The successful aspect:
There was standing room only at the mayoral candidate forum on urban planning and sustainability. Since six of seven candidates were able to come, we heard a helpful variety of ideas.
VIDEO FROM NEWS 10
People are really, really interested in this topic.
The not-so-good aspects were well outlined in Sean Kirst’s column. Not enough specifics from the candidates, questions may have been too broad. Some of the candidates talked a lot but had little to say about the topic. We suspect a lack of knowledge about urban planning and design.
But here are some positive statements we heard:
Stephanie Miner: “I will appoint an office of sustainability with a director.”
Joe Nicoletti: “I met with Neil Seldman president of the Institute for Local Self Reliance about Deconstruction as a strategy to bring Syracuse back.”
Steve Kimatian: “I want sustainability to be an integral part of the mindset of my administration. It has to be systemic.”
Otis Jennings: “Department heads will go to TNT in order to make the city accountable to the people.”
Questions for the mayoral candidates:
To Alfonso Davis – Why, after “…working in the political process for 24 years,” haven’t you been able to solve the litter problem?
To Otis Jennings – Why, as parks commissioner, were you not able to keep our parks litter-free?
To Steve Kimatian – Why, as a media executive, haven’t you been able to successfully maintain litter-awareness among the general public?
To Stephanie Miner – Why, in your many years as a member of the common council, have you not been able to solve the litter problem?
To Joe Nicoletti – Why, in your decades as a public servant, haven’t you been able to solve the litter problem?
To Carmen Harlow – Why, as deputy commissioner of public works, weren’t you been able to solve the litter problem?
Pitch In.