Expanding on the post below about the County Clerk candidate Tom Hasman, here is the press release excerpts from MCDC:

“Today’s announcement begins what we believe is a crucial debate about the state of Monroe County. Tom Hasman is the new voice, and the change that the people of Monroe County have been waiting for,” said Joe Morelle, Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Committee, at the official announcement of Hasman’s candidacy for County Clerk.

“Today I am announcing my candidacy for Monroe County Clerk, because as a resident I have grown increasingly concerned by the lack of leadership shown by our current County Clerk,” said Tom Hasman.

“The County Clerk’s Office has failed to provide residents of Monroe County with a voice on the many controversial issues that have come from the current Republican administration,” said Hasman. “We can restore trust in Monroe County government. We can deliver leadership with a new focus on professionalism and not politics. We will be directly responsible to the people.”

Tom Hasman Bio:

Tom Hasman was born in Rochester. He grew up in Webster with his mother, father and nine siblings (six sisters and three brothers). Tom attended SUNY Oswego as a double major and graduated with degrees in Political Science and Sociology in 1995. In his senior year at Oswego, Tom was accepted on an internship at the White House under President Clinton working in the National Economic Council (NEC). After graduation, Tom stayed at the White House working as a Staff Assistant in the National Security Council (NSC). While working at the White House, he obtained his Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University in Government in 1999. Tom currently works from home as a Computer Security Analyst in Rochester, NY for SRA International of Arlington, VA.

Hasman also has campaigning experience working for Al Eisenberg’s campaign for Virginia State Delegate in 2003, a race that Eisenberg won. Hasman was Eisenberg’s campaign manager for his re-election bid, which Eisenberg also won.

Hasman moved back to Rochester in early 2006:

During the 2006 campaign season, Tom was the Field Operations Volunteer Coordinator in the city of Rochester for NY State Assemblyman Joe Morelle’s re-election campaign. He was also a Campaign Volunteer for “Willa Powell for NY State Senate” campaign and volunteered at the Monroe County Democratic Committee (MCDC) Headquarters.

Tom currently serves as a Sector Leader for MCDC’s 23rd Legislative District (LD) and is also a Committee Member of the 23rd LD.

Family:
Tom and his wife, Linda, whom he met when both were undergraduate students at SUNY Oswego, were married in October 1999. They live in the city of Rochester with their one year old son Samuel, and their three year old beagle named Basco.

The wealth of experience Hasman has would be a valuable asset to Monroe County.

I found this little gem yesterday from C-SPAN.org/Capitol Hill, the White House and National Politics, and since stlo7 had asked, I thought I would present it to you:

 Also phoning in is Maggie Brooks (R), County Executive, Monroe County, NY to talk about a $1 million earmark sponsored by Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-NY) for the Monroe County, New York Office of Emergency Preparedness.

Now, take a look at our Emergency Preparedness Center.  Check out the facility-it almost looks like The Situation Room from the basement of The Whitehouse: 

Heck, it looks more like NASA Command Center:

I’m a little curious as to what more we need for $1 million dollars, and exactly how much duct tape will it buy?

Looks like Randy Kuhl is not the only one improving his golf game. From PGA.com transcripts:2008 Senior PGA Championship Media Day:

And now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to introduce our newly single-digit handicapper in government here, Maggie Brooks, the Monroe County Executive.

Maggie speaks:

Not only will golfers come from around the globe to compete for this prestigious title, but visitors will come from all over the globe to experience the great tournament, but also to experience Rochester and Monroe County and all that we have to offer.

So this really does put us on the map. It’s an economics boost, it is something that we should all be proud of. Monroe County is certainly pleased and honored to be a partner in this endeavor. So I just want to encourage everyone to come out. Tell your friends. Come out and enjoy the tournament here.

Well, Maggie, my darlin, we just had a fabulous event last Saturday night at the Riverside Convention Center with “Newlywed in New York” that put us on the map and that we, in the progressive community, are all very proud of. The economic boost that it could give to Rochester would be great if we could open up this new market to the businesses that cater to weddings.

Golf is great, I’m sure (if you like that kind of thing) and the revenue that it creates for Rochester and Monroe County is significant. But let’s open up our minds and hearts and not look a gift horse in the mouth when it’s staring you in the face.

