Owens For Syracuse

Elect Sharon Owens as your next Syracuse Mayor 2025.

Owens for Syracuse

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My journey has prepared me for this moment. I am seeking your support to continue this journey as your next mayor.

<h2>My Journey</h2><h4>Choosing Syracuse</h4>Born and raised in Geneva, NY, I arrived in Syracuse in 1981 as an 18 year old freshman on the Syracuse University campus and discovered the first members of my extended family in Manley Field House with the newly formed women’s track and field team. During my time at SU, I gained a top tier education and broadened my horizons by traveling the country with the team. I also became a Big East Conference champion (that's me high jumping 😊), Orange Plus Hall of Fame inductee and achieved Olympic qualifying status in the women’s long jump event.&nbsp;<img src="https://run.imgix.net/51cc5861-f442-464c-9995-3a9a3811898d/7679a00e-fe36-43a7-b680-af378adf42dd/7679a00e-fe36-43a7-b680-af378adf42dd.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C680%2C1198&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="25" variant="framed">Sports has always been my "north star”, the internal compass that honed my competitive nature, self-discipline, and belief in the power of teamwork. Those accomplishments were a result of the commitment and hard work that equipped me with the qualities and skills needed to be a leader and mentor off the field. While many SU students miss the opportunity to meet the community, it was athletics that led to my "first date” with the Syracuse community.&nbsp;What I didn’t know was how that experience would introduce me to my new home and feed my passion for serving people.&nbsp; What I couldn't imagine was four decades later I would run for Mayor in what would become my adopted and beloved home.The strength of Syracuse is its people. Since coming to this town I have worked, laughed and cried with wonderful people. During great highs and humbling lows the grit and tenacity of the folk in this town resonate with who I am.&nbsp; The people of Syracuse are fighters and so am I. Dedication and commitment to family and community is what I see in Syracuse and its people.&nbsp; I’ve long recognized the potential of this city, and will continue to fiercely stand for and with Syracuse.&nbsp;<h4>Helping Families Prosper</h4>The Dunbar Center was seeking SU athletes to serve as interns during the summer months.&nbsp; I’m sure they were expecting a football, basketball or lacrosse player but they got a hard working track athlete instead. That experience changed my life and led to relationships with people in this community that exists to this day.&nbsp;<img src="https://run.imgix.net/51cc5861-f442-464c-9995-3a9a3811898d/39f772e2-b850-4c5a-907d-a75bf227bb50/f94c4f1a-a825-4972-ae04-a1cacf6b9e7c.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C3586%2C2768&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">From the SU campus my journey continued in the nonprofit world with PEACE, Inc., Jubilee Homes, Home Headquarters and Syracuse Community Connections at the Southwest Community Center.&nbsp; Each of these agencies provided more opportunities to further learn from the people of this great city and fostered my enduring commitment to their wellbeing.While at SU I believed my academic focus was directing me to Wall Street, the center of worldwide financial influence. My summer internship at Dunbar challenged that perspective.&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial stability is a critical element for the wellbeing of families, neighborhoods and the larger community. What that internship&nbsp; revealed, and my experience in the nonprofit world reinforced, was a clear understanding of how economic policies and practices were bypassing large sections of our community.&nbsp;Poverty rates in Syracuse, especially among black and Latino children are a direct result of their financial status. While poverty is defined as a financial condition, I believe it operates and influences the lives of people like a virus attacking the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of those it infects.&nbsp; We are in an economic moment that presents an opportunity to administer an antidote to fight it. The injection must be strategic, intentional and steadily infused through workforce training, placement and small business development.At PEACE, Inc. I worked with women on the city’s lower east side where infant mortality rates were critically high in the 90’s, in order to facilitate greater access to health care. This is personal to me. My family lost our second of three children in 1993 when I went into premature labor.&nbsp; My experience doing this work gave me a greater understanding of the power of community engagement through kitchen table, door to door, person to person interactions for improving critical health care for moms and unborn children.&nbsp; While there, I also worked with the Head Start program to assist families, particularly those headed by women as they strived to raise healthy and whole families.&nbsp;<h4>The Power of Education</h4><img src="https://run.imgix.net/51cc5861-f442-464c-9995-3a9a3811898d/e9ce19e7-33a2-4192-ba41-94b6fc030a1b/e9ce19e7-33a2-4192-ba41-94b6fc030a1b.