No Good Deed Goes Unpunished in the Black Community: The Syracuse Post-Standard Asks and Answers, “Why taxpayers are footing half the cost of a new Syracuse supermarket”
Price Rite Opens New Supermarket on South Ave. Walt Dixie and Store Manager, Anthony Griffin prepare to welcome shoppers to the Grand Opening of the long anticipated Price Rite Supermarket. This is an oasis in the middle of what was once called a “food desert”. Syracuse, NY – Price Rite Supermarkets, known for its everyday low prices, today has the grand opening of its new 35,OOO -square-foot Price Rite of South Ave. store, located at 611 South Avenue in Syracuse, opened Sunday, April 2 at 8:00AM. The supermarket chain’s shopper-friendly format features a wide selection of fresh produce, natural and organic products and a variety of private label and national grocery brands – at about half the cost of a traditional supermarket. The much-anticipated store will bring a service oriented supermarket featuring a wide selection of fresh groceries and perishable products to an area with limited access to fresh food, and will add nearly 100 jobs to the local community. In celebration of its official grand opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony with Price Rite executives, including President, Neil Duffy, and Executive Vice President, Jim Dorey, and local community leaders, as well as city, county and state officials, is scheduled to take place at 2:00PM on Sunday, April 2. Price Rite
of South Ave. will also make a donation of $3,000 to Sharon Owens, CEO of the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility Inc., in the name of the Southwest Community Center, a nonprofit multipurpose neighborhood center offering a wide variety of services and activities structured to meet the unique and varied needs of the local community. “We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Syracuse store on South Avenue, and we are privileged to be part of this community and all the great new development that is
happening along the southwest corridor,” said Neil Duffy, president of Price Rite. “Local residents have been waiting for a supermarket for a long time, and we look forward to becoming a vital part of the community and being a good neighbor while providing local shoppers with the outstanding customer service, variety, value and low prices that Price Rite is known for. Our operation is driven by the philosophy that customers should not have to sacrifice quality to save on price, and we are excited to deliver on that promise.” Price Rite has worked closely with Jubilee Homes of Syracuse Inc., a local nonprofit, and its Executive Director, Walter Dixie, as well as city, county and state officials to bring the new store to an area designated as a food desert, providing a service oriented supermarket and serving as a retail anchor tenant along the South Avenue corridor. The new Price Rite of South Ave. will employ the supermarket chain’s convenient format featuring a broad array of groceries containing both private label items and national brands, including daily deliv(Continued on page 2)
Common Council Approves the Deployment of Shotspotter
President Donald Trump to Eliminate Community Development Block Grants in 2017/18 Federal Budget
Motown the Musical: Berry Gordy in His Own Words
(Continued from page 1)
eries of fresh produce from around the corner and around the world, with a wide variety of ethnic products to cater to Price Rite’s diverse customer base; packaged meats, including a selection of organic and natural items, grass-fed offerings, Grade A poultry and USDA Choice cuts; baked goods; and dairy and frozen food, along with organic and natural including the new Wholesome Pantry Line, a private label line of free-from and organic products void of 110 ingredients and containing no artificial additives, flavors or preservatives. Price Rite of South Ave. will also feature some of the industry’s leading “green technologies,” including glass doors on dairy cases and energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration throughout the entire store.
New Price Rite on South Ave.
a clean, fresh and friendly shopping experience gory by providing a choice of private label and nawhile offering the same quality foods as traditional tional brand selection. By streamlining operating supermarkets at a bargain price, providing customcosts, Price Rite can focus on providing great buys ers with the convenience of in-store. Price Rite warehouse club-style shopping regularly features without the membership fees or Just 2 of the 100 people hired for the new store specials and amazbulk-buying requirements. The ing values on food supermarket chain takes a and non-food items variety of different apalike. proaches to help keep costs The new Price Rite down and pass along those of South Ave. will be savings to customers, inopen Sunday cluding spending less on 8:00am – 8:00pm advertising and store decor and Monday than conventional stores, through Saturday encouraging customers to 8:00am – 9:00pm. bring their own bags or purStore Manager and District Manager chase a reusable bag for 10 For more information, please visit cents and fine-tuning product assortments going over last minute details www.PriceRiteSupermarkets.com. while maintaining diversity within each cate-
For added convenience, the store will offer My Price Rite, a free service that allows customers to receive special offers and savings on their personal mobile device (iOS or Android), and customers can also take advantage of Price Rite’s partnership with Ibotta, a free mobile shopping app that offers users cash back on everyday purchases, allowing them to earn cash rewards, bonuses and store extras as they shop. Price Rite is an American company whose mission is to provide customers with
Common Council Votes Approve the Deployment of Shotspotter SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Mayor Stephanie A. Miner issued the following statement following the Common Council voting in favor of deploying ShotSpotter in the City of Syracuse. “ShotSpotter is an innovative technology that, when combined with the police department’s sophisticated data analysis, has the potential to reduce shots fired incidents throughout the City. I am pleased the Common Council has voted today to support the deployment of this new technology. I look forward to having our system up and running in the coming months.”
