Category Archives: Fall 2012

When the Syracuse Rescue Mission served Thanksgiving dinner this year, about 2,000 people were at the table. That’s up about 250 from last year. “We’re seeing an average of 100 more people a day coming in for meals,” said Liz … Continue reading →

Medicare is set to die in 2024 at the age of 59. That’s when the program is projected to run out of enough money to cover the healthcare benefits of Americans age 65 and older.  And Medicare’s financial illness has … Continue reading →

Patricia Donohue has a poem for the policy makers proposing cuts to her Social Security benefits. “Let us shout it to the skies / This is the truth, a word to the wise / There is no reason to privatize … Continue reading →

When Ella Mae Bombardo heard the Syracuse University chapter of Pi Beta Phi fraternity for women would close this spring, she worried about her five-year plan. Bombardo, 63, acts as the house mother for Pi Phi and was just two … Continue reading →

Ed Bakeman is a cook at Applebee’s who can barely make ends meet. John Henneberg just opened the Henneberg Tavern in downtown Cazenovia and employs eight people. Ken Walseben started The Hamilton Group in 1994 and has funded over 200 … Continue reading →

For Gary Burdett, a retired Air Force videographer, college wasn’t what he wanted to do — but what he had to do. “I’d prefer to have a job,” said Burdett, who is now a graduate student in the S.I. Newhouse … Continue reading →

Obesity kills. On top of joint strain and pressure on the heart, liver, and vascular system, obesity often leads to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. “It sets people up for an earlier death,” said Heather Neely, a dietician … Continue reading →

  “The real issue is what parents are teaching their kids and also the information or misinformation that people have about nutrition in general.” (Robert Stewart, 32, of Syracuse, student at Crouse Hospital) “I don’t think there should be too … Continue reading →

When New York prolonged its review of hydrofracking’s health effects in November, the state kept the debate on the controversial form of natural-gas drilling on simmer. But the review ensures if New York does eventually approve hydrofracking, said Emily DeSantis, … Continue reading →

“If you go back to the history of it, it’s not very well-known technology and what we do know about it, in Pennsylvania, it’s actually poisoned the underground water there. So I think we have to definitely do a lot … Continue reading →

Many small-business owners are scared of the potential outcomes of the nation’s new health care law, called Obamacare. “We are already seeing – in our members and other people who talked to us – businesses are frightened to death,” said … Continue reading →

Magnets for drug users. A blight on neighbors’ property values. Targets for vandals. Those are among the problems created by Syracuse’s derelict properties, say city officials,  neighborhood groups and many of those who live near derelict buildings. “I can tell … Continue reading →

When Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, it flooded many people with concerns about the federal and state government’s abilities to help victims. “If you’re a person who lost your home, a person you know, or anything, you are anxious … Continue reading →

One big mistake: 36 people dead. Their deaths have triggered a renewed debate on regulating the pharmacies that create specially compounded medications.   At issue is whether states continue to regulate what are called “compounding” pharmacies and manufacturers — or whether … Continue reading →

After immigrating to the U.S. nearly 20 years ago from Peru, Fanny Villareal identifies with the struggles of today’s immigrants. “The majority came to work really hard and to do better for their family,” said Villareal, who is now the … Continue reading →

“Yes, I do.  I think because they’re flying under the radar and I think that we as a country have always encouraged immigration and people to come from everywhere but I think it needs to be done systematically and legally … Continue reading →

“Handguns do not enhance our safety, they exacerbate our flaws, tempt us to escalate arguments and bait us into embracing confrontation rather than avoiding it.” With those words during NBC’s  “Sunday Night Football” halftime show, sportscaster Bob Costas re-opened the … Continue reading →

For hospitals, Obamacare means health care costs are going up and less help will come from the government, some health care experts say. “Many challenges with the changes in how hospitals will be paid – that will be a problem,” … Continue reading →

Ann Marie Buerkle conceded to Dan Maffei on Nov. 9. Democrat Maffei claimed victory in the race on Nov. 7. Buerkle, R-Onondaga Hill, trails Maffei by more than 14,000 votes. In a tight rematch, Democrat Dan Maffei was predicting he … Continue reading →

