The Water Buffalo is moving to WordPress. Everyone here would greatly appreciate if links could be redirected to the new site: waterbuffalopress.wordpress.com.
The blogspot site should automatically redirect but we have noticed a few problems in the initial days of the changeover.
Thank you for your patience and understanding -
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
D&C Hopes Fear = Readers (Pt. 2)
Neither Shock Nor Awe
First the editor and publisher of the D&C tried to scare you into reading with the ominous tagline: "A neighborhood in our community is contaminated and homeowners have been unaware of the potential danger."
The Fox News fear approach may have worked for the Gannett publication had the WBP not completely debunked the aforementioned claims in our post on the matter back in March.
As we reported, records regarding the contamination which was the subject of the piece had existed for over a decade in multiple forms available to the public.
But the D&C did not yield and proceeded to report on a "groundwater contamination plume" that supposedly threatened water supplies and homes throughout Victor, NY. The articles prompted public forums where citizens voiced their anger that state and local officials would put them in harm's way. Some residents thought they might have to move. Air and water samples were taken and the D&C braced for the worst and called for more "Watchdog" tips from readers.
What was the result of Rochester's self-proclaimed watchdog's actions? Do we have to wipe out Victor Jericho-style and completely start the cycle of life over?
From the D&C -
(Key ominous music) >Bum, bum, bum<
First the editor and publisher of the D&C tried to scare you into reading with the ominous tagline: "A neighborhood in our community is contaminated and homeowners have been unaware of the potential danger."
The Fox News fear approach may have worked for the Gannett publication had the WBP not completely debunked the aforementioned claims in our post on the matter back in March.
As we reported, records regarding the contamination which was the subject of the piece had existed for over a decade in multiple forms available to the public.
But the D&C did not yield and proceeded to report on a "groundwater contamination plume" that supposedly threatened water supplies and homes throughout Victor, NY. The articles prompted public forums where citizens voiced their anger that state and local officials would put them in harm's way. Some residents thought they might have to move. Air and water samples were taken and the D&C braced for the worst and called for more "Watchdog" tips from readers.
What was the result of Rochester's self-proclaimed watchdog's actions? Do we have to wipe out Victor Jericho-style and completely start the cycle of life over?
From the D&C -
State officials say they’ve found only one Victor home in need of ventilation to combat solvent vapors suspected to originate from contaminated groundwater in a western section of the town.
(Key ominous music) >Bum, bum, bum<
Local Pork
. . . And This Little Piggy
Here are some initial highlights of local/regional member item spending from the 2007-08 Enacted NYS Budget -
Genesee Regional Homecare Association, Inc. received a grant of $15,000. The group also received another grant under the name Genesee Region Homecare Association.
Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly, Inc. received funding in the amount of $11,000.
The Town of Henrietta received $30,000 in funding compared with the Town of Irondequoit which received $65,000. The Town of Dansville received $70,000.
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association - Rochester Chapter, Inc. received $5,000.
Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley received two separate grants for $50,000 and $25,000.
The University of Rochester Medical Center was the recipient of five grants totaling $135,000.
The Greater Rochester Visitors Association received $20,000. The Greater Rochester Visitor (notice the s is dropped) received two more grants totaling $125,000.
$200,000 was granted to the Rochester Tooling and Machining Association.
The Town of Leroy received $15,000, the Village will get $23,000.
Ontario County will receive $30,000.
$30,000 was set aside for the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
Arts for Greater Rochester received $25,000 while Artwalk of Rochester was the recipient of two separate grants totaling $30,000.
Garth Fagan Dance received one grant for $50,000 and Garth Fagan Dance, Inc. received $25,000.
Grants for $10,000 and $5,000 went to the George Eastman House.
Geva Theatre was the recipient of $50,000.
The Greece Chamber of Commerce Foundation will receive $20,000.
The Henrietta Foundation, Inc. (never heard of it) received $50,000.
$35,000 will go to the Village of Livonia in Livingston County.
$15,000 was set aside for Monroe County.
The Ontario County Historical Society is the recipient of $45,000.
Rochester's Philharmonic Orchestra received $100,000 while the City of Rochester was the recipient of $70,000.
$5,000 will go to this year's Lilac Festival.
The Brighton Fire District and Volunteer Ambulance, Inc. each received $20,000.
$500,000 will go to the Geneva Community Center.
The Livingston County Clerks' Office received two grants totaling $51,000 while the County Government Center received $16,000.
The Village of Penn Yan is the recipient of $80,000.
The Rochester Regional Community Design Center will receive $35,000.
