Walt Shepperd is a veteran of Central New York's political scuffle, having covered government and politics in Syracuse for nearly four decades. He is the Senior Editor of the City Eagle and the Mayor of Montgomery Street in downtown Syracuse.
As word spread last week that County Legislators had eliminated Julius Edwards’ position as director of the Human Rights Commission from County Executive Joanie Mahoney’s proposed budget, consigning the watchdog agency’s critical compliance role to the county Purchasing Department, the air got heavier on the 14th floor of the Mulroy Civic Center. Already tension fogged by CSEA’s refusal to reopen negotiations on their membership’s 2010 salary raises, the administration’s inner sanctum faced concerns from the communities of color, and supporters she had forged bonds with in her high school days at Corcoran. “(HRC) was fully funded in the budget I submitted,” Mahoney told City Eagle. “They cut Julius’s position. How’s the Human Rights Commission supposed to function without a director?”
Mahoney contended that it was unfortunate, but the city and county were nowhere near the levels of attitude and behavior necessary to even consider eliminating the HRC. President of the HRC board Maritza Alvarado reflected that contractors working with county money have traditionally not been successful in self-enforcing county requirements for participation of minority- and women-owned business enterprises. Those voicing concern anticipated a vehicle for expressing support for Edwards and the HRC at an October 8 meeting at 7 p.m. in the legislative chambers. Earlier in the week Mahoney cautioned that the meeting might have to be moved to a larger venue. HRC supporters were buoyed by the thought of a large turnout to echo their cause.
A stop and search at Oncenter
A sign on the county court house door that evening announced that the meeting had been moved to the Oncenter ballroom. From a block away, the huge crowd chanting and car horns honking gave momentary thought to the possibility of a cross section of the entire community turning out to express support for the concept of human rights. A few steps closer, however, served up a reality sandwich. Derrick (DJ Showcase) Dorsey stood on the corner of State and Harrison near the Oncenter front entrance, holding a sign calling for support of the HRC, surrounded by hundreds of CSEA members, holding signs variously promoting their activities and denouncing Mahoney’s budget. A long line of them moved slowly through the entrance and through metal detectors under the security watch of Sheriff’s Deputies.
The State Street block of Oncenter had been closed for an hour to accommodate the crowd, contained, at times, by a dozen Syracuse police officers. Drivers moving the one way west on Harrison offered frequent horn honks in support of the chanting union folk. But there were also honks in response to signs held by a dozen people calling for “Justice for Anthony ‘Amp’ Lewis, Murdered at the Latin Festival.” His mother held a sign with his picture, asking “Who killed my son?” She has been seeking an answer with two vigils a week, Thursday evenings and Saturday mid-days, at the corner of Salina and Jefferson since August 27. More than 200 people were at the scene and could have the answer, but so far, none have borne witness.
Mayoral candidates on the HRC and funding the arts
That afternoon ACLA had conducted a forum at Syracuse Stage to quiz mayoral candidates on their positions on funding local arts organizations. The three spoke separately, but all agreed on the need to maintain the HRC. “It’s absolutely ludicrous,” said Otis Jennings at the thought of elimination. “It better be saved. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves. It’s the last stop gap measure for equality in this community. We’re still not in compliance with construction hiring.”
From a business point of view, Steve Kimatian said the money saved was all out of proportion to the negative symbolic message being sent to the community. “I’m appalled,” said Stephanie Miner. “It’s a very clear statement of what their priorities are, saving fish over people.”
Miner was blunt in telling the assembled leaders of the arts community that the city is not in a position to fund their organizations right now, nor does it look feasible in the foreseeable future.
Kimatian said the city needed a high school of the performing arts and a Department of Cultural Affairs to find ways to leverage funding for the arts.
Jennings called himself “an arts kind of guy,” citing his attendance at New York City’s Music and Art High School, and his silver medal at the US Ballroom Dance Championships. He noted that the Empire State Games brings between $10 million to $12 million into a community, and pledged to work to bring the Games here in 2011 and 2012, promising a resulting $1 million for the arts.
CATEGORY: General Society
TAGS: Walt shepperd, Onondaga County Legislators,Mulroy Civic Center,CSEA,Julius Edwards,Anthony ‘Amp’ Lewis,Murdered,Syracuse Stage to quiz mayoral candidates,funding local arts,Latin Festival,US Ballroom Dance Championship,stephanie miner,otis jennings,Steve Kimatian,Department of Cultural Affairs,Empire State Games,director Human Rights Commission,County Executive Joanie Mahoney