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No Good Deed Goes Unpunished in the Black Community: The Syracuse Post-Standard Asks and Answers, “Why taxpayers are footing half the cost of a new Syracuse supermarket” The Syracuse PostStandard set negative tone with the title of an article that appears to criticize the expenditure of over 5 million dollars in public funding used to construct the newly opened Price Rite on South Ave. Syracuse. The headline itself set the tone, “Why taxpayers are footing half the cost of a new Syracuse supermarket”.
section, people unloaded on our community.
Newly opened Price Rite on South Ave.
One post read, “This is not capitalism. It is social welfare at its worst. In capitalism, businesses do not rely on the government to keep them afloat. Butttttt, here in the USA and especially in NYS, corrupt lawmakers whom have a hand in everything see to it that projects like this are set into motion…”
Another post called, @The Voice of Reason, said ” Working taxpayers pay for 1/2 the store. Working The story spends a lot of time detailing where the Immediately, Social Media especially in the taxpayers provide most of the money that will be funding came from; New York State provided 1.2 mil- “comments” section of Syracuse.com began an asspent there by EBT card. Just about 100% free stuff for lion in grants, Onondaga County provided Jubilee sault on the Black Community, questioning the cona whole neighborhood. So what is the problem? Why Homes of Syracuse, with a $350,000 grant to purchase cept of investing in a neighborhood that’s a food demust taxpayers completely support a large number of the property and an additional $200,000 for the per- sert. Jubilees Homes has overseen the construction of city residents? Has the welfare system made people to meable pavement in the store's parking lot. The City dozens of new homes and the renovation of many lazy to work?” of Syracuse also assisted, making adjacent properties others properties. When confronted, the Post-Standard has claimed that available that were needed for the project. Price Rite 30 years ago, there were block after block of empty these posts are the work of their media partner Adhas a 10 year lease on the building and Jubilee Homes lots; the entire neighborhood had been bulldozed. vance Media and there’s nothing they can do about will receive $50,000 annually for rent. Houses were built, residents invested in returning to their content. The Post-Standard failed to the area. Websites with Headlines like, “Why taxpayers are mention that this is a counUnder any measurefooting half the cost of a new Syracuse supermarket.” ty program, “Save the Rain” ment, an urban sucAre designed to capture the reader’s attention and is designed to benefit the cess story, however generate more “clicks” on the page. It creates a tangientire community, by keepin catering to their ble number of readers that you can then pitch to your ing unnecessary runoff from suburban conservaadvertisers. being treated at the Metrotive readers the Postpolitan Sewage Treatment Standard caused neg- When projects are showcased, such as the publically Facility. Many local private ative, racist posts on funded Lakeview Amphitheater (30 million dollars), businesses and Not-Fortheir comments page. the New York State Fair (50 million dollars), the New Profits participated, the York State funded State Fair parking lot, highway acThe Syracuse.com MOST, Onondaga County Community gathers for ribbon cutting readers are now com- cess ramp and Gondola’s to move people from the Public Libraries, Rosamond fairgrounds to the amphitheater, you don’t see the plaining about the Gifford Zoo, even churches, use of “their” tax dollars, painting a picture of despair incendiary headlines. received assistance in creating systems to divert their within the South Avenue community. This story “Why taxpayers are footing half the cost of runoff water. However, the Price Right project apa new Syracuse supermarket”, created the perfect The title itself of the article was inflammatory, while peared to be singled out. vehicle for those who dislike African Americans, to asking and answering the question, “Why taxpayers The Syracuse Industrial Development Agency granted are footing half the cost of a new Syracuse supermar- regurgitate hackneyed stereotypes on Social Media, the store tax breaks totaling $329,140 over a 10 year for that the Post-Standard should be ashamed of itket” period. And then there are exemptions from taxes for self. Then in their Advance Media powered Comments construction materials saving another $272,000 and $30,000 in relief from the Mortgage Recording Tax.
