Affordable Housing in Suburbia-- 15 May 2003

>> I DO KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IF THEY GOT THEIR
MONEY FOR THEIR PLACES, THEY WOULD BE LEAVING.
I KNOW FOUR PEOPLE RIGHT NOW THAT IF THEY COULD MAKE
MONEY ON THEIR TOWNHOUSE, THEY WOULD LEAVE.
BECAUSE IT'S NOT WHAT THEY WANT.

>> THIS IS NEED TO KNOW.
THE ROCHESTER AREA'S ONLY INDEPTH 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:

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US. I'M MICHAEL CAPUTO. IN THE
LATE 1990'S, A FEDERALLY-REQUIRED STUDY OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IN THE REGION SAID THAT THERE IS SHORT SUPPLY OF
LOW INCOME HOUSING IN PLACES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY. SOME
ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE BY CREATING MORE LOW
INCOME HOUSING IN PLACES LIKE GREECE, HENRIETTA, SCOTTSVILLE.
THERE ARE OVER 70 SUBSIDIZED HOUSING COMPLEXES IN MONROE COUNTY.
WHAT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
QUITE SIMPLY, RENTAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR TENANTS WHO
QUALIFY, PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE RENT, THE REST BEING
SUPPLEMENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE NEW COMPLEX IN GREECE.
INCOME LIMITS TO LIVE THEIR RANGE FROM 26,340 FOR A
TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLD UP TO 38,220 FOR HOUSEHOLD OF SIX.
THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH STRICT BACKGROUND CHECKS TO SCREEN
OUT THOSE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS. THOSE WHO LIVE NEAR SUCH
PROPOSED COMPLEXES, HOWEVER, WORRY THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING
WILL BRING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSIENT, WHO HAVE NO STAKE
IN THE COMMUNITY. AND SO SOMETIMES THEY RESIST. HOUSING
OPPORTUNITES A LEADING NON-PROFIT BUILDER OF LOW INCOME
HOMES OPENED CANAL PLACE. THEY SAY THEIR WAITING LIST
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 300 AT THE
SAME TIME GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR SUCH PROJECTS IS DRYING UP.
AND SOME LOW INCOME COMPLEXES ARE BEING TURNED INTO MARKET
RATE HOMES SUCH AS GLEASON ESTATES IN EAST ROCHESTER.
SO THE NEED IS STILL STRONG. AND IT'S THE MOST BASIC OF
NEEDS A GOOD HOME AT A REASONABLE PRICE. "NEED TO
KNOW'S" MATT CUMMINGS TALKS ABOUT HOW THE VISIONS OF A
GOOD HOME CAN SOMETIMES CONFLICT.

>> LIKE MOST PEOPLE, JIM
PREBLE WANTED A DECENT PLACE TO CALL HOME. MORE
IMPORTANTLY, HE WANTED A HOME IN A QUIET, SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD.
HE FOUND IT THREE YEARS AGO, A TOWNHOUSE AT INGRESS ON THE
CANAL PARK IN GREECE.

>> IF YOU DROVE DOWN HERE BEFORE
ANYTHING WAS THERE IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. IT WAS ALL FIELD.
DEER WOULD WALK UP AND DOWN THE STREET. IT WAS GORGEOUS.
WHEN YOU LIVED HERE.

>> PUT YOUR EYE UP THERE.
CAN YOU SEE MOMMY?

>> BUT FOR PEOPLE MAKING A LOWER INCOME, THAT KIND OF
DREAM IS OFTEN OUT OF REACH. PEOPLE LIKE SHARON YOUNG, A
SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO. SHE ALSO WANTED A DECENT HOUSE IN
A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT YOUNG HAS A 10-YEAR-OLD
DAUGHTER WITH A RARE DISEASE THAT FORCES HER TO STAY AT
HOME AND WORK ONLY PART-TIME. HOWEVER, SHE GOT WHAT SHE
WANTED IN A HOME ANYWAY, A SUBSIDIZED APARTMENT IN AN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN HENRIETTA. PRODUCER
ALICIA SPOKE WITH HER.

>> I LIKE THE SETTING HERE WITH THE TREES.
I LIKE HOW IT'S A CUL DE SAC, WOULD BE SAFE FOR THE KIDS
TO PLAY.

>> HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, THE SAME COMPANY THAT BUILT
WESTMINSTER PLACE WHERE YOUNG LIVES JUST OPENED A NEW
COMPLEX IN GREECE CALLED CANAL PLACE.
JUST A STONE'S THROW FROM PREBLE'S DRIVEWAY. SO EVERYONE
IS HAPPY RIGHT? WELL, NO. HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT CANAL PLACE.

