Bill Murphy: Courage in a Culture of Corruption

The Next Steps Show – Featuring Greece Councilman Bill Murphy

Segment 1: Introduction & Defining LeadershipThis episode of The Next Steps Show is brought to you by Open Door Mission, restoring hope and changing lives. Visit OpenDoorMission.com.

In a world that seems to change daily, what will you do next? Welcome to The Next Steps Show, your starting point for real discussion.

Leadership—it is a word many claim, but few live up to. Too often, people wear the title but fail to earn the following. True leadership is not about positions or promises; it is about standing firm when a community’s trust is on the line.

As Proverbs 29:18 reminds us: “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Leadership requires vision, integrity, and accountability.

Today, we turn our attention to one of Monroe County’s largest and most dynamic towns: Greece, New York—a community rich in history and now at the crossroads of political change.

Our guest has built a career serving this community—nearly three decades in law enforcement, including as Police Chief in the Village of Holley, and eight years as Councilman for Greece’s Second Ward. He has spent forty years in public service, dedicating his life to protecting families, neighborhoods, and truth.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to welcome Bill Murphy, current Greece Councilman and candidate for Greece Town Supervisor.
________________________________________
Service, Experience, and the State of the Town
Murphy shared that he has lived in Greece for over 30 years, raising his family and serving with pride. Married to his wife Cindy for 31 years, he continues to see public service not as a job but as a calling.

Peter opened the discussion by addressing the growing attention Greece has received online and in local politics:

“Greece has been quiet for a long time—too quiet. Now social media is lighting up with posts, pages, and accusations. What is really happening in town government today?”

Murphy explained that while community dialogue is welcome, political opportunism has hijacked many of these spaces. What began as citizen-driven accountability has, in some corners, devolved into political theater.

He reaffirmed that the town’s focus should return to transparency and constructive public engagement rather than gossip and misinformation.
________________________________________
Allegations and Accountability
Peter noted the importance of confronting tough issues directly and raised the topic of recent allegations tied to a federal inquiry.

In May, a federal magistrate judge mentioned Murphy in connection with a perjury referral. Murphy explained the situation clearly and directly, emphasizing that the allegations were politically motivated and baseless.

“This never occurred,” Murphy stated firmly. “The supervisor fabricated it. I was accused without evidence, during an election year, to damage my reputation and distract from what really matters in Greece.”
He further clarified that there was no wrongdoing, no communication with the individuals cited, and that both he and the attorney named were proven to have had no contact whatsoever.

Peter reinforced the point that the interview was unscripted and transparent—no prearranged questions, no talking points—just open dialogue and truth.
________________________________________
Public Safety and School Protection
The conversation shifted to public safety, particularly school resource officers and the role of local law enforcement in protecting students.

Murphy detailed his plan to reinstate and strengthen the school resource program he helped launch years earlier, emphasizing the need for armed officers in schools:

“You cannot put a price on children’s safety,” Murphy said. “We will work with the school district, the superintendent, and the board to restore this program. Our students, teachers, and parents deserve real protection, not politics.”

He also underscored his lifelong commitment to law enforcement and his intent to rebuild respect for police officers amid national hostility toward the badge.
________________________________________
Caller Segment and the Power of Perception
A listener named Keith called in to commend Murphy’s honesty and urged him to stay strong in the face of false accusations.
Murphy responded with conviction:
“I can say without a doubt—100 percent—these claims are false. There is no evidence because it never happened. But the damage caused by lies affects not just me but my family and the entire community.”
Peter affirmed Keith’s point, adding:
“That is what people need to hear—direct, no spin, no fear. That is leadership.”
________________________________________
Segment 6: Housing, Section 8, and Growth
The conversation turned to housing development, Section 8, and New York’s push for “affordable housing” initiatives.
Murphy acknowledged that Greece already includes low-income housing but opposed expanding Section 8 projects that could alter the community’s stability and character.
He stressed the importance of balanced development—supporting seniors and veterans while maintaining responsible zoning and preventing state-driven overreach.
“We cannot keep building endlessly,” he said. “Our priority must be sustainability, safety, and preserving land for future generations.”
Peter emphasized that while housing is not an entitlement, communities have a duty to address homelessness responsibly—particularly among veterans who are too often ignored.