Reading this excellent article by Jill Terreri in today’s D&C, I couldn’t help but recall that old Vaudeville skit “You must pay the rent. But I can’t pay the rent!” You know the one where a single actor uses one comb as a mustache, a hair bow and a tie to play the landlord, renter and hero? In the end a bowtied character comes in as the defaulted renter’s hero. Monroe County needs a hero:

The construction of Frontier Field, once hailed as a project that wouldn’t cost taxpayers anything, has become a major financial responsibility of county government.

(snip)

Paying the rent

Frontier Field cost $36 million to build. Monroe County borrowed $20.6 million in bonds, and the state contributed $15.4 million. Monroe County’s total debt obligation is $44 million, when the principal and interest over the 30-year life of the bonds are combined.

If it sounds too good to be true…

the sports corporation hasn’t paid rent to the county since 2002 and it doesn’t have to because the terms of the lease don’t require it. The payment is not required if the corporation doesn’t raise enough revenue through ticket sales, advertising and concessions to both maintain the stadium and pay the rent.

Why are we subsidizing a stadium instead of protecting taxpayers? The tax burden on taxpayers is egregious yet these business deals in our area continue to be monomaniacally focused on corporate welfare as opposed to individuals. Business investment is good if it improves the economy rather than just the corporate bottom line but this lure is so sweet it turns the stomach. The cure is worse than the disease:

The 2006 financial statements from the sports corporation note that the county has not declared that the corporation has defaulted on the debt…

“The ability of the Company to continue to operate the Stadium is dependent on the County continuing not to declare the Company in default under the lease,” the financial statement reads.

A built-in deficit

So county officials are caught in a Catch-22.

If it stopped budgeting for the rent, the county would have “no basis” for trying to collect it, Gleason said. But the payments don’t come in, so the county starts every year with a built-in deficit.

What does Ms. Brooks have to say about all this?

County Executive Maggie Brooks said the county, as owner of the stadium, has a legal responsibility to pay on the debt service, whether it receives revenue from Frontier or not.

“I think we have to maintain a viable stadium infrastructure so we can have a great baseball team,” Brooks said.

“That’s a community asset, and one that I think serves a community well and one that is supported well by this public-private partnership at Frontier Field.”

Define “supported well.” I agree that it’s good to have a great baseball team but there seems to be a “build mentality” when our community cannot support these ventures. The balance of investment vs. feasibility is off, way off, and taxpayers are literally paying for this imbalance.

Monroe County needs to live within its means. Someone needs to get that message. We need someone who will focus on taxpayers’ interests, someone who invests wisely, someone accountable to the voters. In short, we need a hero. The bowtie is optional.

Wow, Rochester continues the tradition in being the first for civil rights movements. This Gala Event offered a great opportunity for a night on the town, and to be part of history in the making. I want to thank the organizers for giving me the chance to document this important happening for RT and for giving Monroe county the shot in the arm that it needs to recognize the importance of marriage for everyone who values love and commitment as basic human needs, as well as essential to a community’s social and economic health.

Earlier in the day, several couples spoke their vows at church. From WXXI:

ROCHESTER, NY (2008-04-28) A dozen same sex couples renewed or said marriage vows for the first time after years of partnership this weekend at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester.

The group ceremony, though not legal marriage under New York State law, marked a court decision that’s been hailed by gay advocates trying to push the case for same-sex marriage rights in New York.

The reception for these couples, and all who wanted to participate, was held at the Riverside Convention Center later in the evening.

At the registration table we were graciously greeted and asked to sign the “Guest Book” which was actually a petition stating our support for the recognition of Same Sex Marriage in New York State. We were given shopping bags and raffle tickets to partake in the offerings of the raffles, silent auctions and vendor samples. The room for wedding vendors was packed, business people anxious to tap into this new market lined the room and the center court.

At 8: 15 PM an introduction and welcome was given by Jo Meleca-Voigt.

She thanked all the participants for signing the “guest book”. She spoke of those, locally in the government who supported the cause. She stressed that we need to stand up for those candidates that stand up for us and noted that not one state senator, representing Monroe County, supports same sex marriage.

“We need to work together and work smart and like Pat Martinez, not take ‘no’ for an answer.”

This was a great lead-in to Pat, who spoke next:

We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal………….

……..and the pursuit of happiness.

(I’m thinking they look pretty happy)

Pat and Lisa led with the first wedding dance (and, no Pat, the music does NOT move you ugly!)

