Holding a special election for Rochester mayor would end indecision

Holding a special election for Rochester mayor would end indecision

A special election for mayor would end uncertainty.

August 29, 2010

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100829/OPINION04/8290325/H...

Since gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo announced in May that Mayor Robert Duffy would be his running mate, City Hall has been in limbo.

That's not good, given that the city's persistent challenges need constant attention and charismatic leadership.

Although Duffy insists he's still very much involved in city matters, the perception among key stakeholders is that he's checked out.

The city can't afford to stay on this track for long.

So city council should allay fears and settle on a succession plan that calls for holding a special election as the law allows, within 90 days of the vacancy. Assuming that Duffy wins election for lieutenant governor and resigns on Dec. 31, a special election would occur no later than the end of March.

Council's other option just extends that limbo feeling. Council could appoint an interim mayor, with a primary election in September 2011, followed by a general election in November, with the new mayor taking office on Jan. 1, 2012. That would be a full 18 months since Duffy joined the Cuomo ticket — way too long to wait.

Too many projects need an elected mayor who has the backing of voters and whom business people and developers know is committed to maintaining the momentum Duffy and his team have built.

Projects such the Midtown redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization need a mayor to advocate for public dollars.

Then there's the matter of mayoral control of city schools. Having the new mayor back the governance change will be key to getting that legislation passed in the state Senate.

As City Council President Lovely Warren writes on today's Speaking Out page, an elected mayor has influence that an appointed mayor does not. Warren is advocating for a special election; her fellow council members should agree.

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comments:

vote4harry wrote:

There should be an open, free for all election for Mayor to be held in the Fall of 2011 with a primary, petitions and a designating process that involves our political committees, Democratic, Republican and others. Any actions by the "powers that be" as Carla Palumbo has advocated on the mess at Main & Clinton last year,

Carla on ren square, 2009:
"I think there are powers that be much higher up in the food chain that need to get their heads together and figure out what is best for this community!"
http://dragonflyeye.net/carlapalumbo/2009/04/24/snaggletooth-square-ren-...

should be met with stiff opposition from the voters of Rochester. These anti-democratic actions are just another slap in the face by the established powers such as Morelle, the D&C AND CITY "newspaper, " all whom advocated for the mess this city is in.

8/29/2010 2:04:05 PM There should be an open, free for all election for Mayor to be held in the Fall of 2011 with a primary, petitions and a designating process that involves our political committees, Democratic, Republican and others. Any actions by the "powers that be" as Carla Palumbo has advocated on the mess at Main & Clinton last year, Carla on ren square, 2009:"I think there are powers that be much higher up in the food chain that need to get their heads together and figure out what is best for this community!"http://dragonflyeye.net/carlapalumbo/2009/04/24/snaggletooth-square-ren-... should be met with stiff opposition from the voters of Rochester. These anti-democratic actions are just another slap in the face by the established powers such as Morelle, the D&C AND CITY "newspaper, " all whom advocated for the mess this city is in. vote4harry
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vote4harry wrote:

A group of voters, activists and business interests in Rochester have organized to stop our city “government” from destroying what is left of downtown. Please check us out here:

"Stop Mortimer Street Bus Barn/Create Amtrak Inter-Modal"
http://bit.ly/bgUGuy

8/29/2010 2:03:24 PM A group of voters, activists and business interests in Rochester have organized to stop our city “government” from destroying what is left of downtown. Please check us out here:"Stop Mortimer Street Bus Barn/Create Amtrak Inter-Modal"http://bit.ly/bgUGuy vote4harry
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stratus wrote:

Why do we need a special election? Once the Democrats decide on their candidate, the election is for all intents and purposes, over.

8/29/2010 1:22:33 PM Why do we need a special election? Once the Democrats decide on their candidate, the election is for all intents and purposes, over. stratus
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GMarshall wrote:

I think you guys are waaaay too trusting of whoever would get the democratic party nomination (who will win, because, who are we kidding) will be able to carry us forward in the direction Duffy had us moving. This person will serve out Duffy's term, that's another three years. Don't we want a vetting of ideas and candidates before we give The Annointed Person the keys to the city? Is 90 days really enough time to make that happen? People sound like Mr. Constanza: "STABILITY NOW!! STABILITY NOW!" Give it a rest and give us, THE CITIZENS, a chance and the time to make the RIGHT decision for the city and quit all this backroom dealing.