>> TO MING THERE CLOSE TO 70 CHILDREN THRIFG THERE.
WE LOOK AT THAT AS A PROBLEM OF MAYBE CRIME, MAYBE CARS
BEING BROKEN INTO.
THEM RIDING THEIR BICYCLES OVER HERE, WE'VE ALREADY HAD
INCIDENTS WHERE THAT HAS HAPPENED.
I THINK THEY'RE MORE WORRIED ABOUT.
THAT THE BUILDINGS OVER HERE, THAT WAS ALL A FIELD WHEN
ALL OF US CAME HERE.
AND USED TO SIT ON YOUR DECK RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S WHAT
YOU SEE, I MEAN NOBODY SAYS THEY REALLY WANT IT.
BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY AS MUCH BOTHER ME AS I'M WORRIED
ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

>> THEREIN LIES THE CLASH OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE SUBURBS.
LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE CITY, SEEK A
BETTER LIFE IN THE SUBURBS, BUT OFTEN NEED A HELPING HAND.
SUBURBAN PROPERTY OWNERS, HOWEVER, FEAR THE INFLUX OF
RENTERS MAY BRING MORE CRIME,LOWER THEIR PROPERTY VALUES
AND IN EFFECT LOWER THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE.
IT'S A CIRCUMSTANCE THAT HAS RESIDENTS OF PREBLE'S
TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENT THINKING OF SELLING.

>> WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT ONCE PEOPLE FIND OUT WHAT REALLY
IS OVER THERE, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE SIGN AT THE FRONT
A THAT'S THAT'S IN THERE IT ALMOST TELLS YOU THAT IT'S A
GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED HOUSING.
PEOPLE GET REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THAT.
AND WE ALL FEEL THAT IF WE DO PUT OUR PLACES UP FOR
SALE, THAT OUR PROPERTY IS REALLY GOING TO GO DOWN.
WE DON'T SEE PEOPLE COMING IN HERE SAYING, YEAH SH
THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO BE.
AND I DO KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IF THEY GOT THEIR
MONEY FOR THEIR PLACES THEY WOULD BE LEAVING.
I DO KNOW THAT.
I KNOW FOUR PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WHO WOULD SELL IF THEY COULD
MAKE MONEY ON THEIR PROPERTIES BECAUSE THIS IS NOT WHAT THEY
WANT.BECAUSE IT'S NOT WHAT THEY WANT.

>> HOUSING ADVOCATES RECOGNIZE THAT SUBURBAN HOMEOWNERS
STRUGGLE WITH THE CHANGE THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING BRINGS.
BUT THEY SAY THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF PERCEPTION, NOT REALITY.

>> PEOPLE WHO MOVE INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ARE LIKE YOU
AND ME.

>> JEAN HOWARD IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WILSON
COMMENCEMENT PARK, A LOCAL AGENCY THAT PROVIDES RESOURCES
AND SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

>> I THINK THEY WOULD LIKE A NEW OPPORTUNITY AND I THINK
FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO MOVE INTO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, THAT I KNOW THAT WE REFER, THEY PAY THEIR RENT,
THEY AREN'T EVICTED.
THEY PAY THEIR MORTGAGES, THEIR CHILDREN DO VERY WELL IN
SCHOOL.
IN FACT THE CHILDREN EXCEL IN SCHOOL, THEY HAVE FRIENDS
IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.
BUT I THINK A LOT OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AS FAR AS
RELATIONSHIPS, I THINK PEOPLE HAVE TO STEP OUTSIDE THEIR
COMFORT ZONES A BIT TO EXTEND A HAND TO A PERSON WHO IS
TRYING TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES AND IMPROVE THEIR LOT IN
LIFE.

>> PREBLE AND OTHER NEIGHBORS HAVE WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS
EVIDENCE OF PROBLEMS AN OLDER AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX
CALLED ENGLISH VILLAGE. GREECE POLICE REPORT THAT
ENGLISH VILLAGE GETS AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF CALLS.

>> OUR REAL CONCERN IS IT WOULD BE ANOTHER ENGLISH VILLAGE.
THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE WAS REALLY AFRAID OF.
WHEN THEY FOUND IT WAS GOING TO BE SUBSIDIZED THEY THERE
WERE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE FOUND OUT WEREN'T REALLY
TRUE THAT PEOPLE WERE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT, WE FOUND OUT
IT WASN'T GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED.
AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT THAT WAS THE BIG CONCERN THAT IT WAS GOING TO TURN
INTO ANOTHER ENGLISHVILLE SGLAJ NOW, WHEN YOU SAY THAT
FOR VIEWERS AT HOME WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH ENGLISH
VILLAGE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, I ONLY LIVED IN ROCHESTER FOR
FIVE YEARS MYSELF BUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE THEY
ASSOCIATE ENGLISH VILLAGE WITH PROBLEM PEOPLE, WELFARE
PEOPLE AND VERY DESTRUCTIVE INDIVIDUALS THAT RUIN
PROPERTY.

