>>
Gary Walker: THIS IS
CANDIDATE FREE AIR TIME, A
CHANCE FOR CANDIDATES TO
PRESENT A STRAIGHTFORWARD,
UNEDITED MESSAGE TO VOTERS.
THIS PROGRAM FEATURES
CANDIDATES FOR ROCHESTER CITY
COUNCIL AT LARGE.
THE ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL AT
LARGE IS PART OF A NINE-MEMBER
LEGISLATIVE BODY FOR THE CITY
OF ROCHESTER.
FIVE MEMBERS WILL BE ELECTED
AT LARGE TO REPRESENT THE
ENTIRE CITY.
ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVE
FOUR-YEAR TERMS.
THE PARTICIPATING FREE AIR
TIME CANDIDATES ARE:
CHRISTOPHER TILLETT, LUIS
ZAMOT, GLADYS SANTIAGO, TIM
MAINS, NANCY GRISWOLD, WADE
NORWOOD, BRIAN CURRAN, SUSAN
MIHALYI, RONALD RING, BONNIE
CANNAN, MICHAEL McMANUS AND
JEROME WILSON.
THE ORDER OF THE CANDIDATE'S
APPEARANCE WAS DETERMINED BY A
LOTTERY.
NANCY GRISWOLD IS ONE OF THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S CANDIDATES.
SHE IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF
THE ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL AND
IS 55 YEARS OLD.
>> FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I
HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF
ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL.
THE GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY I
HAVE AS A COUNCIL MEMBER IS TO
PROVIDE FISCAL OVERSIGHT FOR
THE CITY'S BUDGET.
THAT MEANS I NEED TO TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
TAXPAYERS' MONEY.
FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN I RAN FOR
PUBLIC OFFICE, I RAN ON TWO
ISSUES.
THE FIRST ONE WAS IMPROVING
THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR
ROCHESTER.
THE SECOND WAS TO PROMOTE AND
ATTRACT ROCHESTER AS A PLACE
THAT PEOPLE WANTED TO LIVE,
PLAY AND WORK.
THOSE ISSUES ARE MORE
IMPORTANT TODAY THAN EVER.
ROCHESTER IS FACING A
CHALLENGING TIME.
WE HAVE A SHRINKING TAX BASE
THAT NEEDS TO BE ATTENDED TO.
BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE
RESOURCES THAT WE NEED, THERE
ARE PROBLEMS IN SOME OF OUR
PROGRAMS.
WE NEED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL
FINANCES FOR IMPROVING OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR QUALITY
OF LIFE.
WE CANNOT PUT MORE POLICE ON
THE STREETS IF WE DON'T HAVE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THEY'RE
SAFE.
WE NEED TO HAVE MORE RESOURCES
FOR OUR LIBRARIES, SO PEOPLE
CAN GO THERE AFTER WORK AND
ENCOURAGE THEIR CHILDREN TO
READ.
AND WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY
INTO ATTRACTING PEOPLE TO MOVE
TO THE CITY.
UPSCALE, HIGH-END HOUSING IS
WHAT WE NEED TO OFFSET OUR
SHRINKING TAX BASE.
I HAVE BEEN IN ROCHESTER AND
LIVED HERE, WORKED AND PLAYED
HERE FOR 55 YEARS.
I AM PROUD TO CALL ROCHESTER
MY HOME.
THANK YOU.
>> Gary Walker: LUIS ZAMOT IS
A REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATE.
HE IS AN INSURANCE AGENT AND A
COMMUNITY MEDIATOR.
HE IS 51 YEARS OLD.
>> MY FELLOW ROCHESTERIANS, I
AM LUIS ZAMOT, A RESIDENT OF
THE CITY OF ROCHESTER SINCE
1972 AND MARRIED TO MY LOVELY
WIFE MILDRED FOR 31 YEARS.
TOGETHER WE HAVE TWO WONDERFUL
ADULT CHILDREN AND TWO LOVELY
GRANDCHILDREN.
I AM ONE OF THE ENDORSED
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR CITY
COUNCIL.
IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT THE
CITIZENS OF ROCHESTER ARE ONCE
AGAIN OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY
TO CHOOSE THEIR ELECTED
OFFICIALS FROM BOTH MAJOR
POLITICAL PARTIES.
NOW MORE THAN EVER THIS
COMMUNITY NEEDS AND WANTS TRUE
POLITICAL DISCOURSE THAT HAS
THE ABILITY TO TRANSCEND PARTY
IDEOLOGY AND REACH OUT TO
CONNECT WITH THE HEARTS AND
MINDS OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.
THEREFORE, I WILL WORK
DILIGENTLY TO INCREASE THE
LEVEL OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN
CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR
THE BENEFIT OF US ALL.
IN ORDER TO STABILIZE AND
INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES, I
WILL SUPPORT HOUSING
INITIATIVES THAT HAVE A
THREE-PRONG APPROACH:
DEMOLITION, REHABILITATION AND
CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING UNITS.
