Syracuse council names city hall chambers after Van Robinson, citing I-81 work syracuse.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from syracuse.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Bob Congel, ‘Syracuse’s George Bailey,’ changed city for the better (Commentary)
Updated Feb 08, 2021;
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By Richard Pietrafesa | Special to Syracuse.com
Richard Pietrafesa, a lifelong resident of the city of Syracuse, is a former executive of Destiny USA.
When people ask me about Bob Congel, I often think of the 1946 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In that film, a guardian angel shows the main character George Bailey how significantly he has touched the lives of others, and how different life would be for the community of Bedford Falls if George had not been born. But for George and his deeds, Bedford Falls would have turned into Pottersville, an unsavory town overtaken by crime, decay and poverty.
Syracuse’s 40-year-old deal to diversify police survives federal threat; what’s next?
Updated Jan 16, 2021;
Posted Jan 16, 2021
The Syracuse Police Department to swear in 36 new officers. This picture shows officers being sworn in during July of 2018.
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Syracuse, N.Y. – A 40-year-old court order committing the city to diversify its police and firefighting ranks has survived a challenge from the U.S. Justice Department, but with a change.
The city can continue to prioritize hiring Blacks and women as police and firefighters, U.S. District Judge David Hurd ruled in a decision filed Tuesday.
His decision, which came eight days before President Donald Trump leaves office, did not strip the city’s authority to hire police officers and firefighters based on race or gender, as the Justice Department wanted.