Block-krieg!

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)



For one day, over 300 volunteers descended on two small neighborhoods on Syracuse's South and West sides to renovate, rebuild, and construct everything from homes to porches. Syracuse non-profit, Home Headquarters, organized the one-day event that included large donations of paint, lumber, and labor from private and public companies alike.

A house and a life

Danielle Smith is a full-time employee at Landmark Aviation, and is also the full-time mother of a 10-year-old son, Johnathan. Smith's lived on the West Side for most of her life, spending most of it in the same house which used to belong to her grandparents.

Today, the same house her grandparents owned, the one she was born in, and now the one she raises her son in has a lot of wear and tear. During the last three years she's lived at the Ostico Street home, she's replaced a roof, a ceiling, and repaired two bursted pipes during the winter months.

Home Headquarters has supported her for some of the repairs, including covering 80 percent of a 20,000 dollar roof replacement.

"I work 40 hours a week" said Smith, "for them to be able to help out is great."

Today, she's paying it back. Smith called in "sick" to her boss to help the volunteers, all complete strangers, paint her house. (Her boss knows the real story) She thinks programs like Home HQ can make a big difference to neighborhoods.

"Even the house right next door to us, it had a bunch of bushes and trees," said Smith about a house where she said, "not the best kind of people would hang out"

"Now you can see what's actually going on," added Smith, and she believes by just clearing away the brush, troublemakers will be less likely to hang out there.

Ali Jackson Popp, one of the events coordinators from Home Headquarters says statistics back up Smith's assertion. She also says putting people in homes they can afford, in good neighborhoods has unmeasurable benefits.

"Kids that live in an owned home rather than rent, are more likely to do better in school and less likely to get into trouble," say Popp.

Speaking of kids, even Smith's son John pitched in. He only had one request, that they not change the color of his house, especially pink.

"I do not like any color, I just like the way it is."

As for how hard the work was, John said it was "infinity times one."

Who showed up to help?

Volunteers and donations varied widely for the event, here's just a partial list:

• Children from the Spanish Action League's Youth Program painted plywood boards for windows of vacant houses
• The Onondaga Earth Corps provided landscaping for several houses
• The Salvation Army sent a repair team from their stores
• Sherwin-Williams donated paint and professional labor

Anything not finished during the Block Blitz will be finished next week by Home Headquarters and their hired professionals.

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The secret to their success

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)

Young entrepreneurs receive small loans to finance dreams

Isaac Rothwell hopes to start his own audio production company, but for now works full time for a city non-profit.  He builds his dream at night.

A passion for creating and producing music fuels 29-year-old Isaac Rothwell as he tries to start his dream company, an audio production service to help musicians, filmmakers, and advertisers produce high-quality work. However, finances have always been a problem for Rothwell, who is slowly building a full studio in the basement of his West Side neighborhood home.

"It's a constant battle for me," Rothwell said, "between what can I afford to get and what would I like to get."

Rothwell has had to move very slowly over the years, building up piece by piece while working a full time job at the Center for Community Alternatives, where he helps persons with criminal records find jobs. Rothwell says giving back to the community is important for him.

And now, the community might just be able to give back. The Near West Side Initiative, also known as the SALT district, hopes to begin a micro-loan program to give entrepreneurs like Rothwell the money they need to expand their local businesses. In addition, the group will support lendees on a continual basis providing training and guidance before and after the loan.

Rothwell says he only needs a few thousand dollars to expand his capabilities. He said he's had to turn down many jobs because he hasn't had the money for all the equipment he needs.

Micro-loan, aren't all loans the same?

The short answer is no.

Bob Herz, director of the South Side Innovation Center (SSIC), says banks tend not to give loans to small businesses that aren't under 30,000 dollars. Well, not without high interest rates. Credit cards? Same problem he says.

Micro-loans, also known as micro-finance, is a way of giving entrepreneurs and established companies an extra shot of life when they're resources are spent.

"What we find is that so many entrepreneurs have put so much of their time and so much of their resources into their business idea that they don't have a lot left," said Herz.

Micro-loans were first used outside of the US in places like India where women were given 1 dollar a day to start businesses in their skill.

Micro-finance and micro-loans are different in the U.S. The dollar figure is higher, usually between 1,000 and 20,000 dollars (still under the normal banking level). But the concept of guiding the lendeed through, and remaining supportive of them through the life of the loan is the same.

Initial program's success leads to expansion

Herz's organization is the model for the SALT district program. His program, SSIC, has given out over 20 microloans since the program began, and only two have defaulted. Herz said his program works closely with lendees all the time, and keeps them on track.

"Our bank likes to say we have a lot of deliquencies," said Herz, "but no defaults."

The program works because Herz makes an agreement with participating banks to guarantee a percentage of a loan if it defaults. The guarantees are funded by grants given to the SSIC.

Herz said his program, like SALT, provides one on one support anytime. At a minimum, his clients recieve sixty hours of training in topics such as HR, administrative organization, training in office programs like Word or Excel, and finance training.

Before any loan is given, Herz works people through their whole idea until a firm business plan is created and approved.

"You can not get to a micro-credit loan unless you got a business plan, and unless we approve you," Herz said.

The cost of the program, 75 dollars once clients are ready to draft a business plan. However the program returns all but 25 dollars if the client finishes the process.

Back to the music...

Returning to Isaac Rothwell, who works nightly in his basement turning it into a studio, he hopes the success Herz created in the south will be duplicated on the West Side. He grew up on the west side in Syracuse, and feels he can help the city by establishing a business there.

"It's time for people that have seen this or are aware of this," said Rothwell, "we need to provide the same quality of life in this neighborhood as in any other part of Central New York."

Rothwell said he is committed to helping the neighborhood and, if his business grows, to even start programs where high school kids from the area can learn the job and a little money at the same time.


Of course, the first step is to finish the new studio and buy the equipment necessary to grow. Rothwell hopes his micro-loan will end his waiting, and get him moving to the next step.

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Driving impaired by medicines as dangerous as driving drunk

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)

(Photo by Matt Porter)

Matt Porter, NCC News

People driving drugged now easier to catch, Police say

Five years ago if you were driving akwardly and looked sluggish (but not drunk), Officer Robert Boris would pull you over and not be able to find any violation in the law. But now, he can identify signs that a driver may be taking drugs, illegal or legal, that are impairing his or her ability to drive.

"Just because you are prescribed a medication," says Officer Boris, "doesn't mean you can drive with that medication."

In fact, Officer Boris says that if you are found impaired under the influence of any drug, from cocaine to Tylenol, you can be charged to the full extent of the law. It's just until now, Police have had a much more difficult time identifying when someone is "driving drugged."

In 2005, Officer Boris became one of four Syracuse Police Officers to receive training to specifically identify people under the influence of drugs. According to a recent New York Times report, there are only 7,000 "drug recognition officers" across the country like Officer Boris.

Since he's had the training, Officer Boris says he hasn't lost a single case in court.


On why it's so easy:

"The attorney's know that we know what we're talking about," says Officer Boris, "my [success] rate is 98 or 99 percent."

What is the charge?

In Syracuse, the charge is known as a "D.W.A.I. by drugs" which stands for: Driving With Ability Impaired by Drugs. It doesn't matter what the drug. The punishments are equivalent to a D.U.I. Penalties can include, but are not limited to:

• Fines (250 to 1000 dollars)
• Suspension of License
• Prison sentences (Five years or more)

Officer Boris says the law is serious because "you're putting yourself in danger, you're putting everyone else in danger, it's just not worth it."

How to know when you shouldn't drive?

Pharmacist Christine Camille says people should not drive or do anything after taking a new medication, whether it's over the counter or prescription. Camille says over the counter medications, particularly antihistamines like Benadryl and Zyrtec can make people drowsy or sluggish.

She says patients should take it easy the rest of the day at home, and if they can't do that, wait until the evening to test new medicines because side-effects like drowsiness may not take effect right away.

"If the prescription is time released," says Camille, "you could have [side-effects] six hours later, twelve hours later."

Camille also warns patients not to mix prescriptions unless prescribed to do so, and to avoid mixing alcohol with any medicine. Alcohol, she says, suppresses the central nervous system and can have an adverse effect on many drugs.

As for Officer Boris, he says people need to take it easy when trying new drugs, and also to read labels closely.

"The red tag says do not operate heavy machinery," says Officer Boris, "a car is that."

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Fire on Carrier Campus forces workers to evacuate

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)

(Photo by Matt Porter)

NCC NEWS

Lunchtime fire sends some workers home early; no injuries

A fire broke out on top of one of the buildings in the Carrier Campus on Rt. 298 shortly after Noon. The fire started in the TR-4 building after contractors, who were replacing the roof, exposed some smolder that caught fire after coming in contact with the air, says Carrier spokesperson Jon Shaw.

No one was hurt during the fire, and it was "well contained from the moment it started," says Shaw.

