Wine Worries

February 12, 2009

One small section of Governor Paterson's budget has local store owners angry. A request to allow supermarkets and other stores selling beer to start selling wine is tucked away in the budget proposal. But liquor store owners have noticed and are concerned about losing business and even jobs.

In an effort to lobby against the proposition, a large group of liquor sellers from around the state formed the Last Store on Main Street coalition. Pascale's Liquor Square in Syracuse is a coalition member working to stop the move.

"If wine does go into grocery stores, because they are a chain, they have cooperative buying power," Pascale's co-manager Sean Gosch said. "They could buy large sums of wine and sell it at a cheaper price than we would be able to do."

While customers may be excited about the prospect of less expensive wine, The Last Store on Main Street contends it would hurt small business. The coalition says wine accounts for over 65 percent of liquor store sales. Gosch says employees will suffer if other stores start taking away his wine sales.

"People are going to lose their jobs if this happens, and we're trying to protect that," Gosch said.

Liquor stores are worried, but some area wineries want this part of the budget proposal passed. Mark Lebo, owner of Bear Pond Winery outside Oneonta, says that having wine available in more places will boost his business. Whether it will be at the expense of liquor stores remains to be seen. The budget is due by April 1.

Too Many Bars?

April 23, 2009

A new study shows theres a link in Syracuse between health problems and alcohol availability. The Syracuse Alcohol Environment Project mapped alcohol vendors and cases of violence, sexually transmitted diseases and drunk driving. The study found several neighborhoods have a high concentration of both these health indicators and alcohol sellers. The alcohol availability near schools was the most alarming part of the study to Onondaga County Health Commissioner Cynthia Morrow."There are many areas where alcohol vendors are concentrated within an eighth to a quarter of a mile from schools," she says.

Dr. Morrow also says she hopes the study's findings will be used to advocate policy change that will cap the number of alcohol vendors in high concentration areas. "Popular literature and the study support there is absolutely a link between these health problems and the availability of alcohol," she says.

The Syracuse Alcohol Environment Project was a collaboration between the Syracuse/Onondaga Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission and the Onondaga County Health Department.

Steve Kimatian announces candidacy for mayor of Syracuse

April 16, 2009

Add another name to the ballot for mayor of Syracuse. Central New York broadcasting executive Steve Kimatian announced his candidacy for mayor at the Renaissance hotel in downtown Syracuse. The 57-year-old Kimatian left his position as general counsel for Newport Television, a large media company that owns TV stations around the country, including Channel 9-WSYR in Syracuse.

Kimatian was also a regional vice president for Clear Channel Television for twelve years, and hosted his own interview show called “With Steve on Sunday,” during which he spoke with Central New York leaders. Kimatian believes he has the right combination of leadership and skills, and that his broadcast career has shown him how to be a good community leader.

“A television station gets into the community and does good things. Politicians are supposed to do good things, so there’s a common goal there,” he said.

Kimatian says the most important issues to him are the economy, education, and crime. If elected, he wants to raise the bar for all city government officials in Syracuse.

“Satisfactory is not satisfactory, and good enough is not good enough,” said Kimatian.

He will face off in the mayoral race against fellow Republican Otis Jennings, and Democrats Stephanie Miner, Alphonso Davis, and Joe Nicoletti.

Surprising Ticket Sales

April 9, 2009

Despite the suffering economy, ticket sales for Syracuse University's annual Block Party concert are up this year. Tickets to see featured performers Ben Folds and Guster went on sale to the general public two weeks ago, and the response has been surprising. "We've already sold 500 tickets to people outside the student population," says Executive Advisor of SU Concert Board Kyra Zeller. "And this is without any type of promotion like newspapers or radio ads. That's an incredible number that we didn't expect."
(photo credit Syracuse.com)
Tickets cost 25 dollars for people who aren't SU students. Zeller says the university has sold so many tickets this year for a number of reasons, one being that live music tends to be a recession proof industry. "People always want to be near famous people, and people love music,"she says. "These combine and make people willing to pay for concert tickets."

Zeller also says the Concert Board typically books rap or hip hop artists for the annual concert, and this year's alternative rock performers had a bigger appeal to the Central New York community.

Block Party will be held in the Carrier Dome on April 26th.

Fair Share Tax to bring money to Syracuse schools?

