Bob Cook announces campaign for Monroe County Clerk

Bob Cook announced his candidacy for Monroe County Clerk at a press conference where he was joined by Democratic elected officials, party faithful and family at Monroe County Democratic Committee headquarters. He has vowed to re-open the Downtown Motor Vehicle office if elected in November.

In his role as counsel to the New York State Assembly Transportation Committee Chair, Cook has helped provide oversight of the state Department of Motor Vehicles, drafted motor vehicle legislation and helped secure funding for the County Clerk's office - including state funding for a Downtown DMV office.

"Despite the local state Assembly delegation's efforts to restore Downtown Motor Vehicle office funding, today the office inexplicably remains closed," Cook said. "As a result, the more than 50,000 downtown workers and 219,000 city residents are without a full-service, auto-license bureau. As County Clerk, my first priority will be to re-open this office, so that the entire community again has convenient access to motor-vehicle services."

Cook said he is seeking the post to provide new leadership in the Clerk's office and to educate people about the office's importance.

"Many people in the community think the Clerk's office is just about fishing licenses and passports - they aren't aware of the significance of the County Clerk's Office, from protecting our vital public records, to generating revenue for the county," Cook said. "I look forward to making the Clerk's office an even more integral part of county government, by restoring world-class customer service and providing an independent voice for fiscal responsibility."

Since former Monroe County Clerk Maggie Brooks' election as Monroe County Executive, the clerk's department has been run by Assistant County Clerk Larry Staub.