Oneida County tenants now have a place to voice their concerns. The first meeting of the Oneida County Tenants Union, as it is tentatively being called, was held and is intended to promote the interests and needs of tenants in the county.

Kate Falcon, who is heading the union, says the meetings may be disorganized at first, but she says it will come together as more are held. "There will be a structure," Falcon said. "Meetings will focus in on different topics, different subjects and have different guest presenters. Everything will be geared toward tenancy." Falcon says some issues to be discussed will include identifying unsafe housing conditions, how to report building code violations and obtaining emergency rent assistance.

And, although Falcon is stressing the meetings are for tenants only, the first one held last night had two Utica Council members and a landlord in attendance. Additional monthly meetings are expected to be scheduled at a later date.