Mayoral Forum 8/15/2005

Michael Caputo: THIS A SPECIAL ELECTION 2005 PRESENTATION.
"VOICE OF THE VOTER" A MEDIA COLLABORATION INVOLVING WXXI, THE DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE, AND 13 WHAM TV HOSTS THE FIRST
OF TWO HOUR-LONG FORUMS.
THE TOPICS, HOW TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
AND THE CITIES QUALITY OF LIFE.
THE PARTICIPANTS, THOSE WHO WANT TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF ROCHESTER, AND CITIZENS FROM OUR "VOICE OF THE
VOTER" PANEL.
NOW ARE, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR, WXXI'S MICHAEL CAPUTO.
>> YOU THINK ABOUT POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND YOU USUALLY THINK
OF AGENDAS.
CANDIDATES CERTAINLY HAVE AGENDAS.
SOME FOCUS ON HOW TO LEAD.
OTHERS ON HOW TO GET ELECTED.
WHEN IT COMES TO CAMPAIGNS, WXXI, THE DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
AND 13 WHAM TV HAVE AN AGENDA OF SORTS.
FOR THE LAST DECADE THE MEDIA PARTNERS HAVE PRESENTED AN
EFFORT CALLED "VOICE OF THE VOTER".
IT BRINGS CANDIDATES TOGETHER TO FIELD QUESTIONS FROM YOU,
THE CITIZENS.
THE "VOICE OF THE VOTER" AGENDA, TO FOSTER A CIVIC
CONVERSATION, TO COMBAT DISCONNECTION, IN THE BELIEF THAT
PEOPLE CAN'T SIT BACK WAITING TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO.
THEY MUST BE ACTIVE PLAYERS IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS.
THIS YEAR THAT EFFORT IS SUPPORTED BY THE ROCHESTER AREA

 

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND TODAY, WE OFFER A DIFFERENT KIND OF
FORUM THAN YOU MIGHT BE USED TO.
"VOICE OF THE VOTER" HAS INVITED THE CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR,
THOSE WHO HAVE A SPOT ON RECOGNIZED BALLOT LINES, AROUND A
TABLE.
THEY ARE CITY COUNCILMAN TIM MAINS.
FORMER POLICE CHIEF BOB DUFFY.
ATTORNEY AND FORMER COUNCILMAN JOHN PARINELLO.
CITY COUNCILMAN WADE NORWOOD.
AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMER CHRIS MAJ.
WITH THEM AT THIS TABLE, ARE CITIZENS FROM OUR "VOICE OF THE
VOTER" PANEL.
MOST ARE FROM THE CITY, BUT WE HAVE ONE FROM A SURROUNDING
TOWN, IN THE BELIEF THAT THIS RACE IMPACTS MORE THAN JUST
THE CITY.
THESE PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN TIME FROM THEIR LIVES TO COME
TOGETHER AND LEARN ABOUT CITY GOVERNMENT, TALK ABOUT THE
ISSUES.
LET ME EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A TRADITIONAL DEBATE, BUT
A CONVERSATION.
THE RULES OF THIS ENGAGEMENT WERE SENT TO THE CANDIDATES AND
ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON OUR WEBSITE.
WE ENCOURAGE A SPIRITED, RESPECTFUL, THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION.
WE EXPECT DEBATE AND DISAGREEMENT, BUT CENTERED ON THE
ISSUES.
LET'S BEGIN.

 

WE'LL SPLIT THIS HOUR IN TWO.
THE FIRST HALF, WE'LL CONCENTRATE ON SINGLE SUBJECT, THE
STATE OF EDUCATION IN ROCHESTER AND THE ROLE OF CITY
GOVERNMENT IN IT.
OUR FIRST QUESTION FROM LYDIA LEES, ONE OF OUR "VOICE OF THE
VOTER" PARTICIPANTS FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY.

Lydia Lees: THE CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM COMPRISES A BUDGET OF OVER $400
MILLION AND HAS A STUDENT POPULATION OF OVER 29,000. MY FIRST QUESTION IS DIRECTED TO MR. WADE NORWOOD. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO TAKE OVER OR MANAGE THE ROCHESTER SCHOOL SYSTEM?

Wade Norwood: VERY SIMPLY PUT, LYDIA, I JUST BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUES OF
EDUCATION ARE CENTRAL TO THIS RACE.
CENTRAL TO THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY.
AND IN TOO MANY INSTANCES WE AS MAYORAL CANDIDATES ARE --
HAVE TO CONFESS TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE MAYOR RIGHT NOW HAS A
VERY LIMITED ROLE IN ACTUALLY IMPACTING THE OPERATIONS OF
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE MAYOR SHOULD BE REDUCED TO
EXERCISING THE NUCLEAR ACTION AT BUDGET TIME.
I THINK THAT THE MAYOR CAN PLAY A STRONG ROLE, THROWING THE
WEIGHT OF HIS OFFICE BEHIND SCHOOLS, AND NOT AGAINST
SCHOOLS.
FOR THAT REASON, I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO
DO IS CHANGE THE RULES, SHAKE UP THE STATUS QUO, AND GIVE
THE MAYOR SOME REAL LINE AUTHORITY OVER THE DISTRICTS.

 

MC: IS THERE ANOTHER CANDIDATE WHO WANTS TO TAKE THAT ON?

JP: WHEN WADE SUGGESTED THAT THE MAYOR TAKE OVER THE SCHOOL
SYSTEM, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS OUTRAGEOUS TO THINK THAT A
MAYOR THAT HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS ON HIS HANDS WOULD TAKE ON
OTHER PROBLEMS.
WE HAVE AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.
WE HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT THAT APPEARS TO BE DOING HIS JOB
WELL.
AND WE HAVE CONTROL OF THE PURSE STRINGS.
I THINK THERE ARE ANSWERS WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION, THAT
THE MAYOR CAN IMPOSE BY USING HIS OFFICE AS A BULLY PULPIT.
FOR INSTANCE, I HAVE BEEN A PROPONENT OF UNIFORMS IN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
TO START EVERYBODY OFF IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, SO THAT
THERE IS NO DISTINCTION OR DIVERSITY OF ISSUES, EVERYBODY IS IN
A LEARNING ATMOSPHERE.
SECONDLY THAT THERE BE A DRESS CODE IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND
HIGH SCHOOLS, AND THIRDLY, I HAVE TWO NEW IDEAS, AND THAT IS
A CONSOLIDATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS WHERE THE CITY
WOULD TAKE OVER CERTAIN ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
WE WOULD SAVE $4 MILLION.
AND LASTLY, I PROPOSE THAT WE HAVE SCHOOLS FOR PARENTS.
THAT PARENTS THAT ARE ENTERING CHILDREN TAKE AN EXAMINATION.
THOSE THAT DON'T PASS IT ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND SCHOOLS TO
LEARN HOW TO NURTURE AND RAISE CHILDREN.

MC: LYDIA, GO AHEAD.

LL: I WAS GOING TO ASK A FOLLOWUP QUESTION TO MR. NORWOOD.
WHAT PERSONALLY SPARKED THIS CONCEPT, HOW LONG AGO?
WN: WHAT CONCEPT --
LL: OF TAKING OVER THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
WN: WHAT PERSONALLY SPARKED IT AS I HAVE CONTINUED TO ENGAGE
IN THIS CAMPAIGN, TALK TO NEIGHBORS, THE ISSUE OF SCHOOLS IS
THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE.
MAKING SCHOOLS WORK FOR OUR KIDS IS WHAT SPARKED IT.
I APPRECIATE JOHN OFFERING MY IDEA MADE LIGHT, BUT WE NEED
THE REAL IDEA, NOT A CHEAP COPY.

MC: BOB DUFFY?

Bob Duffy: THE MAYOR HAS TO BE A LEADER IN HELPING SUPPORT
EDUCATION.
ONE CONCEPT IS EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EDUCATION.
THE MAYOR, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY,
PARENTS.
AND IT'S -- I PROPOSE PUTTING TOGETHER A GROUP THAT WILL SET
MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES TO GET EVERYBODY TOGETHER TO IMPROVE
FOUR THINGS -- ATTENDANCE, PERFORMANCE, GRADES AND SCORES AND
GRADUATION.
I WANT TO DISAGREE WITH THE CONCEPT OF SPLITTING THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
WITH A MAYOR RUNNING -- ACTUALLY APPOINTING A SUPERINTENDENT
AS WELL AS ASSUMING FINANCIAL CONTROL, AND A FULLY-ELECTED
SCHOOL BOARD, WITHOUT THAT CONTROL, ANYONE WHO HAS RUN AN
ORGANIZATION UNDERSTANDS YOU CANNOT SPLIT POLICY FROM

 

IMPLEMENTATION.
IT CAUSES CHAOS.
IT CAUSES A LOT OF CONFUSION.
ANYONE WHO HAS WORKED IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY ANSWER TO
TWO DIFFERENT BOSSES WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT.
IT'S ABOUT PARTNERSHIP, COLLABORATION, WORKING WITH THE
DISTRICT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

MC: LET'S GET MORE PEOPLE IN HERE, TIM MAINS.

Tim Mains: WADE IS CORRECT WHEN HE SAYS THE MAYOR DOESN'T HAVE
DIRECT CONTROL OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
BOB IS CORRECT WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT THE GOALS.
BUT NEITHER ARE TALKING MUCH ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION, HOW
DO WE GET THERE.
THE REALITY IS, THAT WHETHER THE MAYOR CONTROLS THE SCHOOL
SYSTEM OR A SUPERINTENDENT CONTROLS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM,
SCHOOLS DO NOT CHANGE FROM THE TOP DOWN.
THEY CHANGE FROM THE BOTTOM UP.
AND THERE'S 35 YEARS WORTH OF RESEARCH THAT REMINDS US THAT
SCHOOL TAKES PLACE AND SCHOOL CHANGE TAKES PLACE AT THE
SCHOOL LEVEL.
THAT'S WHY MAYORAL TAKEOVERS IN OTHER CITIES HAVEN'T BEEN
SUCCESSFUL.
BOB, I APPRECIATE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT, WHERE
WE WANT TO GET TO AT THE END, WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN TO GET.
THERE I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WHO HAS
EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS.

