Bronson Responds on Mayoral Control: "I don't think we need to go there." = Is Harry Bronson a "wait-and-see career politician."?

note (June 28, 2010):
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Harry Davis on Mayoral Control (privatization) of Rochester Schools
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/23
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Come on, Harry! Don't be a "wait-and-see career politician." Your Democratic pal Mary Wilmot just said:
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In a related matter, Mary Wilmot, the Democrat challenging Republican Senator Jim Alesi, today declared her support for the mayoral control bill.

"The opportunity should not be squandered by wait-and-see career politicians who must first selfishly see which way the wind is blowing," Wilmot said in a press release.
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Wilmot criticized Alesi for not taking a public stand on the legislation.
http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/news/articles/2010/06/Mayoral-cont...
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Bronson said he doesn't think it needs to be a campaign issue. "I don't think we need to go there," he said.

Assembly candidates weighing school plan
Jill Terreri • Staff writer • June 22, 2010

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100622/NEWS01/6220322/1003...

The major political parties' endorsed candidates in a race for an open state Assembly seat have not decided whether they are in favor of mayoral control of city schools, they said Monday.

Democrat Harry Bronson and Republican Kenneth Kraus said there are mixed feelings among the voters they are talking to as they go door-to-door collecting petition signatures and that they have not made up their minds.

Both are running in the 131st District, where Assemblywoman Susan John, D-Rochester, is not seeking re-election.

Mayor Robert Duffy and the dean of the Rochester delegation to the state Legislature, Assemblyman David Gantt, D-Rochester, are supporting controversial legislation that would eliminate the Rochester School Board and allow the mayor to govern the school district.

A hearing on the legislation was held on Friday in Rochester and lasted seven hours. In addition to the widespread debate in the community over the issue, the local Democratic Party has disagreement in its ranks — with Duffy, Gantt and fellow Assemblyman and Monroe County Democratic Committee Chairman Joseph Morelle in support, and some rank-and-file Democrats and some labor groups opposed.

Bronson said he doesn't think it needs to be a campaign issue. "I don't think we need to go there," he said.

Bronson will face School Board Members Willa Powell and Malik Evans and activist Harry Davis in a Democratic primary, if all turn in the necessary petition signatures.

All Democratic candidates except for Bronson have said they are opposed to mayoral control.

"I'm continuing to weigh both sides of the issue," Bronson said.

Powell, Davis and School Board Member Van White on Monday called on Bronson to state his position on the issue.

"That decision is going to be made in Albany," White said. "Why shouldn't anyone aspiring to office in Albany articulate their view?"
Asked if not mayoral control, then what, Powell said it was the wrong question.

"The school board has proven itself to be a reform-minded institution for a very long time," she said. But supporters of mayoral control have pointed to the district's on-time graduation rate of 46 percent as evidence that change is needed.

Kraus, who has also been endorsed by the Independence and Conservative parties, has not taken a position yet and said more public input is needed. "We certainly need more accountability but I'm not sure mayoral control is the way to go here," Kraus said, adding that he is not opposed to letting voters decide in a referendum.

The 131st District includes parts of the city and all of Chili, Rush, Wheatland and Riga.

JTERRERI@DemocratandChronicle.com
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Does Harry Bronson's Campaign Have A Death Wish?
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/310
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Analysis: Should The Media Handicap Political Campaigns?
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/326
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Harry Davis on Mayoral Control of Rochester Schools
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/23
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Mayoral Control: Where Bob Duffy Went Wrong
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/363
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