Five years ago, then-mayor Thomas Richards announced a grandiose project for the University of Rochester-Strong neighborhood. It was going to be an eco-friendly project with green spaces, a transit hub, a book store and most importantly for the neighborhood, a grocery store. Wegmans supermarkets had closed their store on the location several years prior.

So how has this project paid off? Did neighors get the goods and services they expected?  Did the taxpayers get their money's worth? The projected was conceived under Mayor Richards and begun under current Mayor Lovely Warren. Now Green Party mayoral candidate Alex White takes a walk through College Town, The biggest pile of corporate welfare in one place in the city of Rochester.

 

The following was written by White in October of 2013. In hindsight it was almost prophetic:

Recently the city broke ground on a project in Rochester called College Town. This is a half million square foot development on 16 acres of land at the corner of Mt Hope and Elmwood Ave in Rochester. This area plans to have a bookstore, grocery, child care, YMCA, hotel and conference center, restaurants, office, residential, and a parking garage. Like many of these projects, the ground breaking brought out a who’s who of city officials- despite the fact it is bad for Rochester.

 

The project started out as a vision statement from the neighborhood about what they wanted in this area. This process identified a few things the neighbors found important; a grocery store, a locally owned book store, more public spaces, a public transit station, and sufficient parking.

 

With this in mind the City went out and found a developer and unfortunately here is where the problems began. A proposal was made which offered lots of office space, a Barnes and Noble bookstore, 150 apartments, room for some retail, a hotel, and perhaps a small grocery store. They also put in a parking garage but then rented part of it to the U of R. Gone were the public spaces, green space, bus terminal, and sufficient parking and the bookstore was no longer local.

 

So with the project now something much different than what the neighbors requested, the financing turned this into a nightmare. The total project is going to cost around $100 million to build. Of this, $5.4 million is a federal New Market Tax Credit. They then have $20 million section 108 loan from the federal government. There is $2.8 million in Brownfield clean up money, $2.7 in sales tax credits, a $4 million grant from the state of NY, $3.3 million from the city, and almost $7 million in other subsidies. In the end it looks like $45.2 million in public money going to the project.

 

Of this money, two of the largest finances seem misused. The New Market Tax Credit is a program which is supposed to spur revitalization efforts of low-income and impoverished communities across the United States. Now Rochester has many low income areas but the area near Highland Park and adjacent to Strong Hospital is not

one of them. The HUD loan is also suspicious. This program was made for projects which meet one of the four following criteria: benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or address community development needs with particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community for which other funding is not available. This once more does not seem to fit as the blight was not terrible, slums were non-existent, and there was no health or welfare threat. The housing does have 8 moderate income apartments but that hardly justifies $20 million. Further this loan is being paid back out of taxes the project should be paying and the lower rather than raised the taxes to cover this.

 

Well what are the benefits to the city which this project will bring? They tout the job aspect of this project and claim there will be 582 permanent jobs created by this project. That sounds good but a closer look makes most of these vanish. Of these almost 300 will be office jobs and most of these will be with the U of R or Strong Hospital which is moving units from diverse locations to one closer to the hospital. The book store will be the largest retail in the area but this is only going to be a consolidation of 2 other Barnes and Nobles which will close so this might actually cost jobs. Meanwhile the 60,000 sq ft of other retail will be mostly restaurants which will compete with existing businesses and will only cause other businesses to fail, so it probably will not create any jobs. What will create jobs is the parking garage, maintenance for the apartments, and the grocery store, most of which will be low paying.

 

The city will also receive an estimated $9.6 million in taxes and interest over the next 20 years. This breaks down to only $430,000 in per year, which says the assessment of the property is a mere $10 million, or one tenth the cost of construction, and only $20 a sq ft. Of course the City is rebuilding both Elmwood and Mt Hope, creating new streets, redoing sidewalks, and improving utilities. They have bonded $3.3 million to cover this so they have interest costs as well. All told the City will spend at least $17 million of its own money on improvements around this project which did not need to be done except for this project. So in twenty years the city will lose roughly $10 million on a $20 million dollar investment on a project which meets only one of the items identified by the neighbors as needs of the community.

