Category Archives: Fall 2011

Anthony Masker has a health insurance plan called hope. “I guess I hope nothing severe happens,” said Masker, 50, of Syracuse. He works seven days a week driving a taxi. “I’m just trying to stay healthy.” Masker is among the … Continue reading →

Army Sergeant Rick Jones knew something was wrong when he did not want to go home to Dover, New Hampshire, to spend Thanksgiving with his family. “I really didn’t want to see, necessarily, my family.  I was gone for about … Continue reading →

For Allison Peacock, trying to maintain a healthy weight was like riding a roller coaster. “I would lose 60 pounds,” Peacock, 34, of Syracuse said. “Then I would gain 65.” Peacock, an emergency room social worker at Upstate University Hospital, … Continue reading →

Water contamination. Economic Strain. Corporate exploitation. Cheaper, cleaner alternative fuel. Jobs. Energy independence. Those are the two conflicting visions of the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing — or  hydrofracking — to capture natural gas from rocks underground. Against hydrofacking, environmental … Continue reading →

For Deena Crowall, federal food stamps are a hassle—but a necessary one. “I wouldn’t want to say ‘bye’ to it,” said Crowall, 24, of the North Side of Syracuse. She needs the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, she said. It’s … Continue reading →

Five percent: that’s how much student-loan debt has risen in just the last year. And with the continual increase in costs of tuition, the pressure of paying back loans is becoming overwhelming for many college students. “Of course I’m concerned. … Continue reading →

“They want to be able to communicate. And they come and they have these ideas in their head like you and I. But they lack the ability to communicate with the people around them. And I don’t I know — … Continue reading →

For a job these days, Jose Marrero, 19, of the Westside of Syracuse, is considering the Navy. “I’ve always wanted to travel the world,” he said. “I just have to go.” Marrero is one of thousands of young people considered … Continue reading →

Lose the tater tots. Keep the tomato paste-laden pizza. Those are among the changes for children’s school lunches recently proposed by the federal government. And they are at the heart of national and local concern about how to assure children … Continue reading →

Imagine zipping from Syracuse east to Albany or west to Niagara Falls at 110 miles an hour. On a train. That’s the vision for high-speed rail through Central New York, as part of a national effort to expand and speed … Continue reading →

For many returning veterans, the next fight is to get a job. And the recession, say some veterans’ advocates, has hurt even those veterans who had been in the workforce. “Veterans were wearing ties and shirts,” said Gordon Sclar, a … Continue reading →

Republican Mike Plochocki is the winner against Democrat Toby Shelley in the Onondaga County Legislature District 6 race. “It’s my first time running and it’s a redistricted district and in this district the number of Republicans and Democrats got closer … Continue reading →

Democrat Toby Shelley lost out to Republican Mike Plochocki for the District 6 seat in the Onondaga County Legislature. “There’s nothing to say,” Shelley said on Tuesday night at Pensabene’s restaurant on State Fair Boulevard, after Onondaga Democrats chairperson Vita … Continue reading →

Democrat Khalid Bey has won the District 4 Common Council seat against Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins with a slim margin. “I’m good.  I’m satisfied.  Close, but a win nevertheless. It’s the win that we were after, and we were … Continue reading →

Republican incumbent Judy Tassone holds a small lead over Democrat David Stott in her re-election bid for District 4 of the Onondaga County Legislature. “I’m happy, but I’m not going to be happy until we get the final numbers,” Tassone … Continue reading →

Republican Ryan McMahon has won his first county legislature election for the open seat in District 15. “It’s been a long process,” McMahon said as he and his family gathered at his Strathmore-area home.  “This was a new race with … Continue reading →

By 133 votes, Republican Danny Liedka is the leader in the race for District 7 Onondaga County Legislature on Tuesday. Liedka expressed cautious excitement as he and friends gathered at Brad’s Extra Innings in East Syracuse. Until the absentee ballots are … Continue reading →

Republican Larry Corso has lost to Democrat Chris Ryan in the District 8 County Legislature race. “Well, you know, Chris is a good man. I wish him the very best. I met with him today, and I know he’ll be … Continue reading →

In a too-close-to-call race, Democrat David Stott was behind by 31 votes for District 4 seat of the Onondaga County Legislature after a rematch against Republican incumbent Judy Tassone. “This race isn’t over yet,” Stott said as he gathered with … Continue reading →