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1050%2C1050&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Education is the foundation for prosperous families and communities. Syracuse is an education rich community. My commitment to lifelong learning begins with early childhood development and extends to the eldest in our community expanding their education and skills. Again, my personal experience drives my commitment. As the mother of a differently able young man, I know first-hand how educational pathways must be diverse and opportunities extensive.&nbsp;Education in our community must take many different forms, starting with school attendance and graduation; that leads to multiple paths including skilled trades, college, and military or public service.&nbsp; As Mayor I will work collaboratively with the Syracuse City School District Superintendent and Board of Directors to identify resources that promote effective learning environments for our children.This moment for Syracuse demands a laser focused approach on preparing our community's young and old for the skills required for present industries and the flexibility to adjust to future demands. Education is a pathway to our collective prosperity and will be a critical component of my mission.<h4>Coalition Builder for a Better Syracuse</h4>The ability to listen to&nbsp;and learn from people is critical for establishing and achieving&nbsp; common goals across socio-economic, neighborhood, cultural and ethnic boundaries.&nbsp;Coalition building doesn’t happen just for the sake of bringing people together. It empowers them to believe in the power of their impact on our community.While at Home Headquarters I witnessed the spark of belief in first generation homeownership. At Syracuse Community Connections, I worked with the team and community to lead the Southwest Community Center (SWCC) to the next level by providing a safe environment and wide variety of services.&nbsp; This involved listening and learning from the people about what was required to strengthen the confidence of the community, funders, and staff to ensure that impactful community conversations and action planning took place at SWCC.&nbsp;We can do nothing alone. Coalition building is a vital component of mayoral leadership. I have always been a coalition builder. Listening, understanding and collaborating is and would continue to be my leadership style as mayor to ensure successful outcomes that benefit Syracuse.&nbsp;<h4>Creating Thriving&nbsp; Neighborhoods for Families&nbsp;</h4><img src="https://run.imgix.net/51cc5861-f442-464c-9995-3a9a3811898d/b5882598-3b26-4a70-80ad-11f7062eb828/b5882598-3b26-4a70-80ad-11f7062eb828.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1600%2C1200&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Women and men I worked with at Head Start would walk into Home Headquarters ready to buy a home. As we reconnected, they shared their accomplishments: “I got my GED”; “I went back to school and got a degree”; “I have a good job”; “My baby is going to college!”&nbsp;During our work together, these individuals were making progress but their surroundings didn’t support their newly formed expectations of what they envisioned for themselves and their families.&nbsp; Where a person lays their head at night should not predetermine their opportunity for success.&nbsp; How a person lays their head at night surely affects their ability to prepare for success daily. For me, policy work in city government presented a new path to serve Syracuse and help people through housing and neighborhood development. This experience, shaped by the lived experience of the people of Syracuse, propelled my decision to accept my first offer to serve in City Hall during Mayor Stephanie Miner’s administration as Deputy Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development and MWBE Compliance officer. In these roles I was empowered to advance my desire to shape city wide policy and affect the way residents and stakeholders live, conduct business, work and play.&nbsp;As Deputy Mayor in the Ben Walsh administration, I’ve been afforded the opportunity to again create and implement policy to improve housing, business and neighborhoods. I continue to be committed to a housing trajectory that involves safety, health and affordability.<h4>Economic Prosperity and Inclusion</h4>People won't believe our local economy is growing until they feel it in their purse or pocket. City Hall has a direct impact on the local economy by enabling business growth and job creation. That impact must be inclusive of all of Syracuse's residents.I’ve always said downtown is the economic beating heart of Syracuse and we must keep her strong and thriving. While downtown is the heart, our neighborhood business corridors are the arteries carrying downtown’s growing prosperity into our neighborhoods. Empty buildings where business existed sends neighborhoods a message: “You’ve been abandoned”. These structures which once housed local business must be restored or repurposed so that abandoned commercial or retail spaces are ready for a local business to move in and turn on the lights.&nbsp;<img src="https://run.imgix.net/51cc5861-f442-464c-9995-3a9a3811898d/3c1235fa-b8fb-4f5d-b28e-39b5affe3d35/b8e2a23f-2cf8-48a8-a105-ec9b4de50855.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C2304&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="37" variant="framed">Those businesses need access to technical assistance and capital.&nbsp; I am committed to continuing the work of the Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative to invest in our neighborhood business corridors to foster small business opportunities and meet neighborhood amenity needs.<h4> </h4>

