UTICA - Another part of Mayor Roefaro's outreach to the youth is hiring his cousin - 23-year-old Angelo Roefaro - to be part of his administration.

Angelo Roefaro is the mayor's first assistant and acts as the Youth Director on the transition team. Recently, Mayor Roefaro has received criticism about hiring his young family member for a City Hall job - and whether his cousin can handle the work that comes with it.

In response, the mayor says he thinks no one is more qualified for the job.

"Stop pointing the fingers," Mayor David Roefaro said. "Stop giving the negatives. Everyone should own up for what they do - young and old alike. Because you're 23 or 24 years old, it doesn't mean that you're not smart. They're actually probably smarter."