I BELIEVE THE ECONOMIC LIFE OF
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
DISTRICTS CANNOT BE SUSTAINED
LONG-TERM WITHOUT STIMULATING
THE ECONOMIC HUB OF DOWNTOWN
ROCHESTER TO CREATE MEANINGFUL
BUSINESS AND JOB
OPPORTUNITIES.
EXPANDING TOURISM AND
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE FAST
FERRY PROJECT IS A POSITIVE
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE FEAR AND
INCREASE CONFIDENCE IN OUR
PUBLIC SAFETY, I WILL SEEK TO
REPOSITION ASSETS WITHIN OUR
COUNTY -- CITY GOVERNMENT
BUDGET FOR THE PURPOSE OF
INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN OUR
"PACTAC" PROGRAM.
IT IS TRUE THAT THE WORLD AS
WE KNEW IT PRIOR TO THE TRAGIC
EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11th WILL
NEVER BE THE SAME.
IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT THIS IS
THE SEASON FOR US TO BRING
ABOUT A REVIVAL OF ENDORSED
REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP TO CITY
GOVERNMENT.
IN CLOSING, I WOULD HOPE THAT
ON ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 6th,
YOU CAST YOUR VOTE FOR CHOICE
AND IN DOING SO CHANGE THE
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE OF OUR
GREAT CITY.
THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS.
>> Gary Walker: CHRISTOPHER
TILLETT IS A REPUBLICAN PARTY
CANDIDATE.
HE IS A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
APPRAISER AND IS 39 YEARS OLD.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS CHRIS TILLETT AND
I'M RUNNING FOR AN AT LARGE
SEAT ON ROCHESTER CITY
COUNCIL.
I'M A CONCERNED CITY RESIDENT
THAT WILL LEND MY EXPERIENCE
AND BACKGROUND TO THIS
COUNCIL.
AS A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
APPRAISER AND AS CHAIRMAN OF
THE CITY OF ROCHESTER BOARD OF
ASSESSMENT REVIEW, I HAVE THE
EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO ADDRESS
THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING
CITY RESIDENTS.
SADLY, MANY HAVE LOST
CONFIDENCE IN OUR CITY.
THE TRUTH IS WE DO FACE SOME
DIFFICULT CHALLENGES,
INCLUDING DECLINING PROPERTY
VALUES, DECLINING POPULATION,
HOME OWNERS MOVING OUT,
TENANTS MOVING IN, CRIME AND
POOR PERCEPTION OF CITY
SCHOOLS.
HOME OWNERS AND RENTERS ALIKE
WILL BENEFIT IF WE WORK
TOGETHER TO BETTER THE CITY.
TOGETHER WE CAN INCREASE
SAFETY, BETTER OUR EXCELLENT
CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM, KEEP
RESIDENTS FROM MOVING TO THE
SUBURBS AND ULTIMATELY RAISE
HOME VALUES IN OUR CITY.
ANOTHER EQUALLY IMPORTANT
ISSUE OF MY CAMPAIGN IS THE
CURRENT LACK OF BALANCE ON
CITY COUNCIL.
RESIDENTS IN THE CITY DESERVE
DEBATE FROM BOTH SIDES ON
IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THE
CITY.
I WILL INTRODUCE THIS DEBATE
IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER.
I LOOK FORWARD TO REPRESENTING
CITY RESIDENTS AND WORKING
TOGETHER WITH THE CITY COUNCIL
TO BUILD A STRONG FUTURE FOR
ROCHESTER.
PLEASE VOTE FOR ME, CHRIS
TILLETT.
>> Gary Walker: RONALD RING IS
A GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE.
HE IS A HOUSEWORK HELPER AND
IS 57 YEARS OLD.
>> THESE ARE MY NOTES ON CITY
COUNCIL TOWARDS CAMPAIGNING
FOR SUCH OFFICE: IT DOESN'T
SEEM LIKE LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE
VERY COMMITTED TO HELPING THE
POOR.
THERE IS NEED FOR MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HEALTH
CARE INSURANCE AND CENTERS
THAT INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH
CARE.
THERE ARE SOME 1,400 PEOPLE ON
THE ROCHESTER HOUSING
AUTHORITY WAITING LIST.
SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE
INSURANCE WITH MORE DIRECT
PAYMENTS FROM TAX REVENUES
COULD HELP WITH THIS, AS THERE
WOULD BE LESS PAPERWORK AND
ALSO THERE AREN'T ANY
INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CANADA.
THAT WOULD MEAN LESS OVERHEAD
COSTS LIKE WE HAVE SOME 1,500
SUCH COMPANIES IN THE U.S.
IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR
MODERATION IN THE DRUG CULTURE
ATTITUDE, AWAY FROM POLICE
STATE SENSE AND MORE TOWARDS
HEALTH CARE ORIENTATION.
PROPER DOSAGES AND FREQUENCIES
MODERATION CAN HELP TOWARD
MORE FRIENDSHIP, LOVE SPIRIT,
BETTER PERCEPTION ABILITY AND
THE ABILITY TO BETTER
TRANSCEND INHIBITION.
