Rochester Soap Opera Continues
A City On The Edge of the Erie
For people living near and around Rochester, New York, much of what goes on in the city could be referred to as a soap opera. It seems every time you turn around, there’s another example of poor decision politics going on. Could it be those in leadership are always looking for the quick fix instead of the right fix? Officials in Rochester have a tendency to put all of their eggs in one basket. Then, they go for government funding, and in the end, many times, the project fails.
Could it be that’s happening again with PaeTec?
PaeTec’s Midtown Timeline in Limbo
Rochester has been trying to revitalize their downtown area for years. A number of months ago Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy made a big announcement with great fanfare saying the savior of the downtown area would come in the form of a world headquarters for the telecommunication giant PaeTec Corporation. The plans included evicting the existing tenants of the Midtown Plaza and forcing the owner of Midtown Plaza to take a bargain basement buyout of the building. If the owner didn’t accept the dollars offered by the city, no problem. The City of Rochester would simply condemn the building and force the owner to sell at a lower price. The planned demolition of the Midtown Plaza also included the demolition of the Skyway, connecting much of the downtown area buildings together so people did not have to walk outside.
On the surface, the plan sounded wonderful. But, scratch the surface, and many problems quickly rise to the surface.
First off, since when is a company with holdings in a local community with just a few other businesses in other states, considered a communication giant? Secondly, do strong-arm tactics ever work in the long run? Eviction and condemning buildings are nothing more than bully-tactics to further ones agenda. It’s short term, knee jerk reaction planning. And last, but certainly not least, where were all the dollars coming from? While PaeTec said they were putting up money, much of the deal also hinged on government money.
Now PaeTec, who’s stock has bottomed out lately and just laid off 222 employees, say their building plans are in limbo. PaeTec’s leader, Arunas Chesonis, said he’s confident he will “hold up his end of the deal.” But, he went on to say he’s “not sure of the timeline.”
What’s holding up the timeline you ask?
Chesonis puts the blame on the governments lap. It’s no secret that state governments across the nation are belt tightening. Of course New York State is looking for areas to trim a bloated budget, and an ever-growing state deficit. With the looming budget cuts, many member items are on the chopping block. That means, money for the construction and revitalization of downtown Rochester, may be cut from the state budget line.
On top of the prospect of a big hole in downtown Rochester where the Midtown Plaza once stood, PaeTec made another announcement yesterday. They are not renewing the naming agreement with the Rochester Rhinos and what’s currently known as PaeTec Park where the soccer team plays. Of course PaeTec Park is yet another example of a Rochester project that expects millions and millions of taxpayer money from the government.
Time and time again the Rhinos have had issues with the building of PaeTec Park. Not only have there been building problems, but the team has struggled as well. Poor attendance is not blamed on an over-bloated sports town. No, instead its blamed on a lack of their own field. (The Rhinos once shared Frontier Field, home of the Rochester Red Wings baseball team.) The Rhinos built their own stadium, and attendance is still down. Who’s to blame? The government because they won’t hand out more money to add extra seating to the stadium. By the way, they want the money so they can build high-end expensive box seats. The fact that the City of Rochester decided to build the stadium in a red light district of Rochester is never mentioned. The fact that maybe soccer is not as big a sport as first thought, is never mentioned. No, instead the government is blamed.
Could It Be The Government Is Tired Of Rochester Bailouts?
Time and time again both the state government and the federal government is hit up for money to support some kind of failed project in Rochester. The fast ferry fiasco and now PaeTec Park and PaeTec World Headquarters, are merely just a few examples of a bottomless pit of wasted taxpayers dollars. Instead of blaming greed, poor management, and quick fix schemes, people are quick to blame the government for not printing new money.
Here’s an idea, as people scream for better management at the state level when it comes to budgets, how about screaming for better management at any local level. It’s obvious the state and federal government is not capable, able, or supposed to, support every money making idea that comes down the pike. Instead, the government should govern. The state and the federal government is not to be viewed as a bank.
Maybe Someone Should Point That Out To The Rochester Mayor
Often I bring up Mayor Bob Duffy’s name when it comes to poor management of the City of Rochester. To be fair, I must point out it’s not just an issue with him. These issues have been around for years. Many cities think all they need to do is head to the Bank of the State and get a blank check to bail them out of whatever financial crisis seems to be at the top of the list for the day. However, all too often, since I live in the Rochester area, Mayor Duffy’s name comes up, simply because this is where I live.
In the midst of what appears to be a PaeTac exit plan blaming the government for not coming through with money, Mayor Bob Duffy was in Albany again this week. Why was he there? He was once again looking for money. Mayor Duffy recently met with the States Budget Director. Now, he’s quick to point out he was not lobbying for more state aid. Instead, Mayor Duffy said he was looking for more power over how he spends taxpayer dollars.
Let’s recap here for a moment.
Mayor Duffy can’t even balance the Rochester City budget and now he wants more control over how he spends taxpayer money? Have we quickly forgotten that Mayor Bob Duffy recently spent close to $770,000 of taxpayer money when handing out bonuses to his staff? Kodak and other major companies in the area, and in the nation, are cutting out bonuses and pay increases. But apparently Mayor Duffy has no problem crying for more money, while passing out cash like he has some kind of money-making machine in the basement of Rochester City Hall.
Instead of spending money like it’s going out of style, and then crying for more government money, maybe it’s time for all governments to work within their means. After all, that’s what everyone else has to do.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
