>>
Gary: JUST AHEAD ON "NEED TO
KNOW," IT WAS ONE OF THE DARKEST
DAYS OF OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY,
AND THE TRAGIC TERRORIST ATTACKS
OF SEPTEMBER 11th CONTINUE TO
HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT ON
PEOPLE, BUT HOW DO YOU QUANTIFY
THAT IMPACT?
TONIGHT "NEED TO KNOW" SPEAKS TO
THE COMMUNITY, TO LEARN JUST HOW
WE LIVE OUR LIVES DIFFERENTLY
FROM SEPTEMBER 10th.
PLUS ELLEN ROSEN OF "THE
DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE" JOINS US
FOR THIS WEEK'S BUSINESS
SECTION.
BUT COMING UP FIRST, THE IMPACT
OF 9/11 ON OUR COMMUNITY IS NEXT
ON "NEED TO KNOW."
(Music)
>> PEOPLE ARE REALLY STARTING TO
REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE TO CARE.
>> THIS IS "NEED TO KNOW," THE
ROCHESTER AREA'S ONLY IN-DEPTH
NEWS PROGRAM.
"NEED TO KNOW" IS A PRODUCTION
OF WXXI NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
COVERING ISSUES, POLITICS,
EDUCATION AND CURRENT EVENTS.
>> "NEED TO KNOW" IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE DAISY MARQUIS
JONES FOUNDATION, BY DORSCHEL
LEXUS AND BY THE SUPPORT OF
VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
>> Gary: I THANK YOU FOR
JOINING US.
I'M GARY WALKER.
SOME PEOPLE REMAIN CONSTANTLY
ANXIOUS; OTHERS HAVE TROUBLE
SLEEPING, AND SOME STILL CAN'T
EVEN THINK ABOUT GETTING ON A
PLANE.
THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11th NOT
ONLY REMOVED TWO TOWERS IN THE
NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE; THEY
REMOVED OUR UNCONSCIOUS SENSE OF
SECURITY THAT FORCED MANY PEOPLE
TO REEVALUATE HOW THEY LIVE.
MEASURING THE HUMAN IMPACT ON
THE WORLD TRADE CENTER AND
PENTAGON BOMBINGS IS NOT AN
EXACT SCIENCE.
HOWEVER ROCHESTERIANS FEEL THEY
HAVE RESPONDED, THE ROCHESTER
RED CROSS REPORTS OUR COMMUNITY
HAS CONTRIBUTED $6 MILLION AND
82 VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF TO THE
RELIEF EFFORT.
WE WATCHED THE HISTORIC EVENTS
UNFOLD IN A FOREBODING SENSE AS
THE WAY IN WHICH WE LIVE,
INCLUDING OUR POLITICAL AND
ECONOMIC LANDSCAPES, WERE ABOUT
TO BE CHANGED FOREVER.
AS "NEED TO KNOW'S" MATT
CUMMINGS FOUND OUT, SINCE THOSE
EARLY HOURS, PEOPLE HERE HAVE
REDISCOVERED THE SENSE OF
FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND THE
GREATER WORLD AROUND US.
>> ALL THE IMAGES ARE CONSTANTLY
THERE.
AND OF COURSE YOU'RE REMINDED
EVERY TIME YOU PICK UP THE
PAPER, EVERY TIME YOU TURN ON
THE RADIO, EVERY TIME YOU TURN
ON THE TELEVISION.
I STILL JUMP WHEN I HEAR A
NOISE, YOU KNOW, AND I DON'T
KNOW IF I DID THAT FROM BEFORE.
>> I CARRY MY CELL PHONE ALL THE
TIME NOW.
I MAKE SURE IT'S ON.
I'M ALWAYS TRYING TO THINK OF
WHERE WE COULD GO IF SOMETHING
HAPPENED, LIKE THERE'S AN ATTACK
IN A NUCLEAR PLANT OR SOME KIND
OF OTHER BIOTERRORIST THREAT.
I'M CONSIDERING PURCHASING SOME
POTASSIUM IODIDE TABLETS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THEM,
BUT I'M SURE I COULD FIND SOME
PLACE ON THE INTERNET THAT WOULD
TELL ME WHAT TO DO.
WHAT ELSE HAVE WE DONE?
>> SORT OF STICK CLOSER TO HOME.
>> YEAH.
>> WE DON'T GO AS FAR AS WE USED
TO, AS FAR AS WORK, IN THE SENSE
OF TRAVELLING AWAY FROM THE
HOUSE ON BUSINESS TRIPS AND
STUFF.
>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE
BEEN TO THE MALL, TOO.
I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO
ANYWHERE WHERE THERE WAS A LARGE
GROUP OF PEOPLE BECAUSE I WAS
KIND OF AFRAID SOMETHING MIGHT
HAPPEN.
>> WE'RE MUCH MORE AWARE OF WHAT
GOES ON AROUND US WHEN WE'RE
OUT.
PEOPLE, YOU KNOW -- EVEN IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A
SMALL TOWN, YOU NEVER KNOW.
JUST MUCH MORE OBSERVANT ALL THE
TIME.
>> I DON'T THINK I CAN EVER GO
BACK TO KIND OF THE NAIVETE WE
HAD BEFORE SEPTEMBER 11th.
IT'S SAD BUT THAT'S -- YOU KNOW,
THAT'S JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BE
HOW OUR KIDS GROW UP, BEING A
LITTLE MORE AWARE, NOT BEING SO
OBLIVIOUS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN
THE WORLD.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S A BAD
THING.
