WAER News begins its election coverage with a look at the competitive races for Onondaga County Legislature. First up is the 4th district, where a Democratic newcomer is trying to unseat two-term incumbent.
The district includes the communities that wrap around Onondaga Lake, except for the city of Syracuse. Democrat Jeremiah Thompson said he empathizes with voters he’s talked with who are concerned about the cost of housing.
“My wife and I are renters. I come from a working-class background. I know what it is to make hard decisions about a family budget," he said. "I see that playing out with my neighbors, many of whom couldn't really be homeowners if they didn't have a connection through family members, that an older family member was able to sell the house to them.”
Thompson said affordability transcends district and municipal boundaries. For example, he said, the number of children eligible for free or reduced lunch.
“Some people might say, well, it's just a city problem, it's just an urban problem," Thompson said. "Well, in Liverpool, if I remember correctly, the number was around 45% of children eligible for free or reduced lunch. In Solvay, it was closer to 60%. They're not just limited to one area or the other.”
Republican incumbent Colleen Gunnip would welcome that level of engagement. As chair of the ways and means committee, she said some members of the current Democratic caucus weren’t very involved in the recent budget process.
“I really had nobody on the other side come to me and say, 'hey, we need to look at this or we need to do this a different way,'" she said. "They don't seem to be as engaged, whether they're just still new to the process.”
Gunnip said on the other hand, Republicans don’t always agree with the GOP county executive. For example, she said he didn’t include funding for the successful Main Street grant program in his proposed budget.
“Maybe with some of our additional fund balance before the end of the year that is something that we could look at," she said. "I've seen so many great things done with the Main Street grants especially right now doing a lot of campaigning in Solvay. They have benefited tremendously.”
The program helps villages replace sidewalks, lighting, and sewers. Gunnip says after four years on the legislature, she feels there’s more she can accomplish using her decades of experience on the county and town levels.
Early voting begins Oct. 25 and continues through Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 4.
