ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Community leaders and Mayor Malik Evans gathered at City Hall on Monday to discuss pressing issues such as housing and benefits inequity in Rochester. The public hearing also addressed potential solutions for single parents who do not qualify for couples’ benefits.
Evans emphasized the city’s efforts to create programs that support the community. He urged community leaders to inform residents about available programs.
“In a couple of minutes I’m getting ready to meet with people about a workforce development task force that we’re putting together to try to match people to higher paying jobs that are out there,” Evans said. “But they need the skill set in order to get those jobs. So how can the city work with people to ensure that we lift people up in order to get those jobs?”
Roxana Siaca expressed concern over the city’s high poverty rates. “We should not have such high poverty rates in Rochester. If it sounds like we are asking for a lot, it is because we are so far behind,” Siaca said.
The meeting was initially intended to discuss a proposed 25-percent raise for Rochester City Council members. However, late last week, the council unanimously voted to rescind the raise.
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