The principal recommendation of the Final Report of the Consensus Commission on Local Government Modernization is to establish a new municipal form of government for Onondaga County, with a single executive and a 33-seat legislature. While public forums and town hall meetings have been held to discuss the report, and the proposal has been both criticized and defended in the media, missing is a direct exchange between opposing views, with opportunities for challenge and rebuttal. Moderated by Campbell Institute Director and WRVO Campbell Conversations Host Grant Reeher, this debate provides that exchange.
Arguing in favor of the proposition are two members of the Consensus Committee: James Walsh, Government Affairs Counselor, K&L Gates LLP, former Member of Congrees (R-NY-25) and William Byrne, Chairman of the Board of Byrne Dairy.
Arguing against the proposition: Stephanie Miner, Mayer of the City of Syracuse, and Robert Antonacci, Onondaga County Comptroller.
This debate took place April 12th, 2017 in the Maxwell Auditorium at Syracuse University.