Inside: Black History Month Exhibit Opens at the New York State Capitol
“Resist” Wise Advice - Message From Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Daughter, Rev. Bernice King 5. Keep your message positive; those who oppose peace and justice want the country to be angry and fearful because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow;
Consolidation: The Death of Black Political Power in the City of Syracuse
6. No more helpless/hopeless talk; Jefferson Sessions For reading the letter, Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s behavior was deemed a violation of the Senate’s rules of decorum. Then by using a seldom deployed parliamentary rule, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell silenced Warren, banning her from any debate regarding Sessions nomination to the post of Attorney General. Bernice King, daughter of Coretta Scott King and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. posted this message on Facebook and it has since, gone viral. King’s post dated February 7th, issued after Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) Massachusetts was silenced by the Senate, after reading the letter drafted Coretta Scott King 1927-2006 by Mrs. King in 1966. Coretta Scott King Letter Opposing Jefferson Sessions. Mrs. King wrote the letter in 1986, as Sessions was being considered for a Federal Judgeship. King writes, “Mr. Sessions has used the awesome powers of his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters,” she continues, “For this reprehensible conduct, he should not be rewarded with a federal judgeship.”
7. Support artists and the arts; 8. Be careful not to spread fake news. Check it; 9. Take care of yourselves; and 10. Resist!
Consensus Commission’s Metro Government Proposal is the “Consolidation of Segregation”
Keep demonstrations peaceful. In the words of John Lennon, “When it gets King, obviously disturbed by the tonedown to having to use violence, then you deaf treatment of her mother’s letter, are playing the system’s game. The esstruck back. Bernice King, using principles tablishment will irritate you – pull your and tone of the Civil Rights Movement, beard, flick your face – to make you fight! ends her list of 10 nuggets of advice post Because once they’ve got you violent, with one powerful word, resist! then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to hanWise Advice dle is non-violence and humor.” 1. Use his name sparingly so as not to detract from the issues. I believe that everyone, regardless of their beliefs, deserves the dignity of being called by their name. However, this is a strategic tactic. While we are so focused on him we are prone to neglect the questionable policies that threaten freedom, justice and fairness advanced by the administration. (Amended from original post) 2. Remember this is a regime and he’s not acting alone; 3. Do not argue with those who support him and his policies–it doesn’t work; 4. Focus on his policies, not his appearance and mental state;
When you post or talk about him, don’t assign his actions to him, assign them to “The Republican Administration,” or “The Republicans.” This will have several effects: the Republican legislators will either have to take responsibility for their association with him or stand up for what some of them don’t like; he will not get the focus of attention he craves; Republican representatives will become very concerned about their re-elections.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ brings sparkling 1930s Jazz club alive at Syracuse Stage
What’s Going on in Syracuse Schools?
Spiritual Scene By Dr. Joan Rucker Hillsman Interfaith Works World Interfaith Harmony Assembly A Salute to Music Educator and Artist Dr. Joan Rucker Hillsman
Interfaith works, Women Transcending Boundaries, and local faith communities collaborated to help spread the message of harmony and understanding by showcasing and celebrating the many faith traditions in Central New York. The celebration was held at the University United Methodist Church in Syracuse, Monday, February 6, 2017 at 6:30 PM. Dr. Joan Hillsman and the Syracuse Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, led the opening by engaging the audience in singing her original song, “The Harmony Song”. The audience jubilantly clapped their hands and swayed to the beat and singing the words, “We can live in Harmony”. The theme for this 7ty Annual World Interfaith Harmony Assembly was “Love is the Answer”. Talented renditions of music, poetry, reading, song and dance was exhibited through presentations from across the city. For more information and schedule of events, visit www.interfaithworkseny.org.
Reese, Tyrus Handy, Brianna Burton, Malik Robinson, Tameron Shaw, Asia Walker and Jermaine Trotter).
National Council of Negro Women Black History Luncheon
Trailblazers who received Plaques and Recognition Awards were presented to
The National Council Pastor Nebraski Carter, Dr. of Negro Women, Bruce Simmons, Dr. Joan Inc, (NCNW) Syracuse Section presented A Black History Luncheon honoring Hillsman, and Pastor Phil Turner. For membership information, contact Essie Dorsey, Membership Chair. the legacy of prominent African Americans from the Joan Hillsman’s Music Network, Inc. past, present and future. The program consisted of individuals portraying prominent history makers Resumes through readings and singing. The NCNW was founded by Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935. The Past President Emeritus was the late Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, Ingrid Sanders Jones, National Chairperson, Janice Matis, National Executive Director. The event was held at Bethany Baptist Church in Syracuse, Rev. Phil Turner, Pastor. The theme was “A Time to Remember-A Time to honor”. Eloise Leflore is the local President and Mary Lockett is the New York State Convener.
“The Talent of Syracuse”
JHMN proudly presents National Women’s History Month Spotlight, featuring student performers, adults, and other participants featuring music, poetry and dance, Open Mic selections will be presented. Refreshments will be served.
