Threats on WDKX? WDKX responds
You have heard about the heavy police tactics used by the Monroe County GOP to stifle public access to a Monroe County Legislature meeting - a public meeting.
We asked, as have others, where these threats came from.
Well - read Andre Marcel’s guest essay at the D&C. It is chilling—chilling in its implications. I was struck by this passage below. See, he is the program director for WDKX-FM and he might actually be in a position to know what he is talking about.
O’Flynn, on another radio station, WHAM, said there was “chatter” on WDKX about potential violence, which was the catalyst for a show of police force at the Monroe County Office Building.
Got that? “Chatter on WDKX”. This from Monroe County’s Sheriff.
Marcel reviewed his show’s tapes - and couldn’t find anything. Got that: nothing, nada, zilch, zippo. (more from Marcel - my bold)
Quatro and O’Flynn’s subsequent comments connecting WDKX with “chatter” of violence came under media scrutiny, and they have since backpedaled, suggesting they can’t reveal their sources. But the damage is done. Not only are such remarks inaccurate, they are inflammatory. “Chatter” suggests subversion and terrorism.
Yep, couldn’t agree with you more.
How did this happen? Probably like this:
Minarik, O’Flynn, and Quatro met in a room and decided (well, Quatro inquisitively looked to Minarik) that the public was a barrier to implementing the GOP policies. O’Flynn was told by GOP leadership to stifle the public - which he did with an overwhelming force presence and by creating choke points to limiting access to the gallery.
What is the first casualty of war? The truth. In this case information needs to be brought to life so to justify the heavy-handed tactics. Now that this “information” is proving false, is anyone (meaning the likes of the Monroe County GOP) going to admit a mistake or that they made it up? Of course not. It would be a sign of weakness and we know they are all about status quo and stay the course.
Unfortunately for them -we know the truth and it is setting us free from their nonsense.
I am so sick and tired of the spinless, hollow, meritless comments and actions of this RACIST GOP Legislature and Administration. I have chronicled alot of these documents and videos as well as public comments and will continue to do so until this issue is brought forward for exactly what it was: Racism. Here are some of the documented statements, with the SPINELESS GOP responses documented as public record. Combine this with the Brooks/Minarik mailers of this past November election, and I think even the new GOP PUBLIC DEFENDER would rule the GOP GUILTY AS CHARGED:
“I put forth a motion not to go into executive session,” said Willie Joe Lightfoot, legislator for District 27. “And to adjourn this meeting, until we had an adequate space for the people.”
Losing that battle, the Democrats walked out the door, saying they wouldn’t take part in a process they felt violated the open meetings law.
Yet State Assemblyman David Gantt and other citizens stayed, arguing to be “in” on the selection process.
“We’re not leaving until this is a non-political, merit-based selection process,” Gantt said to the committee. “Never.”
Deputies were prepared to make mass arrests, but Gantt and two members of Rochester’s faith community - ministers Ray Scott and Franklin Florence - volunteered to go to jail peacefully.
“If you don’t take a stand, then you start to lose ground,” said protester Jerome Allen. “You lose weight, strength, you lose a lot of things when you don’t stand for something.”
“This is a politically motivated process and it’s a sham,” said Brighton Town Supervisor Sandra Frankel. “It’s not an open process. It doesn’t involve the community.”
Gantt, Florence and Scott were booked and released. They were issued a ticket to appear in City Court on February 26, for charges of disorderly conduct.
“This is nothing to be proud of,” said Minister Florence. “This is expressing what we call a quiet rage against this kind of injustice.”
The Public Safety Committee meeting continued in executive session after Gantt and the ministers were arrested. The Democrats did not return to vote.
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=fec998c4-89e5-499e-8134-c1ee66e523dc
Quatro said the process to select a public defender fell apart because of partisan politics.
“This is about control of this body and control fo the county executive’s office. It’s purely partisan politics…Every Candidate for the 56th District Senate seat was here grandstanding.”
Rick Dollinger, Sandra Frankel, and Willa Powell all spoke tonight.
