Monroe County Public Defender Coalition Meeting - News Roundup
We mentioned earlier that the Monroe County Public Defender Coalition would be holding a meeting last night about the PD selection process. It’s a crappy process, newly created by the county GOP, and changes a recipe that’s worked for the past two PD selections, and produced PD Ed Nowak, who served with distinction for 30 years.
There were a couple news agencies on hand for the meeting. First WHAM 13:
There’s no question that Monroe County needs a new public defender.
However, there is debate over who should choose that person.
Thursday night, the Monroe County Public Defender Coalition held a community meeting on the selection process.
The Coalition, including several religious leaders, was formed to seek a “fair and independent” selection process.
The D&C showed up as well:
Rallying cries could be heard Thursday night from inside Aenon Baptist Church on Genesee Street, where more than 100 community members advocated the nonpartisan selection of Monroe County’s next public defender.
“Elected officials have no moral right to ignore citizens,” said Minister Franklin Florence, pastor of the Central Church of Christ. “We have no royalty down here at the legislature. They are servant leaders.”
Shouts of approval erupted from the crowd.
The public defender selection committee designed by County Legislature President Wayne Zyra, R-Sweden, has come under fire in recent months for having the potential to be driven by politics. Critics say Zyra’s committee includes too many politicians and political appointees, while Zyra has maintained that the committee would honor a merit-selection process.
Hahahahaha!!!! Merit, as in “hmm, this guy donated a LOT to GOP candidates. But this guy would be more likely to hire GOP staffers into the PD’s office. They’re both so worthy!”
Let me ask a question– if Zyra’s so keen on having a “merit-based” process, why did he change a winning recipe, for no good reason? Has anyone heard of a good reason for changing the process?
In related news, even more people are pissed off about the GOP’s shenanigans. From WXXI:
An association representing women attorneys in Rochester is asking the Monroe County Legislature to overhaul the process of chosing a new Monroe County Public Defender.
The Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys says its members are concerned that qualified female candidates will be discouraged from applying.
The selection committee includes members of the legislature from both parties and the county attorney.
The Association for Women Attorneys says having elected officials on the panel gives the perception that the political process excludes women from the opportunity.
And not just women– I’ve spoken with a number of people who’ve said that folks were excited about putting their hat in the ring “if the fix wasn’t in”. When they were told the fix was, in fact, “in”, they withdrew.
The very fact that Zyra and the local GOP has changed the winning recipe is giving the impression that hanky-panky is afoot, and is scaring off highly qualified candidates. That alone is keeping this from being a “merit-based” process.
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