President Donald Trump to Eliminate Community Development Block Grants in 2017/18 Federal Budget Syracuse Would Lose 4.5 Million Dollars in CDBG - Community Targeted Funding Housing and Urban Development’s budget would be reduced by 15% The Trump Administration has proposed cutting Housing and Urban Development’s budget by 15% down to 40.5 billion FY 2018. Under President Trump’s Budget proposal, HUD’s Community Development Block Grants would be eliminated. This would spell disaster for cities and small communities across the nation, if these cut aren’t restored to the Federal Budget. For over 40 years Community Development Block program has been the foundation for the revitalization of cities and rural areas across America. Allocated to over 1,100 local and state governments based on a formula. CDBG projects are designed to meet priorities of the national program, funding activates that benefit low- and-moderate income people. Acceptable use includes economic development and job creation/retention activities. It has been proven that HUD’s CDBG program funds are leveraged to generate additional investments in areas where program funds are used. According to HUD statistics CDBG economic development programs designed to spur economic growth in poor neighborhoods expended $120 million in CDBG grants, the result was 1,853 severely distressed public housing units replaced with over 3,000 new mixed-income, mixeduse housing units. In 2006, HUD calculated that, the cities were leveraging an additional $636 million through public-private partnerships assisted with CDBG grant funding. Syracuse receives funding from HUD’s CDBG to fund, housing services, Homelessness and prevention, education and workforce development. In addition to initiatives designed to eliminate blight, and provide housing for the elderly. Governor Andrew Cuomo in part of a detailed statement said, “the Administration’s budget slashes $6 billion from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, eliminating Community Development Block Grants that have transformed affordable housing for New Yorkers in need. As a former Secretary of the HUD, I have firsthand knowledge of the crucial services the Department provides and the real, tangible harm these cuts will impose on vulnerable, hardworking Americans in New York and across the nation.” According to Syracuse Mayor, Stephanie A. Miner, “This budget proposal shows a lack of a serious urban agenda by the current administration. Beyond the
Maintaining the same level of funding for rental assistance programs Minimizing HUD salaries and administrative expenses by 5 percent Slashing the public housing capital fund by $1.3 billion, a reduction of 32 percent Cutting $600 million would from the public housing operating fund Lowering direct rental assistance payments — including Section 8 Housing and homeless veterans vouchers — by $300 million Removing 10 percent ($42 million) for elderly housing Section 202 Reducing disabled housing programs under Section 811 by 20 percent ($29 million) Reducing Native American housing block rhetoric, it's clear that cities are thriving. More people grants by 20 percent ($150 million) than ever before are choosing to make cities their Eliminating the $3 billion Community Development home. Cities are becoming hubs of the innovation Block Grants (CDBG) program — i.e., Choice Neigheconomy, places where people come to exchange borhoods and HOME Investment Partnerships creative ideas and share diverse, dynamic experiences. We are entering a new era for urban America and With the aforementioned in mind, review the Comthis excitement is something our nation should be munity Development Block Grant budget for the City investing in. “ of Syracuse. You’d see that CDBG funding is spread Miner’s statement continues,” throughout the community, in many cases only parThis budget is out of touch tially funding Community-Based organizations and with the realities in our cities city agencies. We’ve used CDBG to fund programs face: we are not going to put enabling eligible homeowners to fix emergency remore Americans to work, revi- pairs, receive counseling for possible homeownertalize our urban cores, or im- ship, workforce development, etc. prove our schools by cutting The City of Syrafunding for housing, educacuse through its tion, and building a wall. use of CDBG These programs fight poverty effectively proand blight every day. Shortvides partial sighted investments for unfunding for 25 substantiated fears will not organizations and make our country great again agencies. The but will instead have a devas- following is a list tating impact on cities across of the organizathe nation.” tions and what U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the the funds are following: “The President’s budget is irresponsible utilized for. The and will short-change middle class New Yorkers, sen- list gives you an iors, and students alike while doing harm to a fragile idea of the treeconomy. I will do everything I can to fight these mendous impact harmful cuts and protect funding that helps build our CDBG has had in roads and bridges, supports our students and seniors, our city over the and makes smart investments to help grow the New programs 42 year history. York economy.” This past week, Congress was on recess so members The draconian cuts, specifically targeting Community returned home to a litany of questions from constituDevelopment Block Grants would have a devastating ents. The message many constituents are sending to effect on the City of Syracuse. congress as they returned? “We don’t like the budgOn the national level of the debate, Meals on Wheels et”. can’t be boiled down to saving dollars when Congress And if the visceral response to the loss of federal spent 2 million dollars on pastries, coffee and recep- funding for Meals on Wheels is any indication of tions, according to published reports. where things are going, President Trump’s first budgThe following are proposed changes in HUD based on et has been declared, dead on arrival. the Federal Budget Submitted by the Trump Administration (Continued on page 5)
Campbell Institute to Host First Public Debate on a Metropolitan Form of Government for Onondaga County April 12, 2017, 7:00-8:30 p.m.,
Director and WRVO Campbell Conversations Host Grant Reeher, this debate will provide that exchange.
Maxwell Auditorium, Syracuse University
Arguing in favor of the proposition are two members of the Consensus Commission:
The Proposition: “This House Would Establish a Metropolitan Form of Government for Onondaga County� The principal recommendation of the Final Report of the Consensus Commission on Local Government Modernization is to establish a new municipal form of government for Onondaga County, with a single executive and a 33-seat legislature. While public forums and town hall meetings have been held to discuss the report, and the proposal has been both criticized and defended in the media, missing is a direct exchange between opposing views, with opportunities for challenge and rebuttal. Moderated by Campbell Institute (Continued from page 4)
CDBG Budget (May 1, 2106 - April 30, 2017) ARISE, Inc. Housing Referral and Advocacy Program | Ramp Intake + Referral $ 20,700 Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse Teen Program $ 14,000 Catholic Charities of Onondaga County Relocation Services for the Housing Vulnerable $213,120 CNY Fair Housing Education and Enforcement $33,797 Cooperative Federal Credit Union Revolving Loan Fund for Small Business Capacity Building $30,000 Dunbar Association in Partnership with SWCC Youth Services Program $ 12,000 Empire Housing Far Westside/City of Syracuse Revitalization Strategy $ 60,000 Greater Syracuse Tenant Network Tenant Counseling $49,000
The debate will provide a lively direct exchange among the speakers, as well as opportunities for audience questions. The audience will vote on the issue both before and after the event.
