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| A Smugtown House Divided: Council Endorsements to Brennan, Haag, Miller & Scott; Split Decision on Conklin and Jones |
By: Christopher J. Wilmot and Aaron E. Wicks
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Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 10:35 am
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Rochester, NY (September 9, 2009) -- On Tuesday September 15, 14 candidates will stumble across the Democratic Party finish line in the race for Council. Though it will not be official, the top five are near-certain winners again in November. The field is a broad one with more than 5 candidates who could clearly make solid contributions to the city of Rochester. But the question is not which ones pass the threshold of qualified, it is which five are the best for Rochester in the years 2010 through 2013?
Like most publications, we did not approach endorsements with a mathematical formula to sort or rank candidates. Although we had seen and heard many of the candidates, some were not part of the designation process; therefore it required starting anew with this field. Asking some probing questions and listening carefully to try to discern which candidates have the requisite knowledge to serve but also what other assets they bring to Council. After all, it is not necessarily the case that the five most knowledgeable people will make the best decisions. This is reminiscent of William F. Buckley's famous line that he "would rather be governed by the first 2,000 names in the Boston telephone directory than by the 2,000 members of the Harvard faculty."
But this then raises the question: if not intelligence, what are the skills, assets, talents that Rochester City Council needs at this time? In our endorsements below, we try to address this question in the context of the very real challenge of identifying 5 quality candidates. We strongly agreed on four: (in alphabetical order) Tom Brennan, Mathew Haag, Dana Miller and Loretta Scott. We diverged on the fifth, primarily due to the underlying question as to what Council needs. Wilmot went with Carolee Conklin; Wicks went with Anita Jones.
Endorsed by the Smugtown Beacon: TOM BRENNAN
[Wicks]
I have known Tom Brennan for several years. My first meeting with him was at the home of a school board candidate. Brennan was pouring over a map of city electoral districts, ticking off the recent voting behavior, the composition of the electorate and his prioritization of that district as a campaign target in the upcoming election. He did this with only barebones notes -- most of the knowledge was in his head.
This thumbnail sketch of Brennan is meant to convey two things. First, that he is someone who knows the history of this city like the back of his hand -- name a street or neighborhood and he can tell you some of its famous (or infamous) residents of the past 50 years and what eventually became of them. But more important than that, it gave me instant insight into how his mind combines passion for public service, love of the city of Rochester, policy knowledge and strategic depth into one, smooth continuous thought. Brennan has been described elsewhere as "scary smart" but he is more than that.
More than his insight, Tom Brennan is a man of principle. For this, he has sometimes been frozen out of insider politics in the city's Democratic Party. But not for such sophomoric behavior by insiders, Brennan would be considered the local party's greatest human asset. But Brennan does not engage in public service to cater to insider games. As a witness to political turbulence of the '60's and as a player in local and national politics from the '70's on, Brennan has seen plenty of "bad behavior" and has vowed not to stand for it, ever.
On the RCSD School Board where he currently serves as Commissioner, Brennan was one of two members to demand that the issue of mayoral control be discussed in open session at a joint meeting with City Council and the Mayor. Media coverage has since distorted that meeting, but this author was actually present to witness it. Brennan (and colleague Van White) asked, in very reasonable tones, where the mayor stood on the issue and if he would please explicate his position publicly. The mayor hemmed, hawed and spoke at length about anything other than what he believed or had asked his operatives to do regarding mayoral control. Despite the fact that the issue was clearly on the written agenda for the meeting, the mayor acted like he had been ambushed. Brennan did not back down then and he continued to keep the issue before the public while the mayor made bizarre statements such as"I have a couple more things I need to read before I take a position..." (incidentally, Duffy still has not taken a clear position on the issue).
Brennan also voted against the RCSD budget, knowing that a rejected budget could cause serious problems for the superintendent and his staff. But, hearing the concerns of parents -- particularly regarding the impact of the budget on arts programs -- Brennan (and Commissioner Cynthia Elliott) voted no.