“It did not serve the partisans in this community for the process to go smoothly. This partisan battle does not serve the people who are served by the public defender’s office,” Quatro said. “Why should we advertise statewide when we have the best dam public defender’s office? Why shouldn’t we hire locally? The process we used was exceptional.”
“It was a merit-based process,” Quatro said.
“I’ve known David Gantt for an awful long time. I consider him a friend of mine, but when he leaves these chambers and says to one of my legislators that he would miss a meeting in Albany to disrupt any of my meetings, that says something.”
“Legislator Haney, I apologize to you and I apologize to Sister LeValley. There’s no good reason she needed to be trated that way down there,” Quatro said, adding that the security wouldn’t have been necessary if there were not threats of violence.
I don’t know what happened to Sister Beth LeValley.
“I implore everyone in this community, everyone in this room to afford Mr. Donaher the same privilege that was afforded Mr. Nowak 30 years ago. Please give him the benefit of the doubt so he could do his job.”
The vote is taking place right now.
Tim Donaher was appointed 15 to 14.
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=36744ae9-5310-428d-bb71-5eaaafeffc64
8:12 pm
Majority Leader Dan Quatro is speaking right now.
“This is not a proud night for this community. That is for sure. I want to thank all of the people in law enforcement here tonight for their fine, professional job. All of you did the best job you could with those who were behaving in a civil disobedient way. Why was this necessary tonight? Why was it necessary for us to have a large police presence. On Saturday it was made clear that people weren’t coming down here to express their concern…there were people who came down here…with the express interest of being disruptive. People in the crowd specifically said they were not going to let the meeting take place.”
He said on Saturday Gantt promised there would be violence tonight.
7:34 pm
Democratic lawmakers are speaking now.
Willie Lightfoot called the tight security “racism.”
Legislator Paul Haney said, “I am ashamed. This is a travesty. I don’t know Mr. Donaher, but I couldn’t support him in 100 years. The way distinguished citizens of our community were treated tonight, I am ashamed. One day…we will all be held accountable.”
Steve Eckel, “I need to go home tonight and explain to my children why daddy is questioning his decision to serve the public.”
Republicans have not spoken yet.
6:59 pm
Deputies have let more people upstairs. The gallery is now half full.
Deputies just escorted Jon Greenbaum of Metro Justice out. As he left, he yelled, “I’m being arrested for taking a picture!”
The D&C is reporting that Gantt and Sister Grace were arrested, along with two others. Since I’m not allowed to leave right now, I can’t verify that.
6:45 pm
There are fewer than 10 people in the gallery.
Rev. Raymond Scott spoke and then everyone followed him out. Rev. Scott called the level of security at the meeting “racist.”
“They arrested a nun,” said Rev. Marlowe Washington, speaking of Sister Grace. “They manhandled her.”
“Anytime you get more than five black people together, they call out the militia,” said Rev. Scott.
A number of speakers signed up and are not present. I am wondering if they were not allowed upstairs or were turned off by the heavy security.
Sandy Frankel is speaking now. She glared at the deputy who escorted her to the podium. She is talking about democracy and said people who want to speak were locked out of the building.
‘I can’t tell you how angry I am, how disappointed I am you have done this to Monroe County…Shame on you,” Frankel said.
Now we wait for the vote.
6:31 pm
The public hearing portion of the meeting is taking place right now.
Robert Bonn, who served on the committee that selected retiring Public Defender Ed Nowak is giving an emotional speech. He said he had to be escorted to the bathroom by the deputies. He is being asked to wrap up his remarks. They just cut his mike and deputies are escorting him out. Bonn is finishing his speech as he’s being walked out.
6:15 pm
Protests erupted before the meeting even began. There was shouting. Rev. Marlowe Washington yelled at deputies. Gantt was escorted out by deputies. Sister Grace Miller appears to have been escorted out as well.
The melee lasted about five minutes.
I’m not sure if anyone was arrested.
5:31 pm
The maximum occupancy of the legislature chambers has been reduced to 75. It was 185 on Saturday.
My photographer and I attempted to take pictures of people being scanned, but deputies restricted our movement to inside the chambers and a few feet outside of the chamber door.
