A number of seats are up for election on Syracuse’s Common Council including one vacancy. Both new and familiar faces are challenging the establishment.
Two years ago, Republican Joe Carni lost to Democrat Jake Barrett by 38 votes for the 1st District seat. This year, 25-year-old Carni is back, continuing his door-to-door campaign and hoping he can edge out a win.
“I give people a card with my cell phone on it because the most important thing about this position is being accessible and making sure you get back to people and talk to people about the issues facing their neighborhoods," Carni said. "Honestly, in today’s day and age, the best way to do that is to call somebody on their cell phone.”
Carni said residents tell him crime and infrastructure are still their main concerns.
“I think we need to try to get more cameras," Carni said. "Things like that have been proven to be very successful in deterring crime. I know neighborhood watches have been really successful in deterring crime. I know neighborhood watches have been really successful and we’re starting to see more spring up. It’s got to be grassroots from the ground up.”
Democrat Common Councilor Khalid Bey is being challenged by Independence Party candidate Mary Nelson, who is known for receiving $100,000 from Oprah Winfrey when she came to Syracuse last year for Nelson’s community activism. L. Micah O. Dexter II with the Non-Partisan Party is also challenging Bey. Bey said he’s running to finish some of the things he’s started such as his proposal to require city contractors to hire 20 percent of their workers from within the city and finding a middle ground between landlords and homeowners in the university area over zoning.
“If it’s not your intent as an elected to improve quality of life and to reduce or to leave more money in taxpayers’ pocket, then you shouldn’t be in office," Bey said. "Nobody hires a broker to lose their money. We’re essentially brokers on behalf of the taxpayers. Don’t pump thousands into the system and not check on your money. Government is a business that sells services, that’s what we do. I think the people should make it their business to be invested, to ensure that we are managing their money right and if we’re not, allow us to find a job elsewhere.”
Democrat Chad Ryan is running for re-election against Green Party candidate Frank Cetera and Republican Maryrose Angelo. Democrat Susan Boyle and Republican Dave Barrette will fight over a vacancy for the 3rd District left by Democrat Bob Dougherty. Democrat Nader Maroun is being challenged by Republican Norm Snyder. Democrats Helen Hudson and Steven Thompson and Green Party candidate Lance Denno will fight for two spots as for councilor-at-large. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
