Oh, dear.Â
All Mayor Lovely Warren had to do when asked if her driver had been stopped for speeding was say, “Yes. Actually, we were stopped twice.” And then explain how her driver, in his previous job, had been used to exceeding the speed limit, that it was a mistake and it won’t happen again. Why weren’t they ticketed? Well, you’ll have to ask the state police about that.Â
If the Warren team had done that, the story probably would’ve ended there.Â
Instead, they parsed — “Yes, we were going fast, but not that fast” — and then chummed the waters by only acknowledging a single stop in what at least seems to be a sin of omission. When the media got wind of a possible second stop, Warren clammed up, saying that she had “moved on.” Well, I’m sorry, but she doesn’t get to decide that. The public decides for itself when it’s ready to move on.Â
This whole thing has been handled poorly. Many politicians have drowned in a slow drip of bad news. What Warren has done is dragged out and increased the damage, ticked off the media, and raised questions about her truthfulness and her campaign promises of transparency.Â
Hopefully, the Warren team has learned an important lesson.Â
For the record, the person behind the wheel during the speeding stops was Reggie Hill, Warren’s uncle and her head of security. Hill apologized for the transgressions in a letter to Deputy Mayor Leonard Redon released yesterday. The letter follows.Â
HILL’S LETTER:Â
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
EEO/ADA Employer
To: Leonard Redon, Deputy Mayor
From: Reggie Hill, Director of Executive Services
Date: January 16, 2014
Per our meeting, I would like to say first and foremost, that I want to apologize to the citizens
of Rochester, the New York State Police, Rochester City Council, the staff of City Hall and all
concerned parties regarding my lack of judgment. I have been a New York State police
officer for more than 30 years, and a member of the security detail for three previous
Governors of New York — and as such became accustomed to certain practices. Since
retiring from the New York State Police and accepting a temporary appointment as Director
of Executive Services for Mayor Lovely Warren, I have learned a great deal and am clear that
many previous practices that I carried over from my State Police days do not apply.
On my way to the State of the State address last week, the vehicle I was driving was pulled
over by a state trooper. As a member of the Governor’s security detail, it had been our
practice to travel at a rate above the prevailing speed of other travels for security reasons.
When I identified myself as driving a security detail, the trooper responded as I expected he
would, based on my past experience. On the return trip, the vehicle was stopped for a
second time. Again, I explained that I was driving a security detail – but this time the trooper
verbally reprimanded me and told me to abide by the speed limit, and I complied. When
asked, in response to an inquiry by the Albany Times-Union if I had been stopped on the
NYS Thruway, I responded simply and truthfully: yes.
I take full responsibility for this occurrence and regret any embarrassment that it has caused
to Mayor Warren. For weeks I have carefully monitored threats coming from many directions
as have been reported in recent days. As also discussed, in light of new issues being raised
on social media, I confirm that I purchased a child safety seat for the vehicle with my
personal funds (receipt available) since Mayor Warren’s daughter, Taylor, accompanies her
to community and other events from time to time – most recently to the YWCA for Governor
Cuomo’s holiday visit.
As a member of Mayor Warren’s security detail, I am very clear that I must abide by all the
rules and regulations as everyone else does. Per our meeting, I acknowledge a disciplinary
action of a week’s suspension without pay (January 19-January 24) and a $50 fine payable to
the City’s general fund for turning right on red without coming to a complete stop. Again, I
apologize for my actions and the subsequent disruption to City Hall business.
This article appears in Jan 15-21, 2014.
One, the lesson that the mayor hopefully has learned should have been something she already knew. She shouldn’t have to learn on the job that lying is wrong.
Two, Reggie Hill has repeatedly stated that he was following standard procedure for security details. Does that mean our thruway and other roads are a raceway for every elected politician in NY being escorted by a security detail? Is this standard practice? If so, it shouldn’t be. If I can’t speed, neither should anyone else not acting in an emergency situation.
