The Onondaga County Legislature this afternoon approved six board members for an organization that is supposed to help development and bring jobs. But while Democrats were all for the idea, they don't like how its directors - all Republicans - were chosen.
The corporation will oversee providing bonds for community projects. St. Joseph's Hospital will be the first to benefit with bonding help for a $220-million dollar expansion.
Because Republicans hold the majority in the County Legislature, Democrats are not happy about the nature of the appointments. "They act like they talk to us, but they don't," a red-faced Bill Kinne, D-Syracuse stood up and said during the meeting.
After the meeting, Republican Floor Leader Kathleen Rapp told us that the nominees were no surprise to the Democrats. "The information has been on the desk for two weeks," she said.
The board is comprised of six Republicans, three of whom are former legislators. Three were chosen by Legislature Chair William Meyer, R-Cicero, and three were chosen by the County Executive, Republican Joanie Mahoney.
Dissatisfaction over the board appointees runs deeper than party politics. In order to have fair representation on a community board, there needs to be more than just "old, white men," Kinne said. "We have very little female and minority representation."
With the community in mind, Kinne voted in support for the appointments. "You have to pick and choose your battles."
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