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Where They Stand: 2023 Candidates for Monroe County General Election

Reconnect Rochester surveyed general election candidates for Monroe County Legislature and Executive to learn where they stand on issues related to transportation and mobility.

Questions were designed to give the candidates the opportunity to share their opinions, ideas and vision for a well-connected and accessible community.  We hope this information will help you make an informed decision when you head to the polls on November 7th or Early Voting starting on October 28th (more info on early voting here).  We contacted every candidate in writing and conducted several follow-ups in an attempt to obtain responses from every candidate on the ballot.

Click on the candidate names below to read their full, unedited responses. Candidates are listed in order of the district they are running for.

Some candidates previously answered in our Primary Election Questionnaire, so their answered are repeated here.

**This list includes only candidate who are running contested races for Monroe County Legislature and Executive on the General Election ballot. To check if you are registered to vote, confirm your polling location, and even see a preview of what your ballot will look like, click here.**

Candidates for Monroe County Executive:

Adam Bello

Candidate Email: info@belloformonroe.com

Website: https://belloformonroe.com/

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

Transportation is a challenge to health/safety, access/equity and sustainability that influences both personal and community wide opportunity.

Providing an equitable transportation system for all users is particularly crucial to help facilitate increased economic and social opportunities for populations and geographic areas that lack mobility options. Regardless of physical ability or mode of transportation everyone should also be able to travel safely and securely. The county’s pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks connect many communities and provide access to places our residents need to go. However, many residents are not located near these networks or are unable to use them. People walking and biking in Monroe County, regardless of age, ability, income, or race/ethnicity, should be able to travel safely and comfortably in and between communities. Ensuring that low income, elderly, disabled, and young people have access is vital to increasing quality of life and offering a brighter economic future for all the County’s residents.

Transportation decisions that support environmental and sustainability goals are critical as the transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Additionally, there is substantial cost associated with building, operating, maintaining, and repairing transportation assets including roads, bridges, culverts, sidewalks, and support facilities. It is important to convene the transportation community to identify federal and state resources to maintain current transportation infrastructure as well as investments in transportation expansion and enhancements.

I am proud that Monroe County is leading the effort to address these transportation challenges. Monroe County just completed the Countywide Active Transportation Plan (CATP), its vision is that people using all modes of transportation and regardless of age, ability, income, or race/ethnicity, will be able to travel safely between transit and active transportation reducing congestion and road maintenance needs. The CATP also emphasizes the importance of active transportation in addressing the climate crisis. Additionally, Monroe County is in the process of developing a climate action plan that is aimed at addressing sustainability, climate crisis issues county wide, and reducing GHG emissions.

2. What role can the Monroe County Executive play in addressing our transportation challenges?

The County Executive is able to lead and convene stakeholders who can help identify community priorities, and work together to develop and implement a plan to address them. When I took office, I made a commitment to develop a Countywide Active Transportation Plan (CATP). Developed over 18 months, the CATP, is the result of a collaborative partnership with Monroe County and the Genesee Transportation Council to engage local, regional, and state agencies, alongside community stakeholders, transportation experts, and the county’s residents. This comprehensive approach serves not only as a roadmap for decision-makers, stakeholders, and community members, ensuring alignment and cohesiveness, but also strengthens the County’s ability to procure funding for transformative projects and initiatives enhancing our transportation infrastructure.

The CATP outlines recommendations and strategies to make walking and cycling safer, more convenient, and more appealing for residents of all ages and abilities. The CATP process combines in-depth data collection with inclusive public engagement to promote health, equity, and community resilience in Monroe County. To begin addressing disparities through the CATP, Monroe County intentionally engaged with stakeholders and identified potential policy and program actions to increase access to transportation networks, and developed a framework for prioritizing investments equitably. Plan recommendations will help shape future transportation improvement projects that enhance safety, connectivity and transit access.

I am proud to report that the completion of the CATP marks a significant step toward a vision for enhancing active transportation infrastructure across the county, building a safer environment for active transportation, reducing congestion, and contributing to a more sustainable future for Monroe County.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

When I took office, I made a commitment to address climate change both at the county operations level as well as community wide. Our Climate Action Plan (CAP) fulfills a promise I made to combat the impacts of climate change on our region. The CAP, is a comprehensive, strategic effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and related environmental impacts of climate change. The CAP Phase I, developed during my first term and adopted by the County Legislature, established an aggressive goal of 80% reduction in GHG by 2050 for County operations. The sectors within the County operations targeted for GHG reductions include Buildings and Facilities, Transportation Fleets, Expressway Lighting and Signals, Pure Waters, Infrastructure and Solid Waste Facilities. Several priorities established in Phase I are already underway including the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at nine county-owned locations for county and public use. Each location is open to the public and will help support the use of clean vehicle technology across the county. The project is funded with grants from New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation. Each location has multiple charging stations and allows up to four vehicles to charge at a time. By investing in this type of infrastructure, we’re also fulfilling some of the commitments we made as part of the County’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project will help expand the clean energy infrastructure that is available for public use in Monroe County. The use of electric vehicles locally contributes to improved air quality. Electric vehicles help achieve the County’s climate initiatives, and encouraging the use of electric vehicles helps pave the way for other forms of clean transportation.

