Growing up I really didn't go into the city for much. We had field trips in school that would take us downtown, but I really didn't get to experience it. My eyes never opened to the vibrancy of our city until I went to school at Syracuse University and lived around campus. My wife had a somewhat similar suburban experience having grown up outside of Baldwinsville.
Now I live in Eastwood in the city of Syracuse. Recently I have noticed something interesting about myself. When I drive to my parents house in DeWitt, I always take Thompson Rd. I never take 690 or 481. When I lived on Westcott, I always took Genesee St to get to DeWitt. I didn't drive this way when I was in high school.
Why is this significant? I think I drive this way now because I have come to realize that our area is more connected than you might think.
Recently I invited a neighbor of mine who lives in Eastwood to an event Downtown. She declined because she says she doesn't go downtown. A friend of mine who I work with lives in the suburbs and thinks that the city is no more than a crime ridden slum. There are many city residents who don't like the suburbs and don't go there. Too many of us are stuck in our little bubble.
Believe in Syracuse's works to get more people to discover all of the Greater Syracuse Area.
What do we mean by Syracuse area? In my opinion, where you draw the boundaries doesn't matter. The futures of our city, suburbs and rural communities are all intertwined.
If you believe in Syracuse, you can believe in Downtown, Cazenovia, Baldwinsville, and everywhere in between.
Next time you drive downtown from the suburbs or vise versa, try taking the back roads. It might help you remember that we're all in this together
John DeSantis
Believe in Syracuse
Pride, Progress, Community
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