Assemblyman Gantt is here. He likened the security to “airport” screening and said the extra measures were aimed at minorities. When asked if he was planning to be arrested tonight, as he was on Saturday, he said, “I’m not sure what my plans are tonight.” Gantt pointed out that his protest on Saturday was non-violent.
Democratic lawmakers say this level of security was not their idea. A Republican staffer told me that in light of Satruday’s events, as well as the shooting during a Missouri council meeting, extra precautions were taken tonight.
3:00 pm
The Monroe County legislature votes on the appointment of Tim Donaher to the Public Defender position tonight.
On Saturday, State Assemblyman David Gantt and two others were arrested while protesting Donaher’s selection. Critics say the selection process was political and predetermined.
Gantt says he will be at tonight’s meeting and will again engage in an act of civil disobedience.
The Monroe County Sheriff Department is expected to provide extra security for the meeting.
“All due respect to my colleague, not one single person on that committee is an attorney,” said Democratic Minority Leader Harry Bronson. “Not one single person on that committee has any experience in the criminal justice system.”
T. Andrew Brown is with the Bar Association and says they have offered to help.
“The right to make the selection is always been with the County Legislature and we endorse that. We simply want to help in the process,” said Brown.
“The Bar Association may or may not be involved, they have to discuss that with President Zyra,” said Public Safety Committee Chair and Republican Legislator Mike Barker.
Zyra would not answer our questions Thursday night, so we could not ask him why the process changed. Barker says it is not up to him, so the focus is still on Zyra.
Minister Franklin Florence is the president of the Faith Community Alliance.
“We are looking for the President of the Legislature to respond to the request of a meeting to discuss this matter further so that we can get this matter back on track,” said Florence.
“We’re simply saying if someone goes to court, even if he’s guilty, should have decent, quality legal services,” said Assemblyman David Gantt.
The County Attorney would not comment and said the County Executive would not either because it is up to the Legislature. Because the meeting basically fell apart, no applicants were ever screened and no one would say how many or who the applicants are.
http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S318191.shtml
Three local leaders arrested during a protest at Saturday’s meeting to pick a new public defender say they will fight on. One of those carted off to jail was assemblyman David Gantt. The others were ministers Ray Scott and Franklin Florence.
Republicans wanted to close the interview session to the public. Gantt and ministers Florence and Scott were arrested for refusing to leave the legislative chambers. “Basically, it exposes the fact that the process was rigged,” said Minister Ray Scott, a member of the Public Defender’s Coalition. “And that they had already known who they wanted to appoint to that position.”
“That’s just not the case,” said Dan Quatro, (R) Legislature Majority Leader. “I listened to the interviews. I thought the candidates, each and every one of them, were excellent. They should all receive kudos from this community for enduring what they had to endure prior to their interview. And I think they picked an excellent candidate.”
The Monroe County Bar Association dropped out of the process because it said the selection was not based on merit like it was 35 years ago. Minister Scott was involved in that public defender selection. “In the process they avoided, there were 35 candidates that applied. In this one there were only three,” said Scott.
But the minister says it’s not over. “Hopefully somebody will get religion for lack of a better term, and do the right thing. Because they know what they’re doing is wrong,” according to Scott.
http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S343351.shtml
Assemblyman David Gantt and two local ministers were arrested Saturday morning after another dramatic meeting at the Monroe County Office Building.
The Legislature’s Public Safety Committee called the 8 a.m. meeting to interview candidates for Public Defender.
In the process, Gantt and Reverends Raymond Scott and Franklin Florence were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
News 10NBC was in the chambers for all the action.
“No, no, no, no!” yelled the crowd of about 70 in the Legislative Chambers.
“Until we get order in these chambers,” Public Safety Chair Michael Barker started to say.
“You won’t get order in these chambers until you do the right thing!” interrupted Rev. Scott.
The Public Safety Committee was scheduled to interview candidates to replace Edward Nowak who is retiring.
At the beginning of the session, Barker moved to go into a private, executive session.
“They want to go back and make a selection behind closed doors,” explained Rev. Florence.
Legislator Willie Lightfoot objected, “I would like to move that we do not go into executive session.”
Lightfoot asked to reconvene the meeting at another time to allow more room for the public.
