City Newspaper Archives - 11/2007

POLITICS: Will Republicans give us more of the same?

Published by Mary Anna Towler on Nov 07, 2007

The Democratic Party came darned close to taking control of the County Legislature yesterday, so maybe Monroe County Republicans will think voters are repudiating their shut-out style of governing.

Maybe.

My assumption is that at least a few Legislature Republicans believe in bipartisan government. If so, we might see some of them break ranks and start pressing for more oversight on things like the Water Authority and Ren Square.

Hope springs eternal.

But at the Republicans' post-election party, County Exec Maggie Brooks seemed to point to business as usual. Look at these statements, broadcast on WXXI this morning:

"The perception is that we don't work with the other side of the aisle," said Brooks. "The reality is that we do."

Right.

And celebrating the Republicans' continued hold on the County Legislature, Brooks said that without that win, "nothing will get done in the next four years."

Now that's a bipartisan spirit.