Police reform proponents say city officials don’t have to wait for a court decision to bring change to the Rochester Police Department. An accountability board is essential, they say, but additional reforms are also needed.
Mary Anna Towler
Mary Anna Towler is a transplant from the Southern Appalachians and is editor, co-publisher, and co-founder of City. She is happy to have converted a shy but opinionated childhood into an adult job. She credits a grandfather for instilling in her a love of politics. And she makes no apology for her liberal views.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Court clears the way for Police Accountability referendum
If a decision by a panel of state Appellate Division justices stands, the city will have its referendum on a proposed Police Accountability Board. On Thursday, justices overturned a ruling by state Supreme Court Justice John Ark that allowed the county Board of Elections to put the referendum on city voters’ ballots, but blocked elections […]
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Dade outlines initial actions on district deficit
Superintendent Terry Dade has already started taking steps to erase the Rochester City School District’s budget deficit and bring order to its financial management. He has accepted the resignation of the district’s chief financial officer, Everton Sewell, who headed the district’s financial staff as the district built up a $30 million deficit. Dade referenced Sewell’s […]
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State official wants investigation of the RCSD
New York’s state budget director today called for an investigation of the Rochester City School District related to its financial problems. Budget Director Robert Mujica sent a strongly worded letter to Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and interim state Education Commission Elizabeth Berlin in which he said that the education department, the mayor, and City Council […]
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[UPDATED] Behind the RCSD budget crisis: pressure and gimmicks
Auditors from the state Comptroller’s Office have begun scrutinizing the Rochester City School District’s 2018-19 budget to figure out how the district spent an estimated $30 million it didn’t have – an endeavor the state predicts could take six months to a year to conclude. Meanwhile, on Tuesday Superintendent Terry Dade is expected to update […]
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Rochester’s comprehensive plan heads to City Council
The City Planning Commission last night recommended approval of Rochester’s new comprehensive plan. City Council is expected to consider the plan at its November 12 meeting.
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RCSD faces $30 million budget gap
Rochester schools Superintendent Terry Dade says the district overspent its budget last year by about $30 million. But he and other district officials also say they don’t yet know how that happened and why they weren’t aware of the problem earlier. Related The district’s external auditor discovered the overspending in its year end review of the district’s […]
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Ruling halts Police Accountability Board referendum
[ UPDATED ] If a court ruling stands, Rochesterians won’t vote on a Police Accountability Board referendum in November. Supreme Court Justice John Ark handed down a decision yesterday that blocks the vote. Ark said a court will need a chance to more thoroughly review the legislation that creates the accountability board. City Council President […]
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Morelle: begin Trump impeachment proceedings
[ UPDATED ]National media are reporting that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to announce an impeachment inquiry later today. Rochester-area Representative Joe Morelle has joined the list of House Democrats calling an impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump. In a statement issued early this afternoon, Morelle referred to recent allegations that Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr […]
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City wants state to sever ties with Rochester school district
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren is asking state officials to “sever the connection” between city government and the Rochester school district. That would mean that the city would no longer raise taxes for the district.
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Police union sues to stop referendum
Plans for a Police Accountability Board could be in jeopardy because of a lawsuit filed last week by the Rochester police officers’ union. The Locust Club wants a judge to block a November referendum on the board’s creation. The union; its president, Mike Mazzeo; and its treasurer, Kevin Sizer; are suing the City of Rochester, […]
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