By: Howard on 1/4/10

Based a number of solid reasons --- there is no way in the world that Duffy should be given control of the RCSD:

1) He is an arrogant, power-hungry, money-grubbing, potentially racist tyrant who apparently believes that he can eradicate the Constitutional right of Rochesterians to choose (elect) our local representatives --- just because he thinks that it is a good idea to do so --- while our predominantly, white, middle class and/or wealthy, suburban counterparts continue to enjoy the same right that his majesty and his gang-of-4 (Morrelle, Gantt, Warren and Parker) believe they are going to strip from us.

2) He literally knows nothing about education, and has absolutely no personal stake in the welfare or best interests of the students and families of the RCSD, and even if he did have genuine, authentic, concern relative to the objective best interests of RCSD students and families, which again, I repeat (he does not) --- he won’t be mayor forever, and of course there’s no guarantee that his successor will have any interest at all relative to overseeing (pun intended) the RCSD. 3) He does not have a plan for improving conditions within the RCSD. Of course, this is the main reason why he doesn’t want to have a public debate. In fact, his whole premise of basing his strategy on efforts such as those that have occurred and are occurring in New York City --- is seriously and fundamentally flawed. No matter how much people claim that New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg has produced so-called “qualified success with the nation's largest school system” --- the truth of the matter is that, where the overwhelming majority of suffering students within New York City’s broken-down, public school system are concerned, especially those who are considered most “hardcore” --- there has been no substantial, sustainable improvement --- I repeat, none!

Howard Eagle
Rochester, New York

By: admin on 1/5/10
(from the Co-Owner & Publisher of the Smugtown Beacon, Christopher J. Wilmot)

Dear Mr. Eagle:
I couldn't have said it better; I simply can't say it with the wonderful vitriolic hyperbole with which you have written your most interesting and articulate rejoinder.

I'm not sure I negatively question Mayor Duffy's motives to the extent you seem to, but I agree wholeheartedly that this power grab, a la Bloomberg, is another way to temper and thus eradicate a certain level of democracy within the city limits of Rochester, that suburbanites will always enjoy (and exercise).

If Duffy, and his puppets-at-large, Morelle & Gantt, are successful in Albany, and legislatively grant Duffy his Mayoral carte blanche to grab the hundreds of millions of dollars currently allocated specifically for the RCSD, then Duffy can temporarily prevent the entire City government from going belly up, like Buffalo.

Howard, I may not always agree with your style, but you say it plain, and you often speak the truth others will not allow themselves to utter. Thanks for being a Smugtown reader, and commentator.

Sincerely, Christopher J. Wilmot, Co-Owner & Publisher The Smugtown Beacon
(585) 214-4594

By: woodenu2 on 1/20/10
Well at least Duffy wants to do something. What ever the RCSD is doing, or not,they just complain, spends tax $ on what and do not seem to get any better results. Time to try something different.

Paul Osborne
Rochester, New York