 

WORKING ON MY DOCTORATE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AT
COLUMBIA, HAS TAUGHT ME THE MAYOR SHOULD BE FIGHTING FOR
RESOURCES, ADVOCACY WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THE
SCHOOL DISTRIBUTE AND ATTACKING THE REAL PROBLEM BEHIND OUR
POOR PERFORMANCE, THE CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY.

MC: LYDIA?

LL: MR. JOHN PARINELLO, WHAT IS THE PRESENT SCHOOL BUDGET,
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND WHAT
IS THE STUDENT POPULATION IN ROCHESTER?

JP: I HAVE NO IDEA.
OF HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOL.
WHAT THE BUDGET IS AT THE CURRENT TIME.
OR HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED.
THAT'S NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.
MY RESPONSIBILITY AS MAYOR WOULD BE TO USE THE MAYOR'S JOB
AS A BULLY PULPIT IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE EDUCATION.
I'M NOT -- I WOULD NOT BE SITTING IN THE MAYOR'S JOB,
GETTING ELECTED TO MAKE EDUCATIONAL DECISIONS.
MY INFLUENCE WOULD BE, AS I SAID, AS A BULLY PULPIT.
I ALSO, AGAIN, AS I SAID, WOULD USE THE BULLY PULPIT IN
ORDER TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL ATMOSPHERE IN THE SCHOOLS
THEMSELVES.
BUT AS FAR AS THE ACTUAL NUMBERS, AND WHAT GOES ON IN THE
SCHOOLS, I DON'T PERCEIVE THAT TO BE THE MAYOR'S ROLE.

MC: CHRIS MAJ?

Chris Maj: I THINK YOU [Lydia Lees] -- MAYBE YOU TOSSED OUT A NUMBER $400 MILLION
FOR THE BUDGET AND 29,000 STUDENTS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED
YOUR QUESTIONING.
IT'S CLOSER TO 60,000 STUDENTS, I THINK, AND ABOUT 40
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, 20 HIGH SCHOOLS.
I HAVE A SORT OF DIFFERENT ATTITUDE ABOUT THIS.
I THINK THAT SHAKING UP THE STATUS QUO IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR
VETERANS OF CITY GOVERNMENT TO PROPOSE NEW AND DIFFERENT
SOLUTIONS.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF TALK, THAT ISN'T GOING TO GET US
ANYWHERE.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS ASK THE STUDENTS, IF WE ARE GOING TO
START FROM THE BOTTOM UP, I AGREE WITH TIM IN THAT RESPECT,
I THINK WE NEED TO ASK THE STUDENTS WHAT THEIR IDEAS ARE,
WHERE THEY SHOULD FEEL THAT WE SHOULD IMPROVE THE SCHOOLS,
HOW THEY THINK WE SHOULD GO ABOUT IT.
ONE WAY TO DO THAT IS INCREASE STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON THE
SCHOOL BOARD.
I WOULD OFFER THAT WE SHOULD BE DEBATING HOW MUCH THAT
REPRESENTATION SHOULD BE, WHETHER IT SHOULD BE COMPLETE
STUDENT TAKEOVER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
BUT I THINK THE VALUE FOR THE SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN
RENDERED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD IN ITS CURRENT FORM, ARE PRETTY
ABYSMAL.
WE NEED TO PUT MORE STUDENTS CONTROL.

MC: I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO THE NEXT "VOICE OF THE VOTER"
PARTICIPANT, IT'S ARKEE ALLEN. I THINK YOU ARE A TEACHER AS WELL?
WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD WITH YOUR QUESTION.

Arkee Allen: FOR ANYONE, HAVE ANY OF YOU CONSIDERED BREAK BREAKING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT UP INTO SUBDISTRICTS?

MC: CHRIS MAJ.
CM: NO, I HAVE NOT CONSIDERED IT.
IS THAT AN IDEA THAT YOU HAVE EXPLORED FURTHER?
MC: ANYONE ELSE?
IS ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN BREAKING UP THE DISTRICT?
TM: IT'S A CONCEPT THAT'S BEEN TRIED IN OTHER CITIES.
THERE IS A POINT, SOME TIME AGO, WHEN THE DISTRICT WAS
SUBSTANTIALLY BROKEN UP IN DISTRICTS WHEN A PREVIOUS
SUPERINTENDENT ACTUALLY ASSIGNED ZONE SUB-SUPERINTENDENTS
WHO OVERSAW PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOLS.
THE CURRENT ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD
TEND ITSELF TO THAT SORT OF ORGANIZATION.
WOULD LEND ITSELF TO THAT SORT OF ORGANIZATION.
THE CURRENT ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SCHOOLS IN CERTAIN ZONES
AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH ONE ANOTHER SO THEY CAN SHARE
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOONS FOR EXAMPLE.
MC: WHY DO YOU ASK THE QUESTION?
AA: LET ME SAY A REASON WHY I SAY THAT.
I AM AN ATHLETE.
AND I WAS A DIVISION I WRESTLER AT COLUMBIA.
I CAME BACK TO ROCHESTER AND I WANTED TO HELP OUT.

I WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE CITY.
I CALLED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, I SAID I WANT TO TEACH HERE.
I WAS NOT HIRED HERE, I WAS NOT INTERVIEWED BY THE CITY SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
I WAS HIRED BY 12 OTHER DISTRICTS THE MINUTE I PUT MY
APPLICATION IN, I WAS INTERVIEWED, HIRED THAT SAME DAY BY
OTHER DISTRICTS.
NEVER RECEIVED AN INTERVIEW HERE.
BUT OVER THOSE SEVEN YEARS, AND I APPLIED AGAIN, STILL NO
RESPONSE UNTIL JANUARY OF THIS YEAR WHEN I APPLIED IN JUNE.
ALSO, I WROTE RECENTLY, AND SAID LET'S MAKE A WRONG RIGHT
AND START UP A WRESTLING PROGRAM OVER THE SUMMER AND WORK WITH THE KIDS.
AFTER TWO MONTHS OF E-MAIL, E-MAIL, E-MAIL, NO RESPONSES,
FINALLY, I GET A PHONE CALL BACK, AND IT'S WE CAN'T DO IT.
FINALLY, I GET DOWN THERE AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE, THE REASON
THEY GAVE ME, IN THE END, BESIDES THE CONSTRUCTION ON EVERY
SCHOOL, ALL 53 SCHOOLS, AFTER THAT ANSWER IT WAS, IT'S TOO
BIG TO START SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
OUR DISTRICT IS TOO BIG.
SURE, YOU CAN DO THIS TODAY, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT HERE.

WN: WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, THAT IS EXACTLY THE TYPE OF HORROR
STORY THAT I HEAR FROM PARENTS, THAT I HEAR FROM STUDENTS,
THAT I HEAR FROM EMPLOYEES AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES.
I THINK THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE REALLY PROVIDE A
MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK TO DELIVER RESULTS FOR
EVERYONE.
TIM, WHERE MAYORAL TAKEOVER HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE IN LARGE
URBAN AREAS, IT'S WORKED.
THE TRACK RECORD IS VERY CLEAR IN NEW YORK.
IN TERMS OF IMPACTING STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE TO ME.
BOB, I SAY UNFORTUNATELY, MY FRIEND, WHEN YOU MAKE EVERYBODY
ACCOUNTABLE FOR SOMETHING, IT BECOMES A WAY FOR NO ONE TO BE
ACCOUNTABLE.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE BUCK STOPS SOMEWHERE.

MC: LET ME GET BOB.
JP: EVERYBODY HAS TO RE'ALIZE THAT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE
HYPOTHETICALS.
BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.
WE HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD THAT APPOINTS A SUPERINTENDENT.
THEY HAVE A BUDGET.
THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR CURRICULUM.
I SAY THAT THE MAYOR'S ROLE IS THAT OF A BULLY PULPIT.
WE NEED DISCIPLINE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
WE NEED TO CONVINCE THEM TO CREATE A LEARNING ATMOSPHERE.
AND I THINK THAT WHAT WE NEED IS THIS CONSOLIDATION OF THE
ADMINISTRATION AND PARENTING SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO GET A GRASP
ON WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOLS.
BOB, WE NEED DISCIPLINE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
>>
MC: BOB DUFFY.
BD: GOING BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT ABOUT AN OVERLY
DECENTRALIZED SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHEN YOU OVERDECENTRALIZE
SOMETHING, YOU DILUTE THAT ORGANIZATION'S ABILITY TO
FUNCTION CORRECTLY.
SO I CAN -- I WOULD SAY FICTION THE ISSUES INSIDE, AS
LOOKING AT EVERY SYSTEM INSIDE THE CURRENT ORGANIZATION,
WHATEVER SIZE IT IS.
AND THE ONE POINT ABOUT MAYORAL CONTROL, I LOOKED AT AROUND
THE COUNTRY, I CAN'T FIND A MODEL THAT WORKS.
THAT'S WORKED, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT'S SPLIT.
BECAUSE, AGAIN SCHOOL BOARD, ELECTED OVER HERE,
SUPERINTENDENT AND BUDGET OVER THERE.
I THINK IT JUST CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS RIFE FOR
CONFLICT.

MC: NEW YORK CITY HASN'T WORKED?
TM: NEW YORK CITY IS A MIXED BAG.
NEW YORK, CHICAGO, PHILADELPHIA, BOSTON, ANY OF THEM IS A
MIXED BAG.
FOR THE SAME REASON THAT I EXPLAINED BEFORE.
SCHOOL CHANGE HAPPENS AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL.
I DON'T CARE WHETHER THE MAYOR IS IN CHARGE OR THE
SUPERINTENDENT IS IN CHARGE.
AA: I KNOW WHAT HAS WORKED IN DELAWARE, WHICH IS THE
METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT.
AND I WAS -- THAT WAS THROWN OUT QUICKLY, WHEN BILL JOHNSON
BROUGHT THAT UP.
ANYONE CONSIDERING THAT?

