| Fifty Years |
 Fifty Years
|
Jul. 2nd, 2009 @ 10:13 am 
|
|---|
A friend in New Jersey alerted me to this box item in last Saturday's New York Post:
Things a do-nothing senator can do while stuck in Albany for the weekend:
-...Drive through nearby run-down Amsterdam to see the product of 50 years of state economic development efforts.
Actually, to be fair, it's more like 45 years. Come back in another five.
As cruel as the Post post may be, it should give us some pause. It really isn't out of line to question whether all this state and federal government paternalism may have had exactly the opposite of the intended effect. If left to our own devices and own resources and own markets, I wonder what Amsterdam would have looked like today?
In 1970 alone more than 27 million dollars in outside funds passed through here and not without a little corrupting effect. We had simultaneously the Urban Renewal redevelopment of downtown, the state arterial and river bridge project, the state sewage treatment plant, the water filtration plant, the Amsterdam Housing Authority projects, the UDC Woodrow Wilson Housing and I'm sure I'm missing a couple.
I remember one of the great problems our outside experts were attempting to solve for us was the critical problem of traffic jams in our downtown.
That's the one project at which they were sensationally successful.
 
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
and don't forget The Judge Report (THE BOOK) is now available, too!
|
![[User Picture Icon]](http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/313681/2194) |
| From: | ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) meep |
|---|
| Date: |
July 2nd, 2009 02:54 pm (UTC) |
|---|
|
|
|
|
(Link) |
|
Yes, it's funny how fewer people in an area means fewer traffic jams.
And how lower economic activity means less of the nasty whatever-the-earthkiller-of-the-week-is.
Huzzah for govt effectiveness!
![[User Picture Icon]](http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/80766003/2308) |
| From: | puggy |
|---|
| Date: |
July 2nd, 2009 08:00 pm (UTC) |
|---|
|
|
|
|
(Link) |
|
I have borrowed your top part of your post from The Post, and made a statement about it in my blog. Just my own opinion, from my own observations. It may make a few upset, but then again, lately I seem to be good at upsetting folks inadvertantly.
![[User Picture Icon]](http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/27459829/6191726) |
| From: | rgoing |
|---|
| Date: |
July 2nd, 2009 08:33 pm (UTC) |
|---|
|
|
|
|
(Link) |
|
| From: | (Anonymous) |
|---|
| Date: |
July 3rd, 2009 11:12 am (UTC) |
|---|
|
|
Run Down Amsterdam
|
(Link) |
|
See what happens when our local radio shows 'dis" our city? We have been made a laughing stock of New York State. Negative publicity brings on negative publicity. I wonder why this story or comment was made about Amsterdam? Does WCSS reach out as far as Albany? If so, why are we still, to this day hurting ourselves with such negativity over the airwaves. We can't really be that ignorant to think people "out there" don't hear what we are saying. With publicity like this, no one (decent) will ever want to live, bring in business or let alone, visit our city. Let's try to change this now while we have the chance, before we become any worse off than we are today. With all of the people "out there" who think we are a run down and disgusting city, we won't stand a chance. They ARE listening!
|
| From: | rgoing |
|---|
| Date: |
July 3rd, 2009 11:54 am (UTC) |
|---|
|
|
Re: Run Down Amsterdam
|
(Link) |
|
Is this an Onion piece?
Perhaps Mr. Dicker of the Post simply took a ride through Amsterdam and compared it to what he first saw fifty years ago, or forty, or thirty, or ten or two years ago. Maybe he has a legitimate question as to whether millions spent on state urban development projects do any good at all.
If image is all that matters, why not just PhotoShop pictures of Amsterdam and distribute them world-wide. I'm sure no one will notice the difference when they get here.
| From: | (Anonymous) |
|---|
| Date: |
July 3rd, 2009 04:14 pm (UTC) |
|---|
|
|
Re: Run Down Amsterdam
|
(Link) |
|
Amsterdam has already been completely mapped out on Google's Street View.
| From: | (Anonymous) |
|---|
| Date: |
July 3rd, 2009 02:07 pm (UTC) |
|---|
|
|
Re: Run Down Amsterdam
|
(Link) |
|
You are blaming this on WCSS? I do not know ANYONE that would move to an AMERICAN city governed by a totalitarian regime.
| From: | (Anonymous) |
|---|
| Date: |
July 3rd, 2009 05:21 pm (UTC) |
|---|
|
|
 I am very sad!
|
(Link) |
|
All of this negative publicity is hurting Amsterdam! We have good people here who love this city. It was and still is a great place to raise a family and live. If more effort was placed on getting some industry here and jobs, more people would choose to live here. However, we will never move forward and clean our tarnished reputation if something is not done soon. Mayor Thane, you should do what it right and let us move forward. Take down the Chalmer's building.....we will lose the money that has already been appropriated for its removal. Let the Bridge Street project begin! Let us see some positive action! You and your attitude are not in the best interests of Amsterdam. They are in the best interests of Mr. Kaufman. You should be working for the citizens of Amsterdam. Do you know how one-sided you appear to everyone? How much longer can we wait for all of the items Mr. Kaufman was to have completed? Your term will be up and we will be still waiting for Mr. Kaufman to complete his portion of the contract if we don't end this now! The Common Council is also elected and they also have a right to decide collectively what is best for Amsterdam. The City Charter is very clear on the Common Council's role on contracts. Let us move on! Also, Mayor Thane, two weeks have passed and still no City web-site! Happy Independence Day! Remember how much blood has been shed for our freedom and the right to speak out!
|
|
|
| Top of Page |
Powered by LiveJournal.com |