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The Arc de Triomph on the Champs E'Lysee: Need we say more? Paris vs. New York City: An Attempt at a Fair Comparison July 3, 2009 Paris, France -   I'm in Paris.  Johnny Depp is staying at my hotel.  Big deal.  Yet, Paris is larger than life, a better city, and more livable than Gotham.  But New York has its strengths.  A side-by-side compare and contrast follows.  (Editors Note:  I apologize for the very confusing format this article suffered from in its first several hours of publication.  We experienced a column-formatting issue that has now been corrected, and I trust you may now find the article a better read.  Thank you. -CJW). Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

* UPDATED * Why Is the Board of Elections Stonewalling? July 1, 2009  Having just passed the 40-year anniversary of the legendary Stonewall demonstrations -- a legendary turning point in the civil rights struggles of the LGBT community in America -- the Monroe County Board of Elections appears to be engaging in a unique form of stonewalling of its own: They have had two full days to respond two written requests seeking clarification of petition law. For 48 hours -- in the heat of petition season -- the Board has been utterly non-responsive. The silence is deafening. ** RESPONSE FROM COMMISSIONERS QUINN AND FERRARESE RECEIVED **  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

Who will be New York State's Ben Franklin? What is a Decent New Yorker to Do? June 29, 2009  Looks like Tom Golisano got out while the gettin' was good. No longer a formal resident of New York State, he can claim no affiliation with the mess New York is in. Of course, he also kind of provoked the latest crisis... But for those of us with fewer means, how does a citizen of New York respond to the current Albany shenanigans in a way that might actually make a difference? Here are some ideas...  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

County Executive Brooks: What Did She Know, When? Op-Ed Briefs: Republicans Knew; Wegman's and Their Emerging Monopoly; Obama, Congress & Debt That Kills. June 25 2009  Galway, Ireland -  Raise your hands!  Who believes Robert "Bob" Marone is the only guilty party in the Robutrad-Monroe County Republican Party scandal?   The legacy of the Wegman family in Rochester (and dozens of communities in several U.S. states) is laudable.  What isn't is Wegman's Supermarket's attempt to eliminate most competing brands, by creating a monopoly by selling just their own brands.  Former President Bush, Jr. and his senior Congress were bad enough when it came to deficit spending ($459 billion in FY 2008).  However, President Obama and his Democratic Congress have already, in five months, quadrupled our annual federal deficit to $1.85 trillion.  Hope your great-grandchildren are an industrious sort. Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

Chief -- now Mayor. Don't expect Merrit Rahn to do the same... The Culture of No Accountability June 23, 2009  In this election year a stark contrast has emerged: over a dozen candidates compete for Rochester City Council, a competitive primary for city School Board and a battle for control of the Monroe County Legislature. But amidst all this tohu-bohu there is one island of electoral serenity: Mayor Robert Duffy. Why? A perception that Duffy, despite all the critics, owns his actions -- both good and bad. An image of accountability matters to the public, as several recent (and not so recent) examples indicate.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

Just one way the Beacon gets information... Behind Closed Doors -- Public Officials' Dark Side June 21, 2009   It's no secret that elected leaders and others in public office are human. They get angry, frustrated and indignant. Although they might refer to others as "my honorable colleague", we all know those platitudes are just that: niceties intended to keep public debate at a respectful level. But sometimes, leaders reveal their true nature in communications. And sometimes those communications make their way to the media....  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks - 2 opinions posted

Rochester Downtown Re-Development: A Mid-Term Report Card June 20, 2009  Rochester, NY -  Believe it or not, there are active, visible construction cranes in Downtown Rochester, though not many--yet.  Inside, check-out a 'mid-term' report card (mid-term of what period I cannot say) of Downtown Rochester proposals; projects that "appear" to have funding; projects that are fading; and projects that should be built. Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

