The Rochester school board will hold a special session Tuesday night, September 11, to discuss the latest version of the district’s teacher evaluation plan. The plan was recently submitted to the State Education Department for approval. All teachers and principals must be evaluated using the new plan this school year.
The evaluation plan has been controversial because for the first time, teachers’ ratings are linked to their students’ test scores. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the district’s central office, 131 West Broad Street. — Tim Louis Macaluso
The North Winton Village neighborhood group will meet on Wednesday, September 12, to discuss concerns about East High School. Residents say they are concerned about students who cut classes and hang out in the neighborhood. The district’s chief of staff, Patricia Malgieri, will meet with residents at the association’s office, 1933 East Main Street, at 5 p.m. The meeting is open to residents from nearby neighborhoods. — Tim Louis Macaluso
City Council members will get another crack at the proposed deal to sell the Sibley building to a Winn Development entity when Council committees meet on Thursday, September 13. During an initial meeting last week, some Council members said the terms of the agreement are overly complicated and give the mayor too much leeway to alter the deal later.
The company would buy the building for $5 million and would also apply for a tax-abatement agreement through COMIDA. The Sibley building is currently owned by Rochwil Associates, which owes the city more than $20 million. But the city has been unable to collect and is reluctant to foreclose and take ownership of the massive building. Some Council members say they’re worried that the Winn deal could put the city in a situation similar to the one with Rochwil. Council committee meetings are held at 4:30 p.m. in City Council chambers, City Hall, 30 Church Street. — Christine Carrie Fien
On Thursday, Democratic voters in the 137th Assembly District will have a chance to choose their party’s candidate for the November general election.
The primary election is a three-way contest between incumbent Assembly member David Gantt, Rochester school board member Jose Cruz, and County Legislator John Lightfoot. The winner will face Green Party candidate Drew Langdon in November.
Gantt’s opponents say the district needs better representation in Albany. And Gantt’s supporters have highlighted his record, including the state funding he’s secured for numerous projects and programs. A selection of City’s stories about the race is available here.
The district (map here) covers the northeast part of the city, the west side of the city, and the town of Gates.
Republicans in the suburban and rural 133rd Assembly District (map here) can also vote in a primary. Attorney and talk radio host Bill Nojay and former Avon Mayor Richard Burke are seeking the party’s nomination. The winner will face Democrat Randy Weaver, a Hornell resident and Steuben County Legislator. — Jeremy Moule
This article appears in Sep 5-11, 2012.
It seems like yesterday when I watched then Senator Barack Obama as he asked America to vote for hope and change. While I agreed with the views and agendas of both then Senator Obama and then Senator Hillary Clinton, President Obama had a plus factor that resonated with me—he was African American. So like affirmative action, his being African American impacted my choice, but my choice was not solely made on his race. In contrast, if I had sided more with then Senator Clinton, she would have received my vote. Then there were some folks who voted for President Obama because he is African American. And there were some folks who voted for then Senator Clinton because she was a Senior Senator and former First Lady. I find their primary reasoning and calculus—race and experience— behind their votes just as valid as mine in our democratic society.
On Thursday some Rochester voters will have a choice to select the democratic candidate for assemblyman of the 137th district, a position that has been held by incumbent Assemblyman David Gantt—an African American—for the past 30 years. Just as in the democratic primaries and general election in 2008, there are some voters who will vote for David Gantt because he is African American or because of his lengthy experience in Albany. Again, I find their reasoning valid. However, I do find Rochester’s suffering economy, crime rate, public school performances, and underfunding in Albany concerning. I find David Gantt’s silence considering these issues just as concerning.
When I first moved to Rochester I meet David Gantt and I quickly sided with him politically because he was African American and had served Rochester for almost 36 years at that time. However, as I learned more about Rochester’s more recent political climate, my support for his current political agenda—or lack of an agenda— changed. Subsequently, I was ostracized some African Americans in the community; but I was ok with it – it’s my vote.
I am challenging voters of Rochester a vote for a better Rochester on September 13th. Which democratic candidate do you think will improve Rochester? Is it Jose Cruź? Is it David Gantt? Is it John Lightfoot? I support Jose Cruź and believe he deserves a chance to serve the Rochester community as assemblyman. David Gantt’s agenda has become less clear; for me Black [African American] has become gray.