Ann Marie Buerkle conceded to Dan Maffei on Nov. 9. Democrat Maffei claimed victory in the race on Nov. 7. Buerkle, R-Onondaga Hill, trails Maffei by more than 14,000 votes. In a race that doesn’t yet want to end, U.S. … Continue reading →

Green Party candidate Ursula Rozum lost her first bid for Congress on Tuesday night during New York’s hotly contested race for the 24th Congressional District seat. “If we don’t win today, we’re going to win eventually,” Rozum said during a … Continue reading →

Republican Don Miller, R-Clay, lost his re-election bid in a rematch for the 127th State Assembly District seat on Tuesday night. Miller did not respond to interview requests as votes came in Tuesday night. Tom Dadey, chairman of the Onondaga … Continue reading →

Democrat Sam Roberts will easily remain assemblyman of the 128th State Assembly District. “To be truthful with you, I really knew that I was going to get reelected,” said Roberts.  “I didn’t know what the margin would be but I … Continue reading →

Green Party candidate Michael Donnelly lost the election for the 50th State Senate District seat. “I wouldn’t have been surprised if I had 100,000 votes or 1,000 votes,” Donnelly said at the Green Party vote-watching gathering at the Polish Home, … Continue reading →

In a landslide election, state Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse,has won his 11th term representing the 50thState Senate District. As of 10:34 p.m. Tuesday evening, with 230 out of 240 districts reporting, DeFrancisco had just over 85 percent of the vote  … Continue reading →

Democrat Al Stirpe has reclaimed a seat in the state assembly, representing the newly drawn 127thState Assembly District. “I feel relieved.  I feel like all of the work that not only myself but so many others put in paid off,” … Continue reading →

On Nov. 20, Gordon Cuffy lost his bid for election with 92,648 votes, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections. Cuffy conceded to Republican Tom Miller on Nov. 21, according to The Post-Standard. In a race that … Continue reading →

Patrick Kilmartin lost his bid for election on Nov. 6. He received 78,425 votes, while Democrat Julie Cecile received 98,742, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections. In a race that was still unclear, Republican Patrick … Continue reading →

On Nov. 20, Gary Morris lost his bid for election with 90,365 votes, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections. In a close race, Democrat Gary Morris lagged behind in the race for Onondaga County Clerk. “The … Continue reading →

By a comfortable margin, Democrat Julie Cecile has won the open Family Court judge seat. “I’m excited, relieved, and so grateful,” Cecile said, from her Syracuse living room. Cecile has become the first Democrat in since 1995 to be elected … Continue reading →

On Nov. 20, Sandra Schepp won her bid for election with 94,735 votes, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections. Republican  Sandy Schepp is laying claim to victory in the race for Onondaga County Clerk. At 11:40 … Continue reading →

Republican John Sharon has lost his bid for the 128th State Assembly District. “I think the campaign went well, we worked really hard, we did a really good job, I have no regrets,” Sharon said. Sharon was challenging incumbent Democrat … Continue reading →

On Nov. 20, Tom Miller won his bid for election with 95,236 votes, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections. In a tight finish, Republican Tom Miller was leading in the race for Onondaga County Court judge. … Continue reading →

In his campaign to return to Congress, Dan Maffei has received nearly half his donations by named individuals—most of whom are donating more than $250 each. At least 17 Syracuse University employees have donated $15,650 from 2011-12, according to campaign … Continue reading →

In the money race, U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle is tapping into the pocketbooks of her family, ordinary citizens and groups primarily from outside New York to help fill her campaign’s piggy bank. Between Jan. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, … Continue reading →

Grassroots fundraisers with friends, family and loyal Green Party donors are among the major sources of funding for Ursula Rozum’s campaign for Congress. As of Oct. 20, Rozum had only raised $7,853 total in donations for her campaign for the … Continue reading →

More than 50 percent of money for the re-election campaign of Assemblyman Don Miller, R-Clay, has come from the Republican Party. As of Oct. 25, Miller has raised $211,802 for his campaign, according to the finance report filed with the … Continue reading →

For his financial backing, Assemblyman Sam Roberts, D-Syracuse, taps his union connections. “He’s been an activist and he is a firm believer in taking care of working men and women which is where the labor movement stands,” said Paul Schuh, … Continue reading →

