Write a comment"You've got to pick a pocket or two" the old song from the Broadway show “Oliver” goes. If you wanted to advance in Charles Dickens 19th Century London, especially in the underclass of orphans and vagrants, that's the only way you could survive... Picking pockets.
For many years, Oswego survived by having a rich tax base provided largely by the Niagara Mohawk steam plant. Ni Mo actually, at one point, paid 82% of the real property tax levy, which then subsidized the water and sewer systems as well, and there was little need to charge for those services. Those days have long since gone, and to move forward today, the city has to find new resources, and new pockets to pick, which is why Governor Cuomo's announcement of Oswego's successful application for a ten million dollar downtown development grant is such good news. We must welcome the state aid with open hearts and minds, and the expertise the state can bring to bear on downtown revitalization. Picking a pocket or two of the state will reap many future benefits. And in the long run, Oswego and Central New York will be all the better for it.
Andrew Cuomo is very familiar with Oswego, and its potential. I will never forget his Canal Corridor initiative program, as HUD Secretary, and the speech he gave at the grand opening of Coleman's restaurant deck, extolling the virtues of tourism development along the waterfront, and how transformational events, such as Harborfest, could be for communities like Oswego. He actually said then, referring to the inspirational role my late wife Charlotte had played in the development of Harborfest, "You could see it in her eyes. That sparkle.That glow. And I thought, if you could take her vision and spread it across this state, throughout the entire canal system, we can do statewide what you have done here in Oswego".
Well, almost 25 years have passed since, and Andrew Cuomo's appreciation for, and dedication to, the improvement of Upstate Communities like Oswego has never faded. It is still clearly there. In his words the other day, I could detect echoes of his previous pro-Oswego remarks.
Andrew Cuomo said "We are not getting back to what Oswego was, we're going to build an Oswego that has never been, and we are on track to do it. Oswego's best days are yet to come." I don't know who wrote that part of his speech. Maybe it was Andrew himself, but I don't think anyone else, your truly included, could have said it any better.
There is much evidence of community renewal. The Oswego Renaissance project is but one example of how to rebuild and rejuvenate neighborhoods. They are doing great things! New events like paddlefest and porchfest are adding a new dynamic to the community and its espirit de corps. New hotels and new restaurants and a new conference center adds to the mix, and will bring new business to the community.
The state's commitment of ten million dollars, coupled with the additional infusion of private capital in such projects as the Midtown Center reconstruction, and the saving and refurbishing of the Cahill Building, with a nearby residential component, will do wonders for the resurrection of the downtown. A grant application for an in-city beach at Wright's landing is another positive step, and the proposed commercial and residential development of the old Flexo wire site could work wonders in drawing retirees and boating enthusiasts to the city. The $14 million dollar rebuilding of Route 104 West is a huge shot in the arm to the community, as are some other state plans for use of the port for containerized cargo vessels, coupled with inland port storage. There is lots of good news in the pipeline, including the probable saving, at least for now, of the Fitzpatrick nuclear plant, in part thanks to the Governor’s efforts.
Another piece of the "Making Oswego a better place" puzzle is the effort to gain National recognition status for Safe Haven and Fort Ontario. Congressman Katko's efforts to put Fort Ontario on the map by making it a National Park, if successful, will make Oswego a major national tourist destination, as it should be. Many years ago, when we first organized the Safe Have committee, which led to the construction of the Safe Haven museum at the Fort, I argued that Oswego should have been the site of the National Holocaust museum. We didn't succeed in that effort, but Katko's bill gives us new hope for success in a different way. Oswego was the one rose amidst the thorns of America's efforts during the holocaust, which saved 982 refugees from annihilation during WW II. It is a compelling and still little-known story that now has the chance of playing out on the National scene. It would be an enormous boost to Oswego Tourism.
So, yes, many good things are happening in Oswego, and the best is yet to come. Personally, as I approach my 7th decade, I am increasingly drawn to this newly revitalized atmosphere, and have been wondering why in heck I am not there to seriously enjoy and contribute to this new community rebirth. If Oswego's best days are truly ahead, I think it's about time I rejoined the community, so that's what I am planning to do in the near future. Much of my adult life was devoted to helping Oswego turn the corner, and in putting Oswego on the map, so why should I miss out on seeing those dreams finally come true, as I approach my twilight years. So look out Oswego, sooner, hopefully, rather than later, here I come!
