Onondaga County voters will find two propositions on the back of their ballots this year. The editorial board endorses both of them.
Olympic sports complex expansion
The first is statewide Proposal One, an amendment to the New York constitution that would allow the expansion of the Olympic sports complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, near Lake Placid. The state constitution designates the Adirondack Park as “forever wild.” To make exceptions, voters must approve constitutional amendments that have been passed by two different state legislatures. Similar amendments paved the way for the Whiteface, Gore and Belleayre ski areas.
Proposal One authorizes the use of 393 acres of state forest preserve land for new Nordic skiing and biathlon trails. In exchange, the state would designate 2,500 acres elsewhere in the Adirondack Park as forest preserve land.
Expanding the Olympic sports complex will attract more competitions, athletes and tourists to the venues, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. That, in turn, will support local workers, business owners and communities in the Adirondacks. Plus, more wild forest will be protected from development and logging, preserving habitat for wildlife and nature for us to enjoy.
Vote “yes” on statewide Proposal One.
The Onondaga County Legislature meets in the county courthouse. The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4.SYROnondaga County legislature term limits
Onondaga County Proposition One would limit county legislators to three consecutive terms. It also would change the term of office for county legislators from two to four years, starting in 2026. We support the changes despite reservations about doubling the term of office.
Over our years of conducting endorsement interviews, many candidates have dismissed term limits with comments like this one from then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo: “We have term limits. It’s when people vote you out of office.” The reality is that incumbents are rarely voted out of office. Challengers lack the connections, the influence and the fundraising power that incumbents enjoy. Incumbents often run unopposed, especially in local elections.
It is worth noting that this proposal passed the legislature unanimously with bipartisan support. Limiting legislators to 12 consecutive years in office strikes a balance between having some experience and some new blood in county government. Creating open seats regularly would give younger, less well-funded candidates a shot at winning. We hope it will encourage more people to run for public office, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas.
Of course, voters still could turn out legislators after one term — but they might have to wait four years to do it. Under another provision in this ballot measure, legislative terms would now be four years instead of two. Voters have notoriously short memories. Legislators may feel less accountable if they don’t have to worry about facing the ballot box for four years. That’s not ideal.
However, Proposition One doesn’t give voters a choice to say “yes” to term limits and “no” to longer terms of office. It’s all or nothing. Therefore, we endorse it.
Vote “yes” on Onondaga County Proposition One.
Why we endorse
The purpose of an editorial endorsement is to provide a thoughtful assessment of the choices voters face in an election. We offer editorial endorsements to stimulate the public conversation and promote civic engagement. Voting is a right and an obligation of citizenship. That part is up to you. Early voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 2. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
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