I had the opportunity to speak with our friends, Anne Tischer and Bess Watts, who you will recall from previous posts:

I rounded out the evening by asking our County Legislature’s Minority Leader, Harry Bronson, for a quote. (I’m paraphrasing here, cause Harry talks fast and I write slowly-can I borrow your recorder next time, Stlo?):

“Celebrating diversity, like this, is a wonderful thing to do. I sincerely hope that Maggie Brooks reconsiders her decision to appeal and holds true to the ideals of the civil rights activists from this area since the days of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. It is disheartening that the current administration opposes same sex marriage. Our County Executive says it’s all about the taxpayers, but we are all taxpayers.”

Thanks, Harry-You’re right, of course.

She blames the schools for taking “her” tax money. She blames domestic partners for costing the taxpayers money. Now it’s time to blame the state for their unfunded mandates.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks is taking aim at unfunded state mandates, as so many others in her position have done.

[snip]

Unfunded state mandates, or programs that state government requires counties to provide but do not fully fund, include welfare, Medicaid and subsidized day care.

So, let me get this straight. Let’s stop paying for things where we help the poorest of the poor (isn’t government there for the purpose of helping those who cannot help themselves?) but let’s keep COMIDA fully funded and continue those free lunches for all of Maggie’s fat cat donor friends.

WTF?

RT has covered this story here and here and here, (and many other places) believing that Bill Smith was a foregone conclusion for this political appointment. Looks like we were wrong, and happily so. From today’s D&C, Bill Smith not recommended for MCC president. (h/t to Stlo7 for the lead here):

Monroe Community College faculty and student leaders today recommended that either Laurence Spraggs or local businessman Dennis Kessler be chosen the next president of the college. [snip]

Neither faculty nor student committees recommended that finalist Bill Smith, a former county legislator, be selected president.

The process to select MCC’s next president has been marred by claims of political favoritism.

[snip]

The full Board of Trustees met at 5 p.m. today but postponed the selection of a new president until May 17

Will truth, justice, and the American Way prevail here (along with some common sense) ? Stay tuned…….

Update: The Board of Trustees has the final say here, so there is still a possibility that we will be, sadly, right about all of this.

Stlo7 posted the video clips of Smith’s MCC Q&A earlier.  Commenter louis did a nice job of interpreting and putting things in context:

You’ve got to hear this!!!

My take on the first few questions:

Q: Why do you want this job?
A: To lead an institution that has such a vital link to the economic success of this community.

What this really means - Just think of the goodies I can dole out to my friends who have been so good to me over the years, never mind the power I can wield.

Q: Why are you qualified -
A: Multiple roles of president - Focusing on nurturing relationships with political entities and business.

What this really means - I don’t know squat about education, but boy am I connected.

Q: There’s been some controversy -
A: Well, all presidents have to get acclimated.

What this means - We all know I don’t know squat about academia, but I’m going to make it seem like I’m on equal footing with those who have spent their lives in it.

What’s really interesting here is that I don’t think in the first several questions he’s even mentioned students, education, quality of education, campus, etc.

And yet the GOP has done such a good job rigging the selection process and stacking the deck (like with the Water Authority, Public Defender selection, etc.) that you have to be a legal research expert to find any way of stopping this, or slowing it down.

And if you do find a way, they want to change the rules.  Ugh.  How does fairness and responsible government get any kind of traction against this kind of thing?  I’m open to suggestions.

Probably. But about community involvement? Gaining bipartisan support and all that? Probably not.

I was reading this article in the D&C this morning and for the life of me I can’t figure out what our County Executive is trying to say.

She wants to revisit Morin-Ryan.

During an editorial board meeting at the Democrat and Chronicle, Brooks referred to the Morin-Ryan Act, a sales tax revenue sharing agreement codified in state law that allocates revenue to the city, towns, villages and school districts, as a “sacred” document in this community, but one that might be out of date.

“We are an extremely generous county with our revenue sharing,” she said. “At some point, Morin-Ryan served a purpose in their time. … I think we need to at least have those conversations. … The Morin-Ryan is like the sacred policy in this community.”

But not really - it’s just an example,

“Nothing is on the table at this point,” she said. “I use Morin-Ryan as an example of an agreement that dictates resource allocation. There are other things that we do that dictate the way we share resources that have nothing to do with Morin-Ryan. Maybe those are the things that we need to look at. It’s not just a focus on Morin-Ryan and I think that would be misleading to the public at this point.”

So it is looking at all options but….

Ideas from Democrats, apparently need not apply like revisiting the Water Authority

Brooks said at least one of the ideas, dissolving the Monroe County Water Authority, is illegal.

On what basis?

There is more in the article - about unfunded mandates, working with school districts, a report about property taxes.

