Page 9 - Work Force July-August 2016

Brockport residents reject village dissolution
BROCKPORT — Voters in the Village of Brockport went to the polls May 24 to consider whether the village government should be dissolved. It was the second time in six years a group of wealthy landlords pushed for the dissolution referendum. The vote was 817 to 623. In 2010, the same proposal was rejected by 59 to 41 percent.
The very existence of
local governments and small municipalities all throughout New York state have been challenged in recent years, especially after
Gov. Andrew Cuomo created tax incentives and grant money to
entice residents to dissolve village operations. CSEA has fought off other dissolution challenges in the past, winning campaigns in the villages
of Medina, Hamburg, Lancaster and Sloan.
Pro-Brockport advocates expressed concerns over the loss of public services including a village police force, code enforcement and services provided by the department of public works. CSEA represents village employees who work for the
Village of Brockport Municipal Building
Department of Public Works. After the polls closed,
Pro-Brockport supporters and
village workers were relieved as
they counted all the votes. John Streb, unit president for the Village
of Brockport DPW employees, immediately thanked members of
the community and CSEA members and staff for their campaign efforts to keep the village whole.
“Let’s hope we’re done with this dissolution talk for a while,” said Streb. “We were always optimistic and I’m glad it’s over. We never lost faith in the fact we knew village residents needed us and the services we provide. People love their local governments — and this vote proved that.”
— Ove Overmyer
“We never lost faith in the fact we knew village residents needed us and the services we provide. People love their local governments — and this vote proved that.”
— John Streb, Unit President, Village of Brockport DPW Employees
CSEA takes steps toward healthier hearts
Despite some rainy weather, CSEA members and staff in the Capital Region came together to support the American Heart Association at its annual Capital Region Heart Walk on June 11. CSEA raised thousands of dollars in pledged donations, and with
umbrellas in hand, walked around the Empire State Plaza to raise awareness, get some exercise and enjoy each other’s company. Similar Heart Walks will be happening across the state, so check out heartwalk.org to find an event near you and start your own CSEA team!
Your TEXT can help us save the hearts of our family & friends.
Text:CSEAHASHEART To:41444 to donate.
July-August 2016
The Work Force 9