James Walsh, Government Affairs Counselor, K&L Gates LLP, former Member of Congress [R-NY-25]
Members of the Central New York community are encouraged to attend the debate as well as the public reception following the debate. Both events are free and open to the public. For RSVP and parking information, please visit https:// www.maxwell.syr.edu/Campbell -Consensus-Debate/.
William Byrne, Chairman of the Board of Byrne Dairy Arguing against the proposition:
This Campbell Debate is part of an ongoing series sponsored by the Campbell Public Affairs Institute of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Stephanie Miner, Mayor of the City of Syracuse Robert Antonacci, Onondaga County Comptroller Home HeadQuarters Home Improvement - SHARP $ 271,800
PEACE, Inc.|Common Council Allocation Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Transportation $ 12,500
Home HeadQuarters Home Improvement | Urgent Care + Ramp Construction $ 1,175,209
Syracuse Model Neighborhood Corp. Rental Rehabilitation : Administration + Repair Assistance $ 300,000
Home HeadQuarters Homeownership Services - Downpayment Assistance $255,110
Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility, Inc. Southwest Community Center $365,000
Home HeadQuarters Homeownership Center $ 155,000
Syracuse Northeast Community Center Northeast Community Center $ 250,000
Huntington Family Centers, Inc. Youth Services Program $ 16,500
Visions For Change Choosing To Thrive $ 20,000
InterFaith Works of CNY Center for New Americans $ 49,500
Westcott Community Center Community Center Programming $ 75,000
Jubilee Homes Workforce and SW Neighborhood Development $180,000
Welch Terrace Housing Development Fund Inc. Welch Terrace Housing $6,000
Northeast Hawley Development Association Neighborhood Revitalization and Stabilization Program $ 62,200
YMCA of Greater Syracuse |Common Council Allocation Resident Advisement Program $ 10,500
OCPL | Mundy Library Youth Employment | Stipends for Young Technology Leaders $ 20,000
Syracuse NBD (20% Cap) NBD Administration $ 909,233 GRAND TOTAL: $ 4,566,169
Syracuse Stage presents Pulitzer-Prize winning drama How I Learned to Drive SYRACUSE, NY – Come along for the ride as Syracuse Stage presents Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize -winning drama How I Learned to Drive. This deeply compassionate play looking into how one woman’s courage to face a troubled time in her past leads her to take control of her own life opens April 7 in the Archbold Theatre at the Syracuse Stage/ SU Drama Complex, 820 E. Genesee St. There will be two preview performances on Wednesday, April 5, and Thursday, April 6.
be a place of transformation because it creates empathy, and How I Learned to Drive accomplishes exactly that. “I do have this faith that the more naked you are as an actor, the more people see themselves on that stage. They’re not seeing you. You become their stand-in. So the second you step out alone and you don’t have dialogue supporting you, they’re seeing themselves. What the opening of this play really says is that you’re about to see your life story unfold,” said Vogel.
As the play addresses the troubling topic of sexual abuse, McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center and Vera House will have reWinner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, How I ferral and resource information in the How I Learned Learned to Drive masterfully veers in and out of the to Drive program and at tables in the Syracuse Stage personal memories of a character known as Li’l Bit to lobby. explore her complicated relationship with an uncle by marriage. These memories take place in 1960s Mary- “We are so pleased to partner with these outstanding land and shift through various periods in her adoles- community organizations as we present this beauticence. As Li’l Bit narrates these episodes, a Greek ful, unsettling piece of theatre that gives voice to Chorus made up of three members—a Teenage Cho- those stories that far too often stay hidden,” said Jill rus, Male Chorus and Female Chorus—assume variAnderson, managing director, Syracuse Stage. ous family members and significant individuals from Tickets are available at www.SyracuseStage.org, by the past. A voiceover from a driving manual and viphone at 315.443.3275 and in person at the Box brant 60s pop music punctuate the action. Office. Playwright Vogel expertly sustains the humor and Special Events pathos of Li’l Bit’s journey without trivializing either emotion. Written with intelligence and grace, scenes April 7 Opening Night Party (free for ticket ricochet from wildly comedic to gasp inducing in an holders) instant. Vogel explained in The New York Times that she intended for the play “to get the audience to go Join the cast for a post-show celebration with live along for the ride they wouldn’t normally take” and music, food, drinks and live music by The Nudes, an the comic facility eases the journey without underatmospheric indie rock band. mining the seriousness of the play’s concerns. April 8 “The Road Less Travelled: Writing the Director Laura Kepley felt personally connected to the Taboo” Poetry & Play (free for ticket holders) play after reading it in college 18 years ago. She exA reading series that connects the literary arts to the plained it started to grow on her because it was one of the first times a contemporary woman stood cen- work on our stage. Harriett Brown, associate professor of magazine journalism at the S.I. Newhouse ter stage and bravely spoke about her struggles. To School of Public Communications at Syracuse UniverKepley, Li’l Bit’s ability to face her harrowing past makes her a woman of empowerment and unwaver- sity, and Jackie Warren-Moore, a poet, playwright, director and writer, will share original works prompting strength. ed by themes, ideas and images within the play. Light “Li’l Bit’s telling this secret, and by telling this secret refreshments will be provided. she is discovering that she can take control of her April 9 Prologue at 1 p.m. (free for ticket holdpast and drive forward in her life,” said Kepley. ers) Playwright Vogel believes in the power of theatre to
An intimate, 20-minute pre-show discussion with the actors one hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions. Actor Talkback (free for ticket holders) A Q&A session with the actors following the 7 p.m. performance. April 13 Healthy & Happy Hour at 6 p.m. (free for ticket holders) Enjoy complimentary appetizers, half-priced drinks, complimentary chair massages from SpaZend and entertainment by Hot 107.9 DJ, Kobe. April 15 ers)
Prologue at 2 p.m. (free for ticket hold-
An intimate, 20-minute pre-show discussion with the actors one hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions. ASL Interpreted Performance at 3 p.m. for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. April 19 holders)
Wednesday @ 1 Lecture (free for ticket
