New York State Senator Fred Akshar called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to allow local municipalities to decide when is the right time to reopen Friday morning. (Screenshot by Zachary Meseck)

NEW YORK - Senator Fred Akshar addressed New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday in a public meeting focused on allowing local governments to decide when it is a good time to reopen.

Akshar said small retail stores, local businesses, and non-profit organizations are all suffering due to the coronavirus lockdown. He said the phase system set in place doesn’t work for the people of the Southern Tier, and that local governments should be in control of when their businesses are allowed to reopen with social distancing guidelines in place.

“It's incredibly important for me to listen to the people I represent and then to act,” said Akshar. “My overall sense from the folks that I represent around the southern tier, is that people are frustrated.”

“People are at their breaking point with the economy being shut down.”

Akshar said the people in the Southern Tier are ready to get back to work, and that the governor needs to recognize the need to reopen.

“I’m calling on the governor to do away with the phases he’s implemented, and let us get back to work,” he said. “He has created this matrix, where you must check the boxes, and the fact that we’ve set up these arbitrary phases are really adding to the overall anxiety for the people throughout the southern tier.”