By: admin on 1/8/10
(from Co-Owner & Publisher Christopher J. Wilmot)

Dear Mitch:

Thanks for the correction; you'll see I've already noted it in the article. And by the way, I wasn't in any way implying that "pedigree" is anything to be embarrassed about. Facts are facts, and people like you and I, Molly, and also many Republicans (Joe Robach, etc.) can point to second or multiple generations in our families pursuing jobs and positions in public service. I consider it an honor, and so should you. And thanks for educating me about your grandfather, Albert Rowe. Unfortunately, I did not know about him. He must have been quite a guy. Thanks for your readership.

Christopher J. Wilmot,
Pittsford, NY

By: GrayFox on 1/8/10
Chris,
I think this is another instance of what I call the "Fighter Jock" syndrome--you can't be a USAF General if you never flew a jet, you can't be a medical administrator if you aren't an MD. Good administration is about running an organization and having the right people around you, and asking the right questions. It may not hurt to be from the profession, but in some cases it does because you're trapped in the "we've always done it this way." It may be a major problem is people like Jim McTiernan deliberately work against Molly.

Craig Epperson
Rochester

By: admin on 1/8/10
Dear Mitch:

After reading both of your comments, I'm increasingly confused as to which article you are referring. In no way was I insinuating anything, nor would I ever suggest that any of the individuals or families I mentioned are not populated by hard working individuals.

What you have done, Mitch, in psychological terms, is called 'transference'. I believe you are transfering your own feelings of fear that others might think you haven't worked hard for what you made of your life, simply because you chose public service. Don't forget Mitch; I've known you since Mayor Ryan's campaign in 1989, and there was a time we were good friends. You know deep down that I am a good person, the same way I know the exact same thing about you.

I pointed out certain families and individuals because they were the first ones that came to mind. I have always liked you and admired you. However, at some point you decided I was no longer your friend or colleague. I've made my share of mistakes, but I've always tried to treat you, your mother,and sister with the utmost respect. I endorsed your mother, after all, for City Council. That should count for something.

If you ever want to talk about our friendship, or its apparent demise, I'd be glad to break bread with you, anytime.

Christopher J. Wilmot,
Pittsford, NY

By: Abby on 1/8/10
Chris,

My "pedigree" comes from a long line of hard working, modest earning people. A long line a decent, honest "Democrats". My Grandfather Al Rowe, was leader in the 19th Ward which is where my Mother, Carolee was introduced to her first political aspirings, and I believe, if I recall the stories I was told as a child, was introduced to Chris Lindley.

I grew up in the 70's, where my Mom walked in front of the Federal Building to protest Vietnam, the race riots of the 70's, and I recall the great folks of our day like Ruth Scott and many like her and my Mom.

I remember learning to walk door to door as early as 5 with people like Lew Lanski, make homemade lawnsigns in the backyard of our family home on Magee Avenue...and get election night phone calls in my kitchen on a rotary dial phone.

I remember days spent on Keuka Lake with the Lindley's, Sullivans and Cliffords....we were all a breed of "old school" ... hard working folk, who worked hard and played hard. Honest. Loyal. True.

Those were days where we stood for something.

I always say, stand for something, or fall for anything.....and sometimes that means standing alone.

I have been many places in my life.....the penthouse....and the outhouse. I have seen truth, and dishonesty. Our lives are all about choices. In a sense, we all live a Clint Eastwood style movie....the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have been all of these things.

I pride myself on where I come from, where I have been, the holes I have climbed out of, and who I am today, and the person I am always becomming.

Honest. Kind. Strong. Integrity. Our character is who and what we are....when no one else is looking.

I say all of this to say, I have always been, and still am, held to a higher standard than most. I was taught as a young child, that I was expected to be the best I could be, for myself, and others. I had to work harder and longer to achieve anything worth having, based on my own merit, not because of where I came from, but due to it. I was expected to be above the rest.

I have not always met that expectation, and as a human beings, we all fall short. We make mistakes. I, have made many.

I have had the honor and priveledge to serve under some of the people you mention, related to a few too. Know many well. Do not always agree. Do not always care for they way it works. I speak my mind, agree to disagree, and stand on principles and values. That isn't always popular.

I had the priveledge of working for Molly when she was Chair of the Democratic Party. I know this, she is a hard working, smart, caring Boss and Friend and always put the needs of the people that worked for her as highest priority. She has worked hard to get where she is and deserves every bit of it. I say this because it is truth, not because I owe her anything, or because of any political allegiance.

I have been falsely accused by this site, and an apolgy was given. I hold no ill will, and Chris, you were the first to make a call to my Mother to try and make it right. We all make mistakes.

I can forgive and forget mistakes. I can forge ahead, with my strong opinions and disagreements (yes, I am my Mother's daughter, and proud of it) and continue to be my own person. I can not be bought silenced or bullied.

