Monroerising.com

I have read and commented on the recent stories about how Cheryl Dinolfo will have an opponent in her reelection campaign for County Clerk. I wanted to find out some more information on Tom Hasman, her perspective opponent. My research turned up his board membership listing for the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus. Because I had never heard of this organization before, I decided to peruse the site for some more information on these musically inclined men. What I found was disheartening. They call themselves the “Rochettes” and on their about them page, they state a brief description about the “Rochettes,” it states, and I quote:

One of the most significant, and sought-after attractions of the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, is the sub-group known as the “Rochettes”. These multi-talented, imaginative men not only sing, but also swing and sway, bump and grind, and tap dance into your heart. Their tightly-choreographed moves are truly show-stopping!

They state that amongst the type of performances they do is a “Bump and Grind.” I have been around the block a time or two and that is exactly what its sounds like. You may remember R. Kelly, the R&B singer (currently on trial for soliciting child pornography) had a hit under the same name. In the online ticket section of the site they sell discounted tickets to children 12 and under. I quote and link

RGMC Child, June 14 2008, Here Us Now
Price - $6.00
Child’s ticket (12 and under) to RGMC’s twenty-fifth anniversary celebration concert. One performance only.

The Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus sells tickets to their performances in which there seem to be overtly sexual acts, to children under the age of 12. As a board member for this organization, he should know that this is inappropriate.

[Read more →]

Tags: Articles, Bullwinkle, Monroe County by bullwinkle
13 Comments »

After last year’s debacle of not being able to find a candidate for County Executive, it’s nice to see Democratic Party Chairman Joe “The Cat Whisperer” Morelle put his nose to the grindstone and put a lot of work into finding a candidate for County Clerk.

Tom Hasman, an former Clinton intern, is the Democrats’ choice to run against Cheryl Dinolfo. According to the Democrat and Chronicle:

During Hasman’s announcement, held at Monroe County Democratic Committee headquarters, committee Chairman Joseph Morelle attacked Dinolfo’s practice of encouraging people to renew their vehicle registrations in person at the clerk’s office, so the county can retain the revenue, instead of renewing their registrations online or by mail, which can be more convenient but sends all of the revenue to Albany.

Huh?  I know Morelle put serving his political master Sheldon Silver ahead of doing what’s right for Rochester, but still, it’s surprising he would actually say that out loud. [Read more →]

Tags: Monroe County, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
5 Comments »

Democratic County Legislator Carmen Gamina, Principal of the State Road Elementary School and Monroe County Legislator, has been named in a lawsuit by a female teacher.  The teacher claims Gamina violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

According to the Messenger Post Papers:

In the suit, Heaphy said the district acted inappropriately when the school’s principal, Carmen Gumina, asked if she was pregnant in September 2006. The lawsuit alleges district officials acted against Heaphy afterward.

Because the case is a personnel matter with litigation pending, Superintendent Adele Bovard declined to comment.

Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1975, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or any related medical conditions, according to the suit. [Read more →]

Tags: Articles, Monroe County, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
3 Comments »

Artist are a weird bunch — no new news there, but how about that front page piece in the D&C about the Midtown Plaza Clock being shown at the airport?  Evidently, Wendel Castle and his wife Nancy Jurs are upset because their artwork, purchased by the County for the airport almost 20 years ago, is in storage because of renovations.

After causing a stink last year because their “artwork” was in storage, they are upset now because it was announced that the Midtown Plaza Clock will be on display at the airport until it is moved to its permanent home in 2012.  Castle said:

“The fact my clock is being replaced by 1960s kitsch makes no sense at all,” Castle said. “It’s very hurtful, taking mine down and putting a piece of junk in its place. The Midtown clock has zero artistic value.”

Who is Castle to call anything junk?  Have you ever seen those pieces of junk he and his wife were paid $125,000 for?  [Read more →]

Tags: Articles, Cincinnatus, Monroe County by Cincinnatus
2 Comments »

We at Monroerising.com are big fans of Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.  We think she has done a great job under some very trying circumstances.  The challenges she faces are numerous — no control over the expenses in her budget and having to get your political opponents’ ok before you can raise the sales tax – for starters.  And this is against the backdrop of a hostile daily newspaper, a minority caucus dedicated to causing her political problems and liberal activist groups that have stepped up their game by adding professional protesters to their ranks. 

