April 6th Legislative Session
This month our Legislators took up some very important issues in committees, and are excited to take them to Legislative Session!
The Onondaga County Veteran Service Agency has worked hard to care for our service members in the community. Since 2014, Onondaga County has been a “Purple Heart County,” and the addition of our Veteran Service Agency continues that commitment to those who serve our country at home and abroad. The VSA logo is filled with meaning, showing support for troops from every branch of the armed forces, supporting our troops currently deployed, and honoring the troops who have been injured in combat or paid the ultimate price. As the lone military veteran in the County Legislature, Chairman Dave Knapp is proud to support this resolution and bring the rest of our Republican legislators on board.
The Planning and Economic Development committee heard an annual update from the Greater Syracuse Land Bank this month, and is planning to pass funding that would cover the cost of grant expenditures for the Land Bank. The Greater Syracuse Land Bank takes blight properties and turns them into profitable and productive housing units. Since its inception, the Land Bank has sold 1,000 properties locally and demolished 400 buildings that were beyond repair, leading to $32 million in private investment into our community. When considering a sale, the Land Bank is mindful of who is buying the property and makes sure it is sold locally and to a reputable buyer. Most of the time, the buyers are first time homeowners who will live in and maintain the properties, bringing the properties back to life for the first time in years.
Deb Cody chairs the County Facilities committee and hosted Department of Transportation Commissioner Marty Voss for an update on the highway plan this month. In 2020, despite COVID-19 and the economic setbacks that ensued, DOT completed all of the paving projects it had planned for the year. Deb is also active in serving the local community, having participated in a Salina community cleanup and a large scale food giveaway in the past couple weeks. Deb, along with volunteers, gave away 1,000 boxes of food to community residents in need through a drive-thru event at Shoppingtown Mall. As our community continues its rebound from COVID-19 and the impacts it has had, efforts in the community are of utmost importance.