>> I'VE BEEN, LIKE, MORE
CAUTIOUS ABOUT THINGS.
>> NOW?
>> YEAH, NOW.
>> WATCH THE NEWS MORE?
>> YEAH, WATCH THE NEWS SO MUCH
MORE NOW.
YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING
ON, WHAT THEY GOT.
>> I WONDER, YOU KNOW, LIKE IF
WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO LIKE
NUCLEAR WAR OR SOMETHING.
>> SEPTEMBER 11th.
>> IMMEDIATELY LIKE YOU THOUGHT
IT WOULD, BUT IT SEEMS THEY'RE
HANDLING EVERYTHING NICE AND
IT'S LIKE IT ALL WENT AWAY.
I'M SURE DEEP DOWN EVERYTHING
WILL BE DIFFERENT.
>> ACTUALLY WE DO TRAVEL LESS
AND THE WAY WE TRAVEL.
USUALLY I WAS GOING TO VIRGINIA
STATE, AND USUALLY WE FLY HOME,
BUT THIS SEASON, WE DROVE.
>> THE WHOLE WORLD HAS BEEN
DIFFERENT.
YOU'VE GOT TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS
ABOUT DIFFERENT TERRORIST
ACTIVITIES, ANY ATTACKS THAT
THEY MIGHT DO WITH WATER OR
ANYTHING.
SO WHEN WE TRAVEL, PEOPLE AROUND
YOU, YOU WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL
ABOUT HOW YOU'RE DEALING WITH
THEM.
>> A LOT OF CHANGES, INTERNAL
AND EXTERNAL.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF CHANGES WITH
FAMILY.
YOU COME CLOSER TO YOUR FAMILY,
SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEM,
THINGS LIKE THAT.
YOU DON'T TAKE PEOPLE FOR
GRANTED AS MUCH.
>> YOU WATCH YOUR FINANCES AND
WHAT'S GOING ON, JOB SITUATION.
>> I DO THINK A LOT DIFFERENTLY,
MORE INTERNALLY.
MY FEELINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT.
YOU KNOW, I THINK I'M WORRIED A
LITTLE BIT MORE THAN I HAVE
BEEN.
>> ABOUT WHAT?
>> MY KIDS, MY GRANDCHILDREN,
THEIR FUTURES.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T -- I MEAN I GO
TO CHURCH ALL THE TIME BUT IT
SEEMS LIKE I'M PRAYING FOR
DEEPLY FOR THEM.
>> MY LIFE IN GENERAL HAS NOT
CHANGED.
MY ATTITUDE TOWARD LIFE HAS NOT
CHANGED.
I WILL TRAVEL ON AN AIRPLANE.
I'M GOING TO FLY TO FLORIDA IN A
COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND I HAVE NO
FEAR OF GOING IN PUBLIC
BUILDINGS OR OPENING MY MAIL OR
-- JUST LIFE GOES ON.
AND IT SHOULD BE THAT WAY.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IF YOU TAKE
THE OTHER TACK AND LET THESE
THINGS DRAMATICALLY AFFECT YOUR
LIFE, I THINK, LIKE GEORGE BUSH
SAID, THE TERRORISTS WON.
>> Gary: A STOIC VIEW.
JOINING ME IN STUDIO TO FURTHER
DISCUSS HOW PEOPLE IMPACTED BY
9/11 ARE PETER ROCHE, THE VICE
PRESIDENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
AT THE FAMILY SERVICE OF
ROCHESTER.
AND PATRICIA MALGERI, PRESIDENT
AND C.E.O. OF THE CENTER FOR
GOVERNMENTAL RESEARCH.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.
IT'S KIND OF COOL HAVING YOU
BOTH ON BECAUSE WE CAN TALK
ABOUT THE PERSONAL WITH
Dr. ROCHE AND WE CAN TALK A
LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT SOCIETAL,
GOVERNMENTAL AND SOME OF THE
IMPACTS WE'LL HAVE PARTICULARLY
IN NEW YORK STATE WITH CENTER
FOR GOVERNMENTAL RESEARCH.
DOCTOR, I CAN BEGIN WITH YOU.
YOU'VE SEEN PATIENTS REGULARLY,
I'M SURE.
HOW'S BUSINESS SINCE 9/11?
HAS IT INCREASED?
>> THE BUSINESS HASN'T SO MUCH
INCREASED OF YET.
I THINK PART OF WHAT WE'RE
SEEING ARE SOME DIFFERENCES IN
WHAT PEOPLE BRING IN, AND AGAIN
NOT SO MUCH IN THE PROBLEMS THEY
BRING IN BUT HOW THEY'RE TRYING
TO DEAL WITH THEM.
>> Gary: ARE YOU SPEAKING --
ARE THOSE COMING TO YOU PEOPLE
WITH PRIOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
OR ARE YOU HAVING NEW FOLKS COME
WITH DIFFERENT MENTAL HEALTH
ISSUES OR PEOPLE WITH PRIOR
ISSUES THAT HAVE NOW NEW
CONCERNS?
>> I THINK PROBABLY ALL OF THE
ABOVE.
ONE OF THE TYPICAL THINGS THAT
WILL HAPPEN IS THAT THE RESULTS
OF SOMETHING LIKE 9/11 OR OTHER
TRAUMATIC KINDS OF INCIDENTS
DON'T ALWAYS COME OUT
IMMEDIATELY.
