Quoted from 147

I can't believe he REALLY said that.

Coumo has no idea what he's gotten himself in for.  

Wouldn't it be funny if he WASNT confirmed by the legislature?

It is obvious that cuomo isn't looking for qualified people......just puppets!
So here we go yet AGAIN!!!

Quoted from benny salami

He's total and completely unqualified for this. Governor Cuomo has made some bad appointments and this is one of them. Hilarious the revisionist history by the DEMS. The City finances are in shambles. The recent budget does not balance and will take massive borrowing to pay day to day operations.  

This appointment is representative of EVERYTHING that is wrong within the New York State government. Yeah, the Governor says we have to cut waste, he wants to lay off over 9,000 State workers and says all local governments should cut spending. YET he appoints a totally unqualified, proven ineffective Mayor for a position he knows NOTHING about! Stratton can't balance a check book let alone a City budget and now he's head of the Canals?

The Governor is a liar. He's doing the same scam all the past Governors have done...keeping New York State a revolving door for political idiots. Thanks.....

Quoted from benny salami

Here's one person that supports it-Taxin Tonko! "I applaud the Gov's decision to recommend Mayor Stratton as ED of the NYS Canal Corp. As a resident and Mayor of a City that was shaped by the Erie Canal, Brain understands the history and tradition of the canal system and its IMMENSE IMPACT ON THE STATE'S ECONOMY and quality of life."

     This fossil Tonko sounds like he's living in the stone ages. The canal has no impact on the economy-let alone a immense impact. He has deluded himself into thinking the Canal Corporation is some engine for "revitalization". It is a taxpayer sinkhole ala Metrograft. It's a way to put a fiscal incompetent on the State payroll avoiding a sure lose in November.

WOW --- you need to go back to elementary school --- every student in New York  (up until about 20 years ago) was required to take New York State History in 7th grade --- and the Erie Canal and the other canals had an IMMENSE impact on the economy of New York State from the 1820's into the early 21st century.

Now -- and with the creation of the Erie Canalway historic zone all along the 300 plus mile canalway and with increased promotion of the canalway as a tourist desination --- the state canal system will play a significant role in the economy of upstate New York once again.

I've got a mule and her name is Sal.......how much damage can Strztton do to the Canal system?

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

every student in New York  (up until about 20 years ago) was required to take New York State History in 7th grade --- and the Erie Canal and the other canals had an IMMENSE impact on the economy of New York State from the 1820's into the early 21st century.

Now -- and with the creation of the Erie Canalway historic zone all along the 300 plus mile canalway and with increased promotion of the canalway as a tourist desination --- the state canal system will play a significant role in the economy of upstate New York once again.

Wow DV, I'm impressed with your knowledge about the canal systems. Now, I would have been MORE impressed if Stratton even knew half the info you put out here.

I find absolutely no justice in appointing a man in charge of the canal system for $170,000+ when his knowledge for the job is that "the boats go up and the water goes down". He better take that 7th grade class again......

Quoted from Shadow

The only trouble with the reval is that we're now paying taxes on houses that are worth 33% less than they are valued at.

and the leaders knew that was coming about too......if they didn't then they are incompetent and if they did then they are crooks.......

That's so true.

Everyone knows about the way things were-Taxin Tonko talks like the Canal is vital for barge traffic. It is minimal in today's economy. This moronic idea that the Canal is going to lead to some Upstate renaissance is being pushed by the usual DEM morons. A good place to have a picnic and ditch some incompetent politicos.

     Stratton will not flee until March? God forbids he skips one public sector paycheck. Then he lies to the Gazetto that he has to push police consolidation through before he flees. No support for police consolidation in this County. If he stayed until the police were consolidated he would be "Mayor for Life". And useless Sharon Jordan will hang on for more taxpayer largess. More evidence that "working together" is merely election rhetoric. When push comes to shove-it's every man for himself. He got his-you got yours?

Quoted from benny salami

Everyone knows about the way things were-Taxin Tonko talks like the Canal is vital for barge traffic. It is minimal in today's economy. This moronic idea that the Canal is going to lead to some Upstate renaissance is being pushed by the usual DEM morons. A good place to have a picnic and ditch some incompetent politicos.

     Stratton will not flee until March? God forbids he skips one public sector paycheck. Then he lies to the Gazetto that he has to push police consolidation through before he flees. No support for police consolidation in this County. If he stayed until the police were consolidated he would be "Mayor for Life". And useless Sharon Jordan will hang on for more taxpayer largess. More evidence that "working together" is merely election rhetoric. When push comes to shove-it's every man for himself. He got his-you got yours?

only if there is 'salt'......

Quoted from rachel72

I find absolutely no justice in appointing a man in charge of the canal system for $170,000+ when his knowledge for the job is that "the boats go up and the water goes down". He better take that 7th grade class again......

You're kidding me?

He's going to make $170k in this new role?

