Monroe County GOP Chairman Ousted; Local Democrats sound off on Minarik's departure

June 28, 2008

By Ove Overmyer

Staff Writer for The Empty Closet Newspaper

On June 27, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks demanded the resignation of her longtime political mentor, Monroe County Republican Chairman Stephen Minarik.

Minarik, 48, resigned after 16 years as chairperson, during which he led his party to control of the county executive's office, the county clerk's office and the County Legislature. He also served as statewide chairperson for two years.

Brooks said at a noontime press conference, "I was elected on a platform of collaboration and working together for positive change in our community, and I need party leadership that reflects that.  "This isn't about judging or blaming," she said. "It's really about moving our party to a different level."

Steve Minarik, who was often described as the brainchild behind many recent high profile controversies, has left Republicans battered and bruised.  Many political insiders say he is behind the controversy over the selection of a new president for Monroe Community College and a new public defender, as well as the mass firing of the Republican town committee in Mendon.  Minarik even admits he has made enemies of democrats and republicans alike.

Additionally, some political operatives say Minarik and Brooks' stance on spending taxpayer dollars to appeal the Martinez v. County of Monroe decision reeked of "party politics" and is a waste of financial resources the County can ill afford.

Jo Meleca-Voigt, Democratic Leader of the Town of Greece said, "Minarik has been no friend to the gay community."  However, she added, "I hope this leads us to a more bipartisan approach to local government.  I would like to think Minarik's replacement will be more understanding of civil rights for all people."  A successor to Minarik has not been named, and Brooks did not offer any candidates for the job.

Minarik's effectiveness as a political operative, which is acknowledged by political friends and foes, allowed him to rise to the post of state party chairperson at the request of Gov. George Pataki. He served from 2004 to 2006.

More recently, the MCC presidential search process has been charged with politics, leading to a "no-confidence" vote in the board of trustees by college faculty and staff. The college has a national reputation, and while a president has not been selected yet, some in the MCC community are concerned that damage had been done.  Broad based coalitions are also gearing up against county government.  Protesters are expected to take their message of change to public officials in a mass demonstration at the Monroe County Office Building on July 8.

Minarik's chief political rival, Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, who is also chairperson of the Monroe County Democratic Committee, said Minarik was a force in politics.

"Steve Minarik single-handedly rebuilt the local Republican Party," Morelle said. "And while he and I have very different views on government and politics, I have considered him a most worthy adversary."

County Legislator and Minority Leader Harry Bronson (D-24), told The Empty Closet, "This announcement is positive news for the taxpayers of the county because of the policies instituted under Mr. Minarik's leadership. The county has gone down a path where government lacked transparency, lacked openness to the public and where decisions were made in the best interest of the Republican Party and not of the citizens of the county. I'm hoping with this there is a change in leadership that affords a true transparency, open government and decisions made in the best interest of taxpayers."

Paul Haney (D-23), Monroe County Legislator and a vocal critic of Minarik, said, "The sudden departure of Steve Minarik is a definite plus for good government. Steve was a fierce competitor who believed that the end goal of winning elections justified any means no matter how deplorable. Thus, we got County budgets submitted after Election Day, the FAIR Plan, the Public Defender fiasco, never ending legal fights and the MCC presidency disaster."  Haney added, "Steve forgot that in the long run the best politics is good government and in the long run that did him in as loyal Republicans began to realize that the very schemes that were designed to win elections were threatening electoral disaster."

Tom Privitere, longtime political insider and labor activist said, "Minarik polarized too many people and the Republican Party was weary of his McCarthy-like tactics."  He added, "I'm sure Joe Bruno stepping down earlier in the week as the Senate Majority leader gave Maggie the leverage to make this happen."

“I sincerely hope the Republican Party chooses as its next chair someone who has a greater interest in collaboration with Democrats for the benefit of the entire community," said Rochester City Council Vice President Bill Pritchard.  He added, “There will always be honest disagreement between the two parties on what needs to be done.  Unfortunately, for far too long Mr. Minarik saw the achievement of political power as the end game itself and not the wise use of politics as a means to achieve good things, a behavior he encouraged in others, and equally unfortunate, is also shared by a few of my fellow Democrats.”