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 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
