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| Eight Candidates for Council -- Some Worth a Second Look, Some Not |
By: Christopher J. Wilmot and Aaron E. Wicks
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Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2009 10:56 am
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Council President Gladys Santiago: Kind, thoughtful, but has her time passed?
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Rochester, NY (September 10, 2009) -- With 14 candidates running for City Council in the Democratic primary, it was almost inevitable that some would be qualified and impressive but not make the cut in terms of our endorsements. It is also evident that some candidates simply are not as strong as others in terms of breadth of knowledge of policy or experience in politics.
Below we share our take on these candidates -- reserving the usual Smugtown Beacon right to disagree.
SHERRY CRUMITY
[Wicks]
If Rochester were in a different state (status, not New York State), I would have almost certainly endorsed Sherry Crumity. She is a first time candidate, but she has skills. She knows the city, but more important, she has a self-confidence that has helped her survive a bruising campaign season and will serve her well in her future public service. But because of the heightened need for a particular mix of vocal, independent and experienced candidates, I simply could not find a place in my top 5 for Ms. Crumity. I urge voters, however, to dig deeper, think about what they want on their council and keep Crumity in mind.
Crumity tells a familiar tale when asked about why she is running. Her college-age daughter (who she convinced to go to school in New York State) has talked about watching Rochester backslide and expressing reservations about coming home to start her career after she graduates. Crumity, a seasoned grant writer and program planner, has watched good ideas fail to take root and shares her daughter's frustration. This year, she decided to act.
As a planner, Crumity speaks with a nice mix of broad vision and specifics. One key point she makes is that Rochester needs to focus on sustainability. One-time, one-shot projects are nice -- but what happens when the grant runs out or the project is completed? Can it be sustained? Can it adapt into long-term use? Think of the fast ferry and Ren Square and you get the idea -- neither of these were successful, in part because they lacked a clear sustainability component. It just was not clear to the public how they would last.
Crumity also told us that Rochester needs to adapt to the reality of who/what we really are. Despite Mayor Robert Duffy's reminiscences, Rochester does not need to be dusted off, it needs to be re-visioned. We inhabit a city that at one time was a thriving metropolis of well over 330,000 people. When the 2010 Census is complete, there is a decent chance that Rochester's population will start with a "1" -- we could fall below 200,000 residents for the first time in two generations. Crumity gets this and talks about a city that readjusts to its current reality and lives within its means.
Regarding mayoral-council relations, Crumity would like to see Council take the lead in providing clearer guidance to the city's CEO. She sees a city with ideas and plans but few that are concrete and too few connections among them. She would like a vision for Rochester's future, clearly spelled out, that then generates strategic plans with clear strategies that tie directly to the budget.
If Crumity is not elected, Mayor Duffy would do well to consider a role for her. She has a clarity of mind and a passion for planning that could support the existing team at 30 Church St. But first, Democrats need to render their verdict on September 15th. If one of the other candidates do not make their list, they should make a spot for Crumity.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
[Wilmot]
I, too, was impressed with Sherry Crumity. Unlike City Newspaper's assessment of this year's crop of Primary candidates, Mr. Wicks and I interviewed many fine potential public servants. But like City Democratic Primary voters, we could only pick five. Unfortunately, Ms. Crumity was not among the top five for me, either.
Born at Highland Hospital in Rochester, Crumity has lived all of her life in Monroe County, and the last five years in the City of Rochester. Ms. Crumity is a graduate of Charlotte High School, as well as Bryant & Straton, and Empire State College.
When I asked Ms. Crumity about ways to reduce City governmental costs to taxpayers, Crumity was articulate, and thoughtful. She said the only way to sell mergers and consolidations to the public employee unions, is to insist that new hirees contribute double the amount to their pension compared to current unionized public employees. She did add, however, that these kinds of cost saving job reductions should be handled on a "case-by-case" basis.
Ms. Crumity liked the original RenSquare proposal (simply, the bus terminal) but felt the add-ons (MCC and the theater) were project killers. She made many other lucid, intelligent, and progressive comments and proposals during our interview.
When it comes to Ms. Sherry Crumity, it's simply too bad we had to stop at five candidates. In another scenario where the Primary field might be slightly weaker, Sherry Crumity would have been a slam dunk endorsement. If Ms. Crumity is not successful this time, she should attempt another run for public office.
