For Information Contact:

Brian Adey
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Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced that Oneida County Government will begin an aggressive outreach campaign so that county residents can meet top county leaders to discuss issues and get answers.

"One of the most important roles of County Government is to work with county residents to solve problems," Griffo said. "Since my appointment in June I have traveled the county to meet county residents, and they want more information. ‘Oneida County On the Road’ will bring top officials of key departments to all areas of Oneida County. People who cannot make the trip to the County Office Building will be able to come to a nearby location for a one-on-one meeting if they have a major issue or a group session where everyone can share information."

"Although the county tax rate increase proposed for 2004 is one of the lowest of any county in the state, I know people will have questions about the budget," Griffo said. "This is a great chance for people of Oneida County to ask questions and get straight answers."

"One of the hallmarks of my administration in Rome was the open nature of city government," Griffo said. "Dialogue with the public was a non-stop stream of ideas and conversation that helped the people of Rome know what we could do for them. Oneida County is a lot larger than just Rome, but that same philosophy is a core value of my approach to governing. Whether people live a block from the County Office Building or a hair form the county line, they all deserve the chance to see us face to face and talk about what is on their minds."

Griffo said he will also explore increased use of interactive Web-based means of sharing the workings of government with the people. "I’d love to hold some interactive question-and-answer sessions live via Webcam for the people of Oneida County to see," Griffo said. "Nothing will replace face-to-face contact, but as more people use the Web, we need to use the Web so they can communicate with us. Any way we can bring government to the people, and keep the people in touch with their government, I will support."

Griffo said "Oneida County on the Road" will be reinforced by twice-yearly meetings with the supervisors of the county’s towns.

"As the Census figures show, most of the people in Oneida County live in the rural and suburban areas of the county," Griffo said. "Increasing the dialogue with these very important officials is a way we can not only understand the needs of our many town governments, but also the needs and issues facing the people in the towns. When we look at items such as future highway projects, economic development, and public safety, we need to stay on top of what is happening in our towns. At the same time, they need to know about issues we have that will impact upon them, particularly as it relates to budget constraints that impact the funding we can pay for snowplowing."

Griffo also said the meetings could pave the way for greater sharing of services. "You don’t go up to a town and order them to share services with someone else," Griffo said. "But when we all sit together and we hear common issues being discussed, then we can look at different structures that can serve residents in creative ways and reduce costs. Everything begins with dialogue."