When Maggie Brooks first proposed Renaissance Square it was a daring solution to a problem that people had grown used to — a blighted downtown with absolutely nothing going for it.  The project made sense.  Remove the buses that clog Main Street, expand MCC’s presence and build a first class preforming arts center.  It would bring people downtown and instantly become a Rochester landmark. Additionally, it would encourage private investment which has been sorely lacking. [Read more →]

Tags: Articles, Cincinnatus, Maggie Brooks, Monroe County by Cincinnatus
No Comments »

They’ve done it again — the liberal political activists have generated tens of thousands of dollars worth of negative publicity for MCC  over the Presidency “controversy” and now they’re in the D&C complaining about the effect of that controversy on MCC fundraising.

According to the D&C:

In a March 18 letter to MCC board Chairman Richard Guon, 16 members of the MCC Foundation’s executive committee wrote that “appointing a president who is not acknowledged to be the best candidate for the position will hamper the ability of the Foundation to raise private funds.” [Read more →]

Tags: David Gantt, Democrat and Chronicle, MCC Presidency, Monroe County, Monroe County Public Defender, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
1 Comment »

Gentle Reader:

We have been so busy with our team coverage of Client Number 9’s fall from grace that we have had to push other stories out a few days.  We’ve finally had a chance to talk to our sources about Tuesday night’s County Legislature meeting.

Sandy Frankel and Willa Powell both spoke at the public forum — evidently, pandering to the special interests is the latest form of campaigning for the state Senate.  The Legislature clerk called Richard Dollinger’s name to speak and he wasn’t at the meeting. Maybe Mr. Dollinger is trying to get confirmation that his deal for a judgeship is still on the table.  After all, as the saying goes, all deals die with the king, or in the case Client Number 9.  If its not too late, maybe he can re-apply for his Town Judge job back — I bet Supervisor Sandy would support that.

Sandy Frankel droned on about what a great liberal she is — after all Brighton offers benefits to people who do not meet New York State’s legal definition of marriage.  She promised to be back next month and do some shameless self promotion about the wonderful green initiatives she has sponsored as Supervisor.

Willa Powell was there and she told a story about how a young lesbian was shopping at the mall in Greece and encountered an anti-gay rally and was subjected to all kinds of abuse — due in no small part to that darn Maggie Brooks appealing the court decision requiring the County provide benefits to people who are not legally recognized as married in New York. 

This story sounds like complete non-sense.  I would think that would be the cause of the week for all of these newly energized fringe groups.  There would have been press conferences, candle light vigils and condemnation of Maggie Brooks  for encourage an attitude of intolerance.

We will have a post a little latter about Democratic Party embarrassment Jason Koon.  He cut ER’s senior nutrition program and he actually got 13 of the 14 Democrats in the Legislature to vote against a measure helping low income seniors in his community.

Tags: Monroe County, Prudence Izguhde, Richard Dollinger, Sandy Frankel, Willa Powell by Prudence Izguhde
No Comments »

According to Democrat and Chronicle publisher Michael Kane, a new mission was unveiled early in 2008. The new mission is stated as:

“The Democrat and Chronicle remains ever vigilant for the community good, dedicated to providing unsurpassed value and excellent customer service while expanding multimedia delivery of news, information, diverse opinions and interaction. Core Values: -Lead: We will defend free speech. We will champion an open and forthright government. We will be a catalyst for meaningful change - for our community and our industry. –Inform: We will serve a diverse community as the most reliable and trusted source of local news and information. –Innovate: We will anticipate and respond to the changing needs of our customers. We will be bold and creative in our use of media platforms, always instilling a sense of confidence in our content and value in our relationships. –Inspire: We will inspire new and renewed customer relationships through a shared commitment to quality by employees who care.” 

Apparently, Mr. Kane forgot to forward the memo to Editorial Board member Tom Tobin.

In reading Tobin’s editorials lately, I’ve realized I want whatever he’s smokin’ (It’s probably something Governor “Steamroller” wants to legalize). His opinion of the recent Public Defender episode was embarrassing; I was actually ashamed to have a subscription to a paper that would sanction statements like his. He speaks of the GOP Legislators as being liars; well the mirror provides a very telling picture for you as well Double T. If he was any deeper in the pockets of the Democratic Party, he’d be the fuzz you find when you search for loose change that jingles. It seems as if he has completely ignored his boss’s and the papers priorities.

Sure he’s exercising his free speech rights, but I wish every once and again his words wouldn’t be so full of make believe; I already visited Disney once this year thank you very much. That sense of fantasy is best left to the professionals not the liberal pretenders. “Most trusted source of local news and information,” I wouldn’t trust Tobin’s take as far as I can throw the Sunday paper full of all those coupons. His words certainly inspire me…inspire me enough to be concerned over the sanity of the people who don’t share his sense of social liberalism. And Tobin unquestionably cares…about himself and his views, not the majority of the people who read the paper that allow him to have a published voice.

