Fox 40 WICZ TV
1/17/2012
Larry Sparano
http://www.wicz.com/news2005/viewarticle.asp?a=21776
At a Binghamton City Council worksession Tuesday night, council members signed out legislation to amend an existing ordinance related to park use that would prohibit camping in city spaces.
When the city evicted the last of the Occupy Binghamton protesters this past Friday, there were many critics who were glad to see them go.
City council members insist, however that they do respect any group’s right to protest.
City Council President Teri Rennia said she’s not targeting Occupy Binghamton. “I sympathize with why they were there and what they stand for.”
Members of the council have good reason to pass this legislation. “We went to make sure that our parks and public spaces are maintained in a safe way and maintained in a way that all of our constituents are able to use them,” said Rennia. “They take over a public park and they interfere with people’s rights to use that park,” said 5th District Councilman Chris Papastrat.
At a Martin Lurther King Day service this week, Mayor Matt Ryan declared that Dr. King himself would have been part of Occupy Binghamton, which led to the question with political sensitivity, would you kick Dr. King out?
Rennia’s response was, “If he was camping.” “I’d talk to him first,” said Papastrat. 4th District Councilwoman Lea Webb responded, “that’s an interesting question.”
Since the new regulation would merely amend an existing ordinance, no public hearing is necessary. The full council will vote on the matter February 8th.
City Council members repeated that city parks and spaces are intended for the use of all residents, and no particular group should be able to deprive others of enjoying the same space.