What a load of BS. Hopefully he won’t be driving like that w/ Mayor “Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time” Warren’s kids in the car. It must be nice to get preferential treatment from the (so-called) “law” though… us peasants would at the very least be slapped with multiple fines, points, and a $300 “driver responsibility assessment”. Two Rochesters indeed! Oh, he had to pay $50 for a rolling right-on-red and gets a week off of “work” while collecting a pension??? That oughtta learn ’em! Well done Rochester voters… I’m sure this administration will do wonders for the city!
After years of highly competent, ethical leadership in Rochester city government, we have dropped off a cliff. Chauffeur ‘s , bodyguards, nepotism, law breaking, lying, political elitism and ill conceived, stupid ideas like a downtown water park. Really? It is tragic for a community that fought so hard to attain the urban renaissance that had just begun. Confidence is a fragile thing. This group better shape up and get serious soon or every single Rochestarian will lose. Forget “two cities,” one city is going down the tubes fast!
It is not my experience for political swings, like the one in the mayor’s office to come out of nowhere, the “renaissance” left behind thousands of children and increasing isolation of our regions poor, Often including skin color as a determining factor of where people live. Today the southern United States is better integrated by economics and race than the north. This disparity created the opportunity and pendulum swing for our new mayor.
The first 2 weeks of the new City Mayor’s actions raise a myriad of questions. An additional concern is the local news coverage neglect in asking the obvious follow up questions to the recent string of events.
When initially revealed that the new Mayor had hired 2 bodyguards, The Communications Director’s response was that the Security Chief would accompany former Mayor Richards when he traveled.
Is the Security Chief position still in existence and is it still filled? If so, why can’t the same service be provided? Why is there a need to spend $140,000 additional dollars for not 1, but 2 bodyguards? And just who is paying for the new Suburbans, and how much?
As the body guard news gained traction, it was reported that there had been threats to the new Mayor, but she had not reported them to the police. Aside from a lack of good judgment, this is an immediate vote of no confidence for the RPD from the new head of City services. If these are credible threats, they need to be investigated. Are 2 bodyguards the appropriate remedy? Are they enough? Are they too much?
The revelation of the speeding incident on the thruway adds more to the stew. The new Mayor’s 1st response was that they may have been going close to 80. The next day, it was in the 70’s. The NYS trooper reported in excess of 90 mph. If the bodyguard is charged with the safety and security of the new Mayor it is not apparent that this action displays regard for that duty or the safety of other drivers. When hurtling down the thruway at an excessive rate of speed propelling past every other vehicle, it has to be apparent that you are speeding. As the one who should be the role model for a law abiding citizen, not requiring that the driver slow down is her responsibility. When apprehended, only a warning was issued. The average bear would have immediately had their license yanked. Yes, they did get special treatment. As a leader, responses reminiscent of a teenager caught texting while driving are disheartening. Admit it, take responsibility, and make sure it never happens again.
The continuing deflections suggest a lack of understanding of the leadership role of the Mayor. The fact that a body guard is the Mayor’s uncle does raise nepotism questions. Indicating that the nepotism policy did not apply because the body guards work for the Deputy Mayor begs the question and is an insult to the intelligence of the citizens. As the Mayor, you are the person most responsible for upholding the policies of the City and the Deputy Mayor works for you.
In addition to the question of nepotism, is the double dipping concern. The hired uncle is receiving a pension from New York State and a double digit salary for his new bodyguard position. This is a practice that City Council, of which the Mayor is the recent past President, expressed significant concern and did not want to proliferate. So one of the 1st acts of the Mayor is to do that which was not condoned.
The ethics committee will look into the manner in which the bodyguards were hired and it may or may not pass muster according to Civil Service rules for the hiring of a temporary position, but the 1st issue of hiring multiple bodyguards needs to be scrutinized.