 

So what will Rochester really get in this project? About a hundred low paying jobs, a lot of construction jobs which will go to workers which will not be local, an increase in the total taxable property value in Rochester, and a very pretty set of buildings owned by an out of town developer. Meanwhile neighborhoods will deteriorate in the crescent around downtown, more houses will become vacant, blight will expand in other sections of Rochester, we will run miniscule smaller deficits every year, and the mayor has a great photo op at this ground breaking. It seems that should be a better way to spend $20 million of our money and a $20 million loan than this.

 

Fortunately there are better ways to spend money than this. Instead of building new buildings we could make loans and grants available to maintain the ones we already have. We could also use some of this money to start new businesses, owned and run by Rochestarians. These new businesses could get contracts from local institutions for products they presently get from out of town. Finally we could fund city services which reduce crime and fight poverty like recreation, libraries, and schools. It is time to focus our spending on people not profits as that is the only way to solve our problems and make the city better.

 

In 2012 this area paid more than $35,000 in taxes and after all this development it now pays less.

below
Artist's rendering of how College Town was supposed to look in 2013

Below
How College Town looks as of 2016
(note: trees at lower right are located in Mt Hope cemetary, not the promised "green space")
 

 

 

 

American colonization never ended in 1776, the oppressors just switched color of uniform. Across America, the demographics for urban police forces scream of racial inequality. In more than 40 percent of cities, blacks are under-represented among police officers, a Washington Post analysis of Census data revealed. Rochester's police department continues to fail badly in representing its population. In a city where 60 percent of residents are African American and Hispanic, only 25 percent of Rochester's police officers are minorities. In addition, 93% of Rochester Police officers live outside of the city.

 

photo credit: Carlos Ortiz of the Democrat & Chronicle

 

Davy V. – the people’s scholar of the Rochester police – provides a historical context to the shooting of Officer Jeremy Nash on Saturday, June 25, 2017. The original essay republished below can be found at his website: 

http://davyv.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-chickens-have-come-home-to-roost.html

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

Another Rochester, NY cop was shot last night. The 6th Rochester, NY Police officer to be shot in the line of duty since 2009.

 

Saturday night around 10:40 pm, Rochester, NY Police Officer Jeremy Nash was responding to a call near North Street and St. Jacob Street, on Rochester's east side, when a gunman shot him several times in the face. Officer Nash was rushed to Rochester General Hospital where he underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition.

 

The shooting took place just a few blocks away from where Rochester, NY Police Officer Daryl Pierson was shot in September of 2014. Officer Pierson died shortly afterwards.

He was the first Rochester, NY Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty since 1959. And just as they did when Rochester, NY Police Officer Daryl Pierson was killed, Rochester, NY's mainstream news media is milking, sensationalizing, and outright exploiting the fuck out of another cop shot.

 

All in the name of television news ratings.

 

After all, more viewers, more advertising.

 

And MO' MONEY.

 

But why is it that whenever a cop is shot, all of a sudden they're hailed as a hero?

 

COPS ARE NOT HEROS.

 

That's right. They willingly sign on to do a job which taxpayers pay them very well to do. The median annual Police Patrol Officer salary in Rochester, NY is $53,016, as of June 28, 2017, with a range usually between $44,146-$62,566 not including bonus and benefit information and other factors that impact base pay.

 

Although cops forget, taxpayers pay their salaries. And yes, it's a job that can be dangerous, but nevertheless, again, THEY WILLINGLY sign up for that job. And I'm sorry, but getting shot doesn't make you a hero.

 

Being a regular citizen and going about your daily life, and running into a burning home to save young children from an inferno, THAT'S A HERO. Standing in line at a bank and getting shot by armed robbers while protecting an innocent elderly woman, THAT'S A HERO. Jumping in front of a train to save a despondent suicidal person, THAT'S A HERO.

 

Not some cop getting shot in the line of duty in a profession that he or she willingly signed up for and is very well compensated for.

 

THAT'S NOT A HERO.

 

But, since Rochester, NY's mainstream news media wants to so desperately make Rochester, NY Police Officer Jeremy Nash into a hero, and completely forget the fact that Officer Nash is part of Rochester's biggest gang, known for terrorizing and in some cases even executing unarmed innocent citizens, then let's go there.

 

Let's pretend.