Hundreds were already locked out of the chambers.
Other democrats tried to speak saying a closed meeting is a violation of the public’s trust and it possibly violates the Open Meetings Law.
“You may not speak at this committee,” responded Barker.
“Let the man speak!” yelled the crowd.
When things heated up, Monroe County Sheriffs deputies cleared the room.
“It’s obvious that it’s political cause they’re locking the people out of the process,” said Lightfoot.
“We’re not leaving,” yelled Scott.
The crowd started singing songs while they waited to see what happened next.
“We shall overcome,” sang the crowd.
They refused to leave and demanded to be part of the process of picking a Public Defender.
“What is being done here (is) the politicians now are selecting one of their cronies,” said Florence.
We asked Lightfoot why it’s so important to have the public involved in the process.
“Because the Public Defender represents the public, the people of Monroe County,” Lightfoot replied.
Meanwhile, the Republicans told deputies they wouldn’t come back until the crowd was cleared.
“We’re not leaving until this is a non-political, merit-based selection process” said Gantt. “Never!”
Deputies and Rochester Police tried to get Gantt and the crowd to leave.
“Listen,” Gantt said. “We’re not going peacefully. We’re going to have civil disobedience. So get that understood!”
Then the Democrats decided to leave.
Lightfoot stood up on a desk and said, “We’re going to leave and hopefully prayerfully.”
Eventually the crowd followed, but Gantt, Scott and Florence stayed behind.
“We’re not leaving,” said Florence. “We’re citizens. This is a public place!”
“Are you gentlemen refusing to leave the building?” asked Monroe County Sheriff Lt. Steve Capon. “We are,” said the men.
“Turn around please,” said Lt. Capon. “Place your hands behind your back.”
Crowds outside the Chambers clapped as Gantt, Scott and Florence were taken away in handcuffs.
All three men were charged and then released.
They’re scheduled to face the charges in court February 26th.
We did speak with Republican Majority Leader Dan Quatro.
The Public Safety Committee ended up going into executive session Saturday morning.
They chose to unanimously recommend Tim Donaher as the new Public Defender.
The County Legislature is expected to vote on the recommendation Tuesday.
http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S341800.shtml
Monroe County has a new public defender, but the political fued over the way he was selected continues. The Republican majority approved Tim Donaher to succeed retiring Ed Nowak, but it did not come without fight from Democrats and more protests from members of the community.
Seconds after the County Legislature meeting started it stopped because of people disrupting the meeting in protest. Two people were arrested both were charged with disorderly conduct.
Shortly after, Assemblyman David Gantt, who was arrested over the weekend while protesting the same issue, was asked to leave chambers.
Thirty years ago, members of the bar association, supervising judges and community members screened Public Defender applicants. This time, the legislature’s public safety committee did that. This led to accusations that Timothy Donaher’s appointment was political, an accusation that was heard again during the meeting.
“Why shouldn’t we think some thing’s wrong when there’s only three candidates for the job when there were nearly 40, 30 years ago,” said Bob Bonn. He was part of the Public defender selection process when Ed Nowak was chosen.
Extra sheriffs deputies were on hand and only a limited number of people were allowed in chambers. They were searched before they entered while others waited in the lobby, and the entire process angered democrats.
County Legislator Paul Haney said, “This performance tonight, the way the public, distinguished citizens of the community treated, is disgusting.”
Majority leader Dan Quatro said it was all about providing safety for those who attended the meeting.
“There is a difference between expressing difference of opinion and being disruptive and threatening violence.” Quatro said.
http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S344970.shtml?cat=566
Then we have Maggies response:
http://whec.dayport.com/viewer/viewerpage.php?Art_ID=3387&tf=whecliveplayer.tpl
What??? Republicans trying to manipulate the media??? (Not to mention the Sheriff Dept.!) Yikes!!! Whooooooohaaaa!
Just more of the shenanigans that Minarik has been pulling right along.
Hey Stevie Boy….we are on to ya!!! (not to mention your cohorts too!)
Bye bye y’all…this Fall!
[...] can see for yourself, assuming the Sheriff didn’t hear threats on the radio or the public isn’t being [...]