Syracuse Greens

People know Howie Hawkins is the right person to be Mayor of Syracuse. Everybody likes his ideas. Yet, people say they won't vote for him because they believe he "cannot win". Nobody has a lock on anybody's vote until the voter pulls the lever. Hopefully, Syracusans this year will pull a lever for what they KNOW in their hearts is right. Only a coward and an idiot will vote for a candidate because they want a party to win or because they don't believe "the right person for the job" can win.

(Reprinted, because it is important)

By Mark David Blum, Esq.

Do you remember in school how it felt to have to right answer to a question only to see someone else called upon and then listen to them give the wrong answer? This is my impression of how Howie Hawkins must feel every single day.

Since 1984 when he was one of the founders of what is known as the Green Party, Hawkins has found in himself a calling as a leader; as a barometer of our collective conscience. He has always spoken up for the poor, the impoverished, and the ignored. To our mainstream, Hawkins is seen as a nut –¦ a lefty libby –¦ a wacked out social activist. He is "Green" and thus gets no respect; none at all. That is a shame for Hawkins' ideals are the same as preached by the God of Abraham, Jesus, and Moses.

Whatever may be your personal feelings toward Mr. Hawkins, he has earned a right to be heard in the debates coming up as to who should be Mayor of Syracuse. There is much that he brings to the table; ideas and ideals that Syracuse would be proud to endorse. Ignoring Hawkins or his message because he refuses the label of "Democrat" or "Republican" would be the epitome of arrogance and a knife in the heart of true political debate.

Among the lessons learned in the 18 years I have lived here is that though not a Syracuse voter, what happens in the Syracuse Mayoral election directly impacts me here in Manlius. When the City is mismanaged, Onondaga County and New York State taxpayers come to the City's rescue. Because the City cannot manage its crime problem, we County and State taxpayers have to pay for and commit our police resources. Utilities costs, roads, parking, entertainment, and shopping bring me into constant contact with the City. How this is all managed or mismanaged impacts me every day. Frankly too, how the City is mismanaged is one way I feed my family.

"Malaise" is the disease that has infected the heart and soul of Syracuse. Whether it is economic, social, educational, or political; the City's energy has come to a complete standstill. It matters not whether Democrats or Republicans are in charge as Mayors Young, Bernardi, and Driscoll have been the Pied Pipers of Yawn. Each in turn was an excellent manager, had perfect character, and were wonderful human beings. Mayors in Syracuse have strived for mediocrity and so far, so good.

Until I sat down and spoke with Mr. Hawkins, I was convinced this upcoming election was going to be another exercise as to which group of insiders was going to be in charge. The incumbent is a good manager. The Republican opposition's major platform is, "hey, we ain't the other guys." Syracuse does not operate on a two party system. It operates on the theory that there are two small groups of ruling elite and the question for voters is which group gets to run things this time. How long has it been since anybody has heard one new productive idea out of the Mayor's office or the opposition camp?

Destiny? That is neither a new idea nor is it productive. It is going to be a giant footprint on our geography which will crush the backs of the Salina 29, fail as an icon, and turn Syracuse into nothing more than a bathroom pit-stop. A mall is not the heart and soul of a community. Those who say 'yes', are not dreamers. They do not aspire to greatness. Communities that follow along leave a legacy of children aspiring to a life of retail and Starbucks. National retailers that come into the mall will only export our capital out of the community. Shoppers from out of the area will leave a few tax dollars while at the same time filling our sewers with the crap before they hop back on their busses for New York City. Most importantly, the incumbent Mayor and his opponent both back this plan though neither has a means to close the deal. Taxpayers are the ones who will pay for the Destiny project. If Mr. Congel is so convinced Destiny is a great idea, let him build it on his own lake, Skaneateles. Syracuse should reach down and aspire to something greater.

Hawkins offers a viable alternative. He has great ideas; plans beyond the mediocrity of a mega mall. To him, a mall would be secondary to something larger. You should listen to him and hear what he has to say. Make his ideas part of the discussion and demand a response from the two major party candidates. There is no requirement that you Be Green. Many people say that they "do not vote party, but vote the person". Prove it.

Crime is a major problem in the City. The incumbent, his predecessor, and the ones before him all promised a magic solution to crime. Whether the abuse of RICO laws to arrest and harass half a community or turning special police squads loose on the community, citizens have been promised safety. Children are still dying –¦ and in greater numbers. Relations between police and the community are at an all time low. Guns? Drugs? Violence? Everywhere. Even in today's newspaper, the current police chief, Miguel dramatizes how Syracuse has lower violent crime numbers than Buffalo and Rochester. Pssst, hey Chief!¦. Syracuse is a smaller city so hopefully the numbers would be smaller.

Solutions are not provided by either Democrats or Republicans. Mayor Matt is sending out the troops and arresting everybody. His Administration brags about traffic stops, trivial quantities of seized drugs, and hundreds incarcerated. (Then the County taxpayers get to pay for housing, prosecution, defense, sentencing, and administration). Has the shooting stopped?

Republican candidate Mahoney threatens to hire 25 more police officers and put them on the streets. If operation IMPACT has taught us anything, twenty five or two hundred fifty more police officers on the street is not going to stop the violence. But that aside, Mahoney's plan is twice foolish as she proposes to pay for her additional force by taking money away from infrastructure. You do remember "infrastructure"– roads, snowplowing, parking, sewers, utilities –¦ the basic necessities of life. The Republican plan is to strip away the real quality of life because they feel the City needs an additional army to combat loud music.

Punishing the majority for the sins of the few is offensive. Collective punishment is for prisoners, not free citizens. Yes, people want to be safe on their streets. But of what value is that when the streets are broken, the buildings are in disrepair, and the overall look is downtrodden and sullen. The Mahoney dream for Syracuse seems dark and bleak.

The incumbent has done no better. Though he has proven himself a good manager, he has turned Syracuse into a giant sinkhole that sucks the life out of its citizens and visitors and gives them nothing in return. Parking downtown for 3 hours costs $7.00. Fees and expenses are climbing but nothing new has been built. Whether it is James Street or Salina Street, businesses are closing, dying, leaving nothing but empty shells in their wake. Taxes in the City are appalling and services are not user friendly.

But what really is a finger in the eye to all citizens of Syracuse is Mayor Matt's attitude toward the People themselves. His Corporation Counsel loves to brag in the newspapers how the City has won every case and how they do not settle with anybody. Puffing out their chests with great pride, they proclaim this policy as being proof of their fiscal responsibility. I see it as proof of their total arrogance and utter disregard for the harm they cause. Everybody who lives in a community owes to each other a level of mutual promise and protection. When a citizen or their property is wrongfully damaged or destroyed by City employees, it should not be the attitude of the City to tell the citizen to go to hell. Those we harm, we should compensate. It is not good fiscal policy to harm citizens and property and leave the mess for other taxpayers.

Taxes, jobs, safety, schools, and reputation are all vital issues concerning Syracuse. Nothing new is being brought to the table – at least not by either established party. Hawkins is the only candidate thus far I have heard mention cutting taxes.

Howie Hawkins seems to have a different vision. His are great dreams for a world class city.