Rochester Writers

The more I see Bob Duffy in action, the more I think he's got some characteristics we don't see too often in politicians. 

First, he can deal with unpleasant situations in a forthright manner.  He axed the ferry without drama.  That could have been his last ferry-related act.  He could have tut-tutted over the audit, pointed out that everything occured on Johnson's watch and went on with life.  Instead, he's calling for criminal prosecution of the CATS founders.  That's probably futile, but his hardball stand is probably setting the stage to have the 40-year $1 lease on the port broken. 

Second, though he's by no means camera-shy, he's no publicity hog.  The D&C isn't swimming with "Duffy says" press releases.  Whenever there's a murder or a fire, he's not running around trying to get his face or name in the paper -- he lets his department heads do the talking.

Finally, his administration hasn't advanced any grandiose plans and schemes.  So far, he's sticking to the hard job of making the city government work.

This might seem like faint praise, but things could be a helluva lot worse.  In the 8th month of his administration, I have to say that Duffy's looking pretty good compared to the other alternatives.