ON THE JOB ‘What Should the President’s Focus Be for the Next Four Years?” Interviews by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant “I want him to not raise taxes and maintain low regulations on businesses. Any businessman wants that. Maybe he should rebuild the infrastructure of the nation to bring more jobs. That will spur the economy, so it will grow.” Patrick Burns Owner of Wet Paint Company, Oswego “We look at what’s in our community, but no matter who is sitting in the seat of the President, they’re looking at the whole country. There may be a reason for why they see it that way, whether the information they receive from other politicians, meeting with communities all over the country. I would really love to see the economy pick up in the sense of jobs coming back. We’ve lost many, many businesses. If you go through some of these malls, they’re empty. Nobody goes to the few stores that are there. If we don’t have businesses, we don’t have jobs. If people don’t have jobs, they can’t find housing or go to college for education to better themselves. There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to not having access to good paying jobs.” Reynald Ortiz, Jr.
14
Executive director of Syracuse Model Neighborhood Corporation, Syracuse “Obviously, COVID is a major concern. Also, the more we can do to make ourselves more competitive internationally would certainly help our business.” John Sharkey President, Universal Metal Works, Fulton “My No. 1 concern is healthcare. I have a small business. I haven’t had good healthcare. I hope they’ll improve insurance for all so small businesses won’t have to worry about it. I hope [the new administration] will support small business, women and minoritybusinesses, especially. That hasn’t been addressed in the past four years. I’m hopeful that a woman vice president will bring some of these issues to light. I’ll definitely be sending her letters. As far as small businesses, you don’t get a lot of the benefits that someone who works for a large business does, yet we work really hard. Rebecca A. Duger Owner/designer, Uniquely Designed by Rebecca, Elbridge
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
“I would certainly hope that this administration approaches government ethically, kindly and with a world view. Isolating ourselves from the rest of the world was a poor decision, especially when we’re facing a worldwide pandemic. I appreciate the indications that the new administration is going to be diverse and firmly advocating for every single American, regardless of political party, race, creed, etetera.” Tracy Black Owner, Tracy Black Consulting, Clinton “I hope he’s able to give some more aid to the small businesses, especially in the light of the pandemic. As an accountant, I’m seeing a lot of the businesses struggle, especially the small ones and also the restaurants and bars.” Janet R Goncalves Owner, JR Financial Solutions, Cicero “As we approach the next several years, I would like to see increased access to small business capital and a more significant investment in data collection in the small business sector.” Meghan Florkowski Director, WISE Women’s Business Center, Syracuse “I definitely think we need to look at more comprehensive, open business loan policies, particularly for minority-owned businesses who have issues with personal credit or for whatever reason. It could be generational systemic racism, where black families weren’t allowed to purchase homes and were able to use that money to build their businesses. I would love to see over the next four years policies created that will
DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021