CM: ACTUALLY, THAT'S A KEY PART OF MY PLATFORM.
I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO INCREASE THE URBAN-SUBURBAN SCHOOL
PROGRAM THAT TRIES TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM.
WE SHOULD INCREASE IT TO 50% OF CITY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
IF THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO TAKE STUDENTS IN THE MORNING AND
DRIVE THEM TO THE SUBURBAN SCHOOLS AND PARK THE BUS IN FRONT
OF THE SCHOOL AND WAIT AND MAKE A BIG SCENE, THAT'S WHAT WE
NEED TO DO.
WE NEED TO FORCEFULLY REINTEGRATE THE SCHOOLS.
THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN IF WE WAIT FOR THE SUBURBAN PARENTS
TO DO IT.

JP: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BRING IT ABOUT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE
THE AUTHORITY?
THIS IS HYPOTHETICAL.
URBAN-SUBURBAN IS A SCHOOL DISTRICT ISSUE.
IT'S NOT A MAYORAL ISSUE.
I THINK YOU ARE ALL MISSING THE POINT.

WN: I'M GOING TO MAKE TWO COMMENTS.
FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T THINK THAT THE REAL ANSWER IS GIVING
UP ON THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I THINK THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN WORK, AND WE MUST MAKE
IT WORK.
THE SECOND OBSERVATION I MAKE IS WE HAVE ESTABLISHED
EDUCATION AS THE FIRST ISSUE.
WE HAVE ALREADY GENERATED A GREAT DEAL OF PASSION AROUND THE
ISSUE
THERE IS A SCHOOL BOARD CAMPAIGN GOING ON THIS YEAR.
THE VOTERS OF THIS COMMUNITY DO NOT LOOK TO THE SCHOOL BOARD
TO PROVIDE THE OPERATIONAL AND DIRECTIONAL GUIDANCE.
THEY LOOK TO THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR.
AND WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT UNLESS WE CHANGE THE SYSTEM,
THEY'RE LOOKING ON A FALSE HOPE.

AA: WELL, I'VE TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE IN CHARGE IN
THE CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND WHAT THEY'RE SAYING, THEY AREN'T
GIVING UP THE DISTRICT, BUT THEY'VE BEATEN DOWN THE DOOR ON
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SO LONG, THEY START THEIR OWN THING.
THAT'S HAPPENING A LOT.

BD: LET'S NOT FORGET WE HAVE SUCCESS STORIES.
WILSON MAGNET, RATED 27th IN THE COUNTRY.
SCHOOL 15 WHICH CAN COMPETE WITH ANYONE.
WE HAVE A GREAT TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS WITH KIDS.
IT'S DUPLICATING THOSE AREAS THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL, SPENDING
MONEY AND RESOURCES ON THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE MEASURABLE
OUTCOMES OF SUCCESS.

MC: LET'S MOVE ON, HOWARD EBERsMAN, WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?
Howard Ebersman: THE QUESTION I HAVE, IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW CHOOSE TO LIVE IN THE SUBURBS RATHER THAN THE CITY.
THE REASON THAT IS GIVEN IS WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO GET THE
BEST EDUCATION, AND THEY DON'T FEEL THEY CAN GET THAT IN THE
CITY.
DO ANY OF YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF STRATEGY FOR MAKING THE CITY
A GREAT EDUCATION?

 

CM: INCREASING THE URBAN-SUBURBAN PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE AN
EXCHANGE PROGRAM AND NOT AN EXODUS.
THERE'S A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO BE EXPOSED
TO A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT CULTURES IN THE CITY.
IF WE WANT ROCHESTER TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL CITY IN THE
FUTURE, FOR MATURE ADULTS TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER LET'S
START OUT YOUNG.
START BY GOING TO SCHOOL WITH EACH OTHER AND INCREASE THE
INTEGRATION AND IT'S EASIER FOR ROCHESTER TO MOVE FORWARD IN
THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE BECAUSE OF THOSE EXPERIENCES.

MC: I'M GOING TO GO OVER TO MR. DUFFY.
HOW WOULD YOU COMMUNICATE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T MAKING A CHOICE
RIGHT NOW TO LEAVE, BASED ON -- MY KIDS ARE GETTING TO THAT
AGE, DO I STAY, DO I GO, DO I PUT THEM IN PRIVATE SCHOOL.
HOW DO YOU GET THEM TO RETHINK THAT DECISION?

BD: FIRST OF ALL, IT IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS COME UP TIME AND
TIME AGAIN.
PEOPLE WILL LEAVE THE CITY OR CHOOSE NOT TO COME IN.
BASED ON SCHOOL ISSUES.
I THINK THERE IS BOTH PERCEPTION AND REALITY ISSUES.
I THINK THE PERCEPTIONS FAR OUTWEIGH THE REALITY.
CLEARLY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IMPROVEMENT.
OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE OUTCOME OF THE STUDENTS IS
GOING TO BE THE TRACTOR FOR THOSE COMING INTO THE CITY.
I ALSO THINKWE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, YOU CAN’T CONTINUE TO COMPARE THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO OTHER DISTRICTS.

WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE LEVEL OF POVERTY.
THE UNDERLYING ISSUES DO IMPACT THE OUTCOMES.
WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THOSE FIRST.

JP: BOB, THE ISSUE ISN'T PERCEPTION, OR REALITY.
THE REALITY IS THAT WE NEED TO CONVINCE THOSE PEOPLE THAT
ARE LIVING IN THE CITY, THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE CONSIDERING
MOVING TO THE CITY WITH CHILDREN, THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE
GOING TO GO INTO A LEARNING ATMOSPHERE THAT IS SAFE, THAT
ISN'T GOING TO GO INTO A SCHOOL WHERE CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED
TO WEAR SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CLOTHING.
THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO WEAR JEANS THAT FALL DOWN BELOW
THEIR BUTTS.
THAT THEY AREN'T WEARING PIERCINGS.
THOSE ARE BAD IMAGES.
THOSE ARE IMAGES THAT PEOPLE TAKE AWAY WITH THEM FROM OUR
HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

MC: I'M GOING TO TIM MAINS, THEN WADE NORWOOD.
TM: HOWARD, I'M A PRINCIPAL OF A SCHOOL.
MY SCHOOL IS SAFE.
AND 84% OF THE KIDS WHO WALK THROUGH THE DOORS OF MY SCHOOL
GET A FREE OR REDUCED PRICE LUNCH.
LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A MEGA-STUDY RELEASED BY THE
EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE.
IT TRIED TO EXPLAIN WHY IS THERE SUCH A GAP IN PERFORMANCE
BETWEEN URBAN KIDS AND SUBURBAN KIDS.
AND THEY MANAGED TO IDENTIFY 14 DIFFERENT FACTORS.
EIGHT OF THOSE FACTORS HAPPEN BEFORE KIDS EVER WALK THROUGH
THE SCHOOLHOUSE DOOR.
THE GREATEST THING THAT I INTEND TO DO AS MAYOR TO HELP
IMPROVE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS TO HELP SUPPORT KIDS AND THEIR
PARENTS BEFORE THEY COME TO US.
MY ROCHESTER CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE IS AN AGGRESSIVE PROGRAM
TO INTERVENE IN THE LIVES OF KIDS FROM BIRTH TO AGE 5,
MODELED AFTER PROGRAMS THAT HAVE SUCCEEDED IN CHICAGO, IN
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE STATE OF VERMONT, AND IN
THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, CANADA, TYING TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS
HAVE THE RIGHT HEALTH CARE, PREPARATION FOR LEARNING, THE
RIGHT NUTRITION.
THE AVERAGE CHILD COMING INTO MY SCHOOL HAS A WORKING
VOCABULARY OF ABOUT 200 WORDS.
IN THE SUBURBS IT'S ABOUT 10 TIMES THAT AMOUNT.

MC: WADE NORWOOD?

WN: HOWARD, I WOULD SAY FIRST OF ALL, THAT, OKAY, THE PROBLEM
IS WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOL SYSTEMS AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.
IF YOU ARE A PARENT WHO IS SAVVY, CONNECTED, YOU CAN PUSH
THE SYSTEM YOUR CHILD CAN FLY THROUGH VERY SPECIAL SCHOOLS,
GREAT CLASSROOMS, HAVE A GREAT OFFERING.
IF YOU ARE NOT, YOU ARE RESIGNED TO A MORE MEDIOCRE LEVEL OF
EDUCATION.
I WANT TO BE A MAYOR WHO MAKES EDUCATION EQUAL FOR ALL KIDS
IN THE CITY.
SECONDLY, THE OTHER WAY TO PROVIDE THAT TYPE OF LEADERSHIP
IS BY EXAMPLE.
AS A PARENT OF CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT CHILDREN TODAY, WHAT I
WILL BE ABLE TO DO IS COMMUNICATE TO PEOPLE THEY CAN TRUST
THE SYSTEM, BECAUSE THE MAYOR TRUSTS THE SYSTEM.

MC: ARE YOU HEARING, AND I WANT TO GET TO THAT.
ARE YOU HEARING WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR, HOWARD?
HE: I THINK SO, YEAH.
YOU SAID YOU RESENT THAT.
WHY?
TM: I RESENT THAT.
WADE, YOU'RE IMPLYING THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE
SUCCESSFUL IN MY SCHOOL ARE KIDS WHO HAVE AGGRESSIVE PARENTS
WHO UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM.
WN: NO, WHAT I --
TM: MY KIDS DO WELL.
WN: YOUR CHILDREN DO VERY WELL, THERE ARE CHILDREN WHO MIGHT
NOT BE DOING VERY WELL.
TM: THERE ARE PARENTS AND TEACHERS IN THE SYSTEM WHO ARE
WORKING REAL HARD TO SUPPORT THEIR KIDS.
AND DESPITE THE LEVEL OF POVERTY IN THE COMMUNITY, MANY OF
OUR SCHOOLS, AS BOB ACCURATELY POINTS OUT, ARE BEING
INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL.
I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT PARENTS AND TEACHERS
ARE DOING TO MAKE THAT DEVELOPMENT WORK.
WN: I SAID MANY AS OPPOSED TO ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS.
MC: BOB DUFFY?