The CAP Phase II, which is currently under development, will establish GHG emission reduction goals for the entire community, including residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal activities. I expect the CAP Phase II will include a more expeditious move towards electrifying buildings and vehicles, establishing opportunities for community wide scraps and organics recycling, exploring affordable green community power, and building more efficient buildings.

I believe that the County must lead by example, but needs community support and engagement to achieve meaningful and lasting GHG emission reductions. The Climate Action Plan is a framework for prioritizing future policies and projects to reduce GHG emissions. An audit of the plan will occur in 2025 and further reviews will occur every five years to measure the county’s progression towards its goals. The results of the audits will be public and will drive decision-making. We have already made great progress in reducing our carbon footprint and becoming more sustainable, but there is still much more work to be done. I remain committed to this important effort so together we can create a healthier, more resilient and equitable community for generations to come.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

I am committed to a complete streets vision and am already working with local municipalities and NYS to successfully implement that vision.

As I have already referenced, the development and completion of the CATP is the result of a successful collaborative partnership. Developed over 18 months, the CATP, is the result of a collaborative partnership with Monroe County and the Genesee Transportation Council to engage local, regional, and state agencies, alongside community stakeholders, transportation experts, and the county’s residents. The CATP incorporates the vision of complete streets to enable safe access and mobility for all users. Additionally as we move forward to successfully implement this CATP, it is critical that there is continued coordination between county, town and state agencies. Monroe County is committed to this coordination to identify priority projects in support of active transportation infrastructure and plan implementation.

My administration wants to be helping assist with active transportation within our towns, I recently announced a new program that aims to encourage towns to add more sidewalks. This program aligns with our Complete Streets Policy and with our vision of a county that prioritizes the needs of its residents. The program offers towns up to 50% of the cost of sidewalk installations to make these crucial infrastructure improvements more affordable and attainable for our towns. Sidewalks play a pivotal role in creating safe and accessible pedestrian networks to help people of all backgrounds, including those with mobility challenges, to safely travel in Monroe County. The Town of Perinton is the first town to participate in this newly launched sidewalk initiative. I look forward to partnering with additional towns so that there will be sidewalks across our community.

In April, I was proud to announce with Town Supervisor Bill Moehle and County Legislators Susan Hughes-Smith, Linda Hasman, Howard Maffucci and Albert Blankley that bike lanes would be installed along Elmwood Avenue from South Goodman Street to Twelve Corners. The new lanes were a part of a Monroe County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) rehabilitation project to enhance connectivity throughout Brighton, and make it safer for kids, parents and anyone who bikes or walk along Elmwood Avenue. Monroe County worked closely with Supervisor Bill Moehle and his Public Works Department to successfully plan and implement this project that will seek to attract residents, spark economies, ensure transportation equity, promote public health, and address climate change.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

Before I took office, I was constantly asked “what does County government even do?” Since I have been in office, I am asked, “How can County Government help with this problem?” The difference between now and then is that people now know that County government can and will help. For our community who is concerned about safer streets, better mobility and better transit, the County has spent the past 18 months developing a CATP for safer streets, better mobility and connections to public transit. I made a commitment to convene our community and develop and complete a plan and it is here. I would like to work for you over the next four years to begin to implement it.

Mark Assini

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Candidates for Monroe County Legislature:

Legislature District 3:

Marvin L Stepherson

Candidate Email: Friendsofstepherson@gmail.com

Website: marvinstepherson.com

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

I would believe it is the lack of options: Job searching ability, commuting to a job, affordability, bus pass, car ownership, etc.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

We must engage the ones most directly impacted by it and take the suggestions to the planning stages to draft the goals in a tangible vision. and then get all stakeholders at the table to commit to the task of addressing the issues

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

We have to look at creating communities that are proactive in placing resources within the community to help minimize transportation challenges and reduce the practices that play a part in negatively impacting the environment.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

The County can invite the local and State representatives to a meeting to discuss the designing of greener spaces that connect towns and Urban Communities. The more stakeholders involved the better planning and the higher quality of input.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

My resume illustrates the work, and volunteer efforts I have demonstrated through the years, and it is that record I plan to build upon with my continued public service to this County.

