September 29, 2005

Mayoral Race a Contest

Post-Standard Editorial
Thursday, September 29, 2005

It's a Contest

Take the opportunity to study what the candidates offer and to discover where they differ.

Rogan Kersh, the Maxwell School professor and moderator of Tuesday's mayoral debate, observed at the start that the three candidates appearing on the ballot had shown an admirable willingness to take part in more than a dozen joint appearances.

During these six weeks before the Nov. 8 election, Syracusans will have no shortage of chances to read, listen, compare and make their judgments. Voters may note that while the candidates are similar in age and color, they offer a welcome contrast in substance and style.

Mayor Matt Driscoll says the city has been "profoundly transformed" during four
years of growth. Joanie Mahoney, the Republican, challenges Syracuse to "expect more" in economic growth, social progress and governmental integrity. The Green Party's agenda seems to hold more water every time Howie Hawkins gets a platform.

Conventional wisdom says the incumbent is the heavy favorite to win. The enrollment numbers alone provide a Democratic advantage of 33,111 to 15,134 Republicans. Mahoney's campaign doesn't yet have the money that Driscoll has collected. The mayor even benefits from unwarranted free TV time in a commercial for the airport.

The election is not a lock, however, because Mahoney offers a credible alternative. She won citywide election in 1999 and served with distinction in the Common Council. Before that she spent five years prosecuting criminals; she holds degrees in management and law.

Tuesday night she was critical of the current administration, but not personally negative. "How come you can't close the deal?" she asked when the subject was Driscoll and Destiny USA. To pay for improvements to schools and public safety, she pledged to "turn failed projects into successes." The city's "serious problems" with its bidding process have led to turnover in key City Hall jobs and a current stalemate over development of the Inner Harbor.

Voters can weigh Mahoney's criticisms against Driscoll's reminders that he brought new efficiencies to city agencies and stood up for the city's interests in negotiations with the county.

Voters can ask what Mahoney proposes as her own approaches to tackling poverty, creating jobs and improving the quality of life. They can consider the viability of Howie Hawkins' platform, which calls for a commuter tax and a public power utility.

Voters ought to take every opportunity this season to examine the candidates'
statements, study their personal styles and review their performances. Is the city on the right course? Could a new person do any better? Is a vote for a third party a way to support progressive ideas, or to register a protest against the status quo?

The candidates are doing their part by giving voters an opportunity to learn and compare. Voters can do their part by suspending the conventional wisdom and recognizing that this is a real contest.

Posted by syracusegreens at September 29, 2005 02:42 AM