by Kristina Gabalski
The Village of Brockport has declared the week of July 1 as a week of recognition of the presence and contributions of local farms and farms workers and also proclaimed it as a “Week of Welcome” (Bienvenida) to the migrant farm workers of the greater Brockport community.
Bienvenida is a long-standing annual celebration in Brockport and during their regular meeting June 25, Village Board members and Mayor Connie Castañeda presented Brockport Ecumenical Outreach Committee (BEOC) members including Bill Plews and Rosario Rangel with a proclamation.
The proclamation states, “… the approximately 1,000 migrant farm workers who come to the Hamlin, Clarkson, Sweden and Brockport area constitute the backbone of our area’s agriculture workforce.”
In accepting the proclamation, Rangel thanked the Board. “We are so happy for the migrant community,” she said. “They have a silent voice; we are their voice.”
The meeting was the final one for outgoing Mayor Connie Castañeda, who lost her bid for re-election to Trustee Margaret Blackman, and for Trustee Kent Blair, who decided not to seek re-election.
Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti thanked both for their service.
“You were always there for us,” Chief Varrenti told Blair. “You were always looking out for what was best for the village, the Police Department, and most importantly, the people of the village.”
He wished Mayor Castañeda “the best of luck in the future,” and told Mayor-elect Margaret Blackman he looks forward to working with her.
Trustee Bill Andrews said Blair will be “sorely missed. He brought a different perspective and different talents to the Board.” Trustee Andrews also commended Mayor Castañeda for her work. “We had our disagreements, but I never doubted her sincerity … in acting in the best interest of the village. Her leadership in solving (the village’s) financial problems in conjunction with trustees was especially commendable.”
Mayor-elect, Trustee Margaret Blackman also commended Mayor Castañeda for her, “… close monitoring of village finances. I will assure you that will continue,” she said.
Blackman also announced she is appointing John LaPierre to fill her trustee seat. She said he is a Wegman’s retiree and will be “a great addition to the Board.” She is also appointing Trustee Bill Andrews as her deputy mayor.
Blackman also announced the Erie Canal tugboat Urger, the oldest tug the Canal Corp. owns, was to be in port in Brockport June 28 and 29 and open for tours.
In other business, the Board voted unanimously to accept a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and to pass related resolutions regarding the abandonment of a portion of Kenyon Street to The College at Brockport.
The MOU states that within 60 days following the transfer to the College of the title to the street bed of Kenyon Street, the College will make a payment to the village of $1,500. The College will then annually make a payment to the village of the same amount on the anniversary date of the title transfer.
The resolution passed states the portion of Kenyon Street affected runs between Monroe Avenue and Residence Drive. The transfer of that portion of the street will facilitate the college’s accomplishment of its “Facilities Master Plan” for its planned capital improvements and expansion.
