To the editor,
In a short time, the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) will complete the Environmental Impact Study regarding the I-81 decision. We, the people of Onondaga County, will then have 45 days to make our voices heard on this critical decision.
As suburban residents, we support the community grid option because we wholeheartedly believe that our towns surrounding the city will be greatly benefitted. Our region has suffered the consequences of a misguided planning decision of an inter-city highway* for over 60 years and it’s time to remove it and allow the city to flourish with a community grid.
As countless other cities have had renewed prosperity in their region when they removed this vestige of the past, we know that we have everything to gain from moving forward with a new vision for Syracuse. The effects of this highway slashing through Syracuse has been a major contributing factor for its dubious distinction of the most segregated and poverty-ridden city in the U.S. The community grid is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reverse course on these unacceptable woes that affect us all. As suburban residents, we must insist on a decent way of life for everyone in Onondaga County and not just for the suburbs.
We encourage every suburban resident to become educated on the facts and not be frightened by the entities who want to keep a status quo that only works for some to the detriment of many. Find out how this is not a unique problem and that many other cities* have taken bold and successful steps to remove their highways. Learn how our city was decimated in large part by these kinds of infrastructure decisions of the past. Learn how a community grid will NOT create slower commute times nor great traffic jams.
You are needed to help the leaders to make the correct planning choice. This is the most important decision facing the future of Onondaga County. Contact your assembly member, county legislator, County Executive Ryan McMahon, the DOT and Governor Andrew Cuomo and let them know that the Community Grid is our best bet for a better future for us all.
*Accessmagazine.org/fall-2009/paved-good-intentions-fiscal-politics-freeways-20th-century-american-city/
*Theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/11/syracuse-slums/416892/
*Escholarship.org/uc/item/5fd6n8hr
Signatories:
Kerin Rigney, DeWitt
Mike Rigney, DeWitt
Amy Lutz, Fayetteville
Melissa Whipps, Fayetteville
Beth Ferri, Fayetteville
Heather Allison Waters, Fayetteville
Elaine Denton, Manlius
Scott Severance, Manlius
Emily Buchanan, Manlius
Mary Kuhn, DeWitt
Harris Lindenfield, Manlius
Jacqueline Schmitt DeWitt
Lhee Matundan- Fayetteville
Mary Anne Wilson, Manlius
Sylvia Macor, DeWitt
Eleanor Perry, Fayetteville
Amy Kruse, Manlius
Julie Daniel, Lysander
Pamela Spearman, DeWitt
Chuck Keller, Onondaga
Robert Sarason, DeWitt
Denise Heckman, DeWitt
Nancy Bunn, Marcellus
Marguerite Dormer, Fabius
Eric G. Shaw, Marcellus
Sara Wall Bollinger , Manlius
Donna Smith, Manlius
Michael Smith, Manlius
Dwight Rhodes, Manlius
Debra A Desocio , Manlius
Nancy J Durkin, Manlius
Mark F Matt, Manlius
Cheryl Matt, Manlius
David Harding, Manlius
John Deer, Manlius
Prerna Deer, Manlius
Robert Hogle, Manlius
Ingrid McCurdy, Manlius
Susan Muench, Manlius
Dennis Earle, Lafayette
Jeannie Gleisner, Lafayette
Elizabeth Weinstein, Tully
Max Flint-Morgan, Tully
Sue Eiholzer, Lafayette
Sharon Goodfellow, Fabius
Rebecca Harris, Tully
Ann and Richard Wasiewicz, Tully
Karen Miller, Manlius
Robert Cook, DeWitt
Donald Cole, Tully
Sarah A. Cole, Tully
Shareen Jahan Elsenbeck, Tully
Sue Lehr, Tully
Steven Shahan, Tully
Diana Ryan, Manlius
Michael J. Ryan, P.E, Manlius
Dr. Giampaolo Huober, Fabius
Matthew Denton, Manlius
Shari Lindars, Manlius
Coran Klaver, DeWitt
Sheila Sicilia, DeWitt
Sharon Moran, DeWitt
Julue Longmore, Manlius
Jason Longmore, Manlius
William Hoy, Marcellus
Weston Hoy, Marcellus
Lynn Cahill-Hoy, Marcellus
Mike Colatruglio, Liverpool
Matthew Amidon, Lafayette
Andrea Amidon, Lafayette
Gary Strenlland, Truxton
Hanna Ring, Liverpool
Richard Champion, Verona
Bill Carr, DeWitt
Dave Babcock, Liverpool
Lia Ivanick, Jamesville
Elisabeth Moughty, DeWitt
John Stella, DeWitt
Linda Mackowiak, Cazenovia
Mike Rigney, DeWitt
Susan Giarrusso-Krabacher, Fayetteville
Shane Krabacher, Fayetteville
Kathleen Barrett, Town of Onondaga
Rebecca Preston, Dryden
Michelle Wolff, Cicero
Colleen Kattau, Cortland
Mark Kotzin, DeWitt
Alison Frost, Truxton
Peter Lotto, DeWitt
Christine Lotto, DeWitt
Stan Mackowiak, Cazenovia
Susan French, Pompey
Larry Chin, DeWitt
Trista Colatruglio, Liverpool
William Sunderlin, Fayetteville
Amos Race, DeWitt
Peng Gao, Jamesville
Nina Wickett, Marcellus
Mary Hagemann, DeWitt
Denise Androvette, Lyncourt
Legislator Tom Drumm, City of Oswego
Drew Walier, Liverpool
Sara Cooper, Liverpool
Eva Carafa, Syracuse
Kathy Saumier, Liverpool
Chris Shepherd, Mattydale
Steve Blusk, DeWitt