SO WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE IS
SOMEBODY WHO MAY HAVE HAD A
PROBLEM BEFORE WHO'S NOW
EXPERIENCING THAT PROBLEM
PERHAPS MORE STRONGLY, PERHAPS
IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND THEY
DON'T NECESSARILY EQUATE IT WITH
THE 9/11 INCIDENT.
BUT THAT MAY BE PART OF WHAT'S
KIND OF PUSHED IT TO THE
FOREFRONT.
>> Gary: WERE YOU SURPRISED THE
FIRST TIME YOU HEARD IT, SOMEONE
SPEAKING TO YOU ABOUT IT?
YOU KNOW, DOCTOR, THIS THING HAS
JUST GOT ME "X," "Y" OR "Z".
>> I'M NOT SURE I WAS SO MUCH
SURPRISED.
I KNOW THAT I WAS DOWN IN NEW
YORK FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS
THROUGH THE DISASTER MENTAL
HEALTH TEAM WITH THE RED CROSS,
AND OF COURSE YOU EXPECT TO SEE
SOME OF THOSE ISSUES COMING UP.
I MEAN IT'S RIGHT THERE.
IT'S IN YOUR FACE.
IT'S WHAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH
ON A REGULAR BASIS.
I THINK THAT WHAT WE TEND TO SEE
NOW IS MORE A MATTER OF FOLKS
WHO ARE COMING IN AND NOT BEING
ABLE TO COPE IN THE SAME WAYS
WITH WHATEVER PROBLEMS THEY'VE
HAD.
MORE THAN LIKELY WHAT WE'RE
GOING TO SEE IN THE FUTURE IS
PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE
SYMPTOMS AS A RESULT OF THE
TRAUMATIC EVENTS RATHER THAN
SAYING OUTRIGHT THIS TRAUMATIC
EVENT.
>> Gary: PATTY MALGERI, YOU
HEAD UP A FIRE ORGANIZATION
WHICH BASICALLY MAKES ITS LIVING
ANALYZING AND MEASURING THINGS,
GOVERNMENT, SOCIETY.
I KNOW WE LIKE QUICK ANSWERS SO
THE IMMEDIATE REACTION,
EMOTIONS, FEELING THIS.
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS WOULD YOU
LOOK AT TO -- THAT YOUR
ORGANIZATION WOULD LOOK AT IN A
BROADER SCOPE, TAKING A STEP
BACK?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS, INDICATORS
WOULD YOU LOOK AT TO MEASURE AN
IMPACT OF A TRAUMA LIKE 9/11?
>> WELL, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE
POLITICAL, ECONOMIC,
TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACTS.
I THINK THE THING THAT COMES
ACROSS MOST STRONGLY IS THAT
THERE'S UNBELIEVABLE UNCERTAINTY
OUT THERE, AND MARKETS DON'T
LIKE UNCERTAINTY AND THEREFORE
GOVERNMENTS DON'T LIKE
UNCERTAINTY, AND ACTIONS ON THE
PART OF GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT
OBVIOUSLY HAVE AN IMMEDIATE
IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY AND AN
ADDITIONAL ONGOING UNCERTAINTY.
SO, THEREFORE, I THINK WHAT
WE'RE DETECTING WITH OUR CLIENTS
WHO ARE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
THROUGHOUT NEW YORK STATE
PRIMARILY, AS WELL AS
NONPROFITS, IS A DEEP SENSE OF
FOREBODING ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO
BE HAPPENING.
THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN IMMEDIATE
IMPACT ON THE STATE BUDGET, AND
THAT MEANS THAT LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS ARE SEEING THAT
IMPACT.
YOU SEE IT IN THE CITY SCHOOL
DISTRICT, THE CITY, LIKELY THE
COUNTY AND OTHER FORMS OF
GOVERNMENT, AND CERTAINLY IN THE
NONPROFIT.
>> Gary: NEW YORK, GROUND ZERO
IS NEW YORK CITY OBVIOUSLY.
IS NEW YORK STATE, DO YOU THINK,
GOING TO BE MORE SUBJECT TO THAT
SORT OF FOREBODING FEELING ON
THE PARTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
AND AGENCIES AND DISTRICTS THAN
THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, YOU
THINK?
>> PRIMARILY BECAUSE THAT'S
WHERE -- YES, THIS IS WHERE THE
MAJOR ACCIDENT OR THE MAJOR
IMPACT OCCURRED.
THE STATE WAS ALREADY IN THE
RECESSION AS OF MARCH OF THIS
YEAR, SO REMEMBER THAT 9/11
OCCURRED AFTER A RECESSION WAS
ALREADY IN PLACE, AND THIS HAS
ONLY FUELED THE RECESSION THAT
WAS ALREADY IN PLACE IN NEW YORK
STATE; IN SOME REGIONS OF NEW
YORK STATE, WORSE THAN OTHER
PLACES IN THE COUNTRY.
SO AS A RESULT, NOW WE FIND
OURSELVES IN THIS AREA OF NEW
YORK STATE IN A WORSE FINANCIAL
CONDITION THAN OTHER PLACES.
>> Gary: WHAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING
ON THE PART OF LOCAL LEADERS AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SEEM TO BE
ANXIETY, WHICH IS A GOOD SEGUE
TO Dr. ROCHE.
AND IS THE THING THAT IS
AFFECTING INDIVIDUALS, COULD
THAT BE CATEGORIZED AS ANXIETY
ABOUT IT?
