Syracuse was “Capital for a Day” Wednesday. That meant the heads of several government agencies fanned out across central New York to talk about everything from opioid addiction to state parks. Gov. Andrew Cuomo was the master of ceremonies, urging the region to focus on the positive.
Cuomo started off Syracuse’s day in the spotlight, taking credit for reinvigorating upstate New York economically, after what he called 40 years of neglect by Albany. He said central New York has all the assets it needs to be a success, but needs a regional identity. He then took a swipe at the central New York psyche, suggesting the area focuses too much on bad news.
“I said to your newspaper, I look at your newspaper, and oomph, it’s all bad news; I should move. That’s half the story, the other half is all the positive. Negative begets negative, positive begets positive," said the governor.
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner says what characterizes central New York, is that it’s a region that meets challenges head on, and never says no to them. She admits that can mean debate about the not so good things going on.
"I think we are a community that has very high expectations, and we expect the best from our elected officials and each other. And we are quick to say when we don’t get that. As an elected official myself, I can tell you that first hand,” said Miner.
Cuomo and state officials had a couple of announcements for the area in their back pocket, including state funds to for a new race track in Oswego County, as well as money for new apartments for the homeless in Syracuse.
Cuomo has brought this capital for a day concept to other regions in recent months, including Utica and Rochester.
