Candidate for Syracuse Common Council President
35 Years of Service to Syracuse
A local attorney with deep roots in our community. I believe in pragmatic, common-sense solutions that put people first — less bureaucracy, more accountability, and a city where every business and family can thrive.
I am an attorney with 45 years of experience practicing law in the City of Syracuse. My family has practiced law here for three generations. I am running to help out the community and bring honesty, business growth, balance, pragmatism, efficiency and common sense to government.
We have a lot of social problems. The youth are unemployed. Our youth crime rate and violence are way too high. I am forming a not for profit to help with it.
We need fiscal honesty and integrity in the government, economic growth and jobs. Our infrastructure is in poor repair, our water system is 125 years old, roads, fire hydrants etc need to be repaired.
"You identify the problem, analyze it and adopt a cheap, common sense solution that solves the problem without being overly attached to ideological goals at a reasonable price."
Greater efficiency means the same necessary services are delivered at costs people can afford. The inefficient is reformed so necessary services reach every resident at an affordable price.
Business growth is what pays the bills. Syracuse must be competitive with other areas. We cannot unreasonably burden businesses and expect them to compete or locate here. A level playing field for all.
With a career rooted in civil rights litigation, I bring first-hand experience ensuring that every resident of Syracuse — regardless of background — is treated with fairness and dignity under the law.
Your support is essential. I appreciate your input in helping all of us create a better future for Syracuse — one built on honest dialogue, real accountability, and genuine service.
Your support is essential to this campaign. I appreciate your partnership in helping all of us create a better future for our city.
Donate NowHave questions about Woodruff Carroll's platform or want to get involved? We'd love to hear from you. Your voice matters in shaping Syracuse's future.
Campaign Website: woodyforthefuture.com
Jurisdiction: Syracuse, New York
Attorney · Community Servant · Syracuse Native
I am an attorney with 45 years of experience practicing law in the City of Syracuse. My family has practiced law here for three generations. I am running to help out the community and bring honesty, business growth, balance, pragmatism, efficiency and common sense to government.
We have a lot of social problems. The youth are unemployed. Our youth crime rate and violence are way too high. I am forming a not for profit to help with it.
We need fiscal honesty and integrity in the government, economic growth and jobs. Our infrastructure is in poor repair, our water system is 125 years old, roads, fire hydrants etc need to be repaired.
"You identify the problem, analyze it and adopt a cheap, common sense solution that solves the problem without being overly attached to ideological goals at a reasonable price."
I believe in making decisions on the merits. You identify the problem, analyze it and adopt a cheap, common sense solution that solves the problem without being overly attached to ideological goals at a reasonable price.
Micron coming here is a great thing. Good paying jobs, more people (who spend money), rising property values and with them will come better infrastructure.
The roads are a disaster. This has to be addressed at every level. Not to mention other infrastructure problems such as lead in the water — is it a coincidence that the most violent part of town also has the highest lead concentration in the water? Not to mention that the water system pipes are leaking and overdue for replacement.
We have a youth problem and I am about to set up a charity to help the kids overcome the barriers to getting jobs, such as unable to buy tools, education etc to try and improve the situation for the kids who want to have a better life.
I like parks and recreation. We need an inexpensive outdoor sports program.
Increased efficiency is the way to go rather than raise taxes. Taxes destroy growth. At best they are a necessary evil. Taxes are only productive when spent on roads, sewage, water etc.
Crime is a serious problem. The sheriff's department presence needs to be increased.
Pragmatic common-sense solutions to real problems
I favor pragmatic common sense solutions to real problems with less government and more individual freedom.
Under the new bail reform act, the Democrats have been letting various non violent criminals out of prison pending conviction, mostly drug dealers and thieves without bail. This in turn has fueled a crime wave. After the petty thieves are released shortly after arrest the thief is still broke or needs drugs and just goes back to stealing again and again and again. One stole my bicycle which is costing me over $1000.00 to replace.
Even worse is violent criminals an example of this is the death of Connie Tuori. A 93 year old resident whose alleged killer had numerous prior offenses and was let out of without bail.The following allegedly occurred:
Victoria Afet, 23, of Syracuse has been charged with murdering Connie Tuori. The Syracuse Police Department announced the arrest of Afet — who has been in jail for weeks on unrelated charges — during a news conference Thursday.
Afet has been charged with first-degree murder and firstdegree burglary, both felonies. If she’s convicted of first-degree murder, she could face life in prison without parole.
Syracuse police officers found Tuori, a retired teacher and world traveler, dead in her 12th-floor apartment on St. Patrick’s Day
Under the new bail reform act, the Democrats have been letting various non violent criminals out of prison pending conviction, mostly drug dealers and thieves without bail. This in turn has fueled a crime wave. People that formerly would be held without bail are being set free in a revolving door system of injustice. For the same reasons they were criminals before the arrest they continue to be criminals after they leave prison, a few days after the arrest. The Connie Tuori incident is a classic example. The press states:
Afet has a history with law enforcement that includes being accused of robbing a 74-year-old woman at Skyline, stealing $38 and biting her hand on Feb. 18, police said in a felony complaint filed in Syracuse City Court. She was released by a judge the next day — only to be returned to jail just over a week later on a new charge.