The Green Party candidate for the 50th State Senate District seat evidently is lacking green – money. As of Oct. 26, Michael Donnelly, running for the Greens in the 50th State Senate District, had no campaign finance reports on the … Continue reading →

With a nearly $1-milllion war chest and little re-election challenge, state Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, has become a major donor to other New York Republicans this election season. His largest single donation of $75,000 went to the New York State … Continue reading →

To pay for his State Assembly campaign, Democrat Al Stirpe is getting a lot of help from his fellow Democrats. As of Oct. 25, Stirpe had raised $210,076, according to campaign reports filed with the New York State Board of … Continue reading →

To finance his race for Onondaga County court judge, Democrat Gordon Cuffy is counting on individual named donors who gave $250 or less. As of reports filed Oct. 5, those donors accounted for 26 percent – or $12,480 of Cuffy’s … Continue reading →

For his campaign money to become a Family Court judge, Republican county legislator Pat Kilmartin is drawing largely on the donations of individual named donors. That’s typical, said Kristi Andersen, a Syracuse University political scientist.  “The more people you know, … Continue reading →

For his campaign cash, Democrat Gary Morris is counting on a small army of donors giving less than $200 each in his race for Onondaga County Clerk. Between March 26 and Oct. 1, Morris received 53 separate contributions – or … Continue reading →

The money financing Democrat Julie Cecile’s campaign for Onondaga County Family Court Judge is mainly coming from named individuals. As of Oct. 26, Cecile had raised $46,058 from 226 donors since mid-June, according to campaign finance reports filed with the … Continue reading →

For her campaign money supply, Republican Sandra Schepp is fueling her bid for the Onondaga County Clerk’s race with help from donations by local law firms and other Republican candidates. As of Oct. 21, Schepp had raised $12,815 since May, … Continue reading →

The money in Republican John Sharon’s campaign for the 128th State Assembly District is mostly coming from named individuals. “My focus has been on individuals,” Sharon said.  “I’m a little leery of PACs and business groups. I don’t want to … Continue reading →

To pay for his campaign for Onondaga County court judge, Republican Tom Miller  is tapping his connections in the legal profession. That’s typical for judges, said Kristie Andersen, a political scientist at Syracuse University. Judges, she said, typically reach out … Continue reading →

As he campaigns to retake a seat in Congress, Democratic challenger Dan Maffei casts himself as a champion of the middle-class. “Growing up on the Eastside, he saw the struggle first-hand, working at his family’s small business, trying to make … Continue reading →

Before last spring, Ursula Rozum didn’t own a car. She traveled around Syracuse almost exclusively on her bicycle, made of a worn blue frame and pink handlebars. “It’s good for your wallet, good for the planet and good for your … Continue reading →

For U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, talking to voters is at the heart of her work in Congress. “It’s what we owe the voters,” said Buerkle, R-Onondaga Hill. “They deserve to have access to their representatives as their elected officials.” … Continue reading →

As Don Miller sees it, state government caused his old neighborhood in Liverpool to lose much of its togetherness. “That is because families are spending so much time working to pay taxes and comply with the next mandate that the … Continue reading →

For Sam Roberts, cars and legislation have a lot in common. “If it’s building cars, we’re working for customers,” Roberts said. “In government, the customer is our constituent.  So it’s all about making the customer happy and giving them the … Continue reading →

Michael Donnelly’s name will appear on the ballot for the 50th District State Senate seat as the Green Party candidate in the November election. But he does not appear to be campaigning. Donnelly, a lawyer from DeWitt, has not updated … Continue reading →

Playing college baseball in 1968, second-baseman John DeFrancisco once took a ball to the face. It crushed his cheekbone, requiring surgery, recalled longtime friend and teammate Herm Card. At the time, DeFrancisco and Card were seniors at Syracuse University. DeFrancisco … Continue reading →

As a kid, Al Stirpe remembers his father getting calls at 2 a.m. Someone’s child was sick and they needed the Coke syrup from the machine in his family’s restaurant, Albert’s Restaurant. Those childhood experiences, Stirpe says, still shape his … Continue reading →

Gordon Cuffy’s mother was robbed repeatedly in his hometown of Brooklyn, N.Y. “That is probably the major reason I went towards being a prosecutor,” said Cuffy, the attorney for Onondaga County and a former prosecutor in the county district attorney’s … Continue reading →

