From the Newsroom : Dan Cummings

Hillary Clinton’s Campaign

PHRankin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:58:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - She's our U.S. Senator and she will remain just that, for now. Or, vice-presidential candidate. Or, someday, maybe...secretary of health and human services. Or, someday, maybe...an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Or, none of the above.

Two things occur to me:

One, regardless of what you think of her politically or personally, Hillary Clinton's campaign made it's mark. Thanks to some critical strategic blunders born of hubris, she fell short, but just short. Neither she, nor her millions of supporters can be taken lightly. Her campaign meant something.

Two, it may take some time for the nation to realize that this week has made its own mark on history. There'sa convention and a general election ahead of us...but this was the week when Senator Barack Obama became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States. Either way, the Democrats were poised to make history, by nominating either a woman or an African-American. In the moment, it may be difficult to capture the significance of Obama's candidacy. But schoolkids in generations to come will learn about 2008 as a watershed year in U.S. politics.

Less than a year ago, few were giving Senator Obama much of a chance. Senator Clinton was the "inevitable" nominee. (She certainly thought so). What remains to be seen: how vigorous will she be in support of the Obama candidacy? It may make all the difference come November.

CBA drinking party

PHRankin — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:59:00 GMT

Here's hoping more than a few moms and dads, everywhere around Central NY, took note of this week's story about the underage drinking party in the Bradford Hills neighborhood of Syracuse one week ago tonight. Police estimate as many as 50 kids were there at the height of the bash. Most of them scattered in horror after the party suddenly ended early the next morning. One of the youngsters was severely injured when a dog bit her in the face. This girl needed extensive surgery just to begin to repair the damage to her face. She's a senior at Christian Brothers Academy. Graduation Day is this Sunday.

Two other members of the CBA Class of 2008 were charged with providing the alcohol for the party. CBA's principal says "many" of those who attended the house party are students at his school. Word gets around fast when there's a house available for a party. Available because the parents are out of town for the night.

I wonder how many parents whose children attended the fateful party...a) knew about their son or daughter's plans to be at that home that night, and, b) if they WERE aware of the party's location, how many moms or dads made a call or sent an e-mail to the OWNERS of the party house ahead of time...to make sure that adults would be present?

Having pondered those questions, let's whisper a prayer for the young lady who paid an awful price for being at that house, that night...for her friends who witnessed something that they, too, will never forget (and who did what they could to help her until paramedics arrived)...and for all families with middle-and-high-schoolers: that open, respectful communication combined with good decision-making...can help prevent the next house party.

Cicero’s property assessments

PHRankin — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:04:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - They say (whoever "they" are) you can't fight city hall. And, you can translate that as town hall, if you like. And yet, last week, we found out that if something's clearly just not right...you can fight...and win.

I'm talking about the town of Cicero, and the hundreds of new, residential property assessments that were, in many cases, "just not right." Objectively, real estate professionals who work in Cicero told me that so many of the homeowners who called and e-mailed Newschannel 9's Your Stories to complain about their soaring assessments...were, in fact, correct to complain. There was no market data to support some of the huge increases along the waterfront...from Brewerton to Chittenango Creek and most places in between.

Indeed, I was told that recent comparable sales data did NOT support some of the new values attached to these homes. Many homeowners were seeing increases that ran as high as 200, 300, in at least one case, more than 400 percent.

The assessor, Anita Barnello, is reluctantly accepting the town board's extraordinary move of Friday morning, May 16-th...and will, at the board's unanimous request, throw out the new assessments she came up with, in favor of a revised roll to be submitted by July 1-st. The new assessments will be rolled back to last year's levels...with the exception of homes where physical improvements or additions have been made recently.

The town board also set up a special committee to recommend how to go about the assessment process in the future.

So the taxpayers' fight that won at Cicero Town Hall? The outpouring of complaints about unfair, and unjustified assessments. The town board listened and took action.

But this fight is clearly not over. Questions remain, including: how and why did the assessor come up with some of the huge increases to begin with? Her answers to me on this one were incomplete. Was she under some pressure from someone outside the assessor's office to hike the values so much? (She says town supervisor Chet Dudzinski told her to reassess the waterfront, but didn't tell her how high to go. Dudzinski says it was Barnello who told HIM she was going to make a priority of those homes, and he said, "OK." But nothing more).