<h3>Fighting for Our Community</h3>These are some of the top issues our campaign is focused on. Learn more about our issues <a href="/issues" target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">here</a>.

Maximize the Moment for Syracuse

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Each neighborhood is uniquely special, and therefore, requires strategies tailored to facilitate growth and address issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Syracuse Housing Study highlighted two distinct challenges to address:The affordability gap: the difference between what it costs to build or maintain housing and what households are able to pay. The market gap: the difference between the cost to build or repair housing and what the households are willing to pay. The Syracuse Housing Strategy has laid out a plan to address these challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;Learn more at: <a href="https://www.syracusehousingstudy.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.syracusehousingstudy.com/home</a>As Mayor I will:<ul><li>Support and implement the City of Syracuse Housing Strategy, our city’s roadmap for future housing and neighborhood development.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Promote and preserve high-quality, affordable units in areas of opportunity through continued implementation of policies that encourage mixed-income, mixed-use development, and incentivize scattered-site redevelopment.</li><li>Identify new housing development options, such as manufactured housing to aide development speed and reduce costs.</li><li>Increase the capacity of the Division of Code Enforcement to address substandard housing conditions, including lead and other environmental toxins in homes.</li><li>Prioritize the issue of vacant structures in neighborhoods by identifying immediate restoration strategies or demolition in order to remove blight and make room for future opportunities.</li><li>Use Syracuse’s smart growth and inclusive zoning law to ensure mixed income housing development and the availability of affordable housing throughout the city.</li><li>Root out and follow legal pathways to address businesses operating illegally or harboring illegal activity, negatively affecting the quality of life in neighborhoods. I will establish an ordinance enforcement detail consisting of police, fire, code enforcement and legal personnel dedicated to this service.</li><li>Commit to healthy and accessible roads and sidewalks to ensure a walkable and biking city for all.</li><li>Ensure the Departments of Public Works and Water have the tools and equipment needed to maintain our infrastructure.</li><li>Ensure the continued development of our beautiful parks as a healthy and peaceful gathering space for all people but especially teenagers and those with varying physical abilities.</li></ul>

A person's potential for success should never be based on where they live. I am committed to enhancing the quality of our lived experience in all neighborhoods. Syracuse neighborhoods thrive when we understand the health of your neighborhood strengthens the vitality of mine.

