Governor David Paterson offered the following editorial published by the Syracuse Post-Standard:
In the early years of the Great Depression, New York's economy was devastated. The unemployment rate soared to nearly 40 percent. Central New York was hit especially hard. From 1929 to 1933, Syracuse lost half its manufacturing jobs.
Yet New Yorkers did not give up. We banded together to create jobs and get our economy moving again. And, slowly but surely, we succeeded.
Federal, state and city efforts - including President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration - created thousands of jobs. In Syracuse, workers elevated the New York Central Railroad's tracks above street level, built the former MacArthur Stadium, restored Elmwood and Burnet Parks and more.
Today, we face the worst economic crisis our state has seen since the Great Depression. And, just like we did then, we have banded together in an historic effort to get our economy moving again.
As governor, my highest priority is to create jobs and put New Yorkers back to work - and we are succeeding.
Last Wednesday - the 100th day since Congress passed President Obama's economic stimulus package - we reached a significant milestone. We have allocated more than half of the economic stimulus funding we received for highway construction - and we have done so a full month ahead of the federally-mandated deadline.
Here in Central New York, in the weeks ahead, workers will begin resurfacing I-690, reconstructing Warren Road and repairing the bridge that carries Bartell Road over I-81.
Not only are we allocating this funding quickly, we are allocating it effectively. Funds are only being spent on shovel-ready projects - those for which work can begin immediately. Moreover, these projects have been selected by experts, such as the members of the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council, who know the infrastructure needs of this region best.
Finally, we are upholding the highest principles of transparency and accountability. The stimulus dollars are your dollars, and you deserve to know exactly how they are being spent. Through our Web site - www.recovery.ny.gov
- New Yorkers can monitor how every dollar of stimulus funds has been spent and how many jobs have been created. We will not tolerate waste, fraud or abuse at any level of this process.
Overall, President Obama's economic stimulus plan will preserve or create 215,000 jobs in New York. Our state's management of the stimulus plan has been a model for the rest of the nation to follow. In fact, in a report released last week, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities held out New York as a model for effective management of economic stimulus funds.
In addition to projects that will create jobs in the short term, we are moving forward with a number of initiatives that will transform New York's economy and create jobs over the long term.
For example, thanks to stimulus funding, we are moving forward with a plan to build one of the nation's first high-speed rail lines in New York with a stop in Syracuse.
Stimulus funds are also bolstering our effort to make New York a global leader in the new clean energy economy. We have set one of the nation's most ambitious clean energy goals. By investing in greater energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy, we expect to create 50,000 jobs in New York by 2015.
And we are working to make New York more affordable. Earlier this month, I proposed a cap on state spending, and this week, I will submit legislation to cap property taxes. We must force government to live within its means, so families and businesses can afford to stay here, and new families and businesses can afford to locate here.
In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue allocating stimulus funding quickly, efficiently and transparently so we can create jobs and put people back to work as fast as possible. And we will lay the foundation for a new economy for New York, so we can revitalize our state for decades to come.
I am proud to be leading New York through this crisis, and I am confident that just as we have done in the past we will overcome it together.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Contact Community Services and Mental Health Association of Onondaga County
Contact Community Services, Inc. and the Mental Health Association of Onondaga County, Inc. have announced they are forming a strategic partnership that consolidates governance, management and administrative functions. This new structure will make the best use of combined resources to continue the organizations’ missions and commitments to the community, according to Robert Tyson, president of the board of directors of Contact Community Services, Inc. “Both organizations will operate in a more efficient and cost-effective manner, strengthening the capacity of both,” Tyson said. “By integrating functions, we can reduce overhead and focus more resources on programs.”
Using an integrated governance model, a single board of directors will provide the oversight and policy-setting functions for both organizations. Patricia Leone, executive director of Contact Community Services, will also serve as executive director of the Mental Health Association. The Mental Health Association will move to the Contact Community Services headquarters in East Syracuse. Its telephone number will remain the same.
Both organizations have provided Central New York with mental health support and services for decades. Established in 1971 as a volunteer-based telephone counseling service, today Contact Community Services annually serves over 30,000 people through a variety of mental and behavioral health programs, including afterschool programs, school-based mental/behavioral health services, 24-hour hotline, youth emergency services for mental health hotline, and other educational and support services. The Mental Health Association has been providing mental health information and referral, education and outreach programming, mental health advocacy and other support and assistance since 1962.