This will take place at Beauchamp Branch Library, 211 South Salina Street (Syracuse), Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 3PM-5 PM. Participants are cordially invitOne of the highlights of the Luncheon was the ed to register via Email: jhillsman@twny.rr.com or “Trailblazer Awards” recognizing some of the leaders Beauchamp Library. Excerpts from the book, “Gospel who have been in the fore- front making outstanding Music: An African American Art form” by J. Hillsman, contributions in their specific field. Future Trailblazers along with the Syracuse Chapter Gospel Music Workof Tomorrow (Youth) were also recognized (T-Kara shop will be rendering selections.
FREE Nutrition & Health Expo for Seniors 3/18/17 March is National Nutrition Month Published monthly online by: Onondaga County Office for Aging has announced a FREE, fun-filled Nutrition & Health Expo for Seniors on March 18, 2017 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the CNY Regional Market “F” Shed (Indoors and Heated), 2100 Park Street, Syracuse, NY 13208. This event will include:
Community Resources, Health Screenings and Massages
Strength & Balance Exercise Class
A Light & Healthy Breakfast
Healthy Cooking Demonstrations & Samples
T’ai Chi Class
This FREE event is sponsored by Onondaga Elders, Inc., in conjunction with the Onondaga County Office for Aging, Nutrition Services. Registration is required. For more information, or to register, please call 315-435-2362 ext.4987 by March 3, 2017. Local businesses are encouraged to join us as Exhibitors/Advertisers. Over 300 Onondaga County Seniors are expected to attend; to participate, call 315-435-2362 ext. 4942 by March 3, 2017. The Event Flyer and Sponsor Form are at: http://www.ongov.net/aging/nutrition.html.
URBAN CNY Kenneth Jackson Editor and Publisher 315-807-9022 Walt Shepperd Senior Editor Urban CNY 105 Rann Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204 For advertising and editorial: 315-807-9022 kjackson@urbancny.com Online at
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Consolidation: The Death of Black Political Power in the City of Syracuse The Consensus Commission formed to investigate consolidating Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse has released its final report. I’m not going to get into all of the details of what it would mean to eliminate the City of Syracuse, as it stands today.
the seams and developers have responded to the demand by planning and building, which ultimately can stop the city’s population decline. Based on plans and reality, our residency should increase by the time the 2020 U.S. Census is taken.
specifically minority populations, namely, the African-American community. When you have 24% of the AfricanAmerican population enjoined with others in a multi-racial Progressive Political Movement, you win the Mayoral race. With that comes political power AfricanAmericans in Syracuse have never experienced before.
Oh, by the way in this consolidation, keep your underfunded Public Schools. This “consolidation” is like marrying a widowed woman, then telling her to leave the children behind. Syracuse to Onondaga County, “If you really loved me, you’d love my children too”.
The Politics of Syracuse have changed over the last decade. African-Americans have become elected officials on the Common Council, Van Robinson as Council PresiEliminating the City of Syracuse comes at a time when dent is next in line of succeshundreds of new units of upscale housing are coming sion to become Mayor. Inon the market with plans for hundreds, if not thoustead of the usual one or sands more. Major housing plans are underway, two African-American reprewhich include high rise housing in the form of a mas- sentatives, the Syracuse Common Council has begun sive tower directly across from the OnCenter said to to resemble the residents of the City of Syrabe as large a construction project as Destiny or the cuse. Several members of the Common Council, inCarrier Dome, construction would take three years. cluding its President are Black. Demographically, across the America cities there’s resurgence and growth, refocused importance as regional economic development drivers. Cities are home to “Meds & Ed’s”, the new catch phrase describing Medical and Educational Institutions. Our resident educational institutions are bursting at
Syracuse is on the brink of having viable AfricanAmerican candidates for offices including; Mayor, Common Council, Common Council President, and Councilor-At-Large. Suddenly, there’s a need to,” change the system”. This radical change would snatch political power out of the hands of voters in Syracuse,
Just as our cities rebound, just as we live the reality of Dr. King’s prognosis that, “the Negro vote will become even more important in the future, especially in close elections.” That power is consolidated away from us. When Onondaga County, ”consolidates” with the City of Syracuse, we suddenly disappear like a speck of pepper in milk. No longer politically relevant, and yet our poverty figures will be used to reap in millions, in the name of the 64% of the African American Community who reside in neighborhoods of extreme poverty. The consolidation will mute political power and engagement with the African-American Community, essentially making us statistically and politically go away. And then what happens to Black political power in Syracuse? It dies.
