City Council Wants Public Input for This?

Once again I find myself confused about Rochester City Council and what they are saying.   I see that City Council wants “public input” on who will be on the ballot if Cuomo and Duffy win the race to be the next Gov and Lt Gov.

Essentially they have two options if Duffy were to leave office.   One, appoint someone, within 30 days, who will fill the seat until election day 2011.   They can also call for a special election within 90 days and whomever wins that fills the seat until the end of the original term.   I see, per the article in the D&C, that 4 of the 9 Council Members favor a special election.   I agree that a special election would be a better option as it would add some stability in the city where it is much needed right now.

Back to the public input.   Council President Lovely Warren says that she would like to have some public input on who would be considered for the Democratic nominee for the special election.   Why?  Put forth your best candidate and run her.   It is as easy as that.   Unless, are they are concerned that with the current political climate that a Democrat may not walk through to victory as they often do in Rochester?   Maybe they are concerned that the two gentlemen that tried to run against Duffy this last time around, Alex White and Tony Micciche, haven’t lost the will to be mayor?   Maybe they are concerned that with some of the poor decisions made this past year by City Council, the people of Rochester are not happy with the Democratic city administration?

It sounds to me that they are looking to get the buy-in for someone prior to the election, so they know who they will end up with.   (In most cases this would be called a primary).

I find it odd that they are looking for public input, considering they have ignored public input on major decisions recently.   Two items that come to mind are the Mortimer Street bus garage and the red light cameras. Plus, if they are so concerned about public input, I have a fantastic idea:   show up on time for the “speak to council” section of your own monthly meeting.   Other than when the news cameras are present, for something major, there is never a time when they are all there on time.

My suggestion, pick the best candidate you have and run that candidate.   You will get all the public input you need on election day.