BD: I GO BACK TO THE POINT THAT WAS MADE ABOUT, IT'S
EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR EDUCATION.
AND I DON'T THINK YOU COULD HAVE -- COULD PAINT THIS WITH A BROAD
BRUSH.
WE HAVE GREAT SUCCESS STORIES IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING, WE HAVE KIDS WHO CAN LEARN.
OUR KIDS ARE SMART.
THEY CAN LEARN.
THEY HAVE SPECIAL CHALLENGES.
HOW WE MEET THE CHALLENGE IS ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
MENTORING, TUTORING AND A JOB.
DOUBLE THE GRADUATION RATE.
75% OF THE KIDS GO ON TO COLLEGE.
IT'S ABOUT MEETING THE CHALLENGES.
EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT.
AS TIM POINTS OUT, THERE ARE THINGS THAT, IN DIFFERENT
SCHOOLS, ARE REALLY RAISING THE BAR.
MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE, I BELIEVE, IS NOT JUST ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WHERE WE LOSE OUR KIDS.
WE NEED SPECIAL EMPHASIS.
WE'RE SEEING GREAT GAINS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE’RE SEEING CHANGES IN HIGH SCHOOL.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS THE KEY.

MC: CHRIS, LET ME GET YOU IN HERE.

CM: SURE, SURE.
THIS EARLY CHILDHOOD, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES, AND ONE
OF THOSE IS LEAD PAINT.
I ATTENDED A MEETING WHERE HE REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A
SERIOUS PROBLEM, THE PAINT.
WE HAVE DILAPIDATED, OLD HOUSING, WITH LEAD PAINT. YET IT’S GETTING DSS FUNDING. WE NEED TO APPLY A PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATIONS AND USE OF IMMINENT
DOMAIN TO TAKE THE PROPERTIES AND GET THEM CLEANED UP.
WE HAVE TO -- ALSO, I THINK THAT WE NEED A COMBINATION OF
RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE SCHOOLS.
BY GIVING THE STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY, PUTTING THEM ON THE
SCHOOL BOARD, ALLOWING THEM TO MANAGE MORE OF THEIR OWN
AFFAIRS, GIVING THEM THE RESPONSIBILITY WILL ENGENDER
RESPECT. THAT’S WHAT WE NEED MORE OF.
THAT'S WHAT HE'S TRYING TO GET AT WITH THE DRESS CODE, BUT I
DON'T THINK IT'LL WORK.

MC: GOING TO INTERRUPT, I WANT TO PUSH ON AND MAKE SURE
WE GET OUR OTHER PANELIST, DAVIS PASSMORE, ON THIS AND I'LL
LET YOU TAKE THE QUESTION.
DAVIS?

DAVIS PASSMORE: MY QUESTION IS BASICALLY, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOLS AND
TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, IT'S THE VIOLENCE THAT IS
BROUGHT OVER FROM THE COMMUNITY INTO OUR SCHOOLS.
I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU, MR. DUFFY, IN THE SENSE OF GIVE
ME -- CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR VIEWS ON HOW THE BALANCE IS
RUNNING OVER FROM THE CITY INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND HOW YOU WILL
ADDRESS THAT?

MC: QUICKLY, MR. DUFFY, THEN TIM MAINS.

BD: FIRST OF ALL, I WAS PRESENT WHEN STEPHANIE GIBBONS WAS
STABBED TO DEATH IN JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL MANY YEARS AGO.
YOU CAN SEE HOW ARGUMENTS GET CARRIED INTO THE SCHOOL.
YOU CAN'T SEPARATE WHAT GOES ON IN SCHOOLS AND WHAT GOES ON
IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND VICE-VERSA.
WE PUT COPS IN SCHOOLS.
AND WHOEVER MAY DISAGREE, I ASSURE YOU HAVING POLICE
OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE, ESPECIALLY MIDDLE
SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS.
WE STARTED WITH A FEDERAL GRANT.
THEY HAVE MADE GREAT GAINS.
WE HAVE TO CREATE SAFE SCHOOLS.
YOU ALSO HAVE TO HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE WITH THE OFFICERS IN
SCHOOLS WHO KIDS HAVE TRUST AND FAITH IN, WHO WILL COME TO
THEM.
IF I CAN OFFER ONE QUICK ANECDOTE.
THE FIRST DAY COPS IN SCHOOLS WAS IN PLACE, AT EAST HIGH
SCHOOL, A YOUNG WOMAN CAME TO THE OFFICER AND SAID THERE'S
GOING TO BE A FIGHT AT FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL.
AT 3:30 POLICE OFFICERS WERE WAITING WHEN THREE PEOPLE GOT
OUT OF THE CAR.
FOOT CHASE WAS ON, THEY CAUGHT HIM, AND A GUN WAS TUCKED
UNDERNEATH A BABY'S SEAT.
THOSE KIDS WERE GOING INTO THAT SCHOOL TO USE A GUN.
THANKS TO THAT RELATIONSHIP IT MADE A DIFFERENCE.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THOSE CONNECTIONS ARE THERE.

MC: TIM MAINS?
YOU SAID YOUR SCHOOL IS SAFE.
TM: IT IS.
OUR SCHOOL IS A SAFE SCHOOL.
AND SAFETY, IN FACT IN OUR SCHOOL WE ACTUALLY DEFINE
VIOLENCE AS ANY SIGN, LOOK, WORD OR ACTION THAT HARMS
ANOTHER PERSON, OR THEIR THINGS.

MC: SO WE DON'T NEED ADDITIONAL PROTECTION IN THE SCHOOL?

TM: WE HAVE HAD ADDITIONAL PROTECTION IN THE SCHOOL.
I VALUE THE RESOURCE OFFICER THAT USED TO BE AVAILABLE TO US
IN THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.
BOB MAY HAVE PUT SOME OFFICERS IN THE SCHOOL.
HE TOOK THEM BACK OUT AGAIN TO PUT SOME OF THEM ON THE
STREET BECAUSE WE WERE DOWN PEOPLE ON THE STREET.
AND HAVING THE OFFICERS IS A VALUABLE ADDITIONAL RESOURCE.
BUT ANY TIME I CAN HAVE ADDITIONAL HELP IN THE SCHOOLS, AND
I THINK THE GREATEST PROBLEM WHERE WE NEED THAT ADDITIONAL
HELP IS IN THAT SECONDARY LEVEL.
THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

MC: I WANT TO GET JOHN, THEN WADE.
JP: I THINK IT'S A SAD COMMENTARY THAT WE NEED POLICEMEN IN
SCHOOLS.
I THINK THAT AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, THE LEARNING ATMOSPHERE IN
SCHOOLS DOES NOT TRULY EXIST AT THE PRESENT TIME, BECAUSE OF
THE LACK OF DISCIPLINE.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT TIM'S SCHOOL, BUT I KNOW THAT THERE ARE
HORROR STORIES ABOUT SCHOOLS.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO ELIMINATE.
AND WHAT I'M PROPOSING IS WHAT DOES A CHILD DO, AND WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT A CHILD THAT IS ENTERING THE SCHOOL.
HE DEPENDS UPON HIS HOME LIFE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DO HIS
HOMEWORK, TO GET THE SCHOOL ON TIME, TO HAVE A NUTRITIOUS
MEAL, TO GET THERE WITH THE RIGHT CLOTHING AND GET PROPERLY
SITUATED IN SCHOOL.
THAT'S WHY I'M PROPOSING WHEN A PARENT INITIALLY BRINGS A
CHILD TO SCHOOL, THAT THE PARENT TAKE AN EXAMINATION AND
THERE BE, IF THE PARENT IS DEFICIENT IN KNOWING HOW TO
HANDLE A STUDENT'S EDUCATION, THAT THE PARENT THEN, FOR A
COUPLE OF HOURS A WEEK, HAS TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL TO LEARN,
THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS, WHAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE, AND
GET ACQUAINTED WITH WHAT THE SCHOOL IS PROPOSING.

WN: AGAIN, I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF GETTING THE ARROWS
ALIGNED.
WHEN BOB AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD A FALLING OUT OVER THE
TRUANCY PROGRAM, THAT SERVING TWO MASTERS, WOUND UP COSTING
US A TRUANCY PROGRAM.
THE WEIGHT OF THE CITY FALLING BEHIND THE WEIGHT OF THE
DISTRICT TO REALLY FOCUS ON BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD
CONNECTION, ADULT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS AND A STRONGER, SAFER
SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WILL LEAD TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE THAT.

MC: CHRIS?

 

CM: OVERALL, I THINK WE NEED MORE TEACHERS AND NOT MORE
POLICE.
TECHNICALLY IN SCHOOLS.
IT'S INSANE THAT WE'RE SUGGESTING THAT WE NEED MORE POLICE
OFFICERS IN THE SCHOOLS AND NOT MORE TEACHERS.
THAT'S NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
THAT'S A POLICE STATE.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO AVOID.
THE WET PAINT, THE BOOGIE MAN IN THE CORNER, WE KNOW ABOUT
THE PROBLEMS, IT EXISTS.
YET WE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT.
THERE'S DATA, PROOF, THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AFFECTING KIDS
AT AN EARLY AGE.
SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERING THEIR I.Q.'S.

MC: DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE GETTING YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED?
THAT'S A GOOD POINT RAISED THERE.
DP: WELL, YES AND NO.
MY QUESTION, IT WAS ABOUT THE PARENT INVOLVEMENT,
THE RESPONSIBILITIES, AND HOW THEY DIVIDE IT UP.
THE VIOLENCE IS DEFINITELY COMING.
I WORK FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND I DO FATHERHOOD, A FATHER WHO IS INVOLVED.
THE POLICE OFFICERS MADE A DIFFERENCE.
MY SON IS AT MADISON.
AND THE OFFICER BEING THERE, ON FRIDAYS, KIDS HAVE BEEN --
THE LITTLE KIDS BEING BEAT UP BY THE SENIORS AND THAT THING.
WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.
I'M GETTING AN ANSWER ON ONE, IN A SENSE.
BUT I WOULD LIKE IN A SENSE OF HOW -- WHAT WE COME UP WITH A
SOLUTION.

