Utica officials proposing a welfare to work along with an inmate and probation work program for City of Utica
July 14th 2012 · 3 Comments
Utica, NY – Councilman Zecca proposes to reintroduce a Resolution that was approved by the previous Council and then completely ignored by the previous City of Utica Administration. The proposal will include a work program that will also include inmates and those on probation that are required to do community service. Councilman Zecca has been working on this proposal with Councilman Vescera and Testa along with Oneida County Legislator Harmony Speciale who serves on the Health & Human Services Committee.
Draft legislation is currently being prepared for the August 2012 Common Council meeting.
Resolution Passed by Zecca in 2011:
Sponsored by: Councilman Zecca
RESOLUTION NO. 13 Dated: October 26, 2011
RESOLUTION URGING THE MAYOR TO negotiate an agreement with the Oneida County Department of Social Services to structure a welfare to work program in order to assist the city of utica in maintaining blighted city owned property and to clean and repair city streets
WHEREAS, the City of Utica will be facing significant financial pressures in the 2012/2013 budget cycle caused by the general economic down turn, increased costs and decreased County, State and Federal revenues; and
WHEREAS, due to financial constraints and reduction in the City’s workforce, the remaining staff is having a difficult time maintaining City assets in a satisfactory manner ; and
WHEREAS, the Oneida County Department of Social Services and the County Executive has informed City of Utica officials that they are ready, willing and able to negotiate an Agreement with the City of Utica to assist the City in these trying times with a Welfare to Work program that will benefit both the City and the recipients in many positive ways; and
WHEREAS, the program will help prepare and train able-bodied welfare recipients to become employable again and at the same time help their struggling community; and
WHEREAS, this program corresponds with the Oneida County Department of Social Services mission statement, which states the following ; “ The mission of the Oneida County Department of Social Services is to render services devoted to instilling principles of economic and social self-sufficiency to our constituents & acknowledging responsibilities and reducing dependency. All who are capable of working will be assisted in securing employment.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Common Council hereby requests Mayor Roefaro to begin negotiating an agreement with Oneida County to establish a Welfare to Work program with the City of Utica as soon as possible; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to Mayor Roefaro and County Executive Picente for immediate action.
Approved 7 yeas – 1 nay
Readers Comments (3)
Comments are closed.
This sounds like a proposal worth exploring.
This is a great idea. I have been saying for years that something like this should have been implemented. Instead of sitting in a jail, the inmates should be out working in the community helping out. Not only does this save taxpayer dollars, it also can help the inmates take pride in themselves. Some repeat offenders think that they aren’t good at anything, they just may realize that they are good working with their hands. Also, the work experience may lead them to a job once realeased.
I praise Mr Zecca for always trying to find win-win situations.
There are more “WHEREAS” than actual information in this document. Its very vague, as to what these folks will actually be doing. What training will you get by “maintaining blighted city owned property and to clean and repair city streets”? I agree that people on the DOL and parolees should be put to work, but lets not call it a training program lets just call it what it is. Folks that have taken and not given back, being forced to give back.