“The Mental Health Association and Contact Community Services are a good fit,” says Ms. Leone. “We both have excellent reputations in the community and have earned great respect from funders and clients. This arrangement will make us both stronger and more effective in developing and providing programming for individuals and organizations and improving the delivery of mental health services to our community. Our combined voice will be a powerful tool in advocacy."
“Given the current economic environment, this integration of governance and administration could become a model for other non-profit organizations in Central New York,” says Thomas Dennison, Mental Health Association board member and professor of practice at Maxwell School of Syracuse University. “The Mental Health Association and Contact Community Services have taken an innovative step, and I think we will see other agencies exploring collaborative models.”
Using an integrated governance model, a single board of directors will provide the oversight and policy-setting functions for both organizations. Patricia Leone, executive director of Contact Community Services, will also serve as executive director of the Mental Health Association. The Mental Health Association will move to the Contact Community Services headquarters in East Syracuse. Its telephone number will remain the same.
Both organizations have provided Central New York with mental health support and services for decades. Established in 1971 as a volunteer-based telephone counseling service, today Contact Community Services annually serves over 30,000 people through a variety of mental and behavioral health programs, including afterschool programs, school-based mental/behavioral health services, 24-hour hotline, youth emergency services for mental health hotline, and other educational and support services. The Mental Health Association has been providing mental health information and referral, education and outreach programming, mental health advocacy and other support and assistance since 1962.
“The Mental Health Association and Contact Community Services are a good fit,” says Ms. Leone. “We both have excellent reputations in the community and have earned great respect from funders and clients. This arrangement will make us both stronger and more effective in developing and providing programming for individuals and organizations and improving the delivery of mental health services to our community. Our combined voice will be a powerful tool in advocacy."
“Given the current economic environment, this integration of governance and administration could become a model for other non-profit organizations in Central New York,” says Thomas Dennison, Mental Health Association board member and professor of practice at Maxwell School of Syracuse University. “The Mental Health Association and Contact Community Services have taken an innovative step, and I think we will see other agencies exploring collaborative models.”
Monday, May 25, 2009
Regional Cooperation: A Pathway to Economic Recovery
This is the third in NLC’s “An Economic View from Main Street” series of articles on topics and issues relating to cities and towns in the economic crisis.
Regional cooperation is a proven way to reduce costs, increase economic competitiveness, manage development impacts and create new opportunities and synergies between communities. This was true before the present economic crisis and is even more critical in a time of economic recession.
The long-term strength and stability of local jurisdictions depends on an economic region with a climate for growth, cultivated local assets and healthy, productive residents and businesses. As part of the national economic recovery strategy, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) supports these critical investments in regional development.
Significant funding is being made available for innovation, workforce development and education, infrastructure, energy efficiency and neighborhood stabilization. While not explicitly requiring a coordinated approach, ARRA presents an opportunity to local officials and other regional stakeholders to utilize and enhance current regional governance, or where networks are not in place, to develop new relationships across jurisdictions and sectors.
For example, in the Birmingham-Hoover, Ala. region, local elected officials formed the Alabama Green Initiative (AGI) to jointly pursue federal stimulus funding for projects that enhance sustainable community development, including: recycling; bio-fuel conversion; Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification; infrastructure improvements; and energy conservation.
Leaders in the Mahoning Valley, Ohio region collaborated for a $20 million federal stimulus grant to expand a rail line; a project that regional leaders say is critical to their future economic success and one that could not have moved forward without a joint effort.
Cities also cooperate with each other and other sectors as a way to share costs for services, particularly given decreases in their tax base as a result of the recession.
Suburban municipalities in southeastern Michigan have joined with a non profit organization specializing in weatherization and a local energy provider to develop the Regional Energy Office. The purpose of the office is to help smaller communities in the region identify and implement efficiency improvements on their aging municipal infrastructure. Aggregated purchasing and centralized administrative support allow the communities to take steps toward energy efficiency more affordably than they could on their own.
Other regions have been promoting regional cooperation for many years as a way to increase their competitive positions and to restructure their economies. For example, since 1959 the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York Inc., (MDA) has been a catalyst for redevelopment of the region by working with local governments and the private sector to attract and create industries with high growth potential.
