NEW YORK STATE -- Many elected officials, business leaders and lawmakers across upstate New York are furious over the governor's plan to consolidate the leadership of the Empire State Development Corporation. On Wednesday, he tried to quell fears saying the focus on upstate revitalization has not been abandoned.

"I understand the anxiety and the fear that a lot of business leaders and the elected officials from upstate made us aware of in the last few days. Because they feel that decade after decade and I think that the facts will bear out, that they are right. We have ignored nearly 50 counties in this state time and time again," said Governor Patterson.

But despite the upstate pressure, the new governor is not backing down from his new plan, saying the way the ESDC is currently structured is not working.

"I'm the one running the business, no matter what anyone else says, I'm the one responsible for this dysfunction and I'm trying to change it,” Paterson said. “I invite you to go to people who work at ESDC and when you find someone that thought that structure was working please give them my phone number."

One upstate mayor says the governor is right.

"We were considered upstate but part of the downstate network, so it was confusing to us as to who we should go to appeal for funding for projects in this city,” said Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian. ”There's only one governor in the state and the governor runs the entire state. I don't see why there needs to be two heads of the ESDC."

Under Spitzer's system, Patrick Foye was the chairman for Downstate and Dan Gunderson for upstate. Shortly after Paterson took office, Foye stepped down and the word is Gunderson is not being considered for the solo job.

Paterson wouldn't say much more on the topic of leadership other than right now he's organizing. But no matter how hard the governor pleads his case...

"We are going to have a strong and viable development plan for the upstate region," Paterson said.

Some are still skeptical.

A spokesperson from the Rochester based business coalition Unshackle Upstate which has been outspoken in their opposition of the plan, said Wednesday, they remain fearful of it and only time will tell.