October 16, 2023 – Urban CNY

Voices

Voices: Rep. Brandon Williams, “We Don’t Want Them in NY-22” Calls Syracuse Protest an Anti-Semitic Rally

by Urban CNY News
October 16, 2023

Washington, DC — Congressman Brandon Williams (NY-22) commented on what he’s called, “the Progressive-left, Syracuse Democratic Socialists anti-Semitic demonstration” outside of the Syracuse Federal Building, on Friday October 13th at 4:00 PM. How does a demonstration suddenly become anti-Semitic when none of the reported verbiage falls under the definition of anti-Semitic? According to the information posted on Facebook. The Syracuse Democratic Socialists statement is clear, “Congress is preparing to fund a genocide. Rather than seek de-escalation, the ruling class spends its time smearing those who recognize the humanity of Palestinians and the true cause of this conflict: apartheid. We will not be cowed in the fight for peace and liberation.” (“Free Palestine” Flyer) Congressman Williams continued his assault by putting words in the mouths of people who were concerned about loss of life in the Israel-Hamas War. Nothing is more troubling and destructive than questioning the motives of protestors. According to Williams press release of October “The DSA denies the Holocaust, denies Hamas terror, & denies the right of Israel to exist as a nation. The nexus of DSA Socialist ↔ anti-Semitism ↔ Progressives, is devoid of all human morality & decency. We don’t want them in NY-22,” said Congressman Brandon Williams. The irony is that Congressman Brandon Williams doesn’t even live in the 22nd Congressional District and apparently feels compelled to announce, “We don’t want them in NY-22”. What a brazen comment to make coming from a non-resident congressman whose job is to represent all residents of the 22nd Congressional District. That also includes Democrats, Republicans, Syracuse Democratic Socialists, and Progressives; not just those who agree with the right-wing MAGA agenda.

Far Westside (west) Neighborhoods News

Syracuse Fire Haz-Mat Team Assists Solvay Fire Department with Large Dumpster Fire at Chemical Plant

by Urban CNY News
October 16, 2023

Syracuse, NY-On Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 1:39 p.m., Syracuse Fire’s Hazardous Materials Response Team was requested to assisted the Solvay Fire Department with a possible Hazardous Materials fire at the Chemtrade Logistics Facility at 24 Industrial Drive, in the village of Solvay. Solvay Fire units had responded to the scene for a report of a possible fire minutes earlier, at 1:36 p.m. When Solvay units arrived, they found that at least two dumpsters containing products from the facility were on fire, producing an orange column of smoke that could be seen for some distance. Solvay requested Syracuse HazMat to respond and began to extinguish the fire. The Syracuse Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team (HazMat), based out of Syracuse Fire Station 5 on North Geddes Street, arrived on the scene at the facility moments later. Solvay Fire had already identified the product suspected to be burning in at least 2 40-yard dumpsters and spreading to a third, on the exterior of a building on the complex. Firefighters were applying copious amounts of water to the fire, in an effort to contain the flames. In addition, Solvay units had activated the reverse 911 system to warn neighbors in the immediate area to remain indoors and shelter in place to avoid any potential hazards associated with the fire. Members of the Syracuse Fire HazMat team have specialized training and equipment to deal with emergencies of this type and began to consult with and assist Solvay Firefighters in dealing with the fire. Syracuse Firefighters utilized the elevated waterway on Syracuse Engine 5, to hit difficult to reach areas of the dumpsters that were burning. After approximately 45 minutes, the fire in the dumpsters was extinguished, and the orange smoke that was being produced had dissipated. Air monitoring at the scene confirmed that there was no further hazard. Solvay Fire again utilized reverse 911 to put an end to the shelter in place order. At the time of this release, there was no hazard to the public. The scene has been turned over to Facility Representatives and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to determine what caused the fire, and to begin clean-up. There were no injuries reported to civilians or to emergency responders. In Addition to the Hazardous Materials Response Team, Syracuse Fire Car 2 and Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance also responded to the scene to assist Solvay Fire. Solvay Police, Onondaga County Emergency Management, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation were also involved with the successful completion of this incident.

