Category Archives: Spring 2009

For campaign dollars, Republican William “Bill” Meyer, the 20-year incumbent, is trailing his challenger for the District 3 seat in the Onondaga County Legislature. Democrat Ed Szczesniak has raised almost twice as much campaign money as Meyer, according to campaign … Continue reading →

Bill Meyer remembers waking up to find a parking ticket on his beat-up ‘64 Chevy Malibu. It was that cold November morning that he realized he wanted to get into politics. “I didn’t think giving me the ticket was the … Continue reading →

Lieutenant colonel in the army. Long-time veteran of Democratic politics in Onondaga County. A resume of management experience. “I have a range of experience to look at things from different perspectives,” said Ed Szczesniak. “All of my experiences have taught … Continue reading →

A presidential bag of peanuts brought Stephanie Miner into politics. In 1976, when she was six years old, Miner recalls, she went to a political party with her maternal grandmother, Betty Cooney.  Cooney, then a Democratic ward chair in Syracuse, … Continue reading →

For Alfonso Davis, running for mayor of Syracuse is a leap of faith. The decision came to him, he recalls, sitting in his hotel room at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. “I was getting dressed on a Tuesday morning … Continue reading →

In 1980, Steve Kimatian, then a lawyer, lost the race for Maryland’s state legislature. “It was tough losing. It was the type of campaign which was very street oriented. It was door to door, street by street, and voter by … Continue reading →

In a return to politics, Democrat Joe Nicoletti is aiming for Syracuse’s top job as mayor. “I’m more seasoned and prepared. I have a complete plan for a better Syracuse,” Nicoletti said. Nicoletti is one of five candidates running for … Continue reading →

Imagine not being able to get the proper medicine for allergies. Or think about not being able to get an MRI if you get hurt doing routine repairs around the house. Or picture your child not getting the proper care … Continue reading →

For too many students, the education gap remains stubbornly wide. “We know that there is an overwhelming achievement gap between urban and suburban school districts,” said Cynthia Kirby, vice president of the Syracuse school board. “There are more children in … Continue reading →

Every time Betty Coyle of Syracuse needs to have surgery or has to pay doctor’s bill, she has something to rely upon. “Medicare just really takes care of everything for me,” Coyle said.  “I haven’t had any problems with it.” … Continue reading →

Symptoms: Too many couch potatoes. Too many potato chips. Not enough exercise. Diagnosis: An obesity epidemic. “It’s a big concern,” says Rachel Murphy, a registered dietician with the Onondaga County Health Department. “We certainly have a lot of work to … Continue reading →

Local homeowners are facing foreclosure at record rates, as the economy continues to falter. But, despite those record home foreclosures, Syracuse fares better than much of the country. “Syracuse wasn’t exempt. But we didn’t have a catastrophe either,” said David … Continue reading →

Tax time can pay off big time for some Central New Yorkers. “One lady walked out of here with $11,500 more than she expected,” said Elaine Fartwell, the tax program coordinator for P.E.A.C.E. Inc., which stands for People’s Equal Action … Continue reading →

Alzheimer’s. Diabetes. Cancer. Gone. Non-existent. All of them. “In theory, stem cells literally have the ability to cure diseases without side effects,” said Peter Brink, a stem-cell researcher at Stony Brook University on Long Island, N.Y. Brink and other researchers … Continue reading →

The Empire State Games has lost its host site and now has nowhere to play. The group organizing the venues for the games — the Hudson Valley Local Organizing Committee — has told New York state that it will not … Continue reading →

In the fight against discrimination, the front line is often the desk of Bridget Owens. “I’m the primary person who takes complaints from people who feel they have been discriminated against or treated unfairly in Onondaga County,” Owens said. Owens … Continue reading →

Homeless people in Onondaga County will benefit from a $6.8 million federal grant for programs serving the homeless, say advocates for the homeless and county officials. “This will be good for the community” said Tony Discenza, who heads the Syracuse … Continue reading →

College students will get more financial aid from the federal government, thanks to the recently enacted economic stimulus package. But the increased government support won’t solve all the students’ college-money troubles, caution some local financial aid officers and government officials. … Continue reading →

Going into its second year, a branch of the National Action Network is trying to establish itself as a sparkplug for social activism in the Syracuse area. “As a community, we can be complacent and sometimes we just allow things … Continue reading →

Before most religious ceremonies, Marla Antone can be found in the frozen foods section of her local supermarket. “We have to use frozen berries now because they don’t grow anywhere on our land,” Antone said. Antone, of Cato, is a … Continue reading →

