ET TU?
All right, all right: So the Democrat and Chronicle is not the New York Times or the Wall
Street Journal (“Dollars and Sense,” May 4; “Following the Paper’s Trail,”
May 11). And they recognize that people are not the readers they once were. And
they seek to entertain as well as inform. Are you really that different?
In page after City page,
I see movie news, theater news, dining news, music news, weird and kinky news,
personals, and only a few pages of weighty news, such as the need for restroom
facilities for transvestites. (Can’t they just enter a stall where, I am told,
there is privacy?)
Has the D&C published
helpful articles (much less cover stories) on how City can better get its act together?
And as for presenting opinion pieces that balance, is that
really so terrible?
Thomas Hartleib, Erie Station Road, Rush
LOOK TO BUFFALO
Kudos for a well-written, balanced story
on the downfall of the Democrat and
Chronicle. It’s about time this community began a constructive
conversation about its only daily newspaper. However, I truly wonder if anyone
in the publisher’s office on Exchange Street
or in the executive suite at Gannett headquarters is listening or even cares.
The paper’s quality has been declining for several years, yet its management continues on its inexorable path to mediocrity.
Although I read the D&C just about every morning, it’s a deeply unsatisfying experience, and I find
myself “skimming” more and more these days. The redesign of the
Living section, with its confusing jumble of patchwork-quilt design, breezy
items, and more and more ads, is just the most recent unfortunate misstep by
the paper’s editorial staff.
As for hard news, it’s clear that the paper’s reporting
staff is stretched way too thin and its writers are unable to fully develop or
follow a story from beginning to end. As the City article points out, entire beats have been eliminated, and
their absence doesn’t do the paper any favors. (For example, where’s ongoing
religion coverage, once so well-handled by Doug Mandelaro?)
To be fair, the paper has some bright points. For example,
the photojournalism is often quite good, and I’m generally impressed by
investigative reporter Gary Craig’s efforts. Nonetheless, I admit to relying on
the New York Times online and
National Public Radio for the bulk of my news and information.
Those tempted to link the paper’s lackluster quality to Rochester’s
general malaise should pick up a copy of the Buffalo News. A city in much worse straits than Rochester
on its worse day, Buffalo somehow
manages to support a multiple Pulitzer Prize-winning paper. It’s well-written,
well-edited, well-designed, engaged, and involving.
I never find myself muttering, “what?” after
reading an article; it’s actually possible for a reader to get from one end of
a piece to the other with a clear understanding of who, what, where, when, etc.
And, not to step on City Newspaper’s toes, the Buffalo News’ weekly arts
and entertainment pull-out Gusto section is easily one of the best pieces of
its kind I’ve ever seen.
And in case the D&C’s management moans that they can’t run a quality
newspaper that makes money, keep this in mind: Financier Warren Buffett and his company Berkshire Hathaway have owned the
Buffalo News since 1977. Although I don’t have the revenue figures to prove it,
I doubt that he’d allow a money-losing operation to sit on his balance sheets
for long.
Kathryn Gallant, New Tudor Road, Pittsford
NEWS, LITE
Thank you for your fine coverage of the Democrat and Chronicle’s problems (“Dollars and Sense,”
May 4, and “Following the Paper’s Trails,” May 11). A year ago, I was
fed up with the lousy news coverage in the D&C and e-mailed Editor Karen Magnuson to express my concern. She answered
promptly, but her clear response was that the D&C is a “local” newspaper that covers
“local” issues. I thought I had accidentally e-mailed the editor of
the Messenger Post!
I criticized the poor coverage of national and international
news and she responded, “The Democrat
and Chronicle will continue to offer a sampling of state, national, and
international news but has no plans to expand this aspect of the news
report.” A sampling! Clearly, that is all we get.
The sad part is that print-media readers are a dwindling
lot. Too often, people are choosing instead to get their “news” from
blatantly biased and, in some instances, dishonest sources. However, it
concerns me greatly that people who live here and still read the D&C might think they are up on the
news. (Of course, their first clue should be the fluff on the front page.)
Cindy Kindle, Rothwood Drive, Webster
TOO FAR LEFT
“Dollars or Sense” (May 4) was interesting and
timely, given the news that most newspapers have suffered readership declines.
But I take alarm at the opinion that “profits are too high.” Profit
margin is no one’s concern but Gannett’s stockholders’.
The article missed several reasons the Democrat and Chronicle is losing readership. One is the editorial
page. It continues to have a liberal opinion despite a readership that is not.
During the 2004 election, the page was a “bash-Bush” section. Now
they continually attack the Bush plan for optional private Social Security
accounts. If there is an issue that benefits the “young readers” the D&C wants, this is it! But reading
the editorial page, you might as well be reading dnc.org, the web site of the
Democrat Party.
Look at cable and Fox News: Put on a fair and balanced
newscast that offers both sides, and people will tune
in. Fox gets almost the number of viewers of all other cable news combined.
Channels pushing a leftist agenda are losing viewers.
The D&C’s“letters to the editor” section is no
better: One or two a day seem to be published to make the writers look stupid.
Invariably, those are some seniors giving “Grandpa Simpson”
complaints: that a Wal-Mart is too “big, for example. I should take time
from my day to read that?
Shawn Duffy, LeManz Drive, Rochester
RENAISSANCE ON ONE RAIL
The plans for Renaissance Square have drawn a full spectrum
of reactions, from zealous enthusiasm to prophesies of blight and bankruptcy.
While its proponents hope that it will revitalize downtown Rochester, critics
feel that spending $250 million on one public project — placing all of our
hopes for a revitalized downtown at the corner of Main and North Clinton — is
too great a risk to take.