Chris Woodworth, assistant director of theatre at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, will give a lecture at 1 p.m. in the Sutton Pavilion before the 2 p.m. performance. Woodworth will discuss the ways in which playwright Paula Vogel’s plays function as love letters to the theatre. Vogel’s works embrace the staging techniques of bygone era while presenting dramatic worlds with contemporary ingenuity and punch. Open Captioning at 2 p.m. Performance for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dinner & Show ($45, includes dinner and show admission) Enjoy a buffet dinner with fellow theatre lovers in the Sutton Pavilion before the 7:30 performance. Seasonal fare prepared by Phoebe’s Restaurant followed by great theatre. April 20 holders)
Prologue at 6:30 p.m. (free for ticket
An intimate, 20-minute pre-show discussion with the actors one hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions. April 22 Audio Described Performance at 3 p.m. for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. April 23 Open Captioning at 2 p.m. Performance for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Motown the Musical: Berry Gordy in His Own Words The history of Motown and its contributions to the cultural landscape of the United States is a compelling story. What Berry Gordy and Motown accomplished had ramifications far beyond the world of music. As Motown the Musical comes to Syracuse, we have provided quotes from Mr. Gordy for you to use as you see fit. Many are from his 1994 autobiography, To Be Loved; all are used with permission. On Motown’s Rise to the Top I am often asked, “How did you do it? How did you make it work at a time when so many barriers existed for black people and black music?” There are many answers to those questions but at the base of them is atmosphere. Hitsville had an atmosphere that allowed people to experiment creatively and gave them the courage not to be afraid to make mistakes. In fact, I sometimes encouraged mistakes. Everything starts as an idea and as far as I was concerned there were no stupid ones. “Stupid” ideas are what created the light bulb, airplanes and the like. . . . It was an atmosphere that made you feel no matter how high your goals, they were reachable, no matter who you were. I had always figured that less than 1 percent of all the people in the world reach their full potential. Seeing that potential in others, I realized that by helping them reach theirs, maybe I could reach mine. Obstacles Faced by Black Artists Prior to Motown The biggest obstacle faced by talented black artists was having a place to go – a record company where
Gentiles. When I went to the white radio stations to get my records played, they would laugh at me. They thought I was trying to bring black music to white people, to “cross over,” and I said, “Wait a minute; it’s not really black music. It’s music by black stars.” I refused to be categorized. They called my music all kinds of stuff: Rhythm and Blues, Soul. And I said, “Look, my music is Pop. Pop means popular. If you sell a million records, you’re popular.” And that’s what we did. White stations in Detroit and then white stations everywhere starting playing our records. Our music became the soundtrack of people’s lives for people all they would be accepted, where the records would be around the world who love this music. distributed, get played, and where they would get I believed it’s what’s in the grooves that counts. Our paid. Another obstacle was an artist having access to music con-veyed basic feelings, cutting through culgreat material and great production in order to get a tural and language barriers. Every project that I do – hit record. records, movies, TV or BroadFrom Songwriter to Publisher and Proway play – that’s what I have in ducer mind. It’s all the same. I felt that people were all the same, Songwriting was my love, and protecting that people have so much in that love, in many ways, was the motivacommon, and that our similarition for everything I did in the early years ties were so much more powof my career. Producing the artists who erful than our differences. So sang my songs was the next logical step to we just put out our music. We making sure my songs were done the way worked hard to deliver to peoI wanted. Publishing came about when I ple things like joy, love, and couldn't get my songwriter's royalties desire, the emotions that peofrom a New York publisher. Protecting my ple felt but couldn’t always songs was also the reason I got into pubexpress. We did it for them. lishing and eventually the record business. Our international success How Working at an Automobile Plant proved to me that my feelings Influenced His were right. It's just a matter of Approach to Motown communication. Communication breeds understanding and understanding breeds everything else. At the plant the cars started out as just a frame, On Reaching White Audiences pulled along on conveyor We released some of our early albums without showbelts until they emerged at ing the artists’ faces on them. The Marvelettes’ album the end of the line – brand Please Mr. Postman had a picture of a mailbox on it; spanking new cars rolling Bye Bye Baby by Mary Wells, a love letter. We put a off the line. I wanted the cartoon of an ape on the cover of the Miracles’ Doin’ same concept for my comMickey’s Monkey; and an Isley Brothers album had pany, only with artists and two white lovers at the beach on its cover. songs and records. I wanted a place where a kid off the This practice became less necessary as our music’s street could walk in one popularity started overcoming the prejudices. door an unknown and On Creating the Motown Sound come out another a recordThe “Hitsville” sign over the door let it be known that ing artist – a star. if you set foot inside you were expected to sing, How Motown Began Makdance, write, produce, sell, or manage. That name ing Inroads and Eventually kept our mission in focus. . . . Right at the start, Changed the Culture at [William “Mickey” Stevenson, head of Artists and “White” Stations Repertoire] went on the lookout for great musicians, Most black artists, I feel, combing even the seediest of bars and hangouts. If were ignored because of they could play, Mickey would bring ’em in, putting segregation and the music together the greatest house band that anyone could industry’s blatant pigeonever want. They called themselves the Funk Brothers. holing of artists – Rhythm Probably the two musicians who were the key for me and Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, in this loosely organized group were Benny Benjamin Pop. When I started out, I on drums and James Jamerson on bass. The other wanted music for all peotwo members that made up the core of the Funk ple: the cops and robbers, Brothers were Earl Van Dyke (on piano) and Robert the rich and poor, the black and white, the Jews and the (Continued on page 11)
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File On Time—and for Free—at One of 54 Free Tax Assistance Sites Statewide New York taxpayers with adjusted gross household income of $64,000 or less in 2016 qualify
ly secure, encrypted system designed to protect your personal and confidential information.”
