Two Syracuse Common Councilors are reflecting on their time in city government as their terms come to an end. Michael Greene served six years as an at-large councilor before deciding not to seek re-election. He says he pushed for and embraced urbanism.
“Making the city more walkable, more bikeable, more focused on mass transit, and more dense in terms of our building structures," Greene said. "So when I look back on the sidewalk proposal, trying to really advocate for bus rapid transit.”
Greene says the challenge of improving the quality of…and access to housing is something that keeps him up at night.
“Making sure that we have the tools in place to both improve our existing housing stock, but then add new housing stock to meet that demand is something that's going to be the biggest challenge," Greene said. "There's a really high likelihood that the average Syracusan is priced out of this community in the next 20-30 years.”
First district councilor Jennifer Schultz says housing was also one of her priorities.
“Seeing the Housing Trust established, hoping that that opens more avenues for more funding to come into the city so that we can really address these issues of old housing stock and infrastructure as well.”
Like Greene, Schultz says she was also committed to slowing down traffic and improving pedestrian safety. She served one term before redistricting forced her to try unsuccessfully to seek other council seats. She says she was glad to make sure her constituents’ voices were heard.
“As a councilor doing this job, you don't do it in a bubble, you do it by holding the hands of the community," Schultz said. "And I felt from day one that's why I ran is so that we the people could all come to the table together.”
Schultz was very involved in the community long before becoming a councilor, and says she’ll stay engaged.
Meanwhile, Michael Greene says it’ll be hard to separate himself from the daily operations of the city. He says he takes some of the city’s tragedies personally, especially after having worked hard to prevent them.
“Every time I read about a pedestrian getting killed by a car it hurts my soul every day," Greene said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Every time I read about a kid that's gets killed, it hurts to not be able to fix all the problems. Not having that burden is something I'm looking forward to.”
Fourth district councilor Latoya Allen was absent from last week’s meeting and did not respond to a request for an interview.
