NORWICH – It might look like there aren’t many local leaders officially endorsing Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s $1 billion revitalization plan, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
That’s likely because Spitzer hasn’t been to Chenango County yet, one supervisor, and supporter, pointed out, and not necessarily a reflection on where people here stand on his initiative.
Based on a list released last week, of more than 500 upstate business, labor, education, agriculture and religious representatives that are openly lending support to Spitzer’s upstate budget proposal, only two are from Chenango County – Town Supervisor James Bays (D-Smyrna) and Bob Granger, president of Eastern Energy Solutions, in Afton.
“I think this list of supporters is accumulating as the governor makes his way around,” said Bays, who added his name at an event last week in Canastota. “It just happens he hasn’t been in our area yet.”
A representative from the governor’s office would not release his upcoming schedule, but said any trips to Chenango County would be announced.
Spitzer is currently traveling the state to gain support for his executive budget. In the last few weeks he’s visited Madison and Broome counties. Several months ago he visited Otsego County to announce a grant for the City of Oneonta.
“I’m hoping he’ll take some time to come to Chenango County,” said Chenango County Board of Supervisor’s Chairman Richard Decker. “I would welcome him to come here.”
Decker, R-North Norwich, said he wasn’t asked to publicly endorse the upstate plan, adding that as far as he knows, it’s likely not many from the county have. As for the $1 billion revitalization package, Decker said he is in favor of any economic stimulus for this part of the state.
“It’s a good thing anytime a governor wants to do something positive for upstate,” he said.
The chairman, however, said he does feel the plan pits upstate versus downstate, a ploy he said is becoming common in New York politics.
“Whatever they do for us, they’ll have to do for them,” he said. “It will eventually double the cost.”
Earlier this month, the Chenango County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution opposing the governor’s entire executive budget proposal, pointing to mandates that will increase local shares for programs like social services.
Bays is among the county supervisors who voted in favor of the resolution. But he’s still a supporter of the funding focused on upstate.
“I believe his intention is to do all he can for upstate. He really does want to help,” Bays said, acknowledging that the overall budget contains inconsistencies, since it proposes to kick-back certain costs and fees onto counties. “However, I can’t endorse a budget that passes back costs to counties.”
Business chambers and other organizations, including a host from greater Binghamton, have come out in support of the governor’s plan.
Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter said that organization doesn’t normally make political endorsements, unless action to do so is taken by its Board of Directors.