The Monroe County Legislature voted Tuesday night to reappoint Dr. Michael Mendoza to another term as Monroe County Health Commissioner, despite some comments from the public that his employment by the University of Rochester might cause a conflict of interest. County Executive Adam Bello named Mendoza for reappointment based on his handling of the COVID pandemic.
Meanwhile, a group of Democratic legislators tried and failed to resolve a deadlock over appointment of a new Monroe County Public Defender. They called a special meeting before the regular meeting to appoint Julie Cianca as public defender rather than Robert Fogg, the candidate favored by Legislature President Sabrina Lamar. They referred the matter to the legislature’s Public Safety Committee, which immediately held a meeting of its own and shot down the proposal, Democrats not having enough votes on the committee to pass it. The majority caucus also doesn’t have the votes to approve Fogg.
The stalemate continues.