MC: I HAVE JUST A FEW SECONDS.
JP: DON'T YOU AGREE, DAVIS, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO
ALERT CHILDREN THAT IT'S A LEARNING ATMOSPHERE AND THEY'RE
NOT TO EMULATE THE DRUG DEALERS ON THE CORNERS, WANTING,
WHAT THEY SEE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

MC: LET ME -- I HAVE TO STOP IT, WE COULD PROBABLY GO ON FOR
HOURS WITH THIS CONVERSATION.
I DON'T HAVE HOURS TO SPEND.
WE'RE GOING TO END THIS DISCUSSION ON EDUCATION.
WHEN WE COME BACK, WE MOVE TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN
ROCHESTER.

>> YOU CAN ACCESS THE DATABASE THAT WILL TELL YOU IF YOU ARE
ON THE REGISTRATION ROLLS.
IF YOU AREN'T REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE PRIMARY, YOU STILL
HAVE TIME.
POST MARK YOUR REGISTRATION FORMS BY AUGUST 19, OR BRING IT
INTO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OFFICE BY AUGUST 24.
>> THIS IS A "VOICE OF THE VOTER" ELECTION SPECIAL, THE FIVE
CANDIDATES WHO WANT TO BE MAYOR ARE IN CONVERSATION WITH
PEOPLE FROM OUR "VOICE OF THE VOTER" PANEL.
THIS HALF HOUR THE TALK US ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE IN
ROCHESTER.

 

MORE SPECIFICALLY, PLANS FOR DEVELOPING THE CITY FOR WHAT
THE FUTURE OF ROCHESTER MIGHT LOOK LIKE WHEN IT COMES TO
HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION.
WE'LL CALL ON DAVIS PASSMORE FOR THE FIRST QUESTION.
DAVIS?

Davis Passmore: OKAY.
THIS IS FOR ANYONE.
THIS IS ABOUT DIVISION 2010.
WHO KNOWS ABOUT IT, IF YOU GET TO BE THE MAYOR WILL YOU
CONTINUE WITH THAT PLAN?
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

MC: I'M GOING TO GO TO YOU TIM MAINS.
ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP -- 2010 WAS A PLAN THAT LAID OUT WHERE
THE CITY WOULD BE GOING, DEVELOPING ALL FACETS OF THE CITY.
WOULD YOU FOLLOW THAT?

TM: THE CONCEPT OF 2010, GREAT IDEA.
CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT.
WHETHER OR NOT I WILL CONTINUE TO USE EACH ELEMENT OF THE
PLAN, I'M NOT SO SURE.
WHAT WE HAVE HAD IS FAIRLY UNEVEN IMPLEMENTATION OF WHAT
WE'VE SET OUT IN THOSE DIFFERENT CAMPAIGNS.
SOME OF THE CAMPAIGNS ARE REAL GOOD AND REAL ACTIVE.
ONE OF THE CAMPAIGNS IS THE ONE THAT FOCUSES ON DOWNTOWN.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE ADDITIONAL
EFFORTS, ADDITIONAL FOCUSES TO GET THAT MOVING AHEAD.
AND THE SECOND PIECE BESIDES THE PLAN ITSELF, THE METHOD,
THE METHODOLOGY, I GUESS, THE CURRENT MAYOR HAS USED TO
OVERSEE THAT, THE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL, I VIEW FROM MY
MANAGEMENT POINT OF VIEW AS BEING TOO LARGE.
IT'S SUCH A BIG GROUP, THAT IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT AND
UNWIELDY TO TRY TO MANAGE A PLAN OF THAT SCOPE.
I PREFER SMALLER GROUPS, SMALLER STRATEGIC GROUPS FOCUSED ON
VERY SPECIFIC INITIATIVES.

MC: I'M GOING THIS WAY FIRST.
EVERYBODY IS IN AGREEMENT, WE'RE GOING TO DEVIATE FROM 2010?

WN: NO, I AGREE WITH TIM'S OBSERVATION, THAT THE
IMPLEMENTATION HAS BEEN UNEVEN.
I REMEMBER THE FIRST REPORT THAT CAME OUT, AND THE HEALTH,
SAFETY AND WELLNESS CAMPAIGN BOB AND HIS TEAM HAD NOT EVEN
BEEN ABLE TO PUT THEIR PIECE TOGETHER.
I ALSO AGREE WITH TIM, WHEN IT COMES TO THE ISSUES OF HOW IT
IS THAT WE IMPLEMENT SPECIFIC CAMPAIGNS, A DIFFERENT
STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL COULD GET US BETTER RESULTS.
I THINK SPECIFICALLY THE ARTS AND CULTURE CAMPAIGN.
BUT, ALTHOUGH I THINK HIS OBSERVATIONS ARE CORRECT I COME TO
A DIFFERENT CONCLUSION.
AND MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF THE ROLE THAT I PLAYED IN GETTING
IT THROUGH THE COUNCIL, THAT I THINK THE 2010 PLAN HAS BEEN
A VERY IMPORTANT AND EFFECTIVE MISSION STATEMENT.
AND GOAL STATEMENT FOR THIS CITY.
AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING WITH WHICH I DEVIATE.

JP: I DISAGREE.
I WOULD NOT CONTINUE ON WITH THE 2010 PROGRAM.
I HAVE MY OWN POSITION PAPER.
I AM, MY POSITION PAPER COVERS CENTER CITY, IT COVERS
NEIGHBORHOODS, IT COVERS LEAD PAINT, IT COVERS UP BOARDED-UP
HOUSES, THE FAST FERRY, PARKING MORATORIUMS, GUN AMNESTY,
UNITED STATES-MADE PRODUCTS, GASOLINE PRICES IN THE CITY,
THE SUBWAY SPINUP BUDGETING, COMMUNITY GRANTS AND THE
RELATIONSHIP WITH MONROE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING TOWNS.
I'M NOT GOING TO RELY ON SOMETHING PUT TOGETHER IN A
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN BY THE MAYOR, BY THE OUTGOING MAYOR, WHEN
WE HAVE ALL THESE NEW PROBLEMS THAT HAVE ARISEN.
WE NEED A TOTALLY NEW AGENDA.
IF WE LOOK AT ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE EXISTED, OVER THE
LAST 10 YEARS OR FIVE YEARS OR 20 YEARS OR 30 YEARS, WE NEED
NEW LEADERSHIP, WE NEED A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP, AND WE NEED
A NEW AGENDA.

MC: CHRIS MAJ, YOU WOULD SCRAP THE PLAN, KEEP THE PLAN,
CHANGE THE PLAN?

CM: IT JUST SEEMS SO RIDICULOUSLY ABSTRACT.
IT DOESN'T FOCUS ON ANYTHING THAT -- THE PROBLEMS AT HAND.
AS FAR AS FOCUSING ON ISSUES DOWNTOWN, THAT EVERYONE HAS
BEEN ABUZZ ABOUT THIS NEW UNDERGROUND BUS TERMINAL, IT IS A
HUGE BOONDOGGLE.
WE'RE GOING DOWNTOWN TO BUILD A BUS TERMINAL FOR WHAT WILL
PROBABLY BE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE THAN
SPECULATED AN IT'S GOING TO ADD 10 MINUTES TO EVERYBODY'S
BUS ROUTE.
YOU TALK ABOUT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
LOOKING AT MASS TRANSIT AND ADDING TIME TO EVERYONE'S BUS
TRIP LIKE THIS IS GOING TO BE A DETRIMENT TO THE QUALITY OF
LIFE.
I ADVOCATE A MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT CITY.
I BELIEVE IN THINGS LIKE VERTICAL GARDENS WHERE WE CAN TURN
SOME OF THESE ABANDONED BUILDINGS INTO SKYSCRAPERS THAT
PRODUCE FOOD.
HYDROPONIC GARDENS.
GROW YOUR OWN FOOD INSTEAD OF IMPORTING IT.
WITH GAS AT PROBABLY $3, PROBABLY GOING TO BE $4 OR $5 IN
FIVE TO 10 YEARS, YOU NEED TO LOOK AT RENEWABLE ENERGY.
STOP IMPORTING THINGS AND DO IT FOR OURSELVES.
WE CAN LOOK INWARD.

MC: DAVIS, ARE YOU FEELING LIKE YOU ARE GETTING ANSWERS TO
THE QUESTIONS?

DP: YES AND NO.
NO, IN A SENSE OF THE MONEY BEING INVESTED.
THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN INVESTED IN THIS PROGRAM.
I REALLY FEEL LIKE THE CANDIDATE WOULD HAVE A MORE HANDS ON
WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AND WHERE WE ARE AS FAR AS THE
DIVISION ITSELF.

MC: BOB DUFFY?

BD: I GO BACK TO 2010, FIVE YEARS AGO IT WAS KICKED OFF.
IT HAD AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF PARTICIPATION FROM CITY AND
COUNTY RESIDENTS, WHICH IS POSITIVE.
I THINK MY VIEW IS A LOT OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENED IN TERMS OF
PARTICIPATION DEVELOPMENT.
WHAT I WOULD WANT TO DO IS REVISIT IT AND FOCUS.
YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH SO MANY THINGS AT ONCE.
THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPEN.
I GO BACK, WADE, THERE WERE TWO COMMENTS MADE, THE FIRST ONE
ABOUT TRUANCY, EARLIER, ABOUT HAVING A FALLING OUT WITH THE
SUPERINTENDENT, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY UNTRUE.
YOU KNOW THAT WAS NOT TRUE.
WITH THE 2010, I'M VERY PROUD OF WORKING WITH THE CHIEF ON
CAMPAIGN THREE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT CAMPAIGN MADE SOME GREAT PROGRESS ON THAT THE YOU KNOW
THAT, WE KNOW THAT.
I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT FOR THE AUDIENCE.

MC: WADE?

