'Pouring rights' discussed at
recent Brockport board meeting

Brockport's decision to look into the opportunity to acquire a contract and offer exclusive pouring rights to Coca Cola® has sparked some debate and discussion.

Mayor Josephine Matela explained the board's decision to look into the contract with Coca Cola® was to discover whether it would be a good program for the village. "We're in the information gathering stage right now," Matela said at the July 15 board meeting. "This could be a very good program for the village ... it can be lucrative."

Pouring rights involve the village signing a contract with Coca Cola® to offer soft drinks, water and juice products manufactured by Coca Cola®. Under a pouring rights contract, sales of soft drinks from vending machines, cases of soft drinks and various fountain drinks offered at municipal offices and not-for-profits would return a percentage of the money made on the purchases back to the village coffers. "We would get money back from each case sold," Matela explained.

Resident Dick Ling questioned Coca Cola's® motives for wanting to become involved with Brockport. "What's their interest in us?" Ling asked. " What do we have that is of interest to Coke®?"

The village is in the information gathering stage, Matela said. The pouring rights contract, if signed, would not affect private businesses. Government agencies in both Clarkson and Sweden would have the opportunity to participate if they were interested, she said.

Trustee Norman Knapp said he thinks there needs to be a public information meeting if the village decides to go ahead with the pouring rights contract. Matela agreed and said the public would be kept informed of the village's findings in the study of a contract with Coca Cola®.

"This all looks fine on paper," Knapp said. "But I'm just not sure if the government should be involved in a project like this ... that's just my thought."

Matlea assured residents that the village would pursue due diligence in their contract talks with Coca Cola® representatives. "Several local municipalities and school districts have signed contracts and it has proved lucrative for them."

Any money the village would make from a pouring rights contract would be used toward future canal developments and enhancements, she said.