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

WOW --- you need to go back to elementary school --- every student in New York  (up until about 20 years ago) was required to take New York State History in 7th grade --- and the Erie Canal and the other canals had an IMMENSE impact on the economy of New York State from the 1820's into the early 21st century.

Now -- and with the creation of the Erie Canalway historic zone all along the 300 plus mile canalway and with increased promotion of the canalway as a tourist desination --- the state canal system will play a significant role in the economy of upstate New York once again.

DV - you are completely correct about the historical significance of the canal.  It was unbelievably valuable to this state, and even westward expansion of our country.

Your opinion about it playing a "significant role" in our economy however, will not turn out to be true.

For it to be correct, one of two things would have to happen:

1)  A substantial boat tour industry would have to grow, to where there are dozens of tour boats bringing people to various destinations along the canal.  (not going to happen)

2)  More and more people are going to be purchasing boats for recreational purposes.  (Again, not going to happen - especially in this economy)

The people of wealth who have tons of disposable income are fleeing this state.  That will continue for decades to come unless there are massive tax reductions.  The only way that happens, is if we use California's medicaid system.  

Quoted from rachel72

Wow DV, I'm impressed with your knowledge about the canal systems. Now, I would have been MORE impressed if Stratton even knew half the info you put out here.

I find absolutely no justice in appointing a man in charge of the canal system for $170,000+ when his knowledge for the job is that "the boats go up and the water goes down". He better take that 7th grade class again......

I was just responding to a previous post which denied the economic impact that the canal system has had and could have for New York State.

I really don't care one way or the other who is named to run the canal corporation -- except to say, as I have said, that at least Governor Cuomo picked someone from the area to run it.    There are a number of local projects that will need canal corporation cooperation -- so having "one of our own" in that slot may help to get these projects done.    

As for his  "water goes in the boats go down, water goes in the boats go up" comment,  I believe that it was
flippant and - actually only half correct.     For the boat to go down -- the water has to go OUT .. not in.

The part of the answer that SHOULD have been given is that the canal corporation owns thousands of acres of land along its approximately 525 mile system.    A lot of this land lies in areas that could spur economic development and revitalization   from Cohoes to Buffalo and to the shores of Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario.    Also, the canal corp provides grants and otherwise promotes tourist events and activities within 5 miles (on either side) of the 525 mile long canal system --- the canal corporation has the POTENTIAL to be an important catalyst promoting economic revitalization.

Finally, although tourists have replaced commercial haulers on the canals -- I believe that there is an opportunity to promote both usages.     The canal system has a long way to go to reach its potential as a tourist draw and with the price of fuel going up -- the canal system could be an energy efficient alternative for shipping goods again.

So while I am happy to see Stratton as head of the canal corp rather than someone else from wherever who has no interest in our local needs,  I was displeased with his flippant response to McLaughlin's question and hope that he doesn't see the job as a "soft landing" before retirement.

I'm not sure how competent Stratton will be with the canal corporation. I mean, Don Rittner couldn't even get a dock put in the Stockade for goodness sake. Stratton wouldn't even get his feet wet with that dilemma...how is he going to deal with the big fish? Well, for $125k, I'm sure he won't care.

My mistake, according to the TU, Stratton will make $125K at his new job - a $28,000 raise from Mayor. Why did we pay this knucklehead $97,000???

He's not going to make near $170,000. The salary will be in the $120,000 range-which is still way too high for a money losing relic of a bygone era. This appointment does not need legislative approval only by the stooges on the Thruway authority. It's a done deal. But the damage to Cuomo has been done. No other appointment has caused such public outrage.  

     Saying you want someone from the area to run it is absurd. The previous "executive" was from Troy. Big Deal. How about getting someone competent to run it with a civil engineering background?

Quoted from JackBauer

DV - you are completely correct about the historical significance of the canal.  It was unbelievably valuable to this state, and even westward expansion of our country.

Your opinion about it playing a "significant role" in our economy however, will not turn out to be true.

For it to be correct, one of two things would have to happen:

1)  A substantial boat tour industry would have to grow, to where there are dozens of tour boats bringing people to various destinations along the canal.  (not going to happen)

2)  More and more people are going to be purchasing boats for recreational purposes.  (Again, not going to happen - especially in this economy)

The people of wealth who have tons of disposable income are fleeing this state.  That will continue for decades to come unless there are massive tax reductions.  The only way that happens, is if we use California's medicaid system.  

I believe that the boat tour industry is possible -- it has happened in other parts of the world .. not just in our country.  
As for recreational bots -- they aren't just owned by the wealthy  -- I am surprised by how many "avergae folks" seem to have enough money to buy new recreational boats despite the bad economy.

But I will concede that it will take some work to accomplish both -- my point is that the leadership at the canal corp and in state government -- in general.   Has to be willing to do the work necessary to allow it to happen.     And if the new director of the state canal system thinks that all he needs to know is that water goes in and the boats rise ---- we have a problem.     We need someone at the head of the canal corporation that recognizes both the challenges and opportunities to running a transportation system that go beyond knowing when to let the water in and out,