Howie Hawkins the candidate for innovation, independence
Syracuse Post-Standard
November 2nd, 2007
To the Editor:
In the exciting 2005 Syracuse mayoral race, voters from across the political spectrum agreed the best candidate was Howie Hawkins. However, his candidacy was independent of the two major parties, and that caused voters to doubt whether he could win.
As usual with all his political campaigns, he introduces innovative ideas that are geared towards empowering people. He was the candidate with the public power proposal, school finance reform, programs for affordable housing, a living wage and a plan to implement a fair tax structure.
A while ago, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania published through its Knowledge@Wharton papers that Syracuse is one of the 10 cities in the nation most likely to lose population in the years to come. Gov. Spitzer said this area is akin to the poverty found in Appalachia. Is this the destiny we want?
The city is in desperate need of someone to step up with strategic initiatives to revitalize the city. Many of the voters missed out on that opportunity in 2005, but thankfully, the diligent Howie Hawkins returns for another run, this time for the city's councilor-at-large position. The majority supports Hawkins' strategic plan for the city. Vote your conscience.
Murugan Pandian