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Improve UPD and Community Relations
The effort toward effective public safety departments relies heavily on partnerships between the agency and the public. It’s no secret that building strong bridges between the men and woman that serve in duty and those in the community will ultimately create a shared commitment toward a safer community.

Advocate for an appointed Citizen/Civilian Review Board

Accountability is huge in every aspect of local government. In New York State, many cities and communities have created and advocated for civilian review boards to serve as an accountability board to help with appeals presented from the community with a collaboration of the UPD and Chief of Police.

Work to increase diversity among the Police Department

UPD has often asked for support in bringing greater diversity to the force. Ill make this a top priority in our public safety initiatives. Having a department that is representative of the community, it serves, will fundamentally help progressively ensure the safety of the constituent of Cornhill.

Fiscal Accountability
I’ll work with the council to pass a budget on time, balanced, and fiscally responsible. Ensuring that all city services are completely funded and supported.
I’ll be a guard dog for city spending and advocate for development that directly helps the inner city. Jobs are needed in Utica. I’ll be watching and promoting that jobs initiative at every turn.

Work to position Utica as a metropolitan area for the Mohawk Valley. Increasing the economic potential of Utica in collaboration with neighboring towns.
Shift economic development policy toward Innovation and cooperatives. No longer can we wait on outside developers alone to be the economic catalyst for Utica. We have to build a city development strategy that is more self sustaining utilizing our social capital in the Mohawk Valley. Yet, is competitive and incentives companies to come into the area.

Work with Community Partners and Neighborhood associations to improve on property standards.
I will work with any community partner to make sure that city development is executed in the best way possible. City is a great city, moving forward, and seeing much investment. Cornhill residents are in the center of that investment. I’ll work to ensure that urban development is strategic and comprehensive.

Hold negligent absentee landlords response.
In Cornhill, many residents fall prey to absentee and negligent landlords that fail to properly maintain the property under their care. Unfortunately, tenants deal with this far too often with no resolve. I think the city can step up even more, and ensure that housing in the city is affordable, accessible, and that property mangers that fail to keep their promise are held responsible.

Codes for some elderly are an issue. I’ll work with those residents that need the help to get it done.
As a council member, I’ll always be there to help and talk you through all sorts of issues. For our sensors, sometimes it can be difficult to manage property like in previous years. Ill work to create a program where inner-city youth and can help older residents with poverty to prevent or fix code issues.



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  • Home
  • Celeste Friend -Common Council
    • Newsletter content
    • Donate securely via Act Blue
    • Events
    • About/Contacts
    • Media links/articles
    • Platform
    • Celeste's Letters to Editor
    • Get involved