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ELECTIONS 2012
O’Brien
ENDORSEMENT | BY JEREMY MOULE
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review of fracking before coming to a conclusion. He also says that the DEC will need to draft proper regulations. O’Brien says protecting the state’s freshwater resources needs to be the priority. But if state officials green-light the technique, then they also need to make sure DEC has enough resources to effectively monitor and regulate the industry, he says. Monroe County has two other contested Senate races that will help decide which party holds the majority in that chamber. In the 61st district, which is anchored in Erie County but includes Riga, Chili, and part of the city, incumbent Republican Michael Ranzenhofer faces a challenge from Democrat Justin Rooney. And in the 62nd district, which is focused mostly on Niagara and Orleans counties, incumbent Republican George Maziarz is opposed by Democrat Amy Hope Witryol and Green Party candidate Jonathon Benedict. Monroe County is also home to three Senate districts where the incumbent is uncontested: Republican Joe Robach in the 56th District, which includes Hamlin, Clarkson, Parma, Greece, Gates, part of the city, and the town of Brighton; Republican Patrick Gallivan in the 59th District, which includes Wheatland and Henrietta; and Republican Michael Nozzolio in the 54th District, which includes Webster. City is not endorsing one party over the other for control of the Senate. Republicans have failed to act on important issues, such as the minimum-wage increase. But when Democrats held the majority in 2009 and 2010, they were not effective leaders. While Democrats are expected to
keep the Assembly majority — just as in the Senate, the contorted, gerrymandered districts protect the majority party — Republicans are trying to grow the size of their conference. And there are several contested races. City is reserving its endorsement, except in one crucial, city-based district. In the 138th district, which includes a question mark-shaped section of the city as well as the towns of Gates and Chili, we’re endorsing Democrat Harry Bronson, who faces a challenge from Republican Peterson Vazquez. Bronson says he considers his vote in favor of the state’s marriage equality law as his most significant accomplishment, calling it a historical piece of civil rights legislation. Bronson is a long-time LGBT activist and worked on marriage equality and related issues well before he was elected to the Assembly. Bronson has backed important antidiscrimination legislation in the Assembly. 14 City OCTOBER 24-30, 2012
He voted for legislation to prohibit discrimination based on a person’s gender identity or expression, as well as a package of pay equity bills. Both passed the Assembly, but stalled in the Senate. Bronson has also backed important economic legislation like the minimumwage increase — which the Senate hasn’t passed — and the statewide tax cap. And he says he wants the state, counties, and local governments to work together to eliminate redundant business permitting programs. On fracking, Bronson says he supports a moratorium until sufficient regulations are put in place to safeguard water, the environment, and people. The DEC is right to take its time in its review of fracking, Bronson says, and he supports the state’s plans for a health assessment. He’s also voted in favor of classifying fracking waste fluid as hazardous waste. And he says state officials need to look at DEC staffing levels. Vazquez, a veteran and small business owner, says his priority is education and that prepared and successful students will encourage economic development. Specifically, he says extending the school day would boost student performance. A longer day would mean more time for teachers to spend with students, Vazquez says, and less time for students to hang out on the streets. It would also relieve many parents of the burden of finding after-school care and the costs associated with that care, he says. The idea of an extended school day is worth exploring, and Rochester schools Superintendent Bolgen Vargas has started those discussions. But Vazquez also says that school districts should stress abstinence and shouldn’t offer comprehensive sexual education. He says he wouldn’t try to circumvent the state’s marriageequality law, but that the law is not in line with his religious beliefs. And he’s been endorsed by the New York State Right to Life Committee. On a minimum-wage increase, Vazquez says he’d prefer to see a plan or initiative for economic growth. He says he’s not convinced that a minimum-wage increase makes sense on its own. Vazquez says he’s not opposed to hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, and that it has potential to create a lot of jobs. But safety is paramount, he says. Incumbent Democrat David Gantt had a resounding win in the 137th district primary — more than doubling the combined votes received by his two challengers. The district includes Gates and a chunk of the city. Gantt faces a general election challenge from Green Party candidate Drew Langdon.
Aldersley for County Legislature
Sean Hanna. Photo BY MATT DETURCK
Langdon says it’s important for voters to have an alternative. Langdon’s chief issue is worker-owned cooperative businesses. He says he wants the state to establish a program for loans and grants for workers trying to form a cooperative business. It would also help cooperatives purchase existing businesses, he says. The state could use revenues from its stock transfer tax —which are currently rebated to Wall Street — to replenish the fund, he says. Similarly, the state could take steps to encourage housing cooperatives, Langdon says. Democrat Randy Weaver and Republican Bill Nojay are running for an open seat in the 133rd Assembly District. Former Avon Mayor Richard Burke, who lost to Nojay in a Republican primary, is on the Conservative line. Weaver is a Steuben County legislator and a pharmacist who until recently owned his own pharmacy. Nojay is an attorney and conservative talk radio host. He’s also a former chair of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority board. During his time in that position he pushed for a downtown transit center — an idea that later morphed into the failed Renaissance Square project, though Nojay had left the RGRTA board by that point. In the 135th district, which covers Webster, Penfield, Perinton, and East Rochester, incumbent Republican Mark Johns faces a challenge from Democrat David Koon. Johns unseated Koon, who represented the district for 14 years, in 2010. Johns is emphasizing his support for economic development programs and reduced state spending. Koon is focusing on similar issues, but also supports campaign finance reform. Incumbent Republican Stephen Hawley faces a challenge from Libertarian candidate Mark Glogowski in the 139th Assembly District. The only parts of Monroe County in that district are Hamlin, Sweden, and Clarkson. Incumbent Assembly members Bill Reilich, a Republican, and Democrat Joe Morelle are running unopposed for their seats.
Stephanie Aldersley. Photo PROVIDED
Democratic Legislator Stephanie Aldersley is looking to win the seat she once held for a decade. Aldersley was appointed to the Monroe County Legislature earlier this year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Vinnie Esposito. She’s running now to fill the remaining three years of Esposito’s term, and faces a challenge from Republican Joe Carbone. The winner will represent the 16th District, which covers part of Irondequoit. Aldersley represented the district for 10 years; she was term-limited out of the Legislature in 2007, but is now eligible to serve again. Carbone, a podiatrist, challenged Esposito in 2011 and lost by less than 10 percent of the vote. Voters should choose Aldersley. She shares her caucus’s concerns on issues like the county’s recurring deficits, its use of local development corporations, and the administration’s cuts to social services. On large, controversial issues — the county’s annual budget included — the Legislature’s votes are often split along party lines. And Republicans have used their majority to force through controversial measures, including appointing a new public defender and approving an administration proposal to cut funding for home lead inspections in the City of Rochester. Individual Republican legislators rarely break with their caucus, and there’s little evidence to suggest that Carbone would be an independent voice. Democrats reliably question the administration on spending and policies.