A message from the desk of mayor: Mark-Paul Serafin
All across the Village of Manlius you can see residents enjoying this cold and crisp Winter season. Children sledding down our Village Centre hill, snowmen standing watch on neighborhood front lawns, and families cross-country skiing in Mill Run Park are just a few of the sights that make Manlius great in the snow!
However, A chilled reality has also settled in on villages, towns, and school districts across Central New York. Due to shrinking amounts of sales tax revenue generated during the challenging economic times, municipalities are facing shortfalls in next year's budgets. Onondaga County is looking to reduce our share of collected sales tax in 2011 by as much as 50%. While I am working with my fellow mayors across the county to encourage the County Legislators to consider the impact of such drastic reductions on our ability to provide services and safety to our residents, I am taking steps now to close the anticipated gap.
We are currently working on the 2010-2011 village budget. I have had preliminary budget workshop meetings with our department heads who have been vigilant in their efforts to reduce expenditures in all appropriate areas. I have also proposed freezing all employee wages. My goal is not to reduce your services, compromise your safety, or increase your tax rate.
Every day I see evidence of the inherent strength and spirit of our mighty village. At nearly 200 years old, the Village of Manlius certainly didn't get here without surmounting challenges. As a village, we are the sum total of our life experiences and there isn't anything we can't accomplish ....Together!!
I would also like to thank all village residents, businesses, and churches with green porch lights, lamp posts, and windows. The green lights on the Swan Pond and Gazebo Park will burn brightly every night through March 5th, the late Father Kevin Hannon's birthday. Each and evry light is a synbolic expression that our affection for this devoted priest, talented man, and trusted friend is evergreen forever more. It is your generous spirit of kindness, support and compassion that makes Manlius so special....in both good times and bad.
Mark-Paul Serafin
Mayor