County Legislator Paul Haney once commented to me that "Brennan is a bit of a loose cannon." I have now come to appreciate that what Haney was really saying is that when the insiders want him to say yes -- when they really want him to just go along to get along -- that's when Brennan is most likely to say "no." That's exactly what this City Council needs: someone who is "scary smart", who knows this city and its residents, who has years of experience in public service (Brennan has served on three different school boards during his career) but who does not shrink at all when insiders try to buy him off. Rochester's Democrats are a diverse bunch that value a good debate. If they elect Brennan on September 15th, they will have a consistent voice for substantive, vigorous discussion about the important issue facing this city. If Democrats do not value that, then they really have lost their legitimate claim on responsible leadership. Democrats should select Brennan on Tuesday September 15th.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
[Wilmot]
(SEE my earlier Smugtown endorsement article, dated August 10, 2009)
Endorsed by the Smugtown Beacon: MATTHEW HAAG
[Wicks]
Although Matthew Haag was not here to fully appreciate the phenomenon, my first hearing of his name brought back memories of a former School Board candidate, David Perez. Perez was boomed by party insiders during the designation process -- boomed mercilessly, to the point of nausea. "He's so impressive, he's so fresh and smart, he's got a bright future." Yet when Perez appeared at a designation meeting, he seemed to have no depth -- there was no "there" there. This author was a lonely dissenter, however, and Perez went on to be elected to office. A few weeks later it was determined that he was legally residing outside the city and therefore had to resign his seat. C'est la vie.
Early this season, Matt Haag was boomed the same way, by the same types of insiders. For this cynic, it spelt trouble for the candidate: having been right about Perez, I was determined to find that Haag was just another party hack, a shallow impostor foisted on us by the elites.
Was I ever wrong.
Matt Haag is intelligent, outgoing and clearly passionate about public service. He has the maturity and sophistication you should expect in a serious candidate, able to easily shift from one policy subject to another, familiar with both the policy headlines as well as the deeper, underlying phenomena that drive those headlines. But better, perhaps, than all this: he works hard. Haag was seen all over the city this spring and summer, carrying the party's petitions and then campaigning door-to-door.
His story is one that many of us can identify with: he grew up in a small town, one with such a small, family-like population, it was just understood that everyone pitched in to help the common good (similar to growing up in a large family). Although Haag himself has only lived in Rochester since January 2007, his partner is a multi-generational Rochesterian with several family members still here. In that sense, Haag has broad, deep "in-law" roots in his new home.
Haag has spent most of his professional life around higher education, currently serving as a major gifts officer (i.e. raising the big $) for the University of Rochester. He has paralleled this professional life with an impressive resume of community and volunteer service -- winning a prestigious award for his community work in the city of Baltimore. Once again, Haag is a demonstrated worker.
On policy issues, Haag has ideas, but is willing to work toward policy solutions that borrow from all interested parties. For example, he rules out mayoral control of the schools in the short-term, preferring regular meetings between school and city leaders. That he will not rule it out in principle is discouraging, but I am willing to accept his statement as an effort at conciliation. If he truly is willing to sell out the vote of Rochester residents on this issue, voters will render their verdict four years hence.
At his core, Haag emphasizes the respect that democracy requires public servants have toward voters. He believes that a member of council should be the person every citizen can count on to be responsive to their concerns. "At the most basic level," he said, "they can know that someone will listen and help them." Without this relationship, Haag observed, the entire system falls apart: people disengage, grow cynical, do not participate in civic activities such as reporting crimes, etc (sound familiar?)
One man cannot single-handedly reinvigorate Rochester's civic participation, but Matt Haag clearly has the knowledge and determination to try anything and everything to mend the city's social fabric. His newness really can be seen as a strength: he has seen the good of Rochester -- and the bad -- but he has been here long enough to grow weary and cynical. He refuses to knuckle under to the thinking that goes "we tried that -- it didn't work." Haag has energy and a proven work ethic. He deserves a chance to give something back. Democrats should support him on September 15th.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
[Wilmot]
Like Mr. Wicks, I also enthusiastically endorse Matthew Haag, for Rochester City Council, on September 15th. For the reasons listed above (and more that I will explore), Haag is an easy choice for this author.