Having watched or listened to Maggie Brooks over the past week attempting to re-engage on budget issues, I’ve been struck by the apparent air of repetition.

• She keeps stressing how she wants the community involved - yet doesn’t seem to acknowledge that she didn’t involved the community before, so there really isn’t a much needed level of trust in place.
• She calls for bold plans and bi-partisan support, yet shuns plans from the minority party.
• She discusses things that are codified in law, yet does not discuss options that are not.
• She discusses examples of how the County has reduced spending, yet does not give solid concrete examples.
• She seems to have not made progress or at least acknowledged that the unanimous County Legislature called for a “Plan B” to be created, yet movement here is glacial at best. I get the impression she is ignoring it.

Look, I get that we have a budget gap. I also get that a set of multiple solutions will help solve it over time. I want to see progress - joint progress. I want to see some exchange of ideas, give and take between the ruling GOP and the minority Democrats.

After all, what a legacy that would be.

Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Executive, will be the luncheon speaker at the Rochester Women’s Network Business Conference set for this Friday.  Note the topics that will be addressed at this conference: 

Maltese said the conference would include information on starting a business, building and maintaining it, developing people skills and adapting to change.

Call me cynical but I couldn’t help but read that line without thinking about the colossal failure of Ren Square (the whole “building and maintaining” part), and the divisive F.A.I.R. Plan (nice “people skills” used with that one).

There are a few other things I could list that are contrary to what Ms. Brooks has actually done compared to what she will be speaking about but I’m trying to develop my “people skills” and “build and maintain” them. 

Welcome to the We have been telling you so edition.

Monroe County

Maggie gave her State of the County speech where she took the prefix “bi-” out of the word bi-partisan Oh, lets see - there is a new Web Site - Where residents can give their ideas for cutting the County budget. There will be more Town Hall meeting AKA the unFAIR plan town Hall meetings. Oh, the unpopular Maggie doesn’t like her power being checked either as she takes a swipe at the legal system. Now that you have followed all the links in the previous posts check out btp’s speech prediction thread. Spot On.

RenSquare made the news - The Rochester Business Journal is concerned. Fresh off Senator Schumer’s ultimatum - solidify the plan or lose funding - RenSquare has a meeting where the the architect that was originally hired to design the project, was blamed for the cost of the project (hoping the public wouldn’t notice) and as City News points out, per the new plans the project has scaled back. Of course we ask, If the project is scaled back why are we still talking about the original price tag. In fact we ask a lot of questions about RenSquare.

Chuck Schumer

The love / hate relationship with Chuck continues beyond his good actions on RenSquare. - Outraise the NRSC - Good, Saying America isn’t ready for a national health care plan - Bad - REALLY BAD. Hey Chuck, here is an idea - use all that money you are raising to help Senate candidates get elected and pave the way for a National health care plan because our current plan - yeah, the one with all the insurance companies, mountains of paperwork and millions of uninsured Americans is working sooo well.

Subsidies

Steve Minarik sets the stage with a Speaking Out essay on subsidies. Leave it to Steve to diss PaeTec park. Of course, it is either diss Paetec Park or RenSquare and, well, RenSquare is ultimately his baby. Wonder if his thinks this subsidy is good? But I didn’t see Steve Minarik at a presentation by David Cay Johnston where Joe Robach was on the receiving end of what types of government subsidies should be given. Speaking of which - Maggie says this subsidy is getting people fit 200 people at a time (if you an afford it).

Monroe Community College

MCC board appoints Bill Smith to be the next President of Monroe County College. Oh, sorry, got a ahead of myself. That meeting is actually tomorrow. Technically the deal is not yet finalized. So in the meanwhile, Ender drops out of contention, Spraggs’ interview is on YouTube, Bill Smith’s isn’t and the D&C catches up to him. He promises to put politics behind him. I’ll add that the collection of bridges sold to the public over and over again.

Extras

Speaking of BAD. Clinton disses activist base. Both Obama and Clinton forget the Presidential election is about getting a Democrat in office not 4 years of McSame.

The D&C Editorial weighs in in the Baghdad Embassy mess writing about all the wasted funds in construction. Yeah, better late than never. Was Operation Safe Surrender worth it? DREs (the bad types of voting machine) bite the dust in New York State.   Earth day comes and goes more legislation shut out. Westside Public Access cable is discussed

Finally, Chili Supervisor David Dunning continues to find new and innovative ways to stick his foot in mouth while his head is somewhere else. Good Riddance Mr. Dunning. Check out this picture from SconsetMonkey.