Urban CNY/The Constitution Celebrates 28 Years “February 1989– February 2017“ Ken Jackson is publisher and editor of Urban CNY/urbancny.com and former contributing writer for the Syracuse New Times and Eagle Newspapers. Since 2004, 21 journalism awards have been presented to Jackson and/or Urban CNY Professional Journalism Awards 2004 2004 Best Column, New York Press Association Syracuse Press Club Professional Recognition Awards 2005 – 2015
2005 Best Non-Daily Column, City Eagle
2006 Second Place Web Site urbancny.com 2006 Second Place Non-Daily Column, Urban CNY News
2007 Second Place Internet Public Service, urbancny.com 2007 Second Place Internet Blog urbancny.com
News Blog, urbancny.com
2011 Second Place Front Page Design Urban CNY
2012 Second Place Internet News Blog, urbancny.com 2012 Second Place Non- Daily Column, Urban CNY 2012 First Place Non- Daily Sports Story (Walt Shepperd)
2013 First Place Internet Web Blog, urbancny.com 2013 Second Place NonDaily Sports Story (Russ Tarby) 2014 Second Place Internet Web Blog “The Hall Monitor” Syracuse Press Club 2015 Professional Recognition Awards Final results – Online Journalism Category 2015 NEWS WEBSITE
2008 First Place Non-Daily Column, Urban CNY 2008 Second Place Internet Public Service.
CNYCentral.com urbancny.com
BLOG
2009 First Place Internet News Blog, urbancny.com, “Ken’s Blog” 2009 Second Place Non- Daily Column, City Eagle.
2010 First Place Non-Daily Column, Urban CNY 2010 Second Place Internet
auburnpub.com, Robert Harding, “Eye on NY” urbancny.com, Ken Jackson, “The Hall Monitor”
Onondaga Athletics Wall of Inspiration is Unveiled
Onondaga Community College Athletics held a public ceremony on Wednesday night with the official unveiling of the Onondaga Athletics Wall of Inspiration located in the hallway between Allyn Hall Gymnasium and Southwest YMCA. The Wall of Inspiration represents the academic and athletic accomplishments of past and current OCC student athletes. The crowd of student athletes were addressed by Rebecca Hann, Vice President of Ancillary Services, “This wall represents you. You all can be on this wall.” Features include a revamping of the existing NJCAA National Championship trophy case, plaques featuring NJCAA Individual National Champions, award recipients announced at the annual Student Athlete Banquet, and a digital touchscreen comprised of addi-
tional academic and athletic accomplishments. The 2016 Lazers Award recipient, Justin Hussey (Lacrosse) was present to share his experience and pride of being represented on the wall. Justin is currently attending Le Moyne College and a member of the Dolphin’s lacrosse team. Following Justin was current student athlete Sheba Jackson (Volleyball) who shared how this wall provides her with motivation every day to strive for greatness, “I hope to be on this wall one day, and hopefully in this spot”, as she pointed to Justin’s Lazers Award. The Lazers Award is chosen by a selection committee based on three areas of excellence: athletic,
academic and service. The recipient must be in good academic standing, a current member of an athletic team and hold leadership roles on campus. The Onondaga Athletics Wall of Inspiration embodies the true spirt of Onondaga Athletics and what it means to be part of the Lazers family. “You represent this community,” said Dr. Casey Crabill, Onondaga Community College President. “You all are the source of Lazers Pride.”
Consensus Commission’s Metro Government Proposal is the “Consolidation of Segregation” Green Party Calls for Consolidating Governmental Functions within a Federated Model of Metro Government In response to the Consensus Commission's proposal for metropolitan government, the Green Party issued a statement today rejecting the Commission's metropolitan government proposal and offering its own “federated model” for metropolitan government as more democratic and more acceptable to city and town residents alike. “This would be the consolidation of segregation,” Howie Hawkins, the Green Party county chair and author of the statement, said of the Commission's proposed structure for metropolitan government.
by mixed-member proportional representation. Half the legislators would represent districts. The other half would be at-large, elected from party slates in order to create overall proportionality in proportion to the votes for party slates countywide. The district representatives and metro-wide executive officers would be elected by ranked choice or instant runoff voting. That method, the statement states, “insures the representatives and officers are elected with majority support and not just a first-round plurality.”
