News Blog

UPDATE, Monday, May 13, 1:20 p.m.: Hearing from a couple of sources that the race for City Council endorsements will be less exciting than we thought. Two Democratic insiders say all five City Council incumbents have locked up the endorsement of the party by winning a majority of the citywide weighted vote.

ORIGINAL BLOG:

The Monroe County Democratic Committee meets this Thursday to formally select a slate of candidates for this year’s elections. The biggest race — mayor — is a foregone conclusion. The MCDC announced recently that incumbent Tom Richards had already locked up the endorsement. Richards had been challenged by City Council President Lovely Warren, who is expected to stay in the race. Warren would have to petition to force a September primary.

The City Council and Rochester school board endorsements may include a few surprises. A couple of newcomers have been doing well in the district committees. All five at-large seats are up on City Council, and all five incumbents are running again. They are: Dana Miller, Loretta Scott, Matt Haag, Jackie Ortiz, and Carolee Conklin.

Incumbent school board members Jose Cruz, Cynthia Elliott, and Van White are also running again.

The convention is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, at the Hyatt downtown. Christine Carrie Fien

Rochester Bike Week started late last week, but many planned rides and events are still ahead. The Lilac Ride, for example, happens from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today (Monday); the Bike Week website suggests
calling Full Moon Vista bike shop at (585) 546-4030 for more information. And the first Rochester Bicycle Film Festival is on Tuesday.

For a listing of Bike Week rides and events, go to: http://rochesterbikeweek.blogspot.com/.

The Monroe County Legislature meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. There isn’t any attention-grabbing
legislation on the agenda, but the recent issues at Monroe Community Hospital could come up.

Last week, County Executive Maggie Brooks fired the hospital’s director, Todd Spring. A state report said Spring had mistreated a resident. The report also pointed out that a hospital oversight board has been dormant for several years.

Legislature Democrats have asked Lej President Jeff Adair for a briefing on hospital issues. The request is pending. Jeremy Moule