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Saturday, August 15, 2020

Tell City Council: Money for Families, Not a Police Station

 

On Tuesday, August 18th, Rochester City Council will vote on a proposal to spend $16 million dollars ($12.5 million is construction) on a new police substation on East Main Street.  About seventy-five percent of this money will be borrowed which would cause a $12.6 million debt.

Meanwhile, the Rochester City School District made the correct decision in starting the 2020-21 school year online in order to prevent our children and their families from becoming sick.  But that means our parents need support. 

Therefore we are asking all concerned citizens to contact City Council to tell them to vote against funding this police station and instead to use the money to support families who are now scrambling to make arrangements for their children for the upcoming school year. 

Contact City Council and ask them to do the following:

1.  Vote down funding for this police substation.

2.  Use earmarked money to support families with rent/mortgage assistance, utilities assistance including internet, and food. 

3.  Consider issuing bonds for the same amount of money you were going to for the police station to support families.

4.  Enact a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures within the City of Rochester at least through June 2021.

Some talking points to may want to include are:

*There is an immediate need for support for families struggling to make arrangements for their children.

*Some parents may literally need to be paid to stay home with their kids in order to be able to pay their rent/mortgage, buy food, etc.

*Money spent on the police station could be used to help families get suitable wi-fi in order for their children to participate in online learning.

*Funding a police station while not helping Rochester families in immediate need shows a perspective in which punishment of citizens is more important than supporting them.

Speaking at this Tuesday’s City Council meeting may be too late.  That is why we are suggesting calling or emailing them BEFORE Tuesday.  There is not a lot of time so do this now, or join RORE in a Zoom meeting for help in doing this, followed by all of us taking direct action and making contact with Council members.  This Zoom meeting will take place:

Sunday, August 16th at 4pm.

The link to register for the Zoom meeting is:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIofuirrDwoHtFAnKF4_AN187uEWWi8-svr

The Zoom meeting will be recorded and posted online if you need help but cannot make it.  See our website www.rocore.org after Sunday at 3pm for the video.

But of course you can contact us with questions at rore49united@gmail.com.

City Council Members

Loretta Scott        Loretta.Scott@cityofrochester.gov or 585-482-0407

Malik Evans        Malik.Evans@cityofrochester.gov or 585-428-7538

Mitch Gruber       Mitch.Gruber@cityofrochester.gov or 585-428-7538

Willie Lightfoot    Willie.Lightfoot@cityofrochester.gov or 585-478-4603

Jacklyn Ortiz       Jacklyn.Ortiz@cityofrochester.gov or 585-325-1960

LaShay Harris     LaShay.Harris@cityofrochester.gov  or 585-235-5168

Mary Lupien        Mary.Lupien@cityofrochester.gov or 585-406-4709

Michael Patterson Michael.Patterson@cityofrochester.gov or 585-451-2024

Jose Peo             Jose.Peo@cityofrochester.gov or 585-690-2984

 

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