 

Let's pretend that the Rochester, NY Police Department is not one of the dirtiest, most corrupt police agencies in the country. Let's pretend that the Rochester, NY Police Department doesn't have a long history of misconduct and corruption.

 

Let's pretend that the Rochester, NY Police Department doesn't have a very long and disturbing history when it comes to race relations, specifically how they treat blacks and Latinos.

 

In fact. that same very long and disturbing history can be traced back to the July 1964 riots in Rochester which began after a white Rochester, NY cops beat a black youth.

 

And let's pretend that trigger-happy white Rochester, NY cops haven't executed UNARMED innocent black mentally ill citizens like Calvin Greene, who was hiding in a crawl space, UNARMED, when Rochester, NY Police Officer Gary E. Smith shot him several times, executing the young father.

 

Let's pretend that Rochester, NY Police Officers Serge Savitcheff and Hector Padgham, both white, didn't execute 14-year old Craig Heard, a young black honor roll student whose only crime was not choosing the best friends.

 

Young Craig was joy riding a stolen car that his friend's stole, when Rochester Police Officers Serge Savitcheff and Hector Padgham each shot him once in his head, killing him instantly.

 

And what about Denise Hawkins, a beautiful young black woman who was shot and killed by Rochester, NY Police Officer Michael Leach, another trigger-happy white Rochester, NY cop. Years later, Michael Leach was convicted of shooting his own son in the back and killing him. I guess once a trigger-happy, always a trigger-happy cop.

 

Let's also pretend that Rochester, NY Police Officer Thomas L. Whitmore, a white cop, didn't execute Alicia McCuller, yet another beautiful young black woman, and then let's pretend that as she lay on the ground dying, gasping for air and choking on her own blood, Rochester Police Officer Thomas Whitmore didn't shoot McCuller again, for good measure.

 

And while we're at it, let's also pretend that Rochester, NY Police Officer Jeremy Nash isn't part of the same gang, in which 7 of its members executed Izzy Andino, a mentally-ill young man on his 20th birthday.

 

The 7 Rochester, NY Police Officers shot and executed Andino in what witnesses described as "a modern day firing squad." They were all cleared of any wrongdoing of course.

 

And let's pretend that Officer Nash doesn't belong to the same gang whose member Officer Lucas Krull was captured on video beating a pregnant black woman, punching her in the head and ramming her, stomach first into a wooden post.

 

Then let's pretend that after Rochester's black community denounced the pregnant woman's beating by a white cop, let's pretend that several members of the same gang that Rochester, NY Police Officer Jeremy Nash belongs to, didn't mock Rochester's black community by hanging a monkey racist effigy from the mirror of an RPD cruiser and rode around Rochester's west side laughing.

photo credit: Davy V.

 

And speaking of Rochester's west side, let's pretend that several white Rochester, NY Police gang members didn't attack a black one-legged amputee black man who was waiting for the bus, and knocked him off his motorized wheelchair, where they proceeded to beat and pepper spray him.

 

Oh and let's also pretend that a veteran Rochester, NY Police Officer, from yep, you guessed it, the same gang that Rochester Police Officer Jeremy Nash belongs to, isn't under investigation by the FBI after he was caught on video, attempting to strangle a black man with his hands, an illegal chokehold, banned by departmental policy.

 

And since I'm on the subject of illegal chokeholds, let's pretend that I didn't just recently expose a wack job Rochester, NY cop named Chris Renz, who in addition to posting a comment on his Facebook page saying he'd love to take a military assault rifle to the top of an inner city low income apartment building, and kill blacks and Latinos, also posted several links on illiegal "Street Chokeholds" to his Facebook page. 

 

By the way, I personally met with Rochester, NY City Council Presidebnt Loretta Scott, about Officer Renz's disturbing posts. Rochester City Council President Loretta Scott along with Rochester, NY Mayor Lovely Warren, completely ignored the disgusting and disturbing actions and behavior of Rochester Police Officer Chris Renz.

 

And so, as Rochester, NY's mainstream news media hails yet another cop who got shot as a hero, let's pretend that the Rochester, NY Police Department and each and everyone of its gang members, I mean cops, aren't earning every little bit of the hate. Let's pretend the Rochester, NY Police Department and each one of their cops don't have blood on their hands.

