ren square, Labor Unions and Where I Stand

HARRY DAVIS ON THE ISSUES

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ren square, Labor Unions and Where I Stand

I was an early opponent of the Renaissance Square project (referred to as ren square going forward) since 2003. My opposition to this type of project will continue. I believe in building a sustainable Rochester and investing in projects that will have long-lasting effects, create jobs, stimulate growth and welcome businesses to the Greater Rochester region.

Let me be clear: I do not believe the plans laid out for ren square fit that description.

My position on ren square during my candidacy for the Rochester City Council in 2009 (www.Harry2009.com ) has led to opposition from labor unions, including Rochester Building and Construction Trades, who suggest that my opposition would hurt their industry because any project at ren square would help them. In fact, in a letter sent by Rochester Building Trades President Frank Wirt, he advised members of the Genesee Valley Labor Federation Executive Board last fall that they should oppose my candidacy and not endorse me. ( Frank Wirt letter: hit "Download" after clicking link for optimum viewing of this letter: http://www.box.net/shared/e5c0spt34o )

The reason for Wirt's opposition? In his words:

"While it is unclear what impact Harry Davis had on the demise of Renaissance Square, it is clear that his vocal opposition to the project is the key platform of his candidacy. That is to say, that the sole purpose of his run for City Council is to prevent our members from working. As I am sure you know, our members are facing a hard winter without the promised work of Renaissance Square and the prospect of any union endorsing a person so adamantly opposed to our jobs would add insult to injury. I ask you, and the Executive Board, to weigh these facts should you meet with Harry Davis and to consider withholding the Labor Federation's endorsement."

I want to make something clear: Mr. Wirt is wrong. I did not run for City Council solely on my opposition to ren square, nor did I run to prevent construction workers from working. In Albany, Rochester and throughout this state, we need to advocate for strong, sustainable projects. While I will agree that ren square would have given construction workers a job, who else would have benefited from that? My answer: NOBODY except Maggie Brooks and the companies she hired to build ren square! There were too many questions with the project and too much money that was on the line. And that money isn't private money. That money is taxpayer money. If we are going to use taxpayer dollars for a project, it had better be a good one. I know Mr. Wirt sees dollar signs when a project like this one comes up, but I think of the greater good. I want to see a project where our construction workers can be put to work AND the public benefits. ren square was not that project.

It was implied in Mr. Wirt's letter that I am anti-worker. I will be clear: I am pro-labor. I support labor unions and side with workers every step of the way. My opposition to ren square wasn't because of construction workers getting jobs. It was because of the huge public burden of the project. To suggest anything differently is irresponsible. I have supported and will continue to support labor unions, as evidenced by my Working Families Party endorsement last fall for the Rochester City Council.

It is also worth mentioning that it was Mayor Robert Duffy, a long-time recipient of union campaign contributions, who halted ren square. Maggie Brooks received $800,000 from the companies who would have built ren square! While I supported it being brought to an end, I was not the party responsible for ending the project. That lies with Duffy. So if I am going to be labeled as anti-worker, shouldn't the same be said of Duffy? btw, Mayor Duffy continued to receive labor union contributions in 2009 for his Mayoral campaign AFTER he put a stop to ren square! Our campaign did not!

My support of labor unions and opposition to ren square are two separate issues. They should not be combined. That would not be accurate or fair. I support workers, but will oppose projects that have more questions than answers, great burdens on taxpayers and do not offer Rochester and the surrounding area sustainable development. I will gladly work with any union to help them create jobs. But I will not sacrifice taxpayer dollars in that effort. Period.

(I should mention that just this week, I invited people, all my Facebook Friends, to the Rochester Building Trades (RBT) Facebook page and posted a discussion on their page. My post on RBT to encourage discussion was deleted, even though I wasn't doing anything wrong. Apparently that was their message that I was not welcome still to have this dialog!)

As a result of their opposition against me, unions have looked to my opponent in the Democratic primary, Harry Bronson. The only reason they support Bronson? Because he worked for Assemblywoman Susan John. They say because he worked for Assemblywoman John and she was chair of the Labor Committee in the Assembly, he is going to get their endorsement. Is that what we want in our politics? A seat that is, shall we say, inherited? I am fighting for my endorsements and proving myself as a candidate while Bronson holds his hand out for praise because of who he worked for. To that I say to Bronson: Quit riding Susan John's coattails. Forge your own path and make this a real race.

I have not been an elected official or a staff member for one. I have done most of my work through activism and action. The opposition to ren square, which is backed by progressives who see many problems with the project, is an example of my work. I have gone to city council meetings, rallies and other gatherings in support (or opposition) of many causes. I will bring that same approach to my work as an assemblyman. My focus will be on the betterment of my hometown. That is the same principal that guides me now and will be the principle that guides me in Albany.

So if labor unions and others in the establishment want to help Susan John pass the torch to Harry Bronson then that is their choice. I'm not one to hold out my hand for a boost. It will only make our campaign stronger. I will still talk with voters, rally for sustainable development and economic initiatives that make sense and work hard to earn the most important endorsement of all: The people's vote on Election Day.