The Green Party said the best argument for consolida“It excludes the tion of governmental functions is “better service yieldschools. It strips city ing a better economy.” It noted that the maximum residents of their projected savings $33 million were modest, less local planning pow- than 1 of the about $3 billion spent by all of the couners. It saddles them ty's governments, including school districts. To really with a special tax address the fiscal crisis facing most of the county's district to pay for its governments, the Green Party called for the debts and schools. It “consolidation of municipal lobbying of disempowers state government” to seek a restoration of former them in a metropoli- levels state revenue sharing sufficient to cover the tan government costs of unfunded state mandates. elected by a winner take all system that The full statement follows: ensures a two-thirds suburban and rural majority ruling over city residents. It reinforces the municipal and school district borderlines that have served to segregate by race and class to create most concentrated poverty of all metro regions in the nation.” by Howie Hawkins The Green Party endorsed all of Commission's functional consolidation proposals, with only a couple of The Green Party believes that our region needs a metqualifications, which cover infrastructure, pubropolitan government in order to effectively address lic safety, municipal operations, economour problems of segregation, poverty, economic development, land use planning, and property tax ic stagnation, sprawl, and civic disengagesharing. ment. Unfortunately, we cannot support the Consensus Commission's partial metro government as proThe Green Party's federated metropolitan governposed. ment would retain the towns, create comparable local governments in city neighborhoods, and create The Commission's proposal disempowers city resia metropolitan government with a legislature elected dents. They lose their local government, while the
A Federated Model for Metropolitan Government
towns retain theirs. City residents are stripped of their local planning, zoning, and code enforcement powers, while the towns retain theirs. Debt is not consolidated. The city is reduced to special tax district to pay on its debts and underfunded schools. Schools and public housing remain segregated from the rest of the county, which has the the most “concentrated” (i.e., segregated) poverty of any metro region in the nation. This is the consolidation of segregation. Only a metropolitan government can overcome existing municipal and school district borderlines that – intentionally or not – enforce race and class segregation in housing, schools, and job and business opportunities. But that kind of metro government requires a metropolitan school district and metro-wide policies to enforce fair housing, inclusionary zoning, and equal employment and business opportunities. That said, with only two concerns, we support all of the Commission's other recommendations for consolidation of governmental functions covering infrastructure, public safety, municipal operations, economic development, land use planning, and property tax sharing. These consolidations would result in better infrastructure, services, and economic development as well as modest public fiscal savings. However, none of these functional consolidations require the Commission's proposed County takeover of the City. They can all be accomplished by inter -municipal agreements, as the Commission report notes. One of our concerns is that the metropolitan police force should have a Citizens Review Board like the city now has. Our other concern is that city courts, like town courts, should have juries of their peers that are drawn from residents of their own municipality, not the whole county as is the case for the city courts now. We agree with the Commission that metropolitan
Ain’t Misbehavin’ brings sparkling 1930s Jazz club alive at Syracuse Stage Musical celebrates Fats Waller, who helped define the swinging sound of the Golden Age of the Cotton Club SYRACUSE, NY – Experience 1940s Harlem in the Tony Award-winning buoyant musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Syracuse Stage. Named after the song by legendary composer and pianist Fats Waller, Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a classic revue with vibrant performances and a versatile cast channeling Harlem nightlife in the 1940s. With famous songs such as “Honeysuckle Rose”, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “T’ Ain’t Nobody’s Biz-nez If I do”, and a roomful of comic and sassy banter, the show is, in the words of The New York Times, “ … a resurrection of a great black artist’s soul. ”
on stage proceedings, and, in the words of director Harris, “deliver Waller’s music the way he would have wanted it delivered.”
Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show is directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris. The musical performs March 1 – 26 in the Archbold Theatre at the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama Complex, 820 East Genesee St. The opening night performance is Friday, March 3 at 8 p.m. In this way, Harris believes, listening to Waller’s music is like visiting a good friend. “His As an artist, Waller was a triple threat: gifted music is the reason we go out on Saturday composer, brilliant musician and comedian night. There’s something for everyone. extraordinaire. “He was the greatest Jazz When we listen to his music, we make conpianist who ever tried to make people laugh, nections with each other,” he said. “It’s like and the greatest comedian who ever played we can be friends.” Jazz,” wrote Murray Horwitz, who along with Richard Maltby, Jr., initially conceived the With 29 songs, Ain’t Misbehavin’ captures idea for Ain’t Misbehavin’. So funny was the spirit and energy of late night rent parWaller, Horwitz believes, that he belongs in ties in Harlem and impromptu “cutting” the company of the greats from the Golden competitions, where the best “stride” piaAge of Comedy: W.C. Fields, The Marx Broth- nists tried to outdo each other in showmaners and Jack Benny. ship and skill. As a young man, Waller honed his talent at such parties and carried that Director Harris considers Waller’s music to same sense of improvised fun to his perforbe an expression of joy. “Joy is something mances and recording sessions. you want to share,” he explained. “You can’t keep joy to yourself. His music is like Five talented singer/actors supported by a that. It is music for participating.” six-piece band led by Phillip Hall enliven the
“Fats Waller was an irresistible force of humanity,” Horowitz wrote. “He let us know in ways nobody else had - that we're all in this thing together. He comprised high living, virtuosity, wit, vulgarity, imagination, spirituality, hedonism, slapstick, elegance, romance, innovation, discipline, recklessness and much, much more in one enormous body over a span of only 39 years. You hear all of that in his music. You see and hear it in his comedy. He is one of the greatest of all American artists.”
As a teenager in the late 1960s, Horowitz discovered Waller’s records at a local library. He was instantly smitten by the music and baffled by Waller’s relative obscurity. Ain’t Misbahavin’ was an attempt to reinvigorate interest in the Jazz great. The success of the show was gratifying for Horowitz personally because of the high esteem in which he held Waller.
Tickets and more information are available at www.syracusestage.org, by phone at 315443-3275 and in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office (Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. 6 p.m. and two hours before curtain in the evening and on weekends). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at 315443-9844. Discounts are also available for seniors, students and U.S military personnel and veterans.
