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Boys and Girls Club gains steam in Massena, according to village police chief

Posted 8/22/12

MASSENA – Interest in starting a Boys and Girls Club in Massena is growing, according to Timmy Currier, village police chief and advocate of the clubs. Currier says that since Dave Ross, regional …

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Boys and Girls Club gains steam in Massena, according to village police chief

Posted

MASSENA – Interest in starting a Boys and Girls Club in Massena is growing, according to Timmy Currier, village police chief and advocate of the clubs.

Currier says that since Dave Ross, regional director for Boys and Girls Clubs in New York State and Pennsylvania, gave a presentation to the community in June, “there has been considerable interest from the citizens of Massena. From younger kids to senior citizens, the response has been positive.”

“Kids are already asking when the club will be open,” said Rhonda Rodrigues, Massena Neighborhood Watch spokesperson. “There is clearly a need, and we want to see what we can do to meet that need.”

“The interest in this project has been very encouraging, so we are taking the next step toward the goal of bringing a club here to Massena,” said Chief Currier.

The next step, Currier says, is to recruit people in the community who are interested in serving on the Steering Committee and various sub committees (financing, recruitment, membership, facilities).

People who are interested are asked to contact Currier at 769-3577 or chief@police.massena.ny.us.

An organizational meeting is planned for mid-September.

Currier said he has good reason to be a sponsor of the idea.

“We are averaging nearly 200 annual incidents involving juveniles over the last five years which include larcenies, burglaries, and other mischief type complaints.” Currier said. “Enforcement is a necessary piece of the solution and so is providing good alternatives for kids. A Boys and Girls Club will enhance what our community already offers.”

“Our friends in Ogdensburg have successfully operated a Club for decades and our neighbors in Akwesasne are operating one as well. We know this is a challenging task, however, I truly believe this community will rally around this project and make it a reality,” Currier said.