's interview Wade Norwood by clicking here!
Read City's interview Bob Duffy by clicking here!
In This Guide...
Speaking of The Race, economic Development
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Kodak power plant deal could get OK
Kodak's proposal to sell the Eastman Business Park's utilities system could soon move forward.
- Jun 11, 2013
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Senate veers from Cuomo's proposed IDA reforms
- Mar 28, 2013
- More »
Latest in Elections
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ELECTIONS 2012: The case against Brooks for Congress
Congressional candidate Maggie Brooks almost never refers to the “people” of Monroe County; they are “taxpayers,” even when the context seems to demand another noun. The subtle bit of messaging aligns with Brooks’ signature and much-touted accomplishment as county executive: freezing the property tax rate.
- Oct 24, 2012
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ELECTIONS 2012: Evaluating Slaughter's record
Democratic incumbent Louise Slaughter is one of the most liberal members of the House of Representatives, and proudly so. She’s quick-witted, a master zinger-slinger, and energetic. Her folksy populism marinates in an endearing Kentucky accent, but she can get down in the weeds, too — she’s a microbiologist — and discuss in minute detail the best circumstances to grow algae for conversion to gasoline, for example. Slaughter’s critics like to say, “Sure, she’s likeable, but what has she done?” The answer is quite a lot.
- Oct 24, 2012
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ELECTIONS 2012: Gillibrand has earned second term
- Oct 24, 2012
- More »
Latest in Elections
-
-
ELECTIONS 2012: The case against Brooks for Congress
Congressional candidate Maggie Brooks almost never refers to the “people” of Monroe County; they are “taxpayers,” even when the context seems to demand another noun. The subtle bit of messaging aligns with Brooks’ signature and much-touted accomplishment as county executive: freezing the property tax rate.
- Oct 24, 2012
-
-
ELECTIONS 2012: Evaluating Slaughter's record
Democratic incumbent Louise Slaughter is one of the most liberal members of the House of Representatives, and proudly so. She’s quick-witted, a master zinger-slinger, and energetic. Her folksy populism marinates in an endearing Kentucky accent, but she can get down in the weeds, too — she’s a microbiologist — and discuss in minute detail the best circumstances to grow algae for conversion to gasoline, for example. Slaughter’s critics like to say, “Sure, she’s likeable, but what has she done?” The answer is quite a lot.
- Oct 24, 2012
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ELECTIONS 2012: Gillibrand has earned second term
- Oct 24, 2012
- More »
