Councilor Chol Majok’s legislation is the latest attempt to strengthen the struggling board. Last year, the council tried to gain more oversight over the CRB.
Patrick McCarthy
Patrick McCarthy is a staff reporter at Central Current covering government and politics. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell and Newhouse Schools, McCarthy was born and raised in Syracuse and attended Nottingham High School.
Before joining the Central Current team, he worked as a writer at Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and wrote concert reviews for syracuse.com | The Post Standard. McCarthy also served as a contributing writer for TriplePundit, a publication focused on sustainability and corporate responsibility. In his role with Central Current, he provides access and transparency to elected officials – helping raise accountability and connecting readers to the decisions that shape Central New York.
Patrick McCarthy can be reached at pmccarthy@centralcurrent.org
Posted inJustice & Equity
‘The blood in our veins’: Onondagas reignite effort to win back Maple Bay, a foothold on Onondaga Lake
The lake is sacred to the Onondaga, who have not had a foothold on a portion of its shore in nearly 200 years. The county has so far not been willing to give the Nation the land.
Posted inHousing
Syracuse Housing Authority residents moving out contemplate their future — and their landlord’s
Relocation looms over uncertain tenants in the terraces of McKinney Manor, the first Syracuse Housing Authority complex slated for destruction ahead of neighborhood redevelopment.
Posted inPolicing
Syracuse police collect countless data points. How vulnerable is that data to ICE?
Daniel Schwarz, a member of the city’s Surveillance Technology Working Group, worries about the city’s data practices. State and city officials have said the city’s data is safe.
Posted inPolicing
Common Council pushes back on Syracuse police’s press for unpopular drone program
Lawmakers held a Public Safety Committee meeting meant to answer the council’s questions on the proposed drone program. SPD officials failed to assuage councilors’ concerns.
Posted inNews
Syracuse police again ask Common Council to approve funding for controversial drone program
SPD asked councilors in November 2024 to fund a “drone as first responder” program but skipped a review process meant to limit the use of surveillance technology in the city.
Posted inHousing
‘Poison in the locker room’: Why Joe Driscoll issued a city official’s most direct rebuke yet of SHA’s executive director
The city’s Interstate 81 project director Joe Driscoll called on SHA’s board to remove Executive Director Bill Simmons. Driscoll has dealt with Simmons in meetings related to the redevelopment of public housing.
Posted inHousing
How 3 advocates would address Syracuse’s housing crisis
Panelists at a panel hosted Monday by Central Current discussed code enforcement, protecting tenants and how to create housing.
Posted inHousing
Bill Simmons is unbothered by mayor’s call for leadership change. Will Walsh, SHA Board act?
Walsh criticized Simmons at SHA’s Thursday board meeting. It continued a weeks-long blame game about delays to the redevelopment of public housing.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse Common Councilors vote to sign new contract with Veo
The contract will bring e-bikes and e-scooters back to Syracuse’s streets this spring. Councilors questioned the city’s previous contract with the company.