-- Christopher J. Wilmot
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HARRY DAVIS
[Wilmot]
Council candidate Mr. Harry Davis is a really nice guy. I haven't known Harry long, but he is difficult not to like, and admire. He has overcome at least one very troubling health issue, with class and dignity.
Born at Genesee Hospital, Harry has lived 31 years of his life in Greater Rochester, much of it in the City. He also spent a significant period of his life in places like Washington, DC, and Colorado. Mr. Davis has worked in media and politics. He is sharp, committed, and passionate about making Rochester, especially downtown, a better place to live and work.
However, Harry has, what I would call, fundamental-institutional difficulties in the political arena. He has run for public office several times, and unfortunately has not yet won. Part of what prevents Harry from becoming an elected official is what challenges all candidates, to one degree or another: Money. Harry has none (in his campaign coffers; I did not make it my business to ask about his personal finances).
Mr. Davis will always have trouble making it over the money hurdle when it comes to running for office due to a significant lack of funding sources. Part of the problem may be attributed to his sometimes overzealous campaign style, and the impression among the media and some voters that he is too often a 'one issue' candidate (i.e. RenSquare, or high speed rail).
Which is far from the truth. Harry Davis can recite chapter and verse about a plethora of issues facing urban residents. But he came out of the box so hard and fast in his opposition to RenSquare, that I believe his intense focus on that issue drowned out his real concerns about nearly every other urban issue.
I respect Harry Davis immensely. I just don't think he will overcome certain campaign hurdles, at least not soon.
-- Christopher J. Wilmot
[Wicks]
Harry Davis has been dealt a very difficult hand in life. And while no one would argue that it entitles him to public office -- or anything else -- it does say something about this man's strength of character that he continually bounces back to fight for the ideas he believes can improve our community.
Davis can be an easy personality to dismiss. City newspaper recently did so with great dispatch, painting Davis as a crank who goes on about bedbugs and loud dogs. And while, yes, Davis did bring up those issues in our conversation, he did so with an important point in mind: quality of life issues matter to people and he "has been there." He was once told by a public servant (remember, someone who works for him, a taxpayer) that "if everyone complained as much as you, the city would shut down." In other words, keep your mouth shut, we've got bigger fish to fry. If Davis comes off a little angry about these sorts of experiences, there are probably about 150,000 Rochesterians who feel the same way.
Many Rochesterians by now know Davis as one of the most vocal and consistent foes of Renaissance Square. He deserves his fair share of credit for that. When many pols were straddling the fence, Davis took a clear position, never wavered and, guess what, he was right. Davis' newest focus is on light [ed correction: this should read "high speed"] rail. He probably over-sells the potential impact of it, but he is right to push the issue and demand action. The city and the state need creative solutions to the economic stagnation that has settled over Upstate New York for the past 30 years; Davis' push on light-rail and bio-tech jobs might sound "trendy" but those sorts of projects will materialize somewhere, why not keep Rochester in the running?
In the end, I declined to endorse Davis because I did not feel his platform was broad enough to effectively integrate with the 8 other Council members. And while Davis can clearly be comfortable being the challenger -- sometimes the only voice of dissent -- it is still not clear what role he would play as an "insider". The thought is intriguing, but intrigue hardly seems to be the basis for a vote. That being said, this much must also be clear: as hard as Davis has worked, the man deserves better than what the Rochester political/media elite have given him.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
ANTHONY GIORDANO
[Wicks]
Talking politics with Anthony Giordano can sometimes be a vexing affair. Giordano is passionate and gregarious on such occasions, but sometimes that enthusiasm gets in the way of his message. In our interview, Giordano spoke expansively, often touching on a number of additional points after stating his initial answer. To keep the conversation focused, we had to (I felt) interrupt him in order to refocus on the direction of the questioning.
Such behavior need not be a bad thing, after all, public officials should not be reticent in stating their views and should be open to debate and discussion. To that end, Giordano shows no compunction. But listening is important too, as is taking time to process information and analyze it. Giordano's enthusiasm sometimes appears to inspire an immediate response from him when one might have hoped for a pause to reflect or to acknowledge the other person's ideas.
Giordano has good ideas -- plenty of them. He wants grocery stores in the city, favors the use of local labor, prefers cops walking the beat from local precincts and a vibrant, thriving downtown. But don't we all? Some of these can be done, but they come with a cost. What is lacking in Giordano's presentation is an acknowledgment of these costs, an admission that public policy is a series of trade-offs and that leaders have to prioritize and sometimes say no. It is difficult imaging Giordano saying no to a good idea, even if it is not feasible. That could be a problem if he serves on Council.