>> THERE'S CERTAINLY A GREAT
DEAL OF ANXIETY, AND THERE'S
ANXIETY ABOUT THE ECONOMIC
STATUS OF INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR
FAMILIES AS WELL AS THE
ECONOMIC --
>> Gary: DOES THAT SHOW UP IN
YOUR PATIENTS, THAT WORRY ABOUT
NOW WHAT WITH THE ECONOMY?
IS THAT A FACTOR?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT AM I GOING
TO BE ABLE TO DO FOR MY FAMILY?
THE PLANS THAT WE HAD MADE IN
THE PAST MAY NOW NOT BE ABLE TO
COME TO FRUITION.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT
COLLEGE?
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY STOCKS AND
BONDS, THE MONEY I'VE PUT AWAY
IN THE BANK, THAT SORT OF THING?
>> Gary: ANY SOCIOECONOMIC
CLASSIFICATIONS HERE OR ARE WE
ALL OVER THE BOARD WITH PEOPLE'S
ANXIETIES?
>> I THINK IT'S PROBABLY ALL
OVER THE BOARD.
PEOPLE REACT DIFFERENTLY TO
THESE KINDS OF INCIDENTS.
THERE'S SOME PEOPLE WHO DENY
THAT THEY'VE OCCURRED, WHICH
CERTAINLY ISN'T THE MOST HEALTHY
THING IN THE LONG TERM, ALTHOUGH
IT'S ONE OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE
COPE IN GENERAL.
OTHER FOLKS TALK PRETTY OPENLY
ABOUT IT.
SO I THINK IT KIND OF COVERS THE
BOARD.
>> Gary: MY IMMEDIATE QUESTION,
WHEN I -- READING YOUR RESUME
AND WHAT IT IS YOU DO, I WAS
GOING TO ASK CERTAINLY PEOPLE
WITH SOME ANXIETY ABOUT FLYING
(Chuckling)
PROBABLY BE FIRST AND FOREMOST
IN YOUR OFFICE.
HAS THAT BEEN THE CASE?
>> WE'VE NOT SEEN THAT, I THINK
IN PART BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS
HAVE TAKEN ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF
GETTING TO WHERE THEY'RE GOING.
THEY'VE CUT DOWN, AND IT'S ONE
OF THE RIPPLE EFFECTS THIS HAS
HAD.
THEY'VE CUT DOWN ON TRAVEL.
THEY'VE CHANGED HOW THEY GO.
I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT FLY AND
ALWAYS FELT COMFORTABLE PROBABLY
STILL FLY.
I THINK IT'S FOLKS THAT DIDN'T
FEEL COMFORTABLE OR WHO ARE
GENERALLY ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT
HAPPENED WHO LOOK FOR SOME
ALTERNATIVES.
>> Gary: PATTY, I WAS
WONDERING, YOU'VE JUST RECENTLY
COME BACK FROM ALBANY YESTERDAY.
>> UM-HMM.
>> Gary: OR VERY, VERY
RECENTLY.
IT DOESN'T SEEM AS IF -- ALL THE
NEWS OUT OF ALBANY HAS JUST BEEN
TIGHTEN OUR BELTS, TIGHTEN OUR
BELTS, TIGHTEN OUR BELTS, SCHOOL
DEFICIT CUTS, REVENUE SHARING
PROCEEDINGS DOWN.
CITIES LIKE BUFFALO AND
ROCHESTER IN DEFICIT STATE OF
STATUS RIGHT NOW.
SPEAKING ABOUT ANXIETY, WHERE
ARE THESE DOLLARS GOING TO COME
FROM?
I MEAN, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING
FROM ALBANY?
ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TAX
INCREASES BECAUSE OF THIS OR
WHAT?
>> WELL, I HAVE TWO VERY CLOSE
CONTACTS WHO WORK IN THE
DIVISION OF THE BUDGET WHO TOLD
ME YESTERDAY THAT THE
ENVIRONMENT IN THE STATE BUDGET
ZERO IS AS DEPRESSING AS IT WAS
IN 1975 UNDER HUGH CAREY.
SO THAT WAS -- WE'RE TALKING 26
YEARS AGO.
AND THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT
IT'S BASICALLY A SLASH-AND-BURN
ENVIRONMENT THERE BECAUSE THERE
IS SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE
FEDERAL MONEY THAT MAY OR MAY
NOT FLOW TO NEW YORK STATE,
ABOUT HOW MUCH OF NEW YORK STATE
MONEY IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO
REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCT THE WORLD
TRADE CENTER AREA.
AS A RESULT, THE ASSUMPTIONS ARE
ALL QUITE NEGATIVE.
UP HERE IN THIS PART OF NEW YORK
STATE, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN
CONCERNED ABOUT ARE WE GETTING
OUR FAIR SHARE?
AND I THINK WE HAVE SOMETHING TO
WORRY ABOUT EVEN MORE SO NOW
BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE FOCUS OF
ATTENTION FOR STATE REVENUES FOR
THAT MARGINAL DOLLAR WILL BE
DOWNSTATE.
>> Gary: LET'S BACK UP A LITTLE
ON THIS.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.
I THINK THAT TRADITIONALLY MOST
PEOPLE UPSTATE THINK THAT NEW
YORK CITY IS LIKE A BLACK HOLE
OF FINANCES AND ALL OUR STATE
TAXES GO TO NEW YORK CITY, WHEN
IN FACT THERE'S BEEN A VERY
LARGE IMBALANCE OF PAYMENTS.
