Consumer confidence lagging, but is that a surprise?

The Siena College Research Institute announced today that consumer confidence in New York State is lower than the national numbers.  Is anyone surprosed by that?

John Ray and Sons gets into the pink

CRIBA founding board member Ken Ray, President of John Ray and Sons, has partnered with the Northeastern New York affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization which funds cancer research, education, screening, and treatment in the Capital District.

One of John Ray’s 5,000-gallon fuel trucks was painted pink, and 1 cent from every gallon that truck delivers will be donated.  Ken’s wife, Fran, is a 12-year survivor of breast cancer.  We congratulate Ken and Fran for their service to the community.  They are a shining example of the positive impact a business owner can make.

The annoucement was covered here in the Troy Record.

Carmine’s TV Show Starts Second Season

CRIBA founding board member Carmine Sprio opened the second season of his tee vee show this week.

Pulled from the announcement on his site:

The new season kicked of this past Monday, September 29th. If you’ve missed us, it’s because we moved to 12:00 noon. Our “ratings” were pretty good last season (meaning a lot of people are watching), so Fox23 gave us an improved time slot!

But did you know, you can see the show in it’s entirety, rebroadcast at 8:00 p.m. on digital cable channel 423? That’s right- you can catch us twice each day.

Also, if you get a chance, check out some of the bloopers and behind the scenes stuff here on the web site. And, if you have an idea for a fun and interesting show, let us know.

Coming up, I have some great guests, like Dr. Nina Marinello, my friend, who begins this summer as sports nutritionist for University at Albany athletics.

Jennings: The City of Albany is open for business.

Speaking of downtown Albany, Mayor Jerry Jennings said “We have an inventory of every building that’s down there.”  See what else he said.

CRIBA thanks everyone for attending the Stacy Mitchell event

Stacy Mitchell addresses the group at Carmine's Restaurant (Credit: Anthony Cresswell)

CRIBA is off to a great start, and we owe it all to you.  The response from the Stacy Mitchell breakfast last Friday was great.  65 people attended to hear Stacy speak about how we as residents, owners, employees, and activists can work towards substantive change.  We thank everyone for attending, especially Mayor Jerry Jennings, who gave an impromptu speech, excerpts of which are here.

To Carmine, Armand and the wonderful staff at Carmine’s Restaurant, we say thank you for rising so early and so high for the event.  To Paul and Pat from Talk 1300, we say thank you for spreading the word and broadcasting live that morning.  To CRIBA’s founding board, we say thank you for your support, in all its different forms.  And to Stacy Mitchell, we say thank you for writing Big Box Swindle and for being such a strong voice for true change.

Following the event, we took Stacy to WRGB Channel 6 in Schenectady where she was interview by Liz Bishop on the noon news broadcast.  Stacy’s segment immediatley followed news of the federal government’s $700 billion bailout of the mortgage industry.  It was a perfect juxtaposition of the rationale for doing business with local vendors and the current economic crisis.

Albany Mayor Jennings Addressing the Group

“I know the importance of small local business.”

“The City of Albany is open for business.  If anyone wants to sit with me, sit with our economic development people, we’re open…we do need more retail…we want to diversify even further.”

“I need retail to support the residential.”

“Don’t be shy.  Call us up.”

Last question – about unions and strange bedfellows

Unions and local businesses can work together in new ways.  Stacy’s talking about how the Maine Informed Decision Act grew from a strange confluence.

“Several hunderd business owners, labor leaders and envirnmental groups all have the same interests.”

Full disclosure – my dad asked the question.  He’s also taking lots of photos that you’ll see soon!

Hidden costs

Stacy’s answering an audience question about zoning and the rash of site abandonment by big boxers and the hidden development costs incurred by local governments.

A Wal Mart generated 10,000 car trips a day.  A day.  Just one day.

Police services – traffic, accidents, the large number of police calls generated by Wal Marts.

Road maintenance

“Big boxers even play municipalities against each other.”

Portland, Maine’s IBA

The Portland, Maine IBA has over 200 members now, and is only a coule of years old.  Portland is Stacy’s hometown.

You need to be part of CRIBA.

As Jim Gile said as he introduced Stacy – “You need to be part of CRIBA.  We can make a difference!”

JOIN TODAY!

How’s that for subtle?