In any event, the waterfront homeowners in Cicero need to be prepared for NEXT year. Without question, the market value of many of those properties HAS, in fact, gone up recently, and where assessments need to be updated, increases are a certainty. But next time, the town assessor needs to make a better case for the size of those increases, and she's already indicated that the town may need to phase them in over two or three years, instead of hitting people all at once.

Keeping Prom & Graduation Season Safe

PHRankin — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:18:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - I hope you've paid a visit to the "Safe and Sober" section on our homepage (click here to visit the page). This week, I had the opportunity to report on the annual, community-wide effort by DeWitt Police, the Jamesville-DeWitt School District, and businesses in the town...to fight underage drinking during prom and graduation season.

I took away some very encouraging signs from my meeting this week with law enforcement, moms of JD seniors, store and hotel managers. First, the moms say parents are talking to each other about "party plans." If they hear talk about the Friday or Saturday night party at this house, or that house...phone calls are made among parents, to check it out...to make sure a mom or dad will be on hand, at the very least. I also heard how hotels and motels are taking extra steps to discourage, or outright refuse to accept reservations for rooms that are likely to be used for underage drinking parties. And, I also heard how those "compliance checks" are meeting with almost 100% success in DeWitt. That's where underage undercovers are sent in by police to attempt to purchase alcohol. Almost without exception, the latest such "sting" operation found no violators, almost full compliance (one store out of 30 was referred to state authorities for illegal sale...not bad). The next round of compliance checks begins in a few days, and will run for several weeks.

And, it sounds like those "after" parties, sponsored by the school district itself, are more "cool" than ever. At least in J-D, where they've been holding such safe and sober parties since the '80's. This year, more than 200 members of the senior class of 255 are expected to attend the "after the ball" party, the first weekend in June.

If you know of any new, or unique ways that your school or community is approaching the underage drinking issue, please let us know. And, here's hoping for a safe and sober spring full of celebration, especially for graduating seniors and their friends.

Your home's assessment

PHRankin — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:30:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - If it's not too late (and it shouldn't be)...you should take the time to review the assessment on your home, and if you think it's too high...call your assessor and schedule an informal review. For several years now, Newschannel 9 has provided some in-depth coverage at this time of year on assessments. My reporting on this topic THIS year showed me that more than ever, the assessors seem to be listening. One example: by Wednesday afternoon, in Fulton, the assessors had done just under 200 informal reviews with homeowners. Fewer than 10 of those 200 people went on to file a grievance. That means that during the informal, almost all of them were given a break in their assessment. All of those people were able to convince the assessor that the proposed new value of their home was too high. In some cases, the reductions granted at the informals were significant. (Of course, that raises the question: why was the new assessment set so high in the first place ? And, you should ask your assessor THAT question, too...if it applies).

I heard similar stories coming out of Salina and Onondaga. If you can make the case that recent sales of homes comparable to yours in your neighborhood are at prices significantly lower than the assessed value of YOUR home, you can talk the assessor down. It's an inexact science, this business of assessment...but the bottom line is this: the assessed value should be very close to what you could get for the house right now, if you put it on the market.

Even if you didn't get one of those "change notices" or "impact letters" from your town or city this spring, now is the time to review your assessment. Grievances in most municipalities must be concluded by late May or early June, and the new tax roll is set in stone by July 1-st. (That's for the towns. The city of Syracuse and some other municipalities work on different schedules).

Click here for our "Fighting Your Assessment" stories.

After the PA primary

PHRankin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:30:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was, and pleasantly so. On Tuesday in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I was covering the get-out-the-vote effort for Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the state's pivotal Presidential primary. And right there, in the Scranton campaign offices of both candidates...were several people from...Oswego, Marcellus, and Cortland. A busload of Central New Yorkers had made its way from the Empire State to the Keystone State to work the phones and the streets...for their candidate. Later that evening, when the results were in, I met a couple from Manhattan who were celebrating the 10-point win of their candidate, Senator Clinton. I got to wondering if this many Pennsylvanians came to New York State to volunteer for our primary earlier this year. I doubt it. (of course, Senator Clinton's built-in advantage as our junior U.S. Senator gave her a bigger edge here, so our primary wasn't nearly as hotly contested).