>> HOWARD SAYS THAT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE NEEDS TO LOOK
AT THE BIGGER PICTURE.
ABOUT BRINGING TOGETHER DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.

>> WE WORK IN A VERY DIVERSE ENVIRONMENT, THAT WAS THE
PERSON WHO WORKS FOR YOU, WHO IS YOUR SECRETARY, IS SHE
GOOD ENOUGH OR -- TO LIVE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I THINK EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS TO ANSWER THAT HIMSELF
OR HERSELF.
IS THAT PERSON OF THE QUALITY, IF THEY CAN HELP YOU
REACH YOUR GOALS AT WORK TO HELP YOU RUN A MULTI-MILLION
DOLLAR CORPORATION, IS THAT PERSON NOT REALLY WORTHY
ENOUGH TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOALS THAT YOU HAVE IN
YOUR COMMUNITY LIFE.
AND WHY SHOULDN'T THAT PERSON WANT THE SAME THING OR
SOME OF THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAT
YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR YOURS.

>> SHARON YOUNG SAYS, SHE'S JUST CHASING AFTER THE SAME
DREAM THAT MOST OF US HAVE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING, JUST
TRYING TO MAKE THEIR WAY OUT.
SOMETIMES HAVING A NICE PLACE TO LIVE MAKES A REAMY,
REALLY BIG DIFFERENCE.
YOU FEEL LIKE, HOW, SH, WOW, AIF HOME FOR MY KIDS.
MY KIDS CAN GO TO A REALLY GOOD SCHOOL.
I'M COMFORTABLE HERE, NOW MAYBE I CAN WORK HARDER AT
FINDING A BETTER JOB OR WORK HARDER AT DOING SOMETHING
ELSE.

>> WHILE GREECE POLICE REPORT THAT THERE WERE A HIGH
NUMBER OF CALLS IN ENGLISH VILLAGE, ALSO SAID THERE'S
BEEN NO PROBLEMS AT THE NEW CANAL PLACE.
NOW IN STUDIO WITH US TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION NOW, IN
STUDIO WITH US TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION, WE HAVE: JEAN
LOWE, PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER ROCHESTER HOUSING PARTNERSHIP.
ANNE PETERSON, OF THE HOUSING COUNCIL OF ROCHESTER.
WILLIAM SELKE, GREECE PLANNING BOARD MEMBER AND S MEMBER OF
THE COMMUNITY CHOICE ACTION PLAN. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
I'D LIKE TO START WITH YOUF I COULD, AND I WANTED TO
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT JEAN HOWARD CALLED THE
COMFORT ZONE.
WE DON'T TALK A LOT ABOUT THE COMFORT ZONE AND PEOPLE
GETTING BY THAT SOMETIMES FOR SOMETHING LARGER.
SOMETHING GREATER.
TALK ABOUT THAT IF YOU WOULD.

>> WELL, I THINK JEAN'S COMMENTS ARE RIGHT ON TARGET.
THAT PEOPLE DO FEEL SOME DISCOMFORT, MOSTLY BECAUSE THEY
DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ISSUES ARE.
AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHO MIGHT MOVE INTO THEIR
COMMUNITY.
SO A LOT OF FEARS TEND TO DOMINATE THEIR DECISION MAKING
IN THIS AREA.
WHERE YOU LIVE LARGELY DETERMINES YOUR LIFE
OPPORTUNITIES.
SO CHILDREN WHO ARE CONCENTRATED IN POOR SCHOOL SYSTEMS,
WHO ARE LIVING AMONG ONLY OTHER POOR CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES, SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT
CHILDREN WHO ARE IN A MIXED INCOME ENVIRONMENT.
SO THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOWER INCOME FAMILY IS TO FIND
HOUSING IN SUBURBAN AREASS TOLLLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
THEIR WHOLE LIFE.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT THE ARGUMENT WOULD BE FROM THOSE WHO
LIVE IN THE SUBURBS, THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, I'VE BOUGHT
THIS PLACE, I WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE CITY AND I WAS
ABLE TO DO SO.
AND NOW I FEEL LIKE THE CITY IS COMING WITH US.
JEAN, HOW DO YOU COMBAT THAT KIND OF THING?

>> ONE THING TO CONSIDER, AN IMPORTANT THING TO CONSIDER
IS THAT A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN SUBURBAN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING LIVED IN THAT SUBURB BEFORE.
IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF NECESSARILY IMPORTING PEOPLE FROM
THE CITY OR FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY INTO A GIVEN
NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S THE FOLKS WHO ALREADY LIVE IN GREECE
WHO NEED AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.
WHO MAY BE SPENDING MORE THAN 50% OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD
INCOME ON HOUSING.
AND THAT LIMITS THEIR ABILITY TO DO OTHER THINGS.
SO IT'S THE FOLKS WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE COMMUNITY NEED
AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE AS WELL AS FOLKS IN THE
CITY.

