STATEMENT FROM MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE REGARDING COUNTY LEGISLATOR ERNEST FLAGLER-MITCHELL

Contact: Mare Millow, Communications Director, mare@monroedemocrats.com, 585.200.2074

(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – On June 3, 2021, the Monroe County Board of Ethics found that County Legislator Ernest Flagler-Mitchell was in violation of the County Code of Ethics when he messaged an explicit photo to 19-year-old city resident Lakaya Sinclair last November. Ms. Sinclair’s bravery in coming forward with her story emboldened other women to share similar experiences with Flagler-Mitchell.

Specifically, the Ethics Board found that Flagler-Mitchell violated § 45-13 of the Course of Conduct, which states: “Every officer or employee should endeavor to pursue a course of conduct which will not raise suspicion among the public that he is likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of his trust. He should not use or attempt to use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself or others. He should not by his conduct give reasonable basis for the impression that any person can improperly influence him or unduly enjoy his favor in the performance of his official duties or that he is affected by the kinship, position or influence of any party or person.”

Earlier this year, Flagler-Mitchell was removed from his position as president of the Rochester branch of the NAACP as a result of the allegations against him. If Mr. Flagler-Mitchell was unfit to serve in that capacity, then he is equally unfit to serve as an elected official.

“In situations concerning allegations of sexual harassment, it is of the utmost importance that all survivors’ stories are heard and respected, including black women,” said Monroe County Democratic Committee chair Zach King. “Accusations of sexual harassment against elected officials are especially egregious. This exploitation of power and destruction of public trust has no place within our party, within our governments, or within our society. 

King continued, “Mr. Ernest Flagler-Mitchell should do the right thing for the women he hurt and the constituents he serves and immediately resign from all public and Democratic party positions. This includes his seat on the Monroe County Legislature, his seat on the New York State Democratic Committee, his position as Leader of the LD 29 Democratic Committee, and his seat on the Monroe County Democratic Committee.”

This situation also serves as an example of why the Monroe County Legislature must pass a stronger Code of Ethics. Mr. Flagler-Mitchell was found by the Ethics Board to be in violation of the code, yet the Board does not have the authority to impose sanctions or enact accountability. “I call on Legislature President Carbone and the Republican conference to immediately pass ethics reform. Their vote to table this important legislation is a clear disregard for accountability of elected officials,” said Chairman King.

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Important Dates in Monroe County This Election Season

Make sure you have a plan to vote this election season, and check with friends and neighbors to make sure they have a plan to vote too. Part of having a plan is having all the dates handy.

MCDC has posted an exhaustive list of the political calendar year, such as when to register by, when to request absentee ballots by, etc., here.

The short version is that the primary election is on June 22, with early voting from June 10-20; the general election is November 2, with early voting from October 23-31.

A Discussion on the Digital Divide in Monroe County

Mark your calendars for an upcoming virtual event on Thursday March 25 at 7 PM: Sue Hughes-Smith, BDC member and candidate for Monroe County Legislature District 14, and Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhardt are hosting the event, "A Discussion on the Digital Divide," about unequal access to technology and the internet, as well as the need for an affordable public option for high speed internet in Monroe County. We hope you can make it!

Click here for more info, including the link to the Zoom event.

Petitioning is a wrap!

The Brighton Democratic Committee members would like to send a HUGE thank you to the 800+ registered Brighton Democratic voters who signed petitions during our current drive. We worked hard to keep everyone safe and socially distanced during petitioning, and we’re proud to say the results far exceeded the number of signatures required to have our candidates appear on the ballot. Democracy is alive and well in Brighton! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

That’s a lot of signatures!

That’s a lot of signatures!

Brighton Town Supervisor, Bill Moehle, and candidate for County LD 24, Albert Blankley, get ready to get some petitions signed.

Brighton Town Supervisor, Bill Moehle, and candidate for County LD 24, Albert Blankley, get ready to get some petitions signed.

BDC member returning petitions.

BDC member returning petitions.

2021 Petitioning Begins!

Beginning on Tuesday, March 2nd, Members of the Brighton Democratic Committee will collect signatures to have our endorsed candidates appear on the General Election ballot beginning.

In the age of COVID, we want to protect the health and safety of our members and the community at large.

Residents of the Town (who are registered to vote as Democrats) may receive a phone call or e-mail or a personal contact to set up an appointment to sign the petitions. We’ll do so using social distancing guidelines!

We’re also setting up “Petitioning Day” on Saturday, March 6th. You can sign up with this link to have one of our members stop by on that day. Just leave your name, address and phone number and we’ll arrange for someone to come to you to give you an opportunity to sign the petitions. You will also be able to indicate a different date and time if more convenient for you.

REMEMBER! This is a great way to support our endorsed local and county candidates and ensure you can cast your ballot for them!

Excited for 2021!

With the recent Designating caucuses at both the Town and County level, the Brighton Democratic Committee is excited to announce our list of designated candidates for the 2021 election cycle.

At the Town Level, the Committee has chosen to keep its steady and proven leadership with:

  • Supervisor Bill Moehle for Town Supervisor

  • Clerk Dan Aman for Town Clerk

  • Council member Robin Wilt for Town Council

  • Council Member Christine Corrado for Town Council

For our County Legislature positions, the designated candidates representing Brighton are:

  • LD-10: Howard Maffucci

  • LD-14: Sue Hughes-Smith

  • LD-23: Linda Hasman

  • LD-24: Albert Blankley

 
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