Welcome to the “Does she… or doesn’t she, only her [fill in the blank] knows for sure” edition

School aid and closings

The long asked question - will the State rescue our schools with increased financial aid seems to have been answered. Schools are getting state money but not as much as anticipated. Good thing, the unFAIR plan is an independent, local solution not relying on forces outside Monroe County - Oops. Speaking of schools - many religious schools are being closed by the Catholic Diocese. 13 schools in fact and parents are understandably upset. After all, faced with tuition increases and 50% enrollment decline - can you blame Bishop Clark for consolidating schools? Well the D&C editorial page found a way to add another causal to the Catholic Schools closings ” rise in local and state funds flowing to public schools.” in a editorial calling for Bishop Clark to involve members of the Diocese in these decisions. WTF???? The comments of Ladkiddo’s post are worth a reread as the RT community debate the merits of Bishop Clark’s decision.

Ren Square secrecy nonsense

But as the D&C editorial board disappoints with equating Public school funding with Catholic schools - they come up with this gem - Questioning - yet again - Ren Square and the secrecy surrounding it. Will she or won’t she involve the Public? Per the D&C - we have an answer - “That’s consistent with County Executive Maggie Brooks’ whole approach to public outreach: We’ll tell you when we want to.. ” Ouch.

More on the Public Defender 

Will she speak or won’t she was also the subject of the Public Defender appointment. The City covered the raucous in the Legislative chambers as the GOP majority tried to go behind closed doors (some of that secrecy I just told you about). The D&C adds this piece asking Legislature President to stop dragging his feet. As that posts points out - The D&C is looking for Maggies’ intervention, interviews local GOP head Steve Minarik yet we wonder why the D&C hasn’t called for Mayor Duffy and local Democratic party Head Joe Morrelle to get involved? Of course - this post points out why the Public defender needs to be apolitical.

Who is running for Congress 

In other Congressional news, we learn that Petrena isn’t going to Congress and Jim Walsh isn’t going back as he decides to retire. Unlike it seems most retirees who leave to spend time more time with their families - or, in Trent Lott’s case, to make on on K street- Jim Walsh’s support of George Bush’s policies seems to have taken a political toll as his district trends blue. Our beloved Maggie Brooks has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Jim Walsh. Brooks has been playing it very coy. btp has the real story of a Brooks run. Will she or won’t she run only Steve Minarik knows for sure.

And with Walsh’s pending retirement - Randy Kuhl’s challenges Eric Massa to a debate - even though Randy hasn’t decided if he is going to join Jim Walsh and ride off into the sunset.

Short takes on the news  

We also have the Sheriff Road patrol chargeback potentially getting traction, a not guilty plea in the Water Authority Scandal. The one were John Stanwix allegedly had illegal business relationships with Water Authority contractors, a date is set for the NY-48 State Senate Special election, ladkiddo follows up on the business of being born and New York State moves forward on selecting voting machines.

See you next week…