SYRACUSE — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Jan. 6 took the oath of office for a second time during a public inauguration held inside the Landmark Theatre on a snowy Saturday morning.

“…it is with great pride, humility and — most important — optimism that I assume the duties of Mayor of the City of Syracuse,” Walsh said in opening his remarks.

Transition team

In his speech, Walsh noted the work of his transition team “over the past month.” The group of nearly 90 citizen volunteers sought to “assess the challenges and opportunities” that Syracuse faces, Walsh said.

The group included four committees that collected input from the public on topics that include poverty and economic opportunity, education, safety, and neighborhoods, and the city’s fiscal condition.

The group has issued its initial report to Walsh and will provide a “comprehensive” report to the public “soon.” As he continued, Walsh outlined “key” themes and initial recommendations.

Poverty

Lifting people out of poverty, according to Walsh, will be the “single biggest challenge we confront together,” and it will be “central to our agenda” over these next four years. 

A segregated city that concentrates wealth in some places and poverty in others is “not a modern, progressive city,” he contended.

The City will address the issue “on many fronts” because Walsh sees “no one way” to solve the problem. He contends that economic growth is “one key answer.”

“On the advice of the transition committee, I will authorize a task force to explore how we can ensure that, as we create progress, we create prosperity for all in our community. We will not achieve real progress until we lift up the economically disadvantaged and those who have, in the past, been left behind,” Walsh said.

Education

Walsh also called education and the condition of city schools “another critical issue” facing Syracuse. 

“Together, we will push our graduation rate from just over 60 percent today to 70 percent, then 80 percent and beyond until we can be counted among the best urban school districts in America,” Walsh promised. 

The mayor’s office and Walsh’s administration will “forge a close working relationship” with the Syracuse City School District. “As a parent in the district myself, I will actively encourage other parents and families to take a direct interest in their child’s education whenever possible,” he noted.

Neighborhoods

The City of Syracuse must also improve its neighborhoods and make its streets safe for all citizens, Walsh noted.

The transition committee has confirmed Walsh’s “commitment” to form a quality-of-life commission “as soon as possible this year.” It will include city department heads, common councilors, residents, and business owners focused on matters that include beautification of city streets, gateways, and business districts; addressing nuisance crimes that destabilize city neighborhoods; and enforcement of ordinances using data and metrics to prioritize neighborhood services.

“We are reminded, all too regularly, how much work we have to do to ensure our public safety. One person being shot and killed in our city is too many. So, we will put more officers on the street,” Walsh said. 

But the city must “go beyond policing,” he added. 

Syracuse needs to build relationships between police officers and neighbors and a police force that “reflects the rich diversity of our community.” 

“I am pleased that we are taking positive steps in this direction already and I look forward to working with the community and with law enforcement in the search for our next chief of police,” said Walsh.

Interstate 81

In his remarks, Walsh also addressed the upcoming Interstate 81 project.

“We will do everything in our power to make the Interstate 81 project a positive and transforming opportunity for our neighborhoods and our city. While other options are being studied, I will be a consistent and passionate voice for the “community grid.” The overwhelming majority of city residents see what I see: the community grid is the best model to bring new life and vitality in to our city while meeting the transportation needs of the entire region. I will work to lead our city in advocating for this model,” Walsh said.

Fiscal condition

As the new mayor continued, he noted that the city’s fiscal condition is “precarious,” but the “outcome is not preordained.” 

Current projections indicate that its reserves “could be exhausted” in as soon as two years. 

“But that assessment is based on the construct and realities that existed yesterday,” according to Walsh.

His transition committee recommended that he hold a fiscal summit in partnership with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. The meeting will include Syracuse’s “anchor” institutions, business leaders, the banking community, along with county, state, and national leaders. 

“We will find new ways to improve efficiency and service delivery, and to work with our partners to address the deep structural issues that underlie the city’s revolving deficits,” said Walsh.

He also indicated that his administration will work with business owners and developers and “encourage investment and new jobs” in Syracuse.