ThisIsRochester.com: Local Government

Dinolfo can proceed with lawsuit

July 9, 2019 -- The county legislature passed legislation that will allow Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo to file a lawsuit against the state over the new "Green Light Bill."

The Green Light Bill allows certain undocumented immigrants to get a New York State driver's license. Dinolfo says the state law runs counter to federal law and has directed the county's law department to file the legal complaint as soon as possible.

New plan possibly in the works for Parcel 5

July 2, 2019 -- Mayor Lovely Warren is asking City Council to apply for $4.7 million from the state as part of a proposal to develop downtown Rochester's Parcel 5 into a year-round festival site.

The potential $18.8 million project could possibly include a visitor center, an overhead canopy and green space.

City Council President Loretta Scott said the city can only apply for funding from this pool of state funding once a year, so officials are asking that the application be made now. Scott has been a reluctant convert to developing Parcel 5 because there has been so much feedback in favor of leaving the plot of land as open space.

Former UPrep leader Munno files suit against mayor

July 1, 2019 -- Fired UPrep founder and president Joe Munno has filed a libel and defamation lawsuit in State Supreme Court against the Mayor Lovely Warren and the City of Rochester.

Munno lost his job in the fallout from a valedictorian speech controversy last summer. His lawsuit contends Warren and others concocted the controversy to give her a platform to speak out against racism, in the process miscategorizing his reason for not allowing 2018 valedictorian Jaisaan Lovett to speak at graduation.

Lovett, the school's first black valedictorian, was an intern in the mayor's office. at the time. Warren allowed him to deliver his address at City Hall, posting a video of it on the city's YouTube channel.

When introducing him, Warren said: "For some reason, his school -- in a country where freedom of speech is a constitutional right, and the city of Frederick Douglass -- turned his moment of triumph into a time of sorrow and pain." The video and story made national news and Munno states in the lawsuit that he was terminated "as a result of this slander"

"Warren's actions were politically motivated, convoluting a situation so she could utilize the ugliness of race baiting to grab international media attention," the lawsuit states.

City spokesman Justin Roj declined comment citing pending litigation.

IJC not backing off controversial Plan 2014

June 28, 2019 -- The International Joint Commission says the controversial "Plan 2014" will stay in place while undergoing new examination despite Lake Ontario shoreline flooding for the second time in three years.

"I know it's disheartening for people. It sounds like another study and, to some degree, yes it is," said Commissioner Jane Corwin. "However, what I will say is different now is we are putting resources behind it, we're getting legislators behind it, and this is something we will focus on and we're going to come up with what makes sense. And we will investigate issues such as, should more water get let out in the fall? How high can we open the gates at this time of year?"

Earlier this month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a $300 million plan to help address shoreline flooding.

Dinolfo preparing to sue state over drivers licenses

June 19, 2019 -- Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo is preparing legislation which would initiate a lawsuit against New York State over the recently passed law that will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers licenses.

Legislation she is drafting for the Monroe County Legislature to consider terms the new law unconstitutional.

Monroe County Clerk Adam Bello, who is running against Dinolfo for county executive in November, has previously said he had reservations about the Green Light bill, but that he would enforce the law. A representative for his office said that he will work with officials on the implementation process.

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	A summary of noteworthy news about Greater Rochester government
	More from 2019 Dinolfo can proceed with lawsuit July 9, 2019 -- The county legislature passed legislation that will allow Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo to file a lawsuit against the state over the new "Green Light Bill." The Green Light Bill allows certain undocumented immigrants to get a New York State driver's license. Dinolfo says the state law runs counter to federal law and has directed the county's law department to file the legal complaint as soon as possible. New plan possibly in the works for Parcel 5 July 2, 2019 -- Mayor Lovely Warren is asking City Council to apply for $4.7 million from the state as part of a proposal to develop downtown Rochester's Parcel 5 into a year-round festival site. The potential $18.8 million project could possibly include a visitor center, an overhead canopy and green space. City Council President Loretta Scott said the city can only apply for funding from this pool of state funding once a year, so officials are asking that the application be made now. Scott has been a reluctant convert to developing Parcel 5 because there has been so much feedback in favor of leaving the plot of land as open space. Former UPrep leader Munno files suit against mayor July 1, 2019 -- Fired UPrep founder and president Joe Munno has filed a libel and defamation lawsuit in State Supreme Court against the Mayor Lovely Warren and the City of Rochester. Munno lost his job in the fallout from a valedictorian speech controversy last summer. His lawsuit contends Warren and others concocted the controversy to give her a platform to speak out against racism, in the process miscategorizing his reason for not allowing 2018 valedictorian Jaisaan Lovett to speak at graduation. Lovett, the school's first black valedictorian, was an intern in the mayor's office. at the time. Warren allowed him to deliver his address at City Hall, posting a video of it on the city's YouTube channel. When introducing him, Warren said: "For some reason, his school -- in a country where freedom of speech is a constitutional right, and the city of Frederick Douglass -- turned his moment of triumph into a time of sorrow and pain." The video and story made national news and Munno states in the lawsuit that he was terminated "as a result of this slander" "Warren's actions were politically motivated, convoluting a situation so she could utilize the ugliness of race baiting to grab international media attention," the lawsuit states. City spokesman Justin Roj declined comment citing pending litigation. IJC not backing off controversial Plan 2014 June 28, 2019 -- The International Joint Commission says the controversial "Plan 2014" will stay in place while undergoing new examination despite Lake Ontario shoreline flooding for the second time in three years. "I know it's disheartening for people. It sounds like another study and, to some degree, yes it is," said Commissioner Jane Corwin. "However, what I will say is different now is we are putting resources behind it, we're getting legislators behind it, and this is something we will focus on and we're going to come up with what makes sense. And we will investigate issues such as, should more water get let out in the fall? How high can we open the gates at this time of year?" Earlier this month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a $300 million plan to help address shoreline flooding. Dinolfo preparing to sue state over drivers licenses June 19, 2019 -- Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo is preparing legislation which would initiate a lawsuit against New York State over the recently passed law that will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers licenses. Legislation she is drafting for the Monroe County Legislature to consider terms the new law unconstitutional. Monroe County Clerk Adam Bello, who is running against Dinolfo for county executive in November, has previously said he had reservations about the Green Light bill, but that he would enforce the law. A representative for his office said that he will work with officials on the implementation process. [ LOOK BACK AT OLDER STORIES ]