>> BILL, YOUR HOUSE IS YOUR INVESTMENT.
IT MEANS A HECK OF A LOT TO YOU WHEN IT'S YOUR
INVESTMENT.
AGAIN, I ASK, HOW CAN YOU SPEAK TO PEOPLE WHO WORRY SO
MUCH ABOUT SOMETHING THAT THEY -- THIS IS THE THING
THEY'RE GOING TO SINK THE MOST MONEY THEY HAVE INTO.

>> WELL, IT REALLY, PEOPLE WHEN CHANGE COMES, IT REALLY
DOES PUT A LOT OF TENSION INTO THEIR LIVES.
AND YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH A PROJECT LIKE THIS, ONE OF
THE WAYS TO DO THAT, MIKE, IS HAVE A CONCEPT HEARING
EVEN PRIOR, BEFORE AN APPLICATION IS KIND OF PRESENTED
TO THE TOWN.

>> CONCEPT HEARING MEANING --

>> CONCEPT HEARING THE APPLICANT BRINGS FORTH HIS IDEAS
OF WHAT HE WANTS TO DO THERE.
YOU INVITE THE NEIGHBORS TO COME AND SIT DOWN.
AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL AND WHAT THEIR OBJECTIONS ARE.

>> IS THAT DONE?

>> YES, THAT'S DONE QUITE A BIT.
AND WE CERTAINLY DO THAT IN THE TOWN OF GREECE WHENEVER
IT'S NECESSARY, BECAUSE WE HEAR THEN WHAT'S ON PEOPLE'S
MINDS.
THEN THE APPLICANT HEARS.
WE TRY TO WORK OUT SOMETHING THAT IS COMFORTABLE FOR
BOTH SIDES, WE DID THAT WITH CANAL PLACE AND WE HAD THE
NEIGHBORS THERE.
AND QUITE A FEW OF THE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED RIGHT IN THE
BEGINNING OR SOME OF THE THINGS THE PEOPLE THOUGHT WERE
PROBLEMS WERE NOT PROBLEMS.

>> JEAN, ARE ALL TOWNS LIKE GREECE WHEN IT COMES TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES?
AS-- WE'VE TALKED EARLIER, YOU SAID THAT AFFORDABLE
HOUSING FOR SENIORS WE'RE DOING ALL RIGHT BUT WE STILL
NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FAMILIAR LESION.
ARE OTHER TOWNS LIKE GREECE?

>> I THINK GREECE HAS A REALLY GOOD RECORD OF WELCOMING
WELL THOUGHT OUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS FOR
BOTH SENIORS AND FAMILIES.
AND THAT ISN'T TRUE IN ALL COMMUNITIES.
MORE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE MONROE COUNTY AND OUTSIDE OF
MONROE COUNTY ARE ACCEPTING OF HOUSING FOR ELDERLY
FOLKS.
BUT FAMILY HOUSING IS THE PRIMARY CONCERN.
IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN AS NICELY AS IT HAPPENED IN
GREECE.

>> GIVE ME THE BARRIERS HOW YOU CAN CURE KNOWS BARRIERS
TO GETTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ELSEWHERE.
WHAT ARE THE CHIEF BEAR YOARS, ZONING HAS TO BE ONE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.
IF A COMMUNITY IS GOING TO WELCOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING
THEY HAVE TO HAVE LAND THAT'S APPROPRIATELY ZONED FOR
THE DENSITY OF APARTMENTS.
SO FINDING LAND THAT IS BOTH AFFORDABLE AND
APPROPRIATELY ZONED IS A HUGE HURDLE TO HAVING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPED.
ANOTHER IS HAVING A REVIEW PROCESS, LIKE THE TOWN OF
GREECE, THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO COME IN AND TALK ABOUT
WHAT THEY WANT TO DO BEFOREHAND.

>> DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN.

>> IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN.
SOMETIMES A DEVELOPER MIGHT MAKE A MISTAKE AND TRY AND
PUSH THROUGH A PROJECT WITHOUT TALKING TO THE NEIGHBORS,
WHICH IS ALWAYS A MISTAKE, WHETHER YOU'RE DEVELOPING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR ANY OTHER KIND OF DEVELOPMENT.
AND SOMETIMES ONCE THE CONCEPT IS PRESENTED THE
COMMUNITY WILL DEVELOP UNREALISTIC CONCERNS.
CONCERNS THAT AREN'T REFLECTIVE IN REALITY.

>> TELL ME HOW IS THE HOUSING COUNCIL TRYING TO GET THE
WORD OUT ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSE UNION TOITS PLACES THAT
MAY NOT BE SO ACCEPTING OF THEM, OR THAT DON'T HAVE A
COMPLETE AIRING ABOUT THE PROJECT PRIOR TO.
IS THERE AN EFFORT?