RIT Interpreters for the Deaf will receive funding in the amount of $100,000.
$125,000 will go to the Finger Lakes Institute.
Friends of the Community Charter School of Rochester, Inc received $10,000.
$35,000 will go to the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council.
The Rochester Regional Library Council is the recipient of $30,000.
Prisoners' Legal Services (yes, legal services for individuals already convicted of a crime) received one of the largest grants: $2,285,000.
The Ontario County Sheriff Department will receive $10,000.
This is by no means a complete list. A full listing of all member item monies distributed (all 162 pages) is available here.
Here are some initial highlights of local/regional member item spending from the 2007-08 Enacted NYS Budget -
Genesee Regional Homecare Association, Inc. received a grant of $15,000. The group also received another grant under the name Genesee Region Homecare Association.
Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly, Inc. received funding in the amount of $11,000.
The Town of Henrietta received $30,000 in funding compared with the Town of Irondequoit which received $65,000. The Town of Dansville received $70,000.
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association - Rochester Chapter, Inc. received $5,000.
Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley received two separate grants for $50,000 and $25,000.
The University of Rochester Medical Center was the recipient of five grants totaling $135,000.
The Greater Rochester Visitors Association received $20,000. The Greater Rochester Visitor (notice the s is dropped) received two more grants totaling $125,000.
$200,000 was granted to the Rochester Tooling and Machining Association.
The Town of Leroy received $15,000, the Village will get $23,000.
Ontario County will receive $30,000.
$30,000 was set aside for the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
Arts for Greater Rochester received $25,000 while Artwalk of Rochester was the recipient of two separate grants totaling $30,000.
Garth Fagan Dance received one grant for $50,000 and Garth Fagan Dance, Inc. received $25,000.
Grants for $10,000 and $5,000 went to the George Eastman House.
Geva Theatre was the recipient of $50,000.
The Greece Chamber of Commerce Foundation will receive $20,000.
The Henrietta Foundation, Inc. (never heard of it) received $50,000.
$35,000 will go to the Village of Livonia in Livingston County.
$15,000 was set aside for Monroe County.
The Ontario County Historical Society is the recipient of $45,000.
Rochester's Philharmonic Orchestra received $100,000 while the City of Rochester was the recipient of $70,000.
$5,000 will go to this year's Lilac Festival.
The Brighton Fire District and Volunteer Ambulance, Inc. each received $20,000.
$500,000 will go to the Geneva Community Center.
The Livingston County Clerks' Office received two grants totaling $51,000 while the County Government Center received $16,000.
The Village of Penn Yan is the recipient of $80,000.
The Rochester Regional Community Design Center will receive $35,000.
RIT Interpreters for the Deaf will receive funding in the amount of $100,000.
$125,000 will go to the Finger Lakes Institute.
Friends of the Community Charter School of Rochester, Inc received $10,000.
$35,000 will go to the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council.
The Rochester Regional Library Council is the recipient of $30,000.
Prisoners' Legal Services (yes, legal services for individuals already convicted of a crime) received one of the largest grants: $2,285,000.
The Ontario County Sheriff Department will receive $10,000.
This is by no means a complete list. A full listing of all member item monies distributed (all 162 pages) is available here.
Kurt Vonnegut: 1922-2007
If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Boooooooo!
Anyone Know a Good Connect?
From the D&C -
Who the hell is a stoner going to hurt with brassknuckles?
From the D&C -
A Rochester man accused of growing dozens of marijuana plants in his home was this morning remanded to Monroe County Jail without bail.
Brian H. Collyer, 37, of 188 Sanford St., was charged with second-degree criminal possession of marijuana and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, both felonies, and growing cannabis, a misdemeanor, according to City Court records. He was arrested last night after Rochester police officers executed a search warrant at his residence.
Officers found 42 live cannabis plants of various sizes and several drying plants on the second-floor of the house, according to court records. The drying marijuana plants weighed approximately 30 ounces, according to police.
Officers also found metal knuckles on a shelf in a first-floor bedroom, according to court records.
Who the hell is a stoner going to hurt with brassknuckles?
Where's The Pork?
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
I smell bacon. It is Christmas time again for all of New York state's political cronies.
The Empire Center has released its report on Member Item monies, or pork, in the 2007-08 NYS Enacted Budget. All you lefties who click on the embedded link, be careful, the Empire Center is a conservative think tank and I know some of you have an aversion to such groups.
Staffers here at the WBP are reviewing the 162 pages of member items and we will provide you with a more regionally specific analysis later this evening.