WE NEED TO REDUCE THE MILITARY
BUDGET, WHICH IS DIFFICULT
AFTER THE VIOLENCE OF THE
TERRORIST TRAGEDY, BUT WE CAN
CALM DOWN THE CAUSE OF SUCH
TRAGEDIES BY HELPING POOR
PEOPLE AT LEAST BE ABLE TO
AFFORD THE NECESSITIES THROUGH
MORE FOREIGN AID.
THIS COULD BE HELPED, TOO,
THROUGH COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS
WHERE THE CAPITALIST RIGHT AND
THE COMMUNIST/SOCIALIST LEFT
WILL WORK TOGETHER, IN
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY OF THE
CAPITALIST RIGHT AND GROUP
PSYCHOLOGY OF THE
COMMUNIST/SOCIALIST LEFT
TOWARD MORE COOPERATION AND
TEAMWORK, AND THIS COULD HELP
TOWARD EVERYBODY BEING ABLE TO
AFFORD THE NECESSITIES.
>> Gary Walker: BRIAN CURRAN
IS ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY'S CANDIDATES.
HE'S AN INCUMBENT CITY COUNCIL
MEMBER AT LARGE AND IS 48
YEARS OLD.
>> HI.
I'M BRIAN CURRAN.
FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, I
HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF
REPRESENTING YOU AS A MEMBER
OF ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL.
THE TIME WE HAVE TODAY DOESN'T
ALLOW ME TO DISCUSS ALL THE
IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING OUR
CITY, BUT WHAT I WANT TO DO IS
TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE
BASIC PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE ME
AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN CITY
GOVERNMENT.
I BELIEVE MY MAIN JOB AS A
COUNCILMAN IS TO REPRESENT THE
INTERESTS OF THE AVERAGE
WORKING PERSON IN ROCHESTER,
AND FOR THAT REASON, I HAVE
EMPHASIZED POLICIES TO CREATE
JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
FOR CITY RESIDENTS.
I WROTE THE CITY'S LIVING WAGE
LAW BECAUSE I'M COMMITTED TO
THE PRINCIPLE THAT PEOPLE WHO
WORK ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC
SHOULD BE ABLE TO EARN A
LIVING AND SUPPORT THEIR
FAMILIES.
I WROTE THE RESPONSIBLE BIDDER
ORDINANCE TO PROTECT THE
TAXPAYERS AND THE PUBLIC FROM
SUBSTANDARD AND IRRESPONSIBLE
CONTRACTORS.
AND THROUGHOUT MY TIME AS A
COUNCILMAN, I HAVE ALSO
EMPHASIZED RESPONSIBLE
BUDGETING PRACTICES BECAUSE,
AS A CITY, WE HAVE LIMITED
RESOURCES AND WE NEED TO
TARGET THOSE RESOURCES AT OUR
MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES,
LIKE JOBS, EDUCATION AND
PUBLIC SAFETY.
IF YOU REELECT ME, MY
COMMITMENT IS TO STAY TRUE TO
THOSE PRINCIPLES, TO USE MY
EXPERIENCE AND TO CONTINUE TO
SPEAK OUT AS AN INDEPENDENT
VOICE FOR THE PUBLIC INTERESTS
AND FOR WORKING PEOPLE.
THANK YOU.
>> Gary Walker: SUSAN MIHALYI
IS A GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE.
SHE IS A PROCESS AND
FACILITATION CONSULTANT AND IS
46 YEARS OLD.
>> HI.
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO
VISIT THE GREEN PARTY'S MONROE
COUNTY WEB SITE, gpomc.org, TO
SEE THE PLATFORM WE HAVE
DEVELOPED ON CITY COUNCIL
ISSUES.
TODAY I'M GOING TO VISIT JUST
ONE: YOUR KIDS, YOUR FRIENDS'
KIDS, YOUR NIECES, NEPHEWS AND
GRANDCHILDREN.
OUR KIDS ARE AT RISK.
YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT.
EVERY TIME THEY WALK OUT THE
DOOR, THEY FACE SOMETHING OR
OTHER, NEW PROBLEMS, AND ALL
THINGS THAT SHOULDN'T BE
PROBLEMS ANYMORE, LIKE LEAD
POISONING.
WE HAVE KNOWN FOR 100 YEARS
THAT LEAD IS A POISON, BUT WE
DIDN'T BAN LEAD PAINT IN THE
U.S. UNTIL 1978.
1978!
SO HERE WE ARE, 20 YEARS
LATER, WITH LEAD POISONING
RATES IN MONROE COUNTY THREE
TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
IN ROCHESTER, IT'S FIVE TO
NINE TIMES.
SOME NEIGHBORHOODS ARE TEN TO
TWELVE TIMES THE NATIONAL
RATE.
THIS IS A PROBLEM WE KNOW HOW
TO FIX.
WE HAVE TO GET THE LEAD OUT.
IF IT WEREN'T IN THE HOUSES,
BABIES WOULDN'T BE GETTING
POISONED.
PRETTY SIMPLE, HUH?