NEW YORK CITY HAS GENERATED THE
WEALTH THIS STATE HAS ENJOYED
THE LAST DECADE OR SO, AND THE
IMBALANCE OF PAYMENT IS THAT
THEY PAY MUCH MORE TO THE STATE
COFFERS THAN THEY RETURN IN
SERVICES.
THE ONLY OTHER AREA IS C.G.R.
TELL US MONROE COUNTY THAT HAS
THAT DEFICIT.
>> RIGHT.
>> Gary: BUT NOW NEW YORK CITY
HAS -- WE'RE IN A RECESSION.
WALL STREET IS NOT GOING TO BE
GENERATING THE KIND OF DOLLARS
THAT IT DID IN THE PAST, AND
THAT'S GOING TO HAVE AN EFFECT.
MANHATTAN REAL ESTATE CERTAINLY
HAS BEEN DAMAGED, AND THE
MORTGAGE TRANSFER TAXES, WHICH
FUEL SO MUCH OF THE STATE
COFFERS, THAT'S GOING TO BE
DRYING UP.
SO THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS MAY
INDEED THIS TIME BE UPSTATE TO
DOWNSTATE.
HOW DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO
SELL UPSTATE IN AN ELECTION
YEAR?
>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT IT, AND WHERE
YOU SEE IT CROPPING UP IN THE
NEWSPAPER AND AROUND TOWN IS
WE'LL NEVER GET OUR MONEY FOR
THE PROJECTS THAT WE WANT.
SO, IN ADDITION TO THAT, KNOWING
THAT WE WILL HAVE TO PAY IN AND
IT'S FOR THOSE THINGS THAT WE
WANTED TO GET THAT ARE NEW AND
DIFFERENT, FORGET IT FOR THE
FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
SO IT'S CASTING A PALL OVER SOME
OF THE CONVERSATIONS LOCALLY
ABOUT INITIATIVES THAT WE WANTED
TO PUT IN PLACE TO IMPROVE OUR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STATUS IN
THIS COMMUNITY.
SO IT'S BOTH KNOWING WE'VE GOT
TO PAY MORE OVERALL, AND WE
PROBABLY WON'T GET SOME OF THOSE
PLUMS THAT WE WERE HOPING TO
GET.
>> Gary: IT SEEMS TO ME THAT
THE MOST VULNERABLE OF ALL THESE
AREAS ARE NONPROFITS AND
NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
Dr. ROCHE, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY
OF YOUR -- THE INSTITUTIONS YOU
WORK FOR IS DEPENDENT ON STATE
FUNDS.
IF IT IS, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE
LOOKING AT A VERY TOUGH YEAR.
WHAT ABOUT THE SERVICE YOU
PROVIDE?
ARE YOU SEEING CUTBACKS ON THAT?
>> WELL, WE'RE REALLY NOT SURE
AT THIS POINT.
I THINK THAT THERE'S A GREAT
DEAL OF QUESTION BOTH IN TERMS
OF LOCAL GIVING AND WHAT THAT'S
GOING TO MEAN BECAUSE PEOPLE
HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH THAT WENT
DOWNSTATE TO NEW YORK.
AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING
TO BE HAPPENING IN ALBANY OR
REALLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR
THAT MATTER; AND MOST
NOT-FOR-PROFITS HAVE A COMBINED
FUNDING, SO THEY GET THEIR
FUNDING NOT ONLY FROM LOCAL
SOURCES BUT ALSO FROM GOVERNMENT
SOURCES.
THAT'S JUST A BIG QUESTION MARK.
AND IT'S OF GREAT CONCERN
BECAUSE, IN MANY CASES, IT'S
GOING TO AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO
DEAL WITH THAT DISENFRANCHISED
GROUP THAT'S CERTAINLY -- THAT
CERTAINLY MOST NOT-FOR-PROFITS
WORK WITH WHO REALLY DON'T
REALLY HAVE THESE THINGS, THE
ABILITY TO PAY FOR SERVICES BUT
NEED THEM TERRIBLY.
>> Gary: IT'S THE ULTIMATE
CATCH-22.
AT A TIME WHEN FUNDS ARE DRYING
UP TO PROVIDE SERVICES, THE NEED
FOR SERVICES BECAUSE OF PEOPLE
HAVING ANXIETY ABOUT LOSING
THEIR JOBS AND ANXIETY ABOUT
WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE 9/11 WILL
INCREASE.
>> YES.
I THINK ONE OF THE ESTIMATES
THAT HAS BEEN MADE IS THAT
PROBABLY AS MANY AS 400,000
PEOPLE NATIONWIDE ARE GOING TO
BE SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES THAT IN ONE WAY OR
ANOTHER WE CAN DIRECTLY CONNECT
TO WHAT HAPPENED ON 9/11.
RIGHT NOW MOST OF THAT'S BEEN
DONE IN NEW YORK CITY, FOR VERY
OBVIOUS REASONS.
BUT I THINK THE NATION'S ABILITY
TO BE ABLE TO MEET THAT NEED IS
SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE A
CONCERN FOR THE FOLKS THAT HAVE
TO PROVIDE IT.
>> Gary: I'M NOT A
PSYCHIATRIST, NOR DO I PLAY ONE
ON TV BUT, YOU KNOW, I DO KNOW A
LOT OF THE LANGUAGE OF
PSYCHIATRY THAT YOU NEED TO TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN
WELL-BEING, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
FOR YOU.
