Mayor Duffy: Children Not Sharing In Success of Rochester’s Strength
(Monday, May 3, 2010) – Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy delivered his fifth State of the City Address Monday, declaring that Rochester is strong but children are not sharing in the success stories driving its recovery.
“We must put children first. In actions – and not just rhetoric,” Mayor Duffy said in the address delivered at the Memorial Art Gallery. “Our economy, our public safety, and our city’s future depend on improving educational outcomes for our children.”
In the speech titled “Celebrating our Future. Putting Children First,” Mayor Duffy returned to the themes unveiled his second inaugural address; when he declared his intention seek changes in the governance of the Rochester City School District by implementing mayoral accountability.
He reminded the audience that his administration has consistently focused on three priorities: public safety, economic development and education, all driven by a commitment to exceptional customer service. On the first two fronts, the administration has achieved remarkable success, including a crime rate at its lowest point in 25 years and the retention or creation of more than 35,000 jobs fueled by more than $1 billion in private investment.
Mayor Duffy repeatedly played down his own role in those success stories, giving credit instead to his senior managers. Leadership and accountability were major themes of the speech, and he renewed his pledge to keep Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard at the School District’s helm.
But Rochester’s success will fall short of the mark if the city’s education system continues to fail its children, he said.
“So let’s agree to put children first …Communities can and should be judged by how they treat their children. Rochester has the ability to compete with any city in this area. Together, we will make Rochester the best mid-sized city in America in which to live, raise a family, grow a business – and to educate a child.”
To view a full transcript of the speech, visit:www.cityofrochester.gov/sotc2010.
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