Tracy DiFlorio

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

 

Legislature District 5:

Terry Daniele

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Richard Milne

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 8:

Michael DiTullio

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Mark Johns

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 9:

Mel Callan

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Paul Dondorfer

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 10:

Howard Maffucci

Candidate Email: howardmaffucci@gmail.com

Website: howardmaffucci.com

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

The demographics and climate of our region create some challenges. Our region’s population lives in a wide area with a spread out population outside the city. That requires people to drive for work, family, and leisure activities. Our most significant challenge is having a region-wide active transportation plan embracing Complete Streets to make roads more pedestrian and bike-friendly in places that make sense. We must recognize there are times of the year when it is difficult for people to bike and walk. Our regional public transit system needs improvement.

As someone who bikes regularly, we must find ways to slow traffic down in places with dense populations. We must also ensure pedestrians can cross streets safely. I strongly support the active transportation development process.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

The county must continue to update its Active Transportation Plan and work collaboratively with other governments. As stated above, ensuring road updates in our area address the needs of pedestrians and bikers must be considered in road project planning. The county should also seek and support state and federal grants to assist in implementing Active Transportation Plans.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

We should continue to promote the evolution of EV driving. Our family is currently all EV. We own two electric vehicles. We have ‘experimented’ with long trips and have found high-speed charging to continue to improve. Opening the Tesla networks to all other EVs will be a huge benefit.

We should also promote the conversion to heat pumps and solar technology for homes and businesses.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

Please see my answer to question 1 and 2.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

I’ve embraced EV driving and continue to engage with people who doubt the benefits of driving electric. I share my experiences regularly on social media, having been involved since 2013 in the evolution of the emerging electric vehicle technology, as my first three vehicles were hybrids.

Locally, I have assisted in implementing cross-walk improvements in my community and will continue to promote Complete Streets as part of community Active Transportation Plans.

I admit I am not an expert in transportation improvements. I will always listen and work with experts who can assist our region in embracing data-driven solutions to improve traveling as pedestrians, bikers, drivers, and public transportation riders travel in our area.

Nancy Lewis

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 13:

Michael Yudelson

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Ethan Greene

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

 

 

 

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

Legislature District 14:

Sue Hughes Smith

Candidate Email: Sue@SueHughesSmith.com

Website: SusanHughesSmith.com

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

The current system is designed around individual, private cars and contributes to the interrelated problem of sprawl and exacerbates inequality. We need to redesign our transportation system to be more equitable, to create access to economic opportunity, and to provide individuals with the freedom to move safely by other modes including public transit, walking and biking.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

Monroe County has taken a good first step in developing an Active Transportation Plan that focuses on developing a more equitable system. The next task is to begin to implement the plan. The County Executive must direct DOT to review every road project and incorporate the appropriate design features like sidewalks and bike lanes. The County Executive must require DOT to change its complete streets policy from preferring shoulders to preferring bike lanes. The County Legislature can continue to advocate for those needed changes both publicly at committee and full legislature meetings, and privately with staff, and administration. The County Legislature can and should take the step to require a portion of the budget for Monroe County DOT be directed to implementation of the Active Transportation Plan.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

There are three pieces to solving this situation: (1) Provide fast, reliable, frequent public transit – focus on a few major roads and incentivize future building redevelopment to locate and occur along those lines; (2) Expand bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to create a safe and more equitable alternative; (3) Facilitate and build more EV charging stations to encourage the electrification of vehicles

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

Monroe County roads pass through many of our towns and villages providing us with the opportunity to partner with other communities in redesigning our infrastructure. The Legislature approved a 50% matching cost-share program to construct sidewalks along County roads. The County will pay 50% and the Town/Village would pay the other 50%. This is a significant change as previously all sidewalk costs were left to the Town/Village. I hope that communities take advantage of this pilot program and that the Legislature moves to make it a permanent offering.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

My top concerns include addressing community needs that will improve public health, and the environment in ways that create a more resilient, equitable and prosperous county. One of the best ways to accomplish those goals is to create safer streets with more mobility options. I’m already working on this vision and will continue to advocate for the changes we need.

