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Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner makes a point during a debate over government consolidation at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

(Chris Baker | cbaker@syracuse.com)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- For local policy geeks, Wednesday's debate over government consolidation was the Ali-Frazier of Syracuse.

In an event anticipated among local wonks, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner (a liberal Democrat) teamed with Onondaga County Comptroller Bob Antonacci (a Conservative Republican) to argue against the metropolitan government plan proposed by the community group Consensus. Arguing in favor of the plan were former Congressman Jim Walsh and Byrne Dairy Chairman Bill Byrne, both Consensus members.

Campbell Institute Director Grant Reeher moderated the debate, which gave audience members a chance to ask questions at the end.

The debate asked people to consider this: "This house would establish a metropolitan form of government for Onondaga County."

The 90-minute debate covered lots of ground. Walsh and Byrne made a familiar case for a metropolitan government, saying there are too many redundant operations here and arguing that mergers have worked in other cities such as New York City or Nashville.

Miner and Antonacci offered familiar dissent, questioning the tax savings and levels of representation in a new government. It was generally polite and lacking in the fireworks some were maybe expecting.

The teams debated the merits of consolidation, often straying into decisions and policies made at the city, county and state level. It was 90 minutes of back-and-forth that's worth watching if you like policy. (It's available on the Maxwell School's Facebook page.)

For those who don't want to wade through the whole discussion, here are some highlights:

1. Syracuse: 'Burgeoning' or on the 'wrong trajectory'?

Miner used her opening statement to extol the progress happening in Syracuse, pointing to a bustling downtown, growing refugee and immigrant population, and policies that increase city worker wages and support disenfranchised groups.

"Syracuse is a burgeoning, vibrant city that has its challenges," Miner said, later adding that consolidation would "smother" Syracuse's burgeoning flame.

Walsh -- whose son is running to replace Miner -- didn't quite see it that way.

"This is a great city," he said. "But its trajectory is wrong."

2. Mahoney takes the mic

At the end of the half-hour Q&A portion, County Executive Joanie Mahoney -- seated in the front row -- asked for a chance to comment, a request that drew some "oohs" from the audience.

Mahoney defended county policies that Miner and Antonacci criticized, drawing a lot of head-shaking from Miner. She took exception with Antonacci's assertion that the merging of the Metropolitan Water Board and the Onondaga County Water Authority did not save money, to which Antonacci interrupted, "Then let me audit it."

"Seriously, Joanie, let him audit it," Miner chimed in.

3. Antonacci's tux and jokes

The comptroller took the stage wearing a tuxedo, something that drew some early praise from Reeher.

"I want to just thank him for donning garb that fits the Oxford Union debate tradition," Reeher said dryly.

For those unsure of the difference between a suit and a tuxedo, the mayor's press secretary clarified on Twitter:

oh it's a tux -- satin lapels and all. — Alexander Marion (@alexandermarion) April 13, 2017

Antonacci opened with a few jokes that drew light chuckles, like welcoming everyone to the "Debt District of Syracuse" and thanking the mayors of all the lighting and sewer districts for showing up. He took his trademark barbs at Consensus, calling its supporters "apologists" and offering some glib comments about "Syradaga" and "Ononcuse."

4. Overflow room was the hot spot

The popularity of the debate led the school to broadcast it live on a video feed in an adjacent room. About 40 people -- some students, some locals -- watched in that overflow room. According to a Syracuse.com reporter in the mix, that was the place to be.

People laughed at Antonacci's get-up and at the jokes in his opening argument. They cheered after particularly impassioned arguments from Miner and Antonacci. Everyone applauded afterward.

In the main debate hall, aside from a few slight outbursts, it was mostly stiff upper lip.

"This is not a presidential debate, so please do not comment, shout, applaud or laugh," Reeher said at the onset.

5. A who's who of local politics

The debate hall included at least four mayoral candidates (Andrew Maxwell, Alfonso Davis, Laura Lavine and Marty Masterpole) along with dozens of top people from City Hall and the county executive's office. Afterwards, most of them stayed for a snacks-and-cocktails reception.

6. "No comment"

Sharon Owens, director of the Southwest Community Center, made a blistering comment about the failure to include the schools in the Consensus proposal. Walsh had already answered a question from another person about why the schools weren't included, saying he didn't think they could get school consolidation done.

Owens, who was a member of the Consensus commission, didn't have a question, but a comment, one that she said she brought up with the commission.

"Until this community begins to deal with some deep-seated, real socio-economic and racially driven issues we have, you're not going to sell me the swamp land, that a kid on South Ave. is going to have the same ability and shared resources as a kid in Fayetteville-Manlius," Owens said.

Reeher responded: "Either side want to jump in on that?" Everyone shook their heads "no."

Another audience member said towns that are fiscally responsible would be punished under the Consensus plan. Reeher pointed to Walsh and asked if he wanted to address the point. Walsh shook his head and the audience laughed.

7. Minds changed?

The format of the debate allowed people to vote before and after, to see where minds were changed.

The system was anonymous and based on the honor system, something Reeher pointed out at the onset, making a joke about Russian tampering. In other words, the vote isn't perfect and it would be easy for people to stack it, if they wanted.

Prior to the debate, there were 108 people for consolidation and 98 against. After, there were 85 for and 127 against. A few ballots were tossed out where people checked both boxes, and some people cast undecided ballots.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said there was a merger of the county and city water operations. The merger was between the Metropolitan Water Board and the Onondaga County Water Authority, which is now reflected in the text.