I have kept quiet for a long time, for my own reasons, but my family, namely me and my brother Mitch, have taken our share of beatings by members of this community. Which is why I believe we have become "sensitive" to this type of thing. By no way is it any sense of "guilt" by association, or feeling like we have been given a "free ride". If you know anyone in my family, namely Carolee, or my dearly departed Father Sanford, neither one gave any of us a "free ride". We were held accountable for our actions, each and every time, and we were expected to be set apart and achieve only the best we could. If we were to fall or fail, we were allowed to "lie in our beds" as my Dad would say.

There have been many "tests" of loyalty that have crossed our paths, being public servants, and Democrats. We have been failed by people, more than once, but what I am proud to say with much conviction, is that not I, nor my brother, have wavered from where we stand, honest, loyal, hard working Democrats. True, to ourselves, until the end.

And in the end, there is no questions to where that stand is.

Sincerely,
Abby Rowe
Rochester, NY

By: Terry_Schnurr on 1/9/10
Chris,

Like you and Abby, I have worked for Molly Clifford. I know her to be intelligent, committed, and hard-working and consider her a friend.

In nearly twenty years of government service, I have worked with several managers with little or no experience in the functional work of the department. Each was hired because those responsible for the decision concluded, sometimes correctly and sometimes not, that the individual was well-suited to the particular job. In each case, line staff was expected to help familiarize them with the operations of the department.

I can't comment on whether every t was properly crossed in the hiring process, but I can say that Molly Clifford's background and talents make her an excellent fit for the job as it has been publicly described. Certainly, functional experience is an asset to managers, but there is no shortage of it in current fire department management. I suspect Mr. Epperson is right that there is a certain amount of the elitism inherent in fraternal professions at work here

Terrence E. Schnurr
Rochester, NY

By: firemarshal1 on 1/9/10
Christopher Wilmot asked Molly Clifford during a telephone interview on January 7th: "In a document supplied to me by Jim McTiernan, from the New York Department of State (Division of Code Enforcement and Administration), the document lists you as Not Board Certified in code enforcement, and lists your status as In Process. True?" Molly Clifford replied: "My predecessor, Deputy Chief McClary isn't either*. I was certified in 2008, but my certification lapsed in 2009, but I have received permission for an extension on soliciting my re-certification until March 31, 2010."

At press time, Christpher Wilmont reported that he was not able to verify whether McClary was code certified or not. I can tell you that the NYSDOS web site shows that indeed Deputy Chief McClary was not listed as being certified as a Code Enforcement Official (CEO) in 2008. This surprises and disturbes me that the Fire Marshal for the City of Rochester may not have been "certified".

I can also tell you that, opposed to what Molly Clifford stated in her interview, the same web site DOES NOT show her as being certified in 2008. She may have been certified in 2007, however the web site only reflects 2008 CEOs. With that, I, as a certified CEO who maintains the required 24 inservice credits for certification renewal each year, am angry that the NYSDOS may be willing to grant he an extension to complete the inservice training. Mind you, this is a two year extension.

I, and other CEOs go out of our way, in some cases at great expense financially, to ensure that we maintain our certification. The NYSDOS should require Molly Clifford to retake the entire CEO program. Molly Clifford should be required to complete this training on her own time, not on the taxpayers dime.

George Nalivyko
Rochester, New York

By: RCM on 1/10/10
I find Chris Wilmot’s article about the appointment of Molly Clifford to a post in the Rochester Fire Department very refreshing. Aside from being most informative, and in my opinion fair, what strikes me most is his honest admission that perhaps there is not an irrefutable correct position on this matter.

Like many in this community, my initial reaction to this appointment was one of disappointment that political cronyism is still alive and well in Rochester City Government. Mr. McTiernan provides a wealth of facts regarding the appropriateness of the training Ms. Clifford received, however, that does more to demonstrate the rigidity of union rules, than question the qualifications of Ms. Clifford to do the job. So, while I am sure Mr. McTiernan is a dedicated and well-qualified fire fighter, his job as union representative is to look out for the best interests of the rank and file firefighters - objectivity is not his responsibility, or in his job description.

Ms. Clifford’s past accomplishments are impressive, and her wealth of managerial experience would qualify for a wide range of positions, inside and outside government. The cynical side of me questions why so many government employees can’t leave the public troth. But the objective side of me allows that government service can be altruistic, and we, the citizens of the greater Rochester area, are well served by dedicated professionals like Ms. Clifford, Mayor Duffy, and Mr. McTiernan.

Like Mr. Wilmot, I am torn between conflicting feelings regarding this appointment. Nevertheless, without a clear reason to doubt the wisdom or sincerity of Chief Caufield’s motives for this appointment, or Ms. Clifford’s ability to perform the duties associated with this position, then I can only wish Ms. Clifford the best in her new job – and hope this trust in the motives for this appointment are not misplaced. This article was good reading – thanks.

Roger Moore
Honeoye Falls, New York

By: tfb on 1/11/10
Editors,

Thank you for a balanced and thoughtfuil look at the controversy over the Molly Clifford appointment. One factual clarification. The Taylor Law, an important part of Jim McTiernan's case, is state law, not a federal one, as Molly suggested. Keep up the good work, Jim.

Tom Brennan
Rochester