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INSIDE ROCHESTER
Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2021
In Farewell Address, Mayor Warren Says The 48th Bay Classic Grambling Tigers v. Stage is Set for All People to Succeed. Southern Jaguars: The Experience of a Lifetime! Tells City Children: Don’t Quit! By George Radney
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ochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren delivered her farewell address today with a message of confidence in the city’s people and hope for its children. “We showed the world what the people of Rochester are capable of; created new opportunities across the city for all of our people,” Mayor Warren said. “We celebrated our diversity and the richness of the many cultures and traditions that make up our neighborhoods. We demonstrated beyond a doubt that the people of Rochester, regardless of their zip code; regardless of who they love; regardless of the color of their skin; can succeed.” Released as a video address on the City’s website and social media platforms, Mayor Warren’s farewell speech mirrored the format of her 2014 inaugural address, which was delivered as a message directly to her daughter Taylor, now 11, and the children of Rochester. “I knew every decision I was about to make as Mayor would be held against the test of a mother’s love for
Lovely Warren became the city's first female mayor and youngest in modern times, was mentioned as a possible candidate for state and federal offices, and she found her way onto the White House guest list.
her child,” Mayor Warren said. “Parents want what’s best for their children, which is why, as I governed, I let my love for Taylor, and the children of Rochester, be my guide. So as we close this chapter of Rochester’s story – our story, I’ll finish where I started: with a message to our children.” Mayor Warren, 44, served two terms as the Mayor of Rochester; is Rochester’s first woman Mayor; first African American woman mayor and first mother to be mayor. She left office at last Wednesday. “I have no regrets,” she said. “I fulfilled the promises I made eight years ago. And so many people helped me along the way. And our work speaks for itself.”
DES Commissioner Jones to Retire After Over 40 Years of Service Rochester’s Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Norman H. Jones will retire at the end of the year, closing a more than 40-year career that took him from the City’s lowest paid title to the head of the Department with its largest budget. “My life has been blessed because I have a beautiful family that remains healthy and safe and I had the opportunity to work where I was called,” said Commissioner Jones Commissioner Jones. “Public service is the highest calling, and I had the honor to serve the people of the city I love, with people I love and respect, over the course of a career that touched six decades. I cannot ask for more than I was given, and I thank God for that every day.” Commissioner Jones has been the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services (DES) since 2014. He began working as a summer seasonal worker as a junior recreation leader at Clinton-Baden Street Park in 1977 and started his first full-time job in 1985 as a DES customer-service representative, the predecessor of today’s 311 call taker.
The Mayor’s administrative agenda focused on creating more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities. By the end of her tenure, there was demonstrable progress on every one of these fronts. These include the introduction of Body Worn Cameras for police officers, which sparked a host of police reforms; the construction or renovation of more than 4,000 new affordable homes; and the establishment of a Community Beacon School at School No. 17 to serve as a demonstration project for other schools. Mayor Warren also led the city through the early critical months of the Coronavirus Pandemic by forming partnerships to protect the city’s most vulnerable residents against the virus and the economic shutdown. She responded to the social turmoil of the Pandemic and death of Daniel Prude with a comprehensive criminal justice reform agenda that redefined the roles of law enforcement and civilian agencies in public safety. As the Pandemic response evolved from protection to recovery, the Warren Administration introduced its Equity and Recovery Agenda and elevated the achievement of racial and systemic equity. Mayor Warren also provided the city’s faith community with focused opportunities to extend their missions directly into city neighborhoods, creating a powerful new resource. Following a Continued Page 16
he annual Bayou Classic commemorates historically Black colleges and universities academic achievement, tradition, sportsmanship, marching bands, and friendly competition. The “Classic” is an exhibition of high standards and tradition between the two Louisiana HBCU institutions of Grambling State University, including but not limited to a Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, galas and parties, parade, and other sights, sounds, and food that fill the city of New Orleans. As a graduate of Canisius College, my familiarity with the Bayou Classic was via NBC televising the game and watching analysts by one of my favorites, Ahmad Rashad. Experiencing it live, I realize that the Bayou Classic is more than a game, it’s an experience far beyond what was televised and of course, the game was even more exciting viewing in person. This year the Classic was held November 26 in Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans. It was an interesting match up with both head coaches being Interim Head Coach. Southern University Coach Jason Rollins was completing his first season as Head Coach and his second season on the Bluff. Grambling
State Interim Head Coach Terrence Graves is 25-year veteran Coach in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. This game is always anti climatic being the end of a fabulous weekend, but Southern came back to tie the game under two minutes to play only to lose on a last second field goal by Classic MVP Garrett Urban. Garrett kicked a record 5 field goals in the game. The passing game has invaded Historical Black Colleges and Universities, which were on display in the game with Grambling State Elijah Walker and Southern Jaguars Ladarius Skelton making quality passes throughout the competition. Ladarius Skelton also could run with deceptive moves helping to get Southern back into the game.
BILLS RECAPBY RADNEY & CHEEKS
Bills Stampeded By Run Happy Patriots 14 - 10 The Bills defense, playing with inexperienced linebacker Tyrel Dodson, got run over by an experienced offensive line and superior coaching staff in Monday night’s 14-0 loss to the Patriots. The Bills need a bigger nose tackle and better edge rushers who can make plays at the line of scrimmage. This game was what I predicted - a nail-biter with Bills offense continuing to struggle without a strong running game. The Bills front office seemed to forget they live
and play in Western New York. It gets very cold with high winds, rain, sleet, and snow some of the time. You must have a running game to be successful in the NFL. I would give running back Antonio Williams a chance to run inside the tackles in a physical manner. The Bills do not have a physical running back or game plan in order to play in these types of elements. The Bills defensive unit has to be embarrassed by getting its butt kicked by a very large
George Radney (left) and Journalist Roland Martin.
It’s was a very enjoyable game and weekend that all Black people should experience in their lifetime. Follow me on FACEBOOK, Instagram, Twitter: georgeradney@georgeradman, LIVE STREAMING: Pro Talk Plus the Winner’s Edge every Saturday at Noon EST and 9am PST. RADIO: Pro Talk Plus, every Saturday morning on The Beat 105.5FM 7am – 8am. Every Sunday morning WHTK Fox Sports 1280 AM from 8am – 9am Rochester, NY
offensive line of New England Patriots that blocked for 46 rushes, 222 yards. There has only been one game in the history of the NFL where a team only threw two passes in a game and we had the pleasure of seeing it in 1974 with O.J. Simpson carrying the ball for Buffalo Bills in a win against the New York Jets. The Patriots threw the ball only three times on their way to stomping a mud hole and leaving cleat marks in the defensive linemen’s chest. Bills defensive lineman Harrison Phillips was the only one to show up and play with pride and make a few tackles at the line of scrimmage. The Bills have only 5 days Continued Page 18
