Community Leaders Want Politics Out of Public Defender Selection
Community leaders got together last Saturday to talk about how the local GOP is politicizing the Public Defender selection.
The Coalition For a Fair and Independent Monroe County Public Defenders Selection Process spoke out Saturday at an information session at the Aenon Baptist Church.
They said the county legislature and county executive are poised to choose a partisan selection committee. The coalition wants the Bar Association to make the next choice.
“You want a public defenders office that’s independent you want a public defender that will adequately defend the people that come before it. That’s why we want it to go back to the process that was used to choose Peter Yellen and Ed Nowak,†said Chair of the Rochester Black Bar Association Diversity Committee Lovely Warren.
This should be a no-brainer. But, even if Minarik’s annointed pick for the PD’s office gets selected, progress has been made– in the past, he would’ve gotten away with this, using last-minute, closed-door procedures and politicking, under the cover of night.
Thanks to the D&C Ed Board, groups like the coalition mentioned above, and of course the local progressive blogosphere (I add humbly), we’ve got a crowbar in that closed door, and we’re prying it open. At the very least, we’re forcing Minarik to really work for his $100,000/year salary as GOP party boss. I’ll bet he’s enjoying this, viewing everything as chess pieces instead of real people with real lives.
The RNews article mentions that the Coalition’s next venue would be last night’s County Leg meeting. More on that later!
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“The coalition wants the Bar Association to make the next choice.”
…The coalition is correct - the Bar Association should make the next choice. To allow this position of ALL positions to become a patronage hole for Broomarik will only produce severe damage.
The ability to be removed from the political system when representing those who cannot afford representation is critical. When the system that is there to protect becomes tilted and influenced, it can no longer produce the results it was incepted and upheld to do.
To think that political influence will dictate the representation and ultimately the outcome of another “RIGHT” in this country to representation when you cannot afford representation is reflective of the political sewage Minarik creates flowing into the areas where it has no right to trespass.
I’m beginning to honestly think that the real problem in almost evey county crisis situation right now is being predicated on the will of Mr. Minarik. Perhaps it’s time for people to question his positionn and authority - INCLUDING Ms. Brooks who should realize that HER reputation as well as her ability to LEAD is being manipulated and controlled by her “authority”.
When this puppy crashes and burns, it will not be pretty. Perhaps it’s time for her to “man up” and start taking control of her own reins.
And let it start here - in the Publlic Defender’s Office.
[...] social status, is a core progressive value. As you probably know, Monroe County is in the midst of selecting a new public defender. This community must ensure a qualified, competent defender is chosen. [...]