The contest for the Democratic nomination this year is one for the ages. And it became very clear to me this week, how high the emotions can run...and how deep the passion can be...for both Clinton and Obama. Some, of course, will concede the obvious...that they are BOTH quality candidates, and that EITHER would make for a strong nominee. But the vast majority of Democrats, it seems to me...are probably like the people I met in those Scranton campaign offices this week: intense in their devotion to one candidate or the other, convinced that either he, or she...is best suited to lead the country. And they will travel to neighboring states, if they can, to work for the election of their favorite. One Oswego woman told me she'll probably head to West Virginia in advance of the primary there...to work for Senator Clinton.

There is much at stake in the 2008 Presidential election. It is refreshing and encouraging to see the numbers of people paying serious attention, and in many cases, taking an active role in the outcome.

The Philadelphia Debate

PHRankin — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:48:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - I had the opportunity to cover Wednesday's debate in Philadelphia between Senators Obama and Clinton. If you follow this race closely, you don't need another long take on the debate and its potential impact...so how about a short one?

Before the debate, ABC News political correspondents Jake Tapper and Mark Halperin told me Senator Clinton may have to take the risky approach of going on the offensive, being aggressive...in questioning Senator Obama's chances against John McCain in November. She needs a big win next Tuesday in the Pennsylvania primary, and latest polls show she's only leading by single digits. In my opinion, and despite other reports you may have seen that indicated Clinton went "on the attack" in the debate...I think she laid back a bit.

When asked directly if she thinks Obama can beat McCain, she said "yes, yes, yes." But, she then spent most of the next hour, politely but repeatedly questioning whether Obama, in a general election, would wither under the likely GOP attacks against his associations with his outspoken former pastor and a former member of the radical "Weather Underground,"...and recent comments by the Illinois Senator that the "bitter" working class in PA might be clinging to their guns and religion, to cope.

Her so-called "attacks" were rather subtle. Too subtle, I think, to be labeled "attacks" at all. We'll find out Tuesday if her debate strategy worked.

Chief's opening day, a sign of the season

PHRankin — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:24:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - Let's keep it light this week. I'll join my voice to others you may hear, and read....and say "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!" And I'm not even a huge baseball fan. But, just like the St. Patrick's Parade in mid-March, opening day for the Chiefs at Alliance Bank Stadium is a sign of the season. I think they call it spring, even if it takes forever to arrive in Central New York. Our Triple-A team has launched another season, and they deserve our support. The grass is real now. There's plenty of parking. And whether it's an evening or a weekend afternoon...the ballpark can be a fantastic place to take the family and get some fresh air. And cheer the Chiefs on to victory.

Before long, spring softball leagues and Little League games will be in full swing, too. Winter has finally melted into spring, we hope. And the sights, sounds and smells of the great American pastime are taking center field again.

So, when it comes to the Chiefs, a full ballpark could go a long ways towards community spirit, and a few more wins. Wins have been hard to come by for this team in recent years. Win or lose, the could use our support. No better time to show it than right now, at the start of a brand new season.

Clay Police and Sheriff's Department Proposed Merger

PHRankin — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:57:00 GMT

A tip of the hat this week to an apparent win-win idea in the town of Clay. Some time ago, town leaders approached county government with a suggestion to eliminate the Clay police force, in favor of covering the entire town with added patrols by the county sheriff's department. Sheriff's patrols for years have already been covering large portions of Clay. Town fathers thought it made sense to go all the way. It will reportedly save money for Clay town taxpayers and produce a more efficient law enforcement coverage for Onondaga County's largest township (60 thousand people living on almost 60 square miles).

There are at least 3 reasons why this particular approach to government consolidation is likely to work, where others have failed (notably, the brief shotgun mergers many years ago between Syracuse, Liverpool and Solvay police departments):

One: this was a bottom-up proposal. The town government went to the county and asked for this.

Two: Clay, unlike Solvay and Liverpool, doesn't have a town or village center. While heavily populated, Clay is also spread out, lessening the need for the kind of local police presence you normally associate with a town or village.

Three (and perhaps most important): People who live in Clay will have the final say, in a scheduled June referendum. County executive Joanie Mahoney told me this week she's confident Clay residents will see the wisdom of the plan and vote to approve it. But if not, she says that will be the end of it. There will be no attempt to force this idea down anyone's throat.

I'd be happy to hear what you think, and if you've got other suggestions about government consolidation where you live...pass them along.

Big Three Stories of the Week

PHRankin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:15:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - Consider, please, 3 news events of the last week. One is worth getting worked up over. Two are not.