OF COURSE, IT'S NOT QUITE THAT
SIMPLE.
IT TAKES PUBLIC PRESSURE.
IT TAKES POLITICAL WILL.
IT TAKES MONEY.
THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO.
THE GREEN PARTY IS ADVOCATING
THAT THE CITY OF ROCHESTER SUE
THE LEAD INDUSTRY, SORT OF
LIKE THE TOBACCO LAWSUITS.
THE LEAD INDUSTRY, LIKE THE
TOBACCO INDUSTRY, LIED ABOUT
THE PROBLEMS AND LOBBIED TO
DELAY OR REDUCE REGULATIONS.
OF COURSE, WE WOULD WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT ANY MONEY WON
IN SUCH A SUIT WOULD GO,
FIRST, TO ACTUALLY FIX THE
PROBLEMS AND, SECOND, TO HELP
THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN
POISONED.
THIS IS A REAL, DOABLE
STRATEGY THAT COULD MAKE SURE
WE DON'T KEEP POISONING OUR
KIDS.
EVERYTHING WE DO TO MAKE A
CHILD'S LIFE BETTER IN THIS
COMMUNITY WILL MAKE THIS
COMMUNITY BETTER.
VOTE ROW "G."
THANK YOU.
>> Gary Walker: GLADYS
SANTIAGO IS ONE OF THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S CANDIDATES.
SHE'S AN INCUMBENT CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE AND IS
VICE-PRESIDENT OF ROCHESTER
CITY COUNCIL.
SHE IS 54 YEARS OLD.
>> HELLO.
HOLA.
MY NAME IS GLADYS SANTIAGO.
BECAUSE OF MY PASSION FOR
HELPING PEOPLE, MY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MY STRONG
DESIRE TO DO MORE, I AM
SEEKING ANOTHER FOUR-YEAR TERM
AS A MEMBER OF THE ROCHESTER
CITY COUNCIL.
MUCH OF MY PASSION FOR HELPING
PEOPLE COMES FROM MY MOTHER
AND FATHER.
MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME ABOUT
HARD WORK AND THE IMPORTANCE
OF HELPING TO CARE FOR PEOPLE
AROUND ME.
I GET TO DO THAT EVERY DAY AS
THE SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF
...AMERICAN ACTION LEAGUE.
I HELP DELIVER IMPORTANT HUMAN
SERVICE PROGRAMS TO THE
COMMUNITY.
IT IS HARD WORK, BUT IT IS
ALSO A GREAT JOY.
THE PASSION THAT I FIND IN SO
MANY ASPECTS OF MY LIFE, I
ALSO BRING TO MY WORK ON THE
CITY COUNCIL.
DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I
HAVE SPONSORED LEGISLATION TO
PROVIDE ADDITIONAL YOUTH
SERVICES AND SUMMER
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXPAND
RELIEF FOR LOCAL PROPERTY
TAXPAYERS, INCREASE HOMEWORK
ASSISTANCE AND SPANISH
LANGUAGE MATERIALS IN OUR
LIBRARIES AND REDUCE GUN
VIOLENCE.
IN FACT, ONE OF MY
ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAMS LED TO
THE CREATION OF PROJECT EXILE,
WHEREBY PERSONS USING GUNS
WHILE COMMITTING A CRIME ARE
SENT TO STATE PRISON.
I AM PROUD OF MY COUNCIL
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND I HOPE TO
DO MORE TO MAKE ROCHESTER A
GOOD PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND
PLAY.
AT PRESENT, ROCHESTER FACES
MANY CHALLENGES, BUT THERE ARE
ALSO STRONG SIGNS OF COMMUNITY
RENEWAL.
MY CITY AND I HAVE MUCH TO BE
GRATEFUL FOR AS WE ENTER THIS
HOLIDAY SEASON.
LET US GIVE THANKS FOR THE
MANY BLESSINGS AND LET US
RESOLVE TO ADDRESS THE
PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS THAT
FACE THIS COMMUNITY.
WITH HARD WORK AND PASSION,
THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE
CANNOT ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER.
THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING.
>> Gary Walker: TIM MAINS IS
ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
CANDIDATES.
HE IS AN INCUMBENT CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE AND IS
53 YEARS OLD.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS TIM MAINS AND I ASK
FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE
MY SERVICE AS ONE OF THE AT
LARGE MEMBERS ON ROCHESTER
CITY COUNCIL.
I AM CURRENTLY COUNCIL'S
SENIOR MEMBER.
IN 1985, I BECAME NEW YORK
STATE'S FIRST OPENLY GAY
ELECTED OFFICIAL BECAUSE THIS
COMMUNITY VOTED TO ENDORSE MY
POTENTIAL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
DESPITE THE HATEFUL ATTACKS
THAT WERE LEVELED AGAINST ME
AT THE TIME.
OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS, I
BELIEVE I HAVE DEMONSTRATED
THAT AN EFFECTIVE COUNCIL
MEMBER MUST BE A LEADER IN THE
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AN
ADVOCATE FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR
CITIZENS, AND A CRAFTSMAN OF
INNOVATIVE POLICIES.
