Page One for week of 9/24/08 thru 9/30/08

Over the last year or so, as I traveled around our city. People who have read one of my other online publications which is devoted mostly to national and world political issues, (shameless plug follows) A View from the Bridge at ClapSotronics (end plug) have repeatedly asked me if I ever thought of doing a publication dedicated to local issues. My answer at first was that I didn’t think I had the time to post everyday to a new publication as I believe I should. To which they would sometimes answer “so do a weekly” and I would say that a weekly wouldn’t get many readers. After our first issue published last week I can happily say that I was wrong about that. We have gotten a good number of readers for our first issue and have every reason to hope that our readership will grow.

My other concern was that I alone would not be able to produce enough content, so I hit on the idea of opening up this local weekly for submissions of any kind from other residents of Utica and/or for works about the city of Utica from those who live outside our city. Alas, thus far the only other Utica resident besides myself who has contributed to The Utica Soap Box is our city’s Mayor. In case you missed the Mayor’s much appreciated contribution, you will find it just below this post here on page one.

We received only one submission for this weeks issue, and that was from a blog buddy of mine who lives in Pennsylvania (more on that in the next paragraph)! We hope the submission rate will be picking up soon! COME ON UTICA, REPRESENT! After all if the Mayor, and my buddy from Pennsylvania, and last and least myself can be brave enough to publish here, how hard can it be? I know YOU are reading this! How about contributing?

This issue we have a poem by my buddy Qazse If you click his name that will take you to his blog where he keeps a bunch of his other poems! He sent us a Haiku, and since Haiku are three line poems and only contain 17 syllables. That makes it short enough to place right here on page one! I think the Mayor inviting people to visit worked with Qazse:

Utica New York
A place I have not been to
Perhaps someday soon

I will also be adding it to our poetry section!

There is also our second weekly editorial. With all that is going on with our economy, I thought an editorial dedicated to the plight of the poorest of the poor, who are homeless, would be timely. You can read it and our previous editorial by clicking this Editorials or the “Editorials” link under our “Section Links” heading to your right on this page and other pages too.

As promised last week I have added an “Articles Concerning the Mayors Master Plan” link under the Section Links heading and it is now live. I have added what it turns out will be the first of several installments I will be adding on a weekly basis. I had originally hoped to just do a single concise suggestion post there, but over 10,000 words into it I realized concise would not be possible for me when it comes to the future of our city. Again, the economy being very much on everyone’s mind these days, I have posted my first installment on economic issues there. YOU should send us YOUR ideas concerning the Mayors Master Plan so we can publish YOUR Master plan SUGGESTIONS to that section!

On the list titled “Section Links” to your right, you will see headings that are blue. This means the links are active and clicking them will take you to what is posted under that heading. I hope you will take the time to click the links and read what’s there! Black ones are still awaiting someones contribution. Will you be the first to contribute to that heading? You can always return here to page one by clicking “HOME” on the top right corner of any page. Clicking any link that takes you away from The Utica Soap Box will open that link in a new window or tab.

If you have something you would like to see published here. Please view our submission options and guidelines by clicking this link.

We will be publishing weekly, every Wendsday at 9AM eastern time. Our next issue will be published

October 1, 2008. Thanks for stopping by, and we hope you make us a regular weekly read!

Our First Post!

As is the great tradition of new enterprises, The Mayor of Utica, New York will cut the ribbon:

Utica Mayor Angelo Roefaro

The City of Utica is honored to “cut the ribbon” for the Utica Soap Box. This is our first online ribbon cutting since the city was founded by the Unundadages in the 1800’s. I hope it brings about positive and constructive discussion to all who visit.

As Mayor I have one clear vision for this city: To propel Utica into the future through responsible business practices and giving future Mayors a blue print to follow which outlines how this city will grow in the next 10, 20, even 50 years. The Master Plan I proposed during the election is now something on the horizon. We’re looking to choose a consultant soon. We’ve gotten a great response when we bid out for the project, and the firms are all well known and accomplished in the area of city planning.

The best part, it’s YOU the citizen who will dictate how this Master Plan is put together. Where do you see the city going? What is your vision? There is no suggestion to small or too out of the ordinary. We’ve got to think for tomorrow. The Utica Soap Box can be a great place to start this dialogue. Aside from the Utica Soap Box, public meetings throughout all areas of the city will be announced once the Master Plan process is underway. We want you involved!

I am humbled to be the Mayor of the City of Utica and even more honored to engage in positive discussion about our great city. If you are from afar, consider visiting. We’ve got so many great things to offer. Check out our city website: cityofutica.com. If you click under “Press Releases” you will see some pictures and news about some of the things we’re accomplishing.

Remember, (and I mean it) We’re in this TOGETHER…..

Angelo Roefaro

Thank you so much mister Mayor. With that most auspicious beginning, the Utica Soap Box is now open! Our first issue is a bit sparse, as this publication is geared toward articles contributed by our cities citizens and we have just started to get the word out. If you have something you would like to see published here. Please view our submission options and guidelines by clicking this link.

On the list titled section Links to your right, you will see a couple of headings that are blue. This means the links are active and clicking them will take you to what is posted under that heading. Black ones are still awaiting someones contribution. Will you be the first to contribute to that heading?

This issue all we have is a poem, found under the heading poetry of course, and our first editorial found under it’s heading. I hope you will take the time to click the links and read what’s there!

We will be publishing weekly, every Wendsday at 9AM eastern time. Our next issue will be published September 24, 2008. Thanks for stopping by, and we hope you make us a regular weekly read!