First, let's get out of the way Haag's shortcomings--and there's only one I can see: Matthew Haag has only resided in this community for about 30 months. If we were considering a weaker council candidate, this fact alone might be an endorsement killer. But Mr. Haag is so strong in so many areas, both in terms of his personality and his intelligence, that his brief residence in Rochester hardly matters.
As Mr. Wicks pointed out, Mr. Haag is from a small town of 4,000 residents, in Hamburg, PA. He cites this fact as an advantage: "Everyone knows everyone, so one must work hard, and be on one's best behavior" (and I paraphrase). Again, as Mr. Wicks so eloquently stated, Mr. Haag's excellent work history in places like Baltimore, and his successful grant writing for the Nature Conservancy have well prepared Matt for this level of public service. Currently, Matt Haag works in development for the University of Rochester.
Mid-way through our interview, I gently traversed the issue that shall not be spoken: Matthew Haag is the self-described "gay" candidate in the race for City Council. I addressed the issue to Mr. Haag with respect, and some anxiety. I asked Matt if he felt, or if voters or pundits were alleging, that Haag's candidacy was too much the continuation of a legacy, if you will, filling the shoes of former Councilman Tim Mains, and outgoing Councilman William Pritchard. Haag did not flinch.
"Yes, I'm the 'gay man' in this race", Haag half joked, but uttered with a subtle sense of pride and matter of fact-ness. The moment Haag addressed the issue (assuming it is even an issue in the race at all) I knew that Mr. Haag is no place holder, or legacy, like in some college frat house. Matt Haag is his own man, and his sexual orientation is completely irrelevant. How refreshing, in a country that gunned down Harvey Milk, and left young Matthew Shepard, beaten and bloodied, tied to a rural fence, simply to die.
There is not a lot more I can add to the detailed and lucid remarks of my Co-Publisher. To meet and to know Matthew Haag is to like him. He is at ease with himself, and others. He is bright, very capable, and would be an enormous asset to Rochester residents if he is fortunate enough to be allowed to serve the 207,000 souls who still reside in the City of Rochester.
If you are a registered Democrat, you would be wise to vote for Matthew Haag, Rochester City Council, on September 15th.
-Christopher J. Wilmot
Endorsed by the Smugtown Beacon: DANA MILLER
[Wicks]
If someone can make an argument why Dana Miller should not be re-elected to Rochester City Council, the Smugtown Beacon would like to hear it. Miller is exceptionally bright, capable, dedicated and -- though I do not know him well -- appears to be a genuinely decent person.
Miller has a nuanced approach to policy that Rochester City Council will need if it will be effective in shaping a complex budget in a challenging environment. For example, we asked Miller about the soaring cost of public employee pensions. He acknowledged the serious stress that will cause Rochester's budget, saying "People are expensive, but they have to be employed somewhere." In other words, it is not simply a question of Rochester slashing costs through layoffs. That only shifts costs around if those individuals are not able to find other employment. Ditto the gains of consolidation. Yes, it can bring savings (savings for the entities that are consolidating), but it still displaces workers and creates potential costs if those workers are not re-engaged in the labor force. Miller clearly knows there are trade-offs in policy. No simple, pithy answers will solve Rochester's problems.
Miller also addressed an issue that rarely comes up when we discuss Rochester's challenges -- he touched on the area's strategic resources. Virtually no natural disasters, short commute times and some of the cleanest, most plentiful water in the country. Again, he is aware that Rochester has its liabilities -- some local, some occurring at the state level -- but his usual even-handedness and thoroughness is evident, considering the whole picture, not just a skewed portrait.
On the subject of schools, Miller sees an elected school board as a foundational principle and does not consider mayoral control the answer. That being said, he was discouraged by the February meeting that brought all the key elected officials together. He recognizes that schools are a huge issue to voters: not just to parents of children in the schools currently, but also to those considering to stay in the city or to move to it, as well as to other property owners whose values are tied to the fate of the city. Miller favors a proposal along the lines of what Van White has proposed: cross-involvement by Council and the Board in one another's committees to foster communication and joint accountability.
Miller notes that "housing is very near and dear to me" and vows to use a three-principle test to determine whether the city should get behind specific housing development efforts: (1) does it increase property values, (2) does it increase owner-occupancy and (3) does it decrease the concentration of poverty in city neighborhoods. Not all projects will necessarily address all three principles, but Miller believes that the city must insist that principles such as these guide its decision-making.