 

And let's pretend that the chickens haven't come home to roost.

 

Photo credit: Bill Finan

For the second time since Donald Trump became president, the people staged another march and rally to demand action on climate change. The event was organized by the People's Climate Coalition, who also sent two buses with 110 people to Washington DC for a national action. The event in Rochester was one of hundreds of local solidarity actions around the world.

The Trump administration is threatening to defund and dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency and has repealed many laws intended to protect the Earth through executive actions. Meanwhile the Rochester area is experiencing record rainfall that is causing some of the worst flooding of lake Ontario in almost 50 years. About 1000 people participated in the Rochester march which began on the steps of City Hall and ended with speakers and music at Washington Square Park.

Speakers included Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren who explained what the city is doing to combat climate change.

Professor Jim Haines of SUNY Brockport gave an informative presentation on exactly what scientific evidence links climate change to fossil fuel use. This presentation was so simplified even the president himself could understand it if he were to listen.

 

Community and religious leaders finished the event. Both Pope Francis and Senator Bernie Sanders have described climate threat as the greatest threat to humankind. Even the Pentagon, as explained by David  Dornford recognizes the problem.

 

More photos in the gallery

This is a response from Anthony J. Plonczynski-Figueroa, leader of the 21st LD and Vice-Chair of Sheppard for Mayor, to our feature The Reinvention of Jim Sheppard and the Rise of the New Jim Crow. Neither piece should be read as a Rochester Indymedia endorsement of either campaign. -Ed.

The great poet and humanitarian Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time”. These are wise words and important to remember when deciding our next Mayor in the City of Rochester.

In 2013, many in the community were reeling from Lovely Warren's win in the Democratic Party Primary. Warren's upset was a blow against integrity in government and a progressive agenda for Rochester. Warren was openly against public education, GENDA legislation and against fairness and integrity in government. When asked in one of the early caucus meetings before hundreds of Democrats whether she supported the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, her answer was, “I support the law”.

She was a leader that often-exhibited leadership qualities and tactics that were used to intimidate and punish anyone who would dare go against her. Many believed she was not prepared to be Mayor. All points that Warren herself has proved to be true during her Mayoral term so far. Let's look at the facts:

 

Anti-Public Education Agenda: Lovely Warren is a supporter of Mayoral Control and has pushed for the elimination of the Democratically elected school board. During her term as mayor she has advocated for increasing Charter School development in the City of Rochester and more control over schools by the Mayor.

Rochester Mayor's Request to Operate Troubled City Schools Rejected

The Warren Education Plan: Charting a Path to Success for All of Rochester’s Children

 

Nepotism: In her first 90 days, Warren, in decisions steeped in nepotism and cronyism worked to circumvent Civil Service laws to fire the Chief of Security and replace him with two new positions, one to be held by her Uncle Reggie.

Lovely Warren hires two bodyguards, including her uncle

 

Dishonesty: Warren was caught speeding not once, but twice, on Interstate 90 while being driven by her uncle in a new government funded escort car. When asked about the situation she lied about the incidents not happening until police reports were made public proving otherwise.

Rochester suspends mayor's uncle for a week

 

Public Corruption: Public statements were made by the Mayor asking that that the Facilities Modernization Program's companies be placed under investigation by the FBI. What we have learned about this project however is that it is her actions regarding the replacement of board members and the steering of contracts to a company connected to the late Conservative Republican Assemblyman Bill Nojay (a Trump delegate) and Lobbyist Robert Scott Gaddy that are being investigated by the FBI. Gaddy is a long-time David Gantt and Lovely Warren supporter.

Politics could delay improvements to your kid's school

[Credit: Monroe County Board of Elections]

Lovely Warren, sought Republican endorsements and assistance numerous times and it is a commonly held belief that she has created a non-aggression pact with the Republican Party to ensure their control of the County Legislature and County Executive’s seat. Let's look at the facts:

 

James Smith: Warren hired former Deputy County Executive under Republican Maggie Brooks, James Smith, as her communications director. The same James Smith who was indicted in the Robutrad scandal. He also served under the Brooks administration during the implementation of the corrupt Local Development Corporations that led to the indictment and conviction of several of Maggie Brooks’ top aides, including her husband.