March 26, 2009

Two education advocacy groups in Syracuse met with the City School Board to figure out a method for creating revenue for city schools. With Governor David Paterson’s proposed $2.5 billion cut in education funding for the upcoming fiscal year, many schools in Syracuse will find themselves struggling for funds.

The Alliance for Quality Education and Citizen Action of New York sent representatives to ask Syracuse City Schools Superintendent Daniel Lowengard to plead with lawmakers in Albany for a new way to generate revenue. Their message: enact a Fair Share Tax Reform that would combine with federal stimulus money to create revenue.

Lowengard is well aware of the lack of funds for education in Syracuse. “23 million dollars was due to come to Syracuse this year, and instead what was first offered up was an $8 million cut, creating a big hole,” he said.

The Fair Share plan would generate $6 billion by raising income taxes for New Yorkers making over $250,000 a year. Everyone in attendance seemed to agree that this plan is the best way to get the schools the money they need, because education comes first.

“If we invest in our education and our kids, we save money in the long run. The more money we divert to other things, the more our kids suffer,” said Kim Rohadfox-Caesar, a member of the Syracuse City School Board.

Whether the reform will be approved or not remains to be seen, but Rohadfox-Caesar says that the response from Albany so far as been that Syracuse needs to get in line like everyone else.

Super Grocery Sales

January 29, 2009

When Super Bowl crowds descend on Tampa this weekend, the city expects an economic boost of around $300 million. But the Super Bowl is also helping the economy in Central New York.

More customers are shopping at the CVS convenience store on Marshall St. in Syracuse this week to prepare for Sunday's Super Bowl festivities. More at home parties are thrown for the Super Bowl than for any other annual event in the country, which means sales at stores like CVS.

"Usually there are special promos on soda and chips," CVS store manager Paul Thomas said. "So the sales go up, definitely".

Syracuse University student James Hallas was shopping at the store and said even with the bargains, the economy could cause his friends to buy less food this year.

"I'm sure with the current economic situation there will be a lot of students who don't buy as much as usual for the Super Bowl," Hallas predicted. "I'm banking on my friend having food at his house. But I'm sure that with (special pricing) grocery sales must go up."

Thomas says sales do go up. In fact, even without the Super Bowl, CVS' overall profits are on the rise. Thomas says its because he has a student customer base.

"Business is up since last year," Thomas said. "I guess students' parents have money, so the kids are always here to spend it. So we're doing good."

In an economic downturn, the CVS store on Marshall St. has remained profitable, and this week it's thanks to the Super Bowl. So when the game is over and all the food eaten, fans of the winning team won't be the only ones celebrating. Grocery store companies across the country will be cheering right along with them.

Paterson To Re-Introduce Same-Sex Marriage Bill

New York Governor David Paterson wants to reintroduce the Same-Sex Marriage Bill into the state, allowing gay couples to legally marry.

The bill was initially introduced into the Assembly two years ago by former Governor, Eliot Spitzer, but denied in the Senate. Even with the same strong opposition, Paterson wants to give it another try.

Here in Syracuse, Michael Weinberg, a gay-rights organization leader, thinks this is a dangerous move for Paterson. “It brings out a lot of protestors and it hurts chances of re-election,” Weinberg said. “It’s certainly not a move for a politician to make if he’s worried about his popularity.”

In a Quinnipiac University poll done last week, only 41 percent of New Yorkers are in favor of same-sex marriage. With statistics like these, Weinberg fully supports Paterson’s efforts, but thinks the gay movement needs more time. “I think it’s very important for gay people to be honest about who they are,” Weinberg said. “A lot of people go through life saying, ‘well, these issues don’t affect me because I don’t know any gay people,’ when in fact they do.”

The bill would allow for legal marriages between gay couples in the state of New York, something only done by Vermont, Iowa, Massachusetts and Connecticut so far. Weinberg, however, doesn’t think the bill would have any influence on his life because the rights enjoyed by married couples come from the federal level. “On a state level," said Weinberg, "legislation like this is almost symbolic rather than real."

Gym Memberships Increasing in CNY

Gym memberships have been increasing in Central New York, but the prices have been staying the same.

During hard economic times, people usually stop spending money. Luxuries such as vacations and going out to dinner happen less often, so you would assume gym memberships would be on that list. In Central New York, people are actually spending more money on their health during the current recession.