Environmental experts always say that purging burns are good for forests and to reinvigorate growth. Perhaps its time for the D&C to take heed of this unfair and bias sense of reporting and reinvigorate the development of a once credible source of news and do the right thing….show Tom Tobin the door.

Tags: Democrat and Chronicle, Lemon Lyman, Monroe County by Lemon Lyman
No Comments »

Bad News.  The state elections board doesn’t take anonymous tips for campaign violations — hard to believe.  I received this in response to my e-mail sent earlier in the week.

Dear Sir/Madam:

The New York State Board of Elections has received your complaint.  The Board’s
policy is that it does not act on complaints it receive that does not have a mailing
address.  Please send us your mailing address, failure to do so will result in your
complaint being closed.

Thank you.

Dawn Hewitt
Enforcement Unit
New York State Board of Elections
40 Steuben Street
Albany, NY  12207

This take us out of the picture.  If our site is to be effective, we need to have the protection of anonymity. 

I live in a nice neighborhood, have a wife and three kids — I don’t want to explain to my 10 year old daughter why these guys with an inflatable rat are blocking our driveway.  Or how about Sister Grace and her crew holding a vigil?

I hope someone picks up the ball and runs with it. We can’t let this guy get away with this!

Tags: Articles, Cincinnatus, Dick Beebe, Monroe County by Cincinnatus
2 Comments »

Over the past few months, the people of Upstate New York have been inundated with press conferences held by Governor Spitzer to announce various funding initiatives.  In Rochester, we first heard the promise of $50 million to tear down midtown plaza to make way for Paetec to relocate from the Town of Perinton to downtown Rochester.  Then there was an announcement for a promise of $50 million for a new transitional science center for the University of Rochester.

At first glance, it would seem that Upstate and our community are rightfully receiving much needed funding to help boost our lagging local economies.  Unfortunately, since the Governor announced his budget, we are learning each day that these promises are already coming with a steep price.

For instance, we learned recently that Governor Spitzer is pushing more of the costs associated with funding detention centers onto County taxpayers by cutting the state’s funding responsibility from 50% to 48%.  Cost to County taxpayers - $6 million.

In addition, Spitzer is cutting millions in funding for Rochester area schools, despite a four-year funding formula agreed upon by the Governor and the State Legislature.  Cost to City and suburban schools - $20+ million.

Add to that the aid cuts to community colleges, the forty-six different fee increases, $500 million in cuts to hospitals and nursing homes and finally (and perhaps the most intrusive ) the elimination this year of rebate checks for middle-class property taxpayers; and it would seem that the bad definitely comes with the ‘promise’ of good.

With baited breadth, Mayor Duffy waited to see how Rochester was going to fair with the Governor’s promised increase in state funding for large cities.  Senator Joe Robach held a press conference calling for an equal share of aid for Rochester, Duffy traveled to Albany to again lobby for an increase for his constituents and Assemblyman David Gantt has always pushed for more for our City (although I personally don’t agree with some of his actions on other things lately, I try to be objective).

Well, unfortunately, despite everyone’s efforts and pleas for funding fairness for Rochester, the Governor chose instead to continue to just dangle the proverbial carrot in front of us — meaning, no fair share for us.  Just a little bump to keep us all in line, but not enough to really solve the problem.  Bottom line, Rochester still faces a $20+ million deficit.

So what we know right now is that we have a few ‘promises’ on the table for a couple of projects, but many guarantees for funding cuts as well as aid that falls well short of the mark for our needs.

Once again, we all took the Governor at his word that he was going to come through for us and Upstate New York.  In less than two weeks from his State of Upstate speech, concerns are beginning to brew here at Monroerising that we might just be getting his “Day One” speech all over again. 

Let’s hope for our sake that we still get the money for Paetec and the U of R.   With all the promising going on all across the state lately, we find it hard to believe that the Governor is going to be able to deliver on it all. 

We had high hopes for our new Governor.  Unfortunately, that familiar voice of Shirley Feeney we hear singing in the background is beginning to quickly fade away.

Tags: Articles, Bob Duffy, City of Rochester, David Gantt, Elliot Spitzer, Joe Robach, Monroe County, Mr. Peabody, New York State by Mr. Peabody
No Comments »