Pat Reilly

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 16:

Dave Long

Candidate Email: LegislatorLong@gmail.com

Website: www.davelongformonroe.com

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

I think the County learned a great deal from the creation of the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) and I was very glad to support that effort during my term in office. Challenges with equity, climate change, and funding are the greatest. Perhaps another more overarching challenge is how to leverage the various work-products and studies that have focused on transportation improvements in a way that moves forward in unison.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

Local jurisdictions are responsible for building and maintaining active transportation infrastructure so the County plays a limited role in the facility selection and design of individual routes (ex. the City of Rochester has its own ATP). Through legislation and funding, I see the County Legislature as playing a pivotal role as a body to help see through the idea of an “active transportation network” that serves as a resource for communities all over Monroe County. Also, the Legislature can help to make sure projects in areas like our Department of Transportation and those contained in our 5-year Capital Improvement Program are adhering to ATP recommendations.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

I’ve been proud to be a part of adopting the first Climate Action Plan (CAP) which seeks to reduce the County’s greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 2019 levels by 2050. I am supportive of seeing this work through in my role on the Legislature. Also, I am supportive of CAP phase 2 which is focused on the emissions produced community-wide (outside of the direct control of the County government). I think these initiatives are ongoing/living efforts which will require continued collaboration of our elected officials in order to be successful.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

Similar to my response to question two (above), I see the County as best-suited to be a connector and convener of communities to help connect in our area. Also, the County can work to create policy and enact legislation that brings entities together and incentivizes collaborative solutions to improving transportation for all.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

I’m a husband and father of three who wants Monroe County to be the best place to live, learn, work and, play. I truly believe making our community more easily accessed is better for everyone and for future generations. I want these things for my family and neighbors because I care about our environment and taking actions to address climate change by making it easier to get around via means other than a car. Most of all, the planning done with the Active Transportation Plan and the Climate Action Plan require dedicated law makers to help see them through – I want to be part of the that team.

Joe Carbone

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 18:

Lystra McCoy

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Sean Delehanty

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 20:

Jaime Erskine-Pettit

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Robert Colby

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 21:

Oscar Brewer Jr.

Candidate Email: thepeoplesslate@gmail.com

Website: https://www.peoplesslateroc.com/

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

People need to be able to get where they’re going cheaply. Sometimes that’s not possible or efficient for people who don’t have a car.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

The county should be investing in public transportation opportunities to help low-income folks in our community. No one should be too poor to get where they need to go. I know first-hand the challenges of transportation in a county that’s built for people driving cars. In the County Legislature, I will be a voice for people who need transportation support.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

Public transportation is a must. We need cheap, efficient public transportation options available to reduce reliance on cars. Also, making streets safer for people walking would encourage more people to walk to where they need to go.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

We need to put people at the center of what we’re doing at all levels of government. Too often, politicians make decisions to benefit developers and big money interests. If we listen to our neighbors in the community, we’ll be able to prioritize what people need. That includes making sure sidewalks are safe for pedestrians and bike lanes are available for cyclists.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

I know first-hand what it’s like not to have a car. I strongly believe in public transportation, which lets people live their lives without having to own a vehicle. I’m a man of the people fighting for the people. And that’s exactly what I’ll do in the County Legislature.

Santos Cruz

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Legislature District 27:

Rose Bonnick

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

 

David Ferris

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

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Where They Stand: 2023 Candidates for Rochester City Council and Monroe County Legislature Primary Election

Reconnect Rochester surveyed all primary candidates for Rochester City Council and Monroe County Legislature to learn where they stand on issues related to transportation and mobility.

Questions were designed to give the candidates the opportunity to share their opinions, ideas and vision for a well-connected and accessible community.  We hope this information will help you make an informed decision when you head to the polls on June 27th.  We did our best to make contact with all of the candidates.

Click on the candidate names below to read their full, unedited responses. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

**This list includes all candidates for City of Rochester City Council and Monroe County Legislature on the June 27th Primary Election ballot. To check if you are registered to vote, confirm your polling location, and even see a preview of what your ballot will look like, click here.**

Candidates for City Council:

Paul Conrow

Candidate Email: Not available

Website: https://www.conrowforrochester.com/

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

LaShay Harris

Candidate Email: LaShay4citycouncil@gmail.com

Website: https://www.lashayharris.com/

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Frank Keophetlasy

Candidate Email: Contact@frankkeophetlasy.com

Website: Frankkeophetlasy.com

 

1. What are Rochester’s greatest transportation challenges?

Through my work as a County Legislator on the RASE Commission, one of the greatest transportation issues was accessibility to cheap or free public transportation to some of the most important locations of major employers. The accessibility of transportation is a major barrier to sustainability of jobs and workforce development.

2. What role do you see the City Council playing in addressing those transportation challenges?

I will fight for adequate resources and funding for public transportation and listen and fight for constituents when those problems arise. We also have a role in advocating and fighting for safe complete streets when any major road work is done in the City of Rochester.

3. The transportation sector is responsible for a large portion of emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Rochester.