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Special Events
Motown The Musical Comes to the Landmark
March 3 Opening Night Party (free for ticket holders) Join the cast for a post-show celebration with live music, food, drinks and good times. Featuring the Bill Bill Horrace Horrace Band bringing a mix of 1930s Harlem and jazz of their own creation.
May 16-21, 2017 “More Than a Broadway Show. A Celebration of Music That Transformed America!” – CBS Sunday Morning
March 5 Prologue at 1 p.m. (free for ticket holders) An intimate, 20-minute pre-show discussion with the actors one hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions. March 9 Happy Hour at 6 p.m. (free for ticket holders) Enjoy complimentary appetizers and half-priced drinks. Entertainment and salsa dance lessons provided by La Familia de la Salsa. March 11 Prologue at 2 p.m. (free for ticket holders) An intimate, 20-minute pre-show discussion with the actors one hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions. ASL Interpreted Performance at 3 p.m. for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
It began as one man's story… became everyone's music… and is now Broadway's musical. Motown The Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Featuring classic songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” experience the story behind the music in the recordbreaking smash hit Motown The Musical!
March 12 Actor Talkback (free for ticket holders) A Q&A session with the actors following the 7 p.m. performance. March 15 Wednesday @ 1 Lecture (free for ticket holders) James Gordon Williams, a composer, improviser, pianist and critical musicologist, will give a lecture at 1 p.m. in the Sutton Pavilion before the 2 p.m. performance. His research focuses on African American musicians who use experimental music practices to articulate their subjectivity while also creating radical music texts to promote social justice. Open Captioning at 2 p.m. Performance for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. March 17
New! Craft Beer Tasting ($50, includes beer tasting and show admission) Enjoy beers from local breweries and hors d’ oeu vres before the show.
March 18 Audio Described Performance at 3 p.m. for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. March 19 Open Captioning at 2 p.m. Performance for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. March 22 Dinner & Show ($45, includes dinner and show admission) Enjoy a buffet dinner with fellow theatre lovers in the Sutton Pavilion. Seasonal fare prepared by Phoebe’s Restaurant followed by great theatre. March 23 Prologue at 6:30 p.m. (free for ticket holders) An intimate, 20-minute pre-show discussion with the actors one hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions.
Motown The Musical May 16-21, 2017 Landmark Theatre 362 S Salina St Syracuse, NY 13201 Tickets on Sale Now! BroadwayInSyracuse.com
What’s Going On in Syracuse City Schools?
Delaware Primary School and Delaware Academy hosted a dual language holiday celebration. The dual-language elementary school students performed in their holiday concert, where teachers, parents and community members took part alongside them. Photo by John Berry
Syracuse City School District Hosts Third Annual CTE Expo Eighth grade students throughout the Syracuse City School District had the opportunity to see firsthand all 24 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that will be open to them as high school students, thanks to the third annual SCSD CTE Expo. The CTE Expo, was held in the PSLA at Fowler High School (227 Magnolia Street) gymnasium.
Workshops, information tables and performances were part of a community-wide celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that was held at Nottingham High School. Photo by John Berry
Jaime Alicea, the Interim Superintendent of Schools for the Syracuse City School District, honored the winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2017 Youth Unsung Hero Award during a community-wide celebration of the legacy of Dr. King that was held at Nottingham High School. Photo by John Berry.
Hosted by current CTE students, the Expo allowed eighth graders to experience specialized programs of study ranging from Culinary Arts and Computer Forensics to Fire/Rescue, Drone Technology, Pre-Engineering and more. The CTE Expo is intended to help the eighth grade students determine if they would like to pursue one of these programs as they select their high school of choice. Students visited the CTE Expo on Wednesday and Thursday, January 11th and 12th. The Expo was open to parents, community members and business partners.
The Fowler H.S. varsity basketball team honored the team that won the Class B boys 1992 NYSPHSAA during the halftime of their game against Cortland High School. Photo by John Berry
Urban CNY
Money
Don’t Delay Your Tax Refund! File Accurately to Ensure Prompt Review and Processing Missing or incorrect entries, unsubstantiated credit claims, and inflated deductions slow processing and refunds
Child and Dependent Care Credit, but it’s crucial that they have the supporting documents to prove their eligibility if asked.” Taxpayers may receive a letter from the Tax Department asking for documentation to support a specific credit claim on their return, but that doesn't mean they did anything wrong. It’s one more step the Tax Department takes to ensure accurate refunds go
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded New York taxpayers of the importance of correctly filing their tax return. An accurately filed return, using provable information, is the only way to ensure timely processing and the speedy issuance of any refund taxpayers may be due. “Filing errors or falsified information could cause the return to be pulled from the flow for more scrutiny, delaying any potential refund,” said Acting Commissioner Nonie Manion. "We want taxpayers to receive all the credits and deductions they deserve, including the Earned Income Tax Credit or
to those who are entitled. Respond to any Tax Department correspondence as soon as possible to avoid delays. The easiest and fast-
est way to respond is online through the Respond to department notice service. In 2016, the Tax Department set aside nearly 382,000 returns for additional review, preventing $554 million in suspicious refund claims from being issued. By analyzing all returns as they arrive with sophisticated analytics, the Tax Department constantly works to stay ahead of emerging fraud schemes and refund scams. Highly trained staff adjusts the analytics tool, used to sift billions of data points, as schemes evolve or when suspicious patterns are identified. When analysts suspect criminal activity, the Tax Department investigates and, if appropriate, refers the case to criminal prosecutors. Taxpayers who suspect that an individual or business is committing tax fraud can confidentially report it online or by phone at 518457-0578. The information is kept confidential. The Tax Department takes illegal activity seriously by promptly reviewing each complaint, and taking corrective action when appropriate.
