Rochesterturning.com is loaded with numerous posts about concerns for Ethics in government-whether it be about Randy Kuhl, Maggie Brooks or others. Ethics concerns, however, are not only a government issue.

In Henrietta, Lynn Taliento was put on Suspension with Pay. She is a teacher who, according to the article, was convicted of stealing $750,000 from an elderly woman. Convicted–SHE IS GOING TO GO TO PRISON. As a side note, her husband is going to go on trial later this year for involvement in the crime as well. Yet, the school district doesn’t have the cajones to fire her like they should. Some say it is because she is tenured in the district. I don’t care–our taxes shouldn’t go to pay for a felon to sit around and do nothing while she waits to go to jail.

Further investigation has showed that she has threatened to sue the school district so I suspect an already-cash strapped district is terrified of a major lawsuit if they dump her before she goes to prison.

When I went to drop off my son at a friend’s home near hers, she was out putting up Christmas lights without a care in the world. She was smiling and waving. Nice to know you’re being paid to sit around.

No School Board representatives responded to my request for information, but I finally received this quote from a friend who did hear from the School Board-here’s what came through. From Edward Lincoln-the School Board President, “The Board of Education must adhere to state law in matters of teacher discipline. This includes specific steps required to protect a teacher’s right to due process before any disciplinary action is taken. When a teacher is suspended during this process, the District must continue to pay the salary unless a specific exception applies.”

I completely disagree with this but if it’s state law (and a poor one) we have to abide by it.

Here’s your First AM Election Report!

I was at my polling place at 6am-the Dome Arena! Lights in the parking lot would’ve been helpful.

VERY full by the time I pulled in at 5:50. I was 20th in line.

There is an air of excitement about-one I haven’t sensed in a long time.

On a final note–in Henrietta there have been concerns over handicapped voting accessibility for several years now. I saw a friend in the parking lot, Pete B, who uses a power wheelchair and he seemed very pleased to have successfully voted.

Peace and a Happy Election Day to all!

With the possibility of dramatic change in the Presidential race, the smaller town council votes and candidates have been severely overshadowed.

There’s been very little media coverage of this race so here’s what I have found.

In Henrietta, we have a race between Incumbent Republic Town Board Member Jack Moore and Democrat Dr. Craig Bond.

According to the Henrietta Town Website’s Bio of Jack Moore:

“Councilman Jack Moore, his wife Kathy and their four children John Jr., Jillian, Joseph and Michael, purposely built their home in the Town of Henrietta, with the hope that someday Jack would have the opportunity to serve his community as a Town Board Member. He is a lifelong Henrietta businessman and member of the Republican committee, in Rush from age 21 and since 1998 in Henrietta. Since 1971 his family’s business, Gro-Moore Farms, has had a presence on East Henrietta Road. Gro-Moore Farms is a fourth generation Rush-Henrietta family farm established in 1917.

Jack is extremely happy to be a part of the new team of town government under Supervisor Yudelson’s leadership.

He believes in a more open form of government, one that is approachable and responsive to the citizens of the town. Jack is an advocate for the Henrietta community and will help maintain a low cost effective government.”

In reading over some of the minutes on the town’s website, I noticed that there seems to be some subtle conflicts in voting versus Councilwoman Catherine McCabe.

Dr Craig Bond is a member of the Henrietta Democratic Committee (yes there is such a group but they are disturbingly silent). All I can tell is that he is an active member of that group and a stronger supporter of 29th Congressional District Candidate Eric Massa.

Maybe people reading this know more about the Candidates??? Tell us what you have…let’s learn more about our voting prospects.

Looking at the Town of Henrietta website, I noticed there was a little section stating that Congressman Randy Kuhl visited recently.

We, as residents had no idea he was coming. No announcement was ever made ahead of time.

It states, “Congressman Randy Kuhl met with Supervisor Michael Yudelson last week to discuss issues that affect residents of Congressman Kuhl’s district, which includes Henrietta”.

So if he was there “to discuss issues”, why not bring in some residents? Why not ask OUR opinion as the people you represent? Ever since Kuhl’s town hall meetings went from a positive PR opportunity to a negative one, he’s done his best to keep the public out.

I bet Eric Massa would want to hear our opinions…

The Democrat & Chronicle has reported in its Sunday edition that the Board of Trustees has paid for John Parrinello to go see the MCC Women’s Basketball Championship for several years.

Quoting the article, it says that “MCC footed much of the bill for Parrinello’s trips, for a total of more than $9,000.” It goes further to quote MCC Spokesperson Cynthia Cooper as saying that “Parrinello was a logical choice to represent the college, not because his son is the coach but because Parrinello is a loyal follower of the team” and that “He’s an avid fan of the team.”

Are you kidding me?

For a man who admits he charges “300 bucks an hour to represent people” he can certainly cover his own cost for a basketball game!

I wonder–could that $9000 have better gone to a needy student whose parents will have to put a 2nd mortgage on their home to send their child to college? Or maybe split it up into 2 $4500 grants to benefit 2 potential students?

Our good friend County Legislator Harry Bronson (D) was quoted as saying, “It’s a stretch to say that’s necessarily in the interest of the college instead of the interest of the individual,”

Where do we draw the line? The article states Parrinello hasn’t submitted his costs for this year. I encourage the MCC Board of Trustees—if it has any sense of dedication to the students, to cancel Parrinello’s free tickets and travel.

This is a disgusting example of the lack of the Republican legislators and Republican-controlled MCC Board of Trustees to control their own.

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”.