David F. Gantt

This article is about the New York State assemblyman. For the Loomis Fargo bank robber, see David Scott Ghantt.
David Gantt
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 137th district
Assumed office
January 1, 1983
Preceded by Dale Rath
Personal details
Born (1941-09-12) September 12, 1941
Rochester, New York
Political party Democratic
Residence Rochester, New York
Profession Politician
Website Assembly Website

David F. Gantt (born September 12, 1941) 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 district was numbered the 133rd, comprising an area which was largely the same.

Early life and career

Gantt was born on September 12, 1941, in Rochester, New York[1] He 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.[2]

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.[2]

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.[2] 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.[2]

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 statewide 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]

Foreclosure on Rochester property

House Foreclosed for Back Taxes

The City of Rochester now owns 489 Central Park. The property was purchased by New York State Assemblyman David Gantt in 1985, according to records on file with the Monroe County Clerk's Office. The property was seized in foreclosure proceedings after Gantt failed to pay $720.36 in property taxes that were nearly two years overdue. Gantt and his property were named on a "List of Delinquent Taxes" published in July 2013 and a lawyer for the City of Rochester explained that the designation applies to property owners who are more than a year overdue on their taxes.

489 Central Park is assessed at just $20,000 and Gantt's tax debt is $720.36. Gantt earns about $80,000 in base salary as a New York State Assemblyman excluding additional compensation for assignments to various committees. In 2011 Gantt was allowed to legally "retire" and begin collection a pension of more than $71,000 each year in addition to collecting his salary as an Assemblyman. In state compensation alone Gantt annually collects more than $150,000. [9]

References

External links

New York Assembly
Preceded by
Dale Rath
New York State Assembly
133rd District

1983–2012
Succeeded by
Bill Nojay
Preceded by
Christopher S. Friend
New York State Assembly
137th District

2013–present
Incumbent
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