Too scared to adopt anything that the Dems in the MC Legislature propose against the will of the Minarik, Maggs puts forth her own version of “green”. From Maggie’s State of the County address:

Brooks spent much of the address talking about environmental initiatives, and a single car manufactured by General Motors that emits only water vapor that will become part of the county’s fleet was unveiled during the speech, which was held on Earth Day in a research center dedicated to sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

But there are other initiatives that could be put into place, including the “greening” of public buildings, yet to be built. RNews had this to report: (my bold)

GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS

A Democratic proposal that would set into law green standards for constructing new public buildings went down in defeat as well.

The proposal was reintroduced to members of the Agenda Charters Committee and it failed on a 2-3 party line vote.

It was sponsored by Stephen Eckel with the hope that the Legislature would take the lead in passing this environmental policy.

“It really baffles me as to why we can’t forward this proposal at least to the floor of the Legislature and get public input on it,” said Eckel.

“I think that the advances that lie ahead, we haven’t even scratched the surface yet and I really want to be in a position that we can be as flexible and nimble as we can to react to those standards that come down the pipe,” said Tony LaFountain, (R) county legislator.

This proposal was originally introduced and referred to the administration in September of last year, but the administration failed to report anything back to the Legislature.

I don’t know about you, but I’d like a little of what Tony is smoking in that “pipe”. ( I think the correct term is “pike”, but far be it for me to correct a distinguished member of the Monroe County Legislature’s Republican Majority’s use of the English language)

Shouldn’t we be taking advantage of every green opportunity that comes our way? Aren’t there many paths to the same outcome-decreasing our carbon footprint and alleviating the impact of Global Warming? This is not a partisan issue, and I’m sick of the Republicans trying to make it so.

Cowards, every last one of ‘em.

Bill Smith, assumed pick for MCC prez says he will put politics behind him if he receives the nod. Btp addressed Bill’s fine qualifications for MCC prez here. Now, from the RBJ:

Former county Legislature majority leader William Smith said Wednesday his experience in government would be helpful as president of Monroe Community College but that he would put politics behind him if selected.

(snip)

“Every new president, every one, must go through a period of acclimatization and assimilation into the culture of the institution,” Smith said in response to a question about controversy around the search. “That is true whether it’s a person who comes from an academic background, it’s true for a person who comes from a nonacademic background, it’s true even for people who are promoted from within the institution.

Now, just how does one put politics behind him in a position where he is politically appointed?

Before I write anything else, can you legal eagles who read RT tell me: did Smith break the law by screwing Cornell CCE to benefit MCC when he was in the County Leg?

Smith recently spoke in a Q&A session. Like Brooks and other GOP leaders in Monroe County, he’s very good with words. We didn’t name him “Tapdancin’ Bill Smith” for nothing. The money quote:

he tried to make the case that his connections, coupled with his experience, would be a plus for the future of MCC.

Connections? Ya think? It was connections rather than credentials that kept forcing the all-GOP board of trustees to add him back onto the finalist list, a couple times, like a trick birthday candle you can’t blow out.

Looking beyond his fancy city lawyer words to the comments of someone who was at the Q&A session:

His lack of knowledge about issues in education today was appalling. He was unctious and close to arrogant in his references to “studies he’d read” that were apparently supposed to provide that knowledge. I was very tempted to ask him whether he’d hire me, without a legal degree, as a partner in Harris Beach if I went out and read a few legal studies.

The whole D&C comments section for this article is a great read, for a change. Note the couple of pro-Smith commenters trying to frame this as a “MCC sucks, Bill is a nice man who will save it!” argument.

The video is fixed - stlo7

When David Cay Johnston spoke on Feb 16th he was asked a bunch of questions. I’m reviewing the video, but my favorite so far is one on Government subsidies in the form of COMIDA, IDAs and such. Eventually Joe Robach built upon that question and asked about subsidies from the viewpoint of a State Legislator.

You see, it seems poor Joe is in a pickle, as he claims in the question - he gets flak from both sides. Corporate Welfare or Job Creation.

Let’s have a look,

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/EdJblZB5tK8" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

What does David Cay Johnston say? Where do you get the most bang for government Subsidy?

• Education
• R&D
• Infrastructure
• Manufacturing
• Definitely NOT retail

So I’ll be looking through our local COMIDA records for following that order. While I’m at it, let’s look at Robach’s record for IDA reform as well.