September 25, 2007

19th district: Deb Moynihan

1) Choose the issue you find most important, crime, education or jobs. State what your priorities are in that area.
  1. I believe the most important issue facing our county is the need to create more jobs. Shifting our area’s image from one of economic decline to one of economic prosperity is the catalyst needed to positively impact.

    Traditionally supported by a strong manufacturing sector which allowed financial and job security for employees, the entire CNY region has suffered with the decline of this industry. These jobs are not coming back; it is imperative that we redefine our area into one that will attract new business, and high-paying, sustainable jobs.

    Additionally, we need to focus on creating jobs for traditionally under-employed residents.

    In my district, there is a stretch on Erie Blvd. of empty, industrially-zoned sites. With property tax and training incentives, these shops would be revived creating successful walk-to-work zones. The trades industry could target minority entrepreneurs, pairing potential owners with grant, training and mentoring opportunities.

Such a focus will have a positive impact on the community as a whole and I believe we would see a dramatic reduction in crime in these forgotten areas.

2) What will you do to get young people to come to Syracuse and stay there?

  1. Bringing and retaining young people to and in our area is vital to having a vibrant and progressive community.

    The “Come Home to Syracuse” program has been very successful in attracting young professionals with ties to our area. But, two factors are important in capitalizing on this program’s success:

    • We need the jobs to attract the candidates. Local engineering companies have made Syracuse their home. Other sectors can do it, too.

    • Our audience has to be expanded to target people with connections to our core industries. Target them aggressively, support employers with recruitment and provide these individuals with real reasons to make Syracuse their home.

    Jobs will be the reason new recruits come to Syracuse. A high quality of life is the reason they’ll stay. What they’re looking for is:

    • Affordable housing options. From trendy, downtown loft space to family-friendly suburban neighborhoods, we have it all.
    • Vibrant art and cultural centers.
    • Extensive and accessible green space and improved downtown parks.
    • Great schools and communities for children.
    • Ease of work-life balance with close proximity of jobs and housing.

    I came home to Syracuse from New York City. This is a great place to live and

raise a family. My story is not unique.

3) The county seems to have had a city government will take care of the city kind of attitude, but if we are to lure young folk and businesses to come to CNY, I think they'll think of it as coming to Syracuse. In my opinion, if we are to really boost CNY, we have to have the county work with the city, because as Syracuse goes, so too does Onondaga County. What do you think of this? What will you do (or have you done for incumbents) to change this attitude.

  1. Syracuse is the heart of Onondaga County. Without a healthy and vibrant downtown environment and economy, the rest of the county suffers. County leadership must partner with the city if we are going to revitalize our area.

    My husband and I are raising our family in the city. We love our neighborhood and its diversity and we enjoy the close proximity to downtown. We are vested in making the city as great as we know it can be.

    Losing Excellus is a serious blow to the city’s economy. City and county leaders need to work together to make certain it doesn’t happen again. Real estate needs renovation, area parking needs improvement and new tenants need to be found. Tax incentives will be necessary to fill that space to protect the downtown area and keep the local storefronts from going out of business.

    What it will take to renovate our city is government and business owners sharing the same vision. When the owner of Pastabilities moved into the once-decrepit Armory Square, it was a courageous step from someone who saw a bright future. Today, Armory Square is home to top-notch restaurants, art galleries, shops and residences that, together, make for an animated and thriving neighborhood.

As a County Legislator, I will do everything in my power to return the City of Syracuse to greatness.

September 24, 2007

more responses, primary results, spitzer

I have received another response to the survey, this one from Deb Moynihan. A few of the answers are just a bit over the word limit I'd intended, and so I'm hoping she can trim it just a bit. I take fault for this, I don't think I put enough emphasis on the limit in the email, because Tom didn't notice it at first either. So now I get to feel like a jerk telling people thank you so much for the response but if you could just do this again... But I have to be fair and stick to the limit. I'll then post it without the whole "mighty" thing, which I at least stole partially (maybe even wholly, I can't remember) from Stephen Colbert. Also I'll put links to the candidate answers in a bar to the right until after the election. For easy reference.

If you're reading this, you probably already are paying close attention to the primary results, which are in fact, very very close. Not close enough for Ed Ryan though, he's conceded the Democratic primary, but has yet to throw his support to Magnarelli as Ed promised in an on air debate before the vote. On the one hand, I like Ed, and I like his willingness to stick to his guns. On the other hand, there's something to be said for party unity come November, and there's definitely something to be said for doing what you said you'd do on the air. As for the Republican primary, that is a 24 vote nail-biter, particularly because it's the one I really wanted one candidate to win, but it appears my pick, Ms. Mahoney is going to pull it off. They allowed a week already for more mail ins, and got 3, so I don't think the next week will produce a dramatic number of military ballots, and after that it's all done.

