Leaders of the Rochester City Council say they're aware one of the members appointed to the new Police Advisory Board has a criminal record...and they say it doesn't disqualify him from serving.
WHAM 1180's Bob Lonsberry reported this morning that social worker Miquel Powell is the same man who shot and wounded a man at a downtown daycare center. Powell went to prison for that shooting, later becoming a social worker and founding an agency on North Street to help people recently released from jail or drug rehab to stay out of trouble.
Councilmember Willie Lightfoot says Powell is an amazing young man who has turned his life around. He says City Council did its due diligence and background checks and knew about Powell's prison record. But Lightfoot says the value he brings to the community now supersedes his past.
Lightfoot and Council President Loretta Scott called Powell an outstanding applicant.
A total of more than 60 qualified applicants were screened by council and the mayor's office before the nine PAB members were nominated. Council began the approval process at committee meetings Thursday afternoon.