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Running for Onondaga County Executive, Democrat Bill Kinne’s focus is on transparency between residents and county government, as well as tackling societal issues such as the housing crisis within Syracuse. He plans to fix current infrastructure, advocate for a large-scale housing development and take steps to address mental health issues within the community if elected.

Addressing local issues in a citizens-first way demonstrates Kinne’s willingness to engage with residents and provide them with a voice in the decision-making process.

Onondaga County continues to struggle with forming solutions to end the cycle of poverty. A lack of affordable housing, lead poisoning, poor public transportation and more perpetuate the problem. Nationwide, 20 percent of children live below the poverty line. Onondaga’s numbers are over double that. As of 2021, 41 percent of children in Syracuse live in poverty. The overall poverty in the city is 27 percent as of 2021.

As the community continues to emerge from the pandemic, there is a pressing need for leadership that can foster strong relationships throughout the community and focus on practical, budget-conscious solutions.

Job opportunities and tourism-driven initiatives may not be feasible for locals who lack the necessary resources due to an absence of prior investment in their development. It is vital to prioritize programs and initiatives that empower those who make up the significant percentage of residents facing poverty.

Many locals have frowned upon McMahon’s choice to spend the county surplus, $85 million, on a new aquarium. His idea was to bolster amenities in the city, in hopes of attracting more employees once the Micron chip plant was complete.

But is McMahon’s approach to put Syracuse “on the map” the best way to counter generational poverty?

Large companies like Micron making central New York their new home under the help of McMahon was exciting. But it’s crucial to recognize that these projects, while promising, do not offer an immediate solution to the challenges faced by those currently living in poverty or struggling with housing shortages. In fact, these developments highlight the existing issues in the county, like the disparities in education and limited access to public transportation for local residents seeking to secure employment opportunities in these new ventures.

While speaking with The Daily Orange, Kinne said he hopes to bring in a collective of community leaders who can help tackle issues and create solutions. Many of these societal problems require different voices from local organizations that can provide solutions at a smaller scale. This is a necessary stepping stone to finding a solution for all.

By creating relationships with surrounding universities, Kinne hopes to provide job opportunities to students studying in fields related to mental health and psychology. He would look into covering college loans through a “reimbursement” system once students work in the city for a certain amount of years. And to address mental health within the school system, Kinne wants classroom sizes to be smaller by investing in faculty. This way, students can have more attention from their teachers in the classroom.

As the election for county executive draws near, the choice between Ryan McMahon and Bill Kinne reflects a pivotal decision for the community’s future. While McMahon’s focus on attracting large companies like Micron and making Syracuse more prominent on the map holds promise, it is clear that immediate solutions are needed to address the persistent issues of poverty, affordable housing, education and public transportation.

In contrast, Kinne’s approach, which emphasized transparency, collaboration and practical solutions, offers a more community-centered response to these challenges. He recognizes the exacerbated problems stemming from the pandemic, particularly in mental health. Choosing him at the polls will shape a path toward a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous Onondaga County.

Sarhia Rahim is a junior Policy Studies Major. Her Column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at slrahim@syr.edu.

Published on October 25, 2023 at 11:21 pm