Wanted: Mayor with A s1

Wanted: Mayor With A

Metropolitan Vision

Mayoral Election 2009

Candidate Long Answer Responses

Creating and Sustaining a Quality Community:

Question: Creating and Sustaining A Quality Community - As Mayor, what is your vision for Syracuse being a quality community? What role do you see the Mayor and the City having in ensuring a Quality Community for the entire region to enjoy? What are the specific steps you will take as Mayor to improve the quality of life in the City of Syracuse and how do you see that impacting the region? Recognizing that a strong City helps the region, what can you do to attract and retain jobs in the City? What can you do to promote living in the City of Syracuse? As Mayor, how would you build the coalitions necessary to advance the needs of the City in the context of the region? What role do you envision playing with the County Executive to advance the City in the context of the larger discussions taking place in the County? What measures should we as a community use to assess your ability to improve the quality of life in the City?
Davis / My comprehensive economic plan for true change in Syracuse includes systemic support for small businesses from start to success; revitalization for existing industry; and an aggressive marketing strategy to secure new business and encourage existing companies to expand in our area. Small business is the engine that made America the great country that is, and helped establish Syracuse as a thriving economic area many decades ago.Once again, we must encourage the entrepreneurial spirit.We must insure that those who would create small business have the tools they needed to be successful.
As Mayor, I would institute a new agenda for our community development office.There will be economic development specialists who walk new entrepreneurs through the steps to get their ideas off the ground and remain available for consultation through stability.For example, we can offer tax incentives that allow new businesses to get off the ground and be taxed on a graduated scale for a short term.This creates a win-win situation such that the city gains a new business that will be able to hire locally while increasing our tax base.
I have seen Syracuse diminish as a city and fail to tap its unrealized potential.As a grassroots activist for nearly 24 years, an educator in the school district, and political consultant, I have a new vision for the challenges that face us, and a new perspective on how to solve them.
My comprehensive plan addresses major issues that challenge us, and I possess the necessary leadership skills to collaborate with our Common Council, the School District Superintendent, and the County Executive. True change requires challenging the status quo, thinking outside of the box, and working collaboratively to find innovative ways: to improve our economic base, our educational institutions, public safety and quality of life.
Where the City and County can share services, then I would be open to consolidation.We must be a City that recognizes our regional potential and collaborate with the County as an equal partner.Syracuse is the heart of this area, and where the heart is strong, the region will be strong.
This is a transformative time in the City’s history.We can continue with the politics of division or decide that this election we will embark on a new direction.As your Mayor, I will be the ambassador this City needs to attract new business, encourage our young people to stay or return after college, and to help Syracuse become a well-known destination for its diversity, economic stability, culture, arts, and wonderful natural resources.Together we can bring true citizen power and change to Syracuse.
Harlow / My vision of the City of Syracuse is what people should perceive the minute they enter the City—their first impression. This consists of neighborhoods, homes, buildings, and streets that are well-maintained and cared for, where citizens have access to cultural, recreational, business, and employment opportunities, and where people feel connected to one another and to the City, and where they feel a sense of personal safety and security. Downtown historic architecture should be preserved and add to the beauty of the City. Communities should be connected by efficient transportation systems, to enable them to engage in work and recreational/social activities, and take advantage of everything the City has to offer. Businesses and individuals should be encouraged to participate in the revitalization of urban centers, and schools should once again regain the prominence in the community by offering activities and needed services to families beyond the school day. Residents need access to services, especially, such as educational institutions, libraries, workplaces, stores, health centers, community centers, daycares, and parks, with an abundance of sidewalks, bike paths, street lighting, signage, visitor/informational kiosks, etc. Lastly, we need to have an awareness and appreciation of our unique history, natural resources, and assets, but as a community, we must engage in purposeful planning with a clear sense of purpose.
The responsibility of the Mayor is to promote the City and all it has to offer—not just its value to our own citizens but also in the greater context of the entire region of Central New York and Upstate New York.
Building a quality community takes great effort on the part of all members of the community. Therefore, all visioning, short-term and long-term planning, and decision-making would be the result of input and ideas from all stakeholders and a process whereby everyone has a voice.
Retaining and recruiting jobs in the City—we must take advantage of incentive programs and ensure that businesses are utilizing them properly. We must also consider expanding our efforts outside of our own region and state to recruit. We must be able to offer opportunities, incentives, and services in Syracuse that these businesses need, and we need to keep an open dialogue with businesses to stay abreast of concerns, issues, and needs (similar to Town Hall meetings). In collaboration with MDA, MACNY, Chamber of Commerce, SBA, SU School of Management, Minority Business Association, local incubator centers, Downtown Committee, UpDowntowners, to name a few, City leaders and the office of Mayor would work together to provide a foundation for economic growth and development.
The Mayor is instrumental in promoting the benefits of living in the City of Syracuse, and conveys the message of quality communities, opportunities, and vibrant, safe neighborhoods every day in many ways. Through collaborations and partnerships among businesses, schools, and organizations, the Mayor can help create housing, employment, and educational opportunities and incentives that make living in the City affordable and practical, and by supporting the arts and cultural events, make the City attractive and enjoyable. By ensuring that essential services are provided and that the health and safety of citizens are a priority, people will take pride and comfort in their neighborhoods.
