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Ray MeierState Senator Ray Meier was in the Village of Lansing Friday afternoon to meet with business owner Julie Crowley.  Republican Meier, who is running for US Congress against Democrat Michael Arcuri, spent the day meeting with local people to learn about jobs in Tompkins County and the economy here.  Stops included Crowley's Ithaca Coffee Company and Triphammer Wines and Spirits at the Triphammer Mall, Dryden officials, a tour of Gun Hill Residences and a house party and fund raiser at the Cayuga Heights home of Melissa Bucknavage.  "I'm trying to get a feel for the communities that I hope to represent in Congress," Meier said.

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Although it is still early in the race for retiring Congressman Sherwood Boehlert's seat, the campaign has been hot with the National Democratic Committee accusing him of voting against raising the minimum wage.  But Meier says they have distorted his positions.  "A higher than the rest of the nation minimum wage in New York is one more self-inflicted wound in this state," he said.  "We seem to go out of our way to make ourselves uncompetitive.  I said it was a Federal issue and if the bill was right I would vote for a rise in the Federal minimum wage in Washington.  But it would be preferable if it was coupled with some relief for small business."  That seemed to resonate with Crowley.

Meier added, "It's ironic that my opponent, when he came out in favor of a rise in the federal minimum wage, said that we should do that because New York is now at a competitive disadvantage for having a higher minimum wage.  So on the one hand they're attacking me, and on the other they are making my case for me."

Meier said that he thought the Democrats were on the attack because of recent trouble in the Arcuri campaign in which two $4,000 contributions were returned.  They had been donated by two employees of Oriska Insurance Company that is under federal investigation.  "I think they're feeling some pressure, so they attack, Meier said.

But he added, "I think people will agree that one problem that overlays other problems is the lack of civility in American politics and government.  And it is that lack of civility at the governmental level that prevents people from discussing a problem with a view toward finding a solution, moving to the middle, finding a workable solution and getting on with it.  I think people for the most part find the rat-a-tat-tat of modern American government and politics to be offensive."

"Many times I think that government sponsored economic development goes for what I call 'the big kill.'  They're always looking for the out of town business to come in, and meanwhile the local entrepreneur is going to build a much more stable employment base in your community, because of loyalty to the community.  A lot of that is going on here, I think," Meier noted.  "And you've got a nice mix.  You've got the university, you've got all kinds of small business, you've got the tourism element, you have a nice well balanced economy that's come together here.  And your unemployment is statistically about 3%.

The Friday trip was one of many that Meier has scheduled to get to know the area.  "This area seems to be doing better, economically, than many other parts of the congressional district," he observed, noting that companies like Ithaca's Incodema, which makes specialized metal parts for a variety of industries, are good examples of what makes Tompkins County successful.  "The beauty of that kind of business is not only is it future-oriented -- it's going to be around for the next several decades -- but because (owner Sean Whittaker) lives here and likes it here, he's not responding to a board of directors in some remote location who couldn't find Tompkins County with a map if you pointed it out to them."

"I think there are parts of the prosperity that you see here in Tompkins County that are replicable," Meier continued.  "You've got this critical mass of really bright entrepreneurial, curious people.  You've got a great quality of life.  People like Sean Whittaker combine all of that.  He probably employs, I'm guessing 30 or 40 people right now.  He's expanding, he's building."


Meier and Crowley sat for some time at a Ithaca Coffee Company table while she told him about the local economy and what she faces growing her coffee and liquor businesses in the area.  She spoke of challenges she faces as a small business owner to get the word out about her business.  Meier, soft spoken and thoughtful, was attentive, asking questions as she spoke.

Learning about the tax revolt in Lansing, Meier said he thinks he can help if elected to Congress.  "I think there is a definite federal role, particularly with regard to infrastructure issues," he said.  "There have not been large federal investments in water and sewer in quite some time now.  Those are investments that are fundamental to everything else."

He added that unfunded mandates are hurting local taxpayers.  "Government at all levels needs to reexamine this whole issue of unfunded mandates where people in Washington or Albany get a bright idea, but the rest of the bright idea is that the municipalities should pay for it," he said.  "We've got to be much more scrupulous about saying when government imposes a requirement the level  of government that imposes it should pay for it.  The people making the rules and taking credit for the benefit should also have to look you in the eye and tell you what it's going to cost to pay for it."

Meier said that he is enjoying the campaign trips through the district, and will take some time to be a tourist in Tompkins County.  "The bookends of this congressional district are the Adirondack Mountains and the Finger Lakes," he said.  "In between you've got the Mohawk Valley, which is tremendously rich in history, particularly Revolutionary War history, and Cooperstown.  In terms of being out on a congressional campaign and having really neat, interesting, fun places to travel through, this is it."

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