In the meantime, here are some highlights:
Although it has been widely reported that the budget included a total of $170 million in new legislative pork, our analysis of budget bills turned up only $101 million in individual appropriations listed under various subtotals for the "Community Projects 007" account, which traditionally is the funding source for legislative member items. Moreover, while the two houses traditionally divide the member-item grants into equal amounts, our totals (as summarized below) are unevenly distributed between the Senate and Assembly.
-snip-
. . . as of ten days after the budget was passed, neither the Senate nor the Assembly had made good on a promise to release an authoritative list of member items. The Legislature also has not identified individual sponsors of member items (although Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno released his personal list). Also still missing from the public record is any information on the purpose of, or justification for, any of the member-item expenditures.
- The Senate majority's 2,427 member items totaled $56.5 million.
- Senate Democrats issued 982 member items totaling $6.5 million.
- Prisoner's Legal Services received the largest member item from Assembly Democrats, with a $2.3 million grant. There were 1,682 member items lined out in the new budget bills from the Assembly Majority totaling $31.4 million.
- Assembly Republicans issued 730 member items totaling $4.2 million. The two largest grants; both totaling $50,000 -- went to the Williamsville Junior Football program and the Town of Greenwood.
- At least 666 grants totaling $6.5 million were awarded to senior-citizen organizations statewide. Veterans groups, including American Legion posts, accounted for at least 151 member items totaling $1.5 million.
- At least 599 grants totaling $6.8 million went to public, private and charter schools, and to public libraries across the state.
More analysis of local impact to come -
I smell bacon. It is Christmas time again for all of New York state's political cronies.
The Empire Center has released its report on Member Item monies, or pork, in the 2007-08 NYS Enacted Budget. All you lefties who click on the embedded link, be careful, the Empire Center is a conservative think tank and I know some of you have an aversion to such groups.
Staffers here at the WBP are reviewing the 162 pages of member items and we will provide you with a more regionally specific analysis later this evening.
In the meantime, here are some highlights:
Although it has been widely reported that the budget included a total of $170 million in new legislative pork, our analysis of budget bills turned up only $101 million in individual appropriations listed under various subtotals for the "Community Projects 007" account, which traditionally is the funding source for legislative member items. Moreover, while the two houses traditionally divide the member-item grants into equal amounts, our totals (as summarized below) are unevenly distributed between the Senate and Assembly.
-snip-
. . . as of ten days after the budget was passed, neither the Senate nor the Assembly had made good on a promise to release an authoritative list of member items. The Legislature also has not identified individual sponsors of member items (although Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno released his personal list). Also still missing from the public record is any information on the purpose of, or justification for, any of the member-item expenditures.
- The Senate majority's 2,427 member items totaled $56.5 million.
- Senate Democrats issued 982 member items totaling $6.5 million.
- Prisoner's Legal Services received the largest member item from Assembly Democrats, with a $2.3 million grant. There were 1,682 member items lined out in the new budget bills from the Assembly Majority totaling $31.4 million.
- Assembly Republicans issued 730 member items totaling $4.2 million. The two largest grants; both totaling $50,000 -- went to the Williamsville Junior Football program and the Town of Greenwood.
- At least 666 grants totaling $6.5 million were awarded to senior-citizen organizations statewide. Veterans groups, including American Legion posts, accounted for at least 151 member items totaling $1.5 million.
- At least 599 grants totaling $6.8 million went to public, private and charter schools, and to public libraries across the state.
More analysis of local impact to come -
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
COMIDA & Public Pollution
Getinge Sourcing LLC May Receive Benefits
A public hearing is scheduled for 6:00pm tomorrow night regarding the possible receipt of COMIDA benefits by Getinge Sourcing LLC. The hearing will be held at the Henrietta Town Hall at 475 Calkins Road.
Getinge is asking COMIDA to assist in the renovation and equipping of a land parcel on East Henrietta Rd. including the reconfiguration of the manufacturing floor, building office space and constructing a new showroom. COMIDA will apply its standard set of mortgage and property tax exemptions.
Getinge Sourcing LLC has also drawn the attention of another organization.
PlanetHazard.com allows visitors to "learn about the unknown hazards around you - the toxins you may be breathing. PlanetHazard uses information from the EPA to map over 86,000 companies throughout the United States that emit hazardous air pollutants."
Getinge Sourcing LLC is listed in the Rochester area as an emitter of chromium, nickel and manganese.
PlanetHazard also displays a searchable map that allows users to pinpoint locations like schools, populated areas and parks in relation to the respective company.