I believe Dana Miller is an exquisite combination of approachability, intellect, experience and commitment. He has devoted years to seeing the Brooks Landing project through to completion and he clearly has more to contribute. Miller is not an attention-seeker, and that low-profile might cause voters to forget about him in the mix of candidates. But to do so would be a huge loss to the city. Miller is a calming voice, a person who can synthesize ideas and, in his words, "bring people together." Democrats should return him to Council. Dana Miller deserves the voters' support on September 15th.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
[Wilmot]
Typically, when one refers to another as 'slick', it is used as a pejorative. But not when referring to incumbent Rochester City Councilman Dana Miller. Miller is slick and smooth, relaxed and at ease, because he knows himself, and his constituency. For these reasons and more, I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Dana Miller for re-election to the Rochester City Council.
Miller was born in Rochester at Strong Memorial Hospital, attended and graduated from Jefferson High School, and graduated from Monroe Community College. After M.C.C., Dana Miller received his bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester, as well as his master's degree from the Simon School at the U. of R., in Business Administration. He is a hometown product, and proud of it.
Miller is a longtime (lifetime?) resident of the 19th Ward, and is not going anywhere. He is the father of two sons (now 24 and 28 years old), and was partly motivated to enter public life based on his desire to help create a better urban environment for his family. But Dana Miller's interest in public service actually pre-dates the birth of his sons by many years. Miller has a short, but important political pedigree: Mr. Miller's uncle was the Mayor of Markham, Illinois, which provided a measure of childhood motivation for Miller to at least consider community activism.
And, Miller did quite a bit more than simply consider becoming an activist in his neighborhood, and later, in the City. Miller was fighting the enormously unhealthy and sometimes deadly effects of lead paint in urban residences as far back as 1972. Miller became heavily involved as a community activist in the 19th Ward Neighborhood Association. Later, Mayor Thomas Ryan would appoint Dana Miller as an official member of the City's Environmental Commission. Still later, Ryan's successor, Mayor Johnson appointed Miller to the City Planning Commission. So, Dana Miller comes by his passion and hard work for public service honestly; and as Mr. Wicks pointed out previously, Miller attacks and accomplishes these tasks in a dignified, subtle, and 'non-showy' way.
Miller is perhaps the strongest incumbent on City Council, yet he has his critics. Some have felt that he could have moved in a more expeditious manner regarding the RenSquare project. Instead, though he chaired the latter City Council meetings on RenSquares' fate this summer, I, as an attendee, observed the contentious and 11th hour nature of these meetings that lacked a sense of urgency, and ultimately, spelled the doom of RenSquare.
Love or hate RenSquare, Council seemed ill-prepared toward the end of the project to assist in its resurrection; though truth be told, RenSquares' future (and death) lies squarely at the feet of Mayor Duffy and County Executive Brooks. By the time Miller had a chance to possibly revise and save the project, Duffy and Brooks had probably, through inaction, buried it already.
I find Councilman Miller impossible not to like, and I trust him with the future of our fair city. He has extensive private sector job experience (Xerox), and is at once comfortable and easily approachable as an elected official. I implore all registered Democrats in the City of Rochester to re-elect Councilman Dana Miller.
-Christopher J. Wilmot
Endorsed by the Smugtown Beacon: LORETTA SCOTT
[Wicks]
Avid readers of the Smugtown Beacon might be surprised to see our endorsement of Loretta Scott. They should not be. Yes, the Beacon has been very critical of Assemblyman David Gantt and his conduct as a local political leader and yes, Loretta Scott considers Mr. Gantt a dear and longtime friend. But the Beacon respects politicians as individuals -- they either rise or fall based on their own actions, not the actions of their friends or associates. And Scott's actions show her to be an experienced, knowledgeable and community-minded public servant. Council needs people with her deep and substantive resume.
