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Utica: City with a Warm Heart

By State of the Re:Union

A couple of decades ago, Utica, New York, was dying, by even its residents diagnosis: a popular bumper sticker in the ‘90s read “Last One Out of Utica, Please Turn Out the Lights.” Once a bustling textile city perched on edge of the Erie Canal, Utica lost its mills in the mid-20th century, and has been losing population ever since. But something has changed in recent years, with a surprising influx of refugees to this part of snowy, cold upstate New York—the newcomers have given Utica hope for second chance.

We would love to hear what you think about our newest episode, Utica – City with a Warm Heart. Go ahead, give us what you got! Simply comment below to get the conversation started.

 

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 1st, 2011 at 7:43 am and is filed under Episode Centered, Utica. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • http://twitter.com/RickShort21 Rick Short

    I am from Utica (Whitesboro, suburb) and am involved with several elements included in this report. Bottom line:  EXCELLENT report!

    I served on the board of directors of the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, I personally drove the Amerasian refugees you discussed from the airport to their homes. I know several of the people you interviewed, I live and work in this community.  You did not distort anything, didn’t make any errors, and didn’t stretch any truths. This report is spot-on. It is an excellent compliment to the United Nations magazine that was dedicated to Utica (The Town That Loves Refugees), and to the Reader’s Digest article focusing on our community (The Second Chance City) and is the most comprehensive treatment that I am aware of.

    THANK YOU for the investment of your resources as you created this. It is truly appreciated. Great job!

  • Dan Pozefsky

    Enjoyed the show – I to am from Utica (New Hartford actually).  I would have liked to have heard a little less about the refugees and more about Utica.  Utica is so much more than the refugees.  I do agree that Utica is a city with a warm heart and am glad to hear some good things said about it for a change – Utica desearves it!!

  • Elizabeth Powell

    Heard the show on WAMU, in Frederick, MD – shocked to hear about Utica.  As a native, I was touched by the broadcast and very proud that my home city was so open-minded in converting a church into a mosque.  I currently am head of my own scientific laboratory, which is a mix of different cultures; the show made me realize that much of my philosophy in integrating people into a team was from my childhood experiences in Utica.