birth dates and Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and dependents;
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today encouraged eligible New York taxpayers to take advantage of the free tax return filing assistance available across the state. Taxpayers can file their taxes online with assistance from Tax Department employees at any of the 54 Facilitated SelfAssistance (FSA) site locations statewide. There are nearly 200 free tax filing sessions available through the April 18 filing deadline.
About 92% of all personal income tax returns in New York are filed electronically.
your proof of income (wages, interest, and dividend statements):
Forms W-2, 1098, 1099
any other documents showing additional income;
Forms 1095-A, B, or C, Affordable Healthcare Statement;
your Health Insurance Exemption Certificate (if received);
supporting documents for any credits you’re claiming;
bank account and routing numbers (such as a blank check); and
your prior year adjusted gross income
To find a convenient location near you and to schedule an appointment, visit www.tax.ny.gov/fsa Determine eligibility New York taxpayers with adjusted gross household incomes of $64,000 or less in 2016 qualify to file their tax returns at any of the FSA sites using free online software. The tax software helps reduce errors and ensures that valuable credits are claimed. Taxpayers with adjusted gross household incomes of $64,000 or less who can’t visit a filing location can access software at www.tax.ny.gov to file both their federal and state tax returns for free (search: free file). “The error rate for e-filed returns is 20 times lower than it is for paper returns, speeding processing and refunds,” said Acting Commissioner Nonie Manion. “In addition, the Tax Department provides a high-
“The free tax return filing assistance program is an invaluable service to New Yorkers,” said Bonnie Sikes, who used the service at a site in Buffalo. “The guidance supplied by friendly, knowledgeable, and patient Tax Department staff makes for a truly pleasant experience. I hope this program continues to be offered each year.” By e-filing at home or at any of the FSA sites, taxpayers will help ensure that they receive tax credits for which they’re eligible. Tax credits can mean thousands of dollars in savings to taxpayers. For instance, Earned Income Tax Credits are refundable federal, New York State, and New York City credits for working taxpayers. For tax year 2016, the maximum total of federal, state, and New York City EITCs is $8,463 (for a family with three children). What to bring To ensure a successful session, taxpayers must bring the following when visiting one of our free tax return filing assistance sites:
a copy of last year’s tax return, if available;
a photo ID, driver license, or state-issued non-driver ID (for you and your spouse, if filing jointly);
“One Day FSA” events The Tax Department is scheduling several “one day FSA” events throughout the state over the coming weeks. Visit www.tax.ny.gov/fsa for the dates, times, and locations for these additional free tax filing events. File ahead of the April 18 deadline The deadline to file 2016 tax returns and pay any tax due is Tuesday, April 18, 2017, rather than the traditional April 15 date. In 2017, April 15 falls on a Saturday and Emancipation Day—a legal holiday in Washington, D.C.—will be observed on Monday, April 17th.
Five OCC Students to Receive SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence Hassina Adams · Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa · Major at OCC: General Studies with an Honors minor Adams works at a refugee center three nights a week and is the head teacher for a class of middle school-aged girls. She plans to transfer and double major in International Relations and Political Science. She wants to become a lawyer who advocates for refugees.
Chloe Hoffman
Ashley Haskins
· High School: Fayetteville-Manlius, Class of 2015
· High School: Sandy Creek, Class of 2008
· Major at OCC: Liberal Arts & Sciences – Humanities + Social Sciences with an Honors minor Hoffman intends to transfer to SUNY Geneseo, pursue a bachelor’s in American History and a master's in Education.
· Majors at OCC: Nuclear Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology Haskins is in training as an equipment operator at Nine Mile Point. She plans to become a licensed reactor operator.
Heather Flewelling
Betheny Witherell
· Hometown: Oswego. Earned her GED in 1999.