Mark Clary, the program director of Gold’s Gym in DeWitt, says he’s not surprised. “If anything, it might be increasing because people’s value about their health and about the things they can control is being directed toward fitness centers,” said Clary.

Curves for Women in DeWitt has been having a similar increase. Owner Patricia Sawyer thinks it’s because people need to get away from their day to day routine. “Sometimes you’re just here to socialize,” said Sawyer. “You have lot of different things in your life that bother you, and by coming here and working out, you see the benefit of overall improved health.”

Many health club members agree that going to a gym is just as healthy for their social life as it is for their actual health.

Valorie Redford, a member of Curves, agrees. “It helps me keep my sanity,” said Redford. She also says going to the gym has helped her cut back on spending. “If I gain weight I have to buy more clothes,” said Redford. “I really don’t want to do that because that makes the economic times worse.”

The average gym membership in Syracuse costs between 10 and 30 dollars per month.

Kinney Drugs Offers Free Health Screenings

Thursday, March 19, 2009



Kinney Drugs was supposed to stop giving free health screenings this March. But the program has been so successful, store manager Michael Lamson says they plan to extend it through this July.

The Kinney Drugs in DeWitt offered free lung screening yesterday as part of its weekly series of health education and screenings.

The program, called Wellness Wednesdays, has been going on most Wednesdays since December. Anyone who walks into the pharmacy can walk up to the table and ask for a free screening or information. The company offers cholesterol, lung, diabetes, and blood pressure screenings.

Rachel Rothman, a registered respiratory therapist, says about ten people came in for screenings yesterday, which is an average turnout. Most of the people who come in are recently unemployed and taking advantage of the free service. None could be reached for comment.

"It’s really hard for the recently unemployed to come here because they’re used to having insurance,” Rothman said. “They’re used to being able to not ask for a handout.”

When test results show possible signs of illness, the person is referred to a local health clinic. The Franciscan Northside Ministry on Salina Street is one of the participating centers with a staff of volunteer doctors, Rothman said.

Even if patients show no signs of illness, Rothman says she makes sure they are educated. They provide patients with health brochures or have a quick conversation.

Rothman says she specifically informs African Americans who smoke that they are more likely to get sick earlier in their lives than Caucasians. This statistic was published by the American Lung Association.

Some people use the free tests as an alternative to their doctor. Rothman says these people feel they do not need to be told by a doctor when to get a test.

“They sometimes just want to get a quick check themselves before they go see their doctor,” Rothman said.

Kinney Drugs also plans to offer free dental screenings for children starting this fall.

schedule of screenings

50 New Apartments to Revitalize Syracuse North Side

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Two Central New York housing companies plan to build 50 new apartments in the area near St. Joseph’s Hospital by the end of 2010.

The apartments, called Prospect Hill Homes, are an $11.8 million project of St. Joseph’s Hospital and the city of Syracuse. Home Headquarters and Housing Visions are the two development companies that will handle the 18 month task. They will build one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments.

St. Joseph’s Hospital is located on the hill in the North Side of Syracuse, an area where many of the surrounding homes are falling apart. Hospital director of marketing Kerry Ganci says the neighborhood does not appear attractive and makes some visitors uncomfortable.

“Our patients – particularly those who come to us from rural communities – weren’t feeling as comfortable as they used to feel coming here,” Ganci said. “As you approach the hospital, the neighborhood around it is what you come to first.”

Housing Visions celebrated the groundbreaking of the project this past Tuesday on North Townsend Street. Michael LaFlair, the project manager for Housing Visions, says the houses will be affordable for people with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area’s median income. He says the new houses could increase the potential value of other homes in the neighborhood.

“Maybe the neighbors will think, ‘These things are looking pretty good. They’re going to bring our property value up. Maybe I’ll cut my grass more often. Maybe I’ll fix that fence or put a fresh coat of paint on it.”

LaFlair says there are currently no plans to renovate older houses in the area.

Crouse Nursing has increase of applicants

April 2, 2009

Trade schools in Central New York are seeing a significant increase in students and applicants this year as people look for jobs that won't be affected by the economy. Crouse Hospital School of Nursing is another example of a "specialty services" school that has seen a surge of applicants and students this year with an increase of 20 percent.

