Drawing businesses to Onondaga County and putting more research into I-81 development are among solutions to some key issues by county legislature candidate Carol Sinesi.
Sinesi, 44, a Democrat from Liverpool, is challenging two-term incumbent Judy Tassone, R- Liverpool, for the District 4 legislature seat. District 4 includes Liverpool, Geddes, Onondaga Lake and parts of Northside Syracuse. The election is Nov. 5.
Democracywise posed the following two questions on key issues to each of the candidates in this year’s race. Here are Sinesi’s responses:
The Future of Interstate 81
What should be done with Interstate 81 and why?
Sinesi: “It is still too early to speak on this issue as all of the necessary data has yet to be presented. What I can say is that the design should unite, not divide the City of Syracuse; follow updated environmental designs; employ local people drawn from Onondaga County; as well as update and modernize our transportation systems and reduce our carbon emissions. I agree with the County Executive, Joanie Mahoney, when considering Route 81, we should think big and not limit ourselves.”
Unemployment and Poverty
In September, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Syracuse and Onondaga County have not yet recovered from the 2008 recession. In the city, unemployment was 14 percent and in 2012 more than a third of city residents lived in poverty. For children, 55 percent were living in poverty. Those figures are a four-year high, according to the Census Bureau. And in Onondaga County, median family income in 2012 was $64,324. That’s compares to $67,661 in 2008 and $65,666 in 2011.
What specifically would you like the County Legislature to do to improve the local economy and help reduce poverty? Why do you think your proposal would help?
Sinesi: “Many towns in Onondaga County have benefited from the County Executive’s green initiatives. So far, the Towns of Salina and Geddes are not among them even though we have several buildings that sit empty. Current research shows that older buildings were constructed using high quality materials, making them a perfect match for such initiatives by upgrading, instead of tearing-down and re-building. This has the potential to bring new businesses and jobs to the fourth district. I will work to bring the County Executive’s initiatives to our area.”
(Ariel Levin-Waldman is a graduate student in broadcast and digital journalism.)
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