A public hearing is scheduled for 6:00pm tomorrow night regarding the possible receipt of COMIDA benefits by Getinge Sourcing LLC. The hearing will be held at the Henrietta Town Hall at 475 Calkins Road.
Getinge is asking COMIDA to assist in the renovation and equipping of a land parcel on East Henrietta Rd. including the reconfiguration of the manufacturing floor, building office space and constructing a new showroom. COMIDA will apply its standard set of mortgage and property tax exemptions.
Getinge Sourcing LLC has also drawn the attention of another organization.
PlanetHazard.com allows visitors to "learn about the unknown hazards around you - the toxins you may be breathing. PlanetHazard uses information from the EPA to map over 86,000 companies throughout the United States that emit hazardous air pollutants."
Getinge Sourcing LLC is listed in the Rochester area as an emitter of chromium, nickel and manganese.
PlanetHazard also displays a searchable map that allows users to pinpoint locations like schools, populated areas and parks in relation to the respective company.
Play Nice
Blogosphere is the New Sandbox
The New York Times ran a story yesterday regarding efforts by some within the blogging community to establish a blogosphere code of conduct.
The voluntary system would be tiered with different levels of enforcements depending on what would or would not be allowed on the respective blog.
One of the big pushers behind this effort is Wikipedia creator Jimmy Wales, the other is Tim O'Reilly who apparently came up with the term Web 2.0.
Just so readers are aware: anything goes here at the Water Buffalo Press.
Examples of the proposed codes of conduct are available here.
The New York Times ran a story yesterday regarding efforts by some within the blogging community to establish a blogosphere code of conduct.
The voluntary system would be tiered with different levels of enforcements depending on what would or would not be allowed on the respective blog.
One of the big pushers behind this effort is Wikipedia creator Jimmy Wales, the other is Tim O'Reilly who apparently came up with the term Web 2.0.
Just so readers are aware: anything goes here at the Water Buffalo Press.
Examples of the proposed codes of conduct are available here.
Monday, April 9, 2007
NY Part of New Super Tuesday
Reports are coming out that NYS Governor Eliot Spitzer has signed off on the final legislation, effectively moving the date of the 2008 New York presidential primary to Tuesday, February 5th.
Many other states are considering, or have enacted, similar legislation and New York could eventually be one of nearly two dozen states holding primaries on the new day. The move could help presidential hopefuls from New York, namely Clinton and Giuliani, and other pols who are able to head into early contests with large cash reserves. Read more on the issue here -
Many other states are considering, or have enacted, similar legislation and New York could eventually be one of nearly two dozen states holding primaries on the new day. The move could help presidential hopefuls from New York, namely Clinton and Giuliani, and other pols who are able to head into early contests with large cash reserves. Read more on the issue here -
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
The Gitmo Circus
US Gov't Places Unenforceable Gag Order on Former Prisoner
The Gitmo circus rages on with antics rivaled only by Barnum & Bailey and intricate choreography ala Cirque de Soleil.
From a story in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald -
Just one problem, as reported in today's edition of the Morning Herald -
Read more in our previous post on Gitmo that highlights the efforts of Amnesty International to shut down the shining example of American hypocrisy and human rights infringement.
The Gitmo circus rages on with antics rivaled only by Barnum & Bailey and intricate choreography ala Cirque de Soleil.
From a story in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald -
David Hicks could be sent back to Guantanamo Bay to serve the rest of his seven years term if he breaches his pre-trial agreement by speaking to the media, his military lawyer says.
Major Michael Mori today said Hicks was focused on returning to Australia and could not have asked for a better sentence than going home within 60 days.
Hicks, who has spent five years in the US' military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after being captured in Afghanistan in late 2001, last week pleaded guilty to a charge of giving material support to terrorists.
Under a plea deal negotiated between Hicks' lawyers and the US military commission, he will be returned to Australia to serve nine months in an Adelaide prison before being set free.
He also agreed not to speak to the media for a year or allege he was mistreated while in detention.
Major Mori today said that if Hicks breached any of the conditions in the plea bargain - such as by speaking to the media - he could be forced to serve out the entire seven-year sentence, that is to be suspended after the nine months.
"Violating many of the provisions of pre-trial agreement actually could require him to serve the remainder of the sentence hanging over his head," Major Mori told the ABC's 7.30 Report. "He could potentially be brought back to Guantanamo to serve it."
Just one problem, as reported in today's edition of the Morning Herald -
THE gag on David Hicks speaking to the media for 12 months would not be enforceable in Australia, the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, admitted last night.
Mr Ruddock said Australia had no law making it a crime for Hicks to talk, and the United States would be able to act on a breach only if Hicks came "within their reach".