8/29/2010 11:40:00 AM I think you guys are waaaay too trusting of whoever would get the democratic party nomination (who will win, because, who are we kidding) will be able to carry us forward in the direction Duffy had us moving. This person will serve out Duffy's term, that's another three years. Don't we want a vetting of ideas and candidates before we give The Annointed Person the keys to the city? Is 90 days really enough time to make that happen? People sound like Mr. Constanza: "STABILITY NOW!! STABILITY NOW!" Give it a rest and give us, THE CITIZENS, a chance and the time to make the RIGHT decision for the city and quit all this backroom dealing. GMarshall
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dabear2u wrote:

The best solution here is vote Republican for Governor, and send Duffy back home to clean up his own mess. A Republican Governor would check the Assembly and Senate and not getting anything done is better than raising Taxes. And Bob has to actually finish what he started.

8/29/2010 10:07:48 AM The best solution here is vote Republican for Governor, and send Duffy back home to clean up his own mess. A Republican Governor would check the Assembly and Senate and not getting anything done is better than raising Taxes. And Bob has to actually finish what he started. dabear2u
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Mincemeat62 wrote:

Given how long the 29th district has lacked representation, I nominate that top-hatted bulldog in the local section of today's paper to be interim mayor to serve out the rest of Duffy's term. I'm pretty sure the dog couldn't do any worse. And he's a heck of a lot sharper in a tux.

8/29/2010 9:57:17 AM Given how long the 29th district has lacked representation, I nominate that top-hatted bulldog in the local section of today's paper to be interim mayor to serve out the rest of Duffy's term. I'm pretty sure the dog couldn't do any worse. And he's a heck of a lot sharper in a tux. Mincemeat62
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Needles wrote:

Sounds like someone is worried that a closet conservative might be appointed interim mayor.

8/29/2010 9:14:40 AM Sounds like someone is worried that a closet conservative might be appointed interim mayor. Needles
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Buffdog01 wrote:

Did we conveniently leave out the part that if Mayor Duffy resigns prior to Sept. 21, the mayoral election could be on November's ballot? Then, the winner could serve out the balance of his full term. Those claiming to desire stability for the good of the people of Rochester should get behind this option. As those who see it day to day report, he's already checked out, so why not do something that is actually a benefit to the people being served?

8/29/2010 9:08:21 AM Did we conveniently leave out the part that if Mayor Duffy resigns prior to Sept. 21, the mayoral election could be on November's ballot? Then, the winner could serve out the balance of his full term. Those claiming to desire stability for the good of the people of Rochester should get behind this option. As those who see it day to day report, he's already checked out, so why not do something that is actually a benefit to the people being served? Buffdog01
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heagle wrote:

"Then there's the matter of mayoral control of city schools. Having the new mayor back the governance change will be key to getting that legislation passed in the state Senate."

Not in this lifetime.

8/29/2010 7:46:01 AM "Then there's the matter of mayoral control of city schools. Having the new mayor back the governance change will be key to getting that legislation passed in the state Senate."Not in this lifetime. heagle
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orielly wrote:

Why not call for Duffy to resign so the city wont be in LIMBO for a year? Dole did it when he ran for President, but with DUFFY or Obama or Clinton, Dems dont need to do that.

And this issue of how and who replaces DUFFY is a big deal for THIS PAGE. This is about the 10 op/ed or story on it, who's going to lead the 140K people in the city, (besides the City Council) if DUFFY wins?

But in the 29th mostly white rural congressional district where 460K people have not had representation for now half a year, we have to wait till NOV. for an election, because WE CANT AFFORD ONE. There have been elections all across this country, reported on national news, for congress and senate seats ALL YEAR LONG, at least 20 of them.

But only here in the 29th district, is the only district in the country that cant afford an election per Patterson, and THIS PAGE IS COOL WITH THAT. All because THIS PAGE didnt want to lose that seat for OBAMA, forget the people in the 29th THIS PAGE is supposed to serve.