It is virtually impossible not to like Giordano, but it is equally difficult translating that affection into a vote. With the city's challenges, Council needs members who are quick to note nuance and willing to discuss tough choices. Giordano seems to eschew such discussions and this is hardly the time for that.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
[Wilmot]
Regarding candidate Anthony Giordano, I have nothing to contribute in addition to what Mr. Wicks has already stated, on behalf of the Smugtown Beacon, regarding Mr. Giordano.
-- Christopher J. Wilmot
NORM ROBERTS
[Wilmot]
Mr. Norman Roberts made a nearly fatal mistake at the very beginning of our endorsement interview. He sat down, and began by asking Aaron and me "if we were going to treat me (him) the same way City News and the D&C did, having already made up your (our) minds against me (him)." From a former politician, may you indulge me for a moment so I can say to current and future politicians; don't ever begin an endorsement interview that way.
I have little more to add about Norm Roberts than what Mr. Wicks will speak to in his article below. He seems like a very fine man, but my gut told me he is not ready for 'prime time'.
-- Christopher J. Wilmot
[Wicks]
Our interview with Norm Roberts got off to an interesting start. Roberts asked, point blank, whether there was any chance he could get our endorsement -- if not, why waste all of our time? What this lacked in political savvy, it made up for in sincerity. And we told him, with equal sincerity, that we kept completely open minds are were interested in learning as much as we could about each candidate (given the limited time available). I respected Roberts for that candor, impolitic though i might have been.
Roberts is one of only two candidates in the entire field who is currently living in Rochester's Northwest (Tom Brennan is the other). This part of the city has, in some ways, become Rochester's forgotten stepchild. Although Mayor Duffy and many other area residents harbor fond memories of the area, many of the white ethnics have since left the neighborhood (Duffy himself is now an East-sider and Carolee Conklin, a longtime fixture on Magee Avenue, is now leading the surge of downtown residents -- can't fault her for that). The one person who used to staunchly defend the area's civic pride, Councilman Robert Stevenson, has been replaced by his polar opposite: the reclusive and prickly Carla Palumbo. In short, the Northwest could use representation -- real representation -- on Council. This is one of the reasons Roberts is running.
Indeed, Roberts claimed that he is modeling his campaign, and would model his service on Council, after that of Bob Stevenson. Roberts believes in the importance of neighborhoods and the visibility of representatives. He challenged us to consider how many residents can name their representatives on city council? Probably not many. Roberts wants change and he wants residents to feel their representatives are pushing that change.
One area that Roberts spoke passionately about was his belief in the power of the vote. He opposes mayoral control of the schools due to the principle that city voters would lose a right that people have given their lives for. That is not something he takes lightly. He also expressed his concern about policies like the curfew which, while appealing to residents' desire for peace and quiet, ran roughshod over youth's basic rights to assemble.
I cannot argue that Norm Roberts would not make a good member of City Council. I think he would bring integrity and honesty to the chamber. he would focus on residents' rights and the types of issues that they care about, but that often do not receive thorough debate downtown. I believe there are five candidates who, together, bring a fuller set of assets to Council -- and that is why my endorsements have gone to others. But Democrats should consider Roberts as a solid option. If city neighborhoods require a voice in Council -- and they surely do -- Norm Roberts is as articulate as anyone else. Should he fail to be elected this year he would be an excellent primary challenger to Carla Palumbo, because one thing is certain: residents of the Northwest deserve better.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
GLADYS SANTIAGO
[Wicks]
Watching Gladys Santiago serve on Council this past year has been a bit like witnessing a Shakespearean tragedy. No, there haven't been ghosts or gore or soaring rhetoric -- actually, Santiago's Spanglish has been a bit of a comic relief during tense Council meetings (witness the frequency with which some Councilmembers have taken to voting "Si!"). The Shakespearean element has been the decline of a pioneer at the hands of an ambitious challenger -- a challenger that has come from within "la familia."
