Erie Blvd. plan must try to incorporate use of old Edison buildings

Five years ago, during the campaign for city mayor, both parties picked up on the theme “Erie Edison Tech Corridor,” without giving any idea what that might eventually mean.

Clough Harbour, based in Albany, was awarded $1.1 million for initial design work. It wasn’t until several of the present business owners came forward at a city council meeting in July 2008, voicing their objection to the Clough Harbour proposals for the expenditure of around $14 million, that the council began to listen and called for public meetings and the formation of a citizens’ advisory group.

Erie Boulevard for many years had center islands with parking on both sides. Dozens of photos on the Internet reveal how other cities have creatively used various designs with islands. An Aug. 31 Gazette article [about Palm Desert, Calif.] is an example.

In my opinion, it is absolutely necessary for Clough Harbour to present alternatives, such as islands, for public consideration.

Clough Harbour plans to make a presentation on Sept. 18 at the GE Theatre at Proctors, to hear public “suggestions.” The location for this meeting is not appropriate unless tables and chairs are provided so that everyone is on the same level and has room for laptop, notebook and other working tools. After all, this is not about entertainment. It is certain there will be fancy videos, but will public input have any impact? Doubtful.

Last November the Edison Exploratorium held an on-site press conference to introduce a conceptual design to preserve historic Edison Buildings 31 and 32 from the Dock Street (Erie Canal) days as the foundation for a proposed Edison Tech Center, using existing structures as much as possible to keep initial costs to a minimum. A properly planned hotel/conference center and intermodal transportation combined with the tech center could produce big economic benefits for the city and county and provide hands-on experience for Schenectady Community College culinary arts and hotel management students.

When Edison came here in August 1886, it represented an opportunity of unparalleled growth, but virtually nobody could view it as anything but a big risk. We now have a new opportunity, with the Global GE wind turbine as our keystone and Buildings 31 and 32 as the Plymouth Rock of electrification! Other cities have had to invent attractions or import them; we need not do so! We need a plan. Is this too much to ask? Give us a chance to propose ideas and from a variety of inputs produce a relevant, up-to date plan. There is nothing in life that is constant; change, and the political process, must allow for this fact!

John D. Harnden

Schenectady

The writer is founder of the Edison Exploratorium.

Codifying ‘conscience rights’ no big deal

Recently the federal Department of Health and Human Services issued proposed rules that would protect the conscience rights of health-care workers in facilities that receive federal funding. Simply put, it means that a hospital or other facility that receives a federal grant could not force a doctor, nurse or other worker to perform an abortion or sterilization if that would conflict with the worker’s moral convictions.

Planned Parenthood and other abortion advocates are telling their supporters that this is a “radical” gift from the Bush administration to pro-life supporters, but that just isn’t true. Since 1973, federal law has consistently protected pro-life health-care workers from reprisals such as termination and decertification when they act on their beliefs. The proposed rule just enforces what has been the sense of Congress for the past 35 years. It’s simply false to suggest, as Planned Parenthood has, that the Bush administration is inserting politics into the exam room.

These regulations aren’t pleasing to the pro-abortion crowd, but they are a matter of common sense — and that’s why they should be approved in September.

Vincent Liotta

Glenville

DePoalo didn’t deserve rap for fight

It seems like Carmen DePoalo is getting a lot of unfair publicity lately [Aug. 28 Gazette]. Why?

I would like to say that as a former shop steward and proud lifetime member of IUE Local 301, having served under Carmen’s leadership, I have personally seen him defuse potential fights in our workplace and negotiate calmly and collectively with GE management.

He usually satisfied both sides of the dispute with satisfactory results. He is very well respected by the company and the people he represents. He is also a very respectful and caring person, not only showing, but inspiring others to do the same.

Unfortunately at times, turning the other cheek is not an option, especially when someone is being very disrespectful and degrading to the people you are with.

The union members were never coerced into voting for Carmen as business agent. The people that know him like and respect him. When re-election times comes again (if he opts to run), I am sure the people will look at the good things he has done (and will continue to do), and re-elect him.

Would I let him coach my son’s football team if he were still in school? Absolutely!

John Czarnecki Jr.

Rotterdam

Connolly can’t shift all blame for merger mess

Re Aug. 17 article, “Ellis caught short by St. Clare’s”: With all that’s been written about the apparent debacle on the Schenectady hospital scene, wouldn’t we all love to bask in a publicity coup like Ellis Hospital’s president and CEO James Connolly did recently in a front-page Gazette article?

The present situation seems to be a perfect example of what happens when decisions by politicians and finance managers remain unchallenged. Mr. Connolly, an experienced hospital administrator, now has the luxury of 20-20 hindsight to bemoan how everything happened too fast. Sadly, however, one has to ask where he was prior to the St. Clare’s closing. Could he have been relishing the imposed demise of his competition and celebrating the enhanced expansion it would bring to his own institution? Could he not have been actively and publicly advocating for a more gradual transition?

CEOs are paid big bucks to have good foresight, not hindsight. Wasteful practices and duplicated services notwithstanding, if professional health care administrators are more vigilant of their own “bottom line” than of the public well-being, then Schenectady’s hospital situation, albeit temporary, should come as no surprise to anyone and we could well expect to see more of the same in the future.

Thomas P. Herrmann

Charlton

Saratoga Springs needs more storm drains

To quote the Rolling Stones, “I can’t get no satisfaction” from City Hall!

I’ve inherited a city problem, along with thousands of homeowners, due to the lack of stormwater drains and outlets in Saratoga Springs. City Hall has deemed this my problem (and yours) because they failed to ensure adequate drainage in this city.

After the July 26 rainstorm, my sump pump and backflow preventer couldn’t handle the excess groundwater levels, causing sewage and storm water to flood my basement, street, yard and neighbors properties. Upon the advice of Public Works, I purchased a new pumping system. The flooding persisted. Upon continuous pleas to city officials, they promised that a storm drain system on the east side of Saratoga would be installed to rectify the problems. It’s 30-plus days later, and now a river has formed, continuing the destruction. The city’s planning engineers and Public Works Department don’t consider this emergency repair. Professionals in the city, county and elsewhere say development is being allowed in high groundwater areas that never should have been.

After incurring thousands of dollars in water, sewage and mold damage to my home and property, the city says it’s up to me to pay the repair costs they created. Every home that has or could have flooding issues as a result of the lacking infrastructure in this city will have to “pay the piper” for the city’s failure. I’m sure the problem would be taken care of tout de suite if it were on the city council’s or planning department’s private residences! Tell me, citizens, do you think as taxpayers, we should pay yet another $3,000-plus to be hooked into the new storm drain/sewer system, or do you think the city should be held accountable?

Geri Freeman

Saratoga Springs

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