-snip-
. . . later, speaking on the ABC's Lateline he said that for Australia to agree to an extradition, a charge similar to the one laid overseas must exist under Australian law. "In Australia, we have a position about freedom of speech."Asked if the gag order meant nothing, and Hicks would be able to speak to the media, Mr Ruddock responded: "I suspect you are probably right."
Mr Ruddock said the US included the clause in the plea bargain and it was a matter for the US, Hicks, his prosecutors and his counsel. "I don't think it's a matter for us to enforce," he said.
-snip-
Hicks's father, Terry, has expressed his outrage that the gag order extends to him, and constitutional law experts have said that it breaches Australia's fundamental guarantees of free political discussion.
Read more in our previous post on Gitmo that highlights the efforts of Amnesty International to shut down the shining example of American hypocrisy and human rights infringement.
Who Gets What
Aid to Community Colleges
The NYS Assembly website has a listing of aid for community colleges in the 2007-08 Enacted Budget. How did our region fare?
Finger Lakes
Estimated Funded Enrollment: 3,528
Executive Proposed $100 Base Aid Increase: $352,818
Enacted $50 Base Aid Increase: $176,409
Total 07-08 Base Aid Increase: $529,227
Monroe
Estimated Funded Enrollment: 14,220
Executive Proposed $100 Base Aid Increase: $1,421,976
Enacted $50 Base Aid Increase: $710,988
Total 07-08 Base Aid Increase: $2,132,964
The NYS Assembly website has a listing of aid for community colleges in the 2007-08 Enacted Budget. How did our region fare?
Finger Lakes
Estimated Funded Enrollment: 3,528
Executive Proposed $100 Base Aid Increase: $352,818
Enacted $50 Base Aid Increase: $176,409
Total 07-08 Base Aid Increase: $529,227
Monroe
Estimated Funded Enrollment: 14,220
Executive Proposed $100 Base Aid Increase: $1,421,976
Enacted $50 Base Aid Increase: $710,988
Total 07-08 Base Aid Increase: $2,132,964
Checking Up on Congress
The newest addition to our Links section: OpenCongress.org.
Thanks to RochesterTurning for the heads up on this site which is a joint project between the Participatory Politics Foundation and and the Sunlight Foundation.
RochesterTurning has a great breakdown of the site's features, which includes a link to recent buzz on respective representatives from blogs like the WBP, the aforementioned RochesterTurning and the Fighting 29th.
Thanks to RochesterTurning for the heads up on this site which is a joint project between the Participatory Politics Foundation and and the Sunlight Foundation.
RochesterTurning has a great breakdown of the site's features, which includes a link to recent buzz on respective representatives from blogs like the WBP, the aforementioned RochesterTurning and the Fighting 29th.
NORMLization
New Mexico Approves Med Marijuana
Bill Richardson, New Mexico Governor and Presidential hopeful, getting some press on this issue.
From a Reuters story -
Bill Richardson, New Mexico Governor and Presidential hopeful, getting some press on this issue.
From a Reuters story -
New Mexico doctors are allowed to prescribe marijuana to help some seriously ill patients manage symptoms including pain and nausea under a bill signed into law by Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday.
"This law will provide much-needed relief for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating diseases," Richardson said at the signing ceremony. "It is the right thing to do."
The southwestern state is the 12th in the United States to endorse the use of marijuana for medical uses. New Mexico's state legislature is the fourth in the country to enact such a measure.
-snip-
The law creates a panel of eight expert physicians and other health care workers to supervise the program. Qualified patients must be under a doctor's care and supervision, the news release said.
"I would like to thank the governor for ... giving me another shot at life," said Essie DeBone, who suffers from advanced complications from HIV/AIDS.
Rochester Int'l Jazz Fest
The final artist line-up and schedule for the 2007 Jazz Fest is now available. Artist picks from the WBP in the weeks to come -
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Where's the Accountability?
Local Leaders Question Rivera's Role
Continuing down the slippery education funding slope, which saw its grade steepened by initiatives that set hazardous precedents like the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, the 2007-08 Enacted Budget works further to take the issue out of the hands of localities and centralize the power to disburse funding in Albany - not a recipe for success in my book.
The passing of Maintenance of Effort legislation in the state budget requires the City of Rochester to give the City School District the same amount of aid as last year with no ties to accountability or performance standards.
Puzzling for a district which, despite receiving considerably more in aid than districts in other Upstate cities, has produced one of the most dismal graduation rates in the nation. According to statements from Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green on the Brother Wease program last week, he possesses data which indicates that only 25%-35% of RCSD students eventually graduate.