Veterans, Faith, and the Moral Foundation of Leadership
As the discussion deepened, Peter raised an issue central to both men’s values—faith and service.
“Where does faith play a role in your leadership?” Peter asked.
Murphy responded without hesitation.
“Faith is everything. Every week, my wife and I are in church. She’s there more than I am, but that foundation keeps us grounded. It guides my decisions. We cannot lead effectively if we are not accountable to something greater than ourselves.”
Peter added that faith has long been part of Greece’s moral backbone, noting how the community’s values once led to the removal of a Planned Parenthood facility in the area.
Murphy nodded in agreement, reaffirming his belief that faith and moral discipline are not private matters—they are vital to public service.
________________________________________
Segment 8: Standing for Veterans
Turning to veterans’ issues, Peter pressed further:
“Every campaign season we hear politicians mention veterans. Why is your plan different?”
Murphy’s answer was personal and pointed.
“I am a member of the American Legion Post 468 in Greece. My late father served in World War II. I see firsthand the struggles veterans face—housing, healthcare, and simply getting straight answers from the system. These men and women do not want handouts; they want respect and a fair chance to rebuild.”
He outlined his proposal to form a Veterans Council under his administration—bringing together local veterans, advocates, and officials to identify real solutions.
“Housing is number one,” Murphy said. “Too many veterans are homeless or struggling in silence. They deserve better. My administration will pressure the system and make sure their needs are heard.”
Peter, himself a veteran, echoed this point.
“We fought for this country. We did not fight to be forgotten. Veterans are not a burden—they are a reminder of the cost of freedom.”
________________________________________
Segment 9: Public Safety, Policing, and the Character of Greece
Murphy returned to the topic of public safety, particularly in the face of changing demographics and political pressures.
“We need to restore respect for law enforcement,” he said. “When I served as Chief in Holley, we kept our standards high. In Greece, our officers deserve the support and manpower they need. With a population this size, we are short on police presence. That will change.”
He also described ongoing efforts to increase license plate reader technology and visible policing near commercial areas like the mall, where theft and disorder have increased.
“If you come to Greece looking for trouble, you will be held accountable,” Murphy said. “That’s the message.”
________________________________________
Segment 10: Political Contrast and the Battle for Greece
Peter then brought the conversation into sharper political focus, referencing Murphy’s opponent, Jeff McCann, and the town’s internal divisions.
He noted that McCann’s shifting party affiliations—from Republican to Democrat to Conservative—reflect what Peter called “political expedience over principle.”
Murphy explained the connection between McCann, County Executive Adam Bello, and long-standing party machinery.
“It is about power, not people,” Murphy said. “My opponent represents the same insider politics that have failed Monroe County for years. I am running to change that—to give people back their voice.”
Peter concluded that the issue was not just partisan—it was moral.
“This is about the kind of leadership we want for our children. Integrity cannot be borrowed or bought. It must be lived.”
________________________________________
Segment 11: The Van-bōōl-zal-ness Crisis and the Decline of Truth
As the show approached its close, Peter shifted to his recurring theme—the Van-bōōl-zal-ness Crisis, a cultural condition marked by moral confusion and political deception.
“We live in a time when truth has become negotiable,” Peter said. “That is Van-bōōl-zal-ness—when people trade conviction for comfort and abandon responsibility for applause.”
He connected this idea to the local political climate, noting how Greece has become a microcosm of a national moral struggle.
Murphy agreed, emphasizing that leadership means telling hard truths, not managing optics.
“I am not here for titles or comfort,” he said. “I am here to rebuild trust and serve honestly. We need to get back to grassroots government—people before politics.”
________________________________________
Segment 12: Closing Reflections
Peter closed the conversation by reaffirming the show’s mission and Murphy’s message:
“Leadership is not about titles or promises—it is about standing firm when your community’s trust is on the line. If we do not hold our leaders accountable, we become part of the decay.”
Murphy’s final words were simple but resolute.
“I am a straight shooter. I will not snow anyone. This is not about me—it is about the people of Greece, about integrity, family, and faith. That is what leadership is.”
Peter ended the broadcast with a call to action:
“Be a leader. Be the example. Hold the line for truth and liberty. God bless these United States of America.”
________________________________________
Sponsor Mentions (Condensed for Publication)
Open Door Mission: Restoring hope and changing lives.
Flower City Collision: Veteran-owned, committed to excellence.
Youth for Christ Rochester: Building faith and discipline in the next generation.
Robbie’s Bar & Grill: Proudly supporting local service members and veterans.