>> THERE IS ACTUALLY A MASSIVE INITIATIVE IN MONROE
COUNTY.
AND IT'S SHARED BY MONACO -- MONROE COUNTY IT'S, THE
TOWNS IT'S, THE TOWNS OF ROCHESTER HOUSING AUTHORITY AND
THE CITY OF ROCHESTER.
CALLED THE COMMUNITY CHOICE ACTION PLAN.
THE HOUSEING COUNCIL ADMINISTERS THIS PLAN AND WE WE'VE
DONE SO THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
IT CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE STUDY YOU MENTIONED AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM.

>> HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT STUDY.

>> RIGHT.
AND THERE WERE A GREAT NUMBER OF MEETINGS AND
DISCUSSIONS AND A LOT OF RESRNL THAT WAS DONE TO
DETERMINE WHAT KINDS OF HOUSING MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE AND
WOULD BE NEEDED ACROSS MONROE COUNTY.

>> WHAT IS THE STATE OF NIMBY-ISM?

>> NIMBY-ISM IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE I THINK.
PEOPLE HAVE GOT TO DEAL WITH SOMETHING THEY HAVE NEVER
DEALT WITH BEFORE AND THEY OFTEN ARE NOT ARMED WITH THE
FACTS.
AN EXAMPLE THAT HAVE IS THAT WE KNOW THAT AFFORDABLE
HOUSING CAN BE BUILT WHEREVER THE ZONING IS APPROPRIATE
AND APPROVED BY THE VARIOUS TOWNS: BUT THE REAL SECRET
ISN'T GETTING THE BUILDING UP.
THE REAL SEE CREDIT IS IN MANAGEMENT.
YOU MENTIONED HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES WHICH IS A STERLING
RECORD OF MANAGING THEIR PROPERTIES.
AND PROPERTIES ARE NOT WELL MANAGED ARE -- THIS IS A
BARRIER BECAUSE PEOPLE SEE THAT PROJECT AS SOMETHING
THAT IS JUST A VERY BAD THING IN THEIR TOWN.
AND OVER COMING THAT IS AN ENORMOUS UNDERTAKING.

>> BILL, LET ME ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION.
BECAUSE YOU HAVE A VANTAGE POINT FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT
PLACES SHS YOU DO A LOT OF THINGS DIFFERENT THINGS IN
TERMS OF HOUSING ONE IS IN PLANNING BOARD.
BUT NIMBY-ISM WHAT IS THE STATE OF NIMBY-ISM RIGHT NOW?

>> AGAIN, NIMBY-ISM IS JUST AGAIN THAT INITIAL SHOCK
WHEN SOMETHING CHANGES AND ONCE PEOPLE FIND SOME THINGS
OUT, THEY SORT OF CHANGE THEIR VIEWPOINTS.
NOT EVERYBODY.
SOME PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO CONVINCE.
BUT THE THINGS THAT OCCUR, POT THINGS LIKE ATTICAAL
PLACE, THE MANAGEMENT THERE HAS OFFERED THEIR RESOURCES
OF A COMMUNITY ROOM TO THE NEIGHBORS NEXT DOOR BECAUSE
THEY DON'T HAVE ONE.
SO NOW WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR ASSOCIATION MEETING, THEY
CAN GO OVER TO CANAL PLACE AND USE THAT FACILITY.

>> THE HOME OWNERS THERE, AT LEAST THE GENTLEMAN WE
TALKED TO AND FEW OTHERS WHO DIDN'T WANT TO GO ON CAMERA
SAID, THEY VNT FULFILLED EVERYTHING THEY WERE SUPPOSED
TO AND THIS THINGS KIND OF GOT PUSHED THROUGH.

>> THE POINT IS THAT THEY'RE NOT COMPLETE YET.
THEY NEED TO SIT DOWN, THOSE NEIGHBORS NEED TO GO OVER
THERE AND THEY WILL MEET AND GET TOGETHER WITH THE
ASSOCIATION AND THE CANAL PLACE MANAGEMENT.
AND WORK OUT SOME OF THE ISSUES.
THE MANAGEMENT HAS DECIDED THAT THEY WANT A VERY GOOD
QUALITY NEIGHBORHOOD THERE FOR BOTH PARTIES AND THEY
WILL PROMISE TO WORK ON THAT.

>> JEAN, YOU KNOW I THINK PEOPLE WOULD FIND IT
SURPRISING THAT THE CITY OF ROCHESTER IF I'M NOT
MISTAKEN WITH CALL THAT PLACE AND FEW OTHER PLACES CANAL
PLACE, ACTUALLY HELPED TO I THINK THEY GAVE THEM LOANS
TO HELP BUILD THIS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHY WOULD THE CITY DO THIS?
IS THIS -- DO ALL CITIES DO THIS?