We all want the new Mayor to be successful; The City has such an impact on the entire region. The new Mayor does not bring any substantial administrative or managerial experience to a job shepherding a large and complex organization. If she surrounds herself with a capable leadership team and relies on their assistance, this administration can be a success if all her leadership qualities can be employed. Unfortunately, the demonstration of a comprehension of the leadership role in accepting responsibility, modeling the position as the City’s number 1 law abiding citizen, understanding and upholding policies and exercising good, mature judgment is demonstrably lacking in the first 2 weeks of this administration. The citizens deserve answers to some obvious questions. Please start asking.
I think with everything that has and has not been said by Lovely and her uncle said about the speeding incidents, one fact remains. After being stopped for speeding once, Lovely and her driver did it again….why???
It’s a normal human reaction to minimize. Yes it would have been simpler and better for Warren to have been forthcoming up front. If she had known the details would emerge, likely she would have done so. Obviously she thought the details would not come out. It was a gamble and a mistake on her part.
There was some deceptiveness. Mostly it was carefully-worded answers to poorly-formed questions. Warren is a lawyer. There were a couple of particularly questionable statements. But the Hill memo, while not accountability for Warren personally, will have to suffice. Yes it is Warren’s prerogative to stop addressing the issue. She took questions on day 1. For the media to besiege city hall with rolling cameras on a daily basis because they didn’t like the responses that they got, hadn’t thought to ask the right questions, it’s too much. It’s not the Iran hostage crisis.
The media may feel that Warren’s first two weeks went badly. She has for the most part defended her choices. Agree to disagree. Wait for the ethics investigation. The media’s thought that it can keep this in the news perpetually until Warren gives you the answer you want, it’s unrealistic. Even now she would still be best served by giving an apology, otherwise there will be a bad taste, but it’s fully her choice.
“Yes it would have been simpler and better for Warren to have been forthcoming up front. If she had known the details would emerge, likely she would have done so. “
Basically that’s saying that it’s OK to lie if you think the truth won’t eventually come out. Nice philosophy. Not really of course, especially for someone who should be at least somewhat of a role model for people in Rochester.
“Basically that’s saying that it’s OK to lie if you think the truth won’t eventually come out.”
I’m not defending the behavior. I said it was a mistake and that Warren would, even from her current dug-in posture, still do best to come clean. I’m giving my opinion as to why it likely happened. I’m also pointing out that because Warren used careful wording, declined to answer questions rather than lying, and because she wasn’t in the drivers seat to necessarily know exact speeds, she has enough wiggle room to ride it out. In fact she already has. There will be basically no more articles on the topic. There’s nothing new to report.
Response to Kenneth Warner’s Blog about Mayor Warren Jan.16th, 2014 D&C Newspaper
Yes Kenneth.. it is time to stop challenging Mayor Warren’s integrity, morals and her judgment. It is time to support her next four years as Mayor of our ” Two Cities of Rochester. ” And, I can help her and our “Two Cities” by suggesting the following actions be implemented:
1. Call the NYS Police Department and have a speeding ticket issued to her driver ( Uncle Reggie ).
2. Keep the current security detail in place and temporary for now… then make the positions open to all qualified candidates through Civil Service that want to apply to the City of Rochester Human Resources Dept. for the positions as of February 1st, 2014. The hiring decision is made by the Deputy Mayor if indeed the detail reports to the Deputy Mayor… as reported by our local media and the Democrat and Chronicle.
3. Mayor Warren should consider demoting Spencer Ash to his original position in City Govt’, where ever that may have been, since he allegedly lied to her in the initial interview for New Development Director. My own opinion is that he should be replaced. Employers can and do terminate or demote newly hired employees , if after hiring a person, determine that the person lied in the initial interview.
4. Lovely can do what ever she feels is necessary as our newly elected mayor but I hope she is fair and balanced in her decisions on these issues being discussed. I am going to support her efforts in the future.
Craig Moffitt
“Warren used careful wording, declined to answer questions rather than lying” Well, she really didn’t avoid lying. She was asked if they were speeding on the way to Albany, and her response was “No. No, I don’t think so.”