From the legislature: War Memorial’s Honor Wall pays tribute to vets
Citizens that have served our country in the military are deserving of, at the very least, recognition. To serve your country during perilous times is a great honor and a great sacrifice. The Oncenter War Memorial Arena is more than a place where the Syracuse Crunch play hockey, it is a living memorial to those that have served, and in some cases, those that have given their lives for our freedom. It is important to honor the individuals that have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The I-81 conundrum: Highway reconstruction will cause hassle, but something must be done
Five years from now, the Syracuse skyline could look very different. Instead of an elevated highway heading into the city, the New York State Department of Transportation could construct an arterial boulevard. Or an underground tunnel. Or an iconic bridge. Truthfully, the DOT isn’t sure yet what the new Interstate 81 will look like. They just know that something needs to be done to replace the existing structure. “Bridges are designed to last for a certain period of time,” said Beau Duffy, public information officer for the NYS DOT. “The I-81 viaduct in Syracuse is reaching this point in time. Because repair and refurbishment of the bridge involves a significant investment, it makes sense, from a cost-benefit perspective, to look at potential alternatives for the future of the corridor.”
Raising awareness about autism
It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that autism has risen to one in every 88 births in the United States. In order to raise awareness about the programs and services available to families affected by autism, the New York State Senate has commemorated April 2013 as Autism Awareness Month.
County seeks answers to rabies outbreak
From no positive reported cases in 2010 to 16 in 2012, the spread of the animal-borne disease has made its way into the Champlain Valley.
SFD sends out alarm: Union says closing of station may endanger commuters
With a $20 million budget gap facing Syracuse, the city’s busiest fire station may be on the line. City officials have floated the idea of closing down Syracuse Fire Department Engine Company No. 7, located at 1039 E. Fayette St. But the members of Local No. 280, the firefighters’ union, say that would be a very bad idea. “In the past two years, we’ve had several incidents of multiple fires in the city. We were stripped, using every resource,” said Paul Motondo, vice president of Local No. 280. “Losing an engine company, especially this one because of where it is and what its responses are, it’ll create a huge void.”
Corl may be tapped for county position
Cicero Supervisor Jim Corl’s name is on the short list of candidates being considered for an appointment to the Onondaga County Legislature. With Third District County Legislator Bill Meyer leaving for a county appointment, the seat will be left open for a replacement to be decided by County Executive Joanie Mahoney. Mahoney appointed Meyer as assistant director of the Veterans Service Agency last week in a shakeup that also left the ninth district seat open; Legislator Mark Stanczyk will be the new deputy commissioner of community services. She also appointed her campaign manager, Ben Dublin, as her chief of staff and communications director Marty Skanen as deputy commissioner of parks and recreation.
Education commission report sparks debate
There’s a lot of conflict in education these days, but experts agree on one thing: something needs to change. “New York State has high academic standards and spends more money per student than any other state in the nation,” said a report by the New NY Education Reform Commission issued last week. “However, we are not seeing enough return on investment, especially for the large number of students from a background of poverty. New York lags far behind most states in graduation rates; only 74 percent of New York’s students graduate from high school, and only 35 percent are college ready.” That’s why Gov. Andrew Cuomo convened the the 25-member commission last April: to better prepare New York’s 2.7 million K through 12 students for the future. The commission issued its preliminary recommendations last week to mixed reviews.
Rozum to remain active in the wake of last week’s election
Ursula Rozum won’t be Central New York’s first Green congresswoman, but she’s still pleased with the results of last week’s election. “I am very pleased with the results. An overwhelming majority in Central New York rejected Ann Marie Buerkle’s extreme right-wing views and an unprecedented number decided to vote against the policies of the corporate parties,” Rozum said. “Of course, we don’t know how many would have voted in support of my progressive policies if we had a truly democratic voting system. But it’s heartening to know there are so many people in our district that support a positive progressive program and who are fed up with the bipartisan policies that are not addressing the serious problems we’re facing.”
The comeback kids: What brought Maffei, Stirpe back to office?
On Election Day, voters in Central New York resoundingly rejected national Republican candidates, re-electing President Barack Obama by a vote of 59 percent to Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s 38 percent, choosing Democrat Dan Maffei over conservative opponent Ann Marie Buerkle for Congress and, at a more local level, selecting more liberal Al Stirpe instead of Don Miller. While the presidential vote isn’t a big surprise — Obama took Onondaga County by a similar margin in the 2008 election — both Maffei and Stirpe lost those seats in the 2010 elections to Buerkle and Miller, respectively. So what made voters change their minds? What made these two candidates, as one politician at the Democrats’ Election Night celebration put it, “Central New York’s Comeback Kids”?
UPDATE: Maffei declares victory in 24th District race
Dan Maffei has issued a statement declaring victory in the 24th District Congressional race.
Sandy Schepp of Manlius elected to Onondaga County Clerk seat
Manlius Town Councilor Sandy Schepp has won the race for Onondaga County Clerk.
Cecile wins family court race; Miller will be new county court judge
Democrat Julie Cecile beat out Onondaga County Legislator Patrick Kilmartin for the open seat in the Onondaga County Family Court on election night. Cecile defeated Kilmartin, a Republican, by a vote of 98,742 to 78,425. Cecile is currently the executive director of McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center. Kilmartin is a practicing attorney.
Buerkle casts ballot at Onondaga Free Library
Republican Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle left Onondaga Free Library after casting her vote today feeling optimistic.
Maffei casts his vote
Democratic Congressional candidate Dan Maffei was confident as he cast his vote early Tuesday morning at the DeWitt Community Church, praising his campaign volunteers and urging Central New Yorkers to get to the polls. “We had the largest get-out-the-vote effort that I’ve ever seen in this region, so I’m very proud of that,” Maffei said. “Literally hundreds of volunteers who have worked not just today, but for many, many months, and I will tell you this, I am very, very confident that we have put everything into this effort that any campaign can, and I am very, very proud.”
DECISION 2012: Sam Roberts vs. John Sharon for 128th Assembly District
State Assemblyman Sam Roberts, a Democrat from Syracuse, is running for reelection to his second term. He is being challenged for a second time by John Sharon, a Republican from DeWitt.
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