RES PUBLICA - Gloversville, NY Edition

(Link to the article is in the title)

Credit for the title goes to Mr. Lebo

Mr. Lebo, presumably writing as commenter AdirondackAl in the comments section of the linked article, points out - again - what he and others have stated on numerous occasions:  that simply finding ways to save money is not going to save Gloversville.

This might come as a shock to him, but I agree.

At the same time, I am required to ask, "does that mean it shouldn't be done?"

While pinching pennies today is not a long term solution, developing greater efficiency and doing more with less today can provide the much needed time to correct this city's course.

How you ask?  

Adversity Can Lead to Efficiency:

You might find this an odd thing for me to say, given all of the reported budget problems in the city (real, but also hyped), given the many complaints about certain services provided by DPW (real, but with extenuating circumstances), and given the popular belief in the dysfunction of the elected and appointed officials in city government (perception only, but admittedly with good cause), but I think an argument can be made that Gloversville's city services, while far from perfect, are some of the most efficiently delivered public services in the state in terms of the cost to deliver them.

The reason that any increased efficiency exists at all is only because of years of financial deprivation leading to massive budget cuts forcing the city to entertain new, more efficient methods of doing business - or, in other words, rearranging the deck chairs has, in fact, been helpful.  Does anyone seriously think a plentiful money supply and lack of crisis would have caused this to come about?

Always keep in mind, I'm not saying the efficiency in Gloversville is perfect.  It is far from it.  What I am saying is that it is better now because of adversity than it otherwise would have been, and that continuing adversity is the "necessity" that will continue to spur "invention" onward.

Efficiency can keep us afloat:

Still, rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic is definitely not the answer long term; but if the environment created by adversity can lead to greater efficiency - enough efficiency that we can get underneath the city's spiraling operating costs and actually make real and meaningful cuts to the city's budget, then Gloversville has time to find other revenue ideas that can make a difference.

So, let's not discount the value of those deck chairs.  Their rearrangement may maintain just enough positive bouyancy to keep the SS Gloversville afloat long enough to rescue itself.

With enough time and commitment, solutions may be found:

Two solutions are already within view.  The often mentioned Walmart Super Center promises to bring anywhere from $1,200,000 to $1,600,000 in additional sales and property tax revenue. And while not a lifeboat with enough capacity to save the city long term, it is the first step needed to shift some of the weight that is sinking our city. Many other businesses are awaiting its arrival to begin their own construction leading to additional sales and property tax that has yet to even be discussed.  Another support in sight is the Revenue Sharing Agreement between the Town of Johnstown and Gloversville. While it has no specific dollar value associated with it, should it come to fruition it will undoubtedly be a financial benefit to the city.

Other potential solutions exist only in idea form right now but have equal potential to provide millions in city revenue, all of which ultimately will have the potential to lower our cost per thousand in property tax thus making us more attractive for investment and attractive as a home for many who currently live in more expensive areas closer to the capital district.

Time and Patience:

All of this takes time.  Years have already passed on the Walmart Super Center.  So, too, have years passed on the Revenue Sharing Agreement.  Both of them appear close to fruition.  Until those ideas, and additional valuable ideas, are available to us, it remains necessary to rearrange those deck chairs to prevent the SS Gloversville from slipping beneath the waves.

While shifting such lightweight baggage as the deck chairs may not appear to have a widespread positive impact during an emergency, the total weight of those chairs distributed correctly will see us through to another dawn where it is at least possible we will find what we need to succeed.