It’s easy to become jaded while observing local politics, especially as it pertains to education. Contrary to some folks’ naïve notions, “education is a political process,” as city school board member Bolgen Vargas said at the board’s June 19 meeting. Indeed, politics was on everyone’s mind that night. The board had convened to pick […]
Columns
Posted inNews & Opinion
Buses to the rescue?
Central Station, Rochester’s $58-million bus station, is “poised to surge ahead,” says the Democrat and Chronicle. This Thursday (June 19), the Genesee Transportation Council is expected to approve $30 million for the project, which has been proposed by the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority. Congress has already agreed to provide $12 million, and Authority leaders […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Develop this!
The dead center of downtown Rochester could thrive with life again, if only county Republicans would get out of the way. That’s what Democratic city officials are saying, and though they do their fair share of useless political sniping, in this case, I happen to believe them. If you care what happens to the […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
King of the world
Are you paying attention? Now it’s Iran that is harboring terrorists. And building nuclear weapons. And developing biological and chemical weapons. And, says the Bush administration, Iran is stirring up trouble in Iraq. The drumbeat is quickening: Iran needs a regime change. Last week the Wall Street Journal reported that “hard-liners” in the […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Lights, camera, action?
I agree wholeheartedly with Republican County Clerk/Executive candidate Maggie Brooks. “We’ve had enough studies, enough conferences, and enough meetings,” Brooks has declared on several campaign occasions. “Now is the time to roll up our sleeves, bring people together, and get the job done.” Amen, Maggie. And to that, I would add that I’ve had […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Tax cuts? Don’t make me cry
The US Senate has been known as a “millionaires’ club” for years. So many years, in fact, that the nickname needs a “multi” or “centi” to stay current. When ABC news listed “America’s 10 richest politicians” last year, four were US senators: Jon Corzine (NJ), John Kerry (MA), Herb Kohl (WI), and Jay Rockefeller […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
It’s not your problem
Only about a quarter of Rochester’s 9th graders graduate four years later — and only 4 percent of those freshmen get Regents diplomas. In 2001, only 11 percent of Rochester’s 8th graders passed the state math exam. If you live in a Rochester suburb, that’s not your problem. It’s not the State of New […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Can we think big?
If Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse worked together as a region, could we get the growth — new companies, new jobs, new people — that’s eluding us? Maybe. We’d certainly have a better chance than if we keep working separately. But boy, do we have a long way to go. Working together as a […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
The XX files
It’s fitting that Mother’s Day occurs in the spring, but not because life is bursting out all over. It’s fitting because spring is when daycare centers and kindergartens need to know your plans for next fall. Will you stay at home with your kids (if you’re lucky enough to have choices)? Start working or increase […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Two men in a room
It’s been tough enough for state lawmakers to agree on their budgets through closed-door negotiations between three men in a room. Now imagine two men arguing in a room and a third sitting in his executive chamber, moistening his veto stamp in anticipation of nixing whatever compromise the two finally come up with. That […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
The XX Files
My sons are the same age now that my little brother and I were when my parents were protesting the war in Vietnam. We usually attended demonstrations in Boston, where we lived; once or twice we went to DC. I don’t remember anything specific, only the singing and marching. That and I had to wear […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Keep up the protests
OK: We’re all on edge about the war. And people on both sides are pretty emotional. But it’s troubling to see war supporters challenging the patriotism of opponents. According to a good number of war supporters, protesters had their chance to speak before the war began. Now it’s time to shut up and support […]
