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Hawley lashes out at Albany after another employer in Orleans County announces closure

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) recently lamented the loss of 174 jobs through the announced closure of the Bernz-O-Matic manufacturing plant in Medina. Worthington Industries, owners of Bernz-O-Matic, indicated that local employees would have the opportunity to transfer to the company’s plant in Wisconsin, which served as little consolation for proud local residents, Hawley noted. The assemblyman has reached out to Worthington Industries Chairman and CEO John McConnell to discuss the best ways to mitigate the economic damage in Medina.

“The news of Bernz-O-Matic’s closure is heartbreaking for the people employed at the plant, their families and all of us across Orleans County,” Hawley said. “Our immediate priority must be to help those affected find new work here in our community as quickly as humanly possible. I offer my deepest regrets to all of Bernz-O-Matic’s employees and pledge my full support in working through this difficult time.”

Coming on the heels of Chase Bank’s call center closure, Hawley lamented the job-killing policies forced on Western New York by out-of-touch lawmakers at the Capitol.

“How many more local jobs must be lost; how many more local families have to suffer before the Capitol lawmakers see the destruction that New York’s anti-business climate causes?” Hawley asked. “Runaway taxes, overregulation and regressive policies have run countless job creators out of our community, yet legislative leaders continue to repeat the mistakes of old that have left our hardworking families out in the cold. It’s time to open our eyes and change our courses before Western New York’s families are forced to watch another company take their jobs across state lines.”

tom hunt

Going to hurt long time employees who have invested most of their working careers into this company. They don't have much of a choice but to move to finish out their working careers and collect a pension. Reminds me of Jello years ago. Similar situation.

Jun 25, 2013, 10:28am Permalink
Fred GUNDELL

He's right. We tax everything, we over regulate everything, then we are devastated when the business relocates. Well get off the couch and vote. We have enough votes upstate to overcome anything in NY City. But we are not solving anything with 40% of registered voters voting. Nor do we solve anything when so many aren't even registered. I blame the Republican Party for not pushing the vote , or registration. Just sitting in your fiefdom with your arms folded because 90% of the voters in your town are Republican will not get things changed in NY!! Nor do they have to be Republican. We need folks willing to do what is best for US!! There, I feel better.

Jun 25, 2013, 10:33am Permalink
Fred GUNDELL

Mark, I agree, but it is a lot more than that. We are taxed to death in this State. Most don't realize what we pay everyday. Businesses pay more. Just think about a business that requires delivery. We pay 40-50 cents a gallon more for gas than any other state (Except California). When considering locating here, would you rather pay 3.80 cents a gallon, or move to SC and pay 3.03 a gallon. Even when the folks that make these decisions figure it all out, they eventually consider what they personally pay in Taxes. Just think about paying NY 40 cents because you bought a hamburger at Mickey D's. What does NY do to earn that 40 cents. NOTHING!! Check out your utility bill, there are more taxes and fees on that. Multiply that a thousand time for a business. Something as cheap and insignificant as your annual 5.00 donation for a dog license is a Tax. They call it a fee, but you are being taxed because you own a dog. The sign at the state border should read " Welcome to New York, the Empire State, pull over and pay here"!! If King Andrew could find a way to measure the air we breath, that would be taxed as well.

Jun 25, 2013, 11:02am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Fred; Mark and I along with 2 other gentlemen who comment on here were having this very same conversation last night. We decided that most of us lose about 60% of our income to taxes. It is absolutely unsustainable, immoral, unconstitutional and just flat killing the economy in so many ways.

Jun 25, 2013, 11:08am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

From the Buffalo News story: "Bernzomatic began using the Medina facility in 1969."

The Orleans County IDA was created in 1971.

Even if Bernzomatic received a PILOT, it would have long ago expired.

So that's not the reason they're leaving.

Yes, taxes are a problem. Regulations are a problem. But another problem is big multinational corporations, such as the parent of Bernzomatic. Bernzomatic started as an entrepreneurial business by one man in the 1880s. I don't know the complete history of the company, but it's a sure bet that the company stayed rooted in its community while owned by that man or his family.

One of the problems WNY faces is not enough people starting businesses that make things. That's necessary to maintain a dynamic and growing economy. It's too easy for big companies to relocate elsewhere.

I'm not against, say, Pepsi, getting tax abatements. I'd rather have them here than PA. But we need a way to generate more home grown businesses. That's what built WNY and that's what can reinvigorate it.

Yes, taxes are high, but the cost of living is low, very low. We have natural and cultural resources. This is a great place to live and raise a family. At the end of the day, bottomline, WNY is what you make it, not what Albany makes it.