Collaboration and communication with the County Executive is imperative—City residents are, after all, County residents as well. This partnership must consist of regular, on-going conversation about promotion of the region, sharing and use of basic services, taxes, health and social concerns, education and library system, protection and use of environmental/ natural resources (i.e., farms, waterways, etc.), and economic planning and development that benefits the entire region.
My own experiences living and working in the City of Syracuse attest to the fact that I’ve always worked to improve the quality of life. As Mayor, my office would continue to further that goal and vision of attaining the highest level possible in the City of Syracuse. Further, the office of Mayor would have an open-door policy in order to welcome feedback, ideas, concerns, and suggestions, regarding my performance in meeting these goals.
Jennings / A: My vision for Syracuse being a quality community begins with the acknowledgement of the rich quality of life that we continue to enjoy. There are many reasons why our city is rated among the top 10% of “Best Places to Live.” Syracuse is also a great place to work, learn, raise a family, grow a business and is well-positioned to prosper in the years to come.
Our quality of life is being challenged as never before - in the face the worst recession in decades. In order to tap into our entrepreneurial spirit and prepare to make advances for the long term, we must first acknowledge our advantages as a city. And that acknowledgement must be accompanied by a shared commitment to fix the basics, build on our assets, create quality neighborhoods and balance growth. These objectives can only be achieved when all stakeholders work together: residents, city, county and regional government leaders and employees; business owners, educators - everyone who has a vested interested in the success of Syracuse and Central New York.
Our city has a wealth of affordable, available housing for individuals and families of every economic background - in attractive, historic neighborhoods. We need to remove the barriers that stand in the way of residents who want home ownership. We must find practical financial solutions that close the widening gap between available properties and potential buyers.
And while downtown continues to build on the vibrant urban/metropolitan lifestyle offered by Armory Square, the city needs to take the next step. Immediate improvements include providing more lighting, parking and police presence to accommodate college students, families, seniors and others who want to dine, drink and shop or visit the MOST. We also need to preserve the unique flavor of our neighborhoods (such as Tipp Hill, Westcott and Eastwood) and increase accessibility to these areas. I want the Connective Corridor to be completed as soon as possible - making it safer, faster and more enjoyable for college students to sample our city and its cultural and artistic offerings and perhaps be influenced to make Syracuse their home.
As our city schools continue to make strides with improved test scores, I want to step up the effort to increase high school graduation rates and to personally share responsibility for this. I want to increase the number of college graduates by providing dedicated funding for Say Yes to Education. I will also develop school-to-work programs to train students who don’t wish to attend college for growing opportunities in non-professional sectors.
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Q2. What role do you see the Mayor and the City having in ensuring a Quality Community for the entire region to enjoy?
A: Leading an inclusive effort to improve our community, by maximizing our resources and shared talents and unlimited potential to build on our assets, solve our problems and create a better quality of life in our city. The mayor, Common Councilors and city departments must approach this effort as a team. Next, we must form an alliance with county and neighboring municipalities, universities, civic organizations and other stakeholders. Thirdly - citizens must have valid input in the planning processes, and be kept informed of decisions, action taken, progress made and the implementation of solutions on a continual basis. A collaborative effort is the only way to achieve these goals.
By maintaining, repairing, and expanding our city’s infrastructure, we make it possible to enrich our quality of life – residentially, commercially and economically. Capital investments build the framework for prosperity. Let’s determine the benefits and feasibility of proposed solutions for downtown, the Lakefront, Erie Boulevard, the Connective Corridor and our neighborhoods; as well as modifications to Interstate 81. Let’s make sure these proposals have merit and then let’s make them happen. Let’s transform Syracuse into a viable, more attractive venue for residents and an even more desirable destination for visitors who stop – either on route to or returning from lakes, nature centers and other attractions.
As former Syracuse Parks and Recreation Commissioner, I believe the livability of our urban areas and certain neighborhoods can be improved with increased residential density. Higher density neighborhoods enhance the their appeal, which can in turn boost revenue for maintaining parks and recreational centers. Mixed-use development and mixed-income housing can provide an affordable quality of life that reflects and supports the diversity of our community. Our beautiful city parks and gardens, our cultural, artistic and entertainment offerings, as well as sports and seasonal activities and events should be actively promoted as part and parcel of our regional offering – highlighted by the fact that we are just an hour away from many other popular destinations and attractions.
My Quality Neighborhood plan seeks to maximize the value and accessibility of our parks, libraries and community centers – using models such as Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today, Mayor Matt Driscoll’s 2025 master plan, and input from a wealth of pro-Syracuse initiatives, organizations and interests.
Q3: What are the specific steps you will take as Mayor to improve the quality of life in the City of Syracuse and how do you see that impacting the region?
A: I will bring a new attitude of cooperation and partnership to City Syracuse City Hall, and demonstrate that attitude by meeting with any organization, any group – whether in the city or outside – that has an idea of how best to move us forward.