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| Op-Ed Briefs: Gov. Paterson Finally Fights Public Employee Unions; NYC to Mon. Co.: To Save Money!; Harry Davis: Never Say Die. |
By: Christopher J. Wilmot
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Posted: Friday, June 5, 2009 4:35 pm
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Democrat Harry Davis: Too Legit to Quit.
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June 6, 2009 Rochester, NY - Paterson Looks Down the Long End of a Gun--and Fire hose
One minute, NY Gov. David Paterson is approving an 'austerity' budget that calls for a 9% increase in state spending, and a 5% tax increase, at a time when virtually every private enterprise and family in New York State is struggling to keep their collective heads above water financially; then, our unpredictable Governor with the low public approval rating turns around and finally does something right for the NY State taxpayer. Paterson finally said "NO" to someone, or something. And this time, his refusal to increase state costs was in the face of the most intimidating public employee unions in any U.S. State: The police and firefighter lobby.
On Wednesday, 6/3/09, Governor Paterson vetoed a bill that would have extended overly generous pension benefits to firefighters and police officers in New York State--the kind and sort of pension benefits that began in earnest and became automatic in 1981. After the political earthquake Paterson's veto caused, and when the angry dust had cleared, Governor Paterson suggested strongly to the State Legislature that localities could embrace a less costly pension plan for firefighters and police officers. Under Paterson's proposal, the minimum retirement age for the brave men and women who protect us would be 50 years of age, and police and firefighters would serve at least 25 years rather than the current 20 years in order to collect a pension.
If Paterson had not found the courage to veto the legislation, and thus begin the difficult task of actually lowering governmental costs for taxpayers, firefighters and cops who entered the pension system between 7/1/09-6/30/11, could retire with half pay after 20 years of service, and in general, would not have had to contribute to their pension.
Make no mistake: This publication, along with a vast majority of Americans, hold law enforcement officials and firefighters in the highest regard. America--compared to most countries on earth--is an extremely civil society exactly because of the high standards we demand from law enforcement personnel, our court system, and firefighters.
But something has to give; or should I say, someone. All public employee unions must make concessions so that our state does not lapse into bankruptcy, even absolutely essential governmental personnel like cops and firemen. There may be ways of enhancing and protecting the jobs of law enforcement and firefighters, without jeopardizing their jobs. Now, finally, perhaps Gov. Paterson might also be up to that task.
When the New York Metropolitan Area is Synonymous with Tokyo-Yokohama
Picture this: According to Gannett, if a married couple (or unmarried) or any two people desire to live in a decent suburban New York Metro community, like White Plains, NY, for instance, and attempt to purchase merely a two bedroom condo, the minimum cost is $350,000. In Metro Rochester, in a solid eastside suburb like Perinton, for less than half of the White Plains example, one (or two, or more) can purchase a 2,000 square foot, four bedroom, 2.5 bath house, with an in-ground pool, for $165,000.!
True, wages and job opportunities tend to be greater in a world class metro the size of New York City, yet do the average salaries of employees in places like L.A. and New York keep up with other vital costs, like housing? No.
According to Mercer Consulting, and an organization called 'City Mayors Economics', the most expensive cities in the world, based on cost of living expressed in U.S. dollars (not simply housing costs), are, in the following order (2008):
1.) Moscow
2.) Tokyo
3.) London
4.) Oslo, Norway
5.) Seoul, South Korea
6.) Hong Kong
7.) Copenhagen, Den.
8.) Geneva, Switzerland
9.) Zürich
10.) Milan
11.) Osaka, Japan
12.) Paris
13.) Singapore
14.) Tel Aviv, Israel
15.) Sydney, Australia
16.) Dublin
17.) Rome, Italy
18.) St. Petersburg, Russia
19.) Vienna
20.) Beijing
21.) Helsinki, Finland
22.) New York
In the United States, the San Francisco Bay Area typically finishes first (highest) in pure housing costs. However, the New York metro, and especially counties like Fairfield County, CT; and Westchester, Co., NY, are always in the top five most expensive in terms of housing costs.
I lived for eight months in Westport, CT, a tony suburb in the New York metro. I rented a so-so old house of about 1,750 s.f. for more than $3,000 per month, including--nothing (all other costs extra). Immediately behind my house, was a ranch house for sale. It was a very unassuming home, 1,047 s.f., on a very average, non-descript street, listed for the whopping price of $595,000! Connecticut junk, Tokyo-Yokohama style.
