The three candidates seeking the democratic nomination for Syracuse mayor squared off for their first debate last Wednesday at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. The debate, moderated by Syracuse.com, gave Chol Majok Sharon Owens, and Pat Hogan a chance to answer questions ranging from housing and crime to poverty and Micron. While Majok said the city and its residents will be left behind, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens said she has the experience to ensure that doesn't happen.
“It is the job of the next mayor to ensure that we are not left behind," Owens said. "It is what I'm doing right now in the midst of conversations around 81, in the OCC CLEAN room. I'm going to community centers. I'm going to see CNY Works to say let's get folks into those clean rooms.”
The clean rooms are training spaces that simulate the environment of a semiconductor plant.
Common councilors are debating whether to approve a city-wide property assessment re-evaluation that could lead to higher taxes for some homeowners. While Owens said the the move is about equity, Majok and seven-term councilor Pat Hogan said now is not the right time.
“We do 20% a year right now and my house went up too," Hogan said. "So I understand Folks nowadays are under a lot of pressure. They're under a lot of pressure to feed their families, a lot of pressure to keep their houses up. So to scare them like this with what's going on in the national economy and what's going on down in Washington, no, we're not going to do it.”
The next mayor will also have to choose a new police chief. Joe Cecile is retiring at the end of Mayor Walsh’s term after nearly 40 years in law enforcement. All three praised his dedication, and Council Public Safety Chair Chol Majok said the next chief must be open to cultural change and accountability.
“Part of the critique that I hear a lot in the community about the department is the culture and their culture needs to be driven by a strong leader," Majok said. "If the city of Syracuse is going to be a city that embraces every single person, that has to start with the culture.”
Early voting for the Democratic mayoral primary begins June 14th, and primary election day is June 24th. The winner faces Republican Tom Babilon and others who might qualify for third party ballot lines.
You can hear the debate in its entirety by clicking the "listen" tab above.
