It is my distinct honor to continue serving as your Monroe County Legislator, and this marks the start of my fourth year in office. I will continue to serve as Chair of Environment and Public Works, Vice Chair of Transportation, and as a member of the Public Safety Committees. In addition, I am on the board of the County’s Environmental Management Council.

For the third consecutive year, we adopted the Monroe County budget unanimously.  You can find the 2025 budget here. In particular, I was glad to see County Executive Bello reauthorize $1 million for implementation of Phase I of the Climate Action Plan and add a staff position to the Office of Environmental Quality that oversees that effort; add a staff position to the Department of Transportation to assist in the implementation of the Active Transportation Plan; and offer a pilot program to incentivize schools to begin composting programs.

Other County Legislature actions included:

• Accepted a Grant from the New York State Department of Health for the High Impact Prevention and Services that Address Social Determinants of Health and Reduce Health Disparities within Communities of Color, specifically for HIV/STD/HCV interventions and services; and 
• Accepted a Grant from the US Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance for the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program
• Appointed Raymond Reyerse Jr to the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA)

UpcomingEvents:

Let Freedom Ring: January 20 10:30a-1p
Ingle Auditorium RIT
Join RIT for their 8th annual Let Freedom Ring, featuring keynote speaker Irshad Altheimer! There will also be a performance by Pianist Angela Nkugwa. Don’t miss this incredible collaboration of local talent as they bring the Let Freedom Ring celebration to life with a performance that is sure to inspire and move you.

MLK Day 2025: 40^th Anniversary: January 20 9a-11a
Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs Street
Enjoy the 40th Annual MLK Day Celebration in Rochester with a rousing worship service with the MLK Community Choir and hear from Pastor Sebrone Johnson of Greater Harvest Church.

Winter Job Fair: January 23 10a-Noon
450 Skyview Centre Pkwy
RochesterWorks, in partnership with the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce, will bring over 20 businesses on-site to recruit for jobs across all skill and experience levels,

Winterfest: Saturday, January 25^th 2025 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bring the whole family and come on out to Mendon Ponds Park for a FREE, fun-filled, action-packed day, brought to you by County Executive Adam J. Bello, and the Monroe County Department of Parks!
NEW THIS YEAR: Winterfest 2025 will begin with a 5k run presented by YellowJacket Racing. The first annual Hot Cocoa 5k and kids race will kick off at 10am with the award ceremony beginning at 11am. 
https://www.monroecounty.gov/parks-winterfest

—

Susan Hughes-Smith

~ Monroe County Legislature LD 14