Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and other Democratic Party leaders say new ethics reforms proposed by the County Legislature’s Republican majority would put Monroe County’s Health Commissioner out of a job.
Republicans say Bello is spreading misinformation.
Part of the legislation spells out that county employees who hold management or professional jobs should not have outside employment.
Dr. Michael Mendoza, the county health commissioner, is also a doctor in family practice at Highland Family Medicine. Mendoza says he needs to work as a doctor to keep his board certification, and he would face a tough decision if the legislation goes through. At a Monday news conference, Mendoza said he planned to stay as health commissioner for quite a bit longer, but if he had to choose, it would be to maintain his professional skills as a physician.
Dr. Mendoza says half his leadership team would be in a similar situation.
Bello says the legislation would also prohibit public disclosure of ethics violations. He says that “literally goes the other way” from strengthening ethics laws.
GOP Majority Leader Steve Brew accused Bello of spreading misinformation. He says the proposed law hasn’t been through the committee process yet, let alone public hearing or come to a vote. He says the Republicans are working to make sure the county doesn’t lose valued employees because of the law.
Dr. Mendoza was originally hired under Republican Cheryl Dinolfo.