The Webster Town Board will vote on whether to exceed the state property tax cap at a meeting on November 1. A public hearing precedes the vote. | Local governments in New York State have a 2 percent cap on their tax levies, unless they vote to override. | Webster plans to exceed the tax […]
Jeremy Moule
Covers county government and whatever else comes my way. Greyhound dad; vegetarian; attempted photographer with a love for film and fixer; sometimes cyclist.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Hurricane Sandy and climate change: It’s complicated
The entire northeast is preparing for the onset of the Hurricane Sandy. Or more specifically, people in the northeast are preparing for the Frankenstorm: Hurricane Sandy mixed with a winter storm coming from the north. That combination of a hurricane and a nor’easter is weird. And it’s the latest example of weird or abnormally severe […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Proposed county fracking law stalls
For now, Democrats’ proposal to prohibit the county from treating fracking-related waste water won’t move forward. Last night, Republican John Howland, the chair of the County Legislature’s Environment and Public Works committee, referred the proposal to the Brooks administration for further study. He said it’s a complex issue with lots of facts coming from each […]
Posted inSpecial Sections
ELECTIONS 2012: The case against Brooks for Congress
Congressional candidate Maggie Brooks almost never refers to the “people” of Monroe County; they are “taxpayers,” even when the context seems to demand another noun. The subtle bit of messaging aligns with Brooks’ signature and much-touted accomplishment as county executive: freezing the property tax rate.
Posted inSpecial Sections
ELECTIONS 2012: Hochul over Collins
The 27th Congressional District race is essentially about two things: health care and jobs. Incumbent Democratic Representative Kathy Hochul wants to keep the Affordable Care Act in place, though she’s said it could be improved. Her Republican challenger, business owner and former Eric County executive Chris Collins, wants to repeal the ACA. But he’s offered […]
Posted inSpecial Sections
ELECTIONS 2012: Aldersley for County Legislature
Democratic Legislator Stephanie Aldersley is looking to win the seat she once held for a decade. Aldersley was appointed to the Monroe County Legislature earlier this year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Vinnie Esposito. She’s running now to fill the remaining three years of Esposito’s term, and faces a challenge from […]
Posted inSpecial Sections
ELECTIONS 2012: O’Brien should win Senate slugfest
Republican State Senator Jim Alesi’s decision not to seek re-election set off a savage political scramble that only gets uglier and more personal as the election gets closer. The race between Democrat Ted O’Brien and Republican Sean Hanna for the 55th Senate District is about local representation, but also about control of the Senate. The […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
US should use caution when aiding rebel groups
The United States has a long history of aiding coups against unfriendly regimes, only to watch the the rebel groups it aided become unfriendly. And the new regimes often have gone on to commit human rights abuses of their own. In some cases, the goal was to stop the spread of Communism. That was an […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Clinton stumps for Slaughter, Hochul
Former President Bill Clinton says the country needs cooperation and not conflict to get back on track. In an appearance at the Main Street Armory this afternoon, Clinton told the crowd of about 2,000 people why they should vote for either Kathy Hochul or Louise Slaughter, incumbent Democrats facing tough re-election contests for their House […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Energy conservation ignored in debate
Early in Tuesday’s presidential debate, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney got off on a tangent that wanted to be a discussion of energy policy. Instead, it was a mess. Arguments were mangled and facts were pushed over into a corner somewhere. As they tried to out-coal and out-natural gas one another, neither candidate was particularly […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Clean coal is still just a dream
Just a reminder: there’s no such thing as clean coal. During last night’s presidential debate, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney each reiterated their energy policies. And they both included clean coal as an aspect of their plans. But there’s a catch: clean coal is more theoretical than it is practical. The term clean coal can […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
City moves on land banks
City of Rochester officials are taking steps toward setting up a land bank, a nonprofit entity intended to serve as a tool to address vacant properties. Last year, New York passed legislation authorizing 10 land banks across the state. Earlier this year it signed off on five, including one in Erie County. And earlier this […]