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In order to plan effectively at the regional level, we must develop our capacities to do so at the neighborhood and town level. Our towns have experience here. Our city neighborhoods need local structures within which to develop it.
For the metro government legislature, we propose mixed-member proportional representation as the best way to optimize the competing concerns identified by the Commission for responsive local district representation, regional coopThe Green Party's federated model for metro govern- eration, and inclusive diversity. Mixed-member proment would make both local and metro government portional representation (used in German, New Zeamore democratic land, and other countries) creates legislatures where by introducing citi- representatives are half district and half at-large. zen assemblies, We propose electing district representatives, as well revenue sharing as metro executive officers, by ranked choice (instant and participatory budgeting, and pro- runoff) voting, which insures the representatives portional represen- and officers are elected with majority support and not just a first-round plurality. The at-large representatation in tives are then added to the legislature from party the metropolitan slates to provide overall proportional representation legislature. in proportion to the countywide party slate vote. AtCitizen assemblies large legislators will then represent the county's full range of political preferences in proportion to are like New England Town Meetings, where all cititheir support, not a winner-take-all plurality that zens assemble to debate and adopt a town budget, could easily sweep all at-large seats. Decades of expeenact town laws, and elect town officers. While consolidation of various governmental funcCity neighborhoods should have this type of local gov- rience around the world demonstrate that proportional representation gives women, ethnic minorities, tions can begin immediately, the current county ernment. Towns also have option of adopting the and all political parties far closer to their share of the structure as well as the Commission's proposed met- town meeting form of government. In fact, the city population than the plurality winner-take-all system, ro government are not democratic enough to inand many of the towns started out with that form which the Commission's proposal retains. sure accountability and responsiveness in administra- of government. tion and full participation and fair representation in Jane Jacobs also noted in a 1957 essay on policy making. We must keep moving toward full met- To make the citizen assemblies meaningful, they “Metropolitan Government” recommending a federropolitan government. should be apportioned a share of the city or metro budget for their own neighborhood or town budg- ated model that centralized models almost always fail The Green Party proposes a federated model of met- et. Participatory budgeting involves the citizen assem- in referendums because they do not address the race ropolitan government that gives city neighborhoods bly in setting budget priorities. It is already practiced and class anxieties that lead voters to defend their local governments. The resistance to consolidation in the same local democratic powers that towns now in New York City and 300 other cities globally enjoy. The city should begin now to set up neighbor- to varying degrees, including to a limited extent now the Commission's proposal will come from fears in hood governments with these powers. As the noted in the city's TNT sectors. This city or metro-wide reve- the suburbs and rural towns that a city dissolved into a central metropolitan government will strip towns urbanist Jane Jacobs recommended in 1961 nue sharing with participatory budgeting of their insulation from inner city social problems and in The Death and Life of Great Amerigives residents a real stake in their neighborhood or fiscal burdens. Inner city residents fear that it will can Cities, “Workable metropolitan administration town government, the kind civic engagement that dilute hard won political representation for ethnic has to be learned and used, first, within big cities, would carry over into participation in city or metrowhere no political boundaries prevent its use.” politan government. (Continued on page 11) economic and land-use planning will create more business, jobs, and income and better protect our environment. We agree with the Commission's call (as stated in its preliminary report) for “a regional land use plan that creates consistent, enforceable planning on a countywide basis...while allowing municipalities to retain zoning and planning functions.” Countywide land-use planning, along with the proposed property tax sharing, will support fair housing, inclusive zoning, economic development, and environmental, all which which are now undermined by parochial inter-municipal competition for expanded tax bases from new real estate and business development. The resulting urban sprawl reduces our quality of life, harms the environment, and increases per capita infrastructure costs.
Farm Fresh Mobile Markets February 2017 Schedule The Farm Fresh Mobile Market brings fresh produce to locations where people live, work, and play! The goal of the FFMM is to increase access to healthy foods in high need area. The Farm Fresh Mobile Market offers healthy vegetables and fruits as well as education, samples, and food demonstrations at select sites.
