Syracuse preps for debate

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SYRACUSE -- In an effort to educate residents, and possibly win them over, Mayor Fred Panucci and Councilman Danny Hammon will debate the change of government issue Saturday.

The debate on Syracuse's Referendum No. 1 will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Syracuse Junior High, 1450 S. 2000 West.

The referendum will appear on Tuesday's election ballot. A vote in favor of the referendum approves of a city manager government setup, which removes the title of chief executive officer from Panucci's office.

"This is really set up for people who are on the fence," said Mike Norton, a Syracuse resident who organized the debate. "We just wanted to have an objective forum where citizens who aren't quite sure on the issue can hopefully get some information that will help them to make a decision."

An earlier debate organized by Citizens for Syracuse took place on Oct. 18, but many supporting the government staying as is said it was one-sided, because Citizens for Syracuse is in favor of the referendum.

"It wasn't really even a debate because it was set up by the opposition," Panucci said. "We thought it was biased."

Panucci said that even though this debate is only three days before the election, it will serve as a valuable tool for voters.

"If folks don't know which way to vote, this will be beneficial," he said. "Hopefully, it will help bring some clarity to the issue."

Clarity on the issue is what both sides hope to establish.

"We just want to dispel any myths about what the council did and we want to explain the changes the referendum will bring to the city," said Hammon. "There is a perception that we took powers away from the mayor, but essentially all we did was move the title of CEO to the city manager."

All parties involved seem to agree, the issue has created a division within the community.

"We need to diffuse all the divisiveness," Hammon said. "I think a lot of it is coming from bad information, and hopefully we can get the right information out there."

Panucci said that however the votes add up on Tuesday, the city must move on regardless.

"We will do what the people have asked," he said. "It's not our city, it's theirs."

The debate is free of charge and open to all Syracuse residents.

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