Spitzer is expected to announce a new program making it so illegal immigrants can get driver's licenses, making the immigration debate local in scope. This is one of those issues where I can see the point of view of people who say illegal immigrants don't pay taxes, they're here illegally, why should they get benefits, but the logical part of me says even if you think that way, it's a lot better to have some sort of record of who people are. Please don't write me angry emails saying I'm associating crime with immigration. I'm just saying, from a law enforcement perspective, if you're dealing with someone who does happen to be a criminal, it'd be good to know who they are, and a legitimate ID would do that. And I work with law enforcement and the courts, so I feel quasi-qualified to have an opinion on that. You disagree? Good for you, tell people about it. That's what forums are for.

September 19, 2007

The mighty 7th: Tom Buckel


1) Choose the issue you find most important, crime, education or jobs. State what your priorities are in that area.

These issues are inter-related.

The main goal for our region must be to foster innovation and adaptation in all infrastructures and in all institutions- public and private.

I propose that the County create a Department of Science and Technology, and appoint a nationally recognized scientist to lead its efforts to identify sectors of our economy that have strong growth potential in high wage jobs.

I want the County to spearhead a public-private venture capital partnership, with at least $125 million in capital, to fund emerging technological businesses which do not meet the narrower lending criteria of banks and traditional venture capitalists.

I advocate regional planning and funding of secondary education, and hope over time to extend the infrastructure of Onondaga County College to all schools in our region.

I support County crime fighting ordinances: seize property involved in drug buys and prostitution solicitation; use eminent domain to seize and either rehabilitate or demolish abandoned structures; employ modern technology to quickly spot new crime patterns and target and respond to gun shots fired; put any substandard house or building run by an absentee landlord into receivership; and sensible zoning of zone adult entertainment facilities away from local businesses, neighborhoods and churches.


2) What will you do to get young people to come to Syracuse and stay there?

Onondaga County is a much better place than the image would suggest. It has powerful colleges and universities. Remarkable intellectual and technology resources. Strong arts. Dynamic recreation. Loyalty. Extraordinary architecture. Abundant natural resources.

Despite these attributes, the magnitude of the population loss among the young is unprecedented in our history. The time for “business as usual” has passed.

I believe in aspiration goals: increasing city population to 200,000 people, county population to 600,000 people, by 2025.

Every public and private sector action that we take must do what is necessary to provide the capital and support for creative people with ideas.

This begins with modernizing county and local government and then tackling, on the local level, the intractable problems of taxes, public sector employment growth, energy and Medicaid which hamper our prosperity.

I intend to lead efforts to reinvent our outdated, overly expensive county and local governments and to promote growth inward again. Specifically, I support the following actions:

• Merge Syracuse City and Onondaga County into one government.

• Encourage mergers among towns, villages.

      • Centralize key local government functions (e.g. economic development, land use planning, transportation, creation of regional wireless and broadband internet access).


3) The county seems to have had a city government will take care of the city kind of attitude, but if we are to lure young folk and businesses to come to CNY, I think they'll think of it as coming to Syracuse. In my opinion, if we are to really boost CNY, we have to have the county work with the city, because as Syracuse goes, so too does Onondaga County. What do you think of this? What will you do (or have you done for incumbents) to change this attitude.

I see in Syracuse the microcosm of the unfinished, evolving American dream.

For our County to be great again, we all must see each other as brothers and sisters. This means supporting the City.

There are natural constraints on continuing sprawls away from our city. Prime agricultural land shouldn’t be covered with cement. Extended commute times have a negative impact on children and families.

Reversing this run to the suburbs requires better schools, safer streets, a new village-like ambience, and new thinking from Central New Yorkers about where and how they should live.

New urban development does many good things- it’s good for the environment, good for the vitality of the region and it protects agricultural land. By putting people in face-to-face contact with each other in city neighborhoods, you create the basis for real democracy which is conversation and interconnectedness among people: hopefully planting the seeds for further growth.

We have the strength and character to affect all those aspects of life in our county and city that are within our grasp. Given the riches of our community, there should be no excuses, and under new leadership which I intend to offer, there will be no excuses.

The Result Are In!

Well, it's been over 2 weeks since I sent out my survey questions to our county leg candidates, (and county exec primary candidates) and I am now ready to print the response. Literally. One response. From Tom Buckel. Also I got a email back from Karen Hanford saying she'd try and get back to me with a response, and an email from someone on Dale Sweetland's behalf saying to please not use that email for campaign business and that they'd forwarded it onward.