Santiago has not previously been known to be deep on policy, but she has been a reliable member of Council, a regular participant and the sole member to consistently ensure that the city's Latino/a population have a voice in city affairs. To many observers, this one included, the emergence of Jackie Ortiz during the designation process came as a surprise. Santiago was soundly rebuked by the party -- an interesting way for the party to treat a woman who has served for so many years and currently occupies the Presidency of City Council. But then again, Democrats have always been a fickle bunch, and while some people are pressured by party leaders to step aside, others are simply cast aside. It may be that Santiago was approached by party leaders -- one would hope that if they knew the writing was on the wall, they would have done her the courtesy of explaining it to her and letting her choose her path -- but that is information to which this writer is not privy.
Regardless, Santiago is in this race, whether the party elders want her there or not. And while her record is not substantial, it is certainly weightier than that of her would-be successor, Jackie Ortiz (that is, if one thinks that there is a "Latina seat" on Council). But even so, the case for Santiago's re-election is not a strong one. The city needs vigorous, independent voices and fresh ideas. It also needs individuals with the aplomb to deal with contentious issues and know how to promote vigorous debate while still keeping it within responsible bounds. Santiago has often not proven herself up to this challenge. Council is changing -- hopefully becoming more vocal and independent. That new Council simply needs new styles to complete the transformation. It is difficult for me to imagine Santiago as part of that future.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
[Wilmot]
City Council President Gladys (pronounced 'glad-deese) Santiago is a warm, sociable, and engaging public servant. I studied Spanish (Espanol) in middle and high school for five years, and Gladys knows this. I always get a kick out of her helpful attempts to revive my fading knowledge and memory of the language (I love to travel to Mexico and Spain-Espana). She drops words and phrases into our conversations at will, and I never find it off putting.
I have known Gladys for a number of years, and care for her very much. But there are times I feel her era has passed in government, as an elected official. She seems a little burned out (I certainly was at the end of my 10 years in the Monroe County Legislature). I don't see the fire in the belly that Ms. Santiago would need to win another term.
I will always hold a soft spot in my heart for Gladys, but perhaps it's time she moved on. And if she does, knowing Gladys, she will move on to bigger and better things.
-- Christopher J. Wilmot
JOHN LIGHTFOOT
[Wilmot]
I do not know incumbent City Councilman John Lightfoot. I have seen him in action (during Council and at an L.D. meeting) only a few times, and he seems like a nice enough gentleman. But, Lightfoot is semi-inarticulate, and worse, as a lawmaker, seemingly has no respect for the law, whatsoever.
As nearly everyone in Greater Rochester already knows if they follow local politics at all, Mr. Lightfoot has been arrested three (3) times for DUI / DWI. He should be in jail. Almost anyone else would be, yet Lightfoot must know people in high places. Based on his repeated disrespect for the law, and his wanton contempt for those drivers and pedestrians who are not drunk, it seems fair and reasonable that he be removed from Council, since he clearly (disease or no disease) has no regard for the safety and well being of others.
If City Democrats are smart (we'll see, won't we?), they will do the honorable thing that Lightfoot can't bring himself to do, and remove Councilman John Lightfoot from elected office.
-- Christopher J. Wilmot
[Wicks]
This one is easy. Let's put this in very simple terms. Substance abuse is a serious issue, one that has destroyed countless lives -- probably none of us have been untouched by it. It is not something worthy of the jokes that have been directed at Councilman Lightfoot. But one of the important requirements of recovery is admitting the problem and one's powerlessness over it, seeking atonement and focusing on recovery. One can forgive an indiscretion: it is quite likely that more than one person reading this has gotten behind the wheel when they should not have. This was, perhaps, John Lightfoot as of a year ago. But after a conviction and probation -- and the requirement that his breath be analyzed before starting his car, Mr. Lightfoot slipped again and tried to drive after drinking. Relapse is part of recovery, but Lightfoot's error was not simply relapse, it was a potential recurrence of drunk driving -- one that has the potential to take lives. This was partly the disease, but partly Lightfoot's poor decision-making. On this point alone, Lightfoot disqualifies himself from consideration. There are 60,000 Democrats in the city -- surely the party can do better than Lightfoot.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
FRANK MARTIN, III & JACKIE ORTIZ
[Wicks]
Because neither Frank martin nor Jackie Ortiz participated in our interview process, it is difficult to assess their candidacies. Ortiz has received the designation of the Democratic Party, but her performance in the party's designation meetings did not provide any insight into the source of her influence. There are smarter candidates, candidates with much more independence and candidates with more experience in public service. Ortiz is no slouch, but it is unclear what her particular selling point as a candidate has been. We have identified 6 candidates that clearly would be strong, effective members of Rochester City Council. Ortiz might be in that group, but what I have observed has simply not been enough to convince me that is the case.