The first time Patrick Kilmartin saw the inside of a courtroom he was no older than nine. Patrick Kilmartin’s father, Ben Kilmartin, was in the deputy sheriff’s department and was assigned as a court attendant at the Onondaga County courthouse.  … Continue reading →

All it took was checking the mailbox one day when he was 10-years-old to spark Gary Morris’ interest in politics. “I pick up the mail and I say, ‘Mom, there’s a letter here from the White House.’ She says, ‘Oh, … Continue reading →

For Julie Cecile, her own childhood growing up with 20 foster siblings helped prepare her to be a Family Court judge. “I really have a wealth of knowledge about the resources in this community and how the system should work,” … Continue reading →

Sandra Schepp is looking to take her small-town political experience to all of Onondaga County. “I mainly wanted to take the combination of the business experience over the years and in the political arena and take it to the clerk’s … Continue reading →

For John Sharon, the power of politics became evident at the worst time in his life. “Unless you’ve ever lived through when your family loses everything, you have no idea,” he said. When Sharon was 16, his dad, a World … Continue reading →

Passionate about being a judge. That is how Tom Miller and his supporters describe him as a candidate for Onondaga County Court Judge. “You are able to see a difference that you can make in somebody’s life,” said Miller. Miller, … Continue reading →

Voters in the 24th Congressional District for the November election have three options: They are the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, R-Onondaga Hill;  Democratic challenger Dan Maffei of DeWitt, who formerly held the seat; and Green Party activist Ursula … Continue reading →

Voters will send fewer New Yorkers to the U.S. House Representatives this November than in recent American history. That’s because an aggressive round of redistricting in 2010 cost the state two seats in the House. But the state won’t suffer … Continue reading →

Democrats have little chance of taking back the U.S. House this November, say political experts. “I think the odds are slim,” said Paul Herrnson, a Congressional elections expert at the University of Maryland and director of the Center for American … Continue reading →

Voters have four choices for the U.S. Senate elections this November: a popular incumbent, a lawyer, a civil-rights activist and an oral surgeon as a write-in candidate. The incumbent is Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat. She faces Republican candidate Wendy … Continue reading →

In a tight struggle, Democrats are favored to  keep their majority in the U.S. Senate, say political analysts. “My gut right now is that the Democrats will keep their majority,” said political scientist Grant Reeher of Syracuse University . The … Continue reading →

For their state Senate and Assembly choices,  Central New York voters have three contested races in November. Those races are for the 50th State Senate District, the 128th State Assembly District, and the 129th State Assembly District. Voters will choose … Continue reading →

For many Central New York voters, the November election offers no choices for their state senators and Assembly representatives. The reason: The incumbents are unopposed. This could be bad for democracy, voter advocates and political scientists say. “It is dangerous … Continue reading →

With more state senators leaving office, New York voters will see some new names on their ballots in November. The reasons: Razor-thin results in some primary elections, retirements and a scandal.  Those are creating a higher turnover than usual for … Continue reading →

Democrats will keep their tight grip on the New York State Assembly, say political experts. “It would take a major crisis for the Democrats to lose the Assembly,” Jeff Stonecash, Syracuse University political scientist.   “It’s very unlikely.” The Democrats have … Continue reading →

Rape. Murder. Arson. Those are the everyday work of the judges of the Onondaga County Court. And voters get to decide who their judges will be. That’s a distinction of American democracy, said Grant Reeher, political scientist and director of … Continue reading →

The community’s children are at the heart of the November election of the next Family Court judge. “It has to do with the welfare of children,” said Grant Reeher, political scientist at Syracuse University.  As he and other experts on … Continue reading →

For the first time since 1996, Onondaga County will get a new clerk with the upcoming election. The clerk is the keeper of house mortgages and deeds. The clerk issues passports and collects the county’s historical memorabilia. The outgoing clerk, … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12Scene-PrezDebates-Jenkins.mp3] On stage together for the first time, President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney start their presidential debates in October. Rhonda Hungerford is co-president of the Syracuse League of Women Voters. She says it’s crucial to see the … Continue reading →

When Joe Biden and Paul Ryan debate in October, voters will be thinking about the candidates who aren’t on stage. “The vice presidential debates, by and large, aren’t so much about the vice presidential candidates, but the presidential debates,” said … Continue reading →

It’s about the economy.  But it’s also about healthcare.  And Medicare.  And Social Security. Those are among the issues at the top of voters’ concerns as they choose their candidates for the November election. Nationally, public opinions consistently show those … Continue reading →

To have a voice in your government, the deadline is coming soon. October 12 is the deadline to register to vote for the November election. Here’s what Ed Ryan, the Democratic election commissioner for Onondaga County, says about who can … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Voters-Voices.mp3|titles=Voters’ Voices] “With respect to Social Security and Medicare, instead of talking about what they’re not going to do for people they got to figure out how to make this work, because they’ve promised people. It’s a contract with America.  … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12POSTruong1.mp3|titles=F12POSTruong[1] “Nobody likes war. And I know there’s a lot of stuff going on over there but really the United States really has to keep their going-ons in their own business. It probably would bring our gas prices down if … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12POS-Laurence.mp3|titles=F12POS Laurence] “Unemployment for the younger people, that’s a big issue. The next biggest issue: You get somebody in there that knows how to run this country. Right now we don’t have anybody in there doing that.” (John Stone, 83, … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Voter-Voice-FINAL.mp3|titles=Voter Voice FINAL] “I think everybody that’s in government, everybody that’s running for office, is completely incompetent and can’t change anything.  I think anybody who has a chance at doing anything will never get elected.  I’d like the government to … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12POS-Bouvia.mp3|titles=F12POS Bouvia] “To keep and maintain the safety and security that we experience now. Definitely the defense of country – make sure we are protected, that our borders are protected. That’s important, the defense. Definitely, if I could understand what’s … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AUDIOF12POS-SAWYER.mp3|titles=AUDIOF12POS SAWYER] “My main concern is the issue of the two-party system and opening it up to a more equitable exposure for more third parties and independent parties — such as the Green Party— and getting a fairer place at … Continue reading →

“The biggest thing that I’m concerned about is healthcare. I’m a physician so there’s going to be, I think, some big changes happening if Obamacare continues to go through the way it has.” (Kirstie Schneider, 31, of Syracuse, physician at … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/votersvoices.mp3|titles=votersvoices] “Unemployment. It has improved somewhat since the last election, but it’s still a huge issue.  That’s the concern for people that are voting – what’s going to happen to my job.” (Suhannelis Delarosa, 23, of Syracuse, sales associate at … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12POS-Durrierevised.mp3|titles=F12POS Durrierevised] Editor’s Note: This story looks at the concerns of South Side residents going into the November election. “The main focus for me is job security and creating more jobs here. My whole outlook for the future is the … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MOSinterviews.mp3|titles=MOSinterviews] “Health insurance for every American. That’s got to be on the table and it’s got to be given to every American including the little baby that’s born today because without health insurance, not going any place and everyone is … Continue reading →

“When I was listening to Michelle the other night, she and her husband stressed an awful lot on family values in this country and that’s exactly what this country really needs.” (Bill Black, 68, of Camillus, retired director of choir … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12POS_Jenkins1.mp3|titles=F12POS_Jenkins[1] “The biggest issue I would say is healthcare. I mean, I don’t think that—you know, if people have been working for years and have paid into a health plan, you know, all of a sudden they get sick, and … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12POSHarris1.mp3|titles=F12POSHarris] “My biggest thing is health care. If you ain’t got no job, you can’t get health insurance, you  know what I’m saying. I just got a medical bill for $6,000 just to get looked at, you know what I’m … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12POS-Rivera.mp3|titles=F12POS Rivera] “I’m hoping that somebody that knows how to run a business, that knows when a business is doing well, is doing bad, how to correct things and how to go down the right path and realize if we … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/F12POS-Beatty.mp3|titles=F12POS Beatty] “First of all education.  Second of all would probably be social welfare issues or more specifically other programs such as road building and infrastructure.  Third would probably be international diplomacy and more use of multi-lateral action.” (Andrew Teller, … Continue reading →

[audio:https://democracywise.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MackBDJ530F12AudioMontage.mp3|titles=MackBDJ530F12AudioMontage] “I don’t really believe that Democrats and Republicans are separate parties. I just think they play back and forth off the American people like good cop / bad cop just tokeep us in check with some drama to talk … Continue reading →