Brockport merchants 'adopt' flower baskets

In the spirit of true community pride, spirit and cooperation, Brockport merchants have banded together to solicit contributions to "adopt" hanging flower baskets from the light poles on Main Street.

Village officials, at a June 12 workshop, approved a motion to release the funds that had been budgeted to purchase the hanging flower pots. There was a question of who would water the baskets on the weekends and where the money would come from for their maintenance and upkeep. These questions prompted Lift Bridge Book Shop owner Pat Kutz to put a call out for contributions.

"This is a community project," she said. "It's a collaboration of village government, merchants and citizens."

The merchants will be looking to collect $2,400 for the weekend watering of the baskets once they are in place. According to Kutz, more than $1,000 has been collected and Trustee Connie Castaneda secured an additional $75 from merchants.

Village Manager Ian Coyle said the flowers will be ordered soon and placed in the baskets as soon as the DPW can attend to it. "This is a fine example of a successful and positive private/public partnership," he said.

How you can help: contribute $1 or more; adopt a lamp post for $75 or sponsor a weekend watering for $150.

Stop by or send contributions care of Lift Bridge Book Shop, 45 Main Street, Brockport 14420. Checks should be made out to Village of Brockport Flower Basket Campaign.

"I think everyone benefits when the village downtown is attractive and welcoming," Kutz said. "Everyone who attends concerts in the park, brings their children to Cool Kids events, walks the canal, comes downtown for dinner and a movie, shops at one of the stores or the farmers market or even drives down the street," knows what I mean. Hanging baskets say 'nice to see you' and 'welcome to our village.' "

June 18, 2006