Utica Finance Committee discusses money offered by the county to help restore UPD ranks
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: April 26, 2012
Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara isn't in the dark when it comes to Utica's financial problems.
And with Utica being the county's seat, Mr. McNamara fears the affects of the cuts and demotions in the Utica Police Department will eventually be his burden to bear.
"Keeping the people that live in the City of Utica safe, keeping the people that work here in the city safe. Those things are my primary concerns, and also being able to prosecute the cases that this police department arrests," said District Attorney McNamara.
With these concerns, McNamara and County Executive Anthony Picente met with the city's finance committee Thursday night.
The two asked the city to accept a $100,000 donation but in return, ask that positions are restored in The Child Advocacy Center and The Drug Task Force as well as undoing recent UPD demotions.
"When you have a lot of young police officers, which the city does, they don't have the experience that an older more experienced senior member whose been promoted," said McNamara.
Councilwoman Samantha Colosimo-Testa says this is a great way for the city and county to work together, but she has a warning for officials.
"I just don't want this to set a precedent for the council working with the unions for next year saying that if they don't give any concessions the only other thing we have to do is layoff people and then the county coming in saying here we are to save the day, lets bring back some of those positions," said Councilwoman Colosimo-Testa.
Chief Mark Williams says he understands Colosimo-Testa's point, but says that's a union issue
Still, the chief says he's happy about what this money will do for the Utica Police Department.
And with Utica being the county's seat, Mr. McNamara fears the affects of the cuts and demotions in the Utica Police Department will eventually be his burden to bear.
"Keeping the people that live in the City of Utica safe, keeping the people that work here in the city safe. Those things are my primary concerns, and also being able to prosecute the cases that this police department arrests," said District Attorney McNamara.
With these concerns, McNamara and County Executive Anthony Picente met with the city's finance committee Thursday night.
The two asked the city to accept a $100,000 donation but in return, ask that positions are restored in The Child Advocacy Center and The Drug Task Force as well as undoing recent UPD demotions.
"When you have a lot of young police officers, which the city does, they don't have the experience that an older more experienced senior member whose been promoted," said McNamara.
Councilwoman Samantha Colosimo-Testa says this is a great way for the city and county to work together, but she has a warning for officials.
"I just don't want this to set a precedent for the council working with the unions for next year saying that if they don't give any concessions the only other thing we have to do is layoff people and then the county coming in saying here we are to save the day, lets bring back some of those positions," said Councilwoman Colosimo-Testa.
Chief Mark Williams says he understands Colosimo-Testa's point, but says that's a union issue
Still, the chief says he's happy about what this money will do for the Utica Police Department.