Clearly this blog is not being taken as seriously as it should. Even though my endorsements for the primary all seem to have won (according to results before recounts and mail in ballots) (if we count my last sentence under the Democratic section as leaning toward Magnarelli, even though I personally was somewhat leaning toward Ryan, and if we don't count my knock against Paul Carey who won 3 out of 4 lines vs his opponent George Alessio for Salina Town Justice, George carrying only the Working Family line by a vote of 4 to 3)! Clearly, I'm a force to be reckoned with.

So here is Tom's response, posted with the title I said it would have.

September 18, 2007

So, what are you doing tonight? Oh, just busy not voting...

Alternate title: "Help, help, I'm being disenfranchised."

I tried to vote. I wanted to vote. Apparently, because I "switched parties" (from the "no party" to the "a party") I am made to sit out a year before I can vote in a primary in NY State. The theory is, it's to prevent one party from having members register with the other party just to influence a primary. Except I didn't have a party. Who am I supposed to spy for with no party? The Board of Elections told me I "should have been told this" when I filed the change. Even though I registered the change in April back before anyone had any idea who was running. Even though I didn't have a party before.

The irony is if I just hadn't bothered to register to vote before I believe I would have been fine. Someone can correct me if they wish, but it sounded that way. Oh well. Now I can just gripe about whoever gets picked. And wait until the presidential primary when I should be able to vote. This seems to me to be a law that needs fixing.

September 17, 2007

Primary endorsements!

The primary is tomorrow! If you're a registered Republican or Democrat, get out there and vote!
I wish some more people had responded to my survey. I could be more sure of my endorsements, but I'll just have to choose without em.

Republican county exec: Joanie Mahoney. Yeah, I can't vote in this one, but that's not going to stop me from endorsing. Joanie states that with her, the county vs the city attitude is going to stop, and with her ties to the city from running for mayor last year, I believe her. Dale meanwhile, has been christened heir by Pirro, the big champion of the county vs city attitude. In truth, as a Democrat, I fear the Mahoney political machine and I'm not sure we have anything to counter it, but I don't care. In other words, I think Dale is the weaker candidate, but would so prefer not to get him in the office that I'd rather we take on the stronger candidate. For those who question my philosophy I have one word: windmills.

Democratic county exec: Toss-up. That's right, I registered so I could vote in the primaries and I have no idea who I'm going to pick in the first primary I get to vote on. I like what both of them are saying, although both have been in office a long time and Syracuse hasn't exactly been thriving during that reign (see also Dale). Yes, they had strong Republican opposition (for Magnarelli I'm talking the Senate), and in that regard Magnarelli has done more to increase the voice of the Democratic party as far as I can tell.

Democratic counselor, district 4: Tom Seals. Again, I don't vote in this one because I don't live in district 4, but Charles Pierce came out strongly against the use of the RICO laws against gang members. I understand the debate over whether this is retrying gang members for old crimes (although I don't agree with that argument), but the basic thing for me is that if we are to turn the war on drugs into even a semi-effective fight, we need to consider using the tools we have in innovative new ways, and that is what the use of the RICO statutes does.

September 15, 2007

some thoughts

The ads for Salina town justice were interesting, in that I noticed Paul Carey's says he was a former detective for Onondaga County Sheriff's, but his opponent George Alessio is the one who's ad claims endorsement by the deputy sheriff's association. Hmmm.

Oh, and I almost hesitate to say this, but I seem to be kind of idle this month compared to last. If you're reading this and looking for volunteers for a campaign, send me an email or a comment and I'll see what I can do.

September 14, 2007

info aplenty

I suddenly find myself with more county exec info then I know what to do with.

First off, the TV, Channel 3 was advertising they'd have the candidates on at 9 both Saturday and Sunday. In an interesting split, Dale and Ed are on Saturday, and Joanie and Bill are on Sunday.

Also the post standard ran articles on all 4 candidates yesterday. I haven't had the opportunity to read all 4 yet, but I have had the time to read about all 4 in the Syracuse New Times ("Four on the Floor, the 8/29-9/5 issue).

Some thoughts on the New Times articles. I'll comment in the order they appeared in the New Times.
Joanie: I like that she comes off as a family woman. I think the fact that the New Times spent so much of her article talking about family, and barely mentioning if the men even have families or not says something negative about the reporting at the New Times, but being a family woman is still a positive. I also am glad to hear her assertion that the "City vs. County attitude will stop." This has been a huge problem in our county.

Dale: I actually do like that Dale mentions his family did share the experience of downsizing at times, it brings him down to earth to me as a candidate. Also like that he and his family stayed here. Dislike his assertion that he fears downtown development may be swinging too far in one direction. The city is the reason people come or don't come to this county and we need to build it up.