The TR-4 building housed officers, engineering labs, and the cafeteria. Carrier told workers in that building to go home for the day.

"Everyone got out safely, nobody was hurt," Shaw says, "and we're happy about that."

Carrier is inspecting the building's structural soundness and repowering the plant. They hope to have the building functional tomorrow morning when employees return to work.

Sheriff says cell phone crackdown succeeding

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)

(Photo by Matt Porter)

Matt Porter, NCC News

Public learning the new law, Sheriff says

Syracuse Police, partnered with the Sheriff's department and State Police, placed extra patrols on the road last week to be on the look out for drivers using their cell phones (or any electronic device) while driving. This is the second of four rounds of "cell phone crackdowns" funded by a grant from the Federal government.

Sheriff Kevin Walsh says he's seen a a drop in ticketing this time over the last period so far.

"There is finally some more compliance," says Sheriff Walsh.

Walsh says he waited on a street corner near the S.U. campus where he used to see students driving with the phone all the time. This time, he came up empty.

What's illegal?

The law says, "Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using any portable electronic device while such a vehicle is in motion." If you're wondering what can land you a ticket, and what can't, here's a list:

• Talking or texting, or using your mobile device in any way while driving are ticketable offences.
• Using a laptop or iPod while driving, a ticketable offence.
• Using a cell phone with speaker phone, against the law unless you have a hands-free set up.
• If your car is stopped, or pulled over in a place where it's legal to do so, using your device is fine.
• Emergency responders, as defined by law, including police, fire, and emergency personnel are exempt. (Alas, no journalists!)
• As always, if you're pulled over, the officer has full discretion to decide if you get a ticket or not.

Is all this worth the money and time?

The Syracuse Police and Sheriff's Department say absolutely. Sheriff Walsh says, "we get calls about distracted drivers all the time."

2008 New York State traffic statistics show "distracted driving" as the leading cause of accidents involving injury or death. One in four drivers involved in an accident causing injury or death were labeled as "distracted." The leading cause of distraction is none other than people using cell phones.
Some residents say the police should focus their attention to what they see as more important traffic violations.

"They should be getting people who were drinking or driving, with DUIs," says 26-year-old Andy Cheng, "that's more of a threat."

But, according to the 2008 statistics, alcohol-related incidents made up for just over 3 percent of accidents while distracted driving made up for over 20 percent. It's important to note that there are often multiple factors assigned by officers and therfore, the numbers may not be as far apart as they seem. Cell phones are also not the only cause for "distracted driving."

But still, police say educating the public about any one distraction is a success. Sheriff Walsh likened the current cell phone program to the "click it or ticket" program from the 90s.

"Using the cell phone can risk your life, we're trying to get the word out," says the Sheriff.

"Click it or ticket" also started as a federal pilot program like the new cell phone initiative. The current program is being funded in two cities: Syracuse and Hartford, Connecticut.

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Bank Robbery in town of Geddes

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)


(Photo by Matt Porter)

NCC NEWS

As of 4pm, the Sheriff's department, Geddes Police, and the FBI were still looking for the suspect that robbed a Bank of America at approximately 11:30 in the morning in Geddes.

Police describe the suspect as a black male, between 5'8" and 5'10". The suspect has short cropped hair and was wearing a plaid red and white shirt. The suspect fled on foot, police responded with a canine unit and helicopters.

No one was hurt or injured in the robbery at 4732 Onondaga Boulevard. The bank employees and the store's only customer at that time were questioned by police, and then released for the rest of the day. The bank did not reopen for the day.

Employees at neighboring stores say crime is not a usually a major problem for them. Steve Frederick, who works at the Pizza Hut next door, was surprised by the incident.

"I was flabbergasted," Frederick said, "I know everybody in that bank. I have a good rapport with them. When they got robbed, I called them up and asked if they needed some lunch today. They got it on me."

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Police "move-in" to troubled Syracuse neighborhoods for the summer

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)


Matt Porter, NCC News

Making their presence known

The Syracuse Police stationed officers in temporary office units in neighborhoods where they receive the most calls. The Police Department calls it the "Stop-In" program, which stands for "Strategic Team Oriented Policing in Neighborhoods."

The "Stop-In mobile policing units" are located in three neighborhoods: Rockland Avenue, Fernwood Avenue, and on the corner of Knaul and Highland Street. Each area had high call volumes in 2009.

The purpose of the program is for officers to embed themselves in these neighborhoods, find out the problems of the neighbors, and work to resolve some of them. According to Deputy Police Chief Joe Cecile, some of the issues the police hope to help solve include:

• Identify and investigate suspicious houses in the community that may be holding guns or drugs
• Identify and investigate suspicious activity that could be drug or
  gang related
• Problems with drivers speeding or committing other serious traffic violations

Police Chief Frank Fowler said in a press conference today that he hopes that by having officers embedded in the community, even for a short time, will encourage residents to be proactive and watchful in their neighborhoods.

"We're on the same side," said Chief Fowler, "They want the criminal out of the community, I want them out of my city."

Deputy Chief Cecile noted that the officers have been off to a slower start than expected in the communities like Knaul because of language barriers with some community members.

Is it working?

Residents we spoke to today say "the pods" have made an impact on the community.

"It's been quieter," says Michelle Smith who was walking her ten-month year-old son when we stopped her about a block from the pod, "I think it should stay, it would help the neighborhood a lot."

Although the cost of the pod is cheap, $230 dollars a month, the city can't afford to staff the officers at the pods permanently. For now, they've re-assigned their school officers to the pods. But in a few weeks, they'll be re-assigned when school starts back up.

The police are offering cell phone numbers to residents according to Chief Fowler, and residents say they would take advantage of that.

"Usually, when you call 9-1-1, it takes em a bit because they have other calls," says Krista Bombard who works at the bakery down the street from the pod, "If there's something going on right there, you can call the officer and he'll come down right away before it got out of hand."

A smashed window from some hurled object serves as a reminder for Bombard of the neighborhood's potential for volatility.

Looking towards the future

Police Chief Fowler says the Knaul-Highland neighborhood was not only chosen for its high call volume, but also because it doesn''t have an active neighborhood watch program. He says he hopes that by having officers teach residents about these programs, they'll be able to help law enforcement "by doing some self-policing."

He doesn't mean whipping out a pistol or handcuffs, but by people keeping their eyes and ears open, and getting involved in city programs like Neighborhood Watch. One resident who preferred only to be referred to as James, says the community already does something similar.

"People know each other in this neighborhood. They bond," says James, "We talk to each other in this neighborhood."

A lot of the neighbors say they wished the pods could stay, and were skeptical of things staying as quiet when the police leave next month.

"It will probably pick right back up the way it was," says Bombard.

As for James, he says the police's goal of closer relations is possible, but only if "people come together and want it, you know. If there's no unity than people perish."

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From buildings to spaceships, kids learn it all at Onondaga Community College

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University.  View the original story.)



Matt Porter, NCC News

OCC's "College For Kids" marks 26th year

The "College for Kids" summer program began it's 26th summer last week. The program recruits teachers and professionals to teach summer courses for children ages 8-14 years-old.

Course teachers design their own classes, usually in their field. Marcia Rees Conrad, a professional architect and OCC graduate, teaches several courses on architecture including "Pads for Paws", a class about building more comfortable dog shelters. Conrad says the link between professionals and young people is one of the most important aspects of "College for Kids."

"Kids think it's really something special when an adult shares their profession with them," said Conrad.

Scott Stagnitta, a middle school teacher in Skaneateles, started an aerospace engineering class six years ago. He said some kids come back year after year to build on their previous designs. Today, two of his former students are studying engineering in university.

"That's the great thing about teaching," said Stagnitta, "you never really know how far your impact is gonna go."

Video: Students in Stagnitta's class test launch their rockets at Onondaga Community College.

Other courses offered at "College For Kids"

32 teachers and junior counselors are on hand this year, taking care of
nearly 500 students over a three week span. Students take one or
two courses per four-hour session. Each week includes a morning and
afternoon session. Students can sign up for mornings, afternoons, or both.

The three-week program is known for its wide-ranging course selection. Here are some of its offerings:

• Mysteries, Spies, and CSI's - Students search for clues, dust for fingerprints, and do whatever is needed "to crack the big case!"
• Discovering France - Students travel to "virtual France" and have a chance to sample everything from culture, food, to language.
• American Idol: OCC Style - Students prepare for the ultimate talent show in Onondaga County. Who will be the next Idol?
• Advanced Magic - Students learn the tricks of the magician's trade. Students magically inclined can also sign up for another course, "Harry Potter's World."
• Ultimate Frisbee - Students learn the ins and outs of throwing and catching the Frisbee with accuracy. For those who like to run and play as a team, Ultimate Frisbee is a great choice.

Is it all worth it?

Parents of students at the camp were pleased with "College For Kids" offerings. John and Julie Smith moved to Syracuse last year from Long Island with their two sons, now both in the program.

