Hear from candidates: Bello and Assini answer questions about issues in county exec race

When County Executive Adam Bello announced his campaign to remain in the role he's held since 2019, he said Monroe County was looking toward the future for the "first time in generations."

Mark Assini, his challenger in the General Election, says he joined the race because he wants "to be part of the change that we so desperately need."

As the Monroe County general election approaches, the Democrat and Chronicle is delving deeper into the issues that distinguish the two candidates, such as public safety and affordability.

The Democrat and Chronicle posed questions about these issues to both candidates. Their emailed answers have been lightly edited only for clarity.

Q: Two criminal justice policy changes in recent years have been "Raise the Age" and "bail reform," with the latter having undergone some changes. Do you think either or both need further changes or are meeting their goals? Why or why not? If you think changes are needed, what do you propose?

Bello: There's no question bail reform and Raise the Age require further changes. We should not have a two-tiered system; no one should be in jail simply because of the balance in their bank account. However, bail reform in its current form has led to a lack of accountability, and it remains clear that judges need additional resources and training, especially when considering the flight risks of defendants. People who pose a danger to the community, like those who commit violent offenses or gun crimes, must be held in custody — not given appearance tickets and released immediately. I support a dangerousness standard and empowering judicial discretion as part of bail reform. We must also make efforts to reduce crime. I've invested in 50 new sheriff's deputy positions in youth employment, mentorship, and mental health services.

Assini: When you decriminalize crime, you get more of it. It's time to bring in all community partners, including faith leaders, to address laws that have put us at risk and find a better solution. They include cashless bail. No fair-minded person wants anyone to linger in jail for a minor offense because they can't afford bail. But example after example shows this law has led to a revolving door for serious crimes. It's time to roll back the dangerous bail reform law. And rethink how we accomplish the initial goal of fairness without putting our community at risk. Raise the Age: In March 2017, I stood with our district attorney, school leaders, and law enforcement in Gates Town Hall at a press conference opposing Raise the Age. The fears we expressed in 2017 about this law have come true. RPD Capt. Frank Umbrino made it clear when he said, "They've arrested the same kids over and over again. So, if a kid is caught stealing a car, they need to nip that behavior in the bud the first time it happens." It's time to repeal Raise the Age.

Q: How do you think the county should respond to an occasional influx of refugees seeking asylum?

Bello: I issued an executive order requiring a plan be in place before any hotel can be rented for the relocation of asylum seekers. This was a more thoughtful approach than communities who unsuccessfully tried to ban migrants or those who allowed an immediate influx without a plan in place for when they arrived. In fact, many counties amended their executive orders to replicate the order I issued. In addition, Monroe County accepted National Guard deployment from NYS as an asset for additional support. There have not been any safety concerns with the families who have come to our community. We have a strong process in place that I am confident is working. Furthermore, this has been done with no expense to Monroe County property taxpayers as services are funded by New York City and New York state.

Assini: Charity begins at home. We should stop the flow of illegal immigration to Monroe County. In the land of the free and the home of the brave, many of Rochester's children are going to bed homeless, hungry, and afraid. Nearly 1 in 12 Rochester city school students are homeless, according to a report by The Children's Agenda. Poverty rates in Rochester are among the nation's highest. Our own families are neglected while we provide housing, education, health care, three meals a day, and clothing for people from other countries. It's unfair.

Previous coverage: 'Devastating' instability: 4 in 10 Rochester students moved or changed schools in 2 years

Q: With property values rising in recent years, assessments have often seen similar increases, leading to tax increases for residents. What can the county do to counteract rising tax costs for those who live on limited incomes?

Bello: I am always aware of the tax impact on Monroe County families, especially those with fixed or limited incomes. My first three budgets each cut the property tax rate to the lowest it has been in generations. I've increased tax exemptions for older adults, volunteer firefighters and EMS workers, and people with disabilities. I also spearheaded legislation to eliminate the regressive local sales tax on clothing and shoe purchases under $100. I also increased the minimum wage paid to county employees and required businesses who contract with the county to pay workers a minimum wage of $15. We are also investing millions of dollars in workforce development programs to help train residents to get good-paying jobs here in Monroe County.

Assini: Simple answer is cut the levy and spending, which will reduce tax bills. Since 2020, the county has increased spending by over $110 million and the levy by over $26 million annually, and it simply wasn't necessary. We billed people for well over $100 million for employees we never hired. We had over (a quarter) billion in COVID money, and a large portion of that could have been used to give you tax relief, and the county said "no." And as you have already figured out on your own, "historic tax rate cuts" mean nothing if your home was reassessed. The bill actually is higher than it was before the "historic cut." No, it's not your imagination. Last year, Monroe County was rated No. 1 for property tax burden in the U.S. I guess somebody has to be number 1. Just wish it wasn't us.

Q: While the 2020 presidential election was a federal issue, it has had ripples at all levels, including threats against local election workers. At the core of the debate is the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Who do you believe won the election, and briefly provide evidence to support your stance?

Bello: By virtue of earning more popular votes and by receiving a majority of the electoral college votes, Joe Biden won the 2020 election; I strongly condemn misinformation being spewed by election deniers around the country. This is dangerous information that is polluting public discourse and requires leaders of all political affiliations condemning accusations of a fraudulent election, as well as the horrific actions of insurrectionists that took place at our nation's capital on January 6th. The Monroe County Board of Elections, like its counterparts across the United States, is a bipartisan organization. Locally, our BOE is co-led by Commissioners Jackie Ortiz, a Democrat, and Lisa Nicolay, a Republican; these women and their staff are hard-working public servants who not only fight to ensure that our elections are conducted in a fair, accessible, and transparent manner but also that they are providing our voters with updated information about elections.

Assini: Local election workers are good, honest, and hard-working people. I'm grateful for their service and sorry they experienced threats, and I find that behavior unacceptable. Although I think there are always some problems in all elections, I believe the outcome of the election was accurate. I'm also open to listening to what anomalies may or may not exist and always believe in improving the process.

Q: What role does the county have in the opioid crisis? How can the county best carry out that role?

Bello: Monroe County is doing more to fight the opioid epidemic than ever before. With the creation of the county's Improving Addiction Coordination Team (IMPACT), our clinicians are engaged in street outreach work, dispatching outreach workers to the home of any individual in Monroe County who we learn has overdosed to provide case management and connect them with treatment within 48 hours after an overdose. We've installed 450 naloxone boxes in both public spaces and with partner businesses and organizations across Monroe County, provided an unprecedented increase in the Narcan training and distribution, and passed Maisie's Law requiring pharmacies to offer Narcan to anyone picking up an opioid prescription. Unlike tobacco settlement funds obtained a generation ago, opioid settlement dollars have been placed in a dedicated fund to ensure they are only spent on efforts combating the epidemic.

Assini: Our families are struggling with the worst drug crisis in our community's history. Over 1,000 family members have died of overdose in 5 years. So what do we do? 1. Slow the demand. Rethink our current approach to drug prevention with school-aged children. It's failing. 2. Help current addicts by increasing detox beds, which are critical for recovery. 3. Drug dealers and drugs permeate the streets of Rochester. As county executive, I will immediately sit with law enforcement, community leaders, and our faith leaders to come up with a comprehensive approach to address this as one community.

Monroe County General Election: Voting dates and times

Polls open: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7

Early voting: Saturday, Oct. 28 – Sunday, Nov. 5

Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell.

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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bello and Assini talk the issues in county exec race.