The top elected job in Onondaga County is up for grabs for the first time in 20 years. That’s the office of county executive — and it’s a full-time job that shapes much in and about the county.
Political scientist Robert McClure is the Chapple Family Professor of Citizenship and Democracy at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He describes the county executive’s influence this way:
“The county executive has an impact more than any other person. The county exec. is the chief manager of government in this county and in that regard he shapes how services get delivered across the whole county — the condition of the roads, what kind of law enforcement do we get from the sheriff’s department.” [Bob McClure]
The county executive’s office was created in 1961 when the county government reorganized, says history of local government by the Syracuse chapter of League of Women Voters. Under the reorganization, the legislative and executive branches were separated.
The county executive is like the mayor of the city — the top manager of government. In Onondaga County, only two people have ever held the county executives office: Republican John H. Mulroy, who served from 1962 to 1987, and the incumbent, Republican Nick Pirro. Pirro has been in the office since 1988. He is retiring — and that has created an open race to succeed him.
The job is full-time. It pays $125,013 a year. The county executive has an office in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center and a staff of 10. He also has the power to veto any legislation that the county legislature enacts.
Joan Johnson is president of the Syracuse chapter of League of Women Voters, a non-partisan group that promotes public engagement in elections and public affairs. She says a county executive must possess these traits:
“They need to be able to work with the legislature — whether they’re Republicans or Democrats they have to work with these people. Also as the chief fiscal officer also they have to make sure they manage the money in a proper manner. His most important requirement is that he prepare a budget that he will present to the legislature. A goodwill ambassador to the county.” [Joan Johnson]
The election is November 6.
For Democracywise, I’m Joyce Ogirri.
(Joyce Ogirri is a graduate student in broadcast journalism.)
(Some information for this story was provided by Democracywise reporter Richard Zussman.)
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