Warren Taps James Smith as City Communications Director

 

Arnie Rothschild: Warren hired Arnie Rothschild as campaign and media strategist, paying over $100,000 for his services since 2013. (Board of Elections, 2016)

[Credit: Monroe County Board of Elections]

 

[Credit: Monroe County Board of Elections]

 

Please note: Both Gaddy and Rothschild have single handedly launched and funded Rachel Barnhart's campaigns for Assembly and for Mayor, including a $20,000 loan she has yet to pay back (Board of Elections, 2016)

[Report from the NYS Board of Elections]

Cheryl Dinolfo: Warren refused to endorse Sandy Frankel for County Executive, citing her strong relationship with Republicans Maggie Brooks and Cheryl Dinolfo (Democrat and Chronicle, 09/28/2015)

Warren May Not Endorse Frankel (RochesterFirst.com)

Warren may not endorse Frankel (Democrat & Chronicle)

 

Maggie Brooks: Warren sought out and accepted Republican Maggie Brooks’ endorsement in the 2013 Mayor’s Race. (Democrat and Chronicle, 11/01/2013)

Maggie Brooks endorses Lovely Warren: 'I see her as a unifier'

 

Bill Nojay: Warren benefited from $40,000 in campaign contributions, over half of which was paid to the late Republican/Conservative Assemblyman Bill Nojay by lobbyist Robert Scott Gaddy. Money that was hidden through a secret Florida shell Company. (Democrat and Chronicle, 05/23/2016)

Nojay company received $29,000 for Warren campaign work

 

Gary Rogers: Warren’s campaign has employed Gary Rogers, a Republican conservative suburbanite as her campaign spokesperson.

Lovely Warren has benefited from $40,000 in PAC money from Republicans, endorsed Republicans, paid Republicans and hired Republicans to help get her elected and help her while in office. Republicans connected to some of the most conservative and racist factions of their party and those who we believe have been or are currently under investigation by the NYS Attorney General, NYS Comptroller and Federal Bureau of Investigations.

In her term as Mayor, Warren has supported over 15 campaigns against endorsed Democrats since 2015 and over 1,000 party primaries since 2005.

 

But...but...Bob Lonsberry says he supports James Sheppard...

Yes, Bob Lonsberry has said and written about supporting James Sheppard for Mayor. He has also defended and written about defending Lovely Warren and endorsed Rachel Barnhart. None of these were sought after. If you have a problem with what Bob Lonsberry does in support of these candidates, take it up with him and every other progressive liberal guest who goes on his show, including Former Mayor Bill Johnson since 2003.

 

Conflict in the Democratic Party

David Gantt and Lovely Warren have run primaries against local elected Democrats almost every year, representing over 1,000 local election challenges in races spanning from county committee member, to Mayor, to flirtations with running for Congress against Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. It is hypocritical to shame other Democrats for taking a stand and then taking part in the same challenges she has regularly taken herself.

In fact, the author Rajesh Barnabas is part of this rich history by supporting Carrie Andrews in 2005 against George Moses (Lovely Warren Supporter and Rochester Housing Authority President appointed by Warren). The reasons we ran against Moses were some of the same reasons we ran against Warren. Pro charter school agenda, shady business dealings, arrogant leadership.

Redefining James Sheppard
Barnabas brings up that what Sheppard stated upon leaving the police department as Chief and what he states now regarding why he left are different. I agree the two statements were different. I think Sheppard was trying to be diplomatic and not disrespectful, but in the end, he should have been forthright from the beginning. He left because he questioned the transparency and integrity of the incoming administration and wanted no part of it. You would have to speak to Sheppard directly about why these statements are different, but many people wanted to give Warren a chance when she first started, Including me. I was one of the first Democratic leaders to reach out and meet with her right after the election.

Sheppard's Policing Model
Barnabas outlines clear points of contention that he has with the behavior of officers while Sheppard's was Police Chief. Barnabas calls out the Emily Good, Benny Wahr and Brenda Hardaway incidents with the RPD, but fails to highlight that these events happened under a City Council with Lovely Warren as the President and Adam McFadden as the Public Safety Chair. He also fails to highlight the hours, days and weeks of community meetings Sheppard took part in to be transparent and open with the community, including taking corrective action. It is also clear Barnabas has a disdain for police in general, which he should also address.

