When we launched the “Road to 1000 Democratic Ideas” tour we were determined to meet with voters in every county in the state and to get as many interesting suggestions for reform as possible.  We hoped to hear 1000 ideas, but knew the road there would be tough.

Well, we are pleased to announce that during our swing through the North Country last week we met our goal of collecting more than 1000 ideas from everyday New Yorkers, with the ideas coming from nearly every county in New York State.

This unprecedented month-long swing has made us that much more aware of how innovative and original New Yorkers really are.  The suggestions have made us think and will continue to influence the debate over how to improve New York.

This time hailing from the North Country, here’s our final round-up of New Yorkers’ ideas.

• Franklin – Upgrade the St. Lawrence Seaway so that it can accommodate large container shipping and spur job growth.

• Warren – Fully electrify New York State’s railroads so that they can be powered by renewable energy.

• St. Lawrence – Simplify the school funding formula so that a layman can understand it.

• Hamilton – Require nursing homes to provide residents with access to the outdoors.

• Essex – Require state legislators to hold at least five open, town-hall-style public meetings in their district each year.

The ideas expressed above and in other posts are from ordinary New Yorkers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the New York Democratic Committee or any of its candidates.