The Palestinians, as former Israeli foreign minister Abba Eban used to say, never miss a chance to miss a chance.

What would Eban say about Jefferson County?

Depending on where you live, you can outline your own scenario regarding roads, zoning, water districts, utilities and a host of other planning and infrastructure components where hindsight is a cruel teacher.

If we could just go back 20, 30, 40 years ago we wouldn't have torn down those buildings, blocked the development of that concept, or allowed this road to go there.

We always vow to do better and get it right the next time, but the best of intentions are often eroded by politics, money and timing.

And sex.

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's bold plan to reduce the cost of government by consolidating services died in February over a measly $4,000 ATM transfer.

Jefferson County is no better or worse than our neighbors in claiming/botching the future. But unlike most areas of New York, this county has a rare chance to bring about a dynamic shift in our economy and quality of life.

The build-up of Fort Drum has been relentless for nearly 25 years. There are so many announcements of so many federally approved projects that even our newspaper is left wondering if we have reported the same money twice.

Part of this growth will soon bring about the Fort Drum Connector, a 2-mile-or-so stretch that will connect the post's main gate to Interstate 81.

In building this road, the state highway department will in effect open up miles of virgin territory, which will then be subject to the whims of adjacent property owners and town planning boards.

So let's pose the question now: What do you expect to one day see when you drive down this super-road?

Fortunately, the road will not have dozens of crossroads and stoplights. It will truly be a connector road that allows Fort Drum traffic to bypass the growing congestion along Route 11 north of Watertown.

Yet, access to the property — using service roads — can happen. And that's where our community should make a modest proposal: develop an economic corridor that will be a home to firms that do business with the military.

I recently pitched the idea to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Empire State Development's upstate chairman, Daniel C. Gundersen. They both had the kind of reaction you'd expect from outsiders. Their eyes lit up.

They've both seen this kind of land use around military installations in which the adjacent community took advantage of the fact that today's military has access to technology that is comparable to anything used in the private sector.

How would it work? How should I know? I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies.

But let's make some observations and assumptions.

1. The location of the connector ensures that residential and commercial growth from Watertown north can occur unimpeded by this new highway.

2. The town of LeRay is finally developing a long-range view of growth after town leaders concluded that there is a higher order in nature than storage units.

3. Fort Drum's housing construction almost ensures that we are going to have a housing surplus in a few years — which will make moving the 10th Mountain Division's fourth brigade here a reality. Jefferson County will be home to even more soldiers who will one day retire with Fort Drum being their last duty station.

4. Businesses such as Otis Technology in Lewis County and Defenshield Inc. in East Syracuse are successfully integrating themselves into the Department of Defense. Wars will always be fought with boots on the ground, but technology is ensuring more of our boots come home in one piece. The next technological explosion is always right around the corner, and retired servicemen and women are going to fuel it.

5. The military is trying to figure out how to help Jefferson County advance to the benefit of Fort Drum. That's why we have Gen. Mike Oates suggesting a civilian application of Wheeler-Sack Airfield. He's watching and waiting as civilians debate expanding local air service. Meanwhile, he has thousands of soldiers hitching rides every day to Syracuse to fly home for leave. He wants to resolve the issue right now. Which begs the question: How often do you get a component of the federal government saying, "Here, Let Me Give You Something For Free"?

6. With the Army allowing longer assignments, more soldiers — and their spouses and children — are living more years in the north country. More of them will want to stay here — with their computer-savvy skill set — after they leave the service.

The north country's myopia prevents many natives from seeing what outsiders see: this is a fine place to raise a family. (And for all the whining we all do about our local schools, well, soldiers know what it's like to send the kids to Hogjowl High in less education-minded areas of our country. The fact is, most soldiers like having their kids in our schools.)

But if you are simply hung up on dollars and cents, then remember that New York does not tax the pensions of retired service members. That makes it a nice place to also stay AFTER you have raised a family.

So here's the scheme. Designate a swath of land north of the connector road, get control of it, hold on to it and market it. Get the state on board, get the feds on board, get the military on board.

Put in roads, utilities, etc., and do it quickly before somebody decides that what we really need is another automated car wash.

Then announce to the world that Jefferson County has a high-tech corridor and high-tech warriors ready to go to work.

What's that? You say it won't work?

Oh, OK. You're probably right. Never mind.

Bob Gorman is the managing editor of the Times.