During the 2009 campaign for Mayor, SYRACUSE 20/20 will engage the candidates in a discussion of their vision for the City of Syracuse and Central New York that will elevate the discourse and require the candidates to articulate with greater specificity what they intend to do as Mayor. Beyond presenting the public with a vision for Syracuse, we want the candidates to present the community with specific action steps that will be taken to move the City and region forward. Click on the link to read "Wanted: Mayor With A Metropolitan Vision- Mayoral Election, 2009." We have asked the candidates to respond in writing and we will post the responses in mid-July.
Government Modernization
Community Conversation
We Are at a Tipping Point
Help Decide Which Way We Go
Syracuse 20/20 has spent the past several years examining the issues surrounding government modernization. We feel strongly that the time has come for our community to engage in a thoughtful conversation about the future of the governance of our region.
Our mission is simply to start a community-wide conversation about whether our current way of organizing local government, a system that was invented around 1800, is still working for us in a global economy. Our approach is positive and non-partisan.
We are not advocating for any particular change or new model of local government, only asking that people listen to our presentation and respond with ideas and opinions about what we should do. We are partnering with the Onondaga Citizens League, the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse and many community oriented individuals – you are welcome to join us.
Join the Conversation
The way we see it, we’re at a “tipping point”. This is a critical time for us to talk about the role of local government in “tipping us” toward growth rather than potential decline.
What can you do? Begin by learning about the Government Modernization Effort by watching the power point presentation and sharing your thoughts on our online discussion forum.
Join other groups from around the community by inviting a volunteer to come talk to your group about government modernization opportunities in Onondaga County. Look at By The Numbers to see how we have done reaching out to diverse groups throughout the community.
Quality Community Investment Trust Fund - Onvest -
SYRACUSE 20/20, in consultation with a number of community organizations, proposes the development of a Quality Community Investment Trust Fund – (Onvest). Onvest would provide Onondaga County the flexibility to address specialized regional concerns through a dedicated source of local funding. Onvest would provide a discretionary public funding stream for:
· Protecting, enhancing and creating community assets;
· replacing shrinking traditional funding sources; and
· establishing a local funding source to match incentives of other governments, not for profit foundations, and private investments
Click on the link to learn more about Onvest.