In a squeaker, Democratic Party candidate Lorene Dadey trails slightly in the District 7 race for the Onondaga County Legislature against Republican Danny Liedka. “I am not happy,” said Dadey in an phone interview as the unofficial tally showed her … Continue reading →

Democrat Mark English has lost the District 15 county legislature seat to Common Councilor Ryan McMahon, R-Syracuse. English did not respond to interview requests as the votes came in on Tuesday night. Democrats had gathered at Pensabene Casa Grand restaurant … Continue reading →

Democrat Chris Ryan has won the race for the Onondaga County legislator of District 8. “It’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of planning, a lot of time away from family,” said Ryan at the Onondaga County Democratic … Continue reading →

Line-by-line budget reviews, more support for cultural resources and more support for Van Duyn nursing home highlight the stands on some key issues by Democrat David Stott in the District 4 race for the Onondaga County Legislature. Stott is challenging … Continue reading →

Fewer state mandates, lower county taxes and help from Upstate Medical University for the area’s elderly highlight the stands of Judy Tassone, R-Liverpool, on some key issues as she seeks re-election from District 4 in the Onondaga County Legislature. She … Continue reading →

Cutting costs, creating jobs and preserving Van Duyn nursing home highlight the stands of  Democrat Toby Shelley on some key issues as he seeks election from District 6 in the Onondaga County Legislature. Shelley, a deputy sheriff and road patrol … Continue reading →

Efficient county spending, more options for affordable housing and a closer look at the costs of Van Duyn nursing home are among the proposals on key issues from Lorene Dadey, the Democratic Party’s candidate for the District 7 seat in … Continue reading →

No tax increases, better quality of education and green jobs for the young, and state responsibility for the Van Duyn nursing home are the stands on some key issues for  Republican candidate Danny Liedka in the race for Onondaga County … Continue reading →

On the issues of taxes, young people and elderly care, Onondaga County Legislature candidate Chris Ryan calls for cutting costs. Ryan, 38, is the Democratic candidate for the District 8 seat in the Onondaga County Legislature in November’s election. He … Continue reading →

Larry Corso, the Republican candidate for the Onondaga County Legislature’s District 8 open seat in the November election, declined to give his views to Democracywise on how to manage county taxes and how to keep the county-owned Van Duyn Home, a … Continue reading →

Tax relief can solve many of the county’s problems, says Democratic candidate Mark English. English, a family-practice lawyer, is running for the Onondaga County Legislature for District 15.  He faces Ryan McMahon, R-Syracuse, who is serving his third term on the Syracuse … Continue reading →

Streamlining county services,  investing in cultural resources and support for Upstate Medical University control of Van Duyn nursing home are among the stands on key issues from Republican Ryan McMahon in the race for District 15 in the Onondaga County … Continue reading →

A hiring hall for workers and employers, a progressive tax system and more state money are among the proposals from Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for Common Council District 4, on some key issues. This is Hawkins’ 19th political run.  … Continue reading →

More jobs in health care, a varied job market and tighter budget controls highlight the stands of  Khalid Bey, Democratic candidate for Common Council District 4, on some key issues. Bey’s opponent is Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who has … Continue reading →

For campaign money, Democrat David Stott trails badly in the race for District 4 of the Onondaga County Legislature. As of Oct. 28, Stott had raised $10,119. That compares to $25,873 raised by incumbent Judy Tassone, R-Liverpool. The District 4 … Continue reading →

Local businesses and politicians are chipping in dollars for Judy Tassone’s re-election campaign for the Onondaga County Legislature. As of Oct. 28, Tassone had raised $25,873. Of that, businesses and other politicians accounted for almost 34 percent.  That’s  according to reports … Continue reading →

Neighbors, friends and labor unions are among the major sources of campaign funds for Toby Shelley as he seeks the Onondaga County Legislature’s District 6 seat. “You can’t physically knock on enough doors to win an election,”  Shelley said. But … Continue reading →

Family and friends are filling Mike Plochocki’s campaign piggy bank as he seeks the open seat for Onondaga County Legislature District 6. His brother and campaign manager, James Plochocki, donated the second largest amount among named donors— $600 — to … Continue reading →

Democratic colleagues in DeWitt government are among the funders for Lorene Dadey’s campaign for the District 7 seat in the Onondaga County Legislature. Between July 15 and Oct. 24, at least four DeWitt officials gave a total of  $450 to Dadey, … Continue reading →

