I just read in the New York Times that Detroit is facing a 25% decrease in population. After attending the Levin Institute talk at SUNYIT the other night, I had to chuckle when I read this statistic. Upstate New York has lost population listed at, well, let's say more than 25%. We have no industry anymore, and we're on the cusp of joining the 21st century of manufacturing. We have an older population and statisticians point out that while people get "educated" here at the many institutions of higher learning, they then leave, often. We don't have high speed rail and so are not efficiently connected to the rest of the state and the region. All in all, the picture seems a little bleak, that is until you stop and think about all of the good things here.
So let's do it. I'll start.
The people here in central New York (technically I suppose it's all "upstate" to everyone else, but we here make the distinction) are nice. They're not dumb or conventional or provincial (well, some are). They're smart and savvy and they possess an underdog mentality that I respond to. They're friendly but not "in your face" friendly. I like them.
Okay, if you read my blog and you're from this area (Justin) step up to the plate. What do you like about central New York? If you're not from the area, ask me a question about where I live (Clark, are you there?) and I'll find out the answer.
Let's do it!
MNYAGG
it's one of the most beautiful places i've ever seen, year round. one of my favorite spots is the hilly farmland in cortland you see just as you're getting on 81 north in homer.
ReplyDeletei also like that for the most part, it's a land of democrats.
We went to So. Cal. for spring break and rode a bus from Anaheim to San Diego on Thursday. The driver was a fount of trivia and other false information about Orange county. He said that the #1 cash crop in Orange county is no longer oranges, but strawberries. He also said that the #1 retail item sold in the county is bottled water.
ReplyDeleteSo... what are the cash crops and top retail items sold in your area?