Jun 25, 2013, 11:13am Permalink
Fred GUNDELL

and oh by the way, whatever we do, do NOT Tax Cigarettes sold to non-native Americans on the Reservation. Just tax the ones sold at the corner store. There is something wrong with this whole picture. Thanks to everyone for their positive responses. You can tell this is a sour subject for a retired UAW worker, that watched hundred or thousands of our jobs moved out of NY.

Jun 25, 2013, 11:19am Permalink
Mark Brudz

There are three industries necessary for long term employment,

Agriculture
Manufacturing
Reclamation Of Natural Resources

ALL other industries grow from these three, and NY State, it's tax structure and it's finger in the pie politics does all that it can to minimize all three of them.

When you look at the Top three states for job development right now, Texas, North Dakota and Florida, the have a common denominator, Little or no State Income tax, low property taxes, and pay for services as opposed to tax and spend services like we have here.

Contrary to what Mark P's assertion that Tax Abatements are the problem, all three of them give higher tax abatements to bring in industry than we do in New York State. Way higher as a percentage of tax revenue.

Wisconsin, were benz-o-matic is consolidating too consolidating too, offers tremendous tax abatements and is making bringing core industries a priority right now, and they did that fighting a massive tax and spend liberal history in recent years.

High taxes and excessive environmentalism has been the curse to prosperity for years and New York is near the top of that list.

Excessive taxation and regulation are the demise of New York, and until that is addressed, manufacturing businesses will simply move elsewhere.

Jun 25, 2013, 11:26am Permalink
Mark Brudz

I grant you that Howard, however entrepreneurial enterprise also begins with filling a community need, when you eliminate the base, i.e. Agriculture, Manufacturing and Resource development, the need is reduced thus the motivation for the entrepreneurial endeavor. In other words, there is no need to start a bus service if no one is there to ride the bus.

Everything in life is circular, enterprise just like anything else is a reaction to a situation not the foundation, We build houses to shelter those there and those coming rather that building and hoping that they will come. An entrepreneur creates and seizes opportunity based on community need, to sell anything you need a market, and to create a market, there must be a need.

When the population shifts away following the basic three industries, so too does the needs of that population and with it the entrepreneur to seize on the opportunity.

Jun 25, 2013, 11:54am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Come on now, Howard. Although I can agree that making lemon aid from lemons is the best path, that doesn't mean NYS is not increasingly making life harder on small businesses. You just posted a story about a deli being shut down by the division of taxation. A totally thuggish outfit if ever there was. Their legal coercion and seizure tactics are legendary.

Jun 25, 2013, 11:54am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Mark "Everything in life is circular, enterprise just like anything else is a reaction to a situation not the foundation, We build houses to shelter those there and those coming rather that building and hoping that they will come."

I like what you are saying, I agree with your comment. But why then have you defended the GCEDC's use of taxpayer money to create "shovel ready" industrial parks?

Jun 25, 2013, 11:57am Permalink
Fred GUNDELL

Wow.. Ass'yman Hawley really struck a sour spot. Manufacturing, or lack of, seems to be a common thread. Manufacturing not only creates jobs making something(Howard), but sustains support jobs in the community. Like restaurants etc. But ask any remaining manufacturing company and they will tell you it is very difficult in NY to stay competitive. Especially when we all flock to Walmart and Target to buy all the Chinese goods we can get our hands on. Ask Leroy Machine how competitive they were. They cut, and cut, and cut, and still could not compete with folks working for $10.00 a month, with no Healthcare, no Social Security, No unemployment, and no workmans comp. Employers here are faced with these costs before they even produce a product or pay taxes. Employers in Bangladesh don't. Big disadvantage. But high taxes and regs do not help.

Jun 25, 2013, 12:09pm Permalink
Mark Brudz

Dave ALL States compete for industry, Simply saying that we are not going to do that here, will not stop Texas which gives 56 cents of every dollar in the state budget toward recruiting industries as opposed to our 7 cents per tax dollar, or Florida's 16 cents or north Dakota's 10 cents.

We could do away with GCDEC today, and all IDA's in New York, and feel happy, until we realize that IDA's in 48 of the other 50 states won the contracts of new industry over us. That is the reality.

When the Federal government grants tax incentive, it is picking and choosing, however when a State government does it is competing with the other states as they are supposed too.

We are not ever going to eliminate competition between states, nor should we think of doing so,

Jun 25, 2013, 12:10pm Permalink
Robert Brown

Sadly, WNY will not be all it can be while Albany has its grubby paws in our back pockets. Eliminate the mandates, eliminate the eastward flowing river of cash, and eliminate the interference then maybe we could fully enjoy the positive aspects of the area.