In the "not" category: The overwhelming rejection of a new stadium and artificial turf by taxpayers and other residents of the Fayetteville-Manlius School District. Clearly, this was small "d" democracy in action. Forget for a moment where you might stand, personally, on this spending proposition. A full 25% of eligible voters cast ballots, two and a half times the normal turnout for a school budget vote in New York State. A record turnout that will likely never be matched. Some 6500 people took the time to drive to an elementary school and cast a ballot. The proposition went down in flames, by a 2-thousand vote margin. It's very clear what the F-M voters thought of the plan. Not much. And unlike my take last week on both the Liverpool school spending proposition and the election of State Senator Aubertine...there's no question that the F-M voters knew what they were voting for and against. A new stadium. With artificial turf. And a little work in the library. Expensive? Sure. But something this district and its taxpayers can't afford? Guess not. Not this year. And yet, I can't help but ask: What other messages did the "NO" voters want to send to the school board and superintendent?

Also "not:" The state's plan to split up the 315 area code. We're running out of numbers, and 315 will be "exhausted" by the end of 2010. The Public Service Commission will eventually decide to either divide up the area, and assign a new area code to some of us, or...do something else. There are choices. We will all have many months to have our input to the PSC. And whatever happens, it's just a phone number. Same thing happened a number of years back in Western New York. Rochester got a new area code. Everyone survived. Without too much blood, sweat or tears.

Now, here's something to shout about: After a 20-year absence, The Big Red of Cornell is going back to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament !! Those 2 exclamation points are for each of Cornell's Ivy League basketball titles. Two. In the HISTORY of the University. With Syracuse University's almost annual invite to the "Big Dance, " it's easy for Orange fans to take this March Madness for granted (granted, not this season...or last...I said "almost" annual). For tournament-hungry Big Red fans, this is hoop heaven on earth.

Do Voters Know What They're Voting For?

PHRankin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:30:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - Our democracy-in-action produced two results around Central NY this week, both worthy of brief review, and questioning. One: the election of Mr. Aubertine to the state senate in the 48-th district. Two: the rejection by Liverpool School District taxpayers of a capital spending proposition to upgrade schools and a sports stadium.

The votes were fair and square. But my question is this: How many voters in both of those decisions REALLY knew who, or what...they were voting for? Or against ?

Mr. Aubertine's image, and that of his opponent, Mr. Barclay, were largely created and sustained through an intensive series of TV and radio ads in the weeks leading up to the special election. Granted, some of the voters probably made independent choices in this election, based on their own knowledge of and opinion of...the two candidates. But I would suggest that many voters may have been swayed more by the overall tone of the commercials from both campaigns...a tone which could best be described as negative. So, were people voting for a person and a record of service....or were they voting for (or against) the image created by those nasty ads?

And in Liverpool, how many of THOSE voters knew exactly what is needed to get the middle and elementary schools up to par? And why they must be renovated? And what it would cost? Or, did they simply vote their pocketbook? Protesting, perhaps, the bundling of the stadium work with the school fix-ups into one large referendum.

I'm NOT criticizing ANY of the voters in EITHER case. Just asking.

Any answers?

NPG Contract Approved

PHRankin — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 06:34:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - A midwinter drama is over. And there is reason for applause. Weeks of wondering and anxious anger have ended. Months of tense negotiations are a thing of the past. Years of waiting have now stopped for 2700 families. Members of the United Auto Workers Union at New Process Gear in DeWitt have overwhelmingly ratified a new contract with Magna Powertrain.

Those families who've depended on an NPG paycheck now know how much less their new hourly wage will be, if they stay and work at the plant. They also know the size of annual April paychecks called "Legacy Transition Bonus" payments...designed to soften the blow of the lower wage.

For the longtime Chrysler workers, they now have all the cards face up on the table, and can make a reasonable decision about the various other options open to them: early retirement, keep working at NPG as a Chrysler "flowback" employee awaiting relocation to another Chrysler plant, or take a one-time cash buyout to separate entirely from both Chrysler and Magna.

All those workers have been in the uneasy spotlight since early January, when Magna's threat to close the plant became public. The company was clear: we need to drastically lower wages or New Process Gear is history. UAW members, by their 76% approval of the new contract, made their position equally clear: they want the plant to stay open...even if hundreds of those workers who voted YES already knew before they cast a ballot that they won't be working there much longer. It's that kind of selfless consideration for the futures of others that brought the praise of Local 624 president Doug Havens, who said of those workers: "When voting, they not only considered their own livelihoods but the livelihoods of thousands of families across Central New York." You can read Havens' entire post-ratification statement elsewhere on our website, and I recommend it strongly.

