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OPINION: Why Good Investigative Journalism Matters
Recently, reporters at The New York Times published an intriguing story about conversations between House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and other members of his leadership team. It was shortly after the events of Jan. 6 at the Capitol, and they were talking about what to do about then-President Trump. His conduct, McCarthy said, had been “atrocious […]
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Recently, reporters at The New York Times published an intriguing story about conversations between House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and other members of his leadership team. It was shortly after the events of Jan. 6 at the Capitol, and they were talking about what to do about then-President Trump.
His conduct, McCarthy said, had been “atrocious and totally wrong,” adding, “I’ve had it with this guy.” Not surprisingly, there have been plenty of denials, but the two reporters have countered with one key point: They have the audio recordings.
I happen to believe these stories are important for the insight they provide into key politicians’ thinking at a dark moment in our history. But whether you agree or not, the willingness of two reporters to dig deep into what actually happened has cast the behavior of powerful officials in a new light.
This is what good investigative journalism does. It is an essential part of our representative democracy, offering ordinary people the chance to understand more fully what’s going on.
I’m not going to recite a list of all the important stories that journalists have uncovered; it would take us hours. But a quick look back gives you a sense of the key importance they play. There was the 2019 Washington Post story documenting nearly two decades of U.S. officials’ misleading statements about the war in Afghanistan. The Seattle Times explored and chronicled how failures of government oversight helped lead to the crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX. The Boston Globe completed earth-shattering investigations of abusive behavior by priests and the Catholic Church’s coverup.
I’m sure you can think of other examples, from Watergate to the exposure of corruption or toxic pollution, or some other community harm where you live. And that’s my point: Journalists are constantly finding and exposing the truth in ways that, ideally, spur us to improve our lives, communities, government, and democratic system as a whole.
I’ll say it again: They’re vital to our representative democracy. We need their work to keep power residing ultimately in the hands of citizens. There is a reason that one of the first things authoritarians do is try to bring the press to heel. They understand, perhaps better than we who get to take these things for granted, how a thriving free press lets people form their own opinions.
Lee Hamilton, 91, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south-central Indiana.

Generations Bank has promoted DEREK DYSON to senior VP, chief information officer. Dyson previously served as VP, support service officer. In his new role, he will oversee several departments including, technology services, marketing, compliance, security, and facilities. Dyson has been an integral part of the development and implementation of the innovative technology at Generations Bank,
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Generations Bank has promoted DEREK DYSON to senior VP, chief information officer. Dyson previously served as VP, support service officer. In his new role, he will oversee several departments including, technology services, marketing, compliance, security, and facilities. Dyson has been an integral part of the development and implementation of the innovative technology at Generations Bank, including mobile banking, remote check deposit, online deposit-account opening, and interactive teller machines. He joined the bank in 2011 as an intern and formally joined the team as AVP, support service officer in 2012. Dyson earned a bachelor’s degree in financial-market regulation with a double concentration in informatics and economics from the University at Albany. Dyson serves on the board for the United Way of Seneca County and serves on the board for the Right to Run 19K, Inc.

SCOTT LOMBARDO has joined Key Private Bank as a senior relationship manager in Central New York. In this role, he will be responsible for providing individuals and businesses with comprehensive financial solutions covering financial planning, investment, insurance, cash management, and credit needs. Active in the community, Lombardo serves on the board of directors for Syracuse
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SCOTT LOMBARDO has joined Key Private Bank as a senior relationship manager in Central New York. In this role, he will be responsible for providing individuals and businesses with comprehensive financial solutions covering financial planning, investment, insurance, cash management, and credit needs. Active in the community, Lombardo serves on the board of directors for Syracuse City Ballet and Hope For Heather.

