Mustard Street: July 2010

Friday, July 30, 2010

The People Win One

In a triumph for the ordinary citizen, the Monroe County Legislature on Wednesday refused to let the City mount its infamous "red-light cameras" on County-owned utility poles.

We've told you before about the red-light camera racket:

"We're Going to Make A Lot of Money"

So said then-City Council President Gladys Santiago last summer, cutting to the main point about the City's plan to install red-light cameras as a money-making device. As in every other city where these cash-machines have been installed, there's an embarrasingly thin pretext of "public safety" clothing the real purpose. The last thing they want is for people to follow the law to the letter at a red light with a camera, because then the money stops.

Around the country the story has been the same. You see, installing the cameras is just Step 1.

Step 2 is when the local municipality then shortens the time of the yellow light, thereby tricking motorists familiar with the corner, who think they have time, to be in the intersection when the light's red.

The other gimmick is this: the red-light camera gives you a ticket for making a right turn on red, unless you come to a complete dead stop before making the turn. In other words, good reader, if you turn on red the way you and 99.9% of the population does when there's no traffic coming from the left, by slowing down but not stopping completely, you're nabbed!

No wonder the City not merely thinks, but knows, "We're going to make a lot of money."

Congratulations to Legislators Carrie Andrews, D-Rochester; Mike Barker, R-Fairport; Harry Bronson, D-Rochester; Anthony Daniele, R-Pittsford; Travis Heider, D-Brighton; Jeff McCann, R-Greece; Dan Quatro, R-Webster; Steve Tucciarello, R-Gates; and Dick Yolevich, R-Parma for standing up to a dishonest and dishonorable ripoff of the ordinary citizen.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

OH ,Yes

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Why the Controversy Over County Dropping Center for Disability Rights?

Monroe County engages certain agencies, including the Center for Disability Rights, to provide specified services for people with disabilities.

Following complaints from people depending on services from CDR, the County investigates. It finds lapses in care provided by CDR.

Consequently, the County declines to renew CDR's contract to provide those services. The County then lets all of the CDR clients choose to get the same services from any of five other agencies that administer the program.

And why is any of this controversial?

Wrist Slap and a Cover-Up for Charlie Rangel?

Let's hope not.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

New York City Pols Gang Up on Motts

Why are New York City politicians sticking their noses into a strike in Williamson?

The Daily News reports that New York City Council members are now bashing Motts.

That's it, boys! Found a pocket of private-sector employment remaining in upstate? Stamp it out! That's how we know you're "progressives."

First Refuge of a Scoundrel: Accusation of "Racism"

The Left, which can find "racism" in the weather report, uses the term so loosely that they've rendered it nearly meaningless.

Still, they keep trying. Revelations from the now defunct JournoList, where liberal news reporters and editors coordinated efforts to help Democratic candidates and undermine Republicans, include the following.

When videos of Obama's pastor, the openly antiwhite, anti-American Rev. Jeremiah Wright, surfaced during the 2008 presidential campaign, JournoList participants discussed strategies to distract public attention from the Wright story. One proposed attacking Mr. Obama's critics as racists. Spencer Ackerman, of The Washington Independent advised fellow JournoListas:

"If the right forces us all to either defend Wright or tear him down, no matter what we choose, we lose the game they've put upon us. Instead, take one of them—Fred Barnes, Karl Rove, who cares—and call them racists. . . . This makes them 'sputter' with rage, which in turn leads to overreaction and self-destruction."

It's their basic default strategy. Conservatives on the receiving end should laugh at the accusation, not sputter.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Congrats Winfield!

Last night was a win for small business and common sense in the City -- two things not often achieved in Rochester as of late.

Congrats to Chris and the Winfield on the approvals to move forward with the new parking lots in North Winton Village. This is a direct need generated by revitalization within the city from PRIVATE money. Proving that if you make for a friendly business environment by facilitating small business, revitalization will follow. In our 15 minute city the Winfield could be located anywhere and service the same amount of customers and provide the same number of jobs that they do in the city.

We need to continue to cultivate these private economic development opportunities or they will move to the 'burbs. Congrats again Winfield, and thanks for calling the City home.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Republicans at the Pride Parade

Saturday, amongst many other groups, the City Republican Committee marched in the Gay Pride Parade. I am a member of the City Republican Committee so was happy to be there to support my fellow city neighbors.

I found the reactions quite interesting. Most clapped and cheered as we marched by almost as if they were surprised to see us. Some yelled out “it’s about time”, and “I am a Republican and thrilled to see you here”. Some just looked shocked, and then some said some unpleasant things. It is unfortunate that many on the opposite side of the aisle have put us in a jar labeled “haters”. Haters of everything from minorities, immigrants, poverty stricken people, and on and on. And more unfortunate than that is that many people on “this side of the aisle” have backed down and said nothing. Feared of being labeled something that they are not they remain silent.

