BizStratBlog2

Focus: Fix New York State

Local business owner and CEO Joe Klein speaks out about New York politics and what needs to be done to reform the state to keep people, companies, and jobs here. Klein, a life-long resident of Rochester and owner of Klein Steel Services, Inc., knows first hand the challenges that face companies within Upstate New York. In a recent interview, he reiterates a few key items of what he believes must happen.

BSM (Business Strategies Magazine): Joe, you made headlines last year for your controversial remarks at the Small Business Council luncheon. Recently, you expressed your thoughts about local business economics, and politics in an essay that appeared in the Democrat and Chronicle. How would you sum up the most pressing issues facing Governor Eliot Spitzer at this time?

Klein: Unfortunately, I think we’re in worse shape than last October. Our amount of job loss and unemployment is in direct relationship to the state’s budget overspending, which is basically triple the cost of inflation. Our Governor, Senate and Assembly should NOT be proud of this. However, I do think that Governor Spitzer truly wants to fix the problems of New York. He needs to continue to tell the people of our state to keep speaking out until they force our legislators to take action.

In all probability, Governor Spitzer isn’t going to be able to persuade the Assembly and Senate to do what we need to do. Just look at the top political contributors—they will make sure this never sees the light of day. Basically, legislators are willfully ignorant or they're divorced from reality or simply lining their pockets.

Here are the issues I think we have to address in moving forward to reform our state of New York:

• Fix our electoral voting districts. Stop the gerrymandering of electoral districts. Fair voting districts must be created. Look to Iowa as an example of creating fair voting districts. (Unlike New York)


• Spending is up 9 % in this year's budget. In estimation, this could cost 30,000 jobs in Upstate. The budget should be getting an F grade. It is as bad as any budget in the last 20 years and the legislators and Governor should be ashamed of it.

Longevity Calculator

According to my crystal ball, I should live to be 99 years old. Not bad, but I was aiming for 100. 

Well, actually, there's no crystal ball but it's true that many predictable lifestyle factors can calculate risk and reasonably project longevity. In this past Sunday's USA Weekend, the cover was full of people who had answered questions for the longevity calculator to figure their age. I decided to take the test.

After years in the fitness profession, I've seen various types of risk factor calculations and found this one very interesting with its compilation of questions and recommendations by Thomas Perls, MD, author of Living To 100, Lessons in Living to Your Maximum Potential at Any Age. The enlightening part is that many of us can improve our "score" and add years to our life with just a few minor behavior adjustments. 

According to the"personalized recommendations" that immediately followed my questionnaire, if I cut back on the daily caffeine and live closer to relatives (hmmm), I can add a few more months to my total. Thankfully, my score was good in the exercise and stress management categories. Not smoking and getting plenty of sleep also added at least a decade to my score.

Ready to calculate your own age?

If you're less than 50 years old, go to www.livingto100.com to take the assessment that considers your lifestyle, stress levels, general nutrition habits and family history to figure out how long you will live. If you happen to be over 50 years old, then you need to take the assessment at www.eons.com  The main goal is to maximize what you have, while you have it.  A good policy for all of us. So, maybe I will make it to 100 after all.

Under Pressure?

How's your pressure these days?  Not the kind at the office, but rather, inside...the pressure of force against your blood vessels walls known as blood pressure. Have you had it checked lately?

As a silent culprit linked to strokes and cardiac risk factors, high blood pressure needs to be controlled. And, the good news is that we can often influence it with our daily choices. In an effort to stay healthy, my husband and I recently purchased an automatic blood pressure monitor at a local pharmacy. It was a bit more expensive than the traditional aneroid monitor, but very simple for home use: just slip it on the arm, press the start button and watch it work! In less than one minute both blood pressure and pulse can be displayed in large, easy-to-read digital numbers. I'm proud to say my numbers are well below average, while my husband tends to hover around the so-called border of being high, unless he's paying close attention to his exercise and eating habits. We've recorded the numbers for a couple of weeks now and see some distinct improvements.

Keeping track of your blood pressure reading in a daily or weekly log can give your doctor additional data when it's time for your check up. The text-book normal is 120/80, while 140 /90 is considered borderline hypertension.  Here's a quick review of terms:

Systolic pressure is the highest pressure in an artery when your heart is pumping blood throughout the body. diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure in an artery when the heart is at rest. Hypertension is high blood pressure, while Hypotension is low blood pressure. Your actual blood pressure reading is made up of both the systolic and diastolic measures with the systolic reading first.

Naturally blood pressure goes up during exercise and other stress because the body needs that force or pressure to meet the demand. In a healthy response, the systolic (top number) increases, while the diastolic (lower number) stays relatively the same or goes down. The recovery heart rate and blood pressure immediately following a workout are indicators of fitness level and used in basic fitness testing. Exercise is good for improving your blood pressure and many times recommended by doctors along with nutritional adjustments, such as reduced sodium in the diet, and eliminating unhealthy habits such as tobacco in all forms. Medication is also an option for your physician to determine.

If you happen to find yourself under pressure, keep track of your numbers. And remember the steps you can take to improve your blood pressure: less salt, less caffeine, less alcohol and more exercise. Check with your doctor if you have any concerns and especially if your pressure is above 140 /90.  Breathe and try to relax as you go through your day. No need to be under pressure.

Deborah Mangiamele