“Passionate” David Gantt remembered by those he mentored & opponents across the aisle

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ROCHESTER, NY (WHAM) — When it comes to David Gantt, everyone has a story about that first time they crossed paths.

“He mentored me. He taught me a lot,” said Ernest Flagler, the Assistant Minority Leader with the Monroe County Legislature. “He believed in me when some of the people I thought believed in me, didn’t. He became family.”

Flagler says the lessons he learned earlier on in his career have had a lasting impact on shaping who he is. He’s now running for his mentor’s former district, the 137th.

“As he passed that torch, he really helped me to almost be ready for making our decisions and our own mistakes, and be our own comforter when we mess up, because we all mess up so often. We have a lot of work to do. If we are going to carry his legacy, we have do it how he would,” said Flagler.

Legislator Frank Keophetlasy is the latest example of an up-and-coming politician that Gantt took pride in helping.

“I learned so much from him,” said Keophetlasy. “Not just politically. It really was an honor to learn it all from him.”

Across the aisle, Gantt had his share of critics. Assemblyman Brian Kolb says they didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but he respected Gantt’s dedication to his community.

“Kind of a gruff guy at times. Not all the time, but he had good relationships with people across the aisle,” said Kolb. “I think David looked at the City of Rochester, his home, his district, as his priority and his roots as his priority.”

— 13 WHAM

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