More support came today for a proposed merger between the Clay Police Department and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department. The Syracuse Area Chamber of Commerce threw its weight behind the idea, which goes before voters in Clay on Monday.
Those in favor say the merger will save Clay taxpayers more than a million dollars in 2009 and allow a 20 per cent reduction in property taxes. Clay's population is about 60,000.
"Under the leadership of Kevin Walsh, this is truly not a public safety issue," said County Executive Joanie Mahoney at the Chamber's announcement. "This is an issue of saving dollars, creating a vibrant business climate," she said.
The Clay Police Benevolent Association says those claims are exaggerated and that the proposed two deputies to be dedicated to Clay won't be suffient in an already underserved area.
"The FBI guidelines call for per one thousand population," said Clay PBA spokesman Lt. Fred Corey. "so if the department had been incrementally increased over the years, this discussion wouldn't be taking place," Corey said. Corey says the county is the extra layer of government when it comes to police, not the towns