Reducing emissions is essential for long term sustainability in a community. More active transportation via biking and walking with streets that welcome biking and walking would help. Advocacy for carpooling and public transit is essential as well.

4. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities are on the rise, and reckless driving is eroding safety and quality of life for everyone. Solutions include street design, driver education and increased enforcement. What solutions would you support to make Rochester safer for people walking and biking?

Supporting complete streets going forward is essential. As we invest on our infrastructure its important to move forward with this in mind to ensure equitability for all in street design. Working with a former State Assembly Transportation Chairman I now realize the importance of transportation issues and the role government has in making sure we are considering all sides.

5. 24% of Rochester households do not have access to a personal vehicle and must rely on public transportation to get to work. What land use and economic development policies would you pursue to encourage job creation and development to remain in the city core, and better connect people in the city to employment opportunities?

Again, through my work on the RASE commission it was evident that this is an issue. We need to incentivize public transit and future potential employers to work hand in hand with one another so we can maximize the workforce that we have in Rochester while eliminating these barriers together.

6. Rochester currently ranks at the “Bronze” level award (the average level) as a bike-friendly community, according to the League of American Bicyclists Bike-Friendly Communities criteria. One of the key steps to receiving “Silver” status is a dedicated budget for implementing our Bike Master Plan. Would you support a line item in the budget devoted to bike infrastructure?

I would support a bike master plan depending on the cost and outcomes because I believe a bike friendly community can benefit Rochester in the long term.

7. Why should Rochesterians who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

I am an active and accessible leader that will listen and respond to my constituents and that includes Rocheterians that care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit. Some of the most successful metropolitan cities have great infrastructure for public safety and Rochester should as well.

Mary Lupien

Candidate Email: thepeoplesslate@gmail.com

Website: https://www.marylupien.com/

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Bridget Monroe

Candidate Email: Bridgetmonroe2023@gmail.com

Website: https://bridgetmonroe.com/

 

1. What are Rochester’s greatest transportation challenges?

The greatest challenges include the lack of enough bus routes and regular, 15 minute service, along with needing more bike trails & complete streets. The current dangerous driving also presents major challenges for all travelers.

2. What role do you see the City Council playing in addressing those transportation challenges?

I will continue to support complete streets and the addition of bike and walk trails throughout the community. Although we don’t have control over RTA, I will certainly advocate for increased bus coverage throughout the area. The problem of dangerous driving will need to be handled under police and needs to be prioritized to keep pedestrian, bikers and other car drivers safe.

3. The transportation sector is responsible for a large portion of emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Rochester.

A continued switch to EVs for the city’s fleet will help the environment and save money. With our GPS technologies, we should also pinpoint/maintain sanitation route efficiencies, thereby lessening emissions.

4. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities are on the rise, and reckless driving is eroding safety and quality of life for everyone. Solutions include street design, driver education and increased enforcement. What solutions would you support to make Rochester safer for people walking and biking?

I would start with increased enforcement. People must be stopped and ticketed for violating traffic law. Then I will look to street design, possibly introducing new speed humps along residential streets, and learn about new ideas that are being used elsewhere.

5. 24% of Rochester households do not have access to a personal vehicle and must rely on public transportation to get to work. What land use and economic development policies would you pursue to encourage job creation and development to remain in the city core, and better connect people in the city to employment opportunities?

Helping new and expanding businesses locate to Rochester is critical to keeping downtown active. I think that using design as the standard for land use in our commercial areas allows for more creative business models to settle in the city. Promoting the restoration of Tent City for housing and using that as a jumping off point for renewed investment on Lyell Ave. can help grow local jobs. Supporting Eastman Business Park and the Port of Rochester & Charlotte Vision Plan will all encourage job creation that is more easily accessible on foot, bicycle, or bus for city residents.

6. Rochester currently ranks at the “Bronze” level award (the average level) as a bike-friendly community, according to the League of American Bicyclists Bike-Friendly Communities criteria. One of the key steps to receiving “Silver” status is a dedicated budget for implementing our Bike Master Plan. Would you support a line item in the budget devoted to bike infrastructure?

I see value in moving up to silver status, however, this would be something in the capital improvement plan and not the budget. With the CIP, the city forecasts five years worth of investment and this is where I would think implementation of the bike master plan would reside. I cannot, in good faith, promise support for the project without the context of the entire budget, current economics impacting the city, and more detail from the NBD.

7. Why should Rochesterians who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

They should vote for me because I am dedicated to safe streets, know we need better and more accessible bus service, support rental scooters and bikes, and want fully connected trails in and around the city.

