Syracuse Common Council

One Democrat unhappy with Mayor Miner's leadership of the party

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:16:15 +0000

While Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner is busy rallying Democrats across New York state as part of her role as co-chair of the New York State Democratic Party, one Syracuse Democrat is accusing her of dividing the party in her hometown.

Primary challenge for Syracuse council president dropped

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:25:21 +0000

Syracuse Democratic party activist Gary Morris has dropped his bid to become president of the Syracuse Common Council and endorsed current president Van Robinson Monday.

City plans to take over Hotel Syracuse on hold for now

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:41:58 +0000

For the second time in less than two years, back taxes have been paid on the Hotel Syracuse, effectively scuttling plans for the city of Syracuse to take control of the property, and sell it to a developer. So, city officials are now looking at a "Plan B."

Syracuse Common Council restores fire department cuts, but that may not last

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:39:00 +0000

The pleas of Syracuse firefighters pleas were answered by the city's common councilors as they voted to restore cuts to the fire department. But, the vote by the council to shift money in the mayor's proposed budget, doesn't mean the Syracuse Fire Department will get that money.

Homeowners push for student zoning to fight rental properties

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:29:00 +0000

The Southeast University Neighborhood Association has been fighting back against an invasion for decades.

Council gets earful on proposed closure of Fire Station 7

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:12:23 +0000

Syracuse lawmakers Tuesday got an earful about the pros and cons of closing down a fire station as the Common Council held a hearing on the future of Station 7 on the city's east side.

Syracuse council approves "booting," wants more fiscal input

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:40:52 +0000

Syracuse will begin going after the roughly 19,000 drivers with multiple unpaid parking tickets in a few months thanks to a new deal to ramp up "booting."

22-year-old to run for Syracuse Common Council

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:13:55 +0000

The son of a former Syracuse Common Councilor has announced plans to run for the Syracuse 1st District councilor seat. Joe Carni is the latest of a crop of young candidates Republicans are hoping will revitalize their party in the City of Syracuse.

New private jet hangar coming to Syracuse airport

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:40:27 +0000

A group of private jet owners will build and operate its own hangar at Syracuse's Hancock Airport.

Syracuse council will rework "Ban the Box" legislation

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:20:44 +0000

The Syracuse Common Council has temporarily pulled the "Ban the Box" legislation in order to conduct more public outreach and rework the legislation.

Syracuse's council accused of delaying Comprehensive Plan

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:12:59 +0000

Syracuse's Director of Planning and Sustainability Andrew Maxwell accused the Syracuse Common Council Monday of "moving the goalposts" on enacting the city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which would be a guide to future zoning and land-use policies in the city.

"Ban the Box" employment proposal controversial

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:05:00 +0000

The Syracuse Common Council is considering legislation that would prohibit businesses from screening prospective job applicants about their history of criminal convictions, early on in the hiring process. It's a concept meant to stop discrimination against potential employees with a criminal record.

Syracuse reducing use of criticized hiring practice

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:16:04 +0000

The city of Syracuse has reduced the number of city workers it has on the rolls of a non-city run agency as a way of skirting civil service rules.

Syracuse approves plan to share funds with new land bank

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:36:13 +0000

The Syracuse Common Council voted Monday to give the city's newly formed land bank a loan for startup costs and to share property tax revenue so the land bank can function over the long term, but some felt the details of those plans left a lot to be desired.

Funding structure for Syracuse's land bank slightly clearer

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:07:00 +0000

It began sending out foreclosure notices for the first time last month, but a long-term funding source for Syracuse and Onondaga County's newly formed land bank is just starting to come into focus; though some details remain to be worked out.

Common councilors try to better understand Syracuse's fiscal problems

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 20:25:53 +0000

Syracuse common councilors are trying to get a clearer snapshot of the city's fiscal problems. Lawmakers have been holding a series of meetings to try to figure out how the council can take a more proactive approach to dealing with an impending budget implosion.

Syracuse adds more workers to living wage law

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:03:32 +0000

Syracuse Common Councilors are expanding the reach of the city's living wage ordinance. The changes will apply to about 50 workers at the Hancock International Airport.

Syracuse passes bath salts ban

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:07:20 +0000

Syracuse is the latest community in New York state that has banned bath salts and other synthetic drugs. Legislators are taking a two-pronged approach to fight the substances, that can cause violent and unpredictable behavior among abusers.

Bob Dougherty on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Bob Dougherty is new to politics, but in his first year on the Syracuse Common Council, he's been drinking from a fire hose.

Given the current political climate- both national and local- why did he choose now to become involved?