WN: IN THE INTEREST OF FACT-CHECKING I'LL DO A BETTER JOB
THAN BOB DID.
THE 2010 CAMPAIGN, JOHN, WAS NOT BORN IN THE CONTEXT OF A
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.
BUT REALLY THE OUTGROWTH, AS BOB WAS JUST REFERENCING, OF
THE NEIGHBORS BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS PROCESS THAT WAS THREE
YEARS OF CITIZENS WORKING AT THE GRASSROOTS DEVELOP.
THEY DID LAUNCH OFF THIS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN WITH THE FRAMING
OF THE 2010 PLAN.

JP: DAVIS BROUGHT UP THE FINANCES, $30 MILLION SPENT ON THE
FAILURE, $4 MILLION IN NET OF FAILURE, FAST FERRY, A
FAILURE.
ANYBODY THAT HAS IN THEIR MIND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO FOLLOW
AFTER MAYOR JOHNSON'S FAILURES, IS -- HAS GOT TO GO TO A NEW
AGENDA, HAS GOT TO BE A CHANGE IN CITY HALL, IT HAS NOW.
AND BEFORE THIS CITY GETS IN A WORSE SHAPE.

MC: I'M GOING TO MOVE TO OUR NEXT "VOICE OF THE VOTER"
PANELIST HERE.
HOWARD.
AND HOWARD, I KNOW THAT HOWARD EBERSMAN HAS A QUESTION ON
TRANSPORTATION.

HE: YES, I DO.
I'M KIND OF INTERESTED IN WHAT KIND OF PLANS THAT THE
VARIOUS CANDIDATES HAVE RELATED TO IMPROVING OUR
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, AND/OR SCRAPPING EXISTING ONE THAT IS
THEY THINK MAY OR MAY NOT WORK.
THAT KIND OF IS A BROAD QUESTION, INVOLVING THINGS LIKE, I'M
INTERESTED IN THE HIGHWAYS, BIKE PATHS, FERRIES, BUSES, ET
CETERA.

MC: TIM MAINS, IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'D LIKE TO THROW YOU THAT
QUESTION INITIALLY.
IS THAT, FACTORING IN THE PLAN?
TM: DO I GET ALL OF THE INITIAL QUESTIONS?
MC: I'LL PUT YOU LAST NEXT TIME.
TM: I DON'T MIND.
BOB LIKES TO BE LAST.
WE ALL LIKE TO BE LAST.
MC: I'LL MAKE YOU LAST NEXT TIME.
TM: I'M SORRY, THE --
MC: THE QUESTION IS, TRANSPORTATION.
TM: I HEARD HIS QUESTION.
HE: MY QUESTION IS, IS IT FIGURING IN PLANS FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT?

TM: IT DOES FIGURE IN PLANS.
PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE MAYOR DOESN'T HAVE MUCH
CONTROL DIRECTLY OVER TRANSPORTATION.
THAT'S MORE OF A COUNTY ISSUE, HOWARD.
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO IT.
THE IMPACT OF TRANSPORTATION POLICY IS ENORMOUS ON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY.
WE HAVE A CONTROL BOARD THAT MAKES CERTAIN DECISIONS ABOUT
MAKING STREETS ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER DIRECTION.
IN TERMS OF PLANNING OUT THE DEVELOPMENT, THE EXTENSION OF
THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, THE MASS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
CONTROLLED BY AN AGENCY, AGAIN, MORE CONTROLLED BY THE
COUNTY THAN THE CITY, IS KIND OF OUT OF OUR CONTROL.
I WOULD SAY TO YOU THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT THE CITY
BE A VOICE AT THE TABLE, BOTH AT THE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
OF GENESEE AND RGRTA, TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE PROMOTE MORE MASS
TRANSIT, PROMOTE MORE GREEN USE OF OUR TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM.
DO THINGS, A LITTLE LESS ENERGY INTENSE.

 

MC: BUT THE CITY REALLY WAS A BIG VOICE WHEN IT CAME TO THAT
BUS TERMINAL.
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

TM: I DISAGREE WITH YOU.
LOIS GEIST AND BILL JOHNSON WERE A BIG VOICE ABOUT THE BUS
TERMINAL.
OTHER PEOPLE SAT ON THEIR HANDS AND FOLLOWED SUIT.
I AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FROM THE BEGINNING SAID I'M NOT
SURE THIS IS A GREAT IDEA.
BECAUSE, IN FACT, WE'VE NEVER DONE A STUDY THAT SAYS THAT
THE STAR SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT BUS SYSTEM IS A GOOD
SYSTEM OR A VIABLE SYSTEM.
WE SHOULD CONTINUE IT.
UNFORTUNATELY, IN ABSENCE OF A TRUE TRANSPORTATION ANALYSIS,
TO DECIDE WHETHER WE SHOULD KEEP THE STAR SYSTEM OR GO TO A
DIFFERENT ONE, DECIDING ABOUT THAT BUS STATION COULD BE A
DISASTER.

MC: I WANT TO GO TO CHRIS.

CM: THIS IS SO MUCH BUREAUCRACY AT WORK HERE.
SAYING THEY'RE OUT OF OUR CONTROL, NO, WE NEED TO TAKE
CONTROL.
THIS UNDERGROUND BUS TERMINAL IS A BOONDOGGLE.
WE COULD BUILD MORE SHELTERED BUS STATIONS AROUND TOWN.
RIDING THE BUS IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER IS NOT FUN.
I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE WAITING IN A SHELTERED, WARM BUS STOP
THAN HAVING TO BE UNDERGROUND HUFFING BUS FUMES.
IT'S RIDICULOUS.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FERRY, WHICH ARE 30 MILLION, THIS IS 10
TIMES THE COST, THE FERRY IS A BOAT.
IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, WE CAN TAKE A
REFERENDUM, AND SHIP IT, SELL IT.
SOMEBODY WILL BUY IT.
WE CAN'T DO THAT WITH CONCRETE AND STEEL.
WE'LL BE STUCK WITH THIS MONSTROSITY RIGHT DOWNTOWN.

MC: ARE THINGS LACKING IN THE CITY, WITH THE BUS TERMINAL
PROJECT ALONE?

WN: I DON'T THINK THE VOICE IS LACKING, I THINK THE QUESTION
HAS BEEN WHETHER THE VOICE OF THE CITY HAS BEEN RAISED IN A
PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNTY AND REGIONAL VOICES OR RAISED IN
OPPOSITION.
WE ARE IN A DAY AND ABLE WHERE THE VOTERS ARE GETTING TIRED.
OUR NEIGHBORS ARE GETTING TIRED OF SEEING US CONSTANTLY
ENGAGED IN FIGHTING WITH ONE ANOTHER AND LOOKING TO SEE A
PUBLIC LEADERSHIP CAN BE RESPONSIBLE, ENGAGED IN PARTNERSHIP
AND CARRY THIS COMMUNITY FORWARD.

MC: BOB DUFFY?

BD: THE DOWNTOWN AND THE CITY OF TOMORROW HAS TO HAVE A
RETHINKING OF OUR TRANSPORTATION AND ROAD SYSTEMS FROM
CONFIGURATION DOWNTOWN STREETS, I LIKE THE IDEA, DAVIS
MENTIONED, OF JOGGING PATHS AND OTHER KINDS OF THINGS, IN
TERMS OF DOWN UP TO IN THE CITY.
BUT THERE'S BEEN LIGHT RAIL SUGGESTIONS, VERY EXPENSIVE BUT
FORWARD THINKING, CONNECTING THE FERRY TERMINAL WITH
DOWNTOWN MORE EFFECTIVELY, LOOKING AT WAYS TO OPEN UP,
GETTING PEOPLE WHO COME HERE CONNECTED TO THE VARIOUS
CULTURAL AMENITIES.
IT COSTS MONEY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY, COUNTY AND
STATE THAT'S HOW IT'LL HAPPEN.
THERE'S GREAT INROADS BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, GREAT
PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPING WITH MAYOR JOHNSON AND COUNTY
EXECUTIVE BROOKS.
I SEE THAT EXPANDING DRAMATICALLY IN THE FUTURE.

MC: HOWARD?
JP: BEFORE WE START TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION OVERALL, WE
HAVE TO KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING, WHERE WE WANT TO GO BEFORE
WE START PLANNING TRANSPORTATION.
IN OTHER WORDS, IS THE FAST FERRY GOING TO SUCCEED.
AND IF IT IS, FINE.
THEN WE HAVE TO START TALKING ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE THAT
DISEMBARK FROM THE FAST FERRY WANT TO GO, WHERE IS THAT DESTINATION?
WHAT GETS THEM FROM POINT A TO POINT B?
HOW DO WE MOVE PEOPLE IN THE CITY THAT DEPEND UPON THE BUS
SYSTEM?
I THINK THE STUDY HAS TO BE, YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE WE COMING
FROM, WHERE ARE WE GOING BEFORE WE START TALKING ABOUT
EXPENDING LARGE SUMS OF MONEY ON TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.
AND, BOB, I'M SORRY, BIKE PATHS DON'T DO IT FOR ME.
I WANT TO SPEND MONEY -- I'M NOT SPENDING MONEY ON BIKE
PATHS, I'M SPENDING MONEY ON POLICEMEN.
NOT BIKE PATHS.

CM: IF I CAN COUNTER THAT, PART OF MY PLATFORM, WHICH YOU CAN FIND AT
WWW.ROCHESTERMAYOR.COM, I GO OVER MORE BIKE PATHS.
IT'S PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE.
WE SHOULD TAKE THE RIGHT-OF-WAYS ALONG THE RIVER, YOU SHOULD
RIDE ALONG THE CITY. IF WE HAVE TO TAKE ROADS AND SHUT THEM
DOWN TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND OPEN THEM UP TO PEDESTRIAN,
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.
WE HAVE TO TAKE THE DIRT DESTINED FOR THE SUBWAY AND FILL IN
THE INNER LOOP TO LINK, PERHAPS, THE EAST END. THERE'S MUCH
FEDERAL MONEY BEING USED.
PART OF MY PLATFORM IS BEING IMPLEMENTED ALREADY.
WHEN I'M ELECTED MAYOR I'LL BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT MY ENTIRE
PLATFORM..