Before her murder arrest, Afet had five ongoing felony cases, a short, failed stint on probation and a misdemeanor larceny conviction, public records show. She’d been jailed seven separate times in the past three years, according to records provided by Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Jon Seeber.
Her prior ongoing allegations included, in separate cases from 2020: slamming a woman’s head against a tree, flashing a serrated knife while threatening someone’s life and injuring someone with a knife outside a store.
These are just one example of the continuous revolving door justice this short sighted and foolish law has produced.
The current administration has cut the police budget during crime wave. We are beingoverrun with petty crime. My bicycle was stolen off my back porch. Except as to wastefulspending cutting the police budget is impractical, foolish and incompetent and cannot besustained.Police are an essential service for which the community pays taxes.
Another example besides Connie Tuori was done by former Mayor Lee Alexander whocut the vice squad budget. South Warren Street filled with prostitutes during his administration asa result.
The Fire Department has also been cut. Here is an example from my law practice. The following occurred:
A car hit a fire hydrant. This was reported to the fire department. The fire department failed to fix said fire hydrant for years. Anextension cord started a fire in my clients house by the firehydrant. The fire department arrived and the damaged hydrant failed to work. They had to use another hydrant down the blockwith a considerable loss of time setting up. Meanwhile the housefire became unmanageable and the house was lost. The fire endangered the adjoining houses. Stephanie Minor refused to paythe damages.
Obviously the fire department is not being adequately funded or managed.
Improved government efficiency is the best way. Greater efficiency means the samenecessary services are delivered at efficient costs people can afford. Inefficient practices areeliminated and necessary services are delivered at an affordable price.
As I predicted in my last campaign inflation is now rampant. This was caused by the Progressive Agenda, gas shortages/ Ukraine War, greed (gas prices are calculated on a percentage markup for taxes and retail). Last I heard the New York gas tax windfall is not even being considered for tax reduction (or rebate) and has produced a tremendous windfall of tax revenue at every level of government.
Inflation is like a dog chasing its tail. The prices go up, the wages try to catch them. Then the prices go up again because of the wage increases. Then the wages go up again to catch the inflation. The prices go up again. Etc etc etc On and on spiraling and spinning until exhaustion. The worker is continually behind the inflation playing catch up and failing. The worker and businesses just fall further and further behind. Inflation does not work. The worker is forever behind playing catch up but losing ground in the race, business are the same. Eventually nobody can afford anything. Inflation has to end.
Business growth is what pays the bills and you cannot have too much of it. You get growth the increase allows for higher profits and higher wages. Everyone wins. This is just common sense.
The city has to be competitive. The policies of the city have to be competitive with the other areas or there is no growth and no new jobs. A level playing field for business is needed. We cannot unreasonably burden businesses and expect them to compete with other businesses and or locate here.
Stay up to date with the Woodruff Carroll campaign
Check back here for upcoming events, town halls, and campaign announcements.
Sign up via the contact form to be notified directly.
Your contribution makes a difference
Your support is essential to this campaign. Every contribution — large or small — helps us reach more voters and build a stronger Syracuse. Donations are processed securely through PayPal.
Donate Now via PayPalCourt filings, affidavits, and official records pertaining to James Monto III
This Confession of Judgement is for a debt justly due to the Plaintiff arising from the following facts: Defendant, James Monto, is indebted to Plaintiff pursuant to the Plaintiff's Complaint filed in this action in the Onondaga County Clerk's office on December 6, 2012 under Index No.: 2012-6444.
Read MoreKathleen Poplawski being duly sworn, deposes and says: I am married to John Poplawski, one of Anna Poplawski's children. I was one of Anna's daughters-in-law. I was familiar with Anna Poplawski's care and finances before James Monto, III took over control and possession of Anna Poplawski's assets and income.
Read MorePlaintiff by its attorneys, Menter, Rudin & Trivelpiece, P.C., complaining of the Defendants, alleges, upon information and belief, that Plaintiff Iroquois Nursing Home, Inc. is a domestic not-for-profit corporation having an office for business as the address recited in the Summons.
Read MoreDefendants Thomas Falci and David Falci, by their attorney, Peter E. McLellan, for their answer to Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Discovery, state as follows: None of the items identified in Plaintiff's Discovery Demand as numbers 5, 6 or 7 are in the possession of defendants Thomas Falci or David Falci.
Read MoreRight to a Conference: You may have a conference to review this action. If you want a conference, you should ask for one as soon as possible. At the conference, if we discover that we made the wrong decision or if, because of information you provide, we determine to change our decision, we will take corrective action and give you a new notice.
Read MoreFrom 2009–2011, this defendant, while employed by the City of Syracuse School District, falsified documentation that was ultimately forwarded to the tax department, which incorrectly purported that the school district withheld over $26,000 from his wages for tax purposes. Plea Agreement.
Read More