As former Commissioner of the (since reorganized) city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Human Services, Scott would be the only Council member with executive-level administrative experience in Rochester city government. This is critical if council is to play its role as, in Scott's words, "checks and balances" relative to the mayor. Scott respects the depth and talent the mayor has put on his team, but believes -- rightly, in my opinion -- that Council should have a counterweight of equally competent and knowledgeable people. Having Scott on Council would add an important counterweight to the balance of power in Rochester and we think that is a critical need at this point.
Scott is eager to get to work, developing plans in collaboration with the mayor and residents. She is tired of "charrettes" that seem to address design issues -- where are the substantive planning meetings that really tackle the big issues, like poverty. public safety and education? As a member of Mayor William Johnson's team, she played a part in developing specific plans for all components of city government (some goals were accomplished, some were not). The current administration and Council need to be working together to develop such plans -- "dusting off the gem that is Rochester" is simply not good enough.
One indication of Scott's expertise is her position on consolidation and cost savings for government. Scott does not see the issue simply as one of cost savings or efficiency, she believes it is much broader than that. For example, the biggest savings to government generally occurs by reducing staffing -- but reductions in staffing can (not always) result in fewer services for the public. If the public is not part of the conversation, or if the politicians are distracting the public with red herrings, promising cost savings with no consequences for services, residents are likely to find they might just prefer to pay the added costs for those services. In short, budget talk has to be honest. I heartily agree -- but this is easier said than done.
Despite her years of public service as a city commissioner and as member of non-profit Boards, Scott is a first-time political candidate. I asked about her experience as such and her response was instructive. She paused, smiled and said "well, it has certainly been enlightening!" Scott noted the various factions and insider networks she has encountered -- things that were present but not terribly relevant in her earlier city service. But Scott made an observation that demonstrated her ability to bridge some of those factions and networks: "I've got friends who don't like each other." In Rochester, that means you are respected enough not to be excluded from one circle because you (are perceived to) belong to another.
Scott is a substantive, engaged and tireless advocate for Rochester. She can have a laugh with colleagues just as easily as she can scowl when someone tries to apply a low standard. She will be a much-needed counterweight to our mayor and will push for substantive discussions among stakeholders and residents. Scott deserves the support of Democrats voting the September 15th primary.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
[Wilmot]
It is hard to know what to add to Mr. Wicks glowing yet reasoned endorsement of Ms. Loretta Scott. I, like Aaron, can find little if any fault or hesitation while writing her Smugtown Beacon endorsement for her run for City Council. She is mature, friendly, smart, and no push over. In the history of the United States (and every nation, for that matter), women have not had an easy go of it in politics. But Loretta Scott is a force to be reckoned with, lest the voters possibly forget this empirical fact.
Though born in Dothan, Alabama, Loretta Scott has spent the last 50 years of her life in Rochester. She is a current resident of the Merchants Road-North Winton Village neighborhood. As Mr. Wicks alluded, she can keep the company of any friend she chooses, and makes no apologies or disclaimers.
"I'm friends with a lot of people, including David Gantt, yet I'm certainly very independent, and David and I have occasion to go our separate ways", she said during our nearly 45 minute long interview.
Her governmental philosophy, at least how it pertains to Rochester City Council, can be summed up by this quote: "The Mayor proposes, the Council disposes." Was Scott referring partly to the weak versus strong mayor system that Rochester has experienced? I didn't think to ask, but since 1985, Rochester has been governed by a 'strong mayoral' form of government. It would seem, though, that considering Ms. Scott's many talents and strengths, the Mayor's office won't act as strong once she is elected on September 15th. Scott finishes the thought by uttering, "Council should not give the Mayor (any Mayor) carte blanche."
In conclusion, Scott comes off every bit as sincere and dedicated as her future Council colleague, Mr. Dana Miller. I would be shocked, especially since she is an MCDC endorsed candidate, if Loretta Scott doesn't achieve her natural and earned ascension to City Council. Her clear administrative experience, her dedication to our City's youth, and her acceptance of the need for mergers and consolidations to save taxpayer's money ("If residents agree"), makes Loretta Scott my emphatic choice for election to the Rochester City Council.