There are so many younger people, like myself, who are sick of it. We are now taking to the streets to say, "Stop." Stop with the mislabeling of who we are because we wear an elephant instead of a donkey. So many of us are liberty- and freedom-loving people. Freedom to be who you are and the liberty to be open about it.

So when asked today about why are you here I responded in this way. Not one person on this earth will agree with every personal decision I make. I know of no one that I will agree with every personal decision they make. That includes my fiance! But if you are a person that is looking to be a contributing member of society, obey the laws, and not put my freedom and liberty at risk then game on. We may differ on some issues and that is what this amazing country is all about.

To those of you who identify yourself as Conservative or Republican, I say take others head on. Tell them to knock it off when they try to label you based on how you vote or which committee you choose to be a part of. This nonsense of identity politics must end in order for this country and city to move forward.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

As if New York Weren't Doing Enough to Drive Businesses Away

Six years ago, Sen. Charles E. Schumer urged company site selectors to take a fresh look at upstate New York. He said Buffalo and Rochester were among the best places in the country to build a factory.

What would those private sector decision-makers think now of the campaign that Schumer and the rest of the state’s Democratic notables are making to muscle a national company into making a deal with its labor union?

Schumer shouldn’t be getting involved with the Motts strike in Williamson. Comptroller DeNapoli shouldn't be trying to extort a settlement that ultimately will drive Mott's jobs out of New York, to one of the Free States. They aren’t going to help the situation, and could only raise red flags for other companies thinking about doing business in upstate New York.

Thanks to correspondent Nathan for tipping us off to this.

Misconduct of a Judicial Campaign

We're working on a story now going around the Hall of Justice, that the campaign of a judicial candidate, denied a Party's endorsement, sent out petition canvassers in an effort to mount a primary.

At least one of the canvassers -- the candidate's spouse -- misrepresented, to voters at the door, that the candidate is the Party's endorsed nominee, and suffered the misfortune of saying it at the door of a member of the Executive Committee of the Party that declined to endorse the judicial spouse, and again at the door of a prominent elected official endorsed by that Party!

If so, it could be a criminal offense.

Some details to confirm; watch for the full story.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Political Dynamic of a DA Election

Who would have thought it? Suborn a public office for political gain, and you . . . gain politically!

We'll have more to say later on the nomination of a corrupt prosecutor to a federal judgeship. Now, however, let's look at the politics of a race for DA in 2011 if Mr. Green is nominated and confirmed to the federal bench.

Almost certainly we'll see County Court Judge Frank Geraci named to the vacancy in the office of the DA. A longtime crony of Joe Morelle, Geraci is known to want the DA's seat.

This sets up an internal fight in the Democratic Party, as First Assistant DA Sandra Doorley -- whose prosecutions, unlike those of her boss, Mr. Green, don't get thrown out of court for insufficient basis to prosecute -- is widely known to want to succeed Green. Doorley changed parties in anticipation of the opportunity, so we have to believe she's in earnest. If Geraci gets the appointment and the Democratic nomination, maybe she'll be changing back!

Why No Bike Lane on East Avenue?

Something that is hard not to take note of, living in the city, is the number of people choosing to ride bikes. So why, with the new paving and relining of East Avenue, from 4 down to 2 lanes, do we not see a bike lane?

It seems that would have been a common sense move for the City to make. It is a major route from the East side of the city into Downtown that many people travel each day. Between that and the decision on the Mortimer Street bus terminal, I feel that we are not on board with common sense solutions that could create a healthier environment for people to move about our fine city. I would like your opinions on this.

Welcome, Richard!

Today we welcome Mustard Street's newest contributor, Richard Tyson.

A proud resident of Rochester, with a home in Cobb's Hill, Richard will focus on City issues, specifically on matters of planning and urban livability. A Navy veteran employed in the telecom industry, he's also president of RYPROC, a firm specializing in web design, logo design and marketing services.

Richard currently serves on the Board of Contributors of the Democrat and Chronicle, where he also blogs.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Morelle as Next State Insurance Commissioner?

Rumblings reach us about Assemblyman Joe Morelle being appointed State Commissioner of Insurance in an Andrew Cuomo admistration. Certainly he'll continue full speed with his candidacy for Monroe County Executive next year, unless and until such an appointment occurs.

A lucrative gig for Morelle, if it were to happen. A few years as State Insurance Commissioner at -- what? -- about $170k a year, then off to cash in at one of the big insurance firms or consultancies in New York City, in the high six figures. The wet dream of every New York State legislator.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Hate Speech for the Fourth

We'll mark Independence Day with some down-and-dirty extremist hate speech, as the mainstream media have trained us to recognize it:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it . . .

Celebrate!