>> NO.
ALL CITIES CERTAINLY DON'T DO THIS.
THE CITY OF ROCHESTER HAD MADE A COMMITMENT TO
ENCOURAGING CHOICE WHEREVER POSSIBLE AND HOUSING CHOICE
MEANS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO HAVE AN ACTIVE DECISION MAKING
PROCESS ABOUT WHERE THEY LIVE.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW TO MODERATE
INCOME SHOULD HAVE THE CHOICE TO LIVE IN OTHER
COMMUNITIES, THAT TO SAY COMMUNITIES OTHER THAN THE CITY
OF ROCHESTER.
AND TO PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER ON THIS PROJECT AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS HAS
AGREED TO MAKE SHORT-TERM VERY LOW COST MONEY AVAILABLE
TO HELP BUILD THESE SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENTS.
VERY UNUSUAL.
IT'S A REALLY FAR THINKING ATTEMPT BY THE CITY TO
DIVERSIFY BOTH THE CITY POPULATION AND COUNTY
POPULATION.

>> WHAT IS THE STATE OF FUNDING FROM THE CITY, FROM THE
COUNTY, FROM THE STATE WITH THESE PROJECTS?

>> I BELIEVE THAT MONROE COUNTY PROBABLY HAS GOT THEIR
FINGERS IN MORE OF THESE PROJECTS THAN MOST COUNTIES
ACROSS THE STATE.
MONROE COUNTY RECEIVES HOME FUNDS AND OTHER VARIED
FEDERAL DOLLARS AND STATE DOLLARS.
AND BECAUSE THEY DON'T RECEIVE AS MUCH AS THE CITY,
BECAUSE THEIR POPULATION DOESN'T HAVE THE POVERTY LEVEL,
IS THAT ARE EXPERIENCED IN THE CITY, THEY HAVE NOT GOT
BIG DOLLARS THAT OTHER MUNICIPALITIES MIGHT AND CITIES
IN GENERAL HAVE.
SO WHAT THEY HAVE CHOSE TONE DO I THINK IS VERY
CREATIVE.
THEY ARE PART OF ALMOST EVERY KIND OF HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT THAT GOES ON IN MONROE COUNTY.
THEY OFTEN MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE WHEN SOMETHING IS JUST
SHORT OF FUNDS.
THEY ARE VERY CREATIVE I THINK IN SPENDING AND
STRETCHING THEIR COUNTY DOLLARS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT
HOUSING FOR DISABLED, FOR ELDERLY, FOR FAMILIES, FOR
WOMEN WITH CHILDREN, A VERY INTERESTING PROJECT IS THE
YWCA WHERE PROJECT IS ACTUALLY ON THE CITY LINE AND PART
OF IT IS ON EYE RHONDA QUOWT PART IS IN THE CITY.
THROUGHOUT ALL OF THESE YOU ALWAYS SEE MONROE COUNTY AS
PART OF THE PROCESS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, AS PART OF THE
FUNDING.

>> JEAN, I GOT A LITTLE LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT I WANT
TO ASK YOU, THERE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE OUT THERE AGAIN
WHO SAY I'VE WORKED HARD TO BUILD MY HOME, WHY SHOULD I
SUBSIDIZE AND WHY SHOULD -- WHY SHOULD I SUBSIDIZE
OTHERS WHO HAVEN'T STRIVED LIKE I HAVE?
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER THAT?

>> I THINK THE PEOPLE ARE STRIVING, THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE
UNIFIED IN THEIR DESIRE TO LIVE IN A SAFE, AFFORDABLE,
DESIRABLE ENVIRONMENT.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY DESERVES.
AND SOME PEOPLE NEED A LITTLE HELP MAYBE TO GET THERE,
BUT ONCE THEY GET THERE THEY BECOME A VALUABLE PART OF
THE COMMUNITY.

>> WELL, I FEEL THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK
WHERE -- OR ACTUALLY LIVE WHERE THEY WORK.
AND THIS GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE CLOSE TO THEIR
RESIDENTS TO, THEIR FAMILIES.
BE ABLE TO SAVE SOME MONEY MAYBE FOR A FUTURE HOME AND
ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO BE FIRST TIME HOME
BUYERS ALONG THE ROAD.
WE ALL CAN EXPERIENCE THAT OR HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT AS
VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR LIVES WHEN WE BUY OUR FIRST
HOME.
THAT'S WHERE IT'S ALL HEADING.
TO HELP THESE PEOPLE GIVE THEM A START TO, GET THEM ON
THE RIGHT PATH.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE VERY MUCH.
JOIN THIS CONVERSATION - EITHER ON THE WEB AT
wxxi.org/ntk OR BY EMAIL AT needtoknow@wxxi.org.

NOW
HERE'S THE BUSINESS SECTION WITH "THE DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE."
WITH US IS ELLEN ROSEN, BUSINESS EDITOR FOR THE
"DEMOCRAT" AND "CHRONICLE". ELLEN.