Bill: Love that he says he'll follow Nancy Cantor. Yes, I think the woman seemed a little weird at first, but she seems to be one of the few people who knows what she's doing when it comes to Syracuse. Now if only she could get the same knowledge about our sports programs. I also like his thoughts on merging county and city resources. Everyone is talking about it, but Bill's comments seem to make sense.

Ed: I like that Ed won't answer the "tell me a joke" question because it'd be a dirty one. I also like that he's willing to use tax credits to create jobs, but opposed to empire zones, which implies he'd put checks and balances on it. And I like his desire to expand the eco-friendly business in CNY. Other candidates have talked about it, but Ed's made it a forefront issue, and it seems like an area where our county can take the lead.

Finally, in other county exec news, Bill was quoted in 4 on the Floor as saying "I don't even know why Ed's running." Ed responded with a letter to the editor in which he quoted Elliot Spitzer, calling Bill a puppet of the Silver administration. Kudos to Ed for saying what he feels even at the expense of another party member, but also wish there wasn't such infighting.

September 11, 2007

Quick post for the day

These links seemed appropriate to post today:
Arlington National Cemetery
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

I wasn't going to post politics today, but it seems there's news that applies to tomorrow, so I'll be quick. The post-standard reports that the Democrats and the Republicans running for County Exec had a debate against their opponent in the primary. They were recorded yesterday afternoon, and the Republican debate aired last night (thanks for the timely news on that one!). The Democrats air tomorrow at 7, and both debates will be shown again Sunday, starting with the Republicans at 7, all on news 10 now. I missed the Republicans yesterday due to not knowing about the debate, and I'll miss tomorrows due to another young dems meeting (7 pm, 248 E Water St, Syracuse NY), so it looks like I'll have to wait till Sunday.

September 10, 2007

Aforementioned vetoes

Looking closer, I guess my knock on most of the vetoes is that a lot of these bills have potential but need some fixing. Granting peace officer status to dogcatchers and fire investigators would allow them to make arrests and issue tickets when they see violations, same thing with marine patrol officers, but the Gov objects to the lower level of training for "peace" officer vs. "police" officer. He wants more training before he'll extend the power. Similarly, the veto on the Schroepel tax refund needs a fix because Schroepel now says the original numbers are not accurate. So the legislature should up the training for peace officers and fix the Schroepel tax numbers if they want to get the bills to pass, polish up kinds of things. In other words, the vetoes are usually for wording problems, which the governor can't just reach out and fix, so he has to veto.

Too bad though, as some of this stuff was good. One idea was to require businesses to use different ID #'s instead of SS #'s. It was shot down for being too broad, and also for complicating communication with states that still use SS #'s. I disagree with the 2nd part though. If we use that logic, no one will ever switch to a safer system.

Meanwhile the governor has managed to work himself into a little more trouble by telling a reporter to "get a life." Really. He got upset because the reporter was asking him questions about the investigation into Majority Leader Bruno that used taxpayer dollars, and the scandal that had caused. I do think the questions were somewhat inappropriate, as this took place at a school, so the questions clearly should have been about education. But you got to watch the temper, guv.

Next I plan to comment on the "4 on the Floor" article from the Syracuse New Times about the big County Exec race. Hey, a news source for me other than the post standard!

September 3, 2007

The Rulez

Alright, so I'm finally set to start emailing legislator type persons with the intent of asking some key questions. Each district will have their postings start with the words "The mighty," followed by the district # and the candidate. Only districts where I could email both sides (and the green or conservative candidate if one is listed on democracywise) are to be emailed. Wish I'd gotten this off sooner, but I'll give 2 weeks in which I'll wait for both (or all) sides and then posts are going up as I get responses. Oh, and I'll email the exec candidates too. For size reasons, answers going above 200 words may be trimmed, I'll do my best not to alter meaning but candidates have been warned. Without further ado, here are the questions:

1) The teeball: Choose the issue you find most important, crime, education or jobs. State what your priorities are in that area.
2) The softball: What will you do to get young people to come to Syracuse and stay there?
3) The hardball: The county seems to have had a city government will take care of the city kind of attitude, but if we are to lure young folk and businesses to come to CNY, I think they'll think of it as coming to Syracuse. In my opinion, if we are to really boost CNY, we have to have the county work with the city, because as Syracuse goes, so too does Onondaga County. What do you think of this? What will you do (or have you done for incumbents) to change this attitude.

So that's a preview for the next couple of weeks, and sometime in the next few days I plan to comment on the article on Spitzer's vetoes. So you know what to look forward to.