Harry Davis: Never Say Die... Democratic Candidate Harry Davis: The Political Train Who Said He Could

Harry Davis is quite a person, whether or not you in any way agree with his views or his political style. He has overcome great odds and personal set-backs from http://www.smugtownbeacon.com/news.php?viewStory=291 <!--break--> <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/2_hdpicture005.jpg"><br>&lt;strong&gt;Democratic Candidate Harry Davis: The Political Train Who Said He Could&lt;strong&gt; Harry Davis is quite a person, whether or not you in any way agree with his views or his political style. He has overcome great odds and personal set-backs to arrive at age 58, with such an optimistic view on public service, and what Rochester could be. Davis, a Rochester native and a Brighton High School graduate (1969), was born at Genesee Hospital. Davis moved around quite a bit as a youngster, and young adult (Buffalo; Aspen, CO; Canada; and Pittsburgh, to name but a few). Harry received a B.A. in English from SUNY Buffalo, yet his immediate, 20-something interests did not stop there. In no particular order, Mr. Davis claims to have completed, or at least attempted the following: * Former advanced skier. * Was a medalist in the NY State 880 meter relay. * A 'roadie' for the defunct but locally famous musical band &quot;Bahama Mama&quot;. * Owned an antique store on Park Avenue. * Worked for KSPN radio and TV in Aspen, CO; engineering and some disc jockey responsibilities. * Ran a small newspaper in Rochester called &quot;The Journal&quot; (a &quot;counter culture&quot; publication). * Assisted an Aspen City Commissioner in 1982. * Worked for Greenpeace as a video producer in 1988 (spent a lot of time in Canada and the Great Lakes region with Greenpeace). * After all his travels and attempts (and successes?!) at 'progressive' politics, returned to Rochester to visit a family member in 2001. While home, contracted Bacterial Meningitis, which caused Harry &quot;profound health effects&quot;. * The result of this invasive infection was the loss of use of large portions of his feet. Remember, Davis had been an accomplished skier and track star. As stated earlier, this is Harry Davis' third run for public office. In 2003, Harry pursued Rochester City Council as a 'write-in' candidate (not successful). In 2005, Davis ran again for council, campaigning with Chris Maj (pronounced &quot;may&quot;), who supported the legalization (or at least the de-criminalization) of marijuana. During that ill-fated 2005 campaign, Davis also became friendly with politicos Chris Edes &amp;amp; Max Kessler. Since this author did attend one of the City Democratic designation meetings, I did get to witness Davis in action. He was articulate, intelligent, if a bit intense. However, I believe one factor that really hurt Davis during the 2009 Democratic designation process was his emphasis on virtually one issue, and one issue alone: Davis' vehement opposition to RenSquare. It's not that a majority of city dwellers or suburbanites are necessarily enthusiastically on-board with RenSquares construction, it's simply that Davis' insistence that it was by some measures the only issue, I think, may have turned off some potential Davis' supporters. Perhaps. I must say, when I interviewed Harry Davis at my Sibley Tower office, I was impressed by his at once down-to-earth nature, yet his passionate opposition to everything RenSquare. Davis, at least one-on-one, comes off as a truly nice guy, who really cares about Rochester. When I asked him why he was so steadfastly opposed to RenSquare, he answered quickly, and cogently. &quot;Chris, I first opposed RenSquare about the time it was first introduced in 2003, for these reasons: I think it represents urban sprawl, it is inconsistent with 'Smart Growth', and a bus garage is stupid and absolutely not what should be done in that space (N. Clinton at Main and Mortimer).&quot; Davis went onto state: &quot;RenSquare is of course a union bonanza, but the bus shelter will end up being a homeless shelter.&quot; Harry Davis feels that, like Louise Slaughter, we should build an intermodal facility near Central Avenue, where the current Amtrak Station stands. Davis calls the possibility of high-speed rail coming to Rochester &quot;the biggest transportation opportunity since the construction of the Erie Canal&quot;. Finally, if Harry Davis wants to appear on September's Democratic primary ballot, he must receive the petition signatures of at least 5% of all City registered Democrats, or pray for a heavy write-in vote. He should pursue the former. Although Davis faces a challenging field of candidates this year for a seat on the City Council, win or lose, I hardly think we've heard the last of Davis. Harry Davis will never go gently into that good night. Christopher J. Wilmot served as a Legislator in the Monroe County Legislature from 1996-2005. He is currently a film producer, and is the owner of several other small businesses. http://www.smugtownbeacon.com/news.php?viewStory=291

