Batavia has a new cheerleader. Her name is Julie Pacatte and she believes Batavia has a bright future and she's ready to help.
"We have to believe in ourselves," Pacatte said. "Statistics show Batavia is not a bedroom community. It's not dependent on Buffalo or Rochester. It has an opportunity to be self sufficient and take care of its own."
Pacatte has eight years experience working in community development in Upstate New York and understands the cynicism of many who think Western New York, if not the entire northeast, is doomed.
Pacatte, who started her new job Thursday as economic development coordinator for Batavia Development Corporation, believes Batavia has a lot going for it. It's centrally located, is supported by a strong agricultural sector, has a vibrant local business community and is a beautiful place to live and work.
Part of her job, she said, will be to help local business owners, if they need it, become re-energized about growing their businesses.
"There is hope for the future," Pacatte said. "There are resources available. There are resources for people to be creative in this city, to work hard and try new things. There's support for that in this city and that's what I would define as the small business owner."
The new position is funded through a partnership between the BDC and the City of Batavia. The $90,000 annual budget for the position -- Pacatte's salary is $60,000 a year -- is being funded through a fund withdrawal from the BDC's revolving loan program and a $10,000 contribution from the city.
Part of Pacatte's job is to make the position self-sustaining within two years by bringing in grants and aid for development projects in the city.
It's not a task that Pacatte finds particularly daunting.
"I'm all for a challenge," she said.
While Pacatte and her husband have made a commitment to stay in Clarence while their daughter, just entering ninth grade, finishes high school, Pacatte said she's fully committed to helping Batavia grow.
"Batavia is at the crossroads of Western New York," Pacatte added. "I really, really believe there is an opportunity here, and there is an opportunity to inspire the independent thinkers, those who want to see progress."
butterflies and optimists. oh
butterflies and optimists. oh my :)
In every life, a little
In every life, a little sunshine must come.
What....no rose colored
What....no rose colored glasses? Oh my is right JT !!
I appreciate her optimism,
I appreciate her optimism, but unless local government agencies start working together, instead of fighting to the "the one" whose ideas get pushed through, it's not happening. She's getting a nice little salary to chase her tail. Oh, the thrill of the power rush! How about with each other...for a common cause...rather than the boys club...mine is bigger than yours. Julie, I wish you the best, and think you have yourself a very full plate.
Just what the world needs
Just what the world needs more government offical's. Part of Pacatte's job is to make the position self-sustaining within two years by bringing in grants and aid ..Grants and aid mean tax payers dollars to pay for her job....So her job is to get money to pay for her job..Does this mean that she doesn't have to create any jobs at all just make sure she can secure outside tax dollars to pay for her job........Good Luck..I hope she can make a difference..Why doesn't her salary come out of the GCEDC budget..
Mark asked "Why doesn't her
Mark asked "Why doesn't her salary come out of the GCEDC budget.."
Catfish and carp are two seperate fish. They are, however, both bottom feeders.
while i hope she succeeds, we
while i hope she succeeds, we were told that if the job did not show positive results in a 2 year period, it would be discontinued.
But you can not get anyone to tell you what is considered successful. So, in 2 years, we will be told the job is a success and it will go full time. Tell us now what is considered success so we can measure it ourselves in 2 years.
I think we should give her a
I think we should give her a chance without being quite so negative. Maybe she will bring some great ideas from Clarence and help out our downtown. I do like the idea that she's not from Batavia, that she'll bring a fresh perspective.
Lori, she has a chance, 2
Lori, she has a chance, 2 years in fact. The only problem is that that we don't know what will be considered success when they want to make the job permanent. That question is not her problem, but don't you think we are entitled to know what the goals are for the job and how they will be measured?
Sure, that sounds reasonable
Sure, that sounds reasonable John. But I was just addressing what I perceived to be fairly negative reactions to the position the woman has accepted. We're all a little jaded around here because of some local political shenanigans we've experienced, no question about that. But let's give HER a chance is all I'm saying! :-) She may not only wind up funding her own position, but actually do something to revitalize our ailing little city.
the city allready had an
the city allready had an economic development coordinator ..And they got rid of him..Like John says..how are we going to measure success..Hope she dosen't take credit for the new save a lot store....that was done by a local business man with out an economic development coordinator..Or what about the new Mexican Resturant,that was also done without an economic development coordinator.. So i like John want to know what will be a measure of success..I wish her luck..But to me unless she brings in more than 100,000 dollars of new tax revenue ,Then i would say it will not be a success..
(No subject)
:|