We’re used to working behind the scenes, for the common good, but sometimes it’s nice to be publicly appreciated:

Local bloggers at RochesterTurning.com noticed that the cash was sitting uncollected earlier this week.

Rachel Ward over at WXXI expands a story that jrviper (it is good to have you back!) first wrote about a of couple days ago. To her credit, she provides with an appropriate acknowledgement.

Thanks Rachel.

Two things…

Credit where credit is due. While we appreciate the hat tip from WXXI - they get a lot of credit actually mentioning a blog as a source. I didn’t notice a lighting bolt striking the WXXI building over on State Street nor have any of the 4 horses heralding the Apocalypse been seen galloping down State Street for merely mentioning an actual blog name. Unlike some media outlets or editors here in town who seem to relate things said here as the nondescript “some say”. Credit to WXXI.

The second, and more important than a hat tip for us, is:

How does this happen and what is our County government doing about it?

From the WXXI piece:

Emily DeSantis is with the comptroller’s office, and says the funds owed to
the county could be substantial.

“For confidentiality reasons I can’t tell you the exact amount, but the
funds on all the claims range from less than $50 to several thousand dollars.”

Various entities within the county are owed money, including the county
treasurer, the sheriff’s office, the parks department, the county clerk, and the
department of social services.

DeSantis says the biggest source of unclaimed funds for the county is vendor
checks, which are usually from vendors that were prepaid for services which
were then never delivered.

I mean, if we are owed money, shouldn’t we collect it?

Seems like it is as simple as filling out some forms.

What exactly is the problem here?

Money owed to the County government is really money owed to Tax payers.