City Paper on Monroe County Republicans “Collaborating”
We’ve been promised a New Era of Collaboration. But this just feels like a new version of the Good Cop, Bad Cop era, with Maggie Brooks still the Good Cop and the County Legislature replacing Steve Minarik as the face of the Bad Cop.
How else can we explain the recent actions of the Legislature’s Republican leaders?
I suppose you could say that they’re clueless - that they actually believe they’re doing the right thing. I don’t know which is worse, frankly.
Once again, I love it when traditional media (even alternative traditional media like the City Paper) “get it”, then proceed to write about it better than I can:
It would have taken so little for the Republicans to include the Democrats in this process. So why do the Republicans insist on behaving like this? Why go out of their way to be obnoxious?
Bartolotta replaces Lori Van Dusen, who led the fight against the appointment of former County Legislator Bill Smith to the MCC presidency. The Smith supporters now have the five votes they need, to appoint Smith or anyone else they want.
So either the legislature Republicans were up to no good with the Bartolotta appointment, or they behaved this way simply because they could. (It’s our legislature, our college, and our board of trustees, and we’ll do whatever we want.)
The Republican leaders treat their Democratic colleagues as nuisances. But those Democrats represent tens of thousands of Monroe County residents. Those residents’ opinions and representation are important.
The Republicans knew they had the votes for Bartolotta, so his appointment was not in question. What was in question was civility. And collaboration. And democracy.
This is why the Dems are calling for the Leg’s president, Wayne Zyra, to step down. Because it’s still “business as usual”, not “a new chapter”.
Sure, it would’ve been “nicer” for the Dems to sit passively by and wait for Maggie Brooks to ask Zyra to step down, but when, exactly, would that happen? And how much deeper into the ditch would the GOP drive the county in the meantime?
Excellent -
Hope everyone remembers that someone taking a step in the right direction does not get credit for the entire Journey. Credit is earned upon completion of the journey.
Credit chart:
Firing Minarik - Extra credit
Claiming you fired Minarik when he was ready to go, but hoping to score points so you can actually start an era of collaboration - Passing grade
Conspiring with Minarik to create the appearance of a new direction in order to continue with nasty, divisive Republican politics - 5 demerits.
I’m thinking Mags is flunking out.
Here’s the kicker. On the day Rielich was crowned “Cruise Director” of the GOP Titanic,
Rielichhe drools all over himself saying how he’s just so “gosh-golly” pleased to be the new plum on the thumb of the Queen HRH Maggie Magilicuty.He then goes on to state he’s only going to be a part time puppet, and that he plans on hiring a full time administrator, and FOUR co-chairs to help him heal the wounds of the broken hearted.
Word to Rielich: Now you know what’s wrong with ALBANY bafoon. The torch is passed to the do nothing Assemblywump who immediately declares it now takes SIX people to do the job of ONE Minarik.
Now, not to bolster the size of Minarik’s melon, but to quote Lloyd Benson…”I’ve met Steve Minarik, and you’re no Steve Minarik”…
SIX MEN - You’re freaking brilliant “Lightbulb Bill Reilich.” Me thinks you’ve been sniffing those car exhaust fumes for a little too long. Maybe you shouldn’t have fought so hard to block legislation to make certain those old cars don’t continue to pollute the environment. But I’ll give you credit where credit is due.
THANK YOU for proving to ALL of the voters in Monroe County the incompetency of the “REPUBLICAN” management style. This is what’s wrong in Monroe County, and this is what’s wrong in Albany. I cast ye all OUT - good luck “Lightbulb Bill” Keep up the good work - if nothing more, you’ll be a barrel of laughs!
Now I’m going to go make a donation to Dave Garretson’s campaign in your honor. I think I’ll give $60.00 - one $10.00 bill for in honor of all those chairmen you’re hiring.
daveforassembly.com
Yeah, if we all did that, we’d feel so much better in the morning.
How many Republicans does it take to change a lightbulb at the County Office Building?!?
We know it has to AT LEAST be SIX!
OK - money wager time…Here’s my picks for a few of the five he needs to add to himself to make one whole man:
1. Little Johnny Auberger
2. Bob “The Hammer” Bilsky
3. Bill “The Beauty” Smith
4. Billy Fucillo (it’s HUGE)
5. Jesse from MR
That’s my picks and I’m stickin’ with it!