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Onondaga County Legislature candidates Maurice “Mo” Brown and Moise “Mo” Moodie addressed questions from community members at an open forum Monday. Both candidates are hoping to represent the 15th district, which includes Syracuse University’s South Campus, the University Neighborhood and parts of downtown Syracuse, the South Side and Southwest neighborhoods.

Brown, a Democrat endorsed by the Syracuse chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, will take on Moodie — an independent candidate endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties — in the upcoming election on Nov. 7. Both candidates discussed their campaign platforms, qualifications and key issues pertaining to the community like the city of Syracuse’s ongoing lead crisis, transportation and affordable housing.

The forum, hosted by the Westcott Neighborhood Association, was moderated by members of the Onondaga County League of Women Voters at the Petit Branch Library in Westcott. Approximately 30 people attended the event in-person, with more community members joining via Zoom, who were allowed to submit questions for the candidates.

Brown said he is running because he does not believe the priorities of the county’s budget are with the people. If elected, Brown said he will work to ensure the county legislature does a better job at investing in the community.

“The Onondaga County Legislature, the legislature itself, is the biggest problem in our community because a large portion of our money is not going back into the community,” Brown said. “We’re using too much money on amphitheaters, aquariums and these vanity projects while leading the nation in child poverty.”

Moodie is running on the platform of a Syracuse “renaissance era” through economic growth, career expansion and increased safety particularly for the county’s youth, he said. Moodie also wants to hold more town hall meetings to connect more with members of the community.

“As a legislator, the important thing is not losing sight of managing and maintaining a budget,” Moodie said. “It’s about being able to put money back into the pot or to bring in new money to fund initiatives and things that we want in our community.”

Moodie said his financial background as a banker makes him qualified for the specific responsibilities of a county legislator over Brown, who he labeled as an “activist.” Moodie maintained that his main job as a legislator will be to manage and maintain a budget that reflects the voices of the people.

Moodie, who spoke at a meeting with Moms for Liberty — a far-right group that advocates for removing topics such as race, sexuality and gender identity from public school curriculums — clarified he is not connected to or supportive of the group. He said it is his job as a candidate to listen to everybody in the community and highlight the group so people can come to their own conclusions.

“As a legislator, I need to be able to step in and represent all sides of the community, understand their point of views and where they stand,” Moodie said.

Brown countered Moodie’s justification, saying groups like Moms For Liberty and The Proud Boys that “monger hate” and “sow discontent” have no place in the community.

“I get that you want to hear both sides, but if the Ku Klux Klan showed up and held a rally I’m not going to check it out just to hear them out,” Brown said.

On the topic of Micron Technology, Brown highlighted the need for county investments in transportation to provide everyone in the county with the equal opportunity to access the new power plant and the training facility available at Onondaga County College.

“We’re not even giving our young people the chance,” Brown said. “We need to improve our transportation system so that the Micron opportunity is available to all of us.”

Brown also believes the county needs to prepare for the expected influx of people moving to the Syracuse area through increased investments in housing.

Moodie said the key to leveraging the Micron project for the local community will be to prepare for the job opportunities the project will bring through career readiness and infrastructure.

Micron Technology is set to begin construction in 2024 on its facility in Clay. The semiconductor manufacturer’s $100 billion investment is expected to bring transformative economic growth for central New York and New York state.

“The focus needs to be on being prepared for this job opportunity, having a place for them to go.” Moodie said, “Being a legislator involves being in that forefront to have the voice of District 15 heard and represented.”

The incoming aquarium at the Syracuse Inner Harbor — an $85 million project the county legislature approved in August 2022 — was also a central point of discussion.

Moodie said the aquarium will pay for itself by providing the county with increased revenue and access to funds and research grants. He also said the aquarium will increase tourism, help the environment and provide a safe haven for animals.

Brown has publicly opposed the aquarium, calling for the $85 million in funds to be used to solve more pressing issues in the community such as the lead crisis, public transportation and affordable housing.

Syracuse’s lead crisis was another focal point of discussion at the community forum. Between 2013 and 2020, an average of 26.5% of children tested had high blood lead levels in Census tract 54 –part of Syracuse’s South Side – a majority Black neighborhood.

Although Moodie said he does not support the current state of the lead crisis, he added that the county has already sufficiently funded lead treatment, especially with a recent $1.5 million toward lead paint removal in Onondaga County. Instead, he called for increased awareness about the lead issue and the creation of a safe halfway home where families can stay if their home is being treated.

Brown called for $25 million to be allocated towards lead treatment, saying the current budget for the county’s Department of Health is not sufficient for the staff and resources needed to handle the issue.

“We need an aquarium-sized investment into our children,” Brown said. “If a child is left poisoned, it’s really hard for them to come back and there’s a lot of children in our community that have to deal with that.”

Brown also called for free bus rides. He said everybody deserves the opportunity to have free transit in an equitable community, referencing a pilot in New York City that is providing free buses on a high-speed route.

In response, Moodie said transportation issues are already being addressed by Centro’s rapid bus transit system and on-demand buses to help residents navigate food deserts. He also said Centro is partnering with Veo to expand access to bike- and scooter-sharing services beyond the city of Syracuse.

After an Onondaga County deputy shot and killed two Syracuse teenagers in DeWitt on Sept. 6, both candidates also called for stronger investments in public safety.

Moodie said he is focused on building stronger community relations between local officers and residents and making sure streets stay safe for children. Brown called for the creation of a Citizen Review Board for the County Sheriff’s Office as an official way for the community to interact with the police.

General elections will be held on Nov. 7. Early voting will be held between Oct. 28 and Nov. 5 in select polling locations across Onondaga County.

Published on October 24, 2023 at 12:29 am

Contact Samantha: saolande@syr.edu