*Editor’s note: On April 2, 2013, Democrat Gary Morris announced he will run for Common Council president. Morris, 45, is a Syracuse real estate broker who ran for Onondaga County clerk in November 2012, but narrowly lost to Republican Sandy Schepp.
It is likely to take Syracuse residents just seconds to vote for Common Council president when they cast their ballots on Nov. 5.
Van Robinson
That’s because, as of March 24, incumbent Democrat Van Robinson, 75, stands as the lone candidate on the ballot, according to the Onondaga County Democratic Committee. Robinson is seeking a second term as Council president.
And the ballot is unlikely to change in the coming months, say some political experts.
“It’s very hard for Republicans to win in this city because of the enrollment numbers,” said Bea Gonzalez, former council president and University College dean. “So they don’t even bother to run.”
In Syracuse’s blue political landscape, Democrats hold a 3-to-1 advantage over Republicans, according to the Onondaga County Board of Elections. Of the city’s 70,696 registered voters, 54 percent — or 38,799 — are Democrats, compared to 16 percent — or 11,362 — who are Republicans.
The Common Council reflects those enrollment numbers with all four councilors-at-large, five district councilors and the president representing the Democratic Party. Councilors may only serve up to eight years, limited to two-year terms for district councilors and four-year terms for the president and councilor-at-large. The part-time positions pay $21, 224 annually.
The Common Council passes laws, votes on the city’s annual budget and oversees city government through committees, such as Public Works, Neighborhood Preservation and Public Safety.
As Council president, Robinson can only vote as tiebreaker. Other presidential responsibilities include committee assignments and convening special meetings.
Robinson was not available for an interview for this story.
During her two terms, former Council President Gonzalez said, only one tie ever occurred. She views the position as one of symbolic power that could easily be eliminated without harming the Council. “It’s just not needed,” Gonzalez said. “With a majority and minority leader, you can spread out all of the president’s duties and responsibilities.”
Despite her criticism of the position, she praises the Common Council as a whole for its community role. “It’s really about the connection with the constituents,” Gonzalez said. “When we get it right, we can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Robinson, the city’s first African-American Council president, also ran unopposed in 2008. He also had served as councilor-at-large for eight years. He’s chair of the committee that oversees the city’s charter, rules, procedures and requests for proposals to do work for the city. Before taking office, Robinson served as the president of the Syracuse/Onondaga County chapter of the NAACP and worked as an executive for insurance company GHI.
Tearing down the I-81 overpass that runs through Syracuse remains his biggest goal if elected for a second term, Robinson told The Post-Standard in November 2012. He also told the paper he wants to see more development on the shore of Onondaga Lake and widespread renovations to school district buildings.
(Dee Lockett is a graduate student in magazine, newspaper and online journalism.)
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