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Thriving Neighborhoods

Public safety is essential for the residents of Syracuse to thrive and prosper. This involves the collective work of our capable first responders: the Syracuse Police and Fire Departments, as well as the collaborative work of our ambulance partners. While crime data indicates declining violent crime, the perception of safety by residents, businesses and visitors alike is critical.History of frayed relationships between these safety partners must be strengthened. I have been at the forefront of strategies to mend and strengthen this critical relationship and will continue to do so as mayor.A safe Syracuse is my priority. I will work to reduce violent crime (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) that affects our quality of life. The US Surgeon General has declared gun violence as a public health crisis. I will continue to work to address the various sources of its existence in our community. There are too many illegal guns in Syracuse. I will continue to work with our federal, state and local enforcement partners to persons and systems aiding the proliferation of illegal guns in our community.Protection specifically against violent crime must involve a multifaceted approach that includes off ramps from the road leading to jail or death for those seeking it; and enforcement leading to consequences for those who choose to continue down that road which brings harm to our neighbors.Property crime (burglary, larceny, and auto theft) may not result in the loss of life but does result in a lost sense of safety, security and control. I'm equally committed to its reduction through specialized policing details and investigations.I recognize the frustration felt by Syracuse residents and businesses concerning crimes committed by juveniles in our community. I am frustrated, as well. The solution is, unfortunately, complicated and dependent upon the collaboration of many partners. Our Syracuse Police Department can detain and in some cases arrest offenders. Beyond detention or arrest addressing the causes of the behavior and enforcing consequences is essential. This requires partners to who work diligently to collaborate within national, state and local regulations to identify solutions.We all should acknowledge that the VAST majority of our young people are doing just what they are supposed to: go to school, enrich their families, plan for the future and be silly. A small minority are making choices that harm themselves and others. The solution to address their actions is not simple. It requires the involvement of our entire community (family, schools, child welfare and juvenile justice agencies and law enforcement) to identify solutions for this small segment of our community. As Mayor, I will continue to be committed to active engagement in coordinated efforts to address this community concern.All crime, whether against people or property in Syracuse is unacceptable whether violent or not. The impact of both types of crime wears upon the very community fabric that causes us to love Syracuse. I’m committed to solutions that use balanced, multi-faceted, and data driven to ensure the public is safe.As Mayor I will:<ul><li>Commit to supporting the recruitment and retention needs of the Syracuse Police and Fire Departments, including continued funding of cadet classes, training and equipment necessary to support our public safety professionals.</li><li>Currently SPD must hire from a sole source civil service list managed by Onondaga County and used by all law enforcement agencies in the county. I commit to identifying and implementing a path to establishing a civil service test for Syracuse Police Department candidates only.</li><li>Review SPD’s applicant identification and vetting process to ensure opportunity for the best applicants who choose law enforcement or firefighting as a career choice while maintaining a standard of excellence and professional expectations.</li><li>Work with the SPD to identify fiscal and operational efficiencies that grant officers opportunities to get out of their cars and engage with neighborhood residents and businesses. This includes:<ul><li>hiring civilians for positions now occupied by sworn officers so they can commit to public safety assignments.</li><li>better utilizing Community Service Officers (CSO) to assist with non-violent and non-injury related incidents for report taking and resident engagement.</li></ul></li><li>Continue the operation of the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence (MORGV). Law enforcement leadership in Syracuse agree that we cannot completely address the issue of gun violence in our community by “arresting our way out of it”. Community Violence Intervention efforts require a multidisciplinary approach that includes law enforcement, social agencies, court systems and neighborhood stakeholders. It involves a commitment from all of us to declare that gun violence in Syracuse is unacceptable.</li><li>Further expand the city’s “diversionary response” assistance protocol which utilizes mental and behavioral health professionals to assist persons in crisis needing care and a coordinated call triage method for 911 calls. This approach reduces the need for response by sworn officers in those occurrences where there is no apparent risk of violence, freeing them to pursue priority 1 calls in our city.</li><li>Further commit to Vision Zero, a plan to reduce reckless driving and make the streets safer by utilizing infrastructure enhancements including speed humps, new streetlights and crosswalk signals. This will involve developing and implementing a Complete Streets tool kit and expanding tools such as speed detection cameras, particularly in school zones, as well as sensor technology to identify road care needs due to wear and weather impact.</li></ul>

Public safety is a team sport, the collective responsibility of us all to look out for the welfare of one another. The success of that depends on a foundation of trust between the community and those appointed to protect and serve.