Michael Patterson

Candidate Email: Not available

Website: Not available

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Barbara Rivera

Candidate Email: thepeoplesslate@gmail.com

Website: https://www.peoplesslateroc.com/

 

What are Rochester’s greatest transportation challenges?

People need an affordable way to get to work, go to the store, and visit loved ones. Balancing the needs of people driving, walking, and taking the bus is one of the biggest challenges in this area.

2. What role do you see the City Council playing in addressing those transportation challenges?

We need to make sure people are able to catch a bus, since not everyone has a car. Making sure any new construction is pedestrian-friendly would also help people out.

3. The transportation sector is responsible for a large portion of emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Rochester.

Promoting public transportation can go a long way in reducing emissions. Plenty of people will still drive a car, but if we can make it easier to choose public transportation that would help the climate.

4. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities are on the rise, and reckless driving is eroding safety and quality of life for everyone. Solutions include street design, driver education and increased enforcement. What solutions would you support to make Rochester safer for people walking and biking?

Making street designs safer makes a lot of sense to me. I think it’s important to listen to people who are hurt by the way things are now, so I would want to hear what walkers and bikers think about current street designs.

5. 24% of Rochester households do not have access to a personal vehicle and must rely on public transportation to get to work. What land use and economic development policies would you pursue to encourage job creation and development to remain in the city core, and better connect people in the city to employment opportunities?

I think the key is creating jobs that pay people well, are close to where they live, and aren’t going to leave the city if the company gets a better offer somewhere else. Sometimes the rush to bring in out-of-town businesses seems good on paper but doesn’t hold up in real life.

6. Rochester currently ranks at the “Bronze” level award (the average level) as a bike-friendly community, according to the League of American Bicyclists Bike-Friendly Communities criteria. One of the key steps to receiving “Silver” status is a dedicated budget for implementing our Bike Master Plan. Would you support a line item in the budget devoted to bike infrastructure?

Yes, making biking safer and expanding opportunities for people to bike makes sense to me. This is especially important for our youth and young adults who would benefit from biking as a form of transportation, exercise, and recreation.

7. Why should Rochesterians who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

My experience doing tenant organizing has taught me that the power of the people is unmatched. When we come together, we can do so much to improve our community. That’s the mentality I’m running my campaign with, and it’s what I’ll bring to City Council to advocate on your behalf.

Chiara "KeeKee" Smith

Candidate Email: thepeoplesslate@gmail.com

Website: https://www.peoplesslateroc.com/

 

1. What are Rochester’s greatest transportation challenges?

We need cheap public transportation that gets us where we need to go. Right now, that is not the case for everyone in Rochester.

2. What role do you see the City Council playing in addressing those transportation challenges?

I believe City Council should be a strong advocate for affordable public transportation. I believe in listening to people impacted by a problem and figuring out a solution together. That’s the sort of co-governance that I will support on City Council.

3. The transportation sector is responsible for a large portion of emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Rochester.

We know public transportation is more efficient than everyone driving their own car. That’s why I support robust investments in RTS to make sure everyone can take a cheap, smooth bus ride. Investing in electric buses could also cut greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities are on the rise, and reckless driving is eroding safety and quality of life for everyone. Solutions include street design, driver education and increased enforcement. What solutions would you support to make Rochester safer for people walking and biking?

Safe street design is definitely part of the equation. I also know from talking to members of the community that we need to create spaces for dirt bike riders to practice their sport without putting pedestrians and other cyclists at risk.

5. 24% of Rochester households do not have access to a personal vehicle and must rely on public transportation to get to work. What land use and economic development policies would you pursue to encourage job creation and development to remain in the city core, and better connect people in the city to employment opportunities?

I believe we should stop giving handouts to huge corporations and real estate developers who don’t have a stake in supporting our community. Working with locally-owned small businesses to ensure people have jobs is a better way to go. It’s all about creating an environment where sustainable jobs are close enough to the people in this community.

6. Rochester currently ranks at the “Bronze” level award (the average level) as a bike-friendly community, according to the League of American Bicyclists Bike-Friendly Communities criteria. One of the key steps to receiving “Silver” status is a dedicated budget for implementing our Bike Master Plan. Would you support a line item in the budget devoted to bike infrastructure?

Yes. And I would want to talk to the people I represent to make sure bike funding is done in an equitable way. For too long, transportation funding (including for bikes) has left Black people and poor people behind. I want to make sure that doesn’t keep happening and rectify the current inequities.

7. Why should Rochesterians who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

I like to tell folks when I’m at their door, if you want different, you have to vote different. I’m running because I believe the community is ready for change. I believe I can bring that change, whether it’s advocating for gun violence prevention, food security, or improved public transportation.