Martin is equally enigmatic, though he was far less successful in the designation process. Martin is somewhat more reticent than most candidates, but has an earnestness that is fresh and interesting. His policy platform, as revealed during designation season, was not earth-shattering: Martin favors the same bread and butter improvements that virtually candidates espouse. If Martin can find a way to connect with voters -- and perhaps that has been happening on the campaign trail -- he might be able to separate himself from the field. It's a big "if", but Martin might be capable of bigger things that we have seen thus far.
-- Aaron E. Wicks
[Wilmot]
Mr. Wicks has put it quite nicely, and I have no additional comments regarding Frank Martin or Jackie Ortiz.
-- Christopher J. Wilmot
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Member Opinions:
By: vote4harry on 9/12/09
Aaron, you know I know & like you but writing things like this really perplexes me. First of all, I need for journalists to get their facts straight when they are critiquing a candidate. High Speed Rail (HSR) and light rail are two, completely separate, distictly different animals! As different as a lion & a tiger! They are totally different. One would go from perhaps Charlotte to somewhere south of there; High Speed Rail will go to 10 corridors across the USA: here is a link: http://harry2009.com/taxonomy/term/31 HSR goes fast! There is NOW, $8 billion in Obama stimulus money for this. It is not a "trendy" fashion. It is present day fact. It will add 12,000 jobs from Albany to Buffalo & in between. It will help redevelop Rochester. It will make Rochester part of the 26th largest metro area in the USA. http://harry2009.com/node/229 High Speed Rail: Update: When You’re Getting High-speed Rail http://harry2009.com/node/177 Likewise, bio tech is not "trendy." It is reality, it is money, jobs. It is life & death. The Stem Cell Economy: http://harry2009.com/node/137 "With his knowledge of the area, Davis can be particularly helpful in the development of the Western New York biotechnology corridor, a venture that will help create new jobs and discover new therapies, representing enormous growth potential here. Davis will dedicate his knowledge, passion and contacts to bring an abundant share of President Obama’s stimulus money to Rochester. Under President Obama, the former Bush administration’s limitations on stem cell research have been lifted, and funding of this important research will become not only a possibility, but also a priority." said Dr. Mark Noble, world reknowned stem cell scientist at the UofR. also, Is Harry's Biotech platform before it's time? "..a national race to attract the biotechnology industry, a current grail of economic development." http://harry2009.com/node/73 Frankly, I really am the BEST candidate of all 14 running! I am not bragging, it is just fact. Maybe if Aaron got his facts correct, he too would have realized I am the best and he would have endorsed me. But something tells me, I don't need any stinking endorsements. I am going to win without them! You know, I don't talk about "splash parks" and "Center Mall" or "Twin Towers" to help fix downtown like other candidates do, who are, frankly, clueless on what to do downtown. I know a thing or three about this. For Rochester... http://harry2009.com/node/102 Regenerative Communities http://harry2009.com/node/100 Maybe if Aaron, and others (City "newspaper") would study these issues, they would endorse me. But City is too interested in emails and barking dogs & does not care about quality of life issues that we out here do. i am tired............. oh, & Chris says i dont have any $$, but how much did he donate to me??? Tom Brennan gets $2,000 from Smugtown? I could do a lot with that. whatever.... See you on 9/16/09 I will do alot for Rochester when I am on city council. Then I will run for Mayor, AGAIN! Harry Davis, Rochester, New York
By: admin on 9/13/09
(from Co-Owner & Publisher Christopher J. Wilmot, in response to Mr. Davis' comments) Dear Harry: Thank you for your articulate and forceful rebuttal to our piece about you. In terms of your criticism of Mr. Wicks, I will let him speak for himself, if he so chooses. In terms of your assertion that "Tom Brennan gets $2,000 from the Smugtown" Beacon, that is incorrect. I, Christopher J. Wilmot, donated $2,000 to Mr. Brennan's campaign personally, not as a donation from the Smugtown Beacon. You may have been confused because I mentioned it in a recent article I wrote, endorsing Mr. Brennan. Truth be told, I donate regularly to Democrats & Republicans (I am a registered Republican). I am sorry you are upset about our not endorsing your campaign. It was a tough decision, yet we stnd by it. Good Luck on the campaign trail. Sincerely, Christopher J. Wilmot Pittsford, NY
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