>> HI, MIKE.

>> THE TIMES HAVE BEEN TOUGH FOR MOST BUSINESSES.
BUT APPARENTLY THE TIMES HAVE BEEN NOT SO ROUGH FOR
ULTRA LIFE.
TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ULTRA LIFE BATTERIES AND, I
MEAN I GUESS THEY TURNED A PROFIT FOR SGLONS THEY, THRE
DID.
IT STARTED AT PASS ARE PART OF EASTMAN TECHNOLOGIES TO
SPIN OFF SOME COMPANY IDEAS AND IN THE COMPANY WENT
PUBLIC YEARS LATER.
IT'S COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT OF KODAK PRODUCED FIRST
PROFIT AS C.E.O. SAID THE WAR IS WITH A GOOD THING FOR
THEM THEY SOLD A LOT OF BATTERIES FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.
AND THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH THEIR PRODUCT
AND THEY SEEM TO BE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE WAR WOULD BE -- WELL
I GUESS THERE'S ALWAYS BUSINESSES THAT --

>> ALWAYS BUSINESSES THAT THRIVE.

>> FROM WAR TIME.

>> IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE OUR ECONOMY WILL BENEFIT
BECAUSE THEY'RE PLANNING TO ADD SOME JOBS.

>> HOW MANY JOBS?

>> I'M TRYING TO RECALL I THINK IT WAS ABOUT AUTO 50 OR
SOMETHING LIKE.
THAT I'M NOT EXACTY SURE.

>> HOW TO, KODAK HAD A LOT OF, WELL, HAD THEY STRUCK A
DEAL THEN A DEAL FELL THROUGH A. LOT OF CHANGES IN TERMS
OF KODAK AND THE VENTURES THAT THEY'RE DOING.
I GUESS H.P. WAS A BIG ONE?

>> WELL THIS WAS A JOINT VENTURE, THREE-YEAR-OLD JOINT
VENTURE BETWEEN KODAK AND HEWLETT-PACKARD TO PRODUCE THE
NEXT GENERATION PHOTO FINISHING MACHINE, THE COMPANY WAS
CALLED PHOTOGENICS.
KODAK HAD A LOT, WHILE WELL I DON'T MEAN INVESTED BUT
HAD HIGH HOPES FR THIS.
IT WAS A HIGH STAKES VENTURE, THE COMPANIES TOGETHER
SAID THAT THIS PHOTOGENICS COULD PRODUCE HALF A
BILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE BY 2005.
BUT IT REALLY GOT GOING SLOWER THAN EITHER COMPANY
THOUGHT IT WOULD, TOOK THEM LONGER TO GET A MACHINE TO
MARKET, THEY DID RECENTLY ANNOUNCE A BUNCH OF MACHINES
THAT THEY HAD SOLD TO A GERMAN DEPARTMENT STORE, BUT --

>> THEY WERE HOPING LIKE 2001 2001 THEY WOULD BE --

>> HOPING BY 2001 THEY WOULD BE OUT, IT TOOK THEM THIS
LONG.
IN THE MEANTIME WHAT HAPPENED IS THE COMPETITION SNUCK
IN BECAUSE, KODAK HAD REALLY BEEN -- KODAK AND HP HAD
BEEN ON THE CUTTING EDGE WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED THIS THREE
YEARS AGO, IN THE MEANTIME ANOTHER COMPANY GOT IN AND
GOT SOME COMPETITION GOING.
SINCE THIS WAS SLOW TO COME TO MARKET, I GUESS BOTH
COMPANIES FELT THAT THE MONEY THEY WERE INVEST IN THIS
COULD BETTER BE SPENT IN AREAS WHERE THEY COULD SEE A
FASTER RETURN.

>> BUT THEY ARE LOOKING AT DIGITAL IMAGING, I THINK THEY
STRUCK A NEW DEAL AND ACQUIRED SOME SEVERAL DIGITAL
IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES FROM A GROUP IN TEXAS.

>> YES.
THEY DID.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT RECOUPS THIS.

>> WELL, IT'S TALKING DIFFERENT THINGS.
THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THAT'S A SYSTEM THAT WILL REALLY
STATE-OF-THE-ART, REALLY ALLOW YOU TO PRODUCE PICTURES
VERY QUICKLY, SO PLACES LIKE GROCERY STORES COULD
HAVE -- DO ALMOST AUTOMATIC PHOTO FINISHING, DROP OFF
YOUR PICTURES, DO YOUR SHOPPING, COME BACK.
DO IT AS OUR REPORTER ON THE WAY TO THE BAKERY AISLE
WOULD HAPPEN THIS FAST.
THAT IS CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY TR THIS COMPANY, THEY
HAVE ACQUIRED A LOT OF THINGS, WHAT ELSE WILL COME WITH
THAT WE'LL SEE.
THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE THE TERMS OF THAT DEAL.

