Common Council calls on Katko to support funding for Violence Against Women Act
Kai Nguyen | Staff Photographer
At Monday’s study session, the council also accepted a donation of $352 from SU’s Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter that will be used to support programs and activities at the Wilson Community Center and voted to add additional funding for the University Hill Bike Network Implementation Project.
Syracuse Common Councilor Susan Boyle, of the 3rd district, introduced a resolution asking Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) to support the funding of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018 at Monday’s study session.
Boyle said the act expired on Sept. 30, 2018, but a stopgap bill was put in place through Dec. 7, which has allowed social service agencies to aid victims affected by sexual violence.
“In this #MeToo moment, we must continue to stress the need for progress and funding to end the epidemic of gender violence in the U.S,” said Mickey Belosi, president of the central New York chapter of the National Organization for Women, who attended the study session.
Belosi said the act has transformed how government responds to domestic and sexual violence since its creation in 1994. Belosi also said this past year, NOW hosted a series of women’s town halls across the state with survivors and service providers. The survivors of domestic and sexual violence shared their stories at these town halls.
“The testimonies delivered at our women’s town halls were real-life proof that we need more investment against (gender violence) initiatives, not less,” Belosi said. “Together we can strengthen our laws, create new ones, hold our justice system accountable and ensure victim services are comprehensive.”
All councilors voted to pass the resolution.
Other business
The council voted to accept a donation of $352 from the Syracuse University’s Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter on behalf of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs. The donation will be used to support programs and activities at the Wilson Community Center.
The council also voted to add additional funding for the University Hill Bike Network Implementation Project. This approval adds $330,500 of funding to the project, which will be used for construction inspection and detail design costs from C&S Engineers Inc., city engineer Mary Robison said. The project, which will begin construction in 2019, will add bike lanes in the roadway and pedestrian improvements.
The council held a public meeting to discuss the selling of the AXA Parking Garage at 235 Harrison St. to the Syracuse Local Development Corporation for $1. No one spoke in favor or opposition of the proposal.
Published on December 3, 2018 at 11:21 pm
Contact Dakota: dapalmer@syr.edu