MC: I WANT TO GO TO OUR NEXT PARTICIPANT, ARKEE ALLEN, GO
AHEAD.

AA: OKAY.
IF ELECTED MAYOR, ASSUMING YOU WILL BE IN OFFICE FOR A TIME
TO COME, WHAT IS YOUR REALISTIC PLAN OF WHAT ROCHESTER LOOKS
LIKE IN 10 YEARS?

JP: VERY SIMPLE.
VERY, VERY SIMPLE.
WE START WITH DOWNTOWN AND THEN MOVE OUT.
WE HAVE A CASINO, AT MIDTOWN RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN JOBS.
THAT BRINGS ALONG THE SIBLEY BUILDING WHICH CONNECTS UP WITH
OUR, RENAISSANCE SQUARE, THEN MOVE OUT FROM THERE, ENCOURAGE
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, LIKE THE CORN HILL.
UTILIZE THE RIVERFRONT, MOVE OUT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
MAKE THE NEIGHBOR'S BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS WORK, BECAUSE --
AND HAVE TIGHTER CONTROL ON THE GRANT MONEY THAT'S COMING
IN.

MC: EVERYBODY HERE IS IN AGREEMENT WITH TIM, EVERYBODY IS IN
AGREEMENT WITH THE CASINO?
WE DO THE CASINO?
TIM MAINS?

TM: WE HAVE DIFFERENT ATTITUDES ABOUT THE CASINO.
MC: ON THE SURVEY IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYBODY SAID YES.
SOME SAID YES BUT.
JP: THERE'S ONLY ONE LOGICAL PLACE FOR IT.
TM: JOHN AND I ARE THE STRONGEST ADVOCATES FOR THE CASINO,
SEEING IT AS HAVING ADVANTAGES.
I SPECIFICALLY BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOCATED IN THE STATION,
I THINK IT SHOULD BE GEOGRAPHICALLY CONSTRICTED.
JOHN WANTS TO PUT IT IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN.
BOB AND WADE AND I AGREE THAT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF
DOWNTOWN IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
THE SIBLEY AREA NEEDS TO BE A CONCENTRATION OF VIABLE
RETAIL.

MC: ARKEE, ARE YOU GETTING POSITION HERE FROM OTHERS?
YOU WANT TO HEAR OTHER VISIONS?

AA: LET ME LIMIT IT.
CAN WE CONCENTRATE A LITTLE MORE ON PROPERTY OWNERSHIP.
I FIND THAT, I TEACH AND I KNOW THAT PARENTS WHO LIVE IN THE
AREA MEET EACH OTHER, THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER, BECAUSE THEY
OWN THEIR HOMES.
THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE THERE FOR 15 YEARS.
WE DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH HOME OWNERSHIP IN THE CITY.

MC: ALL RIGHT.
BOB DUFFY?

BD: WELL, THE NEIGHBORS OF THE FUTURE WILL HAVE 3,010 LESS
VACANT PROPERTIES, THEY WILL BE FILLED WITH FAMILIES, BACK
ON THE TAX ROLES.
TAKE THE PROPERTIES OVER, GET THE FAMILIES BACK IN, OFFER
EVERYONE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO HELP FAMILIES OWN THEIR OWN
HOME.
DOING THE REHABILITATION FOR THE HOMES, WE ALSO PUT PEOPLE
TO WORK.
CREATING JOBS, BEAUTIFYING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE HAVE OVER 3,000 VACANT HOUSES.
UNACCEPTABLE.
IT IS A BLIGHT, IT TEARS DOWN THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS.
TO GO BACK TO THE POINT BEFORE, IN ADDITION TO THE
NEIGHBORHOODS, DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER WHERE PEOPLE GET UP IN
GREECE, PITTSFORD COME DOWNTOWN. IT'S VIBRANT, IT'S EXCITING, THAT'S THE
PLACE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE.
WE ARE AN ATTRACTION, A DESTINATION POINT.
A BALANCE BETWEEN DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD
DEVELOPMENT.

MC: WADE NORWOOD?

WN: FIRST OF ALL, STREETS ARE GOING TO BE WORKS OF ART.
JUST AS WE DID ON UNIVERSITY, ON ELMWOOD, ON THE AVENUES,
MAKING SURE AS WE TRAVEL THE CITY ALL NEIGHBORHOODS ARE
BEAUTIFUL.
SECONDLY, WE WILL HAVE BLIGHTS REMOVED.
SOMETIMES, BOB, THE VACANT NEED TO BE DEMOLISHED, IT DOESN'T
MAKE SENSE TO SPEND $80,000 OR $90,000 TO REHAB SOMETHING THAT'S WORTH $30,000. SCHOOLS WILL BE THE CENTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS, OPERATING
24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO BE NEIGHBORHOOD ANCHORS AND
HAVE STRONG BLOCK CLUBS.
YOU TOUCHED ON THE POINT, THE HEALTHY URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS
COME FROM PEOPLE HAVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE HOMEOWNERS AS LONG AS THEY'RE STABLE
LONG-TERM TENANTS.

MC: TIM MAINS?

TM: THERE'S NO QUESTION DOWNTOWN WILL LOOK ENORMOUSLY
DIFFERENT.
THAT SERVES AS AN ATTRACTION.
YOU HIT ON A KEY POINT THAT MOST OF US AGREE ON, AND THAT IS
A DESPERATE NEED TO SHIFT THE BALANCE TOWARD GREATER HOME
OWNERSHIP.
THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL.
CERTAINLY HAVING FOLKS WHO HAVE AN OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN
THEIR HOME.
WHETHER THAT'S OUT IN THE SCATTERED NEIGHBORHOODS OR ONE OF
THE NEIGHBORHOODS DOWNTOWN.
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT?
DOWNTOWN IS GOING TO BE A SERIES OF NEIGHBORHOODS AS WELL.
WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS
DOWNTOWN.

CM: CHRIS?
CM: ONE OF MY IDEAS FOR INCREASING HOME OWNERSHIP, I DO
BELIEVE IN OWNERSHIP SOCIETY, THAT'S A GOOD THING, REQUIRING
THAT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LANDLORDS LIVE WITHIN THE CITY
LIMITS.
IF THEY'RE TO RENT OUT PROPERTY.
I BELIEVE THOSE PROPERTIES THAT ARE OWNED BY SUBURBAN
LANDLORDS, AND PROPERTIES IN THE CITY, ARE BEING RENTED FOR
ONE REASON ONLY, TO TAKE MONEY.
WHEN A WINDOW GOES OUT, THEY PUT UP A PIECE OF PLYWOOD.
YOU'RE STILL CUTTING THEM THE RENT CHECK.
AS LONG AS THEY GET THE MONEY, THEY COULDN'T CARE LESS, THEY
DON'T HAVE TO LIVE NEXT TO THE BLIGHT.
WE NEED TO TAKE THE PROPERTIES AND TURN IT TO A TENANT OR
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

WN: CHRIS, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE NUMBER ONE
CASTIGATING OR CONDEMNING OR LEGISLATING SUBURBANITES BEING
INVESTOR-OWNERS.
I THINK THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE AND
IMPORTANT INVESTORS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I DO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE CORRECT, THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE
HELD TO A CLEAR STANDARD.
FOR MAINTAINING HOUSING THAT'S SAFE, AND THAT IS DECENT.
THAT IS APPROPRIATELY PRICED FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD IN THAT
DIRECTION.
I'VE TAKEN A LOT OF FLAK FOR IT AS THE HOUSING CHAIR.
I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT I AND TIM IS ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES
ON THE COUNCIL HAS DONE, IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT ALL
PROPERTY OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE.

JP: STATISTICALLY IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, VACANT HOUSES HAVE
GONE FROM 2,500 TO 3,100.
THAT'S NOT A RECORD TO BE PROUD OF.
THAT'S LOW ON THE PRIORITY LIST FOR THE PRESENT
ADMINISTRATION, I THINK, AND IN MY ADMINISTRATION THERE
WOULD BE, YES, AN INVENTORY IMMEDIATELY TAKEN OF THE VACANT
HOUSING, MAKING AN ASSESSMENT.
WHAT WE SAVE AND TEAR DOWN.
WHAT WE TEAR DOWN UNTIL WE BUILD UP, WE DO A BEAUTIFICATION
PROGRAM.
80,000 HOUSES IN THE CITY, LEAD PAINT POISON.
WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM.
1,000 CHILDREN A YEAR.
WE MUST SOLVE THAT PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY.

BD: WE HAVE THE, I BELIEVE, THE FOURTH-HIGHEST FORECLOSURE
RATE IN THE COUNTRY.
SUSTAINABLE HOME OWNERSHIP HAS TO BE A KEY.
WE HAVE THE THIRD OLDEST HOUSING STOCK IF MEMORY SERVES ME
CORRECT.
I AGREE WITH JOHN.
LEAD PAINT, WE HAVE TO MAKE THE CITY LEAD SAFE WITHIN FIVE
YEARS, AND I GO BACK TO ONE THING.
THAT IS, AGAIN, GETTING FAMILIES IN HOUSES.
IT'S GOING TO INCREASE THE TAX ROLLS, INCREASE REVENUE FOR
THE CITY, IT GROWS WEALTH IN THE CITY IF WE CAN GET FAMILIES
IN THE HOMES PAYING TAXES.

MC: LET'S GO TO OUR NEXT "VOICE OF THE" VOTER PARTICIPANT,
LYDIA LEES, THE LAST QUESTION.
MAKE IT A GOOD ONE.

LL: YES.
IN THE PAST I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH CAMPAIGNS.
I SEE MANY TIMES CANDIDATES ARE PROMISING THINGS THAT TAKES
MORE THAN THEIR WORD, IT TAKES DIFFERENT ENTITIES.
BECAUSE OF THAT I'M QUESTIONING WHO ARE YOUR DIRECT
CONNECTIONS TO BRINGING DOLLARS TO ROCHESTER FROM ALBANY AND
THE COUNTY?
WHAT IS THE FORMULA?
HOW DO WE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE?