While he should engage with Sheppard’s record, he should also not be giving a pass to Warren on her policing record which factually has been more aggressive and less transparent than Sheppard's. Here are some examples:

Occupy (Sheppard) vs. Black Lives Matter Protest (Warren)
Occupy Rochester

During the Occupy Wall Street Movement, Occupy Rochester set up a tent city in Washington Square Park downtown. Through the work of labor leaders, progressive leaders and a group of progressive veterans of war, the City was convinced to bring these individuals to the table to come up with an amicable way to allow these individuals to protest. After negotiations, it was set that the Occupy Rochester settlement could stay for the time being if they were adhering to fire code, not closing the park to others and the site remained safe and sanitary.

After two months of maintaining the encampment, the negotiated time expired and the protesters decided to hold a protest on leaving. Protest leaders notified the RPD and Mayor's office of this action ahead of time to allow City Hall to plan accordingly. Due to this negotiation, 16 protesters were peacefully detained and then released without incident or charges being filed.

This was over two months after Occupy Wall Street was evicted, contrary to Barnabas's article. In fact, Rochester then was the longest running occupy site and a model for how other cities worked together with protesters across the nation.

According media interviews made at that time by the same leaders Barnabas interviewed, there were 16 arrests, (not 40) and protesters could occupy the park during park hours after they were evicted. These are very different than the recent statements made on memory by the occupy members. Evidence that is verified in interviews given by these same individuals to the press during the occupy movement.

occupy rochester (WXXI archive)

Again, I get it. Don't give into the man, but don't misrepresent the facts either. Facts that you can find in a simple google search that takes three minutes.

Regarding the heavy-handed policing, they may be referring to what happened on the Main St. Bridge. Yes, there were problems with that protest, one part of which was that protesters did not have a permit to block traffic and did it anyway, but that actually is not my point. My point here was that Sheppard was not the police chief at the time, it was Chief Moore, the one who now works for the Republicans in the County Office building currently.

Occupy Rochester NY (Wikipedia)

Occupy Rochester (RocWiki)

occupy rochester (WXXI archive)

City Reopens Park After Protesters Are Evicted

Black Lives Matter Protest

Last year, along with protests across the United States, Black Lives Matter protesters held an action in downtown Rochester. During the protest police dressed in full tactical and riot gear to physically confront the protestors. Over 71 protesters were arrested, including two black reporters from Channel 13 news. While this was happening, there were multiple questions and calls for updates and information from City Hall that were not answered or addressed. The Mayor was attending a concert at the time. A press conference would not be held until around 2am that morning after the 71 arrests, which were the highest rate of arrests in the United States, outpacing NYC, Los Angeles and New Orleans.

74 Arrested at Rochester Black Lives Matter Protest

Woman at Center of Viral Arrest at Rochester's Black Lives Matter Rally Not Backing Down

These are two distinct differences in the approach in policing of both administrations. While Sheppard was open, inclusive and came to solutions through dialogue and open communication, Warren in contrast has led a police force with heavy handed police tactics, a lack of transparency and communication.

 

The results speak for themselves.

Occupy Rochester and the way they worked with City Hall and the RPD became a national model on how protestors and a City can work together.

vs.

Black Lives Matter Protests under Warren became the highest amount of arrests in the County and made National attention for the heavy handed police tactics.

James Sheppard conducting an arrest during the Occupy Rochester Movement [Photo Credit: Indy Media]

 

Photo Credit: CNN

Arrest made under Warren Administration during Black Lives Matters Protest. Video viewed over 10 Million times Nationally.

Black Lives Matter protester arrested during TV interview

 

Police walk down Black Lives Matter Protesters in Rochester (Democrat and Chronicle)

Additionally, the Mayor's recent choice to bring back former Police Chief Cedric Alexander should be equally scrutinized as it is a signal that the Mayor wants to continue these types of aggressive "law & order" police tactics. Alexander is who Warren wanted to bring in as Police Chief since her election and she is a supporter of Cedric's law & order philosophy and the use of Swat teams in full riot and tactical gear with AK 47 to police street corners. Additionally, Alexander's police record out of Georgia has been highly criticized and has led to his inability to land the Chicago Chief of Police job as recently as last year.