WHAT ARE YOU TELLING PEOPLE WHO
ARE FACING, YOU KNOW, POSSIBLE
LAYOFFS AND THE ANXIETIES AND
ALL THE THINGS THAT HAS CROPPED
UP SINCE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO?
>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT WE TRY TO DO IS TO
SEPARATE OUT WHAT PEOPLE DO HAVE
CONTROL OVER AND WHAT THEY DON'T
HAVE CONTROL OVER.
CERTAINLY THEY DON'T HAVE
CONTROL OVER WHETHER THEY GET
LAID OFF.
THEY DO HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER
HOW THEY PREPARE FOR THAT OR HOW
THEY DEAL WITH THAT.
WE ALSO TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS
THAT YOU CAN CONTROL.
THEY HAVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS, SO WE
TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO USE
THOSE.
THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS IN TOWN
THAT CAN HELP THEM DEAL WITH
BEING UNEMPLOYED.
I THINK ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF
PERSONAL BEHAVIORS THAT THEY DO
HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER IS WHAT
WE TRY TO PUSH.
>> Gary: IS THAT A GREAT SEGUE
INTO COMMUNITIES WHO TAKE SOME
CONTROL OVER THEIR FUTURE?
THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL
WHAT THE STATE GIVES THEM,
BUT...
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I WAS JUST THINKING, THERE IS A
COROLLARY HERE.
WE AT C.G.R. HAVE BEEN BEATING
THE BUSHES TRYING TO MAKE THE
CASE WITH SOME OF OUR CONTACTS
THAT, GIVEN THAT THE PIE IS
SHRINKING FOR STATE AID, FOR
STATE LARGESS FOR COMMUNITIES,
WE ABSOLUTELY MUST GET OUR ACT
TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND
DECIDE WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE,
TAKE SOME CONTROL OVER WHAT WE
LOBBY FOR, WHAT WE GO AFTER AS A
COMMUNITY.
AND ALSO, IN REACTING TO ANOTHER
THING PETER SAID, I READ A
STATISTIC RECENTLY THAT SAID
ABOUT 24% OF THE PEOPLE WHO GAVE
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
DOWNSTATE MAY CUT BACK THEIR
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO
HERE, TO THEIR LOCAL
COMMUNITIES.
THEREFORE I THINK WE NEED TO, AS
A COMMUNITY, CONTINUE TO MAKE
THE POINT THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO
GIVE LOCALLY, EVEN IF YOU WERE
GENEROUS OUTSIDE OF THIS
COMMUNITY.
>> Gary: HOW RECEPTIVE OF AN
AUDIENCE ARE YOU GETTING FOR
THAT MESSAGE?
>> VERY MUCH A CONSENSUS THAT WE
ARE FACING A CRISIS IN TERMS OF
STATE MONEY AS TO WHAT TO DO
ABOUT IT, NOT SO MUCH A
CONSENSUS YET BUT WE'LL KEEP
WORKING ON IT.
>> Gary: EITHER ONE OF YOU, DO
YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE BECOMING,
BECAUSE OF THIS -- WE HEARD A
LOT OF FOLKS ON THE TAPE TALK
ABOUT HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO THEM
PERSONALLY.
DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE BECOMING
MORE CIVIC MINDED BECAUSE OF
THIS?
I KNOW IF YOU USE THE LAST
ELECTION VOTING RESULTS, I WOULD
SAY NO.
IF SO, WHAT WOULD WE MEASURE
THAT BY?
>> WE TRADITIONALLY MEASURE IT,
AND WE HAVE A HIGH RATING IN
THIS COMMUNITY ON THIS
PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO GIVE TO
UNITED WAY, PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE
INVOLVED IN NONPROFITS AS
VOLUNTEERS, AND I THINK WE WILL
CONTINUE TO BE VERY CIVIC-MINDED
AS A COMMUNITY, WHICH I THINK
YOU WOULD AGREE WE ALWAYS HAVE
BEEN.
BUT WE ARE ALSO VERY
CIVIC-MINDED WHEN THESE
EMERGENCIES COME UP ABOUT GIVING
TO OTHERS AS WELL.
SO I THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL
RESPOND TO THE REMINDER THAT,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
BUT WE HAVE SOME VERY CRITICAL
ISSUES LOCALLY THAT WE HAVE TO
ACT ON.
>> Gary: WHAT ABOUT YOU,
Dr. ROCHE?
INDIVIDUALLY, DO YOU SEE PEOPLE
CHANGING A CLICK ONE WAY OR THE
OTHER IN SOME PARTS OF THEIR
LIVES, EITHER CIVIC OR PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS?
>> I THINK THERE'S CERTAINLY
BEEN A LOT MORE SENSE OF
PATRIOTISM, FOR EXAMPLE.
I THINK WE SEE THAT A LOT MORE
THAN WE USED TO.
I THINK WE'VE SEEN, IN MANY
CASES, AND I AGAIN BEING IN SAN
FRANCISCO WHEN THIS HAPPENED,
SAW IT AGAIN, OF PEOPLE TRYING
TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY,
INITIALLY FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
I THINK.
BUT I THINK ALSO, AS PATTY SAID,
IN ROCHESTER IN PARTICULAR, IT
IS A COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN
VERY GIVING.
I THINK THEY SEE THE NEED.
I THINK THE QUESTION WILL BE,
WILL THEY BE ABLE TO TRANSLATE
AND IN WHAT WAY WILL THEY BE
ABLE TO TRANSLATE THAT INTO
ACTUALLY PROVIDING THE FUNDS?
