The Rochester Lead Ordinance was brought up for a vote in the last city council session of December 2005. Going into the session, even after several years of very hard work to lobby for its passage including on-going advocacy work by Tim, the Coalition was unsure the Rochester Lead Ordinance could secure the necessary votes to pass. It was a hotly debated issue – both by members of City Council and by Rochester residents. At the time, it was (and may still be) the longest city council session on record. Many give credit to the impassioned support of Councilmember Mains that led to the final unanimous and historic vote in favor of the legislation (see attached article from City Newspaper). Rochester wouldn’t have an ordinance and communities across the country wouldn’t have followed our lead if it hadn’t been for Tim. Thousands of children are safer from exposure to lead paint poisoning hazards due in large part to Tim Mains. Additionally, Tim was instrumental in the passage of the precedent setting Rochester City School District Lead Safety Policy in 2007. We owe him a huge debt. A very sad loss. We extend our deepest condolences to Tim’s family and many dear friends and colleagues.
