Brockport's New Treasurer

With a pair of young kids at home, a day job that occasionally extends into the evening, and my work as a trustee, I don’t often enough have the chance to read. When I do pick up a book, though, two facts are nearly certain. First, I purchased it at Lift Bridge Book Shop. And second, it examines historical events, like John M. Barry’s “The Great Influenza,” which is about the 1918 flu pandemic, or it focuses on organizational management, like “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, which uncovers key differences between average companies and those that delivery consistently outstanding results.

A key point in “Good to Great” is that, despite what usually is said, people usually aren’t an organization’s most valuable resources. The right people doing the right jobs, claims the author, are what matter. Many employees, he writes, don’t meet that standard for any number of reasons that could be related to management, structure, deployment, or an individual’s abilities or traits.

I mention all of this because I believe the most important choices within any organization are hiring decisions. And Brockport is fortunate to have concluded its search for a village treasurer earlier this week by appointing Gina Tojek, who will take her post Jan. 5.

Ms. Tojek, who lives in Albion, serves currently as the deputy supervisor of the Town of Barre in Orleans County. Before election to that office, she was employed by the Village of Spencerport. There she served for 18 years as village clerk, village treasurer, and village manager. Experience she brings, and plenty of it.

Beyond her resumé, I think what impressed the screening committee—composed of Mayor Mort Wexler, Deputy Treasurer Kari Olson, Village Clerk Leslie Morelli, College at Brockport Vice President Lou Spiro and me—was Ms. Tojek’s preparedness and comfort level. From a political perspective, it seems that anything can happen in Brockport, and with stunning frequency, it does. So while a cool, capable and collected individual would be an asset to just about any team, I’m thankful that Ms. Tojek will be joining ours.

I’m especially encouraged because it seems reasonable to believe that the village board will be asking several department heads to make cuts for the coming fiscal year. Although the Seymour Library and fire department budgets already are in place, it would be prudent for us to trim in other areas.

While solid guidance through the budget process, which will begin during the first full week of January, can’t magically put money back in line items, it can help minimize the pain of belt-tightening. For sure Ms. Tojek, like the rest of us in village government, has her work cut out for her. That’s why it was so important that we get the right person for this job.

Brockport's Newspaper

At its December 1 meeting, the Brockport Village Board voted 3-2 to make the Tri-County Advertiser the official newspaper of the village. I introduced the motion to designate the TCA effective January 1. Trustees David Wagenhauser and Scott Hunsinger joined me in support of it.

Mayor Wexler voted against the measure without comment. Trustee Casteñeda opposed it, citing—among other objections—what she considers to be a slant in the TCA’s coverage of village politics, and her recollection that while seeking office last spring, Trustee Hunsinger and I advertised in another periodical.

While a discussion of election strategy would be extraordinarily boring, tedious and in my mind superfluous to the matter, I am happy to share the rationale I put forth to designate the TCA:

• Established in 1956, the TCA’s history of service to our community spans more than a half-century.
  
• Owner Sally Cottrell is a tireless supporter of Brockport.
  
• Through the years, the TCA and its staff have won industry awards too numerous to list here.
  
• More than 16,000 copies of the TCA are distributed weekly.
  
• Located on Main Street, the TCA is a Brockport-based business, literally around the corner from the village offices.

It’s worth noting that the idea of designating the TCA as Brockport’s official paper has been around at least since the village board’s organizational meeting last summer. The village went so far as to seek a legal opinion from general counsel on the matter. While the five of us the board didn’t agree that the TCA was deserving of the designation, we were diligent in the pursuit of it as an option, and I think that speaks well of each of us.

One of the most wonderful benefits of living in our village is that the calendar remains full throughout the year. From unique gatherings such as the Greater Brockport Development Corporation’s centennial celebration of the Strand Theatre, to annual events like the Halloween parade (that’s my daughter, Caelan with her lion costume, my wife, Leigh, and me in the photo) and party—which pull together the efforts of the fire department, Brockport Merchants Association, and police—we are blessed with activities that keep Brockport vibrant.

As we now get deeper into the holiday season, there is much to do. In the days ahead, I hope you and your family will be able to take part in the tree lighting—this year Jack Mazzarella, who’s been a tremendous resource for Brockport, especially fixing up welcome center bikes and the occasional mule, will do the honors—or catch a ride on the Santa Train, one of my favorite traditions.

While you’re out enjoying some seasonal merriment, why not stop to shop along Main Street or at any of the other fine establishments in the village? And when you discover that getting gifts locally has left you with more time, money and sanity than a mall would, then I recommend rewarding yourself for the choice to support our merchants with lunch at one of Brockport’s fantastic eateries.