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| Anti-Mayoral Control Protesters Arrive: Gantt Uses Vulgarity in Negotiations |
By: Christopher J. Wilmot
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Posted: Saturday, January 30, 2010 10:13 am
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Assemblyman Gantt and Mon. Co. Legislator Lee stare at the frostbitten protesters.
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Saturday, January 30, 2010 Rochester, NY - Long time Democratic activist and former school board candidate Mr. Glenny Williams showed up at David Gantt's district office on University Avenue, in a wheel chair. Williams claims that when he approached Gantt so he could inform the Assemblyman of his views and feelings about Mayor Duffy's attempt to take-over the Rochester City School District (RCSD), Gantt had this to say to Glenny Williams:
"Get the F**K out of here !"
And so it went.
On a day when most humans would rather stay at work, or at least inside somewhere warm in Greater Rochester, about two dozen protesters braved the polar air mass that has recently settled over the frozen-Flower City. Former RCSD candidate, and long time political and education reform activist Howard Eagle led the frigid yet vociferous protesters in chants, using a small bullhorn. Gary McLendon from the Democrat & Chronicle, and a camera man from WROC TV-8 were the only other media present.
I arrived at 3:58pm at 74 University Avenue, two minutes before the protest was scheduled to begin. Immediately, I saw David Gantt exit his car, and walk into the Ethiopian restaurant that is his district office's next door neighbor, to the east. I could not see any protesters in the small urban plaza that David and his paid staff call home. As I left my car, I saw a white man, looking slightly confused, and I asked him if he was here for the protest. The man (he wished to remain anonymous) answered in the affirmative, and due to the lack of protesters outside, as well as the Siberian wind chills, the two of us followed Gantt into the restaurant.
As you might imagine, if you are a regular reader of this publication, David Gantt is not fond of me, to put it mildly. Yet upon my entrance, he was neither hostile, nor welcoming. That was fine by me. Monroe County Legislator and Assistant Democratic Leader Calvin Lee was parked next to Gantt at the bar, and greeted me with a characteristically friendly hand shake. To know Calvin Lee is to like Calvin Lee.
I offered my hand to Gantt, with this caveat: "David, I'd like to shake your hand, yet I would understand if you would refuse."
"I'll shake your hand, Chris", Gantt uttered, less than happy with my presence in this establishment, yet not rude.
The unidentified man that joined me while entering the Ethiopian café, in similar fashion, shook the hands of both politicians. Not wanting to be discourteous to the proprietor, I ordered a Coca Cola, and sat down with David and Calvin. Calvin and I did most of the talking, with David and the other gentleman remaining quiet.
Soon after, about 10-15 minutes after the scheduled beginning of the protest, I saw several people leave their cars, and hoist homemade signs in the air. As I prepared to leave the well heated boite, I wished Gantt good luck.
"With what?", inquired David.
"With life and government", I quipped.
Back out in the Frozen Tundra
Outside, several additional protesters were just arriving, and joined the others, walking in an oval pattern, on the sidewalk, in front of Gantt's office. With the temperature hovering in the low double digits, protesters carried a myriad of messaged signs, all confirming their distaste for Mayor Duffy's heavy handed attempts at generating enabling legislation in Albany.
I 'crossed the line', not only the picket line, but the journalistic line, with some trepidation. I felt compelled to join the protesters, and with some hesitancy, did. I immediately struck up a conversation with the unidentified white man. He appeared pale (maybe we all did) due to the temperature, yet he also grimaced, but for another reason.
"I told David in the restaurant how I felt about Duffy's proposal, and he told me I have the wrong skin color", the white gentleman said to me, depressed and bewildered.
And the fact is, the white gentleman is a real gentleman. I informed the man that David said the exact same thing to me, years ago, when Gantt castigated me for my participation and support of the G.R.A.C.E. lawsuit, Paynter v. State of New York.
The protest began to wind down after an hour or so, just before my toes froze. Gantt and Calvin Lee, from time to time, would leave the café, and stand near their autos, occasionally engaging verbally with protesters. But only occasionally.
Final Act
Mayor Duffy and the emasculated City Council announced that next week's scheduled public forums regarding City Hall's proposed RCSD take-over, have been summarily, canceled. The excuse? Duffy and City Hall spokesman Gary Walker claim Governor Paterson needs additional time to draft the enabling legislation, that would dissolve the duly elected RCSD Board of Commissioners, and turn the reigns over to Hiz Dis-Honor. Stay tuned.
Christopher J. Wilmot,
Pittsford, NY
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Member Opinions:
By: CityResident on 1/31/10
I, like many others, have followed the rancor regarding mayoral control of the RCSD with great interest. Mayor Duffy has never asked his constitutes for their opinion regarding the impending take over. Members of City Council have publically declared that there needs to be a full airing of the issues before people can make a decision, implying that those voicing opposition are speaking either speaking out of ignorance or from the camp of a “special interest” group. They point to their history of responsible spending, planning and superior administrative abilities (as compared to the School Board). Low graduation rates are, according to some in City Council, all the proof they need to know that the RCSD needs mayoral control. What measure should be used to determine the effectiveness of City government? Should it be joblessness, white flight, the vibrancy of downtown, the proliferation of street corner drug dealers, vacant housing units, or the lack of public order at dismissal time around many city high schools? If there was a number ascribed to any of these issues would the members of the school board point to these in the way the mayor points to the graduation rate? As for speaking out against mayoral control it, I am not part of any special interest group, nor am I ignorant. I am a parent of a city school district student and I know the RCSD needs substantial improvements. I also know that the mayor, his staff, and the whole of City Council has failed this community on so many fronts that the thought of giving them the opportunity to fail on yet another is frightening. If this issue had been given its proper due Bob Duffy would have raised the issue in early 2009. Then there would have been an opportunity for a debate with meaning – in the form of another mayoral candidate. Had Bob Duffy chosen that path he would have demonstrated some measure of respect for the members of this community. He would have allowed a debate and we the voters would have had a choice. Now we don’t and because we don’t there really will be no debate, just rancor. Annmarie Van Son Rochester, New York
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