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Thursday, March 29, 2018
Be Careful What You Wish For
On Monday, the Register-Star had an article on the statistics that show Columbia County has lost population during the period from 2010 to 2017: "Neighbors react to census data showing population decrease in Greene and Columbia counties." This evening, WAMC reported that Saratoga County was fastest growing county in New York: "Business Leaders Discuss Strong Saratoga County Economy." Here's a quote from that report: "Over the decades the county has transformed from a largely rural one with a vital summer tourism season to a home for a large high-tech economy and fast-growing suburbs." Farmland to suburbs--is that really a future we would want for ourselves?
COPYRIGHT 2018 CAROLE OSTERINK
we do not have to follow the Saratoga model.
ReplyDeletehowever, the Industry of Poverty model alive and well in Hudson is no way to create a vital economy for Columbia County. Spending county tax dollars on motels for the homeless that are bussed in from other locations is not a way to spur on economic growth.
call me crazy, but it is not healthy for us or the future. Its a cynical way for the few to make money off of the backs of the many.
Reinforcing greed for the few, both here in the city and also in the county, by the charm of elected political forces and 'dogooders,' needs to challenged. We need signs of a healthy economy to rise all boats, not just the yachts.
DeleteAs another statistic, Columbia County sales tax revenues increase by 8 % in 2016, and 7.25 % in 2017. while population may be ebbing, the economy here is humming. and it is one of the few counties in New York State that is doing this well.
ReplyDeleteSprawl like the image Carole put it, is a horrible bane on so many levels, with huge negative economic externalities, one of which is admittedly subjective, involving aesthetics. I have driven by a few such tracts in Columbia County, that look just hideous. Houses with ugly architecture, and treeless. At a minimum, such tracts should be masked from the highway with foliage, in order to avoid such an assault to one's eyes. I have visited most of the United States now at my rather advanced age, and I find Columbia County to have just about the most beautiful landscape of any county that I have been in. To despoil it would be a tragedy. We already have Fairview Avenue in Greenport for those who enjoy zoning free ugliness and shopping centers that violate almost every norm of aesthetic presentation. We don't need any more such examples. Yes, I know, on this issue I sound like a bit of an elitist. So be it.
ReplyDeleteHear hear. I am in complete agreement with you, Steve.
DeleteOh, regarding population numbers and sales taxes, Columbia County given present trends is projected to decline from 63,096 residents as of the 2010 census to 59,685 in the 2020 census, a population decline of 5.4%. Hudson is projected to have an even greater population decline of 7.3%, dropping from 6,713 to 6,225 residents (including the prisoner population).
ReplyDeleteIf that occurs (and the Hudson population decline might be even greater if the spread of Airbnb’s in Hudson continues unabated), Hudson faces about a 2% haircut in its share of the county sales tax pool, or around $20,000 per year, under the present formula. Hudson does have the power to change that formula, but I digress.
In case you are wondering why I have such numbers, it is because I keep a spreadsheet on all of this to assist in my redistricting projects. The next estimate of Hudson’s population comes out in June, at which time the population projections for Hudson can be updated on my master spreadsheet. Yes, I know, I have some weird hobbies. But sometimes they prove useful to Hudson. :)
Less people in Columbia County means less money from the Fed for the corrupt local politicians to mismanage.
ReplyDeleteA declining population means that the large infrastructure costs of rural Columbia County — roads, bridges, government buildings, and the like — are a greater burden per capita. Not something to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteHow can the managers of Hudson's decline survive without an increase in funding?
ReplyDeleteFor 100 years this berg grew because of roads of rail. Now they restrict more commerce than they promote.
ReplyDeleteImagine a spur that connects 9G to 66 and 23 instead of just one business, ADM.
Remove the railbed and create roadbed.
Let people flow...
If Stewart's wants to leave that corner, then let them. There are other service stations in town. I have nothing against Stewart's but that store is the same size as most of them, and doesn't need to be expanded. Especially at the cost of homes that have been around for 100 years.
ReplyDelete