Why, in the midst of a conversational storm about reform and accountability standards, would this Maintenance of Effort legislation be passed? Some local leaders are questioning the role Manny Rivera, currently in a dual role as Superintendent and gubernatorial Education chief, played in its passage:
Continuing down the slippery education funding slope, which saw its grade steepened by initiatives that set hazardous precedents like the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, the 2007-08 Enacted Budget works further to take the issue out of the hands of localities and centralize the power to disburse funding in Albany - not a recipe for success in my book.
The passing of Maintenance of Effort legislation in the state budget requires the City of Rochester to give the City School District the same amount of aid as last year with no ties to accountability or performance standards.
Puzzling for a district which, despite receiving considerably more in aid than districts in other Upstate cities, has produced one of the most dismal graduation rates in the nation. According to statements from Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green on the Brother Wease program last week, he possesses data which indicates that only 25%-35% of RCSD students eventually graduate.
Why, in the midst of a conversational storm about reform and accountability standards, would this Maintenance of Effort legislation be passed? Some local leaders are questioning the role Manny Rivera, currently in a dual role as Superintendent and gubernatorial Education chief, played in its passage:
“I question why it was put in place with absolutely no language for accountability whatsoever,” [Rochester Mayor Bob] Duffy said.
Duffy has been highly critical of the district’s dismal four-year graduation rate, and wanted the option to pull funding. The city is facing a $17 million budget gap.
A month ago, the mayor sent a letter to the school district demanding information relating to spending and academic performance. In his State of the City address last week, he proposed tying school aid to results. He has not received a response from school officials.
Morelle says he was the only lawmaker to take the floor to oppose the maintenance of effort legislation. He said the law is unprecedented, and has the effect of taking away local control and accountability of school funds.
Morelle suspects Rochester’s superintendent, Dr. Manuel Rivera, played a role in getting the bill passed. Rivera has been serving as the governor’s deputy education secretary, a job he will assume full time next month.
“I certainly think there may have been undue influence by Manny as a superintendent, and while there is disclosure about that, I just think it's something we need to think about,” Morelle said. “I think he needs to question whether or not he can serve both masters at the same time.” 13WHAM asked Mayor Duffy if he believed Rivera played any role in getting the legislation passed.
“In terms of the role of the superintendent, I would say this, that's a very good ethical question and I'm going to decline comment at this time,” Duffy said.
Rivera had already counted the full $119 million in the budget he submitted to the school board last month.
Reservist Objector to be Discharged
Federal Judge Rules
From an AP story -
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A Marine lance corporal who said he had an aversion to killing and participating in war must be released from the military as a conscientious objector, a federal judge ruled.
The Marine Corps Reserve must discharge Robert Zabala, 23, by mid-April, under the ruling.
Zabala said he was troubled during boot camp in 2003 when a fellow recruit committed suicide and a superior used profanities to belittle the recruit. Zabala said he was "abhorred by the blood lust [the superior] seemed to possess," according to a 2006 court petition for conscientious-objector status.
Another boot camp instructor showed recruits a "motivational clip" showing Iraqi corpses, explosions, gunfights and rockets set to a heavy metal song that included the lyrics, "Let the bodies hit the floor," the petition said. Zabala said he cried, while other recruits nodded their heads in time with the beat.
"The sanctity of life that formed the moral center of petitioner's life was being challenged," his attorney, Stephen Collier, wrote in a court filing.
U.S. District Judge James Ware, who served 13 years in the Army Reserve, said he was convinced of Zabala's sincerity about his struggles to "reconcile the demands of duty with the demands of conscience."
From an AP story -
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A Marine lance corporal who said he had an aversion to killing and participating in war must be released from the military as a conscientious objector, a federal judge ruled.
The Marine Corps Reserve must discharge Robert Zabala, 23, by mid-April, under the ruling.
Zabala said he was troubled during boot camp in 2003 when a fellow recruit committed suicide and a superior used profanities to belittle the recruit. Zabala said he was "abhorred by the blood lust [the superior] seemed to possess," according to a 2006 court petition for conscientious-objector status.
Another boot camp instructor showed recruits a "motivational clip" showing Iraqi corpses, explosions, gunfights and rockets set to a heavy metal song that included the lyrics, "Let the bodies hit the floor," the petition said. Zabala said he cried, while other recruits nodded their heads in time with the beat.
"The sanctity of life that formed the moral center of petitioner's life was being challenged," his attorney, Stephen Collier, wrote in a court filing.