Public Safety

We often group anyone under 40 as "young people," but children, teens, and young adults represent distinct life stages with unique needs. Each group requires tailored approaches that address their developmental stages, social dynamics, economic circumstances, and family situations. In a city facing one of the highest rates of concentrated poverty among black and Latino children nationwide, we must invest in programs, initiatives, and spaces that nurture their minds and guide them towards positive activities.Children: The youngest members of our community are our most vulnerable, they depend entirely on us…..the adults. Essential components for a healthy start in life include:<ul><li>Prenatal care</li><li>Early education and intervention services</li><li>Full attendance and engagement in school-age academics</li><li>Lead and toxin-free living environments</li><li>Various support services for families</li><li>Safety</li></ul>The Syracuse City School District oversee education of our children, while Onondaga County, public health and child and family services. The City of Syracuse must continue to be an active partner in solution-driven efforts that include supporting the needs of the adults in children's lives.Teenagers: The complexity of teenage years is challenging enough. Add to this, struggles with mental health, anxiety, safety concerns, understanding social norms, and adult responsibilities that many teens face prematurely. Despite their adult-like physical appearance, their brains are still cognitively and emotionally developing. Actions once deemed youthful experimentation may now lead to tragic results. Specific strategies are required to address the challenges they face on a daily basis.Young Adults: Ask a high school graduate or college student their greatest desire, and many will say, "getting out of my parents' house!" As my 30+ year old daughter says: "adulting is overrated!" The reality of managing continued education, entry into the workforce, and for some, parenting, makes "adulting" challenging. Their needs require specific strategies, particularly as they choose whether to stay in or leave Syracuse. Unlike their parents or grandparents, their options for "adulting" look different. Their pursuit of a career requires work-life balance. If they decide to explore the world, we want them to eventually return home.As Mayor I will:<ul><li>Identify partners to add recreational opportunities for families, children, and teenagers to simply have fun.</li><li>Continue to fund the Summer Youth Employment Program, providing summer internships and after-school work opportunities.</li><li>Fund city-owned community centers serving youth during summer and after-school hours.</li><li>Continue to fund the Syracuse Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) to foster program growth.</li><li>Focus on park design and programming for teenagers and differently abled residents.</li><li>Advocate for and defend our SCSD kids and build upon partnerships with SCSD's successful Career &amp; Technical Education (CTE) programs and existing workforce development initiatives to provide our youth with the skills necessary for future jobs.</li><li>Commission a task force of 20 and 30+ year-old residents to identify their work-life balance desires, including but not limited to:<ul><li>Business development</li><li>Cultural centers</li><li>Safe entertainment options</li><li>Arts and music industry growth</li></ul></li></ul>By tailoring our approach to meet the distinct needs of children, teens, and young adults, we will create pathways in our city where the next generation chooses to put down roots.

We often group anyone under 40 as "young people", but children, teens, and young adults represent distinct life stages with unique needs. They require tailored approaches that address their development stages, social dynamics, economic circumstances and family situations.

Young People

A Strong Economy + Accessible Jobs = Collective Prosperity.City Hall has a direct impact on the local economy by enabling business growth and job creation. That impact must be inclusive of all of Syracuse's residents.Poverty is a category defined by the financial status of a household. Increase that financial status and we reduce the number of people living at or below the poverty level. Workforce training AND job placement is the pathway to success. I have been closely involved in these efforts and repeatedly declared: “No more people with file folders filled with training certificates and no job!” I also firmly believe that people should not simply enroll in training programs at their own expense, but should be paid while receiving this necessary training. As Mayor, I will identify new collaborations that will expand this successful approach. Our collective workforce skill building efforts must result in a living wage job. I am steadfast in my commitment to raising the economic status of all individuals and their families in Syracuse.Right now in Syracuse, we are in a moment where companies and individuals both locally and globally are seeking to invest in our community, and the business opportunities here. Public-private partnership is critical to meaningful economic growth and must involve digital and physical infrastructure investment.As Central New York becomes a global leader for tech manufacturing and innovation, we must ensure growth is equitable and these benefits are experienced by the people who call our community home.As Mayor, I will:Increase household wealth by supporting individuals and families<ul><li>Continue and enhance training initiatives to assist workforce organizations and colleges align training programs to support high demand industries, while advocating for new solutions that provide financial support to individuals who enroll and graduate from these programs.</li><li>Expand high-speed internet access using programs such as Surge Link in order to ensure every Syracuse neighborhood can experience the benefits of this digital access and the opportunity that comes with being connected.</li><li>Work with community partners and employers to address barriers that are preventing individuals from entering the workforce, such as childcare, transportation access, etc. in order to expand access to new job opportunities.</li><li>Work with SMTC, CENTRO and other state and federal partners to implement a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) and enhance the frequency and scope of bus service so that all residents of Syracuse have access to work, education, shopping and leisure facilities.</li><li>Dedicate greater resources and assistance to entrepreneurs seeking to start and grow a business here in Syracuse, and work to ensure they have the support needed to secure City licenses and permit approvals.</li></ul>Position the City of Syracuse to capitalize on the growth and investment coming to our region<ul><li>Expand city services to spur economic growth that includes digital methods for permit submissions and options for building plan review that reduces process time.</li><li>Fully implement Syracuse’s progressive zoning laws to foster continued growth, continue to build affordable and market rate housing, and incorporate smart growth land use principles.</li><li>Work with the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) to increase technical and financial support for BIPOC, small and LGBTQ+ businesses to ensure inclusion of their vision for a vibrant Syracuse within our growing landscape.</li><li>Identify training and small business pathways specifically for our New Americans who now call Syracuse home, making us an international city. I recognize the education and skills they bring from their native home and see their place in our emerging economy.</li><li>Continue the work of the Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative to invest in our neighborhood business corridors to foster small business opportunities and meet neighborhood amenity needs.</li><li>Work with the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency (SIDA) to pursue innovative and equitable uses of tax incentives that encourage investment while ensuring they facilitate community benefit from private real estate investments.</li><li>Further advance the redevelopment of vacant land and underutilized property to bring new housing and investment into our neighborhoods. This includes using City-owned land to spur private investment, and continuing to provide financial support to the Greater Syracuse Land Bank as a critical partner in our land use redevelopment plans.</li></ul>

