“We are incredibly blessed to have Micron coming into our community…” -Legislator Mark Olson (10th District)
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon sharing that sentiment at his annual State of the County address. It was held this week at Onondaga Community College and nearly every Onondaga County Legislator was in attendance.
“One of the most profound points the County Executive made in the address was our increased investments to address poverty, our children and public health” says Republican Majority Leader Brian May (1st District). “Anyone concerned with poverty in Syracuse should take note of the County’s proactive role and commitment to address these problems.”
McMahon shared details about a new scholarship program for people who pursue nursing degrees at a university or college in Onondaga County over the next two years, in an effort to increase the workforce and reduce wait times at doctors’ offices and emergency rooms. McMahon says the county will also create a new position and hire someone to manage all the county’s initiatives designed to fight lead paint poisoning in children.
McMahon also proposes a new mobile lead testing van that will go into communities where staff can test children for lead paint poisoning, starting a program called “Lead it Go” which will provide services for children with high levels of lead in their blood but don’t qualify for other services, and to dedicate $100,000 to reduce lead paint hazards in the homes of people interested in becoming foster parents.
11th District Legislator Richard McCarron, who was appointed to the seat just a week before McMahon’s address, says he enjoyed sitting and listening to all the ideas and hopes McMahon was sharing.
“I am excited about many of the programs that our County Executive proposed” Legislator McCarron says. “I look forward to seeing each proposal and the program specifics. I pledge to work with Legislative leadership and my fellow legislators to review the County Executive’s initiatives. We are blessed to have great leadership in Onondaga County.”
Legislator Julie Abbott (6th District) agrees, sharing this thought on her Facebook page: “It honestly feels great celebrating our successes in partnership… but truly highlights & serves as reminder to me: there’s a mountain of work still ahead of us. Looking forward to the challenge.”
In his address, McMahon also spoke about all the work related to Micron coming to Onondaga County, community revitalization and improvements, housing initiatives and a $250,000 agritourism plan.
“My highlight, I think, of the County Executive’s speech is the positive nature of the future of Onondaga County and how we need to start thinking differently about our future” says Legislator Mark Olson (10th District). “We are incredibly blessed to have Micron coming into our community and we need to start embracing the change that’s going to happen. I am excited to work at all levels of government to help support our seniors, veterans, human services and higher educational services in our community to make sure they are prepared.“
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