>> WORLD AFFAIRS HAVE BEEN CERTAINLY DOMINATING THE
NEWS, BUT I THINK THAT PEOPLE FORGET THAT WORLD AFFAIRS
AFFECTS BUSINESS CLIMATE EBS SPECIAL LEGAL IN ROCHESTER.
THERE WAS A CONFERENCE I THINK TALKED ABOUT THE WORLD
CLIMATE, IF YOU WILL.

>> VERY MUCH SO, ROCHESTER WITH THE COMPANIES THAT ARE
HERE, BOTH BIG AND SMALL, IS ONE OF THE ACTUALLY MAJOR
EXPORTINGS IN THE COUNTRY, JUST OUR A LITTLE LITTLE
REGION IS ONE ONE OF THE COUNTRIES'S MAJOR EXPORTERS.
THE BUSINESS ALLIANCE HOSTS INTERNATIONAL DAY WHERE THEY
REALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE DOING BUSINESS
OVERSEAS.
THIS YEAR THEY FOCUSED ON THE MIDDLE EAST.

>> WONDER WHY?

>> WELL, WHICH WHILE TROUBLE SPOT CAN BE LUCRATIVE, MANY
HAVE OPERATIONS THERE.
AND ALSO THERE WAS A REPRESENTATIVE HERE FROM HONG KONG
TRYING TO PUT PEOPLE TO REST ABOUT -- FEARS TO REST
ABOUT SARS.

>> DID IT WORK I WONDER?

>> I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK ONLY TIME WILL TELL THAT.
WHEN WE SEE WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS.

>> RIGHT.
YOU KNOW, YOU GOT SOMETHING REALLY INTERESTING FOR THIS
SUNDAY?

>> WE DO.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE READERS FOR AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE
OLD BEEBEE STATION HERE IN HIGH FALLS WHICH WAS THE VERY
FIRST PLACE TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY FOR THE ROCHESTER
AREA IN LIKE 1892.
IT'S BEEN ABANDONED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, NOW BUT
REALLY TAKING ON POTENTIAL NEW LIFE AS DEVELOPER LOOKS
AT POSSIBLY TURNING THAT AROUND AND INTO SOMETHING AS
PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT.

>> IT COULD BE SOMETHING SPECIAL I SUPPOSE, BUT IT'S
GOING TO TAKE WORK.

>> IT WILL.
THAT'S PART OF WHAT THE STORY LOOKS AT.
THERE'S SOME ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WHEN YOU'RE DEALING
WITH AN OLD POWER PLANT BUT IT'S BEEN DONE BEFORE IN
CITIES LIKE LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA AND THE
DEVELOPER THAT IS LOOK AT HERE ALREADY DID IT IN
BALTIMORE IN THE INNER HARBOR.

>> THANKS A LOT FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

FINALLY TONIGHT, IN YOUR WORDS - A PLACE WHERE WE GIVE
VOICE TO YOUR FEEDBACK ABOUT "NEED TO KNOW." MIKE FROM
GATES RESPONDED TO THE PROGRAM WE DID A FEW WEEKS BACK
ON DRUG TREATMENT. HE LEFT OUT HIS LAST NAME BECAUSE AS
HE WRITES - "I'M A FORMER ADDICT OF 20 YEARS WHO IS NOW GRADUATING
COLLEGE. THE PROBLEM WITH DRUG TREATMENT IN THIS CITY, AND
ALL OVER THE COUNTRY FOR THAT MATTER, IS NOT THAT THERE IS
NOT ENOUGH ROOM OR MONEY, BUT IN THE METHODOLOGY THAT IS
CURRENTLY USED TO TREAT THESE ADDICTS. THAT IS WHY THERE
IS SUCH A HIGH FAILURE RATE. THE PROBLEM LIES IN THAT MOST
TREATMENT FACILITIES TREAT ADDICTION AS A BIOLOGICAL
DISEASE WHEN IN FACT IT IS A SPIRITUAL DISEASE. I AM
APPALLED AT OUR CITY'S TREATMENT FACILITIES. THEY ARE IN
NEED OF DRASTIC REFORM, NOT MORE MONEY. THEY ARE ONLY AS
GOOD AS THE PEOPLE RUNNING THEM." WE WANT YOUR COMMENTS. VISIT
OUR DISCUSSION BOARD ON THE WEB AT wxxi.org/ntk OR EMAIL
US AT needtoknow@wxxi.org. NEXT WEEK OUR MEDIA
COLLABORATION FIGHTING FOR ROCHESTER'S FUTURE CONTINUES
WITH A LOOK AT HEALTH CARE. MORE SPECIFICALLY HOW THE NEW
CIGARETTE LAWS ARE BEING RECEIVED AND HOW BUSINESSES ARE
COPING WITH HEALTH CARE COSTS. WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION]