Q & A With Khalid Bey

Q & A with Khalid Bey

By Raquan Pride-Green | raquanspg@therisemedia.net

Some would say that Barack Obama’s Presidential Election victory in 2008 was an example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream coming true. The people of Syracuse’s urban community, both past and present, have our own dreams for our community. Syracuse Common Councilor-At-Large, Khalid Bey, has aspirations of becoming the city of Syracuse’s next Mayor. Bey has recently announced his candidacy to become Syracuse’s new Mayor in the 2021 Mayoral election. This announcement is paramount, considering that Syracuse has never had a Black Mayor, despite having had black candidates run for election in the past. Khalid Bey, along with many others believe that there is no better time than now to rewrite history and change the narrative of Syracuse’s political landscape.

Khalid Bey is a Syracuse native who grew up on the city’s South Side in Central Village, which was known as “Brick City” during his childhood. Today Central Village is called “The Bricks.” Central Village is a Syracuse Housing Project located near the downtown area just one block away from neighboring housing projects, McKinley Manor (formerly Mulberry Square) and the Pioneer Homes (the first housing project in New York State).

Councilman Bey attended Corcoran High School where he played football and ran indoor track. After high school, he attended Virginia State University, an HBCU (Historically Black College/University) as a social work major. Khalid Bey is an author with seven books that have been published; he is the Owner and Founder of 111 Advisors, a communication management firm, and the President of the Syracuse Strong Semipro football team. He is also a high school football coach for the Nottingham Bulldogs and youth football coach for the Kirk Park Colts.

How did you get into politics?

A. I've always been aware socially, which is relative in some ways to politics. When considering the condition of neighborhoods like mine, I thought to myself, "who better to represent my issues than me?" I then ran for office in 2005 for the first time unsuccessfully but I learned a lot from that experience.

How long have you been in politics?

A. I've been involved in politics consistently now for 15 years. I've been an elected official now for nearly a decade.

Why is this the right time to run for Mayor?

A. The current administration has not done an adequate job thus far. I am the most experienced elected official out of all who are being considered, including the current Mayor. "Now" is all there is. We can no longer afford to wait for tomorrow.

How will Syracuse be better with you as mayor?

A. Syracuse needs a Mayor who understands our issues and who will be decisive when important decisions have to be made. My work on the Council demonstrates my understanding of the issues. Talk alone has no value. A demonstrated track record does.

There's always efforts to serve diversity initiatives, do you have any specific initiatives for the Black community?

A. Considering that I am 'Brown' (black) myself, the very idea of me winning would demonstrate diversity (on the part of the voting populace). I have specific initiatives for stabilizing underserved communities. If we succeed, neighborhoods throughout the city would benefit, including the Black community. In regards to my administration, the efforts to diversify will be deliberate.

How has being a city councilor-at-large prepared you for the role of Mayor?

A. Though it is not widely understood, the Council, along with the Mayor manages the city and its operations. More specifically, the Council oversees the use of the city's budget; as a result, all initiatives instituted by the Mayor require Council approval. Furthermore, as the President Pro Tempore of the Council for the past four years, I have been an intrical part of the leadership for the city and have been a part of every major decision during that period. Lastly, an understanding of government, which I have, and how it works is key to being an effective Mayor.

Why should the people vote for you?

A. The one idea that has to be eliminated from the thinking of the voter is that by voting for a Candidate, you are doing them a favor. The voter should see their vote casting as an investment based on "their" interest. To merely vote for a person will give us more of what we've already had. A vote for me is the smart investment during this cycle. As mentioned, my catalog of work since being on the Council from sponsoring legislation like "Ban the Box” to the "Local Hiring Ordinance" to "Warrants for Inspections" demonstrates my understanding of the needs for jobs in our communities, fairness for persons reentering society, and penalties for absentee landlordism. I understand what needs to be done in our city

What is Ban the Box?

A. Ban the Box is legislation that removed the question about whether a person have been convicted of a crime from city job applications. This allows a person an opportunity to at least one preliminary interview, instead of being denied because of a checked box about his or her criminal history.

What is The Local Hiring Ordinance?

A. The Local Hiring Ordinance states that any company that would contract with the city of Syracuse will be required to hire workers from within the city, should the contracted job require a larger labor force then they had at the start of said contract.

What is Warrants for Inspection?

A. Warrants for Inspections allows for the Code Enforcement Department to seek a warrant from the court to enter a house that is suspicious of violations and has receive multiple complaints from the tenants. Prior to this legislation, landlords had the legal right to deny Code Enforcement Inspectors access to the inside of their properties.

What would it mean to be the first Black mayor of Syracuse?

A. It would be historic. It would be motivation for others to be more involved politically and socially. It would be an opportunity to have someone in office who can truly be effective in the handling of issues in communities like ours. A lack of understanding as well as an inability to relate has prevented some in the past from being able to deliver in a way that is both tangible and meaningful. While no single person can solve every issue, myself as Mayor puts our issues on the table in a way that they've never been in the history of our city.

How can you have a positive impact on Syracuse economically?

A. Jobs are what it's about. There needs to be a purposeful effort to reduce unemployment. When our unemployment level decreases, our sales and property tax generation will increase. The ability for home ownership increases as well. The result will be a slowly, but continually stabilizing economy.

Would you bring back summer jobs for teens that does not go by their parent's income?

A. My priority is to increase employment opportunities for unemployed adults. It's counter-productive to send an employed teenager home to unemployed parents. Teenagers buy sneakers and Parents pay bills! In order to stabilize families, parents must have opportunities to provide for their children. Kids who are cared for can "be kids" and focus more on their school performance.

What alternatives to crime can you help establish for the youth?

A. Crime reduction will happen as a result of stabilized homes and improved community-police relations. Families should not want the government involved with their children. The federal government no longer provides funds for community centers or similar operations. Greater support must be provided for parents who are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their children.

What would be your expectations for the chief of police?

A. A Police Chief that works for me will enforce the Federal Consent Decree, ensuring diversity in the ranks of the department. I, as Mayor, will not tolerate misconduct on the part of any officer. A Police Chief that works for me will reward good deeds and will penalize bad ones.

How do we make Syracuse a more vibrant community?

A. Neighborhood business corridors and housing revitalization is the way back to prosperity. I also have ideas for how to make our winter seasons more of a benefit and less of a curse.

How do we retain our young talent instead of them relocating?

A. Access to employment, opportunities for wealth building through home ownership and entrepreneurship, crime reduction, and an investment in arts and culture will help keep our young talent in Syracuse.

How can the people donate to your campaign?

A. To donate to my campaign, you can go to

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bey4mayor?locale.x=en_US.

All contributions to my campaign will be greatly appreciated!