According to director Ann Sedore, nursing is rising in popularity because it is a dependable job and at an average starting wage of 23 dollars per hour, pays quite well. "Some of our students are laid-off, middle-aged people coming back for second careers, but some are coming straight out of high school, and we think that their parents are encouraging them to go to school where they can get a job as opposed to some of the things they might have done in the past," Sedore said.

Crouse offers both day and night classes, with the night classes being mostly for people who are still employed, but are anticipating being let go from their current jobs soon. Ann, 46, who preferred not to share her last name, is a travel agent who isn't sure how long she has at her current job. "I'm not ready to retire, so nursing was the first thing I thought of for a career switch. Medical is the one sure job nowadays," Ann said.

Ann already has a job lined up at Crouse Hospital after her graduation this spring.

State Parks Shortening Season

April 9, 2009

The State of New York has announced another cut in the budget that will potentially save thousands of dollars. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation is shortening the swimming and campground season of all the state parks for the next two years.

None will be entirely shut down, but a few, such as Selkirk Shores in Oswego County, are opening two weeks late with only weekend service. Rob Hiltbrant of the New York State Parks Department said this move is literally saving thousands of dollars in oil, electric, and other maintenance costs, and everybody in New York understands the fiscal crisis the state is currently in.

Mike Costello is from Syracuse and has gone on yearly swimming and camping trips with his family at Selkirk Shores for ten years. "It's a shame that the seasons will be shortened because they get a lot of use from the community," Costello said. He still plans on taking his wife and two daughters to the park when it opens in June, but remains disappointed that they will have to delay their plans by a month. "I still support the governor's decision, though," Costello said. "We'll just make the best we can out of it."

stadium renovations move forward

March 19, 2009

Liverpool High school football, field hockey and lacrosse teams have not played a home game since their stadium closed in 2007. This year will be the third year that Liverpool has no meets and no home site. Liverpool has plans to renovate its 80,000 square foot field. Athletic Director, Mark Potter said the original reason people were hesitant to approve the renovation was because they thought it would take money from education funds. "The controversy had become, 'I don't think the governor, the budget he prepared in December will be the same in March. I think he's going to make more cuts and the cuts are going to come in building aid,'" Potter said. 

Potter said Albany guaranteed Liverpool 86 percent reimbursement for the project. He also said, with federal aid and reserve, the school district still has enough money for any future plans. Taxpayers will not pay any additional taxes either. Since the stadium closed, football attendance has dropped from six thousand to nearly two thousand people at their Solvay temporary home site. Potter said because less people are coming to games, local restaurants are suffering and fewer students are going out for sports teams. Losing the stadium has hurt others in the Liverpool community. "One of our things has been 'bring our kids home,' so that's really where we're going," Potter said. 

The renovations will include a new field and and all-weather, eight lane track. Potter said the stadium should be finished by summer of two thousand ten. Potter said by the time Liverpool's sophomores are seniors, they should have a new athletic stadium. 

Middle East portrayed by the media

April 2, 2009 

The 2001 terrorist attacks changed the way Americans view Middle Easterners. They started a lot of controversy over religious stereotypes. Syracuse University's The Maxwell School has recognized these views by adding a Religions, Media and International Relations major. Graduate Assistant Karen Cadondon said the new major is aimed towards studying the way the media portrays these stereotypes. 

Political Scientist and Maxwell's head of Middle East studies, Mehrzad Boroujerdi said any time the media report on the war in Gaza, they only show one side of it. Even his students have started watching BBC instead of CNN to get a different perspective on Middle Eastern news. 

Maxwell's conference includes world class journalists, such as Lawrence Pintak who has worked in the Middle East. Pintak said he has found many connections between common stereotypes and negative public diplomacy in the Muslim and Islamic worlds. Program Coordinator Julia Ganson said the conference is important because it will spark intense conversation so people can understand different sides of the story. "The media is often a cheerleader for America and shows only that side without thoroughly understanding the middle east and its issues," Ganson said. 

The conference starts today at 5 P.M. and ends tomorrow at 4:30 P.M. The conference motto is "a time for change." 

April 23, 2009

 Hollywood is coming to Syracuse in less than a day. The sixth annual Syracuse International Film Festival gets underway tomorrow night and last minute preparations with more than 100 volunteers is underway downtown at the Hotel Syracuse.

The festival was started by Syracuse University trans-media professor, Owen Shapiro, in 2003. It will be showing shorts, feature and Pixar animation films from over forty countries around the world. Some of the films’ countries include Armenia, South Africa and Israel.

Although the film shows mainly international films, festival manager Debra Borenstein says that there are certain exceptions to the rule.

“Very few American films are shown and the only ones shown have a Central New York connection," Borenstein said."Either the film maker went to Syracuse University or they grew up in the Central New York region."

The festival’s theme this year is “music in film”. Tomorrow’s opening night’s headlining film will be the 1925 original silent film “Ben-Hur” accompanied by a live orchestrated jazz score.

Well known producers and directors are expected to attend the festival, including Central New York native, Bobcat Goldthwait, who will be screening the premiere of his film “World’s Greatest Dad” on the closing night.  

Festival attendance last year was between eight and ten thousand visitors and should be higher this year. Borenstein said this is because the festival is always easily accessible to the public.

“Anybody can come, the tickets are only eight dollars to get into for most of the screenings, which is less than a film at the mall,” said Borenstein.

The film festival runs from April 24^th through until May 3^rd at seven venues across the city, including LeMoyne College, Syracuse University and the MOST's Bristol IMAX theatre. 

Safe Space for Syracuse Kids

February 4, 2009

The Erwin First United Methodist Church in Syracuse provides neighborhood kids a place to stay during their school's February break. The church is on the corner of Euclid Avenue and Westcott Street, just east of Syracuse University. The program, entitled "Safe Space for Kids," is open for free to children ages 8-14. From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., kids can play dodgeball, learn, and interact with other students. The church pastor, associate pastor, and office manager will supervise the kids during the day. Pastor Wendy Rhodehamel says the program aims to house children who have nowhere to go during the break.

"The idea is indeed to provide safe space for the kids who are out of school the week of February break who cannot go to Florida or can't go to grandma's house, who may be home alone if the parents are working or at school." Rhodehamel says.

Aside from housing the kids, the church also aims to instill Christian values of God and community. Rhodehamel says the program will teach the students to give back to those less fortunate.

"If they walk away with anything it will be that they felt loved and cared for, that this was a gift the church gave for them, and that God has given them many gifts that they could also give back."

The Safe Space for Kids program will be open from February 5th through the 12th.

Construction Companies Keeping Busy

April 9, 2009

Despite the struggling economic conditions, construction companies in Central New York are keeping busy. Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll announced in his most recent State of the City message that he expects a big year for construction.

Driscoll said the city recorded 4,765 building permits in 2008, the second largest number in the past eight years. These permits will amount to more than $201 million of work for local companies.

JD Taylor Construction Corporation is just one of the many local companies with a lot of work. "Despite what many people may think, we are still very busy. As soon as we finish this we'll move on to our next project." said John Rabnivich, a JD Taylor employee. Rabnivich is currently working on the construction of SU's Ernie Davis Hall, which is set to be finished this summer.

There are plenty of other large projects underway as well including Joe Hucko's new 21 million dollar office building and King & King architechts 5.5 million dollar renovation of the Dupli Building. Within the next year SUNY Upstate Medical University plans to begin construction on a Central New York biotech center.

Smith Road Elementary Renovations

March 19, 2009

"I can't wait for the work to start." Smith Road Elementary School's principal Donna Fountain exclaimed. "This is really going to be great for our school!"

Residents in the North Syracuse School District turned out in large numbers yesterday to vote on a $16.9 million renovation project for Smith Road Elementary. The vote approved the project by an overwhelming total of 692 to 104. This will be the first major renovation since the school was built in 1956.

Fountain says the project will include a number of upgrades including new classrooms, a new library media center, a new entrance, handicap accessible restrooms, and a new roof.

The work is set to begin in April 2010 and continue through September 2011.

Maffei Says he is Impressed with Library's New Direction

Congressman Dan Maffei says the libraries in Syracuse are increasing their outreach to the community at a rapid pace. He spoke at the Galleries of Syracuse Central Library today before a poetry reading as a part of National Library Week.

"This is a very good example of city council cooperation and I'm a big fan of these libraries," said Maffei, speaking before the poetry readings began.

Maffei says that libraries have always been a part of civilization and cultural expansion and learning, and believes Onondaga County is doing a good job of reaching out to the city's youth. He was also impressed with the library's implementation of new resources available on the internet.

"The internet is obviously a great tool where information is readily available," said Maffei, "but we're here to remind people that the library is always available and the internet is not a substitute for the library. We have a great resource right in our own backyard."

Holy Cross Church Approves of New Bishop

Monsignor Robert Yeazel of The Holy Cross Church of Syracuse says he agrees with Robert Cunningham becoming the new bishop of the Syracuse Diocese for many reasons.

"We could not be more pleased with this choice," said Yeazel, seen at the right standing next to the cross. "He is dedicated to helping people both in and outside of the church."

Cunningham will be replacing Bishop James M. Moynihan, who has served since May 29, 1995.

Moynihan, 76, introduced Cunningham on Tuesday after Pope Benedict XVI named Cunningham at a Tuesday morning news conference.

"He looks every inch a bishop," said Moynihan.

Cunningham and Yeazel have been friends since they both worked as chancellors of the Buffalo and Syracuse Diocese respectively. Yeazel says that working in Syracuse will be a big change for Cunningham.

"He'll be dealing with half the area of Ogdensburg [where he worked previously], but he'll be working with twice the number of Catholics," said Yeazel. "Being here will also help with his travel because he'll be able to see more people."

Yeazel is confident that Cunningham will be able to help Syracuse because of his availability and "genuine care" for both Catholics and non-Catholics.

"We are blessed to have him among us," said Yeazel.

Hotel Industry Hit Hard

April 2, 2009

The hotel industry, like many in today's economy, has seen declining sales in recent years. Bruce Himmelstein, Senior Vice President of Sales at Ritz-Carlton, spoke to Syracuse University students today about the state of the industry and the availability of hotel jobs in the current recession.

"It's a lot more difficult now. The occupancy levels and the demand for hotels and tourism is down all over the world. " Himmelstein says.

Because hotels rely heavily on customer demand, many businesses have had to cut down workforces to compensate for more consumers seeking cheaper forms of housing. According to financial consultant CB Richard Ellis, U.S. hotel sales fell from $45 billion in 2007 to just $12 billion in 2008. Yet despite this decline, Himmelstein still says business will improve.

"We hope that we have found rock bottom and we hope by tours of the fourth quarter of this year, things will start picking up," Himmelstein says. That could also mean more jobs for workers, because as Himmelstein points out, more sales mean more opportunities.

"When that occurs, they'll be more hiring and, in time, more full-time jobs."

Turning the Microscope on Nano At the MOST

Thursday, April 2, 2009

By Vanessa Longshaw

The Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Syracuse is one of over two hundred museums and research centres throughout the country taking part in this week’s “Nano Days.”

This is the second year the nationwide exhibit has been put on by the Nano Informal Science Education Network. Its goal is to inform the public about nanoscience and its impact on the future. This is the first year that the MOST has taken part in the exhibit.

“Nano technology is a new area that’s moving very rapidly and NISE decided they need to have the public more knowledgeable and more aware,” said Betty Jones, education staffer at the MOST.

Nanotechnology was discovered in 1989 by IBM scientist Don Eigler. Nanos are particles at the atomic level that are a billion times smaller than the average eight year old child and are seen with a scanning probe microscope, according to Jones.

Nano technology has been rapidly developing since it was discovered. Jones says that the technology has even become a marketing strategy. There are now “nano cars” claiming to be more efficient and clothes that contain nano-particles are advertised as “water repellent”. “Nano products” are used in sunscreen and also in cancer treatments. The relatively recent technology appears to be the science of the future.

“ They don’t know where it’s(nano) going to go, it’s still very new, very infancy but if you are thinking of going into science or technology, this is the field you are probably going to be working in,” said Jones.

At the MOST, there are hands-on demonstrations for visitors that include making balls in the shapes of nanos called “Bucky Balls” and educative videos with talking “Nano brothers”. Dozens of children from elementary and high schools across Syracuse visited the exhibit today giving Jones hope that the turnout will continue to be very good. She says she thinks the event will become annual exhibit.

“Nano Days” continues all this week until Sunday.  

 

New community team to assist Syracuse Police at crime scenes

April 23, 2009

A group of Syracuse community members has to joined together with the Syracuse police to help make crimes scenes a less overwhelming atmosphere. Known as the Trauma Response Team, the 24 member group was formed in an effort to help aid the family and friends of victims at crime scenes. The group will be unveiled this morning at the Syracuse Police headquarters. The Syracuse Police Department has acknowledged that it can be difficult for its officers to efficiently perform their job while tending to the needs of the families of the victims at the same time.

The 24 member team went through a four hour training session with Syracuse police officers. Members were shown videos of violent crime scenes so they knew what to expect and also instructed that they must stay behind the yellow caution tape while at the crime scene. The team will work in three different groups. The first group will report to the crime scene when notified by 911 and provide support. The second group will report to the hospital where the victim is transported. The second group members will then answer any questions that the victims family may have and also provide additional support. The third group is responsible for providing any necessary follow-up care for the families such as higher levels of clinical or social support.

The Trauma Response Team should not have any problems taking care of the social aspect of the crime scene. Mostly all of its members have had professional experience in social work. Other members have had experience of losing a family member to a violent crime. Team member Rachel Titus, who serves as coordinator of Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program at Vera House, lost her son, Joseph Tirado, after he was shot May 21, 2005, near Skiddy Park in the city. "Some of us with mothers against gun violence already have been there. As you know, I have lost my son to gun violence so we already know what to do," Titus says.

Jason Dumas

BEST labs find ways to go green

A new research lab has just opened at the Syracuse Center of Excellence, where scientists will find ways to create more energy-efficient buildings.

Ed Bogucz, the executive director at the Center of Excellence, said the U.S. spends 40 percent of its energy dollars on buildings. He said the new lab will test different materials to make walls that are more resistant to outside air. Creating "healthy buildings," he says, will save money and produce jobs.

"One of the opportunities to create jobs in the United States is weatherization of buildings, so making buildings more energy efficient," said Bogucz.

The Building Envelope Systems Test Laboratory, or BEST lab, is a two-story house on South Campus at Syracuse University.

Dr. Charles Driscoll, director of the Center for Environmental Engineering, said Syracuse is the best place to have the lab because it has a variation of weather year round.

"The facility is good for evaluating buildings in northern climates like Syracuse," said Driscoll. "It's thought to be an important component driving new economies. So, new technology, new buildings. It's very important for the region."

Researchers plan to work in this lab over the next three years to make sure they can test the building against all weather conditions.

Abandoned Hancock Air Base housing casts a shadow over local businesses

March 26, 2009

The Hancock Air Base used to be a pleasant neighborhood where troops stationed at the base could live with their families. It was known as the Hancock housing area. The neighborhood was once home to more than 5,000 soldiers and their families and had a church, a gymnasium, and fields where children could play. Today, the neighborhood is a ghost town. Abandoned buildings, shattered glass, and fallen telephone poles are all that is left of the housing area. For nearly 25 years, local businesses along East Taft Road have been forced to operate with the run-down structures rotting diectly behind them.

When the base was closed 25 years ago, most of the soldiers moved out. By 1995 all military families had moved out. The city bought the property from the Air Force in 1999 with plans to demolishish all 77 of the structures and build a proposed third runway for the airport. But funding for the proposal was denied becuase the city could not prove that the airport was growing at a rate that required a new runway. Since then, just about every building in the housing area has been tagged with graffiti and has had its windows smashed out.

Mr. C's Hairstyling has been located next to the abandoned housing area for 30 years. Owner and founder, Dan Cavallo remembers when the base was a lively community and even had its own little league baseball program for all the children. "This was a city within a city, they had every availability of any kind of commodity that they needed inside of that base," Cavallo said. The city wants to use the federal stimulus plan to raise money for demolition. But for now, the run-down housing area will remain a ghost town.

Jason Dumas

Raising prices yet again

The Onondoga County Legislature is putting an extra charge on event tickets to help pay for fixing up the Oncenter Complex.

The revenue from this new fee would go into renovations, such as new seating, lighting and acoustical drapes for the Civic Theatres and a new scoreboard at War Memorial.


"We are one of the only arenas in pretty much the upstate and Central New York area that doesn't charge a facility user fee, so it is something that's been talked about for quite awhile," said Sandra Baker, vice president of marketing at Oncenter.

The County Legislature will meet next week to decide if the facility user fee is necessary, and if the proposal passes, lawmakers will meet with the Oncenter Board of Directors to figure out the details.

"We have to be very careful as the management company," said Baker. "We walk a really fine line here. We want to make sure the buildings are beautiful so that people want to come here. At the same time we want to work with our tenants to keep them here."


As for the actual cost of the new fee per ticket, Baker said the Legislature is talking about a "sliding price" where the tickets that are more expensive will have a fee of one to two dollars, whereas cheaper tickets of less than ten dollars may not have to pay the fee at all.

"We're looking at trying to make it as reasonable as possible. We know that surely even in this area, if someone goes into the Landmark Theatre they're paying a facility use fee there. If they're going into Rochester or now Binghamton just passed one and theirs was a two dollar user fee," said Baker. "So we're just trying to look at keeping it consistent with what they're doing in other areas too."

WISE in CNY

April 8, 2009

More than 1200 people gathered in the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center for the same purpose: Networking. 

The seventh annual Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) Conference was held at the convention center in Syracuse.  Each year, the event focuses on assisting women in starting and running businesses.  There were many breakout sessions scheduled throughout the day dealing with business operations.  Financial advising, marketing lessons and tips on business etiquette were among those sessions.  Beverly Kennedy, owner of a design firm in Central New York, says the speakers and the sessions were really good, but the essence of WISE is the people in the audience. 

“I want to meet other women entrepreneurs because that’s the inspiration," Kennedy said.

Nationally recognized body image and self-esteem advocate Emme was this years’ keynote speaker.  SU Alum Emme advised the women at the conference to leave this years’ event with as many contacts as possible.

“So when you need a little help or a listening ear you pick up the phone you e-mail you do what ever you can to reach out to one another and go and be the best you can be and soar,” Emme said.

After the conference, the first annual WISE Business Expo was held.  About 60 venders attended the National Grid Networking Reception.  At the close of the seventh annual WISE Conference, WISE Center Director Joanna Lenweaver said she has already begun preparation for next years’ event.  Lenweaver says the WISE Center has a lot of work to do if they are going to make next year’s conference even better.

Rockefeller Drug Law Reforms

April 2, 2009

New York Governor David Paterson and legislative leaders have agreed to ease the Rockefeller Drug Laws.  Reforms to the 1973 drug laws would give judges the power to send first-time nonviolent offenders to treatment facilities instead of prison.  The changes would also repeal many of the mandatory minimum prison sentences currently in place for lower-level drug offenders.  There are approximately 1,500 people imprisoned for low-level nonviolent drug offenses that would be allowed to apply for re-sentencing under these reforms.

ReconsiDer is a nonprofit in Syracuse that works on alternatives to combat the war on drugs.  This organization advocates legalizing drugs to eliminate the crime that is often associated with dealers and addicts.  The Executive Director of ReconsiDer Nicolas Eyle says the reforms that New York State is trying to pass are only a baby step in the right direction.  He says drugs need to be completely legal if we really want to see a drop in crime and a reduction in our prison population.  Eyle says America has five percent of the worlds population, 25 percent of the world's prisoners and half of them are non-violent drug offenders.

"What we need to do if we really want to see a drop in crime and we want to see serious reduction in our prison population we need to legalize these drugs," Eyle says.

Not everyone agrees that easing the harsh Rockefeller Drug Laws is a good idea.  Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick says the reform bill is reckless. He said he is extremely disappointed in those people that have been elected to protect the citizens of New York State.

"They don't get the fact that the threat of incarceration by those facing criminal prosecution has been proven to be the most effective incentive to enter and successfully complete a treatment program," Fitzpatrick says.

The state legislature is expected to vote on the reforms soon.

BETTER LATE - A SLEEPING GIANT
April 14, 2009

This is where the fine students of RTN 311 - Broadcast News Writing - Section four shall do their web reporting. It's not a blog even though it looks like one. It's what we'll use as a news web page - so the work you see here should look like news stories and include hyperlinks to other useful websites as well as pictures and graphics to add to the stories.
Each story will have the date the reporter covered it under the headline. We call it "Better Late" because we ARE a little late but that's better than never - as we all know.
Here's a gratuitous photo of the professor interviewing the stroke of the SU women's varsity eight, Liz Henwood, after the victory over Penn and Northeastern on Saturday, April 11.