Robert Simpson, president and CEO of MDA, offered several “lessons learned” to local officials based on the success of MDA’s regional economic development plan, the Essential New York Initiative, including:
Regional cooperation is a proven way to reduce costs, increase economic competitiveness, manage development impacts and create new opportunities and synergies between communities. This was true before the present economic crisis and is even more critical in a time of economic recession.
The long-term strength and stability of local jurisdictions depends on an economic region with a climate for growth, cultivated local assets and healthy, productive residents and businesses. As part of the national economic recovery strategy, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) supports these critical investments in regional development.
Significant funding is being made available for innovation, workforce development and education, infrastructure, energy efficiency and neighborhood stabilization. While not explicitly requiring a coordinated approach, ARRA presents an opportunity to local officials and other regional stakeholders to utilize and enhance current regional governance, or where networks are not in place, to develop new relationships across jurisdictions and sectors.
For example, in the Birmingham-Hoover, Ala. region, local elected officials formed the Alabama Green Initiative (AGI) to jointly pursue federal stimulus funding for projects that enhance sustainable community development, including: recycling; bio-fuel conversion; Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification; infrastructure improvements; and energy conservation.
Leaders in the Mahoning Valley, Ohio region collaborated for a $20 million federal stimulus grant to expand a rail line; a project that regional leaders say is critical to their future economic success and one that could not have moved forward without a joint effort.
Cities also cooperate with each other and other sectors as a way to share costs for services, particularly given decreases in their tax base as a result of the recession.
Suburban municipalities in southeastern Michigan have joined with a non profit organization specializing in weatherization and a local energy provider to develop the Regional Energy Office. The purpose of the office is to help smaller communities in the region identify and implement efficiency improvements on their aging municipal infrastructure. Aggregated purchasing and centralized administrative support allow the communities to take steps toward energy efficiency more affordably than they could on their own.
Other regions have been promoting regional cooperation for many years as a way to increase their competitive positions and to restructure their economies. For example, since 1959 the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York Inc., (MDA) has been a catalyst for redevelopment of the region by working with local governments and the private sector to attract and create industries with high growth potential.
Robert Simpson, president and CEO of MDA, offered several “lessons learned” to local officials based on the success of MDA’s regional economic development plan, the Essential New York Initiative, including:
- Forge a unified vision for the region;
- Foster an entrepreneurial climate that encourages innovation and adaptation;
- Leverage educational assets, including colleges and universities;
- Facilitate collaboration within industry sectors;
- Participate in regional organizations even if they cannot or do not drive the regional economic development agenda; participation builds trust and respect; and
- Take advantage of the credibility and visibility of your local government by supporting the regional initiatives, even if that means following rather than leading.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Westcott Community Center presents 2009 Art Trail
The Westcott Community Center's art fair has grown to one of the finest arts & craft offerings in Syracuse. This year we are having 60+ artists, of extraordinary quality, in 18 locations around the neighborhood. Here at the Center we will be hosting the Lost Boys of Sudan and their ceramic cows along with at least 7+ other artists. We will be offering a selection of Cabot cheeses and other refreshments including a bake sale for our youth programming. In addition a Farmer's Market will be set up by a local farmer. The event is a lot of fun and very well attended.We hope you can make it.
Contacts: Lauren Ritchie, 315-472-0108
Steve Susman, 315-478-8634
EVENT: The Westcott Art Trail
June 6th, 10 - 5, June 7th 12 - 5
Art Trail Maps are available on line at http://www.westcottcc.org/art_trail_09.htm
Cost: FREE
Contacts: Lauren Ritchie, 315-472-0108
Steve Susman, 315-478-8634
EVENT: The Westcott Art Trail
June 6th, 10 - 5, June 7th 12 - 5
Art Trail Maps are available on line at http://www.westcottcc.org/art_trail_09.htm
Cost: FREE
Jobs decrease, but Syracuse unemployment down
Private-sector employers continued to cut jobs across the Empire State, but the unemployment rate improved slightly from March to April, according to the latest monthly report issued today by the New York State Department of Labor.
The state's seasonally adjusted private-sector job count decreased over the month by 15,600, or 0.2 percent, to 7,125,200 in April 2009. Since the state's private-sector job count peaked in August 2008, New York has lost 189,000 private-sector positions, erasing almost half of the 400,000 jobs added during the state's last economic expansion from 2003 to 2008.
The unemployment rate improved slightly from 7.8 percent in March to 7.7 in April. That compares to 5 percent in April 2008.