With Rochester sitting next to the World's largest water supply, how can a few open fire hydrants hurt anyone? Op-Ed Briefs: City Firemen Should Open Hydrants; Palin & 'End of Days' Idiots May Get Their Wish; Duffy's Denials Confirm PAETEC's Downtown Exit June 17, 2009  Rochester, NY -  Recently a judge sided with Rochester City Firefighters in a controversy over whether firefighters should be obliged to open hydrants for city children on very hot summer days.  The judge is plain wrong.  Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and the rest of the Born Again, Pentecostal, Bible-Thumpin' Armageddon crowd may finally get their wish as war seems more likely everyday with a nuclear North Korea.  Mayor Robert Duffy issued a televised, smiling and smirking denial the other day, alleging that PAETEC Corp. is still moving its headquarters downtown.  That's funny, because PAETEC's founder and chairman claims otherwise.  Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot - 2 opinions posted

Ngo Dinh Diem: Elections are easy, surviving coups, not so much How to Govern without Legitimacy, A Brief History June 16, 2009  As we watch Iranians fill the streets of Tehran, outraged that their election appears to have been manipulated by the ruling clergy, we should think of the more subtle forces that make our own elections of dubious merit. Manipulated elections are often only a matter of style and artistry -- "clean" democracies are prettier, but not that much more legitimate.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

Monserrate: Slashing the Dems to pieces NYS Senate: Time for Plan B June 15, 2009  In a power-grab that could only happen in Albany (or perhaps Tehran), Republicans hold a tenuous majority that relies on two Democrats of questionable integrity -- and loyalty. Democrats should drop the legal action, drop the outrage, cut their losses and let Republicans do the impossible: attempt to govern a now-ungovernable state.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

Why are all my best ideas unconstitutional? Duffy Can't Catch a Break June 13, 2009  Being Mayor sure can be a thankless job. Although he appears to be gliding to re-election, Mayor Robert Duffy is having a rough time. With Chairman Joe Morelle trying to quash political fires in Albany and in his own backyard and several of his signature initiatives being turned back by courts and others, is there any way the mayor will be able to celebrate this fall?  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks - 1 opinion posted

Comrade Golisano in the People's Republic of NY. Golisano...Make Up Your Mind: Is it FL or NY? June 12, 2009  Rochester, NY -  Tom Golisano just consummated the ultimate power play, when he, like the dictator of some third world hell hole, helped over throw the New York State Senate.  Golisano has every right to be livid over onerous and ruinous taxes in Greater Rochester and NY State.  But could he have picked two worse public officials to execute his coup d' etat in the Senate? Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot - 1 opinion posted

Comeuppance in Smugtown: Abby Rowe and Patsy Robertson Deserve an Apology June 10, 2009  The Beacon stumbled on the way to opening the doors on some of Rochester's political machinating. As always, the story is not nearly as simple as it might seem -- but the first order of business is exonerating the guiltless Abby Rowe and Patsy Robertson.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks - 2 opinions posted

Will the call to act be heeded? Data Into Deeds: Can Rochester ACT? June 9, 2009  Does information drive action? If we know, with objective numbers, how bad a problem is, will it inspire us to spring into action to solve it? Rochester has a chance to test this theory with the launch of a new website sponsored by the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Community Foundation.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

Legislative Caucus: Honest Airing of Opinions, or Backroom Collusion? Monroe County Legislature Violates Open Meetings / "Sunshine" Laws June 9, 2009  Rochester, NY -   In the Monroe County Legislature, as well as nearly every legislative or executive body in Monroe County and across New York State, "the people's business" is regularly conducted in private, out of the view and earshot of the public, in what passes for what is popularly known as a caucus.  These meetings are anti-democratic, and illegal. Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

Southeast Dems' Anger Boils Over -- Imperils Leaders, Candidates June 6, 2009 With petition season just days away, some grassroots city Democrats are fighting back against their leaders. Those leaders, and some elected officials up for re-election this year, are in their crosshairs.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

