David Gantt

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David Gantt
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 137th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
1983
Preceded by Dale Rath
Personal details
Born (1941-09-12) September 12, 1941[1]
Rochester, New York[2]
Political party Democratic
Residence Rochester, New York
Profession politician
Website Assembly Website

David F. Gantt (born September 12, 1941)[1] is a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly representing the 137th Assembly District, which includes the northeast and southwest sections of the city of Rochester and the suburban town of Gates. Prior to redistricting that took effect in 2012, Gantt represented the 133rd district, the borders of which were largely the same.[1]

Early life and career

Gantt attended Franklin High School, Roberts Wesleyan College and the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has worked as youth counselor for the City of Rochester, as a member of Lithographers & Photoengravers International Union Local 230, and as an administrator at the Anthony L. Jordan Health Center.[1]

Political career

Monroe County Legislature

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Gantt served for nine years as a Monroe County legislator representing the 22nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Rochester's Group 14621, Marketview Heights and CONEA neighborhoods.[1]

New York State Assembly

Gantt initiated the federal redistricting lawsuit which resulted in the creation of the 133rd New York State Assembly District, and has represented that district, now renumbered to the 137th, since his election in 1982.[1] He ran uncontested in the November 2008[3][4] and November 2010 general elections.[5][6]

Gantt currently serves as Chairman of the Committee on Transportation. He is a member of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, the Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry, the Committee on Local Governments, the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Ways and Means.[1]

Traffic enforcement cameras

As Chairman of the Assembly's Committee on Transportation, Gantt has blocked New York City efforts to install cameras for bus lane enforcement.[7]

Gantt has a history of opposing red-light and anti-speeding cameras, telling The Buffalo News in 2007: "If you do this, what's next? Then people will want cameras to do other things . . . It’s the old Big Brother watching."[8]

In 2008 though Gantt introduced a bill authorizing state-wide use of traffic enforcement cameras, but so narrowly worded as to only permit cameras distributed by CMA Consulting Services. According to reports, CMA paid $80,000 to Robert Scott Gaddy, a Gantt friend and former staff member, to lobby for the bill.[8]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Biography, Assemblyman David F. Gantt (Assembly District 133). New York State Assembly. Retrieved 2008-06-18 
  2. Molaire, Mike F.; Marsha Jones, Fred Tanksley (1998). African-American Who's Who, Past & Present, Greater Rochester Area. Norex Publications. p. 106. ISBN 0-9649390-4-5 
  3. "Election Results 2008: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2008. 
  4. "Assembly Election Returns: November 4, 2008" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2008. 
  5. "Election Results 2010: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2010. 
  6. "Assembly Election Returns: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2010. 
  7. Lovett, Kenneth (2008-06-17). "Panel kills bill for city bus lane cameras". New York Daily News 
  8. 8.0 8.1 Precious, Tom (2008-06-03). Assemblyman accused of steering red-light camera business to former aide. The Buffalo News 

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Monroe County, New York Legislator, 22nd District
January 1, 1974 – December 31, 1982
Succeeded by
New York Assembly
Preceded by
Dale E. Rath
New York State Assembly, 133rd District
January 1, 1983 – December 31, 2012
Succeeded by
William R. Nojay
Preceded by
Christopher S. Friend
New York State Assembly, 137th District
January 1, 2013 – present
Incumbent
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