Wexler removed as Brockport vice mayor

Citing fundamental philosophical differences of opinions on key issues, Brockport's Mayor Josephine Matela released Mort Wexler from his position as vice mayor. Matela had originally appointed Wexler in a spirit of bipartisanship, she said.

Matela said that "Wexler has taken increasingly obstructionist and contrarian positions on issues vital to the public safety and economic development of the village."

She specifically cites Wexler's failure to support the proposed canalside community visitor's center and his proposal to reduce police protection to the community by cutting a shift, thereby reducing the size of the police force. "These are the major issues that have contributed to his dismissal," she said. "This community is experiencing its first significant residential growth in decades, trying to attract tourism and provide merchants and shoppers with the security they need. To consider for a moment cutting back on police protection is unthinkable."

Matela said that not only does Wexler not support maintaining the police department at proper staffing levels, he is actively working toward its demise.

The demise of the department, Wexler said, is not something he is looking for. "I do have some problems with what the cost presently is with the police department," Wexler said. "The mayor said I am looking for the demise of the department and that is not correct. I'm not looking for the death of the police department but I am looking to control the costs of the department. I am not in favor of eliminating the entire police department in the Village of Brockport."

As for his opposition to the visitor's center, Wexler said he was opposed to the initial costs on the bids that were opened. "They were on the high side and we were advised to go back and re-bid the project with some changes and see what type of bids we received."

"With all due respect to Mr. Wexler, his obstructionist position on the visitors center flies in the face of broad-based support from the community, financial support from the state elected officials, private sector contributors and village, town and state canal development plans," Matela said. She also said that if Wexler runs for re-election this spring she could not support his candidacy. "Based on his track record, I cannot support his candidacy," she said.

Matela said she has no immediate plans to fill the vice mayor position.