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 the mayor’s position in Syracuse, as of April 2009. The other Democratic candidates are Alfonso Davis, a longtime community organizer, and Stephanie Miner, an at-large member of the common council. Miner won the nomination from the Onondaga County Democratic Committee on May 6. Both Nicoletti and Davis said they will challenge her in a primary election for the nomination. The primary will be Sept. 15.
For the Republicans, the mayoral candidates are Otis Jennings, former city parks commissioner, and Steve Kimatian, general counsel of Newport Television. It owns 56 television stations, including WSYR-TV in Syracuse. Jennings has the Onondaga County Republican Party’s nomination, but Kimatian has also promised a primary election challenge.
Because of term limits, Mayor Matt Driscoll can’t run for a third term. The general election will be Nov. 3.
Nicoletti, 61, has a political career spanning more than 30 years. He has been state assemblyman from the 120th District and a Syracuse common councilor. He also has been in several administrative positions, including director of operations in Syracuse, deputy commissioner at Syracuse City’s Parks and Recreation Department and youth development coordinator at the Office of Federal and State Aid. In 1985, Nicoletti ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for mayor.
Nicoletti was born and raised in North Syracuse. He graduated from Henninger High School and attended Syracuse University, where he earned his undergraduate degree and a master’s degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Nicoletti has a daughter, Elizabeth Nicoletti, who is getting married this November.
As an only child, Nicoletti said, he has recently spent much of his time taking care of his parents, who are both ill. So, he said, he hasn’t served as any public positions since 2001. Now is good timing for him to think about his next step in public life, said Nicoletti.
In this second campaign for mayor, Nicoletti lists his top ambitions as strengthening the city’s economy by making employers hiring more local minorities, tying education to the economic development by creating more occupational training programs, and lowering the crime rate by zero tolerance of drug traffic.
One of Nicoletti’s strong supporters is Zackary Belil, a sales associate at a real estate agency. He hosted the first political house party for Nicoletti in the spring.
“It’s very crucial that the next mayor in Syracuse is a person who is optimistic and understands the city,” Belil said. “Joe definitely is that person, because he knows it’s important for Syracuse to take more care of the minorities embrace this city’s diversity.
Also, Belil said, the new mayor has to be somebody who understands how to take advantage of the federal government’s stimulus package to increase economic development in Syracuse,. And Nicoletti is the best qualified candidate to do that, said Belil.
Nicoletti’s long-time government experience gives him connections to many experts on economic development and infrastructure, Belil added. Their advice makes Nicoletti have a better view on Syracuse’s future, said Belil.
That’s why he supports Nicoletti “100 percent,” Belil said.
On education, Nicoletti proposes to develop various occupational training programs for students who don’t want to go to college. Those would include as carpentry, plumbing and steamfitter trades.
“We have a chance to make youngsters who have different dreams to stay in Syracuse and develop their talents,” Nicoletti said.
Nicoletti’s campaign has become a family affair. His daughter, Elizabeth, for example, has moved back to Syracuse from Boston to help his campaign.
“If my dad is the mayor, Syracuse has a bright future, because he is a talented person in public affairs and enthusiastic about making Syracuse great for everyone,” Elizabeth Nicoletti said.
In political fundraising, Nicoletti had an early lead over his opponents. By spring, Nicoletti had raised more than any other mayoral candidate. He had brought in about $117,000 from more than 100 individuals and businesses between September and January, according to the New York State Board of Elections campaign finance database.
But by early May, Democratic candidate Stephanie Miner and Republican candidate Otis Jennings had overtaken Nicoletti’s lead.
To expand his campaign’s outreach, Nicoletti has a Web site (http://www.joenicoletti.com ) and a Facebook group. Through the Internet and social networking sites, Nicoletti said, he seeks more support, especially from younger voters.
In his traditional grassroots campaigning, Nicoletti said, he plans to participate in more than 100 house parties, listening to more voices from the public. Everyone’s suggestion is meaningful, said Nicoletti.
“Looking at the city I love, I’m afraid it would end up going by wrong decisions and directions,” Nicoletti said. “That’s why I have to come back, for celebrating the diversity and the greatness of Syracuse.”
(Amy Su is a graduate student in magazine-newspaper-online journalism.)
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