By Ashley M. Casey
Staff Writer
At the behest of Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, the North Syracuse Village Board is looking into the “Think Differently” initiative, which encourages municipalities and businesses to make public services and events more accessible to people with disabilities.
Mayor Gary Butterfield said at the July 28 board meeting that the city of Troy recently adopted a “Think Differently” resolution. A June 12 article in the Troy Record said the city could incorporate the initiative into its Complete Streets plan, a state-mandated program for improving traffic safety for drivers and pedestrians alike. North Syracuse has its own Complete Streets program.
Molinaro, himself the father of a child with special needs, began the “Think Differently” campaign in 2015 in Dutchess County. Since 2012, Molinaro has directed Community Development Block Grant money toward projects such as Julie’s Jungle, a wheelchair-accessible playground with Braille panels and a sensory garden.
“Families across America confront challenges big and small when raising these special children. We hope we can offer some sense of relief — that in an emergency, our career and volunteer responders are prepared to help and in businesses across our county, owners and staff are more understanding and ready to serve,” Molinaro said in a news release.
Members of the North Syracuse Village Board noted that while Molinaro’s resolution is a good idea, it did not include specific actions the village can take to aid the disabled and their families.
“It’s a feel-good resolution,” Deputy Mayor Fred Fergerson said.
“Besides signing this, how do we follow through with it?” asked Trustee Diane Browning.
Butterfield said the village could post the resolution on its website and encourage local businesses to be considerate of people with special needs, including autism.
“We promote their inclusion in society. If they go into a restaurant, they won’t be singled out,” Butterfield said.
Fergerson noted that Molinaro had sent the resolution to seven other municipalities. Browning asked if the village could consult a municipality that has already adopted the “Think Differently” initiative.
“It would give us more time to look into it,” Trustee Pat Gustafson said.
The board tabled the resolution to study the issue.