For campaign cash, Republican Danny Liedka has outraised his opponent in the District 7 race for the Onondaga County Legislature. As of Oct. 29, Liedka has raised $15,374 — more than three times that of his opponent, according to campaign … Continue reading →

Chris Ryan’s union connections, family members and political acquaintances are financing his campaign for the Onondaga County Legislature. “The main reason that people would want to contribute,” Ryan said, was because “they believe in you.” Ryan, 38, is the Democratic … Continue reading →

Ever since he started campaigning for  the Onondaga County Legislature’s District 8 open seat, Larry Corso has been pounding the pavement, door-knocking, handing out cards, shaking hands and making campaign signs. He’s not been raising campaign money. “I have no … Continue reading →

Unions and fellow Democrats are the major sources of campaign money for Mark English in the race for the Onondaga County Legislature seat in District 15. As of Oct. 28, English has raised $10,339, according to campaign finance reports filed … Continue reading →

In the money race, Ryan McMahon, R-Syracuse,  has a big lead over his Democratic rival for the Onondaga County Legislature seat for District 15. McMahon, the Common Councilor for District 3 in the city, has raised almost slightly more than … Continue reading →

Almost a quarter of  Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins’ campaign money for the District 4 Common Council seat has come from his own pocket. As of Oct. 28, Hawkins had raised $8,612, according to campaign finance reports filed with the … Continue reading →

Small-business owners’ donations are a big part of keeping Khalid Bey’s campaign for Common Council District 4 running. As of Oct. 24, contributions from 16 small businesses account for 71 percent — or $5,455—of Bey’s fundraising, according to campaign finance … Continue reading →

For Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, the November election is a lifetime pattern. “Howie has been doing what he’s doing since he was like 14,” said Ursula Rozum, one of Hawkins’ campaign managers.  “He’s been very committed to social change … Continue reading →

Longtime social activist. Familiar political figure. Author. Those are at the top of Khalid Bey’s resume as he seeks the Common Council seat from District 4 in the November election. He’s pitching himself as the candidate most of the district’s … Continue reading →

Thirty inches of human waste helped David Stott get elected in 2007. “People had raw sewage backing up into their basements,” recalled  Stott, a Democrat from Salina. Old sewage pipelines caused wall-to-wall sewage to flood the homes on Floradale Road … Continue reading →

For Judy Tassone, questions come first. “I’ve got to know thoroughly what’s going on.  I will not vote on an issue if it’s pushed through – if someone is trying to push something through.  I want to know what is … Continue reading →

When Mike Plochocki was a child, his grandparents told him he wouldn’t get elected to any political office. When he became a teenager, Plochocki recalled, his parents told him to stay away from a career in law and politics. So … Continue reading →

After reading six years’ worth of government minutes, Toby Shelley came to a conclusion. “A lot of the decisions with public safety weren’t the most informed,” said Shelley. That realization, he said, helped shape his decision to run for the … Continue reading →

For Lorene Dadey, her coffee shop has taught her about politics. “When you own a small business, every nickel counts,” Dadey said. “I think the same principle applies to government.” Dadey, 54, owner of the Sunshine Coffee Shop in East … Continue reading →

Danny Liedka banks on numbers. He started with a goal of 365. That’s how many doors he wants to knock on each week between now and Election Day. Now, he says, he’s up to 5,100. “I’ve never been outworked by … Continue reading →

As Larry Corso paints it, his politics are about his roots. Roots in the same neighborhood that his grandparents called home. Roots in the Marine Corps. Roots in Syracuse’s Polish community. “I went to school at Saint Lucy’s. I belong … Continue reading →

Union man. Proud Irish-American Catholic. Heir to a political tradition. Those are the driving forces for Chris Ryan. “I’m passionate about workers’ rights and the need to earn a good wage and protect middle-class jobs,” said Ryan. Ryan, 38, is … Continue reading →

Mark English sympathizes with the unemployed. He was once in their shoes. When he was 38 years old, English recalled, he lost his job as a foundry worker with what was then Crouse-Hines, a manufacturer of electrical products. He still … Continue reading →

As Ryan McMahon paints his political portrait, politics and community are the same. “It’s a piece of who we are,” as McMahon puts it. “It’s our heritage.” Ryan McMahon, 31, is serving his third term on the Common Council from … Continue reading →

