Monroe County legislators meet about reappointment of Dr. Mendoza and choosing a public defender

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Monroe County legislators met Tuesday night to discuss a laundry list of topics.

The hot topic of the night—the reappointment of Dr. Mike Mendoza. Members of the public spoke against Dr. Mendoza’s reappointment.

They brought up claims that the doctor is using his office for personal benefit.

Others pointed out potential conflicts of interest between his role as public health commissioner and employment with the University of Rochester.

One nurse practitioner questioned the effectiveness of his policies during the coronavirus pandemic. “Why were there no outpatient COVID clinic centers so that early treatment could have been instituted, and prevented sick people flooding the emergency rooms? Why were there no field hospitals for the elderly so that the COVID positive patients were not forced to return to the nursing home? The community deserves better, people justifiably have had enough,” said nurse practitioner Adele Lester.

Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart called the public comments ugly, nonsensical and vicious.

Redrawing of Legislative Districts

Another item on the agenda tonight—redrawing legislative districts here in Rochester.

The proposed plan would create five majority black districts. Tonight, lawmakers voted 16-13 in favor of setting a date for a public hearing on the matter.

That hearing will happen on Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. We’ve been following this story closely and will bring you the latest here on News10NBC.

Appointment of a Public Defender

Another item on the agenda—the effort to appoint a public defender.

Legislators pushed for a special meeting to nominate Julie Cianca for the job.

Tonight, the public safety committee shot down that vote. The position remains open.