In a letter addressed the New York State Representatives to Congress and Senate, in addition to our New York State Legislative Representatives: “ The Syracuse/Onondaga County NAACP outlines their case for opposing current Onondaga County, Comptroller Robert Antonacci, as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. On behalf of the members of the Syracuse/Onondaga County Chapter of the NAACP, I write to express our deep concern regarding the potential appointment of Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci as the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. As you may know, on October 7,2015 a lawsuit was filed in federal court against Comptroller Robert Antonacci by several minority contractors for alleged discrimination and violation of their civil rights. The allegations include intimidation,
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minorities and undermine selfgovernment for all city residents in a county with a suburban and rural two-thirds voter majority. We believe a federated metropolitan government with proportional representation in its legislature would allay these fears by giving every town and city neighborhood a local unit of government with powers and resources to administer locally and their fair proportional share of power at the metropolitan level. As noted above, the projected fiscal savings are modest. The strongest argument for consolidation of governmental functions is better service yielding a better economy. As the Commission reports, most of the county's governments face recurring revenue shortfalls to maintain existing services going forward. The maximum projected savings of $33 million per year from consolidation is less than 1 percent of the about $3 billion spent annually by the county's various
abusing the power of his office and the deliberate delay of payment causing serious financial harm to the contractors.
Attorney for the Northern District of New York raises questions that need to be addressed, at this point the organization is urging representatives to pass on the Antonacci nomination.
letters were sent to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ConThe allegations against Compgressman John Katko, NYS Senator John DeFrancisco, troller Robert Antonacci are seri- and others. ous, troublesome and plentiful. They have already had a paralyzing effect on the great strides that have been made to support and diversify the workforce doing business in and with Onondaga County. Should these allegations prove to be true, they will have further detrimental and permanent effect on the economic progress made by the minority community. In a city experiencing some of our nation's worst levels of poverty, segregation and joblessness, this will surely only exacerbate the problems. “ The letter goes on the detail the concerns Syracuse/ Onondaga County NAACP has regarding Mr. Robert Antonacci. His potential appointment as the U.S.
governments including the school districts. The fiscal crises of local government will not be solved by consolidations and resulting economic and tax revenue growth. Local taxes in New York State pay for 15 percent of state mandated programs, compared to less than 2 percent in almost every other state. These unfunded state mandates explain why we are fiscally strapped despite paying some of the nation's highest property taxes. The Commission notes that the state could help by paying more of the county's Medicaid costs and increasing state revenue sharing (Aid and Incentives to Municipalities – AIM).
Onondaga County, Comptroller Robert Antonacci
of state revenues. Today it is less than 1 percent and frozen at current levels. If Syracuse, for example, received eight times more than the $72 million it now receives in AIM, that would increase the city's operating budget from $289 million to $793 million. We urge the county's various political units to immediately pursue the Commission's various functional consolidation recommendations, all of which it projects can be completed in one to three years. But we urge going back to the drawing boards for a full metro government structure. This time, include the school districts, as the report recommended a new commission do within the next six months. And develop a federated model that retains for the towns and gives to city neighborhoods a local government for local participation in planning, projects, and programs for town and neighborhood improvement within a metro -wide framework of more efficient and effective public infrastructure and services.
The Green Party would state that much more strongly. We urge consolidation of municipal lobbying of state government. All the county's governments, in concert with fiscally burdened municipalities across the state, should demand that state government pay for its mandates by restoring the levels of revenue Howie Hawkins is Chair of the Green Party of Onondasharing it had in the 1970s. Back then it was 8 percent ga County.
