Time to turn the page: A new beginning comes with a promise of openness

Incoming Rochester Mayor Chuck Grassie (Courtesy photo)

Tonight the leaders governing Rochester will be sworn in to honorably represent city residents, always considering the interests of their constituency first and foremost.
It's a brand new contingent and a brand new chance to reinvigorate civic engagement, temperate and measured debate and moral courage among the city's governing bodies
It is also heartening that the man who will be sworn in tonight as Rochester's mayor has acknowledged that the previous mayor was wrong when he oftentime refused to comment on issues with members of the media.
Incoming mayor Chuck Grassie has said he will not be that way and that he'll encourage city councilors to make it a point to reach out to their constituents to make sure they're aware of important issues that they may not be aware of as they go about their busy lives.
It is vital for the public to be made aware of these issues and decisions, and by that, we mean much more than just a 100-plus-page agenda packet that comes out a few days before a City Council meeting. No resident after working an eight- or 10-hour day while raising a family should ever have to pore over and digest such an enigmatic, incomprehensible document.
It is up to the mayor, city councilors and school board members to make plain the issues before it is voted on.
We applaud Ward 4 councilors David Walker and Chuck Creteau who have recently had several informal gatherings where constituents can voice their concerns and get needed info so they can understand the ramification that come with every single vote city boards make.
Incoming mayor Grassie has also said that he will be open to questions and discussions with the press over important and sometimes controversial issues, something that was severely lacking in the previous mayor.
No councilor should ever be intimidated to speak with the media. That is no way to run an open and democratic government.

Beyond that, Congratulations to all of tonight's participants.
It's a new council, a new school board and a new police commission.
It's time to turn the page, once again, to make Rochester the greatest city in the state ... for ALL of its residents.

- HT