· High School: Mexico, Class of 2007 · Major at OCC: Mathematics & Science
· Major at OCC: Humanities & Social Sciences with minors in Honors and Women’s Studies.
Witherell plans to transfer to SUNY Upstate Medical University and work toward a degree in Medical Imaging Science/Radiography.
Flewelling is a 34-year-old mother who will transfer to Syracuse University. She will pursue a bachelor’s in Public Health with a minor in Medical Anthropology.
Farm Fresh Mobile Markets April 2017 Schedule The Farm Fresh Mobile Market brings fresh produce to locations where people live, work, and play! The goal of the FFMM is to increase access to healthy foods in high need area. The Farm Fresh Mobile Market offers healthy vegetables and fruits as well as education, samples, and food demonstrations at select sites.
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White (on guitar). . . . James Jamerson was a genius on the bass. He was an incredible improviser in the studio and someone I always wanted on my sessions. He’d get a simple chord sheet and build his own bass line so intricately it was hard to duplicate. Even he had trouble. That was great for the record, but when he stayed in Detroit and other musicians went out on the road to play the song live, they’d go crazy trying to play his lines. Some of the stuff he did on the bass, people are still trying to figure out today. Another musician I had to have on all my sessions was Benny Benjamin. He was so good on the drums and had a feel no one could match. He had a distinctive knack for executing various rhythms all at the same time. He had a pulse, a steadiness that kept the tempo better than a metronome. . . . Whenever a new player came into the group the sound would change slightly, based on his style. Artists sang background on each other’s sessions, or played the tambourine or clapped their hands; any employee who could carry a tune or keep a beat was used. . . . The love we felt for each other when we were playing is the most undisputed truth about our music. I sometimes referred to our sound as a combination of rats, roaches, soul, guts and love. . . . I was never really happy with our studio sound. But as it turned out, its many limitations forced us to be innovative. For example, having no room in the studio for a vocal booth, we made one out of the hallway that led from the control room to the stairs that took you into the studio. Since there were no windows we couldn’t see the singer, so we communicated only over the microphones. But the end result was a good, clean vocal. Our first echo chamber was the downstairs bathroom. We had to post a guard outside the door to make sure no one flushed the toilet while we were recording. Later we also adapted an attic area as an echo chamber. That worked very well, except for an occasional car horn, rain, thunder or any other outside sounds that came in through the roof. Eventually we started recording the songs dry and adding echo afterward. Echoes gave the recording a bigger sound and made the voice sound fatter with a lingering feel to it. We bought a German electronic echo chamber, called an EMT, which we installed in the basement. That worked the best of all. . . .
weren’t creative people, but I felt their reactions to the songs would be like those of the average record buyer. A noncreative person’s vote counted just as much as a creative person’s. . . . My three main rules for these meetings were: 1) No producer could vote on his own record; 2) Only I could overrule a majority vote; and 3) Anyone over five minutes late would be locked out. Another thing I was very serious about was people having the freedom to express their honest opinions openly at these meetings – without fear of reprisal. To me that was critical to the process. . . . “The real boss around here is not me, it's logic.” These product evaluation meetings became one of the key elements in our overall growth. Each time a record made it through one of these meetings and became a hit, we got a little bit bigger. I took the democratic approach because although I was in charge at Motown, I made logic the boss: no egos or politics allowed. Not even mine. And I did it Long before there were electronic synthesizers, I was because of truth. “The truth is a hit,” was what we used to say in our Quality Control meetings at Molooking for new ways to create different sound effects. We would try anything to get a unique percus- town, with producers and writers vying for who would get the next release on the hottest artists. We lission sound: two blocks of wood slapped together, tened to the records in contention, debated, and then striking little mallets on glass ashtrays, shaking jars of voted. Many ingredients mattered, but the trump dried peas – anything. I might see a producer dragging card was always truth. If what we heard wasn’t true in big bike chains or getting a whole group of people to that individual group or artist, or didn’t communistomping on the floor. . . . cate a true feeling, it wasn’t going anywhere. I may not have always known what I was looking for exactly, but when I found it I knew it. While open to a Touring the South broad range of influences – Gospel, Pop, Rhythm & Things were very bad when we went to the South. I Blues, Jazz, Doo Wop, Country – I always emphasized remembered in 1955 how terrified I was when I'd simple, clean communication.” heard about Emmett Till, a 14-year-old kid from Chicago who was visiting relatives in Mississippi. Dragged The Committee Approach to Choosing Records: from his grandfather's home, he was beaten unmerciIn many ways Hitsville was like growing up in the fully, lynched and his body was thrown in the TallaGordy family— fierce closeness and fierce competihatchie River. I couldn't believe it when I heard that tion and constant collaboration. I believed competihis crime was “thinking” under a white woman's tion breeds champions. I knew…that competition dress. Thinking?!? The two white men who had killed could be a very effective tool in getting results, so I him were freed. made it clear that it was open season for anyone who felt creatively inclined to compete with me to get the Our first Motortown Revue started off in Washington, D.C., but as the bus approached Birmingham and othnext big hit. In order to ensure top product, I set up er cities in the South, we were greeted with signs of Quality Control, a system I had heard about at Lincoln “Whites Only,” “No Coloreds Allowed…” -Mercury. But then our tour bus was shot at. We were aware of The Friday morning product evaluation meetings how tough the racial conditions could be – the mowere . . . the lifeblood of our operation. That was tels, restaurants, filling stations, and bathrooms when we picked the records we would release. Cawhere blacks were refused service. But my artists bereers depended on the choices made those Friday ing shot at? All of a sudden the real world had shown mornings. . . . its ugly face. These were just kids out there, and I was Some of the employees who came to the meetings responsible – I had sent them out there. I wanted them to come back, but they insisted on staying. Despite the hostility and racism we faced, we knew we were bringing joy to people. The audiences were segregated. The venues had a rope down the middle of the audience separating blacks from whites, but soon the rope was gone and black kids and white kids were dancing together to the same music. It created a bond that echoed throughout the world.