For school children, Syracuse is still planning to turn some of its schools green. “People always think the goal of ‘go green’ has something to do with recycling,” said Martin Walls, communications manager of Syracuse Center of Excellence in environmental and energy … Continue reading →

Cheryl Saunders of Cazenovia does not like seeing her employees get laid off. That is why she is a big supporter of the state Labor Department’s Shared Works program. “I’m a huge fan of the program and have been for … Continue reading →

Dangerous countries will be destinations for some Spring Break travelers from Syracuse University, despite warnings from the federal government. “I am nervous about this trip,” said Racquel Clarke, a junior newspaper and international relations major at SU, who will spend … Continue reading →

For the first time in 15 years, the Thompsons will miss the games they love. Gene, 71, and Judy, 68, from Kirkville, N.Y.,  compete in the ping-pong, track and field and golf divisions of the Empire State Games senior division. … Continue reading →

Christmas was a sign that things were getting worse: 2,800 people showed up for dinner and gifts at The Salvation Army. “We helped 300 more families than we expected,” said Lynn Hy, The Salvation Army’s marketing events manager. The Salvation … Continue reading →

For first-time homebuyers, an $8,000 federal tax credit is good — but not good enough. That’s the reaction of Syracuse-Area real estate brokers to the recently enacted federal stimulus package. The $8,000 tax credit is a cut from a $15,000 … Continue reading →

For Haji Adan, every Saturday morning is an investment in the future. “We felt like we needed to do something for our children,” says Adan. He is talking about the Somali-Bantu Community Association’s effort in Syracuse to teach their children … Continue reading →

To breathe easier, Syracuse should consider replacing the elevated portions of Interstate-81 downtown, say a group of environmental researchers. “The transportation on I-81, such as mobiles and trucks, has an impact on the air pollution,” said K. Max Zhang, assistant … Continue reading →

Hunger threatens more Onondaga County families as the economy falters, say county officials and advocates for food programs. “We’re going to see a ripple effect,” said Mary Beth Frey, executive director of The Samaritan Center, which serves warm meals for … Continue reading →

For Syracuse school children, the federal government is easing the effects of state budget cuts. “The stimulus funding definitely helps the students because we will be able to retain more teachers and keep programs for the students,” said Neil Driscoll, … Continue reading →

For those living HIV and AIDS, the state’s budget crisis threatens to reduce important services such as free meals, mental health counseling, and programs that help them stay on their medicine, say advocates of the services. The 11 HIV/AIDS organizations … Continue reading →

Every Tuesday evening, the Rev. Joe Burton transforms Jamesville prison into a church. “I’m here,” said Burton, “to tell them about love.” Burton, also a pastor at St. Lukes Missionary Baptist Church in Syracuse, is one of three chaplains independently … Continue reading →

Athletes from Jamesville-DeWitt won’t be taking any big trips in 2009 — unless someone else is footing the bill Take, for example, the J-D boys’ basketball team’s trip to New York City in late January. The team played Lincoln High … Continue reading →

“Because it’s history. I mean I could say I watched it on TV, but I can never say that I didn’t go because it was too cold, you know? Nothing a jacket and a little snuggling up to a couple … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/POS1-Inauguration-Su.mp3] “I’m excited about our new president, and I have great hope and I think that it’s a new chapter of American life. It’s a new threshold that we have stepped over. It doesn’t mean that there is not a … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Story2-POS-Cohen.mp3] “I like how he said if we lend a hand, don’t clench your fist. And he was talking to foreign nations saying, we’re here to help everyone. If we lend a hand, just open your hand up and we’ll … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Story2-POS.mp3] “I was really excited that Obama was elected. It was a no-brainer in my mind who to vote for because we definitely need change and I think that he will bring change as opposed to if another Republican were … Continue reading →

“Yeah, we’re an interracial couple and I think it’s amazing. I don’t know about her but I think it’s absolutely amazing that this is going on. I’ve come down, skipped class.” (Erick Sasso, 19, Syracuse University sophomore majoring in visual … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Story2-POS-Ramirez.mp3] “His policies don’t – as for me, an 18- year-old female from Connecticut in college, doesn’t resonate within me as a demographic, but as part of America as a whole — me, as an individual, as part of America … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Story2-POS-Banick.mp3] “Everything I’ve seen about him is too good to be true. I mean, here’s somebody — I’m almost cynical. I figure they’re gonna find out he’s a pedophile next week or something. It’s just too wonderful, his family, his … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Story2-POS-Inauguration-Tarr.mp3] “Danielle Roberts, I’m 21, and I’m a full-time college student.  Well, it was very legendary, monumentous (sic) — it was just a beautiful occasion.  It instills in me a faith of hope that probably wasn’t there before.  Hopefully students … Continue reading →