Holley's D.A.R.E. program seeking help

In the past, Officer David Sevor and the Holley Police Department's D.A.R.E. program have been able to rely on financial assistance from Diaz Chemical to help fund the program. That financial backing isn't likely to be there this year, Sevor said.

"Diaz has always given us money... between $800 and $900 each year," Sevor said. "Cliff Jenney (Diaz vice president) said because of the on-going litigation they won't have the extra cash to help us this year."

Sevor said Diaz has been one of the program's biggest supporters - from the financial donations to Jenney's appearance at D.A.R.E. graduation events, they have always been a part of the process. Diaz's contributions afforded the program the extra cash to purchase T-shirts for students who successfully completed the drug awareness and education training program. "We have about 125 fifth graders who complete the program each year," Sevor said.

The D.A.R.E. program shows youth the harmful effects of drug and alcohol use and abuse as well as showing them alternative choices. "The program helps them become better people ... it helps them understand the consequences of violent actions and helps them learn to make the right choices."

Sevor said he fully understands Jenny's position on being unable to fund the program this year. "They are laying people off because of the January incident ... I wouldn't want to accept money from Diaz at this time because it would be like taking food out of the people's mouths who are still working there."

Diaz has been facing financial woes since a chemical spill in January forced the evacuation of several families from their homes. Several of them are still being housed in the Brockport Holiday Inn Express and a citizen's group has filed a suit against the chemical manufacturing company.

"I wish the people out there saw the things that Diaz did that were right for our community rather than focusing on the negatives," Sevor said. "They give a lot of money to many of the organizations in Holley."

Sevor said he is hoping the community will come together for a good cause and help raise the funds necessary to buy shirts for the children in the D.A.R.E. program. "It's one of the perks the kids always look forward to ... receiving their T-shirts when they graduate from the program."

Jenney was on vacation last week and was unavailable for comment.