Joseph Chilelli For the Express

Last month I questioned the lack of planning and vision for our future offered by elected [county] officials. As a follow-up, I believe it is only fair that I articulate what I see as my vision for the future and the possibilities of what our area can look like years from now. Realizing I might be criticized by those who do not agree, if it will initiate conversation and dialogue in order to make positive changes, that is fine.

First, we have to look at what we already have and expand on those positive assets. The Mohawk Valley has a rich history of agriculture and we need to build on this. Dairy makes up most of our farms but with many dairy farms shutting down and the current ones having a tough time making ends meet, our dairy industry must adapt to changes. As an avid grower of numerous agricultural products, I believe farms must diversify and offer other agricultural products on top of dairy. For example, we have some of the best soil in the country for growing garlic. Our soil produces better quality garlic than that of California.  If we promote and broaden this market, there is no reason why we cannot compete with California growers.

Also, I and several others have begun growing wine grapes, and small vineyards are starting to take hold in the area. I do certainly see vineyards in the Mohawk Valley in the next 5-10 years. There is no reason why we cannot grow grapes and become a similar destination for wine production as has happened in the Finger Lakes. Imagine the big boost to tourism for our area! One other agricultural product a lot of people don’t realize would grow well here is hops for making beer. In the 1800’s, New York state produced over 90 percent of the hops for beer making, most of which came from the counties just south of the Mohawk River until a blight destroyed all the crops. The soil and climate are still here and ideal for growing this crop again, and with modern technology we can avoid many of the problems encountered in the 1800’s. Think of the Mohawk Valley as a beer producing center, eclipsing the other large growing area in the Pacific Northwest. I have no doubt that, with the right leadership and investments, we can compete with the Pacific growers. Other niche products like maple syrup and honey can be targeted for increased production and promotion. Agriculture is the source of life to feed the world. We need to do a better job in expanding, diversifying, promoting and helping our farmers flourish. Our leaders must do a better job in taking a more pro-active approach in making this vision become a reality so we can all benefit by it.

We also have an abundant amount of natural resources; wind, clean air, clean water. Windmills are a key part of our future if placed and sited correctly. Smaller windmills can be utilized on farms to offer free electricity for the farm while the excess can be put into the grid. Visualize placing one or two properly sized windmills in the hills above the Pumpkin Patch in Frankfort and offering free electricity to any potential business wanting to come into the Business Park. Do you think it would be a selling point for the business park? Towns like Mohawk, Ilion and Frankfort, which have their own municipal power, can benefit residents by employing windmills in their system in order to offer lower rates. This in itself is a selling point for those communities wanting to spur movement into our area, perhaps reversing the downward trend of our significant county population loss. Renewable energy from windmills can play a great part in revitalizing our area by creating jobs of the future. The local community college can be part of this revitalization by offering a curriculum in training students in windmill and solar energy panel technology and preparing them for the needed workforce in this emerging industry.

Our politicians often talk about bringing industry and new business to the area but we must give them reasons to want to come here and offer things that they cannot find elsewhere. For many years now, the main reason for most people moving to this area, including myself, is not high paying jobs or plentiful pizza places. It is the quality of  life that brings people here; the natural beauty, the clean air and water. Let’s not destroy what we have but improve on the positives that our area has to offer. Whether it’s business or people who want to move here, keeping taxes low and the cost of living down is a must. Most people don’t realize that there are a lot of people actually moving to our area. Unfortunately, we have just as many young people leaving. Those who are moving in are retirees or close to retirement and looking to settle here and appreciate and admire our area for what it offers. All you have to do is go to any restaurant on Friday or Saturday night and see how packed it is; doesn’t look like a down economy to me. We need also to put more effort into supporting small businesses and not just the Business Parks trying to attract the larger employers. Remember, small business is the back bone of America’s economy. Our area is an Agricultural, Tourism, Recreational backed area with small business mixed in.

Politicians sometimes need a hand in understanding what the public wants. A perfect example is what is happening in Little Falls where concerned citizens and community leaders formed “MainStreetFirst,” coming together to plan and put on paper a vision for the downtown of the city center in Little Falls. We need more people in all communities to stand up and help direct our future, either individually or through local organizations, starting to plan for the future, and partnered with our elected officials to make that vision happen.

My vision for the future has a lot of possibilities but starts with common sense planning and building on our strengths, understanding that sometimes we must adapt and change in order to move forward. It also takes some courage from our leaders to step up and look beyond what is in front of them now to see where they want to be in the future!

As always I welcome your comments and suggestions. Please contact me at (315) 866-3474 or email me at Joechilelli@yahoo.com.

Joseph Chilelli is a former Herkimer County Legislator. He lives in Herkimer.