Economic Growth off the Menu at LoPorto's

Just when Chappy Campana was about to lock up the heavyweight title for hostility toward economic progress in Troy, Councilman Michael LoPorto (District 7) has given him a run for his money. Loporto's now-infamous comments, telling David Bryce, one of Troy's single biggest investors, to "pack up and leave", has certainly raised the bar. Perhaps there's something lost in LoPorto's delivery without the Borat moustache he sported during his 2005 campaign, but on its face, telling an investor that you don't want his money definitely isn't sound business policy. But Councilman, because you've been so good with providing us material in the past, we're willing to spend our Saturday morning breaking things down for you in a way you'll understand.

Let's pretend that you have a large pile of leftover food behind your restaurant. It's a big heap of all the penne and fettuccine and bread crusts and napkins and other things that have been scraped off plates in the years you've been open. It's huge. Now, someday, you're going to have to deal with the fact that this pile is back there because, let's face it, it's a big pile of rotting food, and you're in the restaurant business, not waste management. So let's say David Bryce shows up at your door, and offers to buy that pile of garbage off of you. Not only that, but he's going to install patio seating back there, so you'll get even more business where you previously couldn't have. Wouldn't it be in your best interest to say "yes" instead of waiting for the pile to become a health risk or collapse? And hey, he's offering you a few bucks for something no one else wants. Is a better plan to (a) take his money, give up the mess and allow yourself the economic benefits or (b) throw your wine in his face and tell him to leave?

We knew you could be reasoned with, Mike.