<p>Harry Davis is quite a person, whether or not you in any way agree with his views or his political style. He has overcome great odds and personal set-backs</p> <p>from<br /> <a href="http://www.smugtownbeacon.com/news.php?viewStory=291">http://www.smugtownbeacon.com/news.php?viewStory=291</a></p> <!--break--><p><img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/2_hdpicture005.jpg" /><br />&lt;strong&gt;Democratic Candidate Harry Davis: The Political Train Who Said He Could&lt;strong&gt;</p> <p>Harry Davis is quite a person, whether or not you in any way agree with his views or his political style. He has overcome great odds and personal set-backs to arrive at age 58, with such an optimistic view on public service, and what Rochester could be.</p> <p>Davis, a Rochester native and a Brighton High School graduate (1969), was born at Genesee Hospital. Davis moved around quite a bit as a youngster, and young adult (Buffalo; Aspen, CO; Canada; and Pittsburgh, to name but a few). Harry received a B.A. in English from SUNY Buffalo, yet his immediate, 20-something interests did not stop there. In no particular order, Mr. Davis claims to have completed, or at least attempted the following:</p> <p>* Former advanced skier.</p> <p>* Was a medalist in the NY State 880 meter relay.</p> <p>* A 'roadie' for the defunct but locally famous musical band "Bahama Mama".</p> <p>* Owned an antique store on Park Avenue.</p> <p>* Worked for KSPN radio and TV in Aspen, CO; engineering and some disc jockey responsibilities.</p> <p>* Ran a small newspaper in Rochester called "The Journal" (a "counter culture" publication).</p> <p>* Assisted an Aspen City Commissioner in 1982.</p> <p>* Worked for Greenpeace as a video producer in 1988 (spent a lot of time in Canada and the Great Lakes region with Greenpeace).</p> <p>* After all his travels and attempts (and successes?!) at 'progressive' politics, returned to Rochester to visit a family member in 2001. While home, contracted Bacterial Meningitis, which caused Harry "profound health effects".</p> <p>* The result of this invasive infection was the loss of use of large portions of his feet. Remember, Davis had been an accomplished skier and track star.</p> <p>As stated earlier, this is Harry Davis' third run for public office. In 2003, Harry pursued Rochester City Council as a 'write-in' candidate (not successful). In 2005, Davis ran again for council, campaigning with Chris Maj (pronounced "may"), who supported the legalization (or at least the de-criminalization) of marijuana. During that ill-fated 2005 campaign, Davis also became friendly with politicos Chris Edes &amp;amp; Max Kessler.</p> <p>Since this author did attend one of the City Democratic designation meetings, I did get to witness Davis in action. He was articulate, intelligent, if a bit intense. However, I believe one factor that really hurt Davis during the 2009 Democratic designation process was his emphasis on virtually one issue, and one issue alone: Davis' vehement opposition to RenSquare.</p> <p>It's not that a majority of city dwellers or suburbanites are necessarily enthusiastically on-board with RenSquares construction, it's simply that Davis' insistence that it was by some measures the only issue, I think, may have turned off some potential Davis' supporters. Perhaps.</p> <p>I must say, when I interviewed Harry Davis at my Sibley Tower office, I was impressed by his at once down-to-earth nature, yet his passionate opposition to everything RenSquare. Davis, at least one-on-one, comes off as a truly nice guy, who really cares about Rochester.</p> <p>When I asked him why he was so steadfastly opposed to RenSquare, he answered quickly, and cogently.</p> <p>"Chris, I first opposed RenSquare about the time it was first introduced in 2003, for these reasons: I think it represents urban sprawl, it is inconsistent with 'Smart Growth', and a bus garage is stupid and absolutely not what should be done in that space (N. Clinton at Main and Mortimer)."</p> <p>Davis went onto state: "RenSquare is of course a union bonanza, but the bus shelter will end up being a homeless shelter."</p> <p>Harry Davis feels that, like Louise Slaughter, we should build an intermodal facility near Central Avenue, where the current Amtrak Station stands. Davis calls the possibility of high-speed rail coming to Rochester "the biggest transportation opportunity since the construction of the Erie Canal".</p> <p>Finally, if Harry Davis wants to appear on September's Democratic primary ballot, he must receive the petition signatures of at least 5% of all City registered Democrats, or pray for a heavy write-in vote. He should pursue the former.</p> <p>Although Davis faces a challenging field of candidates this year for a seat on the City Council, win or lose, I hardly think we've heard the last of Davis. Harry Davis will never go gently into that good night.</p> <p>Christopher J. Wilmot served as a Legislator in the Monroe County Legislature from 1996-2005. He is currently a film producer, and is the owner of several other small businesses.</p> <p><a href="http://www.smugtownbeacon.com/news.php?viewStory=291">http://www.smugtownbeacon.com/news.php?viewStory=291</a></p>