WHAT THE MAYOR OUGHT TO DO - THE VIEW FROM MEADOWBROOK
The Post-Standard.
Compiled by staff writer John Marian
Meadowbrook is the extensive subdivision on the city's far east border, south of Le Moyne College and east of Westcott. Middling to large homes on lots bigger than typical city size dominate the area named for Meadowbrook Creek, which bisects it. Casual observers cruising Meadowbrook streets might think they had slipped into an older portion of neighboring DeWitt.
Hillsboro Parkway winds through the hills south of Temple Beth El in Meadowbrook's east end. There we asked residents: "What's the one thing the next mayor of Syracuse should do to improve life in Meadowbrook?"
People's voices
The next mayor should do more to safeguard students walking the streets of Meadowbrook to and from school, said Helen Zuckerman, a senior citizen living at 401 Hillsboro Parkway. Streets uphill from her home lack sidewalks, she said, and get so slick in winter that school buses can't navigate them safely – one went out of control on Hadden Road, opposite her home, three years ago and skidded into her front yard, narrowly missing her garage. "It's frightening, really," she said.
Candidates respond to Zuckerman
Mayor Matt Driscoll (D): "The original developer did not conceive sidewalks here. The Common Council could mandate sidewalks, or if 51 percent of homeowners want sidewalks, they can be added. Either would be charged to the owners as a special assessment on their taxes. Until now there has been no interest; however, if residents want sidewalks arrangements can be made."
Joanie Mahoney (R-C-Ind): "As the city school district furthers the concept of neighborhood schools, this safety concern will surely arise across the city due to an increased number of children walking to school. Under a Mahoney administration, the city will undertake a capital plan review of pedestrians, traffic and neighborhood needs around school facilities to complement planned school district investments."
Howie Hawkins (Green): "(The city should) develop a transportation plan emphasizing pedestrian, bike and mass transit: sidewalks on every street; pedestrian and bike paths linking schools, parks, employment and shopping; a convenient bus and/or trolley network running on clean, renewable energy; traffic- calming measures in residential districts; and pedestrian-only commercial districts."
Jacob Roberts (YES! Youth Empowered Sustainability): "Walking and bicycling must be equal in priority to cars. All streets need sidewalks, as publicly maintained infrastructure, so that people of all incomes and ages have clear, safe access in all seasons. IÂ’d create integrated pedestrian, bike and transit greenways throughout the city."
Other voices
Michael Ames, 38, of 407 Hillsboro Parkway, says that the one thing the next mayor ought to do is "stay in office. I like him. I do," said Ames, referring to Mayor Matt Driscoll. "Apparently IÂ’m in the minority. I donÂ’t know why. Be- sides the Hotel Syracuse, the only complaint I hear is that the streets arenÂ’t being done. IÂ’ve lived on the West Side and here and the streets are OK. IÂ’m very happy weÂ’re in the city. When it comes to yard debris and trash pickup, you canÂ’t get it (outside the city)."
Anne Higgins, 52, of 412 Hillsboro Parkway, said Driscoll "is doing the best he can," but wants to know what the next mayor will do "to make the city a more presentable place. People can come to Armory Square and itÂ’s cool and hip and nice, but everywhere else is trashed." Higgins said she also fears that crime, drugs and shootings are getting out of control.
Ken Chrestler, 24, of 415 Hillsboro Parkway, said things are great in Meadowbrook, but that a plan to install sidewalks on the DeWitt side of East Genesee Street has some neighbors worried about the effect on traffic. His hope, he said, is that the next mayor "will look at both sides, listen to the people and make the best decision they can. Always listen to the people. ThatÂ’s the most important issue when people are looking to elect someone new or to re-elect somebody."
Posted by syracusegreens at August 22, 2005 12:30 AM