-Christopher J. Wilmot
Endorsed by Christopher J. Wilmot: CAROLEE CONKLIN
[Wilmot]
I first befriended (mutually as it turned out) Carolee Conklin in 1994, when she was City Clerk, and I was hired by former City Councilman Benjamin Douglas to serve as his legislative assistant. I already knew Carolee's son, Mitch Rowe, from our joint work on Tom Ryan's final campaign for Rochester Mayor. Ryan won (what a shock) and I counted Mitch Rowe as a new friend (I would later serve with Mitch in the Monroe County Legislature).
In 1994, I was 32 years old, and still a little green, especially at City Hall, where I had never before worked. Carolee, along with great public servants like Sharon Conheady, Bill Sullivan, Dan Karin, Lois Giess, and of course, Ben Douglas, showed me the ropes, and Carolee treated me like another son. My mother had died years before (38 years of age), and Carolee was motherly, in a respectful and dignified way. I've never forgotten her kindness, nor will I ever.
So clearly, I am biased in favor of incumbent Carolee Conklin. But, I believe I can place that understandable bias just to the side, long enough to be somewhat objective, and state without reservation, that City Councilwoman Carolee Conklin is one of my choices for (re)election to the Rochester City Council.
Carolee, as she's known to friend and foe (Does she have enemies? I'd be surprised !) traces her political activism back to the 1960's, and her involvement in the Civil Rights movement, and her opposition to Vietnam. It was around this time that Carolee and many other fine local Democrats hooked up with a bright and principled businessman and activist, named Larry Kirwin. Larry, Carolee, and many other Democratic-Progressives of the day formed a splinter coalition within the local Democratic Party establishment. Years later, Larry would go mainstream, while not abandoning his values, and become Chairman of MCDC. Larry and Carolee and their friends would help spawn more progressives, like Fran Weisberg, and Chris Wilmot.
These days, Carolee is an outspoken, tough, but lovable lioness on the City Council. She was the only Council candidate during our interviews who had the guts to bring up the touchy subject of strong Mayor vs. weak Mayor (she seems to favor the latter).
"The Strong Mayor system has emasculated City Council", Conklin said. She believes that City Hall, including the Council, functioned better prior to the 1985 switch from appointed City Manager, to our present elected Mayoral system.
Born in Hornell, NY, Carolee has lived the last "several decades" in Rochester, On Council, she is the chair of the respected Finance Committee. She was tough and on solid ground when grilling Mark Aesch and Maggie Brooks recently regarding RenSquare. You cannot enter or exit Council Chambers and not remember the presence of Carolee Conklin.
I guess what I respect most about Carolee, and why this was an easy endorsement for me, is Conklin's "strong" support for consolidations and mergers. She is painfully aware of the high tax environment that continues to drive away our college graduates, our best and brightest. Carolee is warm, with a joke at the ready, but deadly serious when it comes to governance, and attempting to save City taxpayers money. Simply put, Carolee Conklin 'gets it'. "It", being the metropolitan argument that I believe Monroe County will have to move towards, soon, to avoid municipal bankruptcy.
Carolee is talented, smart, and committed to those in the City that have less. But having mentioned so many of her strengths, her greatest attribute is the size of her heart. Carolee is the rare politician who is at once a 'woman of the people', yet a very sophisticated and highly intelligent public servant. And, I trust and believe she would do anything in her power to help someone with less than her. She can do no other.
It is my honor to endorse Councilwoman Carolee Conklin for re-election to the Rochester City Council !
-- Christopher J. Wilmot
[Wicks]
This was a very tough call. I entirely agree with my colleague's description of Council member Carolee Conklin. She probably knows the ins-and-outs of Rochester government better than anyone within a dozen blocks of Church St (perhaps within a dozen galaxies of our own). She is hard-working and accessible. She likes and respects Mayor Robert Duffy, but also expresses a willingness to stand up to him -- or anyone else when she disagrees.
But this is where a question began nagging me -- and those doubts have not yet been put to rest after four years. Back in 2005, Conklin was known to remark to her fellow competitors for Council (particularly ones proposing that Council deliver the moon and the stars to voters) that Rochester's City Council really only does two things: it passes the city budget and it deals with land use policy (i.e. zoning, assessments, etc). In our interview, Conklin lamented (or so it seemed) the "strong mayor" system that has been in place for 25 years, going so far as to note that it has "emasculated" Council.