Now, the curtain goes up on a new, and we hope long-running Act 2 for New Process Gear: a return to profitability and stability. The employees have done their part, and then some. They've paid with their emotions and a long period of uncertainty, coupled with admitted mis-management of their plant by Magna. They will also now pay in real dollar terms, as they adjust to something much less than Big 3 wages. Others will pay with an entire change of lifestyle and direction as they leave the factory, and we hope for them...that despite the anxiety of a major shift in living...that it's an exciting change for the better.

And that spotlight. It now bears down on Magna and the new promises made by this company...promises of new investment and a renewed pledge to earn back the trust of their workforce. It also shines on Albany and Washington, where state and federal lawmakers are being asked for tens of millions by Magna, to upgrade New Process Gear and pay for job training in the years to come. I'm told state policy-makers would release the requested money ONLY when Magna proves it has put its own money where its mouth is: The company has promised a 40 million dollar investment this year, and 55 million more in the next two years depending on how much profit the plant makes. The other thick string attached to Albany's requested dollars: job retention. NPG's owner says it will maintain an hourly and salaried union workforce of at least 1800 people, again depending on production matching business forecasts. We'll be watching.

Decision To Be Made At New Process Gear

PHRankin — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:46:00 GMT

Post By Dan Cummings - Let's not underestimate how large a decision looms in the coming week at New Process Gear. Roughly 2500 members of the United Auto Workers will vote Wednesday and Thursday on their futures, and the future of the DeWitt factory. Magna and the UAW have reached tentative agreement on a contract that slashes hourly wages by nearly a third, a blow softened somewhat by yearly cash "buydown" payments. Magna says it needs this contract and tens of millions in state and federal aid to keep the plant open and competitive. Hundreds of "legacy" workers are almost certain to exercise their own options and leave the plant, anyway...taking buyouts, retiring, or "flowing back" to Chrysler.

Magna's president has written the employees directly, apologizing for past mistakes in running the plant, and urging the union members to "trust and support" the company and this new agreement. Many workers remain skeptical, even when Magna says it guarantees a 40 million dollar investment this year, on top of the 108 million Magna dollars funding those "buydown" payments. More investment, new contracts, and a future beyond the new 4-year contract are also on the horizon, says Magna, if workers will "trust and support" the new agreement, the new plan for stability and growth.

I've heard from a number of NPG workers who've heard promises before from Magna, and lived to see those promises broken. They say when Magna bought the plant a few years ago, the company promised Chrysler wages through 2011. That's not happening. They say Magna spoke confidenty of large-scale investments in the plant, and those investments did not all materialize.

Magna president Greg Deveson is very much aware of the trust factor. He knows he has to earn it back.

I've also heard from a number of union members who say the new contract must be approved, to give THEM a chance to keep making a living, regardless of what the Chrysler legacy workers decide about their own futures between now and mid-March. That, even with the wage concessions, the new deal still carries one of the best paychecks, if not the best, of any Central New York industrial employer. That no independent auto parts supplier in the country pays more than Magna is now offering. That faced with a plant closing as the only other option, the UAW Bargaining Committee did a remarkable job in securing these terms and conditions in a new, 4-year contract. And, that for the moment at least...they're willing to take a deep breath, say a prayer and take Magna at its word: that with lower labor costs, new investment to secure new contracts...and significant help from Albany and Washington, there's a good chance New Process Gear can once again be profitable.

There's no question Central New York will be worse off, should New Process Gear close. But that question will not be settled by those of us on the outside looking in. It will be settled by the 2500 families who must take the next several days to learn the details of their new contract, ask every question and have those questions answered...think, talk among themselves, look at their futures and the options now being offered...and vote. The decision belongs to the brotherhood and sisterhood of the United Auto Workers in Locals 624 and 2149.

I wish them wisdom and I wish them well.

Super Tuesday Voter Turnout

PHRankin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:22:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - If nothing else catches your attention this week, I hope this does: Speaking of Democrats ONLY, something on the order of 36 thousand registered voters turned out for Tuesday's Presidential primary in Onondaga County. That's by far, the largest primary turnout in at least 16 years. It doubles the next-best recent showing, back in 1992. While it still represents less than half the number of enrolled Democrats, it is a very encouraging sign for our democracy.

