There WERE lots of jobs at Carrier, Honeywell and its predecessors, GE and many others. I recall one area, north and west of downtown I believe, where there were very large factory buildings with massive parking lots that were about 10-20 percent full in the late 70's. I'm fairly certain the lots are not any more full of cars today.
Found this article indicting the Syracuse economy and life there.
Deindustrialization and unemployment in Syracuse, New York
Also this article about Onondaga Lake.
Onondaga Lake – The Most Polluted Lake In America
Maybe Syracuse is the right moniker.