The job picture was similar in Central New York's main cities in April, but with unemployment rates improving by larger margins compared to the March numbers.
In Syracuse, the number of private-sector jobs fell by 4,200 in the past year. The area's unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in April, compared with 8.5 percent in March and 4.8 percent a year ago.
In the Utica-Rome area, the number of private-sector jobs decreased by 1,100 over the last 12 months. The area's unemployment rate was 7.4 percent, down from 8.3 percent in March, and up from 5.1 percent a year ago.
In the Binghamton region, the number of private-sector jobs decreased by 2,500 over the last year. The area's unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in April, compared with 8.6 percent in March and 4.8 percent a year ago.
The nation's unemployment rate was 8.9 percent in April, up from 8.5 percent in March and 5 percent a year ago.
The state's seasonally adjusted private-sector job count decreased over the month by 15,600, or 0.2 percent, to 7,125,200 in April 2009. Since the state's private-sector job count peaked in August 2008, New York has lost 189,000 private-sector positions, erasing almost half of the 400,000 jobs added during the state's last economic expansion from 2003 to 2008.
The unemployment rate improved slightly from 7.8 percent in March to 7.7 in April. That compares to 5 percent in April 2008.
The job picture was similar in Central New York's main cities in April, but with unemployment rates improving by larger margins compared to the March numbers.
In Syracuse, the number of private-sector jobs fell by 4,200 in the past year. The area's unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in April, compared with 8.5 percent in March and 4.8 percent a year ago.
In the Utica-Rome area, the number of private-sector jobs decreased by 1,100 over the last 12 months. The area's unemployment rate was 7.4 percent, down from 8.3 percent in March, and up from 5.1 percent a year ago.
In the Binghamton region, the number of private-sector jobs decreased by 2,500 over the last year. The area's unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in April, compared with 8.6 percent in March and 4.8 percent a year ago.
The nation's unemployment rate was 8.9 percent in April, up from 8.5 percent in March and 5 percent a year ago.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Nonprofit Board Benchmark Report
The Human Services Leadership Council was recently contacted with the following request:
I am a research consultant working with the InterFaith Works organization. We are compiling non-profit board representation data for the 2009 Community Benchmark Report. As one of the largest non-profits in Syracuse and Onondaga County we would like your assistance to ensure we have the most accurate data to provide.
Can you please respond to this email with a list of your current board members and also denote which individuals are non-white minorities? Information collected will not reveal any organization’s name or board members. We are only using this data to quantify information for the Syracuse area. We appreciate your assistance!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or by phone at (210) 386-6367.
Sincerely,
Luis Toledo
Research Consultant
Interfaith Works
www.interfaithworkscny.org
I am a research consultant working with the InterFaith Works organization. We are compiling non-profit board representation data for the 2009 Community Benchmark Report. As one of the largest non-profits in Syracuse and Onondaga County we would like your assistance to ensure we have the most accurate data to provide.
Can you please respond to this email with a list of your current board members and also denote which individuals are non-white minorities? Information collected will not reveal any organization’s name or board members. We are only using this data to quantify information for the Syracuse area. We appreciate your assistance!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or by phone at (210) 386-6367.
Sincerely,
Luis Toledo
Research Consultant
Interfaith Works
www.interfaithworkscny.org
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Get Health Connected
FREE Health Tests
Saturday, May 30, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
OnCenter Convention Center
Get Health Connected is a consortium of local health agencies and hospitals.
FREE Health Tests:
• Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• Pap Test*
• Pelvic Exam
• HIV/AIDS
• Kidney Test
• Colorectal
• Cholesterol
• Mammogram*
• Breast Exam
• Vision
• Prostate*
• Pulmonary Function
• FREE Food
• FREE Parking
• FREE Centro Bus Transportation*
*Call for an appointment or for information 315-435-3653
This event is for people age 18 and older.
Public Health Insurance enrollment available
Saturday, May 30, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
OnCenter Convention Center
Get Health Connected is a consortium of local health agencies and hospitals.
FREE Health Tests:
• Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• Pap Test*
• Pelvic Exam
• HIV/AIDS
• Kidney Test
• Colorectal
• Cholesterol
• Mammogram*
• Breast Exam
• Vision
• Prostate*
• Pulmonary Function
• FREE Food
• FREE Parking
• FREE Centro Bus Transportation*
*Call for an appointment or for information 315-435-3653
This event is for people age 18 and older.
Public Health Insurance enrollment available
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