Ruston Paving Co., Inc. has promoted CHRIS LAURIN to senior project manager in its Central New York Division. Laurin graduated from SUNY Polytechnic Institute with a degree in civil engineering and began working for Clough Harbor as a field engineer before joining the Ruston Paving team as a project manager. Since then, he has led
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Ruston Paving Co., Inc. has promoted CHRIS LAURIN to senior project manager in its Central New York Division. Laurin graduated from SUNY Polytechnic Institute with a degree in civil engineering and began working for Clough Harbor as a field engineer before joining the Ruston Paving team as a project manager. Since then, he has led numerous successful projects and built strong relationships with Ruston Paving clients and industry partners. By continuing to lead large- scale projects, Laurin will play a key role in furthering the company’s success.

MICHELLE SCZPANSKI was recently appointed deputy commissioner of neighborhood development in the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development (NBD) of the City of Syracuse. Sczpanski will be responsible for advancing and managing initiatives aimed at promoting safe, affordable, and stable housing and creating more vibrant, resilient neighborhoods. She will provide oversight and day-to-day supervision of
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MICHELLE SCZPANSKI was recently appointed deputy commissioner of neighborhood development in the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development (NBD) of the City of Syracuse. Sczpanski will be responsible for advancing and managing initiatives aimed at promoting safe, affordable, and stable housing and creating more vibrant, resilient neighborhoods. She will provide oversight and day-to-day supervision of the staff and activities in Neighborhood Planning, the Housing Stability program, the city’s Federal Grants Program and the Lead Hazard Reduction team. She first joined city government in 2016. Sczpanski most recently served as the city’s director of housing and neighborhood planning. She managed implementation of $1.2 million of neighborhood-improving programs through the Cities RISE grant, which aims to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of code enforcement operations, as well as the Zombie 2.0 grant, funded by the NYS Attorney General’s Office. As part of these programs, she led the creation of the city’s Community Ambassador Program, which employs residents to provide direct outreach and support to individuals experiencing housing issues. She also oversaw efforts to require banks and loan servicers to bring vacant properties into compliance. Sczpanski has been instrumental in using data and mapping to paint a picture of ways to advance equitable housing work and community development investments citywide through the Resurgent Neighborhood Initiative (RNI) and the Infill Development Plan. In addition, Sczpanski was crucial in identifying target locations for American Rescue Plan Act housing allocations, as well as the prioritization of code-enforcement efforts as part of the HOME Unit. Beyond her position as deputy commissioner of neighborhood development, Sczpanski also serves on the board of directors for the Near Westside Initiative. Sczpanski received bachelor’s degrees in policy studies and citizenship and civic engagement, as well as her bachelor’s in public relations from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

YVONNE JOLLY has joined Geneva General Cardiology Associates with offices in Geneva and Penn Yan. She has more than 35 years of health-care experience, most recently practicing at Sands-Constellation Heart Institute. Jolly completed her master’s degree in nursing from Syracuse University and earned her bachelor’s in nursing from Nazareth College. She began her nursing education
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YVONNE JOLLY has joined Geneva General Cardiology Associates with offices in Geneva and Penn Yan. She has more than 35 years of health-care experience, most recently practicing at Sands-Constellation Heart Institute. Jolly completed her master’s degree in nursing from Syracuse University and earned her bachelor’s in nursing from Nazareth College. She began her nursing education at Finger Lakes Community College, where she received her associate degree in nursing.

Nascentia Health recently welcomed three new staff members to its Central New York workforce. JENNIFER HOPSON, RN, is a care manager in Nascentia’s managed long-term care plan, working with members to develop care plans that provide the best possible care and support. She previously worked for St. Joseph’s Home Care, completing medical and psychiatric visits.
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Nascentia Health recently welcomed three new staff members to its Central New York workforce. JENNIFER HOPSON, RN, is a care manager in Nascentia’s managed long-term care plan, working with members to develop care plans that provide the best possible care and support. She previously worked for St. Joseph’s Home Care, completing medical and psychiatric visits. Hopson has more than 20 years of experience in the field.
AMBER ROBERTS, RN, also joins Nascentia as an assessment nurse in the managed long-term care plan, completing assessments and educating patients about Nascentia’s many services. She previously worked at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center as a Cardiovascular ICU nurse, caring for patients after open-heart surgery, lung surgery, and other critical illnesses.
TYLER KIMBALL is a marketing specialist, working on a wide range of marketing and communication tasks, including graphic design, social media, and writing. He previously worked for Genesee Community College as a media-service coordinator, providing extensive audio/visual support to the campus community. Kimball has a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from SUNY Oneonta.

