Elmira, New York. Image: Souldrifter02
In 2010, John Burin was well into his tenure as Manager for the City of Elmira. Asked to provide Chemung County with fiscal data, Burin created a document entitled “Every Number has a Story“, found here.
Although many things have changed regarding the economic situations in both the City of Elmira and Chemung County since Burin created the document, it nonetheless provides many insights into the obstacles facing Elmira. It is necessary reading for anyone trying to figure out why Elmira is in such a tough fiscal position and, more critically, what can be done to help fix it.
Photo of John Burin from the Star Gazette.
In his cover letter to the document, Burin, who has also served as Elmira’s assessor and is a past member of Southern Tier Economic Growth and the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency, encouraged Chemung County to give him an opportunity to participate directly on a task force created to analyze municipal income and expense:
“Although you have requested financial data from each municipality, I have attached information that is unique to the City and requires an understanding before income and expense data can be accurately analyzed. As you review the attached information I am confident that you will conclude that a simple comparison of funds/expenses with other municipalities is insufficient. Every number has a story that needs to be part of your analysis and I would welcome the opportunity to be an active member of your committee to ensure your understanding of the City’s data.”
Burin is now a candidate for Chemung County legislature in the 9th district, as described here, in part because he recognizes the critical need for improved relations between the City of Elmira and the Chemung County.
Of note, I met Burin for coffee recently to talk about his experiences as manager and to get a better sense of why he wants to serve on the legislature. While we were talking, he asked why I, a candidate for legislature in the 7th district that encompasses most of the Town of Elmira, am so interested in what happens in the City.
It’s a fair question, and one I have been asked numerous times over the past few months.
The answer is straightforward and quite simple:
*Elmira is our county seat and the center of our community. We are never going to move forward Chemung County forward until we improve its financial condition, which will in turn lead to increased jobs and reduced crime throughout the County.
*Nearly all of the children who reside in the 7th Legislative district will attend school in the City of Elmira at some point, and a substantial number of adults work there. The Town-City border is an artificial line most of us cross every day. Improving conditions in the City benefits everyone, not just the people who live there.
*As I have begun talking to residents of the 7th Legislative district about the issues, the thing I hear most frequently is a concern about increased crime, something people tend to relate to conditions in the City. Whether the data supports this so-called “crime creep”, the perception that problems in the City adversely affect the Town is real. This perception impacts everything from quality of life to real property values, and can be addressed by making improvement of the City a priority.
*Finally, if the City of Elmira is forced to outright dissolve – something that would require a vote by the City’s residents – all property north of the Chemung River would revert to the Town of Elmira and property south of the river to the Town of Southport. As such, residents of those municipalities have a heightened incentive to work toward improving the City’s situation, as its problems would not simply disappear if it dissolves.
Fixing this mess will take a team approach, as we all have a lot to gain.
–Christina Sonsire
I agree with both Jim’s and Christinas comments for the most part.I sincerely hope that one day their may be leadership that believes in a team approach as well.However where I differ is the reality of dealing with the County often proved to me that some times all the talk and good intentions do not lead to any thing at all positive.We had all types of conversations with the County but that didn’t stop them from taking revenue at a time when it was devastatsting to remove it.We had all types of conversations concerning shared services but because they had the power we ended up with flawed agreements and we lost so many good people.People who were making a huge difference in our City.Politics and governing even at this level can be about whose has the power.The dynamics of the Cities financial issue had been known for years John Burin knew where we were headed.The day I returned to office in 2011 he laid it all to me.To his credit he was right to my dismay very few seemed willing to do any thing.In my view shared services had to happen but sales tax should have never been altered.The spin that the money was replaced over time is true but a team player wouldn’t brag about helping the City after intentionally harming it.Left unharmed by the sales tax cut the shared service agreements would have gone forward and actually would have helped our position.We could have put years of animosity aside and forged a new bond going forward.It is all in past now but in my view the only way to create a team between all entities now is to change leadership and once in for all demand new leadership acknowledges how important it is to save this City.
Loading...“Fixing this mess will take a team approach, as we all have a lot to gain.” – Common sense words that should be the bedrock of cooperation for all municipalities in Chemung County. While team members don’t always get along or agree on everything, they work together to win the game; quitting simply is not an option. That notion is a particularly important one for all of our municipal leaders to recognize. If you are in an elected position, you don’t have the luxury of an emotional reaction to issues; logic and planning must prevail.
We are all human and as such we make mistakes, we second guess ourselves, and we are reactive more often than proactive. When pushed, our normal and instant human reaction is to push back. Over the past months we have seen a lot of that type of emotional response being played out in the various social and mainstream medias. Using the media to point fingers and lay blame doesn’t solve any problems, it only highlights them. That approach never solves a problem nor produces a positive outcome – ever.
So, what makes it easier to solve problems? The answer is in your first sentence – “a team approach.” Our municipal leaders cannot push away from the table because someone disagrees with their conceptual blueprint yet agrees with where they are headed. If they do, what they are trying to get done won’t be. Instead, staying the course with an open mind to other ideas, and a mutual respect for the vision of others, will lead to the trust needed to accomplish the goal. That takes communication, patience, persistence, hard work, and the wisdom to know the finished product will be better for it. Once the leaders of our municipalities adopt this way of thinking our community will be a better place for it.
Speaking for myself, I believe the best solutions are born from diverse opinions and viewpoints. I urge, and have been encouraging, frequent and repeated communication between city and county officials. It doesn’t matter if we disagree on which road to take as long we get where we were headed. I will always extend my hand because I know, sooner or later, good sense will prevail.
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