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When that Rare Individual Enters the Arena

When that Rare Individual Enters the Arena

“JUANITA PEREZ WILLIAMS FOR MAYOR OF SYRACUSE”

This is about Juanita Perez Williams.  The day we need you:  PRIMARY DAY,  SEPTEMBER 12TH  is nearly here.  An extraordinary and highly talented individual is in the arena running for Mayor.  

Juanita has an astonishing list of achievement and qualification.  It is because these achievements are matched with character and integrity and compassion that these words are written.  Juanita is that rare breed that sets the standard.  This article describes as best as I can what it means to be a Democrat and to be proud of those principles that embrace our founding like no other party.  And this is Juanita Perez Williams.

As I mentioned last month, I had the opportunity to meet Juanita Perez Williams in a previous campaign and was quickly drawn to her sense of fairness and her strong dedication to that fairness.  I mentioned that in keeping with this, Juanita demonstrates in all of her thinking the one quality that has always impressed me and is too often lacking in leadership.  And that is an understanding of and respect for the interests of everyone, without bias, no matter what your income, your look or your address.

A large number of readers live in the suburbs.  And a large number of you work in the city of Syracuse.  The Mayor of Syracuse is important to both the City and County and will affect all of our lives.  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of the “PRIMARY OF SEPTEMBER 12”.  Of the 38,356 Democrats in the city in 2013 only 7,213 voted in the Primary.  This means in a primary with 3 candidates the outcome could easily be determined by a very low number.  This is the kind of election where in “individual” matters.  And if you influence just a few folks they may well swing the election.  So please, find a friend who lives in the city and please show them Juanita’s 100 day plan at info@JuanitaForMayor.com  and ask them to please, please vote on SEPTEMBER 12, 2017. 

Juanita has prepared a 100 day plan made up of 70 components.  You will find a copy at:  www.juanitaforMayor.com.  This is a comprehensive list of the needs of the City and sets the course.   A major component of that plan is a complete Block by Block assessment of the Cities needs and plans to meet each need.  Juanita will know every street, every vacant house, every pothole, every sidewalk, every blight in every park, the paths and ages of every pipe and water line.  Juanita and researchers will talk to residents on each block and ask them of their concerns.  She will know the locations of deer and what attracts them and how to safeguard from their activity.  Be it, crime and safety, or noise, or parking, or beautification, or schools, or transportation, or deer encroachment Juanita will come to an embracing view of what the people themselves say they want and need.  Block by block research involves the welfare of every citizen and the physical welfare of every block in every neighborhood.  The answers developed in this research will provide the course she needs to make the entirety of our great city a wonderful welcoming home, attractive to employers and young workers and professionals, a place to safely raise your kids and a place you are proud to call home.  Juanita will set the standard for other cities to follow.

In one of our meetings Juanita brought about a great discussion on “What it means to be a Democrat” She asked us for words that describe a Democrat.  One right after another came up.  Equality, integrity, inclusive, deserving, patriot, loyal, fair, caring, compassionate, estimable, unity, trustworthy, together, true, just to name a few.  The list became quite large.  It became so clear “Democrats” are what our founders intended for this country to be.  In this campaign everyone feels very good about themselves and what they are doing.  Yet after this meeting we all felt even better.  It is good to stay in touch with your heart as you move forward.    

For those that are not familiar I will review who Juanita is:  Juanita is the mother of four grown children and a grandmother. She sits on several Central New York Boards including Onondaga County Catholic Charities, La Liga (Spanish Action League), Clear Path for Veterans, CNY Workforce Investment Board, Bishop Ludden High School Trustee, she is co-founder of UMEA, the new minority Chamber of Commerce, and is a proud member of the Valley American Legion.  She is endorsed by the Mayors of Utica, Cortland, Tully and Solvay.  Those that understand what it takes to run a City believe Juanita is the right choice.

Juanita has served our community and our country all of her professional career. 

Juanita served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy.  She understands the meaning of sacrifice.  She knows what Hallowed Halls are and what makes them so.  And with Juanita Perez Williams as our Mayor you may be sure that City Hall will be ran in keeping with that sacred sacrifice.  Juanita is a proud member of the Valley American Legion.  Veterans will rest easy knowing that Juanita is on duty and watching out.  

Juanita served in the Navy Judge Advocates Program as a Lieutenant Commander.  Here she handled high profile criminal cases.  Juanita was selected by then Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to be a member of the New York State Military Selection Review Board In 2008.  Upon completion of her military service, Juanita worked for 7 years at the New York State Education Department as the Regional Director for “The Office of Professions”.  It was here she joined the PEF Union.  Juanita and her staff of Law Enforcement Professionals were responsible for investigating and prosecuting New York State Licensed Professionals.  Juanita then accepted a legal positon with Syracuse University.  Juanita served as an adjunct professor teaching legal issues in higher education.  With her expertise she was soon promoted to Associate Dean of Students.  Following her time at Syracuse University she was appointed to serve NYS as an Assistant Attorney General by then Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.   In 2010, Juanita was appointed by the Mayor of Syracuse to serve as Corporation Counsel and lead the City’s legal office.  Prior to announcing her candidacy, Juanita served as the Regional Director for the New York State Department of Labor.

Juanita has worked close with the Governor, his staff and many in the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.   Her natural way earned real friendships and mutual respect which are the heart of mutual cooperation.  Juanita enjoys a great and friendly relationship with the Governor.  She has his respect and friendship.  Juanita has the ability to design law and programs that legislators want to support.  Juanita knows what we need and has the unique and full array of qualities needed to cause them to become reality.  Juanita will bring great things to our city and justice to our neighborhoods.   

Juanita will sit with a developer, or a citizen concerned with deer encroachment or a crumbling sidewalk.  She will listen.  In each instance, at the end of the discussion course will be set and solutions will be underway. 

This last paragraph is the one I was hoping you would take home and say to yourself “Billy is Right”.  I will pass the word and I will vote in the “CRUCIAL” SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 Primary this year.  

The window is open.  Too seldom does one with such heart, compassion and talent enter the arena.  In our home town greatness is in our midst.  It is to us to recognize.  It is to us to choose the very best among us, as our history is crimson and our debt to that sacrifice demands the best of what we are.  Please vote for Juanita Perez Williams for Mayor of our Great City.   SEPTEMBER 12, 2017.

Bill McClellan