Neighborhoods

Syracuse Celebrates Arbor Day with Student Tree Planting and Memorial

by Urban CNY News
October 16, 2023

Syracuse, N.Y. – The City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs Forestry Division on October 12th held an Arbor Day tree planting event with the students from Syracuse STEM at Blodgett Middle School. The event aimed to grow our tree canopy, educate our youth about the importance of trees, and allow for an interactive learning experience. “This year, Arbor Day celebrates the leadership of young people in their efforts to design a healthy community greenspace using the power of trees,” said City Arborist Steve Harris. “This aligns with ongoing efforts outlined in our Urban Forest Masterplan as we work towards growing canopy equitably, improving urban forest safety and resiliency and connecting the entire community to the urban forest.” The City’s Forestry department celebrates Arbor Day each year in the Fall by choosing a different school to participate in planting new trees for their community. The plantings typically occur on school grounds, but this year the trees were planted beyond the schoolyard to this specialized designed space – for the youth, by the youth, which now includes two memorial trees to honor former classmate, Brexialee Torres Ortiz and teacher, Aisha Stephens-Haskins. The vacant lots at 701 Tully Street were identified by youth in the Peacemaking Center’s summer program and staff in the City of Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development as a location commonly used for littering and loitering, creating an unsafe space for youth. Using an approach modeled after the Philadelphia LandCare method, City departments and community partners began a strategic approach to remove and combat trash, debris and overgrowth. Using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, vacant lots were cleared, graded and seeded, and new fencing was installed. While the physical changes were happening, students from Syracuse STEM at Blodgett Middle School learned about the use of green spaces to create community and improve wellness. Guided by a landscape designer, students explored different park designs and developed the plan used for today’s Arbor Day tree planting. This project serves as the blueprint to integrate green spaces into the fabric of our neighborhoods moving forward. Today’s Arbor Day planting included eighteen trees in total, led by Onondaga Earth Corps. The City of Syracuse’s Urban Forest Masterplan goal is to plant 42,000 trees in the city of Syracuse by 2025. This year, the Division of Forestry is on track to plant 2,000 trees. The City of Syracuse Parks & Recreation is hosting two upcoming community tree plantings and looking for volunteers to help: Look for additional tree planting events at https://syr.gov/Events The City of Syracuse Forestry Division operates within the Parks & Recreation Department and oversees the management of 35,000 street trees and 10,000 parks trees scattered across 400 miles of road and 1,000 acres of parkland. The city of Syracuse has held the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA® designation for 34 years. To learn more about the Urban Forest Masterplan visit https://syr.gov/urbanforestmasterplan Photos by Pixabay

Urban CNY Money

Republican Caucus: Onondaga County’s 2024 Spending Plan Brings Tax Relief, Added Funding for Important Programs and Initiatives

by Urban CNY News
October 16, 2023

According to the Republican Caucus on the Onondaga County Legislature, Onondaga County’s 2024 spending plan brings tax relief, added funding for important programs and initiatives After weeks of discussing the proposed 2024 Onondaga County budget, members of the Legislature’s Republican Caucus have once again ensured the adopted budget is fiscally responsible and will bring benefit to all county residents. The full Legislature voted to accept the proposed 2024 Onondaga County budget, as amended by the Ways & Means report, at its October 10th Session. From the start, County Executive Ryan McMahon presented a great proposal. His budget included a $9,000,000 cut to the tax levy and a 15% property tax rate cut, saving county homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. There was increased funding allocations for senior citizen initiatives, programs and services for veterans, and additional funding for mental health resources in every school district in the county. Once again, the County Executive included more funding for lead remediation initiatives, bringing the combined 2023 and 2024 allocations to over $10 million. This funding will address the difficulty finding certified contractors to do the remediation work, the money is also going for public awareness and testing, because the sooner high levels of lead are detected in a child’s blood, the sooner appropriate steps can be taken. Funding in 2023 allowed the Onondaga County Health Department to purchase a new mobile lead testing vehicle, providing on-the-spot testing in areas where access has generally been limited. The Ways & Means Committee, led by Majority Leader Brian May (1st District), held a week of budget review meetings during which the county’s Chief Fiscal Officer and department heads and commissioners shared specifics and answered questions. After each session, the Caucus met to talk about what they’d heard that day and to look at the overall budget. The Caucus put an additional $100,000 behind environmental cleanup efforts, primarily for the removal of water chestnuts and other invasive species on county waterways. They put an additional $77,000 behind Shape Up For Veterans, a home repair program. More than $200,000 was added for first responder recruitment and retention and police/fire/EMS initiatives. The Sheriff’s Office got a $50,000 boost to help training deputies in Jiu Jitsu (a popular martial arts technique increasingly used by police agencies to deescalate situations) plus an additional $325,000 to help with the purchase of new vehicles. In the end, the total change in the Ways & Means report was under $850,000 – impressive, because the budget totaled $1.4 billion when originally proposed – and the Caucus ensured it was fully balanced. “We enhanced the County Executive’s proposal with key legislative priorities, particularly in the area of public safety,” said Majority Leader May. “Despite adding $1.3 million in structural spending, we kept the budget balanced, sustained the historic 15% rate cut and, most importantly, preserved every penny of the proposed $9 million reduction of the property tax levy, which is a direct benefit to residents.”

Arrest of David Arnold for Multiple Charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Child

CNY Community Foundation to Premiere Lead Poisoning Documentary

15-Year-Old, Alexcia Lynch – Syracuse Police Release Homicide Investigation Timeline

Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC-06) Endorses John Mannion for Congress in NY-22

Van B. Robinson Common Council Chambers Weekly Schedule September 2 -6, 2024

Voices: Rep. Brandon Williams, “We Don’t Want Them in NY-22” Calls Syracuse Protest an Anti-Semitic Rally

Syracuse Fire Haz-Mat Team Assists Solvay Fire Department with Large Dumpster Fire at Chemical Plant

Syracuse Common Council Meeting Schedule October 16 – 20, 2023

Syracuse Police Charge Two with Kidnapping, Burglary and Criminal Possession of a Weapon

Attorney General James Warns Against Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Hate in New York

Mayor Walsh Announces Road Reconstruction Projects on The Southside and Westside

Syracuse Celebrates Arbor Day with Student Tree Planting and Memorial

Republican Caucus: Onondaga County’s 2024 Spending Plan Brings Tax Relief, Added Funding for Important Programs and Initiatives

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Onondaga County

Stabbing Reported at Bada Bing Club on Wolf Street

Black Voices