I'M PROUD OF THE PROGRESS WE
HAVE MADE.
MY CONSISTENT PUSH FOR
DEVELOPMENT HAS PAID OFF WITH
REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HALLMAN
SITE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF
SYMPHONY TERRACE.
I HAVE TRANSFERRED FUNDS FOR
LAND ACQUISITION AND I HAVE
SUPPORTED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE M.D.M.
PROCESS.
IN THE ARENA OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
I INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE
CITY'S DRUG HOT LINE, ADDED
STAFF TO OUR PARK PATROLS,
FUNDED A MOBILE SKI DISPLAY
AND PROVIDED TRIGGER LOCKS TO
GUN OWNERS.
OUT OF MY CONCERN FOR KIDS, I
RESTORED RECREATION PROGRAM
CUTS, EXPANDED THE DARE
PROGRAM IN ITS EARLY DAYS AND
WON A TEN-YEAR QUEST TO STOP
TOBACCO COMPANIES FROM
TARGETING OUR YOUTH BY
OUTLAWING TOBACCO BILLBOARDS
NEAR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE
CENTERS.
TO ENSURE EQUITY, I PROVIDED
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS
TO CITY EMPLOYEES, TIGHTENED
THE CITY'S REVIEW OF
RESPONSIBLE BIDDERS, REQUIRED
COMPLIANCE OF A.D.A., HELPED
SECURE OUR LIVING WAGE
ORDINANCE, AND CREATED A LOCAL
RIGHT TO SUE FOR VICTIMS OF
DISCRIMINATION.
MY LARGEST AND MOST
COMPREHENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS,
HOWEVER, HAVE COME IN THE
FINANCIAL ARENA THROUGH MY
CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
I HAVE EXPOSED AND CORRECTED
MILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET AREAS,
CREATED THE AREA'S FIRST-EVER
PROPERTY TAX STABILIZATION
FUND, MOVED SURPLUS FUNDS TO
REDUCE TAXES SEVERAL TIMES AND
FOUGHT FOR THE CITY'S FAIR
SHARE OF THE LOCAL SALES TAX.
IN TWO MINUTES, I CAN BARELY
PROVIDE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS, BUT
I HOPE YOU'LL VOTE ON NOVEMBER
6th TO RETAIN MY LEADERSHIP,
MY ADVOCACY AND MY INNOVATION.
TOGETHER, WE CAN ENSURE THAT
ROCHESTER MAINTAINS A VIBRANT
URBAN LANDSCAPE.
THANK YOU.
>> Gary Walker: BONNIE CANNAN
IS A GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE.
SHE IS A SOCIAL WORKER AND A
HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR
ACTIVIST.
SHE IS 56 YEARS OLD.
>> MY VISION OF ROCHESTER IS
ONE OF A SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITY.
WHAT DO I MEAN?
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
LOOK AT THE LONG-TERM AND
INCLUDE IMPORTANT FACTORS SUCH
AS USE OF RESOURCES, BOTH
HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL, REAL
EFFECTS ON OUR DAILY LIVES,
AND THE DEGREE TO WHICH HUMAN
NEEDS ARE REALLY MET.
SUCH A COMMUNITY SEES ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT TIED CLOSELY TO
THE VALUE OF LOCAL OWNERSHIP
OF BUSINESSES.
COMMUNITY-CONTROLLED
ENTERPRISES KEEP PROFITS
CIRCULATING WITHIN A
COMMUNITY, CREATE MORE JOBS
AND BRING A GREATER SENSE OF
RESPONSIBILITY AND POWER TO
ITS CITIZENS.
THERE IS LESS RELIANCE ON
LARGE CORPORATIONS WHO ARE
ALWAYS LOOKING TO GO
ELSEWHERE.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS WOULD
INCLUDE COMMUNITY STOCK
CORPORATIONS, CREDIT UNIONS
AND COOPERATIVES.
THE COMMUNITY COULD GAIN
GREATER CONTROL OVER CORPORATE
DECISION MAKING, EFFECT MORE
PROGRESSIVE TAXING AND USE
PUBLIC MONEYS FOR LOCAL IMPORT
REPLACING BUSINESSES.
A MEASURE OF SUSTAINABLE
COMMITTEE WOULD ALSO INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING:
DEMOCRACY, NOT CORPORATOCRASY.
PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY
TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT ISSUES
THAT AFFECT THEIR LIVES.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE SEEN
WITH THE ZOO, SOCCER DEALS,
TOBACCO SETTLEMENTS AND THE
GENESEE HOSPITAL, CITIZEN
INPUT IS INCREASINGLY NOT
SOUGHT.
I WOULD RESOLVE THAT CITY
COUNCIL LOBBY ALBANY TO
SUPPORT CLEAN MONEY, CLEAN
ELECTION LEGISLATION, EMPOWER
NEIGHBORS BUILDING
NEIGHBORHOODS TO ACT AS
CITIZEN ASSEMBLIES TO ADDRESS
ISSUES, AIR CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS ON PUBLIC CABLE
ACCESS TV, INCORPORATE FREE
ACCESS TV TIME FOR CANDIDATES.