A Strong Economy + Accessible Jobs = Collective Prosperity People won’t believe our local economy is growing until they feel it in their purse or pocket.

An Inclusive and Growing Economy

Achieving financial sustainability is critical so we can position Syracuse to take advantage of the unprecedented economic opportunities that lie in front of us. The last several years the City has relied on aid from the federal government's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to balance the budget. That aid is now sunsetting and fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024) marked a return to draws on the reserve fund.We must address the City's structural deficit while we continue to deliver vital services effectively, efficiently, and with full accountability. As Mayor I will address the deficit by addressing both the revenue and expense sides of the equation.Revenue<ul><li>Proactively explore the opportunities of new revenue sources (i.e. recreational cannabis excise tax, and vacant property fees) to aide in relieving the tax burden of city residents.</li><li>Ensure that the property tax levy is distributed across all parcel owners fairly and equitably by completing the first City-wide revaluation in decades. This will also ensure that the unprecedent rise in real estate values is reflected in City tax bills.</li><li>Work with our partners in the County to negotiate an extension to the current City/County sales tax agreement that is vital to our financial well-being.</li><li>Review out-sourced services (i.e. towing, lawn care) for in-sourced options and maximizing state reimbursement opportunities.</li><li>Pursue additional not-for-profit service agreements like the one with Syracuse University. We cannot afford to ignore the fact that over 50% of our real estate parcels are tax exempt.</li><li>At the same time, the City must continue to recognize that "Eds and Meds" represent a large portion of our employment base and commerce. These employers and employees are critical to our financial well-being. Syracuse must remain an inviting place to work, play, and live.&nbsp;</li></ul>Expenses<ul><li>Pursue administrative efficiencies with a renewed vigor. Data driven processes and technological improvements have positioned the City to significantly reduce expenses. There is more to be done like addressing healthcare costs, overtime spending, fleet management, and furthering procurement reform.</li><li>Continue efforts to centralize and civilianize back office services wherever possible. Skilled staff in Parks, DPW, Fire and Police must have appropriate resources to deliver on their core missions - without being unduly burdened by routine administrative tasks.</li><li>Expand enforcement of expense offsets already in place (i.e., parking regulations and HazMat services.) </li><li>Enforcing City ordinance compliance carries a huge cost that should be borne by those who are not compliant. At the same time, we need to ensure we are maximizing fees and licensing enforcement opportunities.&nbsp;</li><li>The City has made great strides with its safety program, realizing savings in workers compensation costs, but there is still more to do. A program where everyone wins - taxpayers save money while we maximize employee well-being.</li></ul>Ancillary<ul><li>Maintain the City's improved bond A+ rating - and increase the positive perception of the rating agency and investors who purchase the City's debt. Bonds are lifeblood of our capital projects and we must be able to borrow on the most favorable rates and terms.</li><li>Improve the City's ability to become an employer of choice - attracting the best and brightest to work and live in the City. There must be a renewed focus on attracting certified professionals: engineers, accountants, attorneys, and technologists who all have many other opportunities.</li></ul>A Picture of SuccessBy achieving financial sustainability, where the City's expenses no longer exceed its revenue and we maintain a healthy reserve fund,&nbsp; we will be positioned to accelerate new investments in our shared future&nbsp; - residents, businesses and neighborhoods. For example, fully funding the Housing Strategy Corporation that will attract new residents and businesses to revitalize our neighborhoods.