The race for the White House is wide open, interest in the election within both major parties and among independent voters is high, and by most standards, Republicans and Democrats have come up with a quality raft of candidates...now being whittled down to 2 or 3.

Maybe you missed your opportunity to participate this week, either because you are not enrolled in either major party, or couldn't make it to the polls for one reason or another. Perhaps you are not registered to vote, or have moved recently. You'll have plenty of time to get registered for the general election in November.

The "Scoop" Jardine Case

PHRankin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:08:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - A quick thought on one of our "page one" stories this week: the suspension of SU freshman guard "Scoop" Jardine. It came to my attention that Syracuse University is between a rock and a hard place, when it comes to saying anything about the matter. While fans and others might like the University to be more forthcoming about the reasons behind this suspension...the SU administration is hamstrung by federal privacy laws. (google FERPA and read all about it).

There are significant sanctions, including stiff fines...for violating this act. If SU officials buckled to continuing pressure from reporters and others to clear up the "mystery" surrounding such suspensions...they would be stepping into territory clearly forbidden by this statute, which is designed to protect the privacy of students and their records. This goes to academic records as well as disciplinary and judicial proceedings.

The "mystery" was somewhat clarified when Jardine's cousin was charged with forgery, grand larceny, and identity theft. Robert Washington's statement to police indicated that Jardine knew that food was being purchased with an ID card stolen from another SU student. For that, apparently, and I stress apparently...the young player is not playing.

Is there more to the suspension? We do not know, and by law, it's none of our business.

An SU Vice-President did tell me that the goal in these cases is to have some degree of resolution or closure within 30 days. But that 30 day clock doesn't start until judicial charges are brought against a student. Have such charges been brought against Jardine? The SU VP will not say. He can only confirm two facts: "Scoop" is an enrolled student at the University, and he is on indefinite suspension from the basketball team.

For now: GO ORANGE ! (and stay healthy...there aren't that many of you left).

Remembering Father Joe Champlin

PHRankin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:19:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - One week ago, Father Joe Champlin was called home. A more than 5 year struggle with cancer ended. This beloved priest passed into eternity. If you were fortunate enough to be among those whose path crossed his, you don't need my words to tell you this: Father Joe was one of those rare individuals who can touch you at a deep level, almost beyond description. Not with power. But with presence. Simple presence. He was there, for you. He cared, about you. That's what made him a true pastor. A shepherd for his flocks. He told me once, in an interview at the Cathedral...that among what I would call his many gifts and talents...the most important to him was being a good pastor. The most common memory of others during the last week...was that he made them feel as though they were the most important person in the world. For those people, it may have seemed like just a feeling at the time. But, when you left a conversation with Father Champlin, you knew that for him...it was somehow true: you ARE special, and your life matters. And in more than 50 years of priesthood...thousands upon thousands of people were able to have that experience of KNOWING they are special...simply because they came into the presence of Father Joe, maybe just once...but if they were a parishoner at Cathedral, at Holy Family in Fulton, at St. Joseph's in Camillus, or at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Warners...they were able to share his presence on at least a weekly basis at Mass...or even more often. Those lucky people know better than the rest of us...the tremendous loss represented by his passing. Father Joe Champlin was perhaps the most widely published Catholic author in the United States. 20 million of his books remain in print. He traveled 2 million miles to speak across North America. He was a leading reformer of the Catholic liturgy. He taught other priests how to be better priests. He founded a Guardian Angel Society, to help inner-city children go to Catholic schools. But for Central New Yorkers who got to know him as a pastor...Father Joe was simply present. To them. Always. The best way for us to remember him is to share that same presence with the people whose paths cross ours. Starting today.

The State of Upstate, according to the Governor

shaunganley — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:59:00 GMT

Posted by Dan Cummings - It was a first-of-its-kind: this week's State of UPSTATE speech by Governor Spitzer. The plans he outlined were ambitious and if they come to pass, almost certainly would have a tremendous impact on the economic future of the entire Upstate NY region. The difficulty is in the dollars...and this he will have to deal with starting next week...when his executive budget is presented.

