Syracuse, N.Y. — All three candidates running for mayor of Syracuse said they would encourage recreational marijuana businesses to come to the city in an effort to boost the local economy.
The candidates – Democrat Khalid Bey, Republican Janet Burman and independent candidate Ben Walsh – shared their ideas for the city in a debate Tuesday night, hosted by Spectrum News at Onondaga Community College. The debate marked one of the candidates’ last face-to-face meetings before the election.
Walsh said he sees recreational marijuana as an opportunity to bring more business to the city, but “we must get it right” by making sure communities that have been most negatively affected by drug laws would benefit most.
But he said he and Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner have already discussed the potential safety implications of recreational marijuana use, particularly related to people driving while high.
“So it’s an opportunity, but we need to tread lightly,” Walsh said.
Bey also said he would support what he sees as a “great benefit to our economy” in drawing marijuana-based businesses to Syracuse.
“I’ve spoken with persons who are interested in bringing companies to the city. I would support that for the economic benefits that it provides to not only those persons but families and others who would work there,” he said.
Although she mostly agreed with Bey and Walsh on supporting entrepreneurship related to marijuana, Burman said she would allocate any additional tax revenue from marijuana sales in the city to prevention and intervention programs for underage pot users.
Although they mostly agreed on recreational marijuana, the candidates sparred over the latest police contract.
Walsh has repeated in several debates that Bey, in his role as a common councilor, voted against the latest police contract, including a five-year residency requirement for new officers. While Bey did vote against the contract, he says it’s because Walsh’s administration lied about the cost.
“He says it’s too expensive. He has no basis for that,” Walsh said. “And he’s never offered what would be affordable for what is allegedly his top priority.”
Bey countered that he’s not the only councilor who thinks the current police contract is unsustainably costly.
“A big part of why we often have gaps in our budget is because we can’t keep up with the increased cost of pensions,” Bey said.
Early voting is open now in Onondaga County. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Got a tip, comment or story idea? Call or text Megan Craig at 315-925-7137, email her at mcraig@syracuse.com or send a direct message on Twitter @megcraig1.
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Janet Burman keeps pushing ahead in her bid for Syracuse mayor, without the support of her party
The Ben Walsh method: Syracuse mayor is ‘always willing to listen’ but moves too slowly for some
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Watch now: Candidates for mayor square off on Syracuse.com