I have a friend in the medical industry in Rochester who once lived in a very nice section of suburban New Jersey, with her husband and child. Things seemed rosy, at first. They'd made it, by American standards. One day, my friend (the wife and mother), came home, to the gleeful remarks of her Wall Street husband.
He exclaimed, "Honey, this is fantastic! I'm making twice to three times as much as I made when we lived in Rochester!" To which she retorted, "Yes, but honey, our housing and other costs are seven-times higher than in Rochester."
With the announcement of new jobs coming to Rochester (i.e. J.P. Morgan Chase's recent announcement of net "new" downtown employees), we may see more and more couples and individuals rethinking Greater Rochester, and all it has to offer.
Democratic Candidate Harry Davis: The Political Train Who Said He Could
Harry Davis is quite a person, whether or not you in any way agree with his views or his political style. He has overcome great odds and personal set-backs to arrive at age 58, with such an optimistic view on public service, and what Rochester could be.
Davis, a Rochester native and a Brighton High School graduate (1969), was born at Genesee Hospital. Davis moved around quite a bit as a youngster, and young adult (Buffalo; Aspen, CO; Canada; and Pittsburgh, to name but a few). Harry received a B.A. in English from SUNY Buffalo, yet his immediate, 20-something interests did not stop there. In no particular order, Mr. Davis claims to have completed, or at least attempted the following:
* Former advanced skier.
* Was a medalist in the NY State 880 meter relay.
* A 'roadie' for the defunct but locally famous musical band "Bahama Mama".
* Owned an antique store on Park Avenue.
* Worked for KSPN radio and TV in Aspen, CO; engineering and some disc jockey responsibilities.
* Ran a small newspaper in Rochester called "The Journal" (a "counter culture" publication).
* Assisted an Aspen City Commissioner in 1982.
* Worked for Greenpeace as a video producer in 1988 (spent a lot of time in Canada and the Great Lakes region with Greenpeace).
* After all his travels and attempts (and successes?!) at 'progressive' politics, returned to Rochester to visit a family member in 2001. While home, contracted Bacterial Meningitis, which caused Harry "profound health effects".
* The result of this invasive infection was the loss of use of large portions of his feet. Remember, Davis had been an accomplished skier and track star.
As stated earlier, this is Harry Davis' third run for public office. In 2003, Harry pursued Rochester City Council as a 'write-in' candidate (not successful). In 2005, Davis ran again for council, campaigning with Chris Maj (pronounced "may"), who supported the legalization (or at least the de-criminalization) of marijuana. During that ill-fated 2005 campaign, Davis also became friendly with politicos Chris Edes & Max Kessler.
Since this author did attend one of the City Democratic designation meetings, I did get to witness Davis in action. He was articulate, intelligent, if a bit intense. However, I believe one factor that really hurt Davis during the 2009 Democratic designation process was his emphasis on virtually one issue, and one issue alone: Davis' vehement opposition to RenSquare.
It's not that a majority of city dwellers or suburbanites are necessarily enthusiastically on-board with RenSquares construction, it's simply that Davis' insistence that it was by some measures the only issue, I think, may have turned off some potential Davis' supporters. Perhaps.
I must say, when I interviewed Harry Davis at my Sibley Tower office, I was impressed by his at once down-to-earth nature, yet his passionate opposition to everything RenSquare. Davis, at least one-on-one, comes off as a truly nice guy, who really cares about Rochester.
When I asked him why he was so steadfastly opposed to RenSquare, he answered quickly, and cogently.
"Chris, I first opposed RenSquare about the time it was first introduced in 2003, for these reasons: I think it represents urban sprawl, it is inconsistent with 'Smart Growth', and a bus garage is stupid and absolutely not what should be done in that space (N. Clinton at Main and Mortimer)."
Davis went onto state: "RenSquare is of course a union bonanza, but the bus shelter will end up being a homeless shelter."
Harry Davis feels that, like Louise Slaughter, we should build an intermodal facility near Central Avenue, where the current Amtrak Station stands. Davis calls the possibility of high-speed rail coming to Rochester "the biggest transportation opportunity since the construction of the Erie Canal".
Finally, if Harry Davis wants to appear on September's Democratic primary ballot, he must receive the petition signatures of at least 5% of all City registered Democrats, or pray for a heavy write-in vote. He should pursue the former.
Although Davis faces a challenging field of candidates this year for a seat on the City Council, win or lose, I hardly think we've heard the last of Davis. Harry Davis will never go gently into that good night.
Christopher J. Wilmot served as a Legislator in the Monroe County Legislature from 1996-2005. He is currently a film producer, and is the owner of several other small businesses.
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