Paterson fields questions from angry taxpayers. Op-Ed Briefs: Gov. Paterson Finally Fights Public Employee Unions; NYC to Mon. Co.: To Save Money!; Harry Davis: Never Say Die. June 6, 2009  Rochester, NY -   New York Governor David Paterson is a man of many faces; one day he caves to public employee unions and special interests, the next day, like Wednesday, Paterson vetoes firefighter and police pension extensions.  According to the Democrat & Chronicle, there is a small but growing contingent of New York City metro types who can no longer afford not to move to metros like Greater Rochester, if they ever want to own a house.  Perpetual yet engaging Democratic candidate Harry Davis was not designated for City Council this year.  Harry doesn't care.  Mr. Davis, in his third run for office, possesses a 'never say die' attitude, and along with his opposition to RenSquare, may just primary the Democrats this September. Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

The Sunshine Tax Haven Meets the Land of Milk and Honey. Golisano is Right: Not Right-Wing Politically, but Correct Economically June 2, 2009  Rochester, NY -  Rochester 'Golden Boy' Tom Golisano was finally forced by the tax-and-spend bums in Albany, to throw in the towel on New York State.  Who can blame him?  As Golisano said so articulately in the Democrat & Chronicle Sunday, 5/31/09, the $13,800 a day he saves in taxes by not living in New York State can be put to good use--like additional contributions to charitable causes.  That's called paying one's "fair share". Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

As Summer Approaches, the Grassroots Grow ... Angrier June 2, 2009 When is enough enough for loyal members of a political party? Rochester's Democrats have a chance to make just such a point. Jeanne Masten, a former Democratic Committee leader and current committee member has thrown down the gauntlet. And as petition season starts, city Democrats might find that some party members are no longer content with the current regime.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

A white woman's fate if she crosses the racial line? Another White Criminal Falsely Blames an African-American Man May 29, 2009  Rochester, NY -  The other day, Ms. Bonnie Sweeten, 38, of Bucks County, PA (bedroom county just to the north of Philadelphia) kidnapped her own daughter, Julia Rakoczy (from Bonnie's first marriage), 9 years old, and took off for Disney World.  Mother and daughter are now safe, with Bonnie in custody, and Julia to be reunited with her biological dad.  But the real story here is what Bonnie told 911 operators in Philadelphia, just before she falsely blamed fictitious "black men" for the fantasy abduction of she and her daughter. Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

Judicial Restraint or Fecklessness? California Weighs In May 27, 2009  It takes some serious judicial chutzpah to overrule a plebiscite. That's what opponents of California's Proposition 8, the gay marriage ban, hoped the state's Supreme Court would show in requesting the results of that referendum be thrown out. Instead, the court chose to split the difference: upholding the vote but declaring the term "marriage" devoid of any legal substance. Tell that to the Californians whose temporary right to marry has just been revoked.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

The New Duffy: Taking Stands? Duffy Takes a Stand: More to Come? May 25, 2009  In his highly-publicized Sunday editorial, Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy has taken a very public position on a matter currently before the state legislature: the issue of equal marriage rights for all citizens. Is this an indication of more Duffy pronouncements? If so, it would be a welcome departure from the past four years.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks

The Beacon vs. the Bloggers May 22, 2009   With a largely lazy and unquestioning media establishment dulling the senses of Rochesterians, it is up to Rochester's independent media outlets to report the stories that do not get covered. But a recent internecine battle among those independent media has brought a long-overdue debate to the fore: what are the principles that should govern public discourse? What responsibilities do we have to our readers? I can't speak for others, but I can tell you how the Beacon came to be -- and why it will not change.  Read More ... Aaron E. Wicks - 1 opinion posted