I agree with Conklin, but what dismays me is that the one person who could most forcefully change this situation, the person with institutional wisdom to reassert Council's position relative to the mayor has done little in public to do so. Why is this?
At this point, the answer is not terribly important. Conklin has had four years to work with her colleagues to take on the mayor. But administrative search warrants, the curfew and the embarrassing last-minute antics around Ren Square all occurred with Council's consent. Council needs as many members as possible who will speak publicly and loudly against business as usual from City Hall. At a time when not a single person believes Mayor Duffy needs a challenger, that some of his policies and priorities need to be questioned and debated, the only institution that will be able to play that role is City Council. I admire and respect Carolee Conklin, but I believe someone else is needed.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
Endorsed by Aaron E. Wicks: ANITA JONES
[Wicks]
Anita Jones is a candidate who is easy to dismiss. She is running on a shoestring budget and she does not seem to "schmooze" people the way other, more experienced candidates do. But Anita Jones has a quality that few -- if any -- other candidates possess: she has a proven track record of working in some Rochester's most distressed neighborhoods, going door to door, to try to promote civic involvement and survey her neighbors about what they want done in their community. And she is also a fearless activist who is intimidated by no one.
I first met Anita Jones at a Parent Support Committee meeting of the Rochester Children's Zone. The committee was a work group trying to identify priorities actions to help parents raise their kids in the Zone. Although the committee meetings were regularly attended by a mix of residents of the zone as well as other community activists (i.e. volunteers, staff members of human service agencies, faith community members, etc), there was not an overwhelming presence by residents. Jones, herself a resident, pointed this out to the committee. Jones remained engaged with the Children's Zone until it began to sputter, but all along she shook her head in frustration, having seen initiatives of this sort flounder before.
Jones served as the Chair of Sector 9 -- back when the city was still actively supporting the Neighbors Building Neighborhoods initiative. She helped her sector develop a work plan -- goals and strategies to make improvements in the neighborhood in which they lived. When people would ask her "What does Sector 9 want to do?" regarding a specific issue, Jones would not respond immediately. She took her job serious as representative, and as such, she would actually go out in the community and ask residents the same question so that she could then take a formal position that represented theirs.
On major issues, Jones takes a clear line in favor of citizens' rights and smart growth. She opposes Mayoral control of schools an posed a very simple question when asked about alternatives: if Council is unhappy with how the RCSD is allocating resources, they have an obligation to vote against the budget. Recall that Council was recently in precisely this position: they almost unanimously loathed the proposed RCSD budget, but virtually every Council member voted for it. Jones would not behave with such insincerity -- she makes her principles clear and acts on them.
Jones also noted that the biggest challenge to the city's financial state is its shrinking tax base. While some candidates talk about bringing business to Rochester, crowing about the tax revenue they would bring, Jones rightly points out that vacant and dilapidated housing is probably the biggest drain on Rochester's tax collections. By investing in neighborhoods and improving some of these properties, the city can grow its total assessed property value and increase revenue -- all without raising a single tax rate. But, Jones is careful to note, it must come from the residents, with their input and according to their goals.
Here's the bottom line: on September 15th Democrats will select their candidates. And in a city with over 60,000 registered Democrats it will be surprising if more than 6,000 of them turn out to vote. Statistics tell us that older, wealthier and more educated people are generally more likely to vote. That means some areas of the city, particularly those with high levels of concentrated poverty, will probably not vote in large numbers. Anita Jones, alone among the field of candidates, has the strength of will, the firmness of voice and the belief in grassroots democracy that might -- just might -- bring their voices to City Hall. This city needs every voice. Democrats should elect Anita Jones on Tuesday September 15th to prove that they truly stand for democracy, even or those most disengaged residents who have given up on the whole system. They should know this: Anita Jones will not give up on them.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
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Member Opinions:
By: Abby on 9/14/09
Chris, Thank you for your very descriptive and engaging endorsement of Carolee Conklin. I too, can be biased, as you know I am her daughter, I too try to as objective as possible even in tough times in Monroe County politics, which has not always been easy...but I felt I owed a public thank you for your endorsement. Sincerely, Abby Rowe, Rochester, NY
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