Jun 25, 2013, 12:13pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Mark I just believe that the IDA's are making the problem worse instead of helping. Until this "breaks for some, but not everyone" stops, the taxes in NY are never going to subside. Other states be damned. Why do we try to compete? Why are we using failed practices of making the grass look greener on our side, over and over when they just don't work that well?
I do agree with Howard in that small firms, community grounded, family tied and entrepreneur run can do wonders for a community. How about linking together into some type of co-operative to manufacture parts of a product that can be marketed as a completed unit by the co-op? Instead of spending money and resources on luring a big manufacturer by preparing a place that most likely will have to be altered a few times until a taker is found, who typically doesn't fulfill the promises made. in the meantime, everyone sits around waiting, doesn't vote and Albany keeps pressing down harder and harder on our necks with the big boot.

One thing is sure, people create opportunity not government.

Jun 25, 2013, 12:28pm Permalink
John Roach

Year after year, business groups rate NY as an unfriendly place to do business. Sure some come here and open up, but you just have to look and see how many have left.

Albany refuses to reform itself. By now we know out of control state spending is a major problem. We have state authorities that do not answer to anyone. We have agencies that have overlapping jobs and wasteful spending. We have a Medicaid program that cost more than any other state in the union, but it keeps going on and on.

Jun 25, 2013, 12:29pm Permalink
Mike Piazza

Mark, you are so right on the button on this......you are clear voice of reason. Mark, I know you are probably really busy running your own company, but I think there might be a higher calling for you.....to serve on some kind of business council or in some kind of advisory position on the state level. Have you ever given any thought to doing something of this sort?

Jun 25, 2013, 12:50pm Permalink
Mark Brudz

And quietly Rick Perry, Governor of Texas was in NY State last week giving his pitch to several small medical equipment manufacturers through out New York State. "Come to Texas" the MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY STATE was his battle cry, and you can bet that over the next few years some of those small entrepreneurial companies not only will, but they will prosper in the process.

You asked, " Why do we try to compete?' We compete because that is what commerce is, a series of competitions, while industries compete for market share, States and communities compete for those businesses to bring employment and growth.

Jun 25, 2013, 12:51pm Permalink
Mark Brudz

Thank you for the kind words Michael, but there are far more qualified and accomplished people out there than I could ever be already there, and what they are saying is falling on deft ears.

Jun 25, 2013, 12:59pm Permalink
Fred GUNDELL

I think this entire group would make a great Business Council,, and cost a lot less than we pay now. Nice picture of a business being seized for not paying taxes. Seems to reinforce everything we are talking about.

Jun 25, 2013, 1:33pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

The question was rhetorical, Mark. The point is that it has not been an effective strategy and throwing more money (tax break gimmicks) at it won't work. Only makes it worse.

I have to stop now, even my hard head hurts after banging it on the desk after a while.

Jun 25, 2013, 2:07pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Fred I have to say the pendulum is swinging though. Take a look at products in Wal Mart and Target, even Dollar General and such. look at the generic brands in these places now. Alot of those products are now made in USA again. China and India are going through what we did during the industrial revolution, cheap labor aint so cheap, they are organizing unions and people are just refusing to work for almost nothing. I couldn't believe it myself til I looked for myself it seems to be true. This holds up Mark's circular theory about these types of things. As an amateur historian I can see this happening throughout time as well...

As for the situation in Medina. I saw Howard mention that he didn't mind Pepsi getting a tax break. However as that tax break dwindles, whats to stop Pepsi from doing the same thing to "maximize efficiency" in the future. All over the country there are towns that are almost dead because they had a big boom of industry then those industries move or consolidate leaving behind buildings useless for anything. Its one of the caveats for the GCEDC creating a pseudo economic bubble. Whe it bursts and reality sets in, it wont be pretty.

Its a band aid solution for an arterial wound.

Jun 25, 2013, 2:51pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Also the amateur historian in me is laughing at some of this as well. I read somewhere that the taxes we endure with a simple shrug of the shoulders and an "Oh well". They are almost 4x what our Founding Fathers began this country over. I wonder how long before history repeats itself? Will we see a NY I-Phone party where a shipment of whatever that year's I-phone is is dumped into NY harbor in protest of it being made abroad, taxed heavily and so on.... LOL

I am sarcastic but believe it or not Tea was to that generation, what our mobile phones are to us today. Only difference is our Founding Fathers were sensible enough not to drink it while driving/riding.

Jun 25, 2013, 3:05pm Permalink

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