For more than 60 years, the Citizens of Onondaga County have been offering ideas to improve the area around Onondaga Lake.  Yes, we are proud of the beautiful park on the east side of the Lake but there is a lot of the shoreline that could be and needs to be given our collective attention.  The progress on the lake cleanup signals that it’s time to dust off the old reports, collate all the citizen ideas from dozens of studies and together figure out what we can do now to make these ideas become a reality.

Onondaga County, who owns approximately 90% of the land surrounding Onondaga Lake, contracted with F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse to organize the past reports to identify thet needs and desires of its citizens and create a comprehensive document that will be used as a blueprint to move forward.  Through its contract with F.O.C.U.S. and its citizen-driven campaign, the County will achieve the goal  of re-integrating Onondaga Lake with citizens, local, state, and federal governments, the private sector and community stakeholders.  This includes YOU.

F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse has 15 years of demonstrated success in formulating citizen-driven action plans that enhance the quality of life for all of Onondaga County.  Having identified a clean and accessible Onondaga Lake as a top consideration for our City and County, F.O.C.U.S. will work to determine what will be needed to turn viable concepts into reality.

According to F.O.C.U.S. Executive Director Charlotte (Chuckie) Holstein, “The goal of F.O.C.U.S. is to capture all of the hopes and good ideas that have been identified through earlier exercises and distill them into an orderly suite of practical projects, programs. and activities that can be systematically undertaken to ensure that the community’s reconnection with Onondaga Lake is realized.  Together we will restore a local treasure to be enjoyed for generations to come.”

For more information you may contact F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse at (315) 448-8732 or at focus@ci.syracuse.ny.us.

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  ]]> http://www.focussyracuse.org/2012/01/wisdom-keeper-sponsors-2/feed/ 0 http://www.focussyracuse.org/2012/01/wisdom-keeper-registration/ http://www.focussyracuse.org/2012/01/wisdom-keeper-registration/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:43:42 +0000 admin http://focus.bentleyhoke.com/?p=226 Please use the form below to register for the 2012 Wisdom Keeper Award, to be presented on April 4, 2012, to Judith C. Mower at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter.

February 1st                                    August 1st
March 7th                                         September 5th
April 4th                                            October 3rd
May 2nd                                            November 7th
June 6th                                            December 5th
No meeting in July

SMART GROWTH is development that positively serves a local economy, community and the environment.  It achieves to create economic development and jobs, strong neighborhoods, healthy communities and alternate modes of transportation.  Smart growth does not hinder growth, rather, it is sensible growth that marries economic development and environmental conservation.

Smart growth principles:

-  Mix land uses
-  Take advantage of compact building design
-  Crate a range of housing opportunities and choices
-  Create walkable neighborhoods
-  Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
-  Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
-  Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities
-  Provide a variety of transportation choices
-  Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective
-  Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions (EPA 231-F-01-001A, April 2001, www.epa.com)

To join in the discussion, please contact the F.O.C.U.S. office at 448-8732.

Thank you to National Grid for supporting the F.O.C.U.S. Smart Growth Citizens Strategic Action Plan Initiative.

Judy will be honored on Wednesday, April 4th at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at the Oncenter. The annual WISDOM KEEPER award is presented to citizens who show true leadership, continual caring, an understanding of the importance of a vision for tomorrow and by being an engaged citizen.

Past wisdom keeper awardees are: Charlotte “Chuckie” Holstein, the Honorable William Sanford and Syracuse University Chancellor and President, Nancy Cantor. Their awards are commemorated with plaques placed in the City of Syracuse – F.O.C.U.S. Wisdom Keeper garden on the east side of City Hall Commons.

The event will be held on April 4, 2012 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter.

Thanks to our Sponsors

Wisdom Celebrator
Sustainable Wisdom
Parking Sponsor
Television Partner
Radio Partner	Print Partner
Audio Visual Partner	Photography Partner
Web Partner	Design Partner
F.O.C.U.S Supporter	Honeywell
F.O.C.U.S Supporter

A great time for networking!

The WISDOM KEEPER III event held on April 4th was a huge success giving attendees multiple opportunities to greet old friends and make new ones while enjoying wonderful food and refreshments.  Everyone had a good time at the open style format that provided several food stations, coctail tables and informal seating along with a fun and funny program – a takeoff on the “Wizard of Oz” musical – poking fun at awardee, Wiz-dom Keeper Judith Mower.  Photos by Jerry Klineberg.

Gelato Station - one of four delicious offerings

Eric and Judy Mower

Judy Mower and Karin Franklin as the good witch.

Wisdom Keepers Chancillor Nancy Cantor, Honorable Bill Sanford, Chuckie Holstein and Judy Mower with Dan Feng and Eric MowerEmcee George Kilpatrick at the Wiz-ard.

The garden is located on the east (Montgomery Street) side of City Hall Commons. 

Recipients are honored at the annual F.O.C.U.S. Wisdom Keeper event.  Each has helped to educate other citizens in the responsibilities of taking trusteeship of our community and in the importance of being an engaged citizen.

Wisdom Keepers to date are: Charlotte “Chuckie” Holstein (2010), the Honorable Bill Sanford (2011) and Syracuse University Chancellor and President, Nancy Cantor (2011).

Chuckie Holstein

Nancy Cantor and Bill Sanford

February 17, 2012
March 16, 2012
April 20, 2012
May 18, 2012
June 15, 2012
July 20, 2012
August 17, 2012
September 21, 2012
October 19, 2012
November 16, 2012 (City Hall Common Council Chambers)December 14, 2012 (2nd Friday – Common Council Chambers)

Please contact us to be added to our mailing list for announcements of upcoming forums.

Everyone is Welcome!

Friday, April 20th: 7:30 – 8:45am
City Hall – Common Council Chambers (3rd floor)

Platinum LEED Certification is the ultimate goal in building green by using enviornmentally correct products and systems.  It is a rare feat to achieve this designation for new or remondeled construction, but the Woodbine Group, headed by Norm Swanson in Syracuse, accomplished this by renovating a historic 1921 building, the former Temple Adath Yeshurun.  This accreditation has reached national and international acclaim.  You will want to hear how it was accomplished and how the Woodbine Group was able to use local products, geothermal energy, and recycled materials during construction.

Presenters:  Tom Fernandez, Director of Business Development for the Woodbine Group and Lynee Sauer, LEED AP

Everyone is Welcome!

Please watch this website for more information or call at 448-8732.