UTICA, N.Y - After the President made some negative comments about upstate New York's economy, local residents and city officials are reacting.  The President said in an Interview "If New York isn't going to treat them better, I would recommend they go to another state and get a better job."

Residents around the area have mixed opinions about the president's comments.

"He's not wrong, everything is taxed up here, taxes are so high here. The higher the taxes go, the more people are going to want to leave here because they can't afford it," said Peter Clark.

According to Wallethub.com, New York State is considered the highest taxed state in the country.  City officials voiced their opinions about what the president had to say about upstate.

"Well I think that's unfortunate, I know the president has a lot of support here especially here in Oneida County, we hear it all the time. I wish he would come back and help us, It's a wonderful place to live," said Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo.

"Well I'm a little disappointed, I understand when the president came to Utica, he thought it was a warm welcoming community that we had. You would think as a leader you would want to bring people together, not divide and conquer," said Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri.

Both Palmieri and Izzo believe the President should make a return to upstate New York to see all that it has to offer.

"I think Utica, New York has a lot to offer, and I wish that the president would come back here to understand what a great area we have and how warm we are. We have an awful lot to offer and I hope the president would recognize that," said Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri.