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Opinion:The Hall Monitor is the blog and print voice of Urban CNY founder/publisher Ken Jackson – If you have an issue to report send Ken an e-mail. Click here
The first thing heard when the sports complex was announced by Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon was, “This is a gift to the hotels north of the city”. Rapid assessments like this fail to include the reasoning for this approach to regional economic development. When I interviewed the County Executive months ago, he was More »
Having followed the development of this project, it was an honor to tour the completed, Bill and Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center facility. This isn’t my first visit to a facility as I had a position working for a local treatment center with a long history in Central New York. The new Bill and Sandra Pomeroy More »
As we review possible solutions to our teen violence challenge, I can’t resist looking at my youth growing up in Syracuse. Being a child of the 1960’s and being in Syracuse, we were on the front lines in the War on Poverty. Based on our size and demographics we were ideal for testing new products More »
There’s money available for economic development made possible by recent Congressional appropriation, spending it on a mural made by a millionaire is a gross misuse of “recovery funds”. This spending does nothing to get our community out of the pandemic induced recession. $75,000 could buy a lot when 31% of its residents live in poverty, More »
“When I get older losing my hair Many years from now Will you still be sending me a Valentine Birthday greetings bottle of wine If I’d been out till quarter to three Would you lock the door Will you still need me, will you still feed me When I’m sixty-four”- The Beatles 1967 It seemed More »
First of all, I haven’t given up on God, “Losing my religion” is actually an old southern expression for being at the end of one’s rope, and the moment when politeness gives way to anger. And that’s how many feel about the “Quality of Life” in Syracuse. I’ve lost my religion, and my ability to More »
A review of the year 2020 was dark, the only ray of hope was the Presidential Election, the people were going to speak. However, even that enthusiasm was dampened by the former President refusing to concede. 2020 was the Summer of our discontent, as protests and disease dominated the news for an entire year. At More »
Dashboard created to monitor commitments and corresponding actions provide tangible milestones as negotiated with local area protestors. Hundreds, if not thousands of people took to the streets this summer, demanding police accountability. These protests eventually generated a list of demands, which were presented to the Walsh Administration. The administration agreed to a set of demands, More »
With great fanfare, again we are focusing on “Quality of Life” Issues in the City of Syracuse, again. There was a time when I would welcome the news as a step in the right direction. However, when conditions wax and wane like phases of the moon, it becomes difficult. (Insert sound of chirping crickets here) More »
My favorite holiday of the year is here. Thanksgiving a time to see friends and family all in the same place. Usually a peaceful time, but for some, holiday time is not the bringing of good tidings but it’s a time when someone brings “crazy” as a side dish to a festive occasion. Mental health More »