He's asking the legislature to approve a substantial amount of money for some very worthwhile projects. The challenge, of course, will be paying for it. Both the Governor and the Legislature are eager to hold the line on taxes, and cut them where possible. In addition to the Upstate projects, Spitzer also wants to invest heavily in the State University system and other priorities. And, the state is facing a deficit upwards of 4 and a half billion dollars.

Finding the funds to get the job done for Upstate is clearly one of Spitzer's priorities. There is no longer any question about that. How he, the Assembly and the Senate will manage to accomplish it remains to be seen. It will test both political will and the ability of our state leaders to make difficult choices.

NPG's Effect On CNY's Economy

PHRankin — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 06:22:00 GMT

Post by Dan Cummings - Many will tell you the first body blow against Central NY's old-line manufacturing base was Allied Chemical's decision to close it's Solvay plant right in the middle of the 1980's. The two decades-plus that followed have brought a long list of factory closings and cutbacks. Layoffs and downsizing. Mergers and acquisitions. This week comes word that the biggest single blow could yet land: the closure of the New Process Gear plant in DeWitt.

A decade ago, the plant was riding high. Now, the new owner says it may ride into the sunset...if the union won't accept massive wage and benefit cuts. The domestic auto industry is in decline and Magna says it can't afford to keep the plant open under its "current cost structure" (read high union wages).

Can the local economy weather the loss of 2,700 of the best-paying manufacturing jobs in the region? Should the UAW members accept the pay cuts to keep the plant open? Many are wondering if Magna, the new owner, will keep the plant open for long even IF New Process Gear workers agree to the concessions being demanded. At the very least, we're hearing, the workers want some guarantee of job security in exchange for giving back so much in pay and benefits. After all, they say, when Magna came into the picture a few years ago, executives with the new company promised a future for the plant...a future that would extend at least until 2011.

The new national Chrysler contract that covers most of the hourly workforce will cushion the impact of any plant closing, should it come to that.

Today, a Magna executive told Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney the next week to ten days should tell the tale at the bargaining table. Then, and only then, would any offers of local or state government assistance come into play. Mahoney tells me she was encouraged by her conversation with the Magna boss today, if only because he said he wanted to continue the conversation after the union finishes negotiating with the company.

Governor Spitzer met today with local UAW leaders on the New Process Gear situation. After that meeting, when I asked Spitzer directly, he refused to offer any details on what was discussed.

For New Process Gear workers and the families who depend on those paychecks, here's hoping this will not be the winter of their discontent.

State of the State Address Next Week

Dan C — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:33:00 GMT

Posted by Dan Cummings: Happy New Year! If I may, here's something to look for from Albany as 2008 gets underway. Next week, Governor Spitzer gives his 2nd state of the state address. He's capable of giving a great speech and will need at least a very good one to shake off the remants of a less-than-stellar 2007. His rookie year as Governor was marred by investigations, bitter partisan bickering, and some questionable political decisions by Spitzer himself, not the least of which was his proposal to offer NYS drivers licenses to illegal aliens...a plan he wisely backed away from after opposition mounted to the extreme. Voters expected more from the Governor, and this year...you can look for him to shift some strategies and take a new approach. It ought to start with Wednesday's speech.

The big challenge in Albany, though, may have less to do with politics and strategy...and much more to do with nuts and bolts accounting. The best estimate says our state is staring down the barrel of a 4 and a half billion dollar deficit. Republicans in the state senate want to offer more property tax relief...billions more. The Governor says there will be no new taxes. And, he wants to invest more in education and health care for children. So, where does the massive state budget get CUT on the spending side to accomplish at least some of these goals? It sets the table for some difficult budget-making, to say the least.

New Year's Resolutions

Dan C — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:16:00 GMT

Posted by Dan Cummings - After dealing with some fairly "heavy" topics over the last few weeks, I trust you'll be OK if my blog this week is light, short and simple: a wish that all of you, our "extended family" of Newschannel 9 viewers and web-users, will have a blessed, healthy and happy Christmas season. And, a great new year. In the course of a year's time, those of us who report the news have the opportunity to meet some wonderful people. Many, many more wonderful people, like you...we never get a chance to meet personally...but you watch, you check out our website, and you stay connected with Newschannel 9 with a phone call or an e-mail. We appreciate each and every one of those connections.

And to keep that connection going...if you've got a minute over the holiday period...drop us an e-mail, and let us know what you think OUR New Year's Resolutions should be here at Newschannel 9: what can WE do more of, less of, or better...to serve you and make your life better in 2008.