Syracuse officials must stay on target to root out slumlords (Editorial)
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
Staff writer Chris Baker’s recent investigation into a 10-year-old property investment scheme by a British con man, Simon Slee, was revealing in a couple of ways.
It explains why roughly 100 Syracuse rental properties, marketed mainly to foreign investors, fell (or fell further) into disrepair – forcing tenants to live in squalor and dragging down already struggling neighborhoods.
It also shows how things are slowly turning around due to changes to the city’s approach to tax delinquency, code violations and lead paint over those 10 years. A Slee-like scam would be harder to pull off today because:
Covid vaccine provides beacon of hope in these dark days (Editorial)
Updated Dec 20, 2020;
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The first Covid-19 vaccine arrived in Syracuse last week, signaling the beginning of the end of the pandemic. Feelings of joy, relief and hope are tempered by profound grief at the toll the coronavirus is exacting on residents of Central New York.
The moment demands recognition, even if we don’t feel much like celebrating.
Think about it: In fewer than 10 months, scientists developed a vaccine against a new and deadly viral disease that upended the world and our daily lives. Many of our neighbors participated in clinical trials establishing its effectiveness. Our regional’s teaching hospital, Upstate Medical University, is at the center of the fight, and its leading infectious disease expert is a principal investigator on the vaccine. A second vaccine will come online shortly, expanding the number of people who can be inoculated. Barring unforeseen delays, it’s possible all who w
Christmas Bureau delivers holiday joy in new ways. Here’s how you can help (Editorial)
Updated Dec 11, 2020;
Posted Dec 11, 2020
A volunteer hands out toys during the Salvation Army s Christmas Bureau Distribution Day Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, at the OnCenter. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the distribution is a drive-through event. Roughly 2,100 families will receive food boxes and gift cards to buy toys and books for their children. N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com
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The annual Christmas Bureau distribution day will go forward this coming Wednesday changed by the coronavirus pandemic, but not defeated by it.
In a year of tremendous need, the Salvation Army, its partners and volunteers will make sure 2,100 local families will have gifts for the kids to open on Christmas morning and food for their holiday tables.