Personal Quotes

"The coalition understands that Rochester's future will be fueled by the next generation of leaders. If our community continues to be denied this fuel by virtue of the brain drain, what will be the implications for the future? We must start the change now, and we believe it starts by listening to what young people have to say." - Jeremy Cooney (D&C, 10-2-2006)

"We need to create a renaissance in Rochester. Kind of like Boston without the traffic." Kelly Sauke. (insider , 10-1-2004)

Jeremy Cooney, 23, of Rochester, a staff assistant to Slaughter, even has accepted the position of "interim secretary" of the coalition. "There really hasn't been a voice of the young people -- at least not an organized and cohesive one," he says. "This is a way for all of these organizations to come together and make a change or take action in the community." (insider , 10-1-2004)

"This will be a great way to bring all these groups together," said Julie Burghardt, an organizer with The City Walk. "We need to retain young people in the city and promote this area. Hopefully we can raise awareness and engage people in different groups who are single, couples or starting families and keep this area growing."   (D&C, 8-17-2004)

"Hopefully by working together, we can give these groups more of a political voice," said Laura Hammond, co-president of the Rochester Area Twenty-Somethings. "Instead of 800 people randomly trying to get their thoughts known, we can have one group that goes out, tries to poll members and then shares information with the county or the city so we can have some influence in government with our ideas."   (D&C, 8-17-2004)

"Technically, I'm really not allowed in because I'm over 40," said PAETEC Chairman Arunas Chesonis, who helped organize the group. "But I do believe young people in the area never really had a cohesive voice and direct communication with the leadership organizations in town."   (D&C, 8-17-2004)

"The ROC City Coalition gives a unified voice to young Rochester professionals," said Jeremy Cooney, a staff assistant to Slaughter. "If Monroe County, as well as the city of Rochester, wants young people to work and live in the area, they must include them at the decision-making level." (D&C, 8-17-20054)

Jerry Helfer, assistant to [County Executive] Brooks, said the group's formation is "a welcome and long-needed development." (D&C, 8-17-2004)   back to top