Executive Decisions

Councilor-at-Large Stephanie Miner, a leading Democratic candidate, had an upbeat take on the city’s progress when reached by telephone hours before the address. “In my mind there are tremendous opportunities in this moment,” said the two-term member of the Common Council, who hails from the East Side. “Green technology, Say Yes to Education and the funds available through the stimulus program are all tremendous opportunities for the city, and I’d focus on those three things.”

Miner went on to say that she would also give priority to public safety and the quality of life. “I think we need more neighborhood patrols, and to make sure that our neighborhoods get the support they need to remain the focus of our city.”

But Say Yes to Education, a foundation-supported program that provides support to students in the Syracuse City Schools and promises to cover college tuition costs for many of them, is Miner’s lead priority. “Say Yes is by far the most exciting and critical opportunity for this city, and we have to seize it, with strong and decisive leadership.”

Asked which projects she thinks might best be supported by the federal stimulus program, Miner pointed to the Creekwalk along Onondaga Creek. “A Creekwalk from Onondaga Lake to the Nation could unite neighborhoods, leverage economic development, and would be a great public space to benefit our community.”

Community activist Alfonso Davis, who sat in the back of the Setnor Auditorium with his wife, Felicia, was hesitant to comment. “I think I’ll hold off,” he said when reached by phone earlier in the day. “I’ll reserve my comments until I hear what the mayor is saying. We have a lot of issues; I want to see what he says.”

And what would Mayor Davis envision himself saying a year from now in that same forum? Davis reluctantly jumped into the fray. “A year down the road, if I am so blessed to be the mayor, I would like to tell the people that we are moving toward completion of projects.” When pressed, Davis declined to specify which projects he would like to see completed. “There are a few things out there in limbo, about $100 million in projects out there in limbo. Under my administration we will complete projects to move this city forward.”

Last dance: Mayor Matt Driscoll gets a hug from his wife Patti after his final State of the City address on March 11. MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

Otis Jennings, one-time Parks Commissioner and the only Republican thus far to announce that he wants the mayor’s job, also spoke of education as a top priority. He also highlighted the value of Say Yes to Education when reached by telephone prior to the mayor’s address, and promised, as mayor, to be a visible presence in the schools, visiting teachers and students at least once a week.

“Education is our No. 1 stimulus plan for this city,” said Jennings, who works principally as a motivational speaker. “We need to work very closely with the Syracuse City School District. The first thing that people do when they think about moving to a city is to check out the school district. We need to make Say Yes to Education an integral part of what we do. We need to make a long-term commitment to that program.

“I would also say that it is critical for us to have strong mentoring programs,” he continued. “Right now the gangs are doing a better job of mentoring our kids than we are. We need to help our kids reach their full potential as human beings. We also need to have a strong initiative with job training. My second emphasis would be on economic development. We don’t do nearly enough to make small business grow. Government doesn’t create jobs. Small businesses create jobs, but government has to support them. 

“Third, I want to see the growth of our city. This is not a criticism of any individual, just an observation. We have so many capital projects that have failed: the Convention Center hotel, Mizpah Towers, the Hotel Syracuse, Central Tech, Blodgett School. Any project that I start,” pledged Jennings, “I will finish.” 

Jennings swore that his administration would do everything possible to stem the loss of jobs in the city. “What hurt most of all was the loss of those jobs at Blue Cross/Blue Shield. We really dropped the ball on that one. My top priority would have been keeping BC/BS in downtown, because we lost hundreds, if not thousands, of potential jobs there. 

“Finally, I will listen to our residents, give them a greater say in government. The TNT {Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today} process must be brought back and not just given lip service to,” said Jennings. “People tell me that TNT has no teeth in it.”

Common Council President Bea Gonzalez, a candidate for the Democratic nomination, was spending the week in Puerto Rico, and could not be reached for comment. (She officially dropped out of the race on March 30.) Former Councilor and Assemblyman Joe Nicoletti, who has also announced his intention to run as a Democrat, was present but preferred not to comment. Speaking at the reception prior to the event, North Sider Nicoletti demurred. “This is the mayor’s night,” said Nicoletti. “He’s done an outstanding job. It would be inappropriate to make any comment at this time.”

—Ed Griffin-Nolan