Chet Susslin / The Citizen
George Fearon, R-Springport, voices his concerns about funding for a proposed economic development organization at a Thursday night meeting of the Planning and Economic Developent Committee of the Cayuga County Legislature.
George Fearon, R-Springport, voices his concerns about funding for a proposed economic development organization at a Thursday night meeting of the Planning and Economic Developent Committee of the Cayuga County Legislature.
Click here to read the text of Dan Schuster's July 20 statement
AURELIUS - Cayuga County legislators are still considering a new economic development approach despite the fact that private money to help launch such a change has been pulled.
And some legislators expressed hope Thursday that the county can still secure the outside funding.
During a special meeting of the Legislature's Planning and Economic Development Committee, county officials discussed the future of local development. Legislators and members of the public heard a proposal to revive the Cayuga County Development Corp. to have it serve as a “first-stop” option for parties looking to do business in the county.
All of the committee members expressed in a straw poll at least some level of support for the proposal. But legislators also raised concerns over funding an organization that would cost an estimated $225,000 to run every year.
Those concerns were magnified this week after local organization A Call to Action: A Blueprint for Our Region's Future announced that $500,000 offered by Stardust Foundation to create a new entity had been withdrawn.
Even with private funds, Daniel Schuster, chairman of the committee, said during the meeting that the county would still have to eventually fund such an organization. It is important to establish support today, he said.
“Is (the Legislature) willing to make that funding commitment?” Schuster asked his colleagues.
Schuster called the special meeting last week after sending a lengthy letter to county and city officials and community leaders blasting the Blueprint group and the Stardust Foundation of Central New York.
In the letter, he implied that the organizations were using private money to influence public policy, and he stated he would not support the use of private money to fund programs the taxpayers will eventually support.
On Tuesday, the Blueprint group announced that it would support Schuster's sentiments that the county alone should fund the project. Blueprint member and Stardust Executive Director Guy Cosentino said the same day that neither group had heard a different opinion from county leadership.
Yet Legislator George Fearon, a member of the planning committee, said the county needs to welcome any sort of resources it can get, which could include the Blueprint group and Stardust Foundation, he said.
“Whoever has the gold rules,” said Fearon, who also said he supports coordinated development in the county. “Look for common ground with the Blueprint (people) and allow them to have influence while they're putting gold in the pot.”
Committee member and legislator David Axton also said he would like to see the county explore outside funding for the CCDC. Schuster was expressing his own opinion when he wrote his statement, not that of the entire Legislature, Axton said.
“I would hope that the bridge wasn't burned,” said Axton, who added he will support a plan for the CCDC whether or not it includes private money.
Even Schuster seemed to have somewhat of a change of heart.
“Private sector participation and support is welcome,” he said.
However, Schuster said after the meeting that private organizations have to realize this process involves many parties trying to work together in a partnership.
“If that can work out, it would be good,” he said.
No one representing the Blueprint organization attended the meeting.
Fleming resident Bill Balyszak expressed frustration. He asked how the legislature could basically allow $500,000 to be thrown away. “I don't understand it,” Balyszak said. “I think there must be a turf war or some sort of personality conflict.”
Legislative Chairman Roger Mills stressed during the meeting that, private money or no private money, the county must be committed for the long term if it supports the coordinated development entity.
After the meeting, Mills said that he also would like to see the Blueprint people reconsider the decision to take the funds off the table. Economic development is one of the most important issues in the county, he said.
“I will be making phone calls tomorrow,” Mills said.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
On the Web
• For the full text from Schuster's July written statement, go auburnpub.com/schuster.
• To view Thursday's meeting, go auburnpub.com/local_videos.
AURELIUS - Cayuga County legislators are still considering a new economic development approach despite the fact that private money to help launch such a change has been pulled.
And some legislators expressed hope Thursday that the county can still secure the outside funding.
During a special meeting of the Legislature's Planning and Economic Development Committee, county officials discussed the future of local development. Legislators and members of the public heard a proposal to revive the Cayuga County Development Corp. to have it serve as a “first-stop” option for parties looking to do business in the county.
All of the committee members expressed in a straw poll at least some level of support for the proposal. But legislators also raised concerns over funding an organization that would cost an estimated $225,000 to run every year.
Those concerns were magnified this week after local organization A Call to Action: A Blueprint for Our Region's Future announced that $500,000 offered by Stardust Foundation to create a new entity had been withdrawn.
Even with private funds, Daniel Schuster, chairman of the committee, said during the meeting that the county would still have to eventually fund such an organization. It is important to establish support today, he said.
“Is (the Legislature) willing to make that funding commitment?” Schuster asked his colleagues.
Schuster called the special meeting last week after sending a lengthy letter to county and city officials and community leaders blasting the Blueprint group and the Stardust Foundation of Central New York.
In the letter, he implied that the organizations were using private money to influence public policy, and he stated he would not support the use of private money to fund programs the taxpayers will eventually support.
On Tuesday, the Blueprint group announced that it would support Schuster's sentiments that the county alone should fund the project. Blueprint member and Stardust Executive Director Guy Cosentino said the same day that neither group had heard a different opinion from county leadership.
Yet Legislator George Fearon, a member of the planning committee, said the county needs to welcome any sort of resources it can get, which could include the Blueprint group and Stardust Foundation, he said.
“Whoever has the gold rules,” said Fearon, who also said he supports coordinated development in the county. “Look for common ground with the Blueprint (people) and allow them to have influence while they're putting gold in the pot.”
Committee member and legislator David Axton also said he would like to see the county explore outside funding for the CCDC. Schuster was expressing his own opinion when he wrote his statement, not that of the entire Legislature, Axton said.
“I would hope that the bridge wasn't burned,” said Axton, who added he will support a plan for the CCDC whether or not it includes private money.
Even Schuster seemed to have somewhat of a change of heart.
“Private sector participation and support is welcome,” he said.
However, Schuster said after the meeting that private organizations have to realize this process involves many parties trying to work together in a partnership.
“If that can work out, it would be good,” he said.
No one representing the Blueprint organization attended the meeting.
Fleming resident Bill Balyszak expressed frustration. He asked how the legislature could basically allow $500,000 to be thrown away. “I don't understand it,” Balyszak said. “I think there must be a turf war or some sort of personality conflict.”
Legislative Chairman Roger Mills stressed during the meeting that, private money or no private money, the county must be committed for the long term if it supports the coordinated development entity.
After the meeting, Mills said that he also would like to see the Blueprint people reconsider the decision to take the funds off the table. Economic development is one of the most important issues in the county, he said.
“I will be making phone calls tomorrow,” Mills said.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
On the Web
• For the full text from Schuster's July written statement, go auburnpub.com/schuster.
• To view Thursday's meeting, go auburnpub.com/local_videos.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 1 comment(s)
irritated wrote on Aug 1, 2008 5:39 PM: