Left to Right: John Eldini, Melisa Jenna Matthews, KeSean Lyons, Bilaya Jackson (Noel Aliseo)
“I guess she should just focus on I-81. She could work with SUNY ESF and other organizations to try to break down that elevated highway that is cutting the city in half. I think that would help bring the city back together and you know maybe revitalize downtown.”
(Julie Rimbault, 35, biologist, Democrat, lives in the University area)
“Definitely healthcare issues. A lot of people don’t have health insurance. So she should work on that within the community. I know there is probably not much she can do you know with the laws and restrictions but within the community they can definitely do something at the health centers and things like that.”
(Melisa Jenna Mathews, 22, fashion designer, Democrat, lives in downtown Syracuse)
“I think the new mayor should put a lot more money into the school system and the inner city communities. More after school programs, more things for kids to do to keep them out of trouble. Put more money into the clubs such as Dunbar’s and Boys and Girls Club. More Funding. That’s what I think they should do, for the kids.”
(Bilaya Jackson, 21, fashion designer, unaffiliated with a political party, lives in the south-east side of Syracuse)
“I’d especially want her to focus on crime. I live in an area called Strathmore, a nice little neighborhood in the South-Westside. There are constantly break-ins, muggings. There is a lot of youth gang activity. I’d definitely like her to focus on that.”
(Jay Fabbrs, 34, waiter at Empire Brewery downtown, Democrat)
“The South and West Side of the city are the most notorious, I mean it has been that way for years. It just seems to be getting worse in those areas over there. The amount of businesses that close over there, the amount of garbage, the amount of condemned buildings, and the crack houses are all on the rise in those areas. She needs to focus perhaps appointing a team to clean up those areas because that is where most of the city’s problems come from … That’s where I would start.”
(John Eldini, 43, entertainment business owner, Libertarian, lives in the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse)
(Noel Aliseo is a senior with a dual major in broadcast journalism and Spanish).
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