Candidates for Monroe County Legislature Primaries:

Carolyn Hoffman

Candidate Email: carolyndhoffman@carolynforthecounty.com

Website: carolynforthecounty.com

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

The lack of public transportation perpetuates segregation, prevents access to jobs and is a drawback to those who would consider making a home here. The lack of bikable and walkable streets is a safety and quality of life issue, pushing a reliance on cars and further disadvantaging those who cannot afford a car. We are truly behind as a modern community and it touches every aspect of our lives.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

We can advocate for County funding for better public transportation and push the Department of Transportation to change their complete streets policy to prefer bike lanes over paved shoulders.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

We need to plan and help fund the construction of more electric vehicle charging, especially at high density areas like apartments and where we want to attract shoppers to local businesses. We should also be incentivizing the switch to electric vehicles for individuals who are not ready to stop using cars. The County can lead by shifting its own fleets to electric. Finally, we can encourage healthier alternatives like walking and biking by creating safer communities and roads.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

We can work to educate local municipalities while advocating at the state level so that when the opportunities for Complete Streets appear, all stakeholders are ready and able to move forward. I hope the Active Transportation Plan will be adopted this summer and will provide the framework for prioritizing road redesign.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

Because I agree it is important and I will support efforts to improve our systems to better address the community needs for more equitable transit.

Santos Cruz

Candidate Email: Not available

Website: https://www.votesantoscruz.com/

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

William Burgess

Candidate Email: Legislatorburgess@gmail.com

Website: VOTEWILLIAMBURGESS.COM

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

Unsafe pedestrian and bike lanes. Public transportation not going to jobs that are in the suburbs along with not being “carpool’/”ride share” friendly.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

The County can pass referrals to provide more money for safer bike lanes, pedestrian sidewalks and other forms of public transportation. Something else that would help would be to have more paved bike lanes instead of paved shoulders.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

I would like to see the County encourage and support the use of public transportation, like carpooling, biking and walking. Education and awareness: Increase public awareness about the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and the importance of individual actions. Promote sustainable lifestyles and encourage behavioral changes. This education should be introduced in elementary school. If children are taught to respect the earth at an early age, they will have a more sense of responsibility later in life.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

The County should establish clear lines of communication between themselves, municipalities and outreach groups. The County can develop complete streets policies that provide a framework for complete streets. These policies should outline the vision, goals, and design principles of complete streets. It takes a collaboration and teamwork to reach the goal of complete streets.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

I’ll be the first to admit that I am no expert when it pertains to complete streets, but I have been researching and learning. I don’t claim to be the foremost expert, but as a servant leader I’ll surround myself with those that are knowledgeable. As a County Legislator I have learned to seek out those that have the information and know how in certain areas to help me become more efficient in this role.

Oscar Brewer

Candidate Email: thepeoplesslate@gmail.com

Website: https://www.peoplesslateroc.com/

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

People need to be able to get where they’re going cheaply. Sometimes that’s not possible or efficient for people who don’t have a car.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

The county should be investing in public transportation opportunities to help low-income folks in our community. No one should be too poor to get where they need to go. I know first-hand the challenges of transportation in a county that’s built for people driving cars. In the County Legislature, I will be a voice for people who need transportation support.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

Public transportation is a must. We need cheap, efficient public transportation options available to reduce reliance on cars. Also, making streets safer for people walking would encourage more people to walk to where they need to go.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

We need to put people at the center of what we’re doing at all levels of government. Too often, politicians make decisions to benefit developers and big money interests. If we listen to our neighbors in the community, we’ll be able to prioritize what people need. That includes making sure sidewalks are safe for pedestrians and bike lanes are available for cyclists.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

I know first-hand what it’s like not to have a car. I strongly believe in public transportation, which lets people live their lives without having to own a vehicle. I’m a man of the people fighting for the people. And that’s exactly what I’ll do in the County Legislature.

 

 

 

Rose Bonnick

Candidate Email: Not available

Website: https://www.voterosebonnick.com/

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Rachel Barnhart

Candidate Email: rachel@rachbarnhart.com

Website: rachbarnhart.com

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

Monroe County is built for cars, not people. Jobs, retail and health care have been migrating over time farther away from where people live, making these things inaccessible by public transit. This exacerbates inequality. We also don’t consistently support infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, or road design that lends itself to lower speeds. People are at higher risk of injury and death as a result of these policy decisions.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

I am working with colleagues on a “complete streets” policy that we can pass into law. As a legislator and member of the Monroe County Planning Board, it is my job to scrutinize infrastructure projects. I ask tough questions about the design of roads so they can be a place where everyone can safely and efficiently get around. In addition, I wrote and introduced the bill that overwhelmingly passed the Legislature to mandate that cars, when passing bicyclists, give them three feet of space. I also have written memorializing resolutions to state lawmakers supporting policies at the state level to provide more funding and enact laws to make our roads safe for everyone.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