Further, Adam McFadden, Chair of the Public Safety Committee is a proponent of this type of militarization of the police force, advocating for Police Jump out squads on corners such those enacted by Alexander. Lastly, Operation Cool Down was enacted while both Lovely Warren was City Council President and Adam McFadden was chair of the Public Safety committee of City Council. Where was this outrage about the program then? In fact there wasn't and it was not until this year when Sheppard chose to challenge Warren did McFadden begin to use the label "Stop and Frisk" to label Sheppard. Hypocritical.

[Photo Credit: Facebook Campaign against Alexander]

EXCLUSIVE: DeKalb's Alexander says Chicago job offer revoked

Top-cop finalist ‘well-liked’ but too confident for some

Warren’s handpicked Deputy Mayor and choice for police chief has a very questionable police record stands in stark contrast to Sheppard’s record. They are not the same.

 

Sheppard Progressive Credentials
James Sheppard has a history of progressive activism. Here are some examples:

1. Supported NYS GENDA. Was the first police chief in NYS to publicly stand up for this important legislation.

Proposed Anti-Bias Law Would Protect Transgender New Yorkers, Advocates Say

a) In contrast, Lovely Warren supported the Defense of Marriage Act

2. James Sheppard is one of the only Police Chiefs to support Raise the Age. This point in particular speaks directly against Barnabas' Jim Crow claims.

Advocates push to raise age of criminal responsibility to 18

3. Just yesterday, Rochester residents with the support of elected officials like James Sheppard and Molly Clifford received a grant to help fight those battling addiction. Taking proactive steps to help our community.

Rochester selected to participate in Facing Addiction project

Sheppard supported this important legislation at the Center for Youth Rally, joined by Elaine Spaull and Rosemary Rivera among other progressive advocates in Rochester.

Ken Warner
I like Ken, I view him as a close friend and very smart political strategist who has helped many progressive candidates win elections, including Rochester's first African American Mayor Bill Johnson. He has supported and run the campaigns of countless minority leaders in both the African American and Latino communities. To call Ken, who happens to be Japanese and Irish, the white establishment is ridiculous. In fact, he is so not the establishment, he has been an enrolled member of the Working Families Party since 2015 and recently started to work for the WFP. Seems to make the “Elite White Democratic Establishment” claim seem a little delusional.

Looking at Barnabas’s attack on Unions, we find that the trade unions did meet their diversity requirements set for the project, which is demonstrated in public records online for the Facilities Modernization Program (FMP) and the recent public hearing at City Hall called by Councilwoman Jackie Ortiz. Testimony can be found by Robert Brown of the Laborers who reported that it was the Mayor's meddling in the project that has led to the problems. Before you call him white, he is not. Let me highlight that Bob Brown is one of the longest serving African American Labor Leaders in the History of Rochester.

“Bob Brown, a member of the appointed board who voted to keep the PLA, said he had no clue to the other members' motives. "When they came into that room, they came to vote 'no.' There was no discussion," Brown said Monday.” (Democrat and Chronicle, August 8, 2016)

Leaders question school modernization maneuver

Fight over schools project highlights divide

School modernization project dispute leads to war of words

Furthermore, if you ask the president of the RTS Bus Drivers Union and the President of the Laborers, you will hear about how these two majority minority unions have been neglected by Mayor Warren. These are major reasons they are supporting James Sheppard.

Lastly, I would agree with Barnabas when he states..."We have seen this counter-revolution to the #Black Lives Matter movement gain footing nationally with calls by the new president for a return to “law and order"... This regression need not gain traction in Rochester."

He is right, but if his intentions are for a better Rochester and not personal grudges as a progressive community our targets should be Lovely Warren and the Republican establishment supporting her. Because when it comes to James Sheppard, he’s out there walking the talk as a sought-after voice for community engagement and social justice, as exhibited by his recent guest speaking role at the black lives matter program hosted by the religious community and local Rochester youth.

For me the answer is clear, I stand with James Sheppard.

Related: The Reinvention of Jim Sheppard and the Rise of the New Jim Crow | Exploring Mayor Lovely Warren’s Time in Office | Protesters Gather In Response to Trump Immigration Order (photos) | Thousands Gather Locally to Oppose Trump | An Evening of Empowerment with Angela Davis