Group petitions Syracuse Council

Six Syracuse residents are sponsoring a petition to return the title of chief executive officer to the city's mayor, Fred Panucci.

During an Oct. 10 council meeting, the City Council voted 4-1 to change to a city-manager form of government, rather than have a mayor as top administrator. The council altered the title of the city administrator, Ken Hubler, to city manager and made him the city's CEO. The change means Hubler now reports to the council and the mayor, instead of just to Panucci.

The vote followed a spirited debate between council members who supported the change and Panucci, who opposed the vote, along with Councilman Wallace Peterson, who cast the dissenting vote.

The sponsors of the petition to restore Panucci as chief executive include Peterson, former Mayor DeLore Thurgood and Panucci's wife, Joannie, as well as residents Val Cook, Larry Shingleton and Doug Hammond. They are requesting that a referendum be placed before Syracuse residents for a vote in a special election.

Mayor Panucci said the sponsors, during Tuesday's council meeting, informed the council of their intent to "take the city back."

"It's neat to see the process working," he said.

Hammond said the sponsors believe residents have the right to a voice in government, and they don't believe the council was acting in the interests of the residents when it changed Hubler's role in city administration.

Councilman Phil Orton acknowledged that many residents think the council was trying to spite Mayor Panucci, but Orton said the council was trying to create more accountability in the city with six checks and balances instead of just one.

"It's not about a person, it's about a process," Orton said.

Councilman Dean Steel said most council members were expecting the petition.

"Not everybody's going to be pleased with the decision we made," Steel said. "We felt it was the right direction for the city at this time."

Syracuse city recorder Cassie Brown said the petitioners are required to obtain 944 signatures to get a referendum. Petitions must be turned in no later than 120 days before the next election, which would be in June. The signatures have to be verified by Brown and the county clerk.

Then, it's up to the council to set a date for the election, which could be held June 26, 2007, or Nov. 6, 2007.

Peterson, the dissenting council member, said he has heard from so many residents who support Mayor Panucci that he has lost count, compared to two who support the council's action. Peterson said it's too bad that an election can't be held until June, because many residents would like to get the ordinance changed.

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