For Information Contact:

Brian Adey
 798-5800

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced that County Government is recruiting local citizens for the first class of the Oneida County Academy, an innovative project designed to help Oneida County citizens better understand the issues that face County Government and how County Government works.

“When I meet with people to talk about county issues, there are a tremendous number of questions about the day-to-day operations of county government,” Griffo said. “County government does so many things that I felt we needed to do a better job of allowing the people of Oneida County to learn what we do, so that they can be better informed.”

Griffo said that the county worked in cooperation with the League of Women Voters to develop a curriculum that would allow county department heads to outline key issues to local citizens, allowing citizens to tour county facilities and engage in dialogue with representatives of county departments.

“Information and communication are two of the most vital elements in our democracy,” Griffo said. “People need to know what we do with their tax dollars. I think County Government faces some tremendous challenges every day and that there is a lot of good work that goes on to help solve problems. I didn’t think the average citizen gets to see and understand that, so we developed the Oneida County Academy.”

Starting April 27^th, the Oneida County Academy will meet every Thursday night from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Classes will take place at the Oneida County Office Building in Utica, the MVCC Campus in Rome, Oneida County Court House in Utica, Union Station in Utica and the Oneida County Airport in Whitestown. The class schedule is as follows:

April 27: General Overview

May 4: Social Services and Health Departments

May 11: Mental Health and Office for the Aging

May 18: Workforce Development and Central Services.

May 25: Courts and Public Defender

June 1: Personnel, Veterans and Purchasing

June 8: Probation and Planning

June 15: STOP DWI, Emergency Services and Youth Bureau

June 22: Public Works

June 29: Board of Elections / Graduation.

Griffo said that current plans call for a class of 35 people, but that if more people are interested in attending, the county will consider expanding the size of the first class. He said he expects this will become a regular feature of County Government, and that more classes will follow this one.

Griffo said anyone interested in attending should call his office at (315) 798-5800 or e-mail at ocacademy@ocgov.net. All sessions are free of charge. Classes are open to all Oneida County residents on a first-come, first-served basis.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to know more about government to learn how County Government functions at the level where we deliver programs and services,” Griffo said. “During these classes, participants will have open access to the department heads involved, and will be encouraged to give us ideas about what they think can be done to improve services, even as we explain to them about the rules, regulations, red tape and mandates that are imposed on all counties by the state.”