To the Editor:
You may not care for it, and you may actually despise it, however “politics” is all around us on a daily basis. It is both unavoidable and very consequential in life.
What is “politics”?
The Oxford Dictionary defines “politics” as “the activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society.”
In November 2022, Central New York had some great examples of ‘politics’ in action.
First, there was an election in Central New York for the state Senate that had over 123,000 votes. And believe it or not, the winner was not announced for eight weeks because the race was so close. The Onondaga and Oswego County Boards of Elections needed to perform an extensive ballot recount. After all was said done, after more than 123,000 votes were cast and counted, the victor won by 10 votes. Ten. Votes. If anyone tells you your vote doesn’t matter, Sen. John Mannion would be sure to disagree.
Secondly, there was a candidate for Onondaga County sheriff this year who previously ran unsuccessfully for elected office six times in 12 years. Six races and six losses. Zero for six. Three of those races were unsuccessful campaigns for county sheriff. Despite all that previous public rejection, this candidate persisted, got on the ballot and finally won his coveted position as county sheriff. If anyone tells you to hang it up after you run for elected office and lose, Sheriff Toby Shelley would be sure to tell you to ignore them and keep trying.
“Politics” and political campaigns have major consequences. That is why the Central New York Political Leadership Institute was created.
2023 will be the 14th year that the Central New York Political Leadership Institute (CNY PLI) will convene with the mission helping Central New Yorkers understand the basics of political campaigning. Political professionals and experts — Democrat and Republican — moderate an eight-week program to explain everything from “Getting on The Ballot” to “Getting Out The Vote.”
The program started in 2010 and nearly 300 Central New Yorkers have participated in the program. And about a dozen program graduates run for office every year. Graduates of the CNY PLI have gone on to be elected as city councilors, village mayors, judges and school board members. Many more graduates are volunteering on campaigns and making sure that we, as voters, have competitive races.
Competitive races makes sure that the important issues of today are addressed and debated and voters have a choice of who they want to represent them. When our elections are uncontested, the ability to influence decisions that affect our lives is handed to someone without a challenge.
On Jan. 24, 2023, we will be hosting a virtual information about the Institute from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for anyone interested in exploring the political process. You can register at CNY Political Leadership Institute – Leadership Greater Syracuse
2023 elections include races for town, village and city councils, school boards and county legislature seats, along with campaigns for county executive, county clerk and county comptroller.
If you are interested in getting involved, please sign up for the virtual information soon. And let us remember the words of President Lincoln who said, “The ballot is stronger than the bullet”.
David Knapp
Onondaga County Legislator
LaFayette
Joe Rossi
Vice Chair of the NYS Democratic Party
Syracuse
