'Cuse Comebacks Be A Syracuse Ambassador And Respond To Slams On The City
Ngoc Huynh and Emily Kulkus Staff writers
June 1, 2007
The Post Standard/Herald-Journal
We've all heard them - those slams on Syracuse that come to mind when we hear bad news, either from the forecast or the crime report. Sometimes it's easier to put a place down than it is to lift it up. As one of the largest groups of young people in the area gathers again today for the third 40 Below Summit, there's a lot more heavy lifting to do. One such effort under the 40 Below umbrella attempts to counteract those slams against the city, one Syracuse advocate at a time. A panel session at today's summit is called "How to Sell Syracuse: Be an Ambassador Everyday." If you can't attend the panel or just need a reminder on what you can say in response to such slams, The Daily Dose gives you some "'Cuse Comebacks" from some of the area's biggest proponents of life in Central New York.
"The weather sucks."
"I think we get the most snow out of all Central Upstate and maybe that's what we should be proud of. We should say, "Yeah, we get the most, good for us."
- Nichole Wenderlich, 26, chair of the 40 Below marketing and communications task force
"We have no natural disasters. We never have to worry about hurricanes. Very rarely a flood. I can live with the occasional snow storm. Then you can get out there and ski."
- Abbey Daly, 29, real estate broker at Coldwell Banker
"The weather here is beautiful. The four seasons make you stop and think about what nature has provided us. We have access to such a variety of activities because of the change of seasons."
- Chuckie Holstein, 81, executive director of FOCUS Greater Syracuse
"It can be a challenge to live here in the dead of winter, but I do like the change of seasons that we experience in Upstate New York. Every season has its own color and beauty ... and of course, clothing."
- Theresa Barry, 42, owner of Razz Barry boutique in Armory Square
"We have just enough variety in the weather to keep things interesting. Sure, there's never enough of that one season you love, but that makes you more appreciative of the good days."
- Frank Caliva, 48, director of Talent Initiatives for Metropolitan Development Association
"Granted, there are times the weather is bad, but I don't think people take the time to notice the nice weather. Everyone just associates this area with the snow."
- Doug Strahler, 24, partner of Threeonefive Design
"I think that in Central New York and Upstate New York there is nowhere more beautiful in September, October and November."
- Beth Savicki, 32, marketing communications specialist for the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
"There aren't any jobs here."
Wenderlich: "That is totally false. There are a plethora of companies that are struggling to find qualified employees in the high technology and health care fields, as well as engineering and telecommunications."
Holstein: "It depends upon what you're looking for. It also depends on the salary you need for the life you want to lead. The quality of life here is tremendous. The cost of living is nowhere near what it is in some other larger urban areas."
Caliva: "Perhaps the biggest myth of all. It may take some perseverance, but with the right skills and attitude, you can find a great job in CNY."
Savicki: "Not only are there jobs here in Syracuse that are available, but what's nice about the Syracuse market is that there are so many businesses that are cutting edge and they based their businesses here because of the quality of life and the pool of applicants for jobs is wonderful ..."
"There's nothing to do here."
Daly: "We have one of the nicest geographic areas in the country. We're in closer proximity to the most amount of major cities than any other place in the country."
Holstein: "Whenever someone says there's nothing to do here I just say open up your newspaper on Thursday and you will find thousands of things."
Barry: "There's parks, a skating rink downtown, festivals, restaurants, sporting events, races, classes, concerts. Anyone who claims there's nothing to do here is not trying very hard to find something to do."
Caliva: "If you're bored here, you'll be bored anywhere. I am continually amazed by both the quality and quantity of leisure time activities in CNY."
"The city is dangerous."
Holstein: "I have worked downtown for 20, 25 years. I work late sometimes and it's dark. I come downtown very early before it's light out sometimes and I have never felt unsafe."
Barry: "Run-down neighborhoods, homeless panhandlers, arrest reports in the news. People who live in suburban areas are sheltered from this by choice. It makes them feel safe and furthers the division between city dwellers and those who flee at five o'clock. ... I have lived and worked here for 12 years and I feel perfectly safe."
Strahler: "When danger happens, it's all over the newspaper so people are focused on that. People don't care about all the other times when it's safe."
"Syracuse is a dump."
Wenderlich: "There are certain sections of the greater Syracuse region that are in need of revitalization, but there are multiple areas that are amazing. For instance look at Armory Square. Eastwood is a great example is a good safe, residential neighborhood."
Daly: "I personally think our downtown is one of the prettiest I've ever been in. The architecture and the restaurants. It's a very quaint downtown. And there's no traffic."
Holstein: "I would say five years ago I was really worried about downtown. But now I see the empty buildings are being occupied. Anyone who took the downtown (living) tour last week will attest that there is so much good happening downtown."
Barry: "There are certainly some ugly parts of town, as you will find in any old, industrial city. But the city has many nice, well maintained neighborhoods and beautiful green spaces in our city parks."
Caliva: "We've had great changes take place in just the past couple of years, and more on the way. If you can drive through Franklin Square or Armory Square and not be impressed and excited then you are just not paying attention."
"It's impossible to meet people."
Wenderlich: "There are many different organizations that you can leverage to meet people here. From 40 Below, which has 2,500 members to social organizations like CNYEdge and SPaRC to professional organizations depending on what you do."
Daly: "Join a volleyball league, a golf league. There are people everywhere but you have to go do stuff. I probably meet 10 new people a day."
Holstein: "I think one has to be a little more assertive. One has to pay attention to what's going on. If you're going to sit back and wait for someone to introduce you, forget it. It's not going to happen."
Caliva: "The only way to meet people is to get involved. And there is always an opportunity to be part of something big in Syracuse, like 40 Below Impact!"
Strahler: "That sets you up to going out and getting involved with the community. As a business, I've joined the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce ... I've met people through there."
"The area is not diverse."
Daly: "There's every type of culture here and there's restaurants to back up the culture. The people who have these thoughts must really just never leave their houses."
Holstein: "If you stay in only one part of the community and only participate in things with people who are like you, it's going to feel that way. But you have to reach out."
Barry: "My neighbors are a Filipino family, several elderly people, a gay couple, a Puerto Rican family, a few African-American families, some single moms, some young couples ... "
Caliva: "Syracuse has a long history and owes a tremendous debt to diversity. Almost every neighborhood in the city has a strong connection to one or more immigrant populations. These legacies continue as we welcome growing numbers of refugees, international students and immigrant professionals."
Savicki: "I use the word melting pot ... the diversity here, not only is it wonderful, but it is celebrated. There's so many different community groups that celebrate their culture. Think of all the festivals that we have downtown ... Italian fest, Greek fest, Juneteenth. To say it's not diverse, I'd have to ask what rock are you under that you don't see the diversity?"
This item was published on 06/01/2007
