Spring has finally arrived in Otsego County, albeit a tad later than we may like. Leaves are just beginning to make an appearance and back-to-back 70-degree days have heralded the season we have all been waiting for. And in Otsego County, this means a spring and summer, when some local citizens find issues about which they love to complain.
A casino owner/operator in the Midwest once used the term C.A.V.E. people when discussing local residents who disliked the casino’s presence. I was puzzled as to what that phrase actually meant. “It’s Citizens Against Virtually Everything,” he said. And while it is a funny line, once my eyes were opened to the concept, I have seen this phenomenon in every community I have lived and worked within since. Some areas were worse than others, but this description fits communities from Texas to Kentucky, and California to New York. Yes, this observable fact even exists in Upstate New York.
The C.A.V.E. people experience can be seen and heard in many forms. Are any readers familiar with statements such as, “Not in my back yard.”, “That’s not the way we have always done it!”, “As long as no one parks on the street in front of house.”, “Those college kids are partying again!”, and “Why are there fireworks every week?”. Sound familiar? To get down to the nitty-gritty, these all are very much related. They all represent the sound of money.
The folks at Cooperstown All-Star Village set off fireworks each and every week of their season. They also bring more than $95 million of economic impact to this region each year. When 300,000 visitors come to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and park along side streets throughout Cooperstown to shop, eat and visit, it is the economic cornerstone of the village and the county. The young adults who attend SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick pump nearly a quarter-million dollars into our economy. They employ well over 1,200 tax-paying individuals and bring more than 5,000 students here. Do you remember when you were 21? Did you drink too much? Did you go to parties? Enough said. These are all the sound of money.
As the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, we unabashedly support local business because a healthy business economy equals growing and thriving communities. Successful businesses employ people, they pay taxes, they buy ads in the local paper, on radio and in school programs. Businesses and their employees buy what they need right here, and they donate to local charities. A healthy business community creates the funds for water, sewers, broadband internet and other vital resources for citizens. Without a vibrant business community and the tax revenue it creates, we would all be looking at cuts in police and fire protection, road and bridge repair, and local school trips to places like the Grand Canyon. Residents of this county and local area businesses are partners in our future. We are collaborators in the quality of place for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
So here is your homework assignment. The next time you see a family carload of folks parking on the street in front of your home, walk onto the porch and welcome them to your community. When you hear a rowdy party going on up the street, think back fondly on your youth. Heck, why don’t you walk over and join them? And when you hear fireworks on a beautiful weeknight this summer, put out some lawn chairs, grab your favorite beverage and listen. After all, it is the sound of money. Who wants to sing along?