opinion

Endorsement: Dinolfo for Monroe County Executive

It was not an easy decision. The two major party candidates for Monroe County Executive truly failed to distinguish themselves in a substantial way during this campaign, so there was not an obvious “better choice” between Republican Cheryl Dinolfo or Democrat Sandy Frankel. And, while the Green Party candidate, Rajesh Barnabas, stood out as a clear alternative, we do not feel he is ready for this important office.

After careful consideration, however, we are supporting Dinolfo.

To show how we reached our decision, we are sharing how we rated each candidate on issues that are important to voters. As you’ll see, Dinolfo edged out Frankel in more categories, thus winning our endorsement. If she is elected, we will be watching closely to see if she follows through on her campaign promises – since many of them lacked specifics — and whether she truly understands and values governmental transparency as much as we do.

Regardless of which candidate brings in the most votes on Tuesday, she or he should keep in mind that the Monroe County executive is here to serve all residents, no matter what party they belong to.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Dinolfo and Frankel

Both major party candidates are making economic development and job creation a top priority, and both have a few good, though not terribly innovative, ideas.

Both Frankel and Dinolfo insist that companies receiving COMIDA tax breaks be required to create more jobs and undergo greater scrutiny than they currently are, a stance we wholeheartedly support. And Frankel wants to limit the kinds of businesses that are eligible for these incentives.

We appreciate the fact that Dinolfo is already putting herself in the trenches, meeting with area businesspeople to determine what policy changes would help them the most. She is calling for a job creators’ summit, and promising to invite businesses to 39 W. Main on a regular basis to help inform county policy.

Frankel says she will work with businesses to create the Monroe County Skilled Scholars program, in order to help train more skilled workers. The development of this workforce is critical to the future success of photonics and other tech industries in our community.

Barnabas is calling for a “new way to do economics,” namely socialism. While presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is getting the nation talking about socialism, we don’t feel Barnabas would be successful in radically reforming our local economy. Nor do we feel the majority of our citizens are demanding we head in that direction.

MONROE COUNTY BUDGET: Dinolfo

No new taxes or fees. Both Dinolfo and Frankel are clear about that, although Frankel says she would reconsider should the county find itself in an unexpected budget crisis. We agree that taxes and fees are high enough. But, of course, something must be done to strengthen the county’s financial footing and we are slightly more confident in Dinolfo’s ability to get that done.

Frankel provided us with a preliminary list of $4 million in proposed cuts to the county budget, though many appear to be one-shot measures and some could result in decreased revenue. As supervisor of Brighton, she successfully managed the budget, but the taxpayers in that town are paying more than most other Monroe County taxpayers – making us suspect there were missed opportunities to spend less.

Unfortunately, Dinolfo is not identifying specific cuts, saying she will do a top-to-bottom review of the budget first. But she emphasizes the need to diligently look at outcomes, to make sure taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. As county clerk, she appears to have run a tight ship, introducing a number of efficiencies while improving customer service.

Barnabas lacks the experience to manage the county budget.

ROCHESTER-MONROE ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE: Dinolfo and Frankel

All three candidates are backing efforts to lift county residents, in the city and suburbs, out of poverty. Current County Executive Maggie Brooks, who has been a leader in the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, says she will let her successor take over her spot at the table.

Both Frankel and Dinolfo seem capable of doing that, although Dinolfo appears to have a more comfortable working relationship with another key player, Mayor Lovely Warren. We noted that Warren, a Democrat, has not endorsed Frankel and, during our Voice of the Voter debate, Frankel did not directly answer a question about when the pair last met. Dinolfo recalled having a recent meeting with Warren over coffee.This initiative relies heavily on collaboration, so this could be a critical difference.

Frankel and Dinolfo both support increased funding for child care subsidies for working parents. We are intrigued by Dinolfo’s plan to establish a broader, sliding scale in Monroe County — allowing parents more time to transition off subsidized child care as they earn more pay — rather than wait for changes at the state level.

Barnabas has an in-depth understanding of the issues surrounding poverty, and a record of social justice activism. But he has not yet rallied the general populace around an issue, nor does have the experience working within the system to help keep the current anti-poverty initiative moving forward.

ENVIRONMENT: Frankel

Both Frankel and Dinolfo are pledging to continue Brooks’ strong environmental record. However, it seems like an afterthought for Dinolfo, while Frankel has made climate change one of her top priorities. She has a record of “thinking green” in Brighton.

Dinolfo says all of us can play a small role in environmental protection, but she dodges any question related to scientific research on climate change. (Perhaps she is trying to keep from going on the record, in case she decides to run for Congress later on?)

Barnabas is proposing a public buyout of Rochester Gas and Electric, so the county can make more green energy choices and move toward becoming a sustainable, zero-carbon community. And he would champion for mass transit projects and a bicycle “superhighway.” These are big ideas that have not been thoroughly vetted and lack realistic plans for implementation.

ETHICS AND INTEGRITY: Dinolfo

Frankel and Dinolfo are both promising to establish an Office of Public Integrity in response to several scandals that surfaced during Brooks’ reign. While such offices are inherently suspect, being funded by the entities they oversee, we would welcome this effort to help restore public faith in county government.

Both candidates are critical of LDCs, saying LDCs remove stewardship of tax dollars away from county government. Dinolfo, a former civil attorney, is confident she can abolish LDCs entirely and apply other funding mechanisms to support major projects. She's already done some legwork on how to do that. Dinolfo should be commended for her proactive approach and making this a central issue in her campaign.

Dinolfo has also pledged to put all county contracts online, making them available without FOIL requests.

LEADERSHIP STYLE AND EXPERIENCE: Dinolfo

Both major party candidates demonstrate solid leadership skills, but Dinolfo has a more energetic presence. She projects a greater level of confidence than Frankel, whose style is quieter and more conciliatory.

Dinolfo served as president of the state Association of County Clerks, and has been an outspoken leader on a handful of statewide issues affecting county residents.

We doubt Frankel’s ability to move what will almost certainly be a Republican-controlled legislature, which could result in stalemate on important issues. After Dinolfo’s campaign, which appeared to be heavily controlled by Republican Party leadership, we are concerned about her ability to follow her own path. However, we feel she would be largely successful if she does.

We like Dinolfo’s "problem solver" approach to getting things done.

Barnabas was much less prepared for his interview with our Editorial Board, and is still working to make an impression outside of the activist community. He does appear to be developing a moderate leadership style, proposing revolutionary ideas while leaving room for compromise with those who hold more traditional views.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS: Barnabas

In a race that has done little to inspire voters, Barnabas is a breath of fresh air for the more quixotic residents of Monroe County. He is the only candidate who brings truly unexpected ideas to table. Who wouldn’t want to see Medley Centre turned into the biggest botanical garden in America, or Rochester’s abandoned subway converted to an underground bicycle highway? But these are not something county taxpayers should take on right now. Perhaps they are projects that deserve exploration by a private entity.

Editor’s Note: Editorial Board member Erica Bryant did not participate in our meetings with the candidates, our endorsement deliberations or our final decision, due to the fact that she is married to Barnabas.