"We had nothing like this down there [in long island]," said John.

His wife Julie added, "the rocketry course is perfect for my son and he absolutely loves it."

A paper for the Wallace Foundation, an education research center, provides a study of nearly 4,000 families whose children attended either over night or day camps similar to "College For Kids."

The study reported that for children who spent at least one week in these programs, there were improvements in social skills, physical and thinking skills, in positive values and thinking, and spirituality.

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Red Sox Nation..in Syracuse?

Saturday, 5:30pm:  I grabbed the new Jacoby Ellsbury T-shirt my aunt gave me before leaving to Syracuse, and thought, should I really wear this out into New York? 

6:40pm:                    My friend Shawn and I arrive at Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Syracuse Chiefs.  What do I see?  A sea of red.

On a breezy summer's night, hundreds of Sox Fans showed up to see Josh Beckett make a rehab start with the PawSox against the Syracuse Chiefs, the triple-A affiliate for the Washington Nationals.  The game was relatively calm, Beckett pitched four innings, giving up three.  The PawSox ultimately lost 9-5.

But the real treasure was the atmosphere of the intimate Syracuse ballpark.  It was a stadium with no bad seats, and filled with families.  Some older and younger folks were there as well, but from my guess, the majority of visitors last night were families spending an evening at the park.  It's a lot easier to go to the ball game in Syracuse as a family of four, than to Fenway which remains the most expensive ball park in the country.  The price of a ticket anywhere in the stadium at Syracuse -- 11 bucks.

On entry to the park, Scooch, one of the mascots for the team, gave out big hugs to all the visitors.  The ballpark smelled of nachos, hamburgers, and melted cheese, like any self respecting ball park should.  At our seats along the first base side, cheering Red Sox fans, young and old, watched Josh Beckett warm up, some calling out for a ball to be tossed their way.

Sitting in comfortable plastic seats (I forget most ball parks haven't lovingly held on to their tiny, iron seats like Fenway), I chatted with the Sox fans to my left, right, and front.  A few friendly Chief's fans sat just behind me.

During the entire game, there were no incidents of bad behavior among fans.  People took in the game, enjoyed it, whether or not their team one.  Besides the Sox jerseys, you could see a fair amount of Yankee shirts, but the Mets, Blue Jays, and the Chief's MLB team, the Nationals were represented.

It was a great night for baseball, but an even better one for families.  It was a refreshingly cool night, with just a brief shower during the 4th inning.

It was baseball the way it should be, the way America's been watching it for the last hundred years.

School re-fit one step closer to reality, but not without concern

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University.  View the original story.)


Photos by Matt Porter

Lease passes crucial Common Council vote

By a 5-4 margin, councilors approved the 28 million dollar lease of the Syracuse Developmental Center. The school district plans to relocate 1,500 students there to make way for renovations at H.W. Smith School (K-8) and Dr. Weeks Elementary.

The lease represents the first major step for city-wide renovations of schools since the city established the Joint Schools Construction Board in April, 2004.

Critics say school district didn't do enough

The lease deal remains a concern, mostly because it is currently the city's one and only option for space.

"You go to city hall with no Plan B, no Plan C," said retired teacher Bob Gardino, now a member of Parents for Public Schools in Syracuse, "I mean in the vernacular of the street, that just sucks."

Councilwoman Kathleen Joy, who voted yes for the bill, said she and the rest of the council had to work hard researching the parties involved after a Post-Standard investigation revealed questionable backgrounds involving participants in the lease.

"The school district didn't do that, newspapers had to," said Joy.

School district public relations officer Mike Henesey said the district looked at 13 possible sites during a two year period. According to Henesey, the SDC site was the only feasible site to hold all students and meet state education standards.

Current concerns and challenges ahead

The concerns aired by the council, mayor's office, and parents include:

• The current owner, Syracuse Resort Development, Inc., to pay 1.325 million dollars in back taxes. The owner provided documentation to the council promising to do this.
• The property needs to be sold within two weeks to it's new owner, Health Consortium USA. The council inserted an out clause if this does not happen.
• One of the partners for Health Consortium, USA is Maurice Hoo. Maurice Hoo has a questionable record according to the Post-Standard, including being the subject of an F.B.I. investigation for fraud. Other partners at Health Consortium say Hoo's role will be limited and he will not control the funds or renovations.
• Parents remain concerned about the bus transportation to the SDC which is on the west side of Syrause. Both schools slated for renovation are on Syracuse's east side.

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