Parker's Predictions 2007

In her ninth annual speech to the Rochester Rotary, Sandy Parker, president and chief executive of the Rochester Business Alliance gave a regional economic outlook for 2007 and made some predictions about community events. How did Sandy fare for her 2007 predictions? Her reflections from her 2008 Rotary speech are italicized below:

Parker's Predictions for 2007
1. Unshackle Upstate will score its first win with the adoption of a bill significantly reforming New York's workers' compensation law.
   Sandy was correct in predicting that Unshackle would adopt a bill to reform Worker's Comp.
   
2. Overall job growth in the region will remain flat.
   In essence, job growth in our region has remained flat with a modest 1.1 percent growth rate.
   
3. Maggie Brooks will be re-elected as Monroe County Executive.
   Maggie Brooks was re-elected.
   
4. Eliot Spitzer will have a productive first 100 days as governor, including appointment of an Upstate economic development czar.
   Results are mixed - Gov. Spitzer had a very productive first 100 days, but later was sidetracked in bipartisan bickering.
   
5. Hillary Clinton will declare her candidacy for U.S. president.
   Senator Clinton is indeed running for president.
   
6. Efforts to revitalize downtown will gain steam, including a new owner for Midtown Plaza. But it remains uncertain the revitalization plan will include a midsized theater or a casino.
   Efforts to revitalize downtown is gaining steam with the announcement of PAETEC's new corporate headquarters.
   
7. Groundbreaking on Renaissance Square may be delayed while the community asks questions about the project and its impact.
   Correct again! The community needs more information and detail to earn support.
   
8. The city of Rochester and Monroe County Water Authority will come to agreement on consolidating water systems.
   Half-credit on this prediction - the city and county are seriously discussing this consolidation.
   
9. The county, still saddled with a budget gap for 2008, will again push for a sales tax increase. That proposal will be met with much community debate.
   Sandy believed Monroe County would push for a sales tax increase (incorrect assumption), and expected a fierce community debate (resulting from the announcement of the F.A.I.R. plan).
   
10. The Buffalo Sabres, owned by Tom Golisano, will win the Stanley Cup.
    This year, Sandy vowed to stop trying to predict win-losses for our area's sports teams.
    

Media Coverage
• Democrat and Chronicle - 'Face challenges head on', leader urges
• 13WHAM - Parker's Predictions
• 10NBC - 2007 economic outlook
• Rochester Business Journal - RBA chief more optimistic in '07