Fourth of July weekend is a busy weekend for tourists, and where better than central New York for summer boating enthusiasts?
With numerous lakes, the Erie Canal and three smaller canal ways, upstate New York welcomes more southern tourists than people may realize, particularly from Florida.
But the Erie Canal seems to be eating money.
It's been whispered that renovations and operational costs have reached more than $50 million annually.
The state recoups a large part of this from public money, primarily highway tolls.
This has sparked controversy among blue collar workers from downstate who travel the highways daily in expensive commutes to and from work.
In a struggling economy, it's a legitimate beef.
Though no one debates the historical significance of the Erie Canal, there is concern that the canal is not trafficked enough to be the responsibility of the state Thruway Authority.
Consider, New York ports no longer depend on the river system and downstate residents feel they have to foot the bill for wealthy Florida yachters.
Frankly, I'm not shedding any tears for downstate residents. When it comes to dollars and cents, the last nickel will always roll their way.
Besides which, New York City will never want for tourists; whereas upstate is constantly having to fight for funding to develop commercial tourism.
Then what is the solution? How can we preserve the history of the canals, develop tourism along the canals and maintain the canals, without constantly increasing highway tolls for downstate residents?
The answer is simple; the Erie Canal waterways need more federal funding. Is the Erie Canal any less significant than Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty?
These sites seem more glamorous, mostly because of the way that they are marketed to tourists.
I think that the Erie Canal could be every bit as popular as the Grand Canyon if funds were available to build businesses and attractions along the waterways and lakes.
The returns of the investment would have a huge impact on upstate New Yorkers, where job growth is desperately needed.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
But the Erie Canal seems to be eating money.
It's been whispered that renovations and operational costs have reached more than $50 million annually.
The state recoups a large part of this from public money, primarily highway tolls.
This has sparked controversy among blue collar workers from downstate who travel the highways daily in expensive commutes to and from work.
In a struggling economy, it's a legitimate beef.
Though no one debates the historical significance of the Erie Canal, there is concern that the canal is not trafficked enough to be the responsibility of the state Thruway Authority.
Consider, New York ports no longer depend on the river system and downstate residents feel they have to foot the bill for wealthy Florida yachters.
Frankly, I'm not shedding any tears for downstate residents. When it comes to dollars and cents, the last nickel will always roll their way.
Besides which, New York City will never want for tourists; whereas upstate is constantly having to fight for funding to develop commercial tourism.
Then what is the solution? How can we preserve the history of the canals, develop tourism along the canals and maintain the canals, without constantly increasing highway tolls for downstate residents?
The answer is simple; the Erie Canal waterways need more federal funding. Is the Erie Canal any less significant than Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty?
These sites seem more glamorous, mostly because of the way that they are marketed to tourists.
I think that the Erie Canal could be every bit as popular as the Grand Canyon if funds were available to build businesses and attractions along the waterways and lakes.
The returns of the investment would have a huge impact on upstate New Yorkers, where job growth is desperately needed.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