Black History Month Exhibit Opens at the New York State Capitol Governor Andrew M. Also on display are personal effects of Cuomo announced Arctic explorer Matthew Henson, on the opening of the loan from The Explorers Club in New Black History Month York City, including his fur-lined mittens exhibit honoring Afriand the compass from the Roosevelt can-American civil schooner used in the historic 1909 experights leaders and dition to the North Pole, led by Comactivists, writers, mander Robert Peary. philanthropists, an Arctic explorer, and The following African-American leaders the brave World War (listed in alphabetical order) are being The briefcase, personal documents, recognized for their accomplishments at this I Harlem Hellfighters regiment—all of whom and several key historic letters of exhibit: have New York connec- civil rights icon A. Philip Randolph tions and have made a • Marie M. Daly (1921 – 2003): First Africanlasting impact on our state. The exhibit is located in American woman to be awarded a Ph.D. in chemistry the War Room on the second floor of the New York (Columbia University, NY), ground-breaking researchState Capitol and will run through the end of Februer, and professor at Albert Einstein College of Mediary. cine in the Bronx, who helped other minority students enter the sciences. “This history is New York's history and • Frederick Douglass (1818 it is the deeds and accomplishments of – 1895): Abolitionist, bestthese men and women that helped selling author of three auto build the foundation of equality and -biographies, prominent fairness that this state rests upon," intellectual of his time and Governor Cuomo said. "I urge resilongtime resident of Rochdents and tourists alike to visit this ester. exhibit and learn more about the contributions of • W. E. B. Du Bois (1868 – these visionary African-American leaders and great 1963): Early civil rights New Yorkers." leader, founder of the Niagara Movement, a sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, and editor of NAACP This exhibit honors prominent African-Americans magazine The Crisis in New York City. throughout New York history -- from Stephen Myers, • Shirley Chisholm (1924 – 2005): Educator, first Afriwho led the active Albany Underground Railroad sta- can-American congresswoman, college professor, and tion and Harriet Tubman helped lead fugitives to free- public speaker. dom at the Canadian border, to the late Gwen Ifill, a • 369th Infantry Regiment “Harlem HellfightPeabody award ers” (1917 – 1918): The first Africanwinning journalist American regiment to serve with the and first AfricanAmerican Expeditionary Forces during American woman World War I. to host a national• Matthew Henson, (1866 – 1955): First ly televised U.S. African-American Arctic explorer as the public affairs prosecond-hand man of Commander Robert gram. Ifill passed Peary on seven voyages over a period of away last year. nearly 23 years, and longtime resident of New York City. This month-long • Gwen Ifill (1955 – 2016): Political repop-up museum porter, co-anchor of PBS "NewsHour," Matthew Henson, (1866 – 1955): First Africanexhibit also inand best-selling author who became the cludes historic arti- American Arctic explorer first African-American woman to host a facts and docunationally televised U.S. public affairs ments that provide a glimpse into the lives and acprogram with "Washington Week in Review." Ifill was complishments of these dedicated African-Americans, born in Queens and, growing up, lived for several such as toy soldiers of the Harlem Hellfighters, and years in public housing in Buffalo and on Staten Island. the beauty care products sold door-to-door by a fleet • Constance Baker Motley (1921 – 2005): Graduate of of Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Co. saleswom- Columbia Law School, integral member of NAACP leen in the early 1900s. gal team in New York City that won major civil rights legal battles in the 20th Century, first black woman to On special loan to the New York State Capitol are the serve as Manhattan Borough President, first black briefcase, personal documents, and several key histor- woman to serve as federal judge, and first black womic letters of civil rights icon A. Philip Randolph, who led an to serve as chief federal district court judge. the first predominantly African-American labor union • Stephen Myers (1800 – 1870): Former slave and and served as the leader of 1963 March on Washing- prominent newspaper publisher of The Telegraph and ton for Jobs and Freedom. After being displayed here, Temperance Journal, activist, and leader of the Albany these items, loaned by the A. Philip Randolph Institute Underground Railroad. in Washington, D.C., will enter the permanent collec- • Ted Poston (1906 – 1974): One of the first Africantion of the new National Museum of African American American journalists to work at a mainstream newsHistory and Culture, also located in Washington D.C. paper, the New York Post, author of award-winning
early Civil Rights Era coverage of racially-charged 1949 Florida rape trial for the Post, and member of the famed “black cabinet,” an informal group of AfricanAmerican policy advisors to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. • A. Philip Randolph (1889 – 1979): One of the major civil rights leaders of 20th Century and longtime resident of New York City who organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly African-American labor union, and, in the early Civil Rights Movement, prompted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802 in 1941, banning discrimination in the defense industries during World War II; as well as serve as the leader of 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. • Bayard Rustin (1912 – 1987): Longtime Harlem resident, civil rights leader, openly gay African-American, advisor to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. • Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, also Arthur Schomburg (1874 –1938): Historian, writer, and activist of the Harlem Renaissance, whose collection of African -American literature, art, and materials became the basis of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library branch in Harlem. • Mabel Keaton Staupers (1890-1989): Harlem resident and nurse who, as the executive director of the National Council of Colored Graduate Nurses, helped break down color barriers for nurses serving in World War II. • Mary Burnett Talbert (1866- 1923): Educator, American orator, Buffalo activist, suffragist, teacher, reformer, and a founder of the Niagara Movement. • The Rev. Gardner Taylor (1918 – 2015): Highlyacclaimed African-American minister who spoke nationally and internationally and served, for 42 years, as lead pastor of Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Concord Baptist Church of Christ, the second largest Baptist congregation in America. • Franklin A. Thomas (b. 1934): First African-American president of Ford Foundation and former federal prosecutor in New York City who was raised in BedfordStuyvesant and attended Columbia University for college and law school. • Harriet Tubman (1820 – 1913): Abolitionist and leader on the Underground Railroad who lived in Auburn, where she became an advocate for the aging and for women’s suffrage. • Madam C.J. Walker (1867 – 1919): An AfricanAmerican entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist who created the Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company, offering many AfricanAmerican women their first job opportunity outside of domestic work. • Robert C. Weaver (1907 – 1977): First AfricanAmerican Cabinet member as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who previously served as New York State Rent Commissioner, New York State's first black State Cabinet member. The Black History Month exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information about visiting the New York State Capitol, please go to: http:// www.ogs.ny.gov/esp/ct/tours/Capitol.asp