Delivering city services effectively, efficiently, and transparently while investing in our future

Financial Sustainability

The 55th Mayor of Syracuse will walk into a transformational moment for our city.I-81 - The redevelopment of Interstate 81 and 690 will require someone with the ability to communicate the city's interests and collaborate with local, state and federal partners through the completion of this monumental construction project.I have participated in multiple community engagement activities through the draft and final environmental impact statement phases and collaborated with community stakeholder groups like, the Urban Jobs Taskforce, NYSDOT and FHWA staff to enact a historic local hiring provision within project contracts.Highway construction is a different kind of hard work! I’ve worked alongside community workforce partners, unions and educational institutions to initiate Syracuse Build and the Pathways to Apprenticeship program to provide an accessible workforce pipeline for Syracuse residents, especially women, people of color, and veterans. The program allows residents to gain access to pre-apprenticeship credentials and opportunities for careers in building trades and construction.The demolition of the I81 viaduct and its redevelopment into the Community Grid will fundamentally change the landscape of Syracuse and how we move around the City by righting the divisive national policies that decimated the former 15th ward neighborhood when it was destroyed to build the viaduct through the heart of the city.As Mayor I will:<ul><li>Ensure regular and effective communication with the NYSDOT local team through the completion of both project phases that includes all eight (8) contracts of the project.</li><li>Execution of Syracuse's $30 million portion of $180 million secured by NYSDOT in a joint I-81 Connecting Syracuse grant from the federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program.</li><li>Increase the number of trained Syracusans equipped with the skills to work on the redevelopment of the highway and beyond.</li><li>Work with community stakeholders and the NYSDOT to develop reconnected infrastructure that creates safe and productive synergy between roads, bikes, sidewalks, green space and people.</li></ul>SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING ARTS MATH (STEAM) High School - STEAM will be our first regional high school. A partnership between the City of Syracuse, the Syracuse City School District, Onondaga County, and Onondaga, Cortland and Madison County BOCES, STEAM will provide an innovative academic experience to students from SCSD and OCM BOCES component school districts. STEAM is scheduled to welcome its first class of freshman in September, 2025.As mayor I will:<ul><li>work alongside SCSD to ensure the school and its campus remain a welcoming and safe environment for its students and faculty alike.</li></ul>MICRON - the name brings hope for the possibilities that come with new industry investment in our region. Vigilance and strategic action is required to ensure investment and opportunity enhance the possibilities for us all. The company has chosen downtown Syracuse as their office location, sending a significant message regarding Syracuse's place in this moment and how our city lives, works and plays.As Mayor I will:<ul><li>Encourage housing development that meets the varying requirements of a growing workforce. I am committed to ensuring housing options that address varying needs of a very diverse community.</li><li>Continue collaboration with our educational institutions to prepare the next generation of tech manufacturing labor force.</li><li>A larger workforce requires varying options of how, where and when they relax, entertain and play after work. I’m committed to expanding the definition of a vibrant city by supporting and attracting amenities that meet diverse expectations.</li></ul>

I see the dynamic change and promise ahead of us, while being keenly aware of the challenges before us. I have equal urgency and hope for both.

Big Things Ahead

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<h2>Donation online or by check</h2><h4>Online contributions: <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sharon-owens-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ActBlue</a></h4><h4>Make checks payable to: owensforsyracuse</h4><h4>Mail to: PO Box 6037 Syracuse, NY 13217</h4>

“We all are on this earth for a purpose. And my purpose I believe, is to serve people and to do that with integrity. And what that means to me is, looking in the eyes of an individual and not imposing who I am and my expectations on that individual, but meeting them where theyInsert quote text here.

