Sean Lahman

@seanlahman

Saying that she has real solutions to grow the economy and improve the lives of Rochester residents, Rachel Barnhart formally announced her campaign for Mayor on Monday afternoon.

"I'm running because I love this city and I want it to thrive, but Rochester has some serious problems," she said. " It is time to stop managing those problems and start to solve them."

Barnhart outlined a series of proposals that she would implement if elected, including a 50 percent cut to property taxes, expanded child care funding, and fiber internet for every home.

"By cutting property taxes, we will dramatically alter the status quo," she said.

The cost of the tax cut, which she says would be implemented after three years, would be offset by state aid, increased efficiencies in the city budget, and a potential consolidation of the water system.

She argued that cutting property taxes would also help the city attract more homeowners and more businesses, helping to raise the overall tax levy.

Barnhart said she'd wage the fight against poverty by increasing funding for childcare programs, adding an additional thousand families to the program to help working parents.

She would also ensure that every home in the city was wired with fiber internet, leveling the playing field for students: About half don't currently have access to broadband internet at home. The service would be free at current speeds, with residents having the option to pay for increased bandwidth. Business would pay affordable rates. The capital cost would be shared by the Rochester City School District and a private vendor.

"It sends a signal to businesses that we are a high tech mecca," she said. "We need this infrastructure to attract businesses."

Barnhart also vowed to fight for more in state aid, explaining that Rochester receives $204 less per capita than the city of Buffalo does each year.

"This disparity hits you right in your wallet, and we need a mayor who will stand up and say 'Enough! No more,' " she said.

The announcement of her mayoral run comes less than a month after county legislator and former police chief James Sheppard announced his candidacy. Incumbent Lovely Warren has not yet revealed whether she plans to seek re-election for a second term.

However, a group called the Friends of Lovely Warren Committee, which has registered numerous political donations with New York state, did release a statement in response to Barnhart's announcement.

"Last year, Miss Barnhart ran for the state Assembly. This year she has announced her candidacy for mayor. We are curious to learn what office she will run for next year," said spokesman Gary Rogers.

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Barnhart spent 17 years as a television news reporter and anchor, leaving the profession last year to make her first foray into politics. She ran an unsuccessful challenge against state assemblyman Harry Bronson in a Democratic primary last fall. She currently serves as chief development officer for the Settlement Houses of Rochester Foundation.

Asked if she'd learned anything from her experience running for the Assembly, Barnhart said her mayoral run is focused on solving many of the same problems that were discussed during that campaign.

"This is the same fight, these are the same issues, and I'm not going to give up trying to make Rochester a better place," she said. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could be successful."

Barnhart did not criticize Mayor Warren directly, but repeatedly said that too much effort was spent on managing the city's problems rather than trying to solve them. Without change, she said, we will simply continue to manage the city's decline over the next four years.

"We have to act now," she said. "We cannot wait for a savior, whether it's a new developer, a company, or even a casino. That savior has to be us."

SLAHMAN@Gannett.com