Rome, NY - The Decline of an American City

Hi and welcome to my website. I know that blogs are all the rage now, but I guess I'm sort of an internet dinosaur. This will begin as a set of observations on a regular basis. I do intend to use the features of a web server more in the future. Right now, I hope to get this page to make its way on to Google.

Please visit my bloggier blog at www.blogger.com.

September 7, 2004
I put together a little page musing about the possibilty that Clinton created this weak job market.

September 6, 2004
At least the idiots of Rome are angry about the uncontested tax increse. Too bad it's too late. As the presidential election draws near, I thought I would post my story of how we could respond to terror in the wake of 9/11.

August 18, 2004
I generally complain about the city in general, but now I would like to point out something very serious and very wrong in my opinion. The Rome school board will apparently choose to supplement its budgetary shortfall with an outrageous tax increase on property. This will represent a payment larger than any living expense I now pay. In fact, it might require me to sell our house and leave the area.
What can be done? Not much, since Romans foolishly took the school board at its word that it would receive the necessary funds from the state. They blame Albany now, but cities like Syracuse got more that they thought they would. Obviously, the state government realizes that just because Rome asks for it, it does not need to be given it.

All of you who actually live in the city have seen the signs. I refer to actual signs, like the dozen For Sale signs along North Madison street. People are selling their houses and moving out. I've seen three move-outs along my street alone. The jobs are non-existent, the weather is brutal (and extremely costly in terms of heating costs) and the taxes are punitive. I wanted to get a job, save some money and move away. More likely I will cut my losses and escape. And all of you who voted for the school board members and their inflated budgets are to blame.

May 6, 2004
Still no views. I've added a page. The voluminous amount of text alone should garner a hit. I have a guide to TV, phone and internet services available in the area.My news:

January 14, 2004
Nice weather. Twenty year lows last week and this week. This morning it dropped to about 20 degrees below zero. I still find it hard to believe that people would choose to live in this frozen wasteland. Local no smoking laws in bars are causing owners to consider moving to Florida.

January 5, 2004
It may look like I'm running out of steam, but I'm just waiting for Google to pick up on my web site. As of today, (January 5, 2004) no one has visited the site. The nature of the site makes it difficult to promote. Also, not much has happened with me this week.December 21, 2003 - Another inch of snow fell last night. That makes about two feet in the last two weeks. Rome suffers both from snowstorms and an impressive amount of lake effect snow, evaporation from Lake Ontario  collidingwith Canadian cold fronts and freezing into snow.

December 31, 2003
This was a tough year. I'm trying to keep positive about prospects for next year. On that point, the Dow Jones was up to 1996 levels in terms of percentage. I also noticed a fun article in Yahoo about the pitfalls of outsourcing. (The link from BusinessWeek)

December 30, 2003
I took a couple of days off. Weather is crazy this year. It's been near 40 for a week while Las Vegas gets snow. Anyway, Jim Brown, Price Chopper Supermarket manager-turned-politician was sworn in as Mayor.

December 22, 2003
The days are getting longer again. Most of the Central New York area was in the 40's today. Except for Rome, of course.

December 23, 2003
Finally warmed up in Rome. Still about ten degrees cooler than the surrounding areas. I'd prefer warmer temperatures at a different time. I'd have to drive about an hour out of town to get to the temp agencies. I'm pretty sure they won't have a whole lot on Christmas week.