As an adopted daughter of Syracuse, I've listened to, learned from, and worked with the people of Syracuse to make a positive impact in lives along the way.I've witnessed dynamic change and see the promise ahead of us, while being keenly aware of the challenges before us. I have equal urgency and hope regarding both. My experience has prepared me to continue the progress made and lead Syracuse into her next phase of growth.Syracuse has had 54 mayors, as the first black mayor, I would bring a unique perspective and identity to empower people to recognize their place in her future.I'm seeking your support to serve as your 55th mayor and ask you to join me in working to build a better Syracuse and Maximize the Moment for All!

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<h2>Your support by check donation, thank you!</h2><h3>Make your check payable to: Owens for Syracuse Mail check to: PO Box 6037 Syracuse, NY 13217</h3>Contributions to Owens for Syracuse are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes (Section 6113 of IRC).&nbsp; Contributions are subject to New York State election law and are subject to limits and public disclosure.&nbsp;

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<h2>Your support by check donation! Thank you!</h2><h3>Make your check payable to: Owens for Syracuse Mail check to: PO Box 6037 Syracuse, NY 13217</h3>Contributions to Owens for Syracuse are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes (Section 6113 of IRC).&nbsp; Contributions are subject to New York State election law and are subject to limits and public disclosure.&nbsp;

“We all are on this earth for a purpose. My purpose is to serve people with integrity. It means looking into the eyes of an individual and not imposing my expectations, but meeting them where they are and speaking life into the possibilities of who they can be.”

<h4>As Deputy Mayor, each day I'm committed to giving power to perspectives that have historically been overlooked. Each day my time in City Hall is filled with conversations and actions that require bringing multiple stakeholders together to establish a common vision and path to achieve effective services for the people of Syracuse. It is the recipe for success I helped to build in the Walsh administration.</h4><h4>In various settings, I ask:</h4><h4>Why are we doing this?</h4><h4>How will it impact the lives of all people of Syracuse?</h4><h4>What should be addressed to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion?</h4><h4>Serving in the capacity of the Chief of Staff, I have oversight of departments providing direct constituent services (public safety, housing, business and neighborhood development) and various initiatives including:&nbsp;</h4><ul><li>Addressing housing affordability, blight and lead poisoning&nbsp;</li><li>City&nbsp; of Syracuse’s comprehensive housing strategy</li><li>Syracuse Police Department’s response to and implementation of&nbsp; the 2020 NYS Reimagining Policing Executive Order 203</li><li>The Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence</li><li>Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)</li><li>Prioritizing and implementing contracting opportunities for MWBE, DBE and SDVOB firms&nbsp;</li><li>Services and support to the Syracuse business community</li><li>New methods for the building permit process</li><li>City coordination of the Summer Youth Employment program</li><li>The City's role in workforce development initiatives like Syracuse Build, Pathways to Apprenticeship and the inclusion of local labor hiring requirements on the I-81 project in collaboration with the Urban Jobs Taskforce and NYSDOT</li><li>City representation on the NYS-Micron Community Engagement Committee</li><li>City representation in the East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Plan</li><li>Workforce initiatives resulting in skills building, union apprenticeships, and living wage jobs through the Syracuse Build Pathways to Apprenticeship program, as well as small business development and success. My candidacy presents the best option for the continuity of care of the Syracuse community. While there is much work still to be done, I have been an integral part of the decisions and services that have moved Syracuse into a position for growth.</li></ul>

<h4>The people in our lives we call family are crucial to our well-being. I am blessed with family who support and stand beside me through the highs and lows of life. </h4>

“The stars are aligning in our community”

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Maximize the Moment Campaign

Maximize the Moment Campaign Kickoff

Campaign Launch

Sharon Owens forms committee to run for Syracuse mayor in 2025

Committee formation

Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens become 1st candidate to set up committee for mayoral bid

Official Campaign Filing

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<h2>Your support by check donation, thank you!</h2><h3>Make your check payable to: Owens for Syracuse Mail check to: PO Box 6037 Syracuse, NY 13217</h3>Contributions to Owens for Syracuse are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes (Section 6113 of IRC).&nbsp; Contributions are subject to New York State election law and are subject to limits and public disclosure.&nbsp;

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Sharon Owens has served on numerous boards and recognized since 2006 for her work in the city of Syracuse.  

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