U.S. District Judge James Ware, who served 13 years in the Army Reserve, said he was convinced of Zabala's sincerity about his struggles to "reconcile the demands of duty with the demands of conscience."
Who Gets What
Budget Numbers for Your Area
The NYS Budget Division has numbers posted for the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) portion of the recently Enacted Budget.
The 2007-08 Enacted Budget restructures AIM to target additional State aid primarily to fiscally distressed municipalities. An AIM increase of $50 million is authorized in 2007-08, and in each of the three following years, for a four-year total of $200 million. These increases are tied to enhanced accountability requirements that encourage local fiscal improvement. Finally, the 2007-08 AIM program continues to provide incentive grants to local governments that consolidate or share services under a $25 million Shared Municipal Services Incentive (SMSI) grant program.
DOB allows users to search by zip code or name for their own county, city, town or village and its respective allotment of AIM funding.
The NYS Budget Division has numbers posted for the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) portion of the recently Enacted Budget.
The 2007-08 Enacted Budget restructures AIM to target additional State aid primarily to fiscally distressed municipalities. An AIM increase of $50 million is authorized in 2007-08, and in each of the three following years, for a four-year total of $200 million. These increases are tied to enhanced accountability requirements that encourage local fiscal improvement. Finally, the 2007-08 AIM program continues to provide incentive grants to local governments that consolidate or share services under a $25 million Shared Municipal Services Incentive (SMSI) grant program.
DOB allows users to search by zip code or name for their own county, city, town or village and its respective allotment of AIM funding.
Albany Preserves Adirondacks
From an AP story -
State officials have completed agreements to protect almost 260,000 acres of Adirondack wilderness and open much of it to public recreation. The deal, struck in 2004 with the International Paper Company, involved conservation easements on 257,000 acres in nine counties. Under the contracts, the Lyme Timber Company, which has since bought most of International Paper’s Adirondack land, will not sell the land for development, and the state will pay local taxes.
State officials have completed agreements to protect almost 260,000 acres of Adirondack wilderness and open much of it to public recreation. The deal, struck in 2004 with the International Paper Company, involved conservation easements on 257,000 acres in nine counties. Under the contracts, the Lyme Timber Company, which has since bought most of International Paper’s Adirondack land, will not sell the land for development, and the state will pay local taxes.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Think This Budget is Done?
Not Hardly
“The governor may at any time within thirty days thereafter and, with the consent of the legislature, at any time before the adjournment thereof, amend or supplement the budget and submit amendments to any bills submitted by him or her or submit supplemental bills.”
That is from the New York state constitution and that means this budget is far from over and patting anyone on the back for passing it "on-time" is misguided and undeserved. Sorry Steamroller.
Of the many special interest additions we will likely see over the next few weeks, one of the items at the top of the legislature's to-do list in the coming days is a nice little pay raise for themselves. I challenge any reader to give me a logical reason why they actually deserve a raise.
One more thing, has anyone been able to find a breakdown of individual legislator's votes on the budget? The Assembly page search tool is useful if you know the individual bill numbers but most of the Senate and Assembly members did not even see those.
Johnson's Ferry: SOLD!
An End to a Very Long, Very Strange Trip
Rochester City officials announced the sale today of the Spirit of Ontario fast ferry.
Mayor Bob Duffy said the vessel has been sold to Germany-based FRS for $30 million. According to reports the company has already paid a 10% deposit.
The purchase will leave the City with roughly $20 million in debt on the boat.
Rochester City officials announced the sale today of the Spirit of Ontario fast ferry.
Mayor Bob Duffy said the vessel has been sold to Germany-based FRS for $30 million. According to reports the company has already paid a 10% deposit.
The purchase will leave the City with roughly $20 million in debt on the boat.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Rosie, Loose Change & the BBC
Conspiracy Lives On
Noam Chomsky has publicly stated that he does not believe there is any way that the attacks of 9/11 were organized or undertaken by our own government.
Hunter S. Thompson stated on international radio before his death that he had every reason to believe that the American public did not know all the details of the attacks.
The 9/11 conspiracy debate is very much alive and well and in the news.
All the hub-bub started when Bill O'Reilly and other right wingers launched a good old fashioned offensive against those "Hollywood liberal types."
First up was Dallas Mavericks owner and media mogul Mark Cuban who has announced that he will fund distribution for an updated version of the notorious Loose Change 9/11 conspiracy film. The film gained immense popularity during its time as a freely shared Google video, but has been mostly unavailable in its finished form since last year when it was taken down for copyright issues.
