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| Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce |
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Chamber Corner for July 11th  |
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“LET’S STUDY IT” HAS BECOME A COP OUT
Written by Todd Tranum, President/CEO Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier
How many times have we heard “Let’s study it” from some of our elected officials when it comes to consolidation of services, mergers or dissolution of government entities? ‘Let’s study it’ has become a ‘cop out’. Just so we are clear on where I am coming from, a ‘cop out’ is defined as an idiom meaning to avoid taking responsibility for an action or to avoid fulfilling a duty. No more ‘cop outs’, we need action! The facts are clear and the details have been studied. It is time to move forward. Let’s start here with just a few of the facts:
New York State has 10,521 Governments
Source: NYS Attorney General’s Office
Chautauqua County has 27 towns, 15 villages, 2 cities and 18 school districts serving approximately 140,000 people.
Source: NYS Attorney General’s Office
New York State has the highest local property burden in the country. $73.00 per every $1,000 of personal income is paid by individuals for local taxes. That is $30.00 over the national average. Source: NYS Attorney General’s Office
New York State has the worst ranking in these categories compared to other States:
- Highest in state and local taxes per capita at $6,405.
- Highest in local taxes per capita and state taxes per capita at $3,432.
- Highest in state and local income tax at $2,000.
The Public Policy Institute (PPI) Analysis of Census Bureau State and Local Government Finances ranked New York State.
We have all the assets right here in Chautauqua County to have a thriving economy. Look around at the diversity within our economy and take a look at the natural beauty that surrounds us. We have strong educational resources and we have great people. Let us recognize that we cannot control a whole lot at the State level. But we do have things right here in our corner of the State that we can control. So let’s take some control over the situation.
Holding our economy back is the fact that we are not competitive as a region from a cost perspective. Our competitiveness is being undermined in ‘large part’ by our tax structure. Study after study has shown that reducing layers of government creates efficiencies and paves the way toward reducing taxes. Reducing taxes will put us on the path to being a region that is cost competitive and positioned for economic growth. We must recognize that we are failing ourselves by allowing some of our elected officials to fail us. If we want change we have to demand it. If we want change we have to be willing to let it happen in our ‘back yard’. We cannot afford more studies that are ‘cop outs’ on the part of elected officials. What we really cannot afford is to waste more time. Our economy is trying to steady its legs, our governments are reeling with deficits, more is being placed on the back of tax payers and a lot of people are looking for work, we need leaders willing to make the hard decisions. We need elected officials who take action to consolidate services and are willing to reduce the multiple layers of government that exist in Chautauqua County.
FESTIVAL FREDONIA WEEKEND -
VICTORIAN DAZZLE FESTIVAL –JULY 16TH &17TH
Experience the art, history and romance of a simpler time at Fredonia’s Victorian Dazzle Festival – July 16th and 17th. The event will include Victorian period costumes, ghost tours, lectures & demonstrations, antique vendors, & architectural tours. For a schedule of events got to www.festivalsfredonia.com. The Fredonia Festivals Committee is looking for volunteers to staff the information booth in Barker Commons Saturday July 17th. They are looking for some outgoing people to help from 9am to 5pm during the Victorian Dazzle Festival event being held in downtown Fredonia. Please contact Barbara Sam if you are interested in helping out at 716-672-4818.
FUN AT THE FAIR GROUNDS NETWORKING EVENT – JULY 22ND
At this Experience Chautauqua County – Fun at the Fair Grounds – Networking event, you will have the opportunity to network and build business contacts, have fun and win prizes, learn about our local assets and experience the sites and tastes of Chautauqua County. The event will be held at the Chautauqua County Fair Grounds. The event starts at 5:00 p.m. The cost is $8 for pre-registered and $10 for walk-ins. To register, visit chautauquachamber.org or call 716-366-6200 or 716-484-1101. This event is sponsored by Advertising Advantage, Arkwright Printing, DFT/Netsync, Farm Bureau – Chautauqua County, Fredonia Place, Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, Nestle Purina, OBSERVER, Star Media Group, The Post Journal, Urban Engineers of New York, P.C. and WDOE/KIX 96.
FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL LUNCH – AUGUST 25TH
The Chamber’s Federal Congressional Lunch will be held at Roberto’s At the Ironstone. The event begins at 12 p.m. Cost to attend is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. To register, visit chautauquachamber.org or call 716-366-6200 or 716-484-1101. This event is sponsored by Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Chautauqua Institution, Clever Method, Dunkirk Metal Products/Alternative Fuel Boilers, Lake Erie Regional Health System, NRG Dunkirk Power, OBSERVER, Star Media Group, The Post Journal, UBS Financial Services and WCA Hospital.
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