Loretta Scott

Rochester City Council President Loretta Scott won't seek reelection

By Randy Gorbman • Jan 29, 2021

Rochester City Council President Loretta Scott announced she will not be running for re-election this year.

Scott was first elected to Council in 2009, and is now in her third term. She was elected Council President in 2014.

Prior to her time on Council, Scott was Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Human Services which made her the first Black woman to head a city department.

Rocky confirmation hearing for proposed Police Accountability Board executive director

By James Brown • Nov 6, 2020

A memo took center stage during the confirmation hearing for the first leader of Rochester’s Police Accountability Board.

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A memo took centerstage during the confirmation hearing for the first leader of Rochester’s Police Accountability Board. WXXI’s James Brown has details.

The ten-page document was written by Conor Dwyer Reynolds early this week. The Police Accountability board wants him to be its first Executive Director.

'Tough financial situation' ahead for the City of Rochester

By James Brown • Oct 7, 2020

All signs point to another tough budget season for the city of Rochester and Councilmember Malik Evans wants to get a jump on it. The city’s budget typically comes out in May.

Evans chairs the council’s finance committee. At a meeting Tuesday, he told his colleagues that the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt the city’s budget, reducing how much the city receives through sales tax receipts and state aid.

Council attorney investigating Prude death asks: ‘Was there a coverup?'

By James Brown & Gino Fanelli • Sep 18, 2020

Rochester City Council President Loretta Scott has begun to issue the first round of subpoenas for an investigation, initiated by Council, into the death of Daniel Prude.

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Rochester City Council has given subpoena power to an investigative team to find out if the city covered up the death of Daniel Prude. WXXI’s James Brown has details..

The initial subpoenas were directed at Mayor Lovely Warren’s office, the Rochester Police Department, the city’s Law Department, and City Council itself. They were authorized unanimously by Council members during a brief meeting Friday. The members also authorized Scott and Vice President Willie Lightfoot to issue any subsequent subpoenas requested by Andrew Celli, the attorney leading the investigation.

Mayor, City Council president call for city residency requirement for new police officers

By James Brown & Randy Gorbman • Aug 31, 2020

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and City Council President Loretta Scott are calling for a residency requirement for all newly hired officers in the Rochester Police Department.

Warren said that having officers live in the community they protect and serve will help build relationships with the people that they are policing.

Candidates emerge to replace Ortiz if she leaves Rochester City Council

By James Brown • Aug 4, 2020

Years ago, Miguel Melendez said he had a conversation with the late Father Lawrence Tracy, once a fixture in the northeast Rochester community. He said Tracy asked him to run for office.

“And he put his hand up to pause me,” said Melendez. “He said, ‘God calls.’ And from that moment forward I’ve been thinking how can I service this community in different ways.”

Melendez has a long history in community activism, and is an executive for Ibero American Action League.

Assemblyman David Gantt remembered for a life of service and mentorship

By Randy Gorbman • Jul 11, 2020

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Funeral services for longtime area Assemblyman David Gantt were held in Rochester on Saturday. WXXI's Randy Gorbman has the story:

Longtime Rochester area Assemblyman David Gantt is being remembered for the devotion he showed to his district and the guidance he gave to many local political leaders. Gantt died earlier this month at the age of 78. He served nearly 37 years in the NY Assembly.

Defunding the Rochester police discussed at community forum

By James Brown • Jul 10, 2020

Rev. Lewis Stewart and the United Christian Leadership Ministry were joined by more than a dozen community leaders for a solutions-focused discussion on police reform and community relations Thursday night. Roughly 50 people were on hand for the discussion at First Church of God on Clarissa Street.

The forum included members of law enforcement such as Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary, activists from Rochester’s local Black Lives Matter movement, Rochester City Council and others.

Rochester City Council seeks to curb expected surge of evictions

By James Brown • Jul 6, 2020

Rochester City Council on Monday discussed a series of proposals meant to stem a wave of evictions that could come as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has halted evictions until Aug. 20 for people directly impacted by the pandemic. Council is concerned that a wave of evictions could follow.

Among the ideas that Council discussed is helping the Catholic Family Center devise a plan to use the $900,000 that the city already committed to spend on eviction prevention.

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Rochester City Council on Monday discussed a series of proposals meant to stem a wave of evictions that could come as result of the coronavirus pandemic. WXXI’s James Brown has the story...

Another measure would pay for counsel for those involved in eviction proceedings. That would also cost about $900,000.

‘Righteous rally’ overshadowed by violence, Stewart says

By James Brown • Jun 1, 2020

The Rev. Lewis Stewart and the United Christian Leadership Ministry spoke Monday in support of this weekend’s Black Lives Matter rally -- but said the rioting and looting that followed do not honor the memory of George Floyd.

Floyd's death on May 25 in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck sparked protests across the country, including in Rochester.

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