>> Gary: I GUESS THAT'S WHAT
WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING OUT
FOR IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO IN
THE NEW YEAR.
THANK YOU BOTH VERY, VERY MUCH
FOR JOINING US.
UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS ALL THE
TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS
DISCUSSION.
NOW, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW
PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE
BEEN AFFECTED BY THE EVENTS OF
SEPTEMBER 11th, PLEASE LOG ONTO
OUR WEB SITE AT wxxi.org/ntk.
NOW IT'S TIME FOR THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF THE BUSINESS SECTION
WITH THE "DEMOCRAT AND
CHRONICLE."
(Music)
JOINING US NOW IN STUDIO IS
ELLEN ROSEN.
SHE'S THE BUSINESS EDITOR FOR
THE "THE
DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE."
ELLEN, THANKS FOR JOINING US AND
LOOKING BACK ON LAST YEAR AND
LOOKING BACK ON 9/11.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT SEVERAL
THINGS LIKE THE IMPACT ON KODAK
AND SOME OF OUR MAJOR
BUSINESSES.
BUT IS THERE ANY OTHER LOCAL
INDUSTRY THAT WAS HIT HARD BY
WHAT HAPPENED ON 9/11?
>> ACTUALLY IT WAS PRETTY
WIDESPREAD.
THE AIRLINES COMES TO MIND
PROBABLY FIRST OF ALL.
PEOPLE STOPPED FLYING.
AND THE LOCAL TRAFFIC OUT OF OUR
AIRPORT DROPPED MARKEDLY.
AS A RESULT THE AIRLINES LOST
ALL KINDS OF MONEY AND AS A
RESULT THEY CUT SERVICES.
SO IT'S SORT OF LIKE THE
SNOWBALLING EFFECT.
NOW WE HAVE FEWER OPPORTUNITY,
FEWER FLIGHTS GOING TO FEWER
PLACES.
>> Gary: JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO,
YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT ONE OF
THE BRIGHT SPOTS OF LAST YEAR
WAS THE EMERGENCE OF JETBLUE AND
THEIR SERVICE, AND EVEN THEY
TOOK A HIT AFTER THAT.
>> SURE, THEY DID.
ALSO THERE WERE SOME INCREASED
COSTS TO THEM, RETROFITTING ALL
THEIR COCKPITS WITH BULLETPROOF
DOORS AND OTHER THINGS THAT THE
AIRLINES DID TO IMPROVE SECURITY
TO INCREASE CUSTOMERS CONFIDENCE
SO PEOPLE WOULD COME BACK TO
FLYING.
>> Gary: WHEN I READ ABOUT --
THEY SAY SOME OF THE NEGATIVE
THINGS ABOUT 9/11, BUT SOME OF
THE POSITIVES I'LL POINT OUT,
LIKE THE CAR COMPANIES HAD ZERO
PER CENT FINANCING AND THEY WERE
JUST MOVING INVENTORY LIKE
CRAZY.
DID WE FEEL A POSITIVE EFFECT
FROM THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY?
>> WELL, THAT'S A MIXED BAG.
I MEAN, FOR INSTANCE, OBVIOUSLY
THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE
COMING IN TO SELL AUTOMOBILES --
TO BUY AUTOMOBILES, BUT THEN YOU
WON'T BE SELLING THEM DOWN THE
ROAD.
IF YOU SELL CARS NOW, YOU DON'T
SELL THEM LATER AT AN
OPPORTUNITY WHEN YOU CAN MAKE
MORE MONEY.
INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, ZERO PER
CENT FINANCING WAS ONE OF THE
PROBLEMS VALEO CITED WHEN THEY
FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN
DECEMBER.
>> Gary: HOW SO?
>> WELL, THEY ACTUALLY, IN ORDER
TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND,
THEY'RE AN AUTO PARTS MAKER.
IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND
FOR THE INCREASED CAR
PRODUCTION, THEY HAD TO BRING IN
PEOPLE ON OVERTIME.
IT ACTUALLY INCREASE THEIR
PRODUCTION COSTS AT A TIME WHEN
THEY COULD ILL AFFORD IT, AND
REALLY THEY SAID IT'S ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT REALLY PUSHED THEM.
>> Gary: SO IT WAS GOOD FOR THE
RETAIL, THE PEOPLE SELLING THE
CARS.
>> IT WAS REALLY GOOD FOR THE
CONSUMER.
IT WAS GOOD FOR THE CONSUMER AND
IT GOT THEM OUT THERE, BUT I
THINK THE JURY'S STILL OUT AS TO
WHETHER THE ACTUAL, YOU KNOW,
AUTO DEALER MADE MUCH MONEY ON
THIS.
SAME THING WITH RETAILERS.
I MEAN, THEY CUT THEIR PRICES ON
EVERYTHING SO PEOPLE WOULD COME
OUT AT CHRISTMASTIME, BUT HOW
MUCH MONEY DID THEY END UP
MAKING?
THE SALES ARE THERE.
>> Gary: BUT YOU HAVE TO ADD UP
THE STAFF AND ALL THE THINGS
THAT OFFSET THAT COST.
>> RIGHT.
AND THEY CUT THEIR COSTS, SO HOW
MUCH PROFIT MARGIN WAS THERE FOR
THEM?
>> Gary: EVERY RESTAURANT IN
THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, FOLKS
INVOLVED IN THAT, THEY ALL HAD
THE SAME STORY THAT, BOY, RIGHT
AFTER 9/11 THEIR BUSINESS WENT
WAY DOWN.
