Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSyracuse common councilors climb the Hill to meet with students
By Catherine Lee
Posted: 10/3/07, 10:15 PM EST Section: News
Members of the Syracuse Common Council will be on campus today to talk with students for the first "Meet the Councilors Night" in recent history.
Councilors will describe how the city's legislature works and field questions from students at 7 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium.
"A lot of students are looking for activist opportunities, and this is a great way for students to participate and get involved, especially in recent parking and housing issues," said Caroline Savage, media liaison for the New York Public Interest Research Group.
A special commission held a public hearing last week on a zoning amendment that would limit the number of parking spaces per unit citywide to the equivalent of three cars. At the same time, landlords of newly rented properties in the neighborhood east of campus would have to set the limit to one parking space per bedroom.
Last spring, the council considered an amendment to limit the number of unrelated tenants in a house from five to three, which was met with considerable debate. The amendment is set to go to vote Oct. 9.
Seven of the nine councilors will be attending the event, said Student Association President Ryan Kelly.
"It's really important to have the legislatures in Syracuse to hear what students have to say," Kelly said. "Local issues affect us, too. Students should come prepared with questions and issues."
Kelly encourages all students to attend, especially those majoring in public policy or political science.
"It's an opportunity for students to get off the Hill and see what's out there in our city," he said.
Elizabeth Bachman, a junior public policy major, said "Meet the Councilors Night" might be a good way for students to learn more about how the local government affects them.
"It merges the gap between our college community with our local community," she said. "Most students here don't know about our local government, so this is a great opportunity for students to get to know our local leaders."
Kelly did not know which two councilors would not be on campus today.
Stephanie Miner, Democratic councilor-at-large, did not return phone calls Wednesday.
Bea Gonzàlez, University College dean and Common Council president, is out of town until later this month, a receptionist said.
Democratic Councilor Thomas Seals, who represents the east neighborhood, could not be reached.
This event is sponsored by the Office of Government and Community Relations, SA, Residence Hall Association, NYPIRG and the Office of Residence Life. It is part of "Liberty Lives: A Semester Series."
Councilors will describe how the city's legislature works and field questions from students at 7 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium.
"A lot of students are looking for activist opportunities, and this is a great way for students to participate and get involved, especially in recent parking and housing issues," said Caroline Savage, media liaison for the New York Public Interest Research Group.
A special commission held a public hearing last week on a zoning amendment that would limit the number of parking spaces per unit citywide to the equivalent of three cars. At the same time, landlords of newly rented properties in the neighborhood east of campus would have to set the limit to one parking space per bedroom.
Last spring, the council considered an amendment to limit the number of unrelated tenants in a house from five to three, which was met with considerable debate. The amendment is set to go to vote Oct. 9.
Seven of the nine councilors will be attending the event, said Student Association President Ryan Kelly.
"It's really important to have the legislatures in Syracuse to hear what students have to say," Kelly said. "Local issues affect us, too. Students should come prepared with questions and issues."
Kelly encourages all students to attend, especially those majoring in public policy or political science.
"It's an opportunity for students to get off the Hill and see what's out there in our city," he said.
Elizabeth Bachman, a junior public policy major, said "Meet the Councilors Night" might be a good way for students to learn more about how the local government affects them.
"It merges the gap between our college community with our local community," she said. "Most students here don't know about our local government, so this is a great opportunity for students to get to know our local leaders."
Kelly did not know which two councilors would not be on campus today.
Stephanie Miner, Democratic councilor-at-large, did not return phone calls Wednesday.
Bea Gonzàlez, University College dean and Common Council president, is out of town until later this month, a receptionist said.
Democratic Councilor Thomas Seals, who represents the east neighborhood, could not be reached.
This event is sponsored by the Office of Government and Community Relations, SA, Residence Hall Association, NYPIRG and the Office of Residence Life. It is part of "Liberty Lives: A Semester Series."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kathleen Joy, Councilor-at-Large
posted 10/06/07 @ 9:23 PM EST
I participated in the session and found the students to be well informed. It gave us the opportunity to learn, first hand, the issues that affect student life in Syracuse. (Continued…)
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