I WOULD RESOLVE THAT CITY
COUNCIL PASS A RESOLUTION THAT
HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT AND TO
LOBBY ALBANY FOR A
SINGLE-PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTH
CARE PLAN.
I WOULD WORK TO END PREDATORY
LENDING BY COUNCIL, CREATING
AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO ALERT
CONSUMERS, AND LOBBY ALBANY TO
CHANGE SUB-PRIME LENDING LAWS.
I WOULD RESOLVE THAT CITY
COUNCIL RECOGNIZE THE ECONOMIC
VALUE THAT SLAVERY AFFORDED
THIS COUNTRY AT THE EXPENSE OF
AFRICAN-AMERICANS, PASS A
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING
REPARATION.
>> Gary Walker: WADE NORWOOD
IS ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY'S CANDIDATES.
HE IS AN INCUMBENT CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE AND IS
36 YEARS OLD.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS WADE NORWOOD,
AND FOR THE PAST TWELVE YEARS,
I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF
SERVING AS ONE OF YOUR
REPRESENTATIVES ON THE
ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL.
I APPRECIATE WXXI ALLOWING ME
THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ONCE AGAIN
ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS
YEAR.
YES, THESE ARE DIFFICULT
TIMES.
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR CITY
AND COUNTRY ARE CHALLENGED IN
WAYS THAT WERE ONCE
UNTHINKABLE, AND NOW MORE THAN
EVER OUR ABILITY TO WORK
TOGETHER AND TO FIND NEW WAYS
OF SOLVING OUR PROBLEMS MEANS
SO VERY MUCH.
THE RENAISSANCE OF OUR CITY
REQUIRES DEVELOPING MORE
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE
ATTRACTIVE TO MIDDLE-CLASS
FAMILIES.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO ATTACK THE
CRIME, NOISE AND VIOLENCE THAT
DESTABILIZES NEIGHBORHOODS,
AND WE MUST DEVELOP NEW
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES THAT MAKE
BUILDING HOMES AND BUSINESSES
IN THE CITY MORE AFFORDABLE,
AND THESE ARE THE GOALS TO
WHICH WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON
THE CITY COUNCIL AND OUR
EFFORTS HAVE YIELDED CONCRETE
RESULTS.
MY OWN EFFORTS HAVE FOCUSED ON
HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD
DEVELOPMENT, AND I AM PROUD OF
THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN
BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE HAVE HELPED NEIGHBORS BUILD
NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH
HIGH-QUALITY NEW DEVELOPMENTS
LIKE CHEVY PLACE, ANTHONY
SQUARE AND FREDERICK DOUGLASS
VILLAGE.
THROUGH THE SMART, EFFECTIVE
DEMOLITION OF VACANT AND
DANGEROUS HOUSES, WE HAVE
HELPED OUR NEIGHBORS RECREATE
NEW OPPORTUNITIES ON TRUTH AND
REYNOLD STREET, ON CUBA PLACE
AND ON ALPHONSE STREET.
AND THROUGH INNOVATIVE NEW
POLICIES LIKE THE CITY'S LIVING
WAGE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
ORDINANCE, WE HAVE
STRENGTHENED PROGRAMS THAT
MOVE FAMILIES INTO HOME
OWNERSHIP AND
SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY I HAVE HAD FOR
PUBLIC SERVICE.
I'M EXCITED KNOWING THAT I
HAVE MANY MORE CONTRIBUTIONS
TO MAKE AND I KNOW THAT WITH
YOUR SUPPORT I'LL BE ABLE TO
CONTINUE SERVING OUR CITY, AND
ITS BEST DAYS ARE YET TO COME.
THANK YOU.
>> Gary Walker: MICHAEL
McMANUS IS ONE OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY'S CANDIDATES.
HE IS A RETIRED FEDERAL
EMPLOYEE AND IS 47 YEARS OLD.
>> HELLO.
I AM MICHAEL McMANUS AND I
WANT TO BE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
ON CITY COUNCIL.
I HAVE BEEN SERVING THIS
COMMUNITY FOR OVER 15 YEARS.
I WORKED AT THE SOCIAL
SECURITY OFFICE ON STATE
STREET AND IN GREECE, AND MANY
OF YOU KNOW ME FROM CONTACT
WITH THOSE OFFICES.
I LEFT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
SERVICE A YEAR AGO.
AT AGE 45, I HAD 25 YEARS OF
GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND BECAME
ELIGIBLE FOR A SMALL PENSION.
FOR THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE BEEN
WORKING TO GET TO THIS POINT
WHERE YOU THE VOTER CAN DECIDE
IF YOU WANT ME TO REPRESENT
YOU.
I AM PART OF TEAM 2001, A
GROUP OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES
THAT HAVE PROMISED TO RUN ON A
CONTRACT TELLING YOU WHAT WE
WILL DO.