HAVE THEY REBOUNDED YET OR WILL
THEY SOON?
>> WELL, THAT ACTUALLY CONTINUED
FOR AWHILE.
FOR AWHILE PEOPLE WERE STAYING
HOME AND SO THE RESTAURANTS
WEREN'T GETTING THAT.
THEN CHRISTMAS SEASON CAME AND
ACTUALLY CHRISTMAS PARTIES, AND
THEY RELY ON CORPORATE CHRISTMAS
PARTIES.
THINGS WERE SMALLER.
THEY WERE LESS ELABORATE AND SO
THEY REALLY FELT THE HEAT THERE.
INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, OTHER
SEGMENTS SAID THEY WERE STILL
DOING OKAY BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T
WANT TO GET ON PLANES.
PEOPLE WERE DRIVING.
THERE WAS A MARKED DROP IN THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT TRAVELED
FOR THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS
BY PLANE, BUT THEY DROVE BY CAR,
SO THERE WAS SOME OF THAT.
AND FOR INSTANCE THE FINGERLAKES
REGION, DOWN IN THE WINE
INDUSTRY, SAID ACTUALLY THEY
WERE SEEING INCREASES BECAUSE
PEOPLE WERE NOT WANTING TO TAKE
THAT LONG TRIP.
THEY WERE TRYING TO TAKE THAT
LOCAL TRIP.
>> Gary: LOOKING AT PAST
SEGMENTS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE
LAYOFFS AT THE LARGER COMPANIES
WERE CONTINUING BECAUSE OF THE
RECESSION.
9/11 WAS JUST A SLOPE THAT THEY
WENT DOWN FASTER IN THAT AREA.
DO YOU SEE THAT TRANSLATING ALSO
TO SOME OF THE SMALLER
BUSINESSES IN ROCHESTER, MAYBE
SOME OF THE SUPPORT BUSINESSES
FOR THE LARGER COMPANIES?
>> WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THAT.
WHEN THE BIG COMPANIES CUT,
THEIR SUPPLIERS ARE AFFECTED,
AND WE'RE ALREADY SEEING SOME
COMPANIES THAT ARE DOING
LAYOFFS.
THE ADVERTISING BUSINESS ALSO
WAS ANOTHER AREA THAT GOT HIT.
ADVERTISERS PULLED BACK.
THEY DIDN'T WANT TO ADVERTISE SO
WE'RE SEEING SOME LAYOFFS THERE
AND SOME LAYOFFS IN SOME OF
THESE OTHER COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
KIND OF COMPANIES AND IN SOME OF
THE SMALLER MANUFACTURERS.
>> Gary: WE WERE TALKING IN THE
PROGRAM ABOUT STATE BUDGET AND
WHAT SOME OF THOSE REDUCTIONS
ARE GOING TO MEAN.
AND IF, YOU KNOW, TEACHER
LAYOFFS COULD BE IN THE
HUNDREDS.
ADMINISTRATORS.
THESE ARE ALL GOOD-PAYING JOBS,
ALL LOCAL AND HERE IN THE
COMMUNITY.
WILL THAT CLAMP DOWN ON
GOVERNMENT SPENDING?
WILL IT HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT
ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OR WILL
WE ABSORB IT?
>> WELL, IT'S HARD TO SAY
WHETHER WE CAN ACTUALLY ABSORB
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IF THERE
ARE LAYOFFS IN THE GOVERNMENT
SECTOR BECAUSE MANUFACTURING
JOBS CONTINUES TO DECLINE HERE
AS NATIONALLY.
SO THE SERVICE SECTOR IS NOT
GROWING, THE SERVICE SECTOR JOBS
ARE NOT GROWING AT THE SAME RATE
IT HAD BEEN IN THE PAST.
SO IT REALLY REMAINS TO BE SEEN
WHETHER THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL
GOING TO FIND JOBS AT THE SAME
LEVELS OF PAY THEY WERE MAKING
BEFORE.
>> Gary: DO YOU THINK 9/11 HAD
ANY LONG-TERM EFFECT ON CONSUMER
SPENDING, OR WAS IT JUST AN
ABERRATION AND NOW WE'LL GO
RIGHT BACK TO IT?
>> IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THEY
CHOSE TO SPEND DIFFERENTLY.
FOR INSTANCE THE RETAILERS OVER
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WERE
REPORTING THAT SALES WERE NOT AS
BIG ON CERTAIN THINGS BUT
CERTAIN ITEMS DID VERY WELL.
ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH
MAKING YOUR HOME A MORE
COMFORTABLE PLACE TO BE.
SO A BIG SCREEN TV, A GAME
CONSOLE, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS,
A D.V.D. PLAYER; THOSE KIND OF
THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE
PLEASURABLE TO BE HOME, THOSE
ITEMS WERE SELLING.
>> Gary: WE'RE GOING TO WATCH
THOSE TRENDS IN THE BUSINESS
PAGE OF THE "DEMOCRAT AND
CHRONICLE."
ELLEN, THANK YOU FOR THIS WEEK'S
REPORT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS
WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEED TO KNOW"
OR TO DISCUSS ANY OF THESE
TOPICS, LOG ONTO OUR WEB SITE
wxxi.org/ntk.
THAT'S ALL FOR THIS WEEK'S
PROGRAM.
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK AS WE LOOK AT
GOVERNOR PATAKI'S 2002 NEW YORK
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
GOOD NIGHT.
(Music)