For your voice to count in our democracy, you have to register to vote — and you have to actually vote. “The best way to see something actually get done is to vote,” said Ed Ryan, the Democratic commissioner for … Continue reading →

More women and more newcomers highlight voters’ choices for the Onondaga County Legislature in November. And the variety is good for public affairs, say political experts. “The more diversity you have in the legislature, the more ideas there are, the … Continue reading →

With all 17 seats in the newly redistricted Onondaga County Legislature on the ballot, voters will have a buffet of choices in the November election. Republicans remain in control of the legislature, with 11 seats to the Democrats’ six. But … Continue reading →

Voters in Onondaga County have some new choices for the county legislature this November. The races in five county districts are what’s called open seats.  That means the incumbents are not running for re-election.  One of the open seats has … Continue reading →

Voters won’t have a choice for Onondaga County’s top three elected positions on the November ballot. County Executive Joanie Mahoney, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick and Robert Antonacci, the comptroller — all Republican incumbents— are unopposed for re-election. The election is … Continue reading →

To fix their potholes and plow their streets, voters can choose among 13 Common Council candidates this November. Those include five district councilors and two councilors at-large. The Common Council election is up-close-and-personal politics for citizens, say political experts. It … Continue reading →

For voters’ choices, the Common Council Election this November offers three incumbents, two challengers and two one open-seat contests. All five Common Council district seats are up for election. The incumbents are Democrats Pat Hogan of District 2, who is … Continue reading →

Voters will choose two candidates from a group of four running for the Syracuse Common Councilor-at-Large seats in November’s election. Two Democratic and two Republican candidates will be on the ballot Nov. 8. The Democrats are incumbent Kathleen Joy, a … Continue reading →

To keep a close eye on their money, city voters have two new choices for city auditor in the November election. The Democratic candidate is Martin Masterpole, now a member of the Onondaga County Legislature.  The Republican candidate is businessman … Continue reading →

Each day they decide who goes to jail and who walks free. They see to it that tenants are not unjustly evicted from their homes. They can start and end marriages.  And they tell you whether or not you’ll pay … Continue reading →

Syracuse students will see four new members on their school board after the November election. Four of the seven education commission seats are up for election and none of the incumbents are running. Seven candidates want to fill the four … Continue reading →

“People are having a hard time finding jobs.  I know students that have graduated and can’t find jobs in the field they were hoping to go into. I know several student teachers they go on for their master’s cause they … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “Too much crime.  I try to get away from it in New York City and it happens everywhere.” (Moises Sanchez, 36, of Syracuse, manager of the Atrium Garage, unaffiliated with a political party) “More community involvement … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “My boss is running for the school board, the city school board. So I hope he wins. Over the past couple of years, we just launched the Say Yes to Education program, which I would have … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “Getting out of debt, wiser spending and more focus on eco-friendly stuff, I guess.” (Bryan Thomas, 26, of Syracuse, employed with the Syracuse University athletics department, Democrat) “They’re absolutely spending too much money on war. They … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “We got to have some kind of a better medical plan than what we have now. It’s so expensive. I mean, prescriptions are so expensive. Doctors and hospitals, the cost of medical insurance — they’ve gone … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “The economy is important to me because I have been unemployed for three years now.” (Elise Curry of Syracuse, 42, unemployed, registered with the Independence Party) “I work in the juvenile system. There’s a lot of … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “You hear about oil — we drill offshore. We depend on other nations for supplying this stuff. We’ve got so much oil out West, that we wouldn’t hurt that supply. And it wouldn’t infringe on those … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “Hopefully get us out of debt. Change things around with schools and stuff for kids. Definitely for other people that have kids that are struggling. Too many students in one classroom for one teacher. They’re cutting … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “Give more jobs. Less testing for drugs when it comes to a job because that will help stop a lot of crime  — because people are getting tested, drug tested, and they’re not able to get … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “We should worry about home more than foreign affairs. It seems like the last two presidents all they cared about was foreign affairs. I do think we should keep our troops over there, but less of … Continue reading →

Click Here for Audio “We don’t have any industry left. Syracuse is going nowhere. The population’s declining. I have three kids and none of them are here.” (Ron Lagoe, 62, of Camillus, executive director, Hospital Executive Council, unaffiliated with a … Continue reading →