GCEDC staff in San Francisco promoting STAMP

I wonder how much this cost us.

Actually Bob, I believe this comes out of that one percent they rake in on each project. At this point, if they didn't go out and promote the project I would be worried because that would mean all that has already been spent would be money down the toilet.

How many people from GCEDC really need to travel to San Francisco to attend a Trade Show? This sort of tourist destination travel happens too frequently on the tax payer's dime. There are many facts that we don't know about this situation. So, it is difficult to comment without making assumptions that may or may not be accurate. I would like to know the following things. How many people from GCEDC traveled? Who approves travel requests? What is the rationale for sending multiple employees on an expensive trip? Where is the government oversight on these expenditures? Will Genesee County benefit in some way from this travel? I think those are fair questions to ask when we are paying the bills.

Even if all the travel expenses were covered by their 1% kickback fund, their time was funded by taxpayers. As for the kickback fund, life's good when you can get your palm greased and your only obligation is payback in the form of tax abatement.

This reminds me of that trip a few City Council members took to go to the All American City competition about 9 years ago. What a farce and we got zero for it. But later, we voted out the ones who went (Fix and Snyder).

While the GCEDC employees are not elected, we can vote out the legislators who have voted year after year to allow this kind of stuff. Two are running for reelection, DeJanerio (City of Batavia) and Stien (Leroy). We can stop this stuff if you vote.

In my talk with Bob, he supports the mission and goals of the GCEDC, and thinks that overall they have done a good job. He has not supported the spending on bonuses and pay raises for Mr. Hyde.

Vote DeJanerio out, since he has proven year after year that has no interest in stopping this stuff ( except talking about it at election time and then forgetting about it for the next two years).

Give Bob Bialkowski a chance. If he does not work to reform the GCEDC, then vote him out. But we have to start someplace.

Well I am lothe to admit it, but this trip makes sense to me. Whats the point in having made the expenditures for STAMP and then just sit there and wait for the manufacturers to come to us. Believe me I hate GCEDC as much as some of you do. But you cant let that hate lead you to be blind to actions or cast into poor light some of their actions that are sensible. Thats not right either.

"the high-tech/nano-tech industrial park in the Town of Alabama"

I didn't know such a place was there. Granted, I haven't been in Genesee County since February 2012, but, isn't this 'high-tech/nano-tech industrial park' just a plowed & leveled field at the moment?

As I said, I honestly don't know. But, if it isn't much more than that, it's kind of hard to lure companies to it.

"Hey! We've got some land in western NY, so if you sign a contract to build your plant there, we'll make sure we put in all of the infrastructure you'll need!"

Isn't that what GCEDC is 'promoting'?

Pretty much hit the nail on the head, Ed. (hey that rhymes!) Currently it is farm land, some private residences and swamp. It is my humble and mostly ignored opinion that this is a pipe dream that will just suck money in and produce nothing. Running water from Oakfield through South Alabama seems to be a good thing, a lot of folks there have well issues, but that ought to be a separate thing, not used to get this boondoogle accepted. I am not against progress or development mind you, I just don't support using public money for speculation.

Dave, I know exactly what you mean about the water situation in South Alabama. My parents owned the grocery store on the southwest corner of Judge Rd./Maple street, and back around '57 or so, a group of homeowners pooled together and got Orie Easton to drill a 'hamlet' well. It was located behind Mr. Graff's house, on Maple Street. But, I don't believe it was large enough to handle ALL of the existing homes, even back then. So I'm pretty sure that it couldn't handle the homes that now exist. But, like you, I don't believe this 'project' should use the hamlets lack of water as a "reason".

And, Dave, for my own curiosity, were your words, "opinion that this is a pipe dream" an intended pun? - - pipe dream

I'm not that clever Ed. I really do think someone is toking on the crack pipe and having delusional dreams. (OK that's a joke) but no pun intended. It was probably USG that screwed up the wells and should be making it right, but What do I know? I'm just a big dumb hick with an internet connection

Howard, I know.
But DeJanerio has a multi year track record of voting on anything GCEDC wants. Bob is unknown for sure until (if) he wins. I will give him the benefit of a doubt based on DeJanerios proven record. Same in Leroy.

But it does have to start sometime, so why not this year? And if we don't, then it is guaranteed nothing will change.