Election 2009: Syracuse to elect new mayor

SYRACUSE — After eight years in office, Syracuse Mayor Fred Panucci has opted not to run again. And with the expiration of his term, a new mayor — either Craig Jenkins or Jamie Nagle — will be sworn into office in January.

Craig Jenkins, 53, a seminary teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has served on the Syracuse Planning Commission since 2007. He also has served on the city's arts council.

Jenkins said he's running for mayor because he has 11 years of budget experience and wants to serve to make Syracuse great for the city's children.

Jamie Nagle, 43, is a performance management specialist for the state of Utah and a member of the city's Planning Commission. Nagle says she has a proven record for leadership and fiscal responsibility.

If elected, she plans to focus on economic development and a responsive, accessible and accountable government.

Three candidates are left in the running for City Council after Robert Whiteley recently dropped out of the race.

Matt Kimmel, 32, is a commercial real estate agent and a precinct vice chairman and state delegate. He decided to run after a group of friends asked him to do so.

Kimmel says he understands how to get retail development to occur in Syracuse and, after serving as co-president of his homeowners' association, he understands local issues and conflicts that can arise and how to resolve them. He is also bilingual, speaking Spanish.

Theresa Sheffield, 46, is self-employed, managing business revenues, and has been a state delegate, precinct chairwoman and poll worker.

Sheffield said she wants to focus on economic development and government accountability and says she feels she can help resolve conflicts on heated issues.

Larry Shingleton, 61, has spent the past year on the City Council after being appointed to fill a vacant seat. During the summer, Shingleton voted against a property-tax increase, he says, because families are struggling in tough economic times.

If elected, Shingleton wants to focus in economic development, generating tax revenue for the city, public safety and unifying the city. He sees a need to market Syracuse as a great place to do business.

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