So here we are in the Community of Monroe, trying to reverse our terrible slide. Competing for new business. Hoping to lure bright young workers. Hoping to have one of the nation's top medical-research centers.
And the Monroe County Republican Party is running things as if we were a little hick town where political bosses call the shots. Where it's OK for politicians to stomp on gays and black community leaders, pass out goodies to the faithful, and pick college presidents.
This is disgraceful.
Steve Minarik's style of politics has oozed its way into one corner of public life after another, and much of the community has sat quietly by. Now, it seems clear, the Monroe Community College board of trustees, dominated by Republican insiders, is ready to take the next step. It's preparing to toss aside the recommendations of its search committees and appoint former County Legislator Bill Smith as MCC's next president.
MCC, the Water Authority, the county's Industrial Development Agency, the Ren Square planning agency, the public defender's office: these are public entities, not Republican Party machinery. But Party Chair Steve Minarik has found a way to use them all to benefit the party and its friends.
And now, unless they surprise the heck out of all of us, the trustees of this exceptional college plan to give its presidency to a longtime political operative with not one whit of experience in education other than his own degrees. Why? To reward him? To make sure Republican donors get construction contracts at the college? Your guess is as good as mine.
Are there really no Republicans in the County Legislature - no business leaders - no Republican donors - who see something wrong with this? None? Not one?
Comments for "URBAN JOURNAL: MCC, Steve Minarik, and our hick town" (3)
City Newspaper is not responsible for the content of these comments. City Newspaper reserves the right to remove comments at their discretion.
Ove Overmyer said on Mar. 27, 2008 at 1:47pm
Kudos to Mary Anna Towler and City Newspaper for telling it like it is. The overt arrogance by the local republicans makes me recoil in pain. What also troubles me is the uncaring apathetic Monroe County residents, regardless of party affiliation-- who throw up there hands in disgust and say there is nothing that they can do about Minarik's machine. How wrong they are. Vote republicans out of office and stop the bleeding. This is a call to action. If Bill Smith gets the nod, it will be one of the worst blunders in local history.
Even for a GOP leadership that has earned a reputation for sleazey schemes in awarding hefty local contracts to the most dependable GOP campaign donors, this still doesn't seem to bother taxpayers one bit. Again, it's you and I asleep at the wheel.
The reputation of the college and our community is now clearly under seige. Who will ever consider living in Monroe County when it is glaringly obvious that our County Executive's office has been corrupted by small minded little crooks - who’s only interest is political patronage, bashing gays, arresting black community leaders and keeping the cycle of personal self-enrichment alive.
Jiim D. said on Apr. 02, 2008 at 7:30am
Minarik gets away with this nonsense by claiming to be a protector of the taxpayer while the GOP simultaneously raids the treasury and gives away millions to the well-connected. Look at the scam that he and Maggie tried to pull off with the "F.A.I.R." plan. And the fiscal slight of hand they're famous for by keeping the property tax RATES the same, while dramatically increasing property tax ASSESSMENTS. The voters are just starting to catch on to this con game.
There used to be a term for this: white collar crime. Some of the shady deals that Minarik and his crew have pulled off would even make Boss Tweed blush. There needs to be an investigation at the state level. Any local investigation would surely be tainted by Minarik's infuence.
Are you listening, Attorney General Cuomo?
Frank Stamm said on Apr. 03, 2008 at 6:39pm
There are no "uncaring apathetic Monroe County residents". I don't know many people with no political opinions. What there is is a need for a third party. Who can get excited about the idiots in either party we have, people who don't represent the center?
Leave A Comment
Respond on Your Blog
Create an Account
or
Login
If you have a City Account you can not only post comments, but you can also respond to articles in your own City Blog. It's just another way to make your voice heard.