The next target was Rosie O'Donnell who, at the close of heated political debate with hottie conservative View co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck, said the public did not everything about the 9/11 attacks. O'Donnell cited the collapse of WTC Building 7, which she called the "first steel building in history to collapse from fire," as being in defiance of the laws of physics. She went on to say that the building could only have collapsed with the assistance of explosive charges.
WTC Building 7 has also had increased internet buzz over the last half of March with the materialization of an apparently damning YouTube video.
The video is made up of BBC News footage from 9/11. The segment in questions highlights the coverage of the collapse of the Solamon Building, WTC Building 7, nearly half an hour before the building actually collapsed.
I cannot say whether conspiracy theorists are right or wrong. However, these events highlight the mis-, dis- and incorrect information circulating around the happenings of 9/11.
What I can confirm is, in the end, it appears !egad! that Rosie was right.
The following clip is from a PBS documentary segment with the leaseholder of the World Trade Center and his decision on WTC Building 7 -
Noam Chomsky has publicly stated that he does not believe there is any way that the attacks of 9/11 were organized or undertaken by our own government.
Hunter S. Thompson stated on international radio before his death that he had every reason to believe that the American public did not know all the details of the attacks.
The 9/11 conspiracy debate is very much alive and well and in the news.
All the hub-bub started when Bill O'Reilly and other right wingers launched a good old fashioned offensive against those "Hollywood liberal types."
First up was Dallas Mavericks owner and media mogul Mark Cuban who has announced that he will fund distribution for an updated version of the notorious Loose Change 9/11 conspiracy film. The film gained immense popularity during its time as a freely shared Google video, but has been mostly unavailable in its finished form since last year when it was taken down for copyright issues.
The next target was Rosie O'Donnell who, at the close of heated political debate with hottie conservative View co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck, said the public did not everything about the 9/11 attacks. O'Donnell cited the collapse of WTC Building 7, which she called the "first steel building in history to collapse from fire," as being in defiance of the laws of physics. She went on to say that the building could only have collapsed with the assistance of explosive charges.
WTC Building 7 has also had increased internet buzz over the last half of March with the materialization of an apparently damning YouTube video.
The video is made up of BBC News footage from 9/11. The segment in questions highlights the coverage of the collapse of the Solamon Building, WTC Building 7, nearly half an hour before the building actually collapsed.
I cannot say whether conspiracy theorists are right or wrong. However, these events highlight the mis-, dis- and incorrect information circulating around the happenings of 9/11.
What I can confirm is, in the end, it appears !egad! that Rosie was right.
The following clip is from a PBS documentary segment with the leaseholder of the World Trade Center and his decision on WTC Building 7 -
This is Government?
Why no April Fools' Day fake news post? Well, because we think they are lame and what is happening at the state capitol is amusing and disturbing enough -
Like a high school freshman rushing through his homework that he left until last minute even though it was assigned to him a month ago, cutting and pasting from Wikipedia without actually reading any of it and hoping his teacher won't notice; the NYS Leg blew through a flurry of bills last night - only pausing for the delays it took to print them.
So much for reform and the inclusion of rank-and-file legislators, the ones you and I elected, in the decision making process. Our representatives are not even allowed the opportunity to read the bills, much less consider the impact of the legislation on his or her respective district.
"How am I voting Mr. Leader? Ok, thank you Mr. Leader, may I have some more money now?"
What did all the backroom dealing, cronyism and influence peddling get us? A budget that increases spending at THREE TIMES the rate of inflation. The new Governor considers the budget a "success." Whatever you say Spitz . . .
Diana Fortuna of the Citizens Budget Commission sums it up:
Like a high school freshman rushing through his homework that he left until last minute even though it was assigned to him a month ago, cutting and pasting from Wikipedia without actually reading any of it and hoping his teacher won't notice; the NYS Leg blew through a flurry of bills last night - only pausing for the delays it took to print them.
So much for reform and the inclusion of rank-and-file legislators, the ones you and I elected, in the decision making process. Our representatives are not even allowed the opportunity to read the bills, much less consider the impact of the legislation on his or her respective district.
"How am I voting Mr. Leader? Ok, thank you Mr. Leader, may I have some more money now?"
What did all the backroom dealing, cronyism and influence peddling get us? A budget that increases spending at THREE TIMES the rate of inflation. The new Governor considers the budget a "success." Whatever you say Spitz . . .
Diana Fortuna of the Citizens Budget Commission sums it up:
"The rush to pass legislation before the public or even lawmakers have a chance to consider it is a continuation of business as usual," Fortuna said. "The budget process is still a mess."
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