Minch proposes that candidates participate in community forums

To: All Media
From: David Lasda, Public Relations Chair - 492- 4912 (o) / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Minch Lewis Campaign Committee - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Date: March 7, 2001
Re: Minch Lewis Press Conference

Minch Lewis, City Auditor and Democratic Candidate for Mayor of Syracuse today invited all the other known Democratic candidates to join him in a proposed series of community forums. Lewis said, "We need to discuss in open forums the critical issues facing the City of Syracuse today." Lewis called upon local organizations such as the League of Women Voters and other civic and social groups to provide the venues in which these candidates could not only share their views but hear directly from the citizens of Syracuse.

Lewis, the only publicly declared Democratic candidate, has been attempting to carry his views to Syracuse residents in a series of neighborhood fund-raising events he began on February 14th on the South-side at Henson’s Family Restaurant. It was followed on February 23rd with an Eastwood gathering at the American Legion Hall on Burnet Avenue. This past Sunday he met with Northside residents at the Locker Room on Hiawatha Boulevard and he will hold an Eastside fundraiser this Sunday afternoon from 2-4 PM at the Westcott Community Center. West-side and downtown events are in the planning.

Lewis declared, "These community forums will provide candidates the opportunity to state their positions on major issues such as economic development, education, fiscal integrity, neighborhood revitalization and more. I believe that such a free exchange of ideas by reasonable people in a public arena is the cornerstone of our democracy." Lewis concluded that quite specifically these forums would ensure that Democratic Party members would have access to all the candidates and develop a clear understanding of each candidate’s position prior to the nominating process, believed now to be scheduled for May. Minch Lewis believes that it is his duty to communicate his detailed vision of Syracuse to the voters. "I genuinely hope that there is a positive response from the Democratic candidates.