Ironworkers Recruit Apprentices Syracuse, NY (March 30, 2017) - The Joint Apprenticeship Committee for Ironworkers Local Union #60 will conduct a recruitment from May 1, 2017 through April 27, 2018 for 10 ironworker (outside) apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced today. Please note that the openings listed for apprentices represent the total number for four recruitment regions - the Central, Finger Lakes, North Country and Southern regions. This program’s jurisdiction includes the counties of Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Jefferson, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, Tompkins and Wayne. Applications can be obtained at Local Union #60, 500 West Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Applications may also be obtained at www.ironworkers60.org. All applications must be received no later than 5/4/18. The application must be completed in its entirety and submitted with two letters of recommendation from employers. Recent graduates may submit letters of recommendation from teachers or school officials. The Committee requires that applicants: • Must be at least 18 years old. Proof will be required after selection and prior to indenture. • Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Proof will be required after selection and prior to indenture. •
Must be in good physical condition.
• Must take and pass a math and detail accura- tracting. Each project involves one or more of the ten cy assessment. group homes listed at the following address(s): • Must provide military transfer card or discharge form DD-214, if applicable, after selection and prior to indenture. • Must have reliable transportation to and from work and related instruction. • Must possess a valid NYS driver’s license in order to operate company vehicles. Proof will be required after selection and prior to indenture.
47 Jefferson Avenue, Oneonta N.Y. 13820. 3/5 Madison Street, Oneonta, N.Y. 13820. 113 Browne Street, Oneonta, N.Y. 13820. 199 Underwood Drive, Otego, N.Y. 13825 69 Willow Street, Otego, N.Y. 13825 9 Walnut Street, Unadilla, N.Y. 13849 1745 State Highway # 7 Unadilla, N.Y. 13849 192 Burdick Road, Milford, N.Y. 13807 606 Coye Brook Road, South New Berlin, N.Y. 13843 37 Estli Avenue Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326
Bids can be mailed or delivered in person. If mailed, they should be addressed to the attention of David H. Bird, The Arc Otsego, 35 Academy Street, Oneonta, N.Y. 13820. They can be hand delivered to the same address. All bids must be sealed and the project for which the bid is submitted must be clearly marked on the outside of the sealed envelope, (i.e. Site Work and For further information, applicants should contact Driveways OR HVAC, etc.). Each bid must be subtheir nearest New York State Department of Labor mitted in a separate envelope. Bidders can submit a office or Local Union #60 at (315) 422-8200. bid for as many projects as they desire. Bids are due Apprentice programs registered with the Department by 1 P.M on Friday, April 7, 2017 at the offices of The of Labor must meet standards established by the Arc Otsego, 35 Academy Street, Oneonta, NY, where Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs they will be opened and publically read out loud. cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, A pre-bid meeting will be held at 1:00 P.M. on March or marital status. Women and minorities are encour- 27, 2017 at the offices of The Arc Otsego, 35 Academy Street, Oneonta, N.Y. 13820. Bidders are strongly enaged to submit applications for apprenticeship procouraged to attend as Section 3 and other federal grams. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women requirements will be discussed and questions about projects can be posed. and minorities. • Must reside within the jurisdiction of Local Union #60, which includes the counties of Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Jefferson, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, Schuyler, Tioga, Tompkins, and Wayne.
Invitation to Bid – The Arc Otsego Improvements Project The Arc Otsego is seeking bids from qualified contractors or individuals to provide certain rehabilitation work for group homes owned by The Arc Otsego.
Pre-construction conferences will be scheduled before contracts are signed and notices to proceed are issued for each project. Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and Section 3 businesses are strongly encouraged to participate in this federally funded project. The Arc Otsego and Otsego County, the recipient of the CDBG funds, are equal opportunity employers.
This work will be undertaken in conjunction with and For more information and a copy of the complete funded in full or in part with a recently awarded Com- specification package(s), please contact David H. Bird munity Development Block Grant (CDBG). at 607-433-8439 or email bird@arcotsego.org Please • Must pass a drug test and a physical exam, at indicate which project specifications you wish to reThere are a total of five projects being bid as follows: ceive. You may request as many packages as you wish. the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior (1) site work and driveways, (2) HVACs, (3) septic systo indenture. tems, (4) siding and windows, and (5) general con• Must pass an agility test, which includes climbing ladders and working at heights.