Over twenty years ago New York was having a problem. It was a very unfriendly city, with rampant crime, and what was even worse, businesses were leaving left and right to get cheaper rent in New Jersey. The attitude of new business was------ if folks in New York were not welcome, why not locate somewhere people were friendly.
And they did. Businesses moved and announced the moves daily.
New Yorkers, led by Mayor Koch, went on the educational offensive. They realized that
education can solve anything.....they hoped. They printed little handbooks explaining to New Yorkers in stark terms.....how to be nice....how to be welcoming....how to be civilized. Then the little books went over the consequences if they did not educate themselves.....that was the section about rising taxes.
It probably was not the nice part of the instruction in the books that worked with these folks---maybe it was the stark prospect of skyrocketing costs of living that made the difference. In any event---you all know the rest of the story.
New York did become more welcoming. And they did make some progress in the crime area. And they did retain and gather more business.
I have been searching my old boxes of nostalgia to see if I can find one of those old "New York Nice" booklets. They might just be useful.
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