OUR CONTRACT HAS POINTS AIMED
AT WHAT WE BELIEVE WILL
PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN
ROCHESTER.
I LIVE NEAR KODAK PARK.
AFTER BUYING A HOUSE IN THAT
AREA OVER TEN YEARS AGO, I
LEARNED OF THE CITY TREASURE,
SENECA PARK.
WHEN I HEARD THAT SENECA PARK
WAS GOING TO BE DRASTICALLY
CHANGED BY A ZOO EXPANSION, I
STARTED ATTENDING PUBLIC
MEETINGS AND REALIZED THAT
TALKING AT PUBLIC MEETINGS
DIDN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.
IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PARK
NEAREST TO ME, I DECIDED I
WOULD RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.
WHAT ARE MY QUALIFICATIONS,
YOU WILL ASK?
I'M A LIFELONG CITY RESIDENT.
I GREW UP ON THE CITY'S WEST
SIDE.
I AM ONE OF NINE CHILDREN
RAISED CATHOLIC IN St.
AUGUSTINE'S PARISH.
I GRADUATED FROM JAMES MADISON
HIGH SCHOOL.
MY ONLY EXTENDED TIME AWAY
FROM ROCHESTER WAS THE ELEVEN
YEARS I WAS STATIONED IN THE
AIR FORCE, SIX IN LOUISIANA
AND FIVE IN EUROPE.
MY FATHER WAS A CAREER CIVIL
SERVANT FOR THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, AND MY GRANDFATHER
WAS A MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF AS
WELL AS A WARD LEADER.
MY GRANDMOTHER LIVED HER
ENTIRE LIFE ON MADISON STREET.
AS A VOLUNTEER AT THE SUSAN B.
ANTHONY HOUSE, I ENJOY TELLING
PEOPLE THAT SUSAN LIVED FOR 40
YEARS ON MADISON STREET, BUT
MY GRANDMOTHER WAS THERE FOR
69 YEARS.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW ME THROUGH
ONE OF MY BROTHERS OR MY
SISTERS, I WOULD ASK YOU TO
TALK TO PEOPLE WITH SOCIAL
SECURITY BENEFITS AND SEE IF
ANY OF THEM HAVE HAD CONTACT
WITH ME.
I HAVE A PROVEN RECORD OF
SERVICE, AND ALONG WITH
MARIANNE MILES, I HAVE GIVEN
YOU A CONTRACT PROMISE THAT I
WILL COMMIT TO.
PLEASE LET ME SERVE YOU AND
HONOR ME WITH YOUR VOTE THIS
ELECTION.
>> Gary Walker: JEROME WILSON
IS A REPUBLICAN PARTY
CANDIDATE.
HE IS A DIVERSITY COORDINATOR
FOR EASTMAN KODAK AND IS 45
YEARS OLD.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS JEROME L. WILSON,
AND I AM A CANDIDATE FOR CITY
COUNCIL.
I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.
I AM A DIVERSITY COORDINATOR
AT EASTMAN KODAK, ASSISTANT
CHAIRMAN OF THE DEACON BOARD
AS WELL AS SUPERINTENDENT OF
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME AND
HELP RECLAIM OUR LOCAL
GOVERNMENT.
WHEN A CITY HAS ONLY ONE
POLITICAL PARTY, DEMOCRACY
DOES NOT EXIST.
I BELIEVE PEOPLE DESERVE THE
OPPORTUNITY OF A BIPARTISAN
SYSTEM WHEREBY BOTH
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
SERVE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.
I AM WILLING TO CUT THROUGH
THE BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE.
THE CHALLENGE IS TO MAKE THE
SYSTEM WORK FOR ALL OF
ROCHESTER'S CITIZENS.
I'M AN ADVOCATE FOR STRONG
NEIGHBORHOODS, OPEN
GOVERNMENT, FULL EMPLOYMENT,
AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OUR
COMMUNITY.
I AM A COMMITTED INDIVIDUAL
WHO IS WILLING TO ACCEPT THE
CHALLENGE AND RESPONSIBILITY
IN ORDER TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE
AND TO HELP MAKE THE SYSTEM
WORK FOR ALL OF ROCHESTER.
I RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGE
BEFORE US IS DAUNTING, BUT I
KNOW WITH HARD WORK, A UNITY
OF PURPOSE, AND A COMMITMENT,
WE CAN BEGIN TO CHANGE THE
POLITICAL SCENE OF OUR GREAT
CITY.
HELP ME ON THIS JOURNEY OF
CHANGE TO RETURN CITY COUNCIL
BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF
ROCHESTER.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.
>> Jennifer Reed: WXXI WILL
BROADCAST TWO IMPORTANT
ONE-HOUR POLITICAL DEBATES
THIS ELECTION SEASON AS PART
OF THE "VOICE OF THE VOTER"
INITIATIVE.
"VOICE OF THE VOTER" IS A
COLLABORATION BETWEEN WXXI,
WOKR NewsSource 13 AND "THE
DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE."
