An Open Letter to Mayor Robert J. Duffy

[Shawn]

Shawn O’Hara
60 Penhurst St
Rochester, New York 14619
October 24, 2009

Mayor Robert J. Duffy
30 Church Street
Rochester, New York 14614


Dear Mayor Duffy,

Today the 19th Ward witnessed another outrageous and senseless act against our community, with the suspected arson at 202 Trafalgar Street. We are devastated. Again.

Not less than a week ago our community was rocked by the flagrant, broad daylight, shooting of a young person on Thurston Road. And now, six days later and only blocks away, a resident of 40+ years and her son, as well as a new family to our city have been left homeless by this disturbing event.

For years our community has been fighting to lift ourselves up in an effort to end the violence and make our streets safe. But we are getting tired Mr. Mayor, and we need some help.

As you may know, the Southwest side of Rochester has one of the oldest community associations in the country, with our 19th Ward Community Association. We are also the home to many active block clubs, neighborhood groups and organizations that are fighting to make our streets safe, walk-able and crime free. We have marched. We have organized. We have held candle light vigils. But as quick as pulling a trigger, or lighting a match, all of our hope, energy and enthusiasm is extinguished. Our residents are tired, scared and feed-up. With many of us feeling helpless.

As the Mayor of this great city, I ask you to please consider committing more resources to our neighborhood. Such as fully staffing our Neighborhood Service Center, installing sound responding street cameras, and aggressive enforcement city codes, and laws such as littering, illegal parking and traffic violations. Coupled with these basic service improvements, it would be beneficial to implement and fund the final phase of the Thurston Road design study.

With these investments and improvements, the 19th Ward would not only become a more desirable place to live and work, they would also facilitate the increase of property values resulting in increased revenue for the city. But aside from the monetary benefits, we should consider the emotional well being of our community as a whole. Think of the positive effect on a child, knowing that they can walk to school safely without the fear of being shot. Think of the positive effect for a block club that can meet to plan a street fair, instead of planning on how to help a burned out family. These are the small things that happen, when we invest in our streetscapes, repair our building facades, and encourage business development. It is time Mr. Mayor. It is time to help us lift ourselves up, and end this seemingly endless battle against decay, violence and crime. It is time.

Sincerely,

Shawn O’Hara
Resident 19th Ward Rochester, New Yrok
Student Rochester Institute of Technology
Founder/Administrator Location19.org

Cc:
Patricia K. Malgieri, Deputy Mayor
G. Jean Howard, Chief of Staff
Darryl W. Porter, Assistant to the Mayor
Richard Hannon, Director of Special Projects
Dana Miller, City Councilmember At Large
Adam McFadden, City Councilmember South District
David Moore, Police Chief
Charles Reaves, Commissioner, Recreation and Youth Services

[Karl]

Good letter, Shawn!

[Shawn]

Thanks Karl! It can't hurt. I'm just really tired of all the nonsense lately.

[Marian Boutet]

Eloquently said, Shawn. Thanks.

[Mark Sweetland]

Shawn,

I think this is the best letter I have seen that sums up the situation, it's great! Thank you so much for all your efforts to make this a better place to live!


Mark

[Anthony Fasolo]

I am always so proud of you Bo! I could not have put this in better words!

I love you!

Anthony

[Wendy Sullivan]

thank you Shawn, the only correction is the last line. "it is past time!"

[Inge Mallory]

Thank You Shawn for saying the things that need to be said in such a well composed letter.
Have you thought about submitting it to the D & C? I know they are very selective about their letters but I think you should give it a try.
Thanks again for writing such a good letter.

[MacClurg Vivian]

Beautifully written letter. thank you
MacClurg

[MacClurg Vivian]

Shawn, call me. 546 1469
MacClurg

(Your page is hanging, I cannot get into it have to abort each time. )

[Rachael Baldanza]

Shawn,
This is a very well written letter that communicates what many of us in this neighborhood feel. Please do send it to the Democrat and Chronicle, or City Paper and I for one would be happy to have my name added in support. Or to write a follow up letter.
Thanks for writing and sharing this.
best,
Rachael

[Sheri Tehan]

Great letter! I agree with you 100%! Thank you!

[Brenda Driscoll]

I am a 3rd grade special education teacher at School 16 on Post. We have St. John Fisher students in our classroom and yesterday they asked my students for topics they would like to talk about during "Open Class Meeting". One of the male thrid graders who lives on Thurston and saw last weeks shooting wanted to talk about "guns in our neighborhood". He listed several types of guns at the bottom of his paper. He has asked me if I have ever "been in a fight". I told him I have had disagreements with people and that is OK but fighting is not. As adults we would like assistance. Our children and next generation need help, now! No 9 year old should have to think about these things.