The budget for Brockport’s Seymour Library is at the mercy of three separate local governments. But that could change. Each year, library officials have to approach the towns of Sweden and Clarkson, as well as the Village of Brockport with funding requests. Each community decides what it will contribute, but Brockport generally sets the tone, […]
government
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Termination of Medley tax agreement has begun
This morning, the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency began the process of terminating the Medley Centre tax agreement. A press release from Monroe County says that COMIDA has “issued a notice of PILOT default to Medley Centre’s developer.” Yesterday, Bersin Properties failed to make a $3.8 million payment to COMIDA. The money would have been split […]
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Medley developer submits partial payment
Monroe County Industrial Development Agency officials will take the first steps to terminate the Medley Centre tax incentive agreement.
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Goodbye, Joe. Hello…?
Monroe County Democrats have some big races ahead of them this year. Louise Slaughter is running for re-election to her Congressional seat, ditto Ted O’Brien in the State Senate. And Gary Pudup, former local director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, is running for the Assembly seat formerly held by Republican Bill Reilich. Democrats’ […]
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How Medley’s promise turned to peril
When Scott Congel took on Irondequoit’s Medley Centre, he seemed like the perfect candidate to make something happen on the site. The Congel family business, Pyramid Companies, has built and operated malls across the Northeast, including the thriving Walden Galleria in suburban Buffalo. Officials thought that the Congel name and connections would translate into tenants […]
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Lots of money at stake in Medley Centre dispute
Medley Centre’s developer has a choice: pay now, or pay a lot more later. Yesterday, the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency’s board affirmed that it’ll terminate a tax incentive agreement with Medley owner Bersin Properties if the company doesn’t make $3.9 million in overdue payments by May 1. Losing the tax incentives, which are laid […]
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COMIDA board says Medley owner has to pay up
The Monroe County Industrial Development Agency has issued a firm ultimatum to Medley Centre’s developer. During its meeting this afternoon, the COMIDA board approved a resolution to terminate a tax incentive agreement with Medley owner Bersin Properties if the company does not make overdue payments by May 1. Under the resolution, the agency would terminate […]
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Brooks issues ultimatum to Medley developer; defends COMIDA
Speeches given by County Executive Maggie Brooks are typically precise and business-like, so last night’s State of the County address, Brooks’ 10th, was a wild ride by comparison, featuring a selfie with a Berenstain Bear, a mouthy Belgian Malinois (a canine officer), and a splash of audience participation. Brooks’ tone was also a little sharper than […]
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Gates supervisor wants casino at tech park
Some Gates residents seem open to the idea of having a casino in their town. During last night’s Town Board meeting, five people spoke about a Seneca casino in Gates, but only a couple of them offered any direct opposition. The others had questions about traffic, jobs, benefits to the town, and the process the […]
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Local officials say Cuomo’s tax freeze plan is misguided
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to freeze property taxes has plenty of critics, now including the Monroe County Council of Governments. The Council of Governments is made up of the leaders of local towns and villages, the City of Rochester, and the county. It also includes representatives from local school districts. Under Cuomo’s plan, property owners across […]
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Henrietta board united against casino
The Henrietta Town Board is officially on record opposing a Seneca Nation of Indians in the town. Last night, board members voted 4 to 0 in favor Supervisor Jack Moore’s resolution, stating their opposition. Media reports say approximately 20 people spoke at the meeting, most against the casino. The resolution is available here, starting on page 6. The […]
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Dems’ proposal targets county LDC ‘revolving door’
County Legislature Democrats are proposing a law they say would prohibit county employees from working for local development corporations for two years after leaving their job. Revolving-door employment has long been an issue in federal and state government. The term often refers to government employees who leave for private sector jobs, which in turn have […]
