When Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner picked up the phone to talk to Governor Paterson two weeks ago it was an urgent matter. A partial collapse of an aging brick building jeopardized travelers on the adjacent section of Interstate 81. The governor told her she had the full support of the state to shut down the highway and clean up the problem with the building. That was the weekend that Governor Paterson announced his run for a full term in office.
Tonight Syracuse Corporation Counsel Juanita Perez Williams called an unusual evening news conference to make it clear this mess is New York's problem. She never named the governor, but she did refer to his problems in Albany that have diluted his ability to deliver on his promise.
To be fair there are plenty of legal issues slowing down this building condemnation, demolition and clean up. The property owner does not want to take responsibility, the city doesn't want to be given responsibility and the state wants a court to say it's alright to exert its responsibility.
What is lost in these negotiations is the significant inconvenience being caused to drivers needing to head north out of the city. And how about the thousands expected in three weeks for the NCAA Eastern Regional basketball finals at the Carrier Dome. Lawyers need to get out of the way of this problem quickly to bring resolution sooner rather than later.
Maybe the governor can step in to exert his influence...
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