JP: PRESSURE.
PRESSURE.
LL: HOW? IN PARTICULAR.
JP: HOW DO YOU HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE IS THAT IT'S POLITICAL
PRESSURE.
IT'S LOBBYING.
IT'S GOING DOWN AND PLAYING THE ALBANY GAMES.
IT'S GETTING TO OUR CITY THE MONEY INSTEAD OF GOING TO
BUFFALO OR SYRACUSE, IT'S HAVING THE LOUDEST VOICE, HAVING
THE BEST PLAN, BEING THE MOST AGGRESSIVE, TO SHOW RESULTS.
THAT'S HOW YOU GET MONEY TO ROCHESTER.

MC: I'M GOING TO GO AROUND THE HORN WITH THIS QUESTION.
I'LL START WITH TIM.
WHAT ARE YOUR CONNECTIONS, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET MONEY?
YOU WANT TO -- OKAY, WADE.

TM: KEEP SCORE OF HOW MANY TIMES YOU'VE GONE TO BOB LAST.

MC: WADE NORWOOD?

WN: MY CONNECTIONS ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRAT ASSEMBLY.
MOST OF THEM ARE SUPPORTING MY CAMPAIGN.
I HAVE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK
STATE SENATE.
I KNOW A GREAT NUMBER OF THE STAFF PEOPLE IN BOTH THE
LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
HOW DO YOU GET THEM ON BOARD?
HOW DO YOU HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE?
I HAVE BEEN WORKING AND TALKING ABOUT A VISION FOR THIS
CITY.
FOR MUCH OF THE 20 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE.
WORKING WITH PEOPLE ON THE LOCAL LEVEL TO HELP BUILD THAT SENSE OF VISION AND COMMUNICATE IT TO THE PEOPLE IN ALBANY, IN THE COUNTY
GOVERNMENT AND WASHINGTON.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOUGHT INTO THAT VISION AS
I'VE EXPRESSED IT, BECAUSE THEY BOUGHT INTO ME.
AND I WILL BE USING THOSE CONNECTIONS IN RELATIONSHIPS TO
HELP AFFECT CHANGE IN ROCHESTER.

CM: WELL, I CAN GUARANTEE, I DON'T THINK WE NEED OTHER
RESPONSES, YOU'RE ALL GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING, WE NEED
TO BEG FOR MONEY IN ALBANY.
THAT'S THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING. BUFFALO IS A HORRIBLE EXAMPLE OF FINANCIAL SUCCESS IN THIS CITY.
BUFFALO HAS BEEN UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FINANCIAL
COMMUNITY FOR YEARS, BECAUSE THEY GOT MORE MONEY? NO, BECAUSE THEY RELIED ON THE HAND-OUT.
WE NEED A SELF-SUFFICIENT CITY THAT CREATES WEALTH WITHIN
AND DOESN'T GO TO ALBANY AND WASHINGTON TO BEG FOR HANDOUTS, THAT’S THE PROBLEM.
WE NEED PEOPLE WHO AREN'T VETERANS OF CITY GOVERNMENT TO
THINK OF SOLUTIONS LIKE THIS.
I HAVE A NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS THAT I'VE OFFERED.
YOU TALK ABOUT VISIONS FOR THE CITY.
I SEE EVERY ROOF IN THE CITY A GREEN ONE.
I SEE WIND MILLS ON TOP OF THE BUILDINGS, LIKE PUMPING
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY THROUGH THE BUILDINGS TO SAVE ON REDUCED
ENERGY COSTS.
THIS IS A CITY WITHIN THE TREES.
WE NEED TO FOCUS AND ENCOURAGE THAT.
NOT GO TO ALBANY AND WASHINGTON AND BEG FOR MONEY.
THEY STOP SQUIRTING US WITH THE HOSE.

MC: LET ME GET TO --
JP: YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CONNECTIONS.
MC: LET ME GET TIM MAINS IN HERE.
TM: I HAVEN'T TAKEN ANY HANDOUTS LIKE THE REST OF THE
CANDIDATES.
MC: HANG ON A SECOND, TIM MAINS?
TM: I'M NOT TAKING HUGE HANDOUTS, CHRIS.
CM: NEITHER AM I.
TM: THESE GUYS ARE RAKING IT IN LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW.
TWO THINGS.
JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS BEEN IN GOVERNMENT FOR 20 YEARS
DOESN'T MEAN THEY DIDN'T CAN'T HAVE ORIGINAL IDEAS.
I THINK I PUT THE BOLDEST IDEA ON THE TABLE, ABOUT
STIMULATING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
IT’S CALLED MY PIONEER TAX RATE.
IT'S AN IDEA, SOMETIMES GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET IN AND HELP
MOVE THINGS AROUND.
SOMETIMES GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CHANGE THE RULES, AND THEN GET
OUT OF THE WAY.
THE PIONEER TAX RATE GIVES PEOPLE WHO OWN COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY A CHANCE TO CUT THEIR TAXES IN HALF IF THEY'RE
SIMPLY WILLING TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN THE PROPERTY EQUAL
TO ITS CURRENT VALUE OR GREATER THAN ITS CURRENT VALUE.
IF A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNER IS WILLING TO DO THAT, AND
RENOVATE AND BRING UP TO SPEED EITHER VACANT COMMERCIAL LAND
OR A PIECE OF LAND THAT HAS A BUILDING BUT NEEDS
REFURBISHING, THEY CAN GET THE TAX BREAK FOR 20 YEARS.
THAT’S INCENTIVE TO INVESTMENT, BECAUSE IT'S SPECIFICALLY
AIMED AT THE COMMERCIAL CLASS, IT IS, I BELIEVE, GOING TO
GENERATE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT THAT WILL IN TURN
GENERATE JOBS.
I HAVE TO SAY ONE OTHER THING.
THIS ISSUE ABOUT ALBANY AND CONNECTIONS.
EVERYBODY, NOT EVERYBODY, MOST OF THE POLITICAL FOLKS IN BOB
DUFFY'S CAMPAIGN, ARE IN THAT CAMPAIGN TO CRUSH WADE NORWOOD
AND HIS MENTOR, DAVID GANTZ.
THERE'S THIS WAR IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BETWEEN THESE TWO
FOLKS.
I WOULD SAY TO YOU, THAT IN THAT PARTICULAR WAR, I'M A
UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL.
BECAUSE IN THE 20 YEARS THAT I HAVE WORKED IN GOVERNMENT, I
AM NOT A PART OF A FACTION.
I CROSS OVER THE LINES AND HAVE RELATIONSHIPS
WITH PEOPLE IN BOTH AREAS.

MC: I WANT BOB DUFFY TO ANSWER THAT, THEN WADE.

BD: I'M GOING TO DISAGREE, I AM NOT PART OF A FACTION.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK I CAN BRING A FRESH
PERSPECTIVE.
I GET ALONG WITH EVERYBODY IN TERMS OF IN-OFFICE
RELATIONSHIPS, STATE GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
I WANT TO POINT OUT, FIRST OF ALL WITH ALL THE GREAT
RELATIONSHIPS IN ALBANY, WE GET $29.4 MILLION PER CAPITA LESS
THAN BUFFALO. SOMETHING IS WRONG.
ALBANY OFTEN REWARDS THOSE CITIES THAT DON'T DO WELL.
WHAT CHRIS SAID IS CORRECT, BUFFALO GETS MORE AID TO BAIL
THEM OUT.
FIRST OF ALL, I'LL PROPOSE A WAY OF RUNNING GOVERNMENT THAT
WILL SAVE US MONEY AND SAVE DOLLARS.
GENERATE INCOME FROM WITHIN.
AND IF ALBANY WOULD SHIFT THEIR PERSPECTIVE AND LOOK AT
REWARDING GOVERNMENTS OPERATING WELL.
THE CITY, ROCHESTER EVEN WITH THE CHALLENGE THAT IS WE HAVE,
YOU HAVE TO GIVE MAYOR JOHNSON CREDIT IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL
STEWARDSHIP OVER THE YEARS.
THERE REALLY HAS BEEN OTHER CITIES HAVE GONE DOWN, AND WE
HAVE ACTUALLY KEPT SOMEWHAT AFLOAT WITH THIS.

JP: WAIT A SECOND.
WHAT ABOUT A CONCRETE PROPOSAL, BOB?
WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN IT MORE?
ALL YOU DO IS -- ALL YOU DO IS GIVE OUT THESE PLATITUDES.
YOU HAVE NO SPECIFICS FOR ANYTHING.

WN: THANKS JOHN, BUT I WANT TO STEAL IT BACK BEFORE WE CLOSE.
LYDIA, I APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTION AND THE REQUEST FOR REAL
SPECIFICS.
I WOULD SAY THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT AT THE BOTTOM
OF THE LINE, THE MAYOR'S JOB IS A POLITICAL JOB AND THIS
PROCESS IS A POLITICAL PROCESS.
THERE IS A PLACE FOR POLITICS IN AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
AND IN ADDITION TO THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT I HAVE, IN
GOVERNMENT, I WILL ALSO SAY, CHRIS, THAT MY WORK HAS
AFFORDED ME RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR LOCAL FOUNDATIONS WITH
THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND AN ABILITY TO SAY HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.

MC: I HAVE TO CLOSE IT.
OUR FORUM IS OVER.
WE DO CONCLUDE THIS.
WE THANK THE ROCHESTER AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE
SUPPORT THAT IT GAVE US TO MAKE THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE.
"VOICE OF THE VOTER" IS GOING TO HOLD A SECOND SIT-DOWN WITH
THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES ON SEPTEMBER 7.
THAT ONE-HOUR FORUM FOCUSES ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND CITY
FINANCES.
BUDGET AND TAXATION.
THE CANDIDATES WILL ONCE AGAIN BE JOINED BY OUR "VOICE OF
THE VOTER" PANEL.
UNTIL THEN, HOPE YOU KEEP FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES AND IDEAS.
THANKS FOR TUNING IN.