Loretto has hired ELEANOR WILLIAMS as employee coach. She is formerly an experienced social worker for Onondaga County. During a time when recruiting and retaining employees is challenging for the health-care sector nationwide, Williams will be instrumental in guiding and mentoring a new generation of frontline workers. She is Loretto’s second employee coach and will
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Loretto has hired ELEANOR WILLIAMS as employee coach. She is formerly an experienced social worker for Onondaga County. During a time when recruiting and retaining employees is challenging for the health-care sector nationwide, Williams will be instrumental in guiding and mentoring a new generation of frontline workers. She is Loretto’s second employee coach and will expand on the success of the original coach position. Williams will work closely with new hires, as well as existing employees to ensure each individual can find and access the appropriate resources to succeed in a career in long-term care. Different from a traditional management coach, Williams’ primary focus is to work with new hires to help them smoothly transition into their new roles and guide them through challenges as new employees in the long-term care sector. For many new hires, this is their first professional role in health care, and this group of new professionals’ benefits from not only career coaching, but assistance on a wide range of matters. Williams will teach new hires how to properly manage workload and stress and help remove barriers that prohibit them from being successful. Prior to joining Loretto, Williams spent more than a decade working in social services for Onondaga County, first as a social-service examiner and later as a caseworker. Most recently, Williams served as a child-protective caseworker, where she investigated case reports on behalf of clients, analysis of cases and directed clients to appropriate resources. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Syracuse University. She is currently working towards a master’s degree in social work, also at Syracuse University, and is expected to graduate in May 2024.

Central New York Community Foundation
JAN LANE has been promoted to senior philanthropic advisor at the Central New York Community Foundation, after serving in her previous role as development officer for five years. Lane leads the ongoing fostering and facilitation of the Community Foundation’s legacy planning services, which honor the charitable intent of legacy fund donors and preserves their legacies
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JAN LANE has been promoted to senior philanthropic advisor at the Central New York Community Foundation, after serving in her previous role as development officer for five years. Lane leads the ongoing fostering and facilitation of the Community Foundation’s legacy planning services, which honor the charitable intent of legacy fund donors and preserves their legacies after they are gone. She also provides charitable-planning services for individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations in the Central New York region.
DANA LYONS-CANTY has been promoted to scholarships and student support officer for the Community Foundation and Say Yes Syracuse, after serving in her previous role for more than three years. She focuses on providing opportunities that cultivate a scholarship culture that is more interactional and less transactional. Lyons-Canty is passionate about changing lives and providing proper resources and emotional support for individual success.
PRAGYA S. MURPHY has been promoted to senior philanthropic advisor at the Community Foundation, after serving in her previous role as development officer for three years. Murphy leads professional advisor outreach and provides charitable-planning services for individuals and families. In her new role, she will be leading the cultivation and facilitation of nonprofit agency funds. Murphy is highly engaged in local nonprofits in various ways, including serving on the advisory board of WISE Women’s Business Center for over five years. She also recently joined the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP-CNY) board of directors.
AHMEED TURNER has been promoted to VP, scholarships and student support at the Community Foundation, in addition to his role as the executive director of Say Yes Syracuse, which he has held for five years. In that role, Turner is responsible for ensuring that all eligible students receive Say Yes to Education scholarships. In his new additional role, Turner will manage the Community Foundation’s many scholarships while providing college admissions and financial-aid support to students and their families.`

HII to become tenant at renovated City Center in downtown Syracuse, create 80 new jobs
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — HII, an all-domain defense and technologies company, plans to expand its operations in downtown Syracuse. HII has committed to creating more than
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