NEXT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th,
AT 8 p.m., "VOICE OF THE
VOTER" WILL BROADCAST THE
MAYORAL DEBATE FEATURING
INCUMBENT MAYOR WILLIAM
JOHNSON, WHO IS A DEMOCRAT,
AND CHALLENGER LUIS PEREZ, WHO
IS ON THE REPUBLICAN TICKET.
IN A FIRST FOR WXXI
TELEVISION, THE PROGRAM WILL
OFFER S.A.P., SECONDARY AUDIO
PROGRAMMING, IN SPANISH.
THE SAME PROGRAM WILL AIR
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26th, AT 5:30
p.m. IN SPANISH WITH AN
ENGLISH S.A.P.
"VOICE OF THE VOTER" WILL ALSO
BROADCAST THE MONROE COUNTY
SHERIFF'S DEBATE FEATURING
SHERIFF PATRICK O'FLYNN, WHO
IS REPUBLICAN; VINCENT
FAGGIANO, WHO IS ON BOTH THE
DEMOCRATIC AND CONSERVATIVE
TICKET; THOMAS VASILE, WHO IS
RUNNING WITH THE INDEPENDENT
PARTY; AND JAMES CALDWELL FROM
THE GREEN PARTY.
THE MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S
DEBATE WILL BE BROADCAST FROM
8 TO 9 p.m. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER
1st, IN ENGLISH WITH A S.A.P.
IN SPANISH.
THE DEBATE WILL AIR AGAIN FROM
5:30 TO 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 2nd, IN SPANISH WITH
S.A.P. IN ENGLISH.
YOU CAN ACTIVATE THE S.A.P.
CHANNEL THROUGH A MENU ON YOUR
TELEVISION SET.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE
CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT
www.wxxi.org.
>> Matt Cummings: TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S
ELECTIONS AND NEW YORK
POLITICS, LOG ON TO
www.nycitizens.org.
NEW YORK CITIZENS IS A
CLEARINGHOUSE FOR LOCAL AND
STATEWIDE POLITICAL NEWS AND
INFORMATION.
TO LEARN WHO REPRESENTS YOU
AND YOUR DISTRICT, CLICK ON
THE "ELECTION FINDER."
JUST ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE TO
FIND OUT WHO IS RUNNING FOR
OFFICE IN YOUR DISTRICT.
WHILE YOU'RE HERE, CHECK YOUR
REGISTRATION STATUS AND FIND
OUT WHERE TO GO TO CAST YOUR
BALLOT.
WANT TO KNOW WHAT ISSUES ARE
IMPORTANT TO VOTERS THIS YEAR?
CLICK ON "ISSUE CAPSULE."
HERE, YOU CAN FIND STATISTICS
TO OUTLINE IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN
ISSUES.
AFTER REVIEWING THE DATA, JOIN
THE ON-LINE DISCUSSION TO POST
YOUR OPINION.
WATCH AND LISTEN TO YOUR
REPRESENTATIVES IN ALBANY IN
ACTION WITH OUR ASSEMBLY AND
SENATE WEBCASTS.
HERE, YOU CAN ALSO FIND OUT
WHO CURRENTLY REPRESENTS YOU
AND LINK TO THEIR HOME PAGE.
USE THIS PAGE TO RESEARCH NEW
YORK LEGISLATION ON THE BOOKS,
REVIEW THE STATE CONSTITUTION,
OR TAKE A TOUR OF THE CAPITAL.
NEW YORK CITIZENS LETS YOU
REVIEW A TRANSCRIPT OF
GOVERNOR PATAKI'S STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS.
THE SITE OUTLINES HOW THE
LATEST STATE BUDGET IMPACTS
NEW YORKERS, AND IT EXPLAINS
HOW REDISTRICTING WILL RESHAPE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS AND HOW
THAT WILL AFFECT HOW YOU ARE
REPRESENTED.
LEARN ABOUT THE NEW YORK STATE
STAR PROGRAM, A PROGRAM OF
SCHOOL TAX RELIEF FOR NEW
YORKERS, AND HOW THIS MAY SAVE
YOU MONEY.
STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
NEW YORK CITIZENS WILL LINK
YOU TO OTHER CREDIBLE AND
INFORMATIVE WEB SITES.
www.nycitizens.org,
YOUR
SOURCE FOR NEW YORK POLITICS.
>> Gary Walker: TO HEAR MORE
CANDIDATE MESSAGES, TUNE INTO
WXXI TV OR CABLE CHANNEL 11 ON
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26th, AT 9:30
p.m.
WE'LL PROFILE RACES FOR
ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL BOARD
AND NEW YORK STATE SUPREME
COURT.
ALSO TUNE INTO WXXI AM 1370
NEXT WEEK AS CANDIDATE FREE
AIR TIME SPOTS WILL BE AIRED
DURING "MORNING EDITION" AT
9:20 a.m. AND REPEATED DURING
"ALL THINGS CONSIDERED" AT
6:20 p.m.
FOR A TRANSCRIPT OF THIS
PROGRAM, YOU CAN VISIT
www.nycitizens.org.
(Music)