We must make Monroe County a place where people are not car-dependent. This means investing in public transit, housing near population centers and transit, and sidewalks and protected bike lanes. By building a place where everyone can get around safely and efficiently we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

I am working with colleagues on a “complete streets” policy that we can codify into law. Monroe County is also incentivizing municipalities to install sidewalks. We should advocate for better policies and funding to support roads that are built for all, and a transit system that is robust.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

I have been a longtime advocate for pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders. I have shown real results on the County Legislature with the passage of a law protecting cyclists and the imminent introduction of a “complete streets” policy. I use my considerable platform and leadership role to rally for policies that help all road users.

Nadja Justice

Candidate Email: Not available

Website: Not available

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Sabrina LaMar

Candidate Email: LegislatorLaMar@gmail.com

Website: Not available

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Candice Lucas

Candidate Email: Not available

Website: https://www.voteforcandicelucas.com/about

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Virginia McIntyre

Candidate Email: virginia4district4@gmail.com

Website: Not available

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Jessie Parson

Candidate Email: Not available

Website: Not available

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Rita Pettinaro

Candidate Email: Rita.Pettinaro@gmail.com

Website: Not available

 

We did not receive a response from this candidate.

Allan Richards

Candidate Email: Richardsforlegislature@gmail.com

Website: richardsforlegislature.com

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

The biggest challenge for any transportation is moving people for point A to point B, safely and efficiently. To overcome this challenge we must have creativity in our local transportation community leadership. The solutions may include additional public transportation, expansion of bike lane and sidewalks and changing with way our cities are constructed. I am willing to be part of that converstaion and part of the solution, but we need strong leadership from transportation experts that are willing to work on the solution.

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

The county legislature is the body that can set policies that will allow for the solutions that are agreed upon by the community to be written either as statue or as goals that will allow our community to acheive a safe, sustainable model of transportation and community development. Additionally, the county can bring resources to any solutions and offer support to ensure success.

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

An investment into complete streets is a good start to reducing the need for transportation that contrubites to our poor health and poor air quality that negatively impacts our community. We also need to invest and expand those area that we know will make a positive impact on the greenhouse issue. These resources can include the expansion of bike lanes. narrowing of streets, and expansion of sidewalks, bike storage areas that promote bke usage. We als need to educate and expand the use of public transportation and remove the stigma of riding the bus or using a bike as the main mode of transportation.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

Every dollar invested in the county and localities, must include a design element that includes all the provisions of the complete street concept. We must focus and give priority to the projects that have the safety of our citizens in mind.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

Through my experience in the NYS Assembly allows me to work with many of the highway department from across the county. I understand their need to ensure roads are safe, but I also understand that with proper education they can work to ensure our streets are well maintained and safe. I have also served on the City and Irondequoit Planning Boards and understand the need to adopt our zoning codes to reflect anrea that are able to reduce the amount of pavement need to move people and things. We need to look at zooning the reflects our goal of reducing the amount of carbon and travel time. I am committed to working with transportation specialist to ensure that our communities are move forward in a cleaner brighter future for our children and our families.

Mercedes Vazquez Simmons

Candidate Email: mercedesforld22@gmail.com

Website: https://www.mercedesforld22.com/

 

1. What are Monroe County’s greatest transportation challenges?

Safe walking and biking routes for commuters

2. What role can the Monroe County Legislature play in addressing our transportation challenges?

Increase funding and allocate engineering resources to adapt current aging infrastructure to accommodate alternate transportation choices including walking, biking, bus, train

3. The transportation sector in the Genesee Finger Lakes region is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to poor air quality, poor health outcomes, and overall climate change. Please share your ideas for reducing emissions as it relates to transportation in Monroe County.

Working towards goals in alternative energy transportation options in vehicles and public transportation. Governments should lead the way in providing the example.

4. The concept of “Complete Streets” focuses on designing our roads to be safe for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. How can Monroe County work with local municipalities and New York State toward that vision?

The first would be the creation of such a concept that currently does not exist in Monroe County.

5. Why should Monroe County residents who care about safer streets, better mobility, and better public transit vote for you?

We must all care. The impact of climate globally is a real challenge, and we must all do our part to insure we take the initiative to works towards repairing and hopefully reversing it’s negative impact on the quality of our lives and the planet.

Reconnect Rochester would like to thank all of the candidates (and their teams) for the time and effort they’ve dedicated to our community, and for taking the time to answer our questions. We look forward to working with them very soon.