Last Wednesday (7/24/08), as a 20+ year volunteer with Rochester’s Rotary Sunshine Camp, I was invited to attend the annual Reunion/Celebration Dinner and Camp Carnival. R. S. C. has been at their Rush Location since 1973 serving children with disabilities of all kinds. It is with honor that I have watched the kids grow up from campers to adults and even return as counselors themselves.

It is a wonderful event. The Rotarians and guests eat (separate from the campers) and have a little meet-n-greet with the Rotary muckity-muck and then they join the campers for the annual Carnival.

This year they were opening a beautiful new building, an outdoor pavilion with a gorgeous stone fireplace called Union Station. All the material, time and resources were donated by local building trades persons—and that is admirable and appreciated.

Before I write further, please understand that I am aware of the need for the politicos to be schmoozed for the funding this camp needs and so richly deserves. I just think the political animal of Rochester and Monroe County could make it clear that this is for the kids and stop politicizing the experience. I think maybe presenting the finished building to all the campers at once would be a better photo op and a more memorable experience for the children.

State Senator Jim Alesi spoke and was cordial. He spoke and mingled–he also helped with the children cutting the ribbon. I engaged him in discussion and he was pleasant and clearly interested to be there.

The issues came for me when our County Executive Maggie Brooks got up and started speaking. First off-she said that she “…enjoys coming to the camp so often”. Really, Maggie? This is the first time I’ve seen you in a number of years. When was the last time you came out to the camp?

Then, in thanking the people who donated materials, time and resources to the building she produced a proclamation naming that day in Rochester as “Rochester Building and Trades Day” or some name similar to that. I looked on the Monroe County website and there is no mention of that anywhere on the site?? Wouldn’t this hold a special meeting for anyone in the field of Building/Construction? Maybe it should’ve been named “Rotary Union Station Trade/Building Worker’s Day”.

She clearly wanted nothing to do with the 4 current campers who were invited to be part of the ceremony and speeches. Then she couldn’t wait to get out of there, even was overheard telling someone to “help her get out” of there. Maybe she’s not comfortable with children with disabilities? Why be there if you’re going to fake your interest?

Side Note: Ever notice on the Monroe County Website how the “News and Media” section is empty? When you click on it, it says “The page you are looking for has been moved or no longer exists. This may be because the content is no longer valid or expired.”

Yes Maggie—between your “FAIR Plan” and your refusal to accept Same Sex Marriage, our patience for you “no longer exists”.