“Technology expansions— I don’t like the idea of technology advancing so quickly, instead of being on pace with what we’re doing right now. Maybe cut down on Internet time and kind of make people get out in the real world. People around here, they don’t get off their phones to even talk to you.”
(Jerod McCluggage, 21, of East Syracuse, chef at Bean Bag cafe, Democrat.)
“So right now, every year, small business owners have to pay money towards unemployment. Each year I get hit as a small owner anywhere between $500 and $1,000 for people that have extended unemployment up to 18 months. I’ve gotten charged the last two years. So people that can work and choose not to work so they can continue to collect unemployment— the working people are paying for that.”
(Tim O’Connor, 48, of Cicero, owner of Verizon store on Marshall Street, Democrat)
“The war within Afghanistan— I think it should be over with. Should take all the people out of there. Let them take care of themselves. The homelessness that’s been going on in the United States— they’re sending all kinds of money to all these different places. That’s another thing, they should take care of their own people first.”
(Rich Snyder, 38, of Syracuse, Mark IV Transportation Inc., Republican)
“I would say as a business owner one of the top is obviously taxes. Being a small business owner, that’s always rough— because we do pay a lot of taxes. Minimum wage— it doesn’t grind my gears – but I think it’s good that they’re moving in the right direction and raising it because I do have a lot of employees that work and I know it’s hard to make a decent pay check. It’s up to $8 an hour and in the next year it’s supposed to go to $9.25.”
(Krystal Morgan, 31, of Cortland, owner of Calio’s, unaffiliated with a political party)
“I feel like gay marriage is always one of those things that is hush-hush. I came from a church and as soon as I came out they kind of cut me off. If that’s something that’s in your past you want to kind of keep near and dear. You can’t erase your past— it’s all you know. So if I wanted to get married, I can’t go to the church I was really active in. I would have to go somewhere else. Or, I would have to go to some courthouse.”
(Katrina Krick, 21, of East Syracuse, server at Insomnia Cookies, Green Party member)
(Joshua B. Dermer is a senior majoring in newspaper and online journalism, with a minor in Middle Eastern studies and a specialization in forensic science.)
Editor’s note: This story replaces an earlier version.
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