On the contrary: The risk is not great enough.
The bus terminal component is flawed because it is too safe.
Taking a bus is slower and less convenient than driving, so most people who
have cars do not even consider taking the bus. Although the MCC campus and
performing arts center will draw more people, most of them will drive, and the
increased number of cars and buses will exacerbate traffic congestion and
eventually discourage people from going downtown.
Rochester needs
a visionary transit system. Renaissance Square must be complemented by a mass
transit system that will bring people to and from downtown in comfort, safety,
and style.
Rochester needs
a monorail.
Monorails offer numerous advantages over light and heavy
rail. The design of a typical monorail — an electrically-powered train that
straddles a single, elevated concrete track, or beam way — dramatically
decreases the risk of derailment and collision with automobiles. Monorail
systems can be constructed quickly and inexpensively along the narrowest
easement or busiest city street, with minimum disruption to residents and
businesses.
Monorails can be nearly invisible; they are no noisier than
cars, and the beam ways can be designed to mesh with their surroundings. Most
important, monorail is the only form of rail that can make a profit; the Tokyo
and Seattle monorails both make money and are not subsidized by public funds.
A monorail system could spur downtown development. While the
system could initially serve existing business areas and nightspots, other
areas along the line would become preferred sites for development. As these
become saturated, other lines and stations could be built, creating new
clusters of development. Eventually, the system could be expanded to link
residential areas in both the city and the suburbs.
The biggest obstacle to a monorail is cost. Although
monorail systems are cheaper than other forms of rail, a monorail would add
hundreds of millions of dollars to Renaissance Square’s cost if everything were
built simultaneously. If the system were constructed in small stages, however,
the cost could be spread across a longer time period, and the risk could be
considerably lessened. Even if a monorail were too expensive initially, Renaissance
Square could be designed to accommodate a monorail, which could be built later.
Let us choose a public transportation system that will carry
Rochester into the future with
grace and ease. The stakes may be high, but playing it safe with buses will
almost certainly result in disappointment, while a monorail could result in a
vibrant, modern city. Let’s take a chance that can help to transform Rochester
into something extraordinary.
Matthew Fox, West Elm Street, EastRochester
MAINS WOULD BE A GREAT MAYOR
In the next few months, we will have the opportunity to
elect several new key representatives, none more important than the mayor of
Rochester. We are blessed with three very capable Democrats, and the future of
our great city will be in good hands. However, one candidate is clearly more
qualified than the others: Tim Mains.
Tim has a natural gift of bringing people together to make
social connections. It’s a combination of curiosity, self-confidence, love of
people, and sheer energy. While most people are concerned with the “not in my
back yard” mentality and the negative aspects of urban life, Tim is building
bridges and connecting all populations for the common good. His courage,
knowledge of local issues, financial acumen, leadership skills, and commitment
to public service is unparalleled. These are the true markers of a great mayor.
Tim Mains is the only inclusive candidate. He lives it every
day of his life. You would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated candidate
with more tenacity to make things happen.
OveOvermyer, Rochester
IRONDEQUOIT VISION
Thank you for your article “Conquering a Hodgepodge:
Remaking Irondequoit” (May 11). It was an excellent
evaluation of a failed administration. Mr. Schantz
ran for office many years ago with a vision for Irondequoit,
the crown jewel of Monroe County. Under his supervision, property values have
decreased, tax rates have increased, and still there is no town center, youth
recreation center, or significant sign of improved economic development.
Now Mr. Schantz would like town
residents to believe that this is the only opportunity to improve Irondequoit and that he is the
only one with a plan. However, for the past eight years, there has been no
planning, no development, no resident input, and no synergy.
To see Mr. Schantz’s vision for
improvement, one needs only to drive to MacAvoyPark
at Empire Boulevard and Winton Road.
At one time it was a place to play and laugh in the grass, to enjoy baseball on
Tuesday with a group of seniors, or swing on the swings. Now you have a $3
million testament to failed planning: a cell tower, locked fields, and a
schedule with 67 games a week. There is certainly not enough parking for all
those people paying to watch their teams play on Astroturf. Unfortunately, Mr. Schantz did not feel the need to notify the surrounding
area of these plans. Neighbors have been surprised and overwhelmed by this
takeover of their neighborhood.
Mr. Schantz should spend less time
worrying about visitors feeling comfortable and pay more attention to the needs
of the people who already pay taxes here. Listen to our concerns, meet our
needs, and improve our neighborhoods. Town government has been unresponsive to
residents’ needs under Mr. Schantz’s supervision. You
cannot change eight years of ineffective leadership six months before an
election to protect your job and the jobs of your friends.
There are many issues which face Irondequoit. Over the next six
months, there will be opportunity to talk about them. Then town residents will
make a choice on their vision and who they want to carry it out. This November
there will be an opportunity for Irondequoit to move
ahead, and our residents will decide how.
Mary Ellen Heyman, Stonehenge Road,
Irondequoit(Heyman is a
Democratic candidate for Irondequoit Town
Supervisor.)
WRITING TO CITY
We welcome and encourage readers’ letters for publication.
Send them to: themail@rochester-citynews.com or The Mail, City Newspaper, 250
North Goodman Street, Rochester 14607.
Our guidelines: We don’t publish anonymous letters — and
we ask that you include your street name and city/town/village. We don’t
publish letters that have been sent to other media — and we don’t publish form letters generated by activist groups. While
we don’t restrict length, letters of under 350 words have a greater chance of
being published. We do edit letters for clarity and brevity. And in general we
don’t publish letters (or longer “op-ed” pieces) from the same writer more
often than about once every two months.
This article appears in Jun 1-7, 2005.
