MAGGIE BROOKS: DANCING ON A FINE LINE

Photo: Democrat & Chronicle

Rochester, N.Y.-- Maggie Brooks, the former news anchor and elected official from Monroe County, New York will take every opportunity to reap the financial benefits of media perks in public office while at the same time seek a Congressional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Has the County's agenda become a national agenda? Make no mistake-- her media friends from all the Rochester news affiliates, especially WHEC-TV (NBC) will follow her around like hungry dogs looking for their next meal. Whatever happened to fair and balanced? Whatever happened to equal access under New York State election law? It's not happening here in Rochester, folks.

When you see her out in public or at an event, ask her if she is doing County work or campaigning on the taxpayer's dime. Ask her who paid for the printed materials, transportation to the event, the phone bill, gas and food. Go ahead, just ask. Every time.

Brooks has mastered the art of blurring the unethical lines between honoring election law, governing, campaigning and common decency. She walks this dance like no other, and boldly dares anyone to challenge her otherwise. Most people do not in fear of retribution. That's because-- that's the way she is.

And if you need a quick example of what we are talking about, you don't have to look any farther than the anti-bullying session she attended at the Monroe Community Hospital earlier this week. This event was a campaign stop masqueraded as County business. She made this a scheduled stop knowing full well she has been hammered on not doing enough for middle-class children and creating policy that has contributed to what The Children's Agenda stated as, "A Decade of Decline."

The child poverty report revealed that Monroe County children are worse off than they were 10 years ago-- the same period Maggie Brooks has been instituting anti-worker, anti-poor and anti-middle-class policies that disproportionately have hurt our most precious resource, our children. Nelson Mandela once said, "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children."

The Brooks Legacy

At her press conference announcing her candidacy, Brooks says that the nation could learn a lot from Monroe County. If that's the case, then god help us.

As far as we can tell, the Brooks legacy will go down in history as one that afforded opportunities to those who are financially insulated from any harm while the disabled, middle-class, poor and working poor were left with higher fees, limited services and a lower standard of living. Anyone looking from the outside in, might call her a "Tea Party" darling. 

It wasn't that long ago Maggie Brooks tried unsuccessfully to take money away from our schools with her FAIR plan; a deal the taxpayers are still smarting from. She also eliminated funding for the Center for Disability Rights, and hacked away at lead paint funding which would make our children less safe. Under the Brooks administration, according to the Dept. of Labor, we have endured a net loss of 22,000 jobs since she has been in office.

Tax levies have risen seven times over the past seven years. If you want bigger income inequality, under performing schools, less regulatory controls on the water we drink, in the air that we breathe, or tainted meat for that matter, Maggie Brooks is your candidate. If you want your government to put profit before the taxpayers, than vote for Maggie Brooks.

Maggie Brooks is a divisive, anti-worker and anti-equality law maker. And, we didn't even get into all the scandals and ethics violations of her controversial legacy as County Executive. Despite all the turmoil that surrounds her, the media throws her softballs and holds her to a different standard. However, sooner or later the Teflon will slip off the ol' frying pan. She will be vetted this year like she never has been before. Don't be surprised if we get some startling news her so-called media friends can't ignore. 

And, lastly, if you cannot make the connection between local GOP policies and child poverty rates in Rochester and Monroe County, you are living in a fantasy world.  

-The Voice Reporter takes ownership of this content and it does not necessarily reflect the views of CSEA as an organization.