Rendering of the real John Locke, sans blog name. Moon'rat' Over Monroe: A Fake John Locke Blogs Against a Real Chris Wilmot May 20, 2009  Rochester, NY -  It seems the cowardly and perpetually immature bloggers are at again--and so quickly.  This time, it's some lame socialist internet rag called Moonbat Over Monroe (or do they mean, "Moon Over Parador", that ghastly film starring Richard Dreyfuss?).  Someone (we'll never know who, of course) is pretending to be the incarnation of the great English philosopher, John Locke.  But unlike the real John Locke (he, by the way, used attribution), who died nearly 305 years ago, Moonrat Over Monroe's Mr. Locke has neither the intelligence nor the integrity to sign his or her real name.  Wait until you see the classicist game he plays with this author (do I smell jealousy in the air?). Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

Anonymous bloggers may see no evil, but they certainly cause plenty of it. Local 'Media' Analysis: Rochester (stomach) Turning. May 19, 2009  Rochester, NY -  Another cowardly blog has spouted off here in Monroe County about yours truly; Aaron Wicks, Chris Wilmot, & The Smugtown Beacon.  It is Rochester (stomach) Turning, which saw fit to criticize a recent article by Aaron Wicks (which is doing gang busters in terms of readership on Google Analytics), and a personal attack against this author, for allegedly still being angry about idiot former Mayor Bill Johnson's decision to kill a $500 million, taxpayer free, downtown casino complex.  Despite what Rochester Turning alleges, I'm not bitter; I simply take my gambling money to Niagara Falls (NY & Ontario), or Turning Stone, and play black jack and slots (another example of short sighted Rochester losing millions of dollars to neighboring communities).  Bitter?  No, just adding to NYS Thruway coffers with my EZ Pass. Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot - 3 opinions posted

Shovels in Ground, with No Population Growth. Read Now: New Series of Articles entitled, "Greater Rochester Commercial Development: Where are the Customers?" June24, 2009  Rochester, NY  -   Exciting commercial development proposals are on the table all over Greater Rochester:  Ren Square, Medley Center, Anthony Costello's plans for open parcels in Brighton, Fifth Year TV & Film Productions, 250 new jobs--from outside the region--at the Chase Lincoln Tower, etc.  Perhaps some or all may be built, and realize success.  But in an era when Greater Rochester and Western New York's population is shrinking--not growing--do these proposals make financial sense?  And, what about large sections of our county where citizens scratch their heads over several million square feet of unoccupied commercial space, while new office parks and retail establishments are being built, sometimes on the same street? Aaron Wicks and Christopher Wilmot now present a series of articles, on an on-going basis, that will examine several key regions in our metropolitan area, and ask the question that thousands in this area have been thinking about:  Can these projects be sustained, at a time when we see great job losses and the mass exodus of our local college  graduates?  We'll examine Medley Center, the Route 96 Corridor, Henrietta, Open Space issues in Brighton, and the 'Webster Phenomenon'.  Stay Tuned ! Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot & Aaron E. Wicks

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Society and Culture

2009 Golden Beacon Awards: The Best-Worst, Dumbest, Most Egregious People, Places & Things in the U.S., and Abroad April 27, 2009  Hillsboro Beach, Florida -   Like other quirky, strange, enlightened, and ridiculously fun lists and awards the Smugtown Beacon has compiled and handed out, the 2009 Golden Beacon Awards may prove to be our best yet (or worst, whichever works better for you).  If you are a Smugtown Beacon member, feel free to vote your own choices, or suggest and add categories at will.  Join in the mayhem, the politically incorrect behavior, and wanton disrespect, of this year's Golden Beacon Awards! Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot

Film Reviews

In Theaters: "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3" (2009) June 14, 2009  Rochester, NY -  In this remake of the 1974 groundbreaking film, "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3", John Travolta and Denzel Washington star in this latest retelling of the thrilling highjacking story, underneath New York City's streets.  The original film, starring Robert Shaw and Walter Matthau is superior in many respects, yet 2009's version shows off a very strong performance from Denzel Washington, and an almost cameo appearance by "The Sporano's" James Gandolfini as the Mayor of Gotham. Read More ... Christopher J. Wilmot