This week, In Focus takes viewers inside a day in the life of one of Upstate New York’s most prominent mayors. Mayor Malik Evans sits down with JoDee Kenney in this special episode to talk about his experience taking over Rochester’s highest office, after the resignation of former mayor Lovely Warren. Evans also discusses inheriting responsibility for a city dealing with some of the highest levels of violence in the state, with a fourteen-year-old being killed on his first day in office. He says it’s going to take a lot more than surface-level solutions to curb the violence in Rochester, detailing a three-pronged approach focusing on suppression, prevention, and intervention that would utilize not just law enforcement, but also job programs to help at-risk individuals build more stable lives. Evans says it’s also crucial to stop the flow of illegal weapons, vowing to work with federal and state lawmakers to address the iron pipeline and avoid putting limits on legal gun ownership. The mayor says he’s also focused on improving the quality of life for everyone in Rochester, investing in blighted communities through land bank initiatives, and creating a better environment for local businesses to take root.
Small businesses are a cornerstone of the Mayor’s vision for the future, with many investments being made with them in mind. Evans says the Inner Loop projects are critical for businesses in the city, connecting different areas to open up Rochester’s downtown. He says it’s not just an investment for business owners, but job seekers as well. It’s all part of his push for economic empowerment — which also involves helping people gain the knowledge and skills needed to improve their lives and invest back in the city’s economy. He’s also looking towards Rochester’s many educational institutions, with programs aimed to curb the “brain drain” and incentivize recent grads to stick around and build their futures in the Flower City. Evans says people of all ages have a place in Rochester, and he’s working to make it clear that there is a bright future for everyone there.
Watch In Focus’s full Day in the Life episode with Rochester Mayor Malik Evans via the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.
