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The Rochester Beacon
Message to Washington: Conservation is Conservative
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Citizen’s Climate Lobby’s Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., along with 5 other volunteers from central and western NY. We visited the office of Claudia Tenney to urge Congress to do more to address the cause of escalating climate extremes and protect New York residents. We presented some solutions, including the PROVE IT Act, legislation that would require the Department of Energy (DOE) to study and compare the carbon emissions of products produced in the United States vs. other countries. We also pointed out the need for comprehensive permit reform as the current process is too slow for bringing new clean energy transmission lines online.
A tale of two community schools
As Bridgitte Griffin gets on the elevator at Edison Career and Technology High School, a student recognizes her and waves hello. She gives him an encouraging pat on the shoulder as he exits. Later in the day, Alex Williams unlocks his office to a group of students, explaining he was...
Guild, Gannett agree on two-year contract
After two and a half years of bargaining and a 19-day strike, the Newspaper Guild of Rochester reached an agreement with Gannett Co. on a new two-year contract for editorial employees at the Democrat and Chronicle and the Daily Messenger in Canandaigua. The agreement is a win for the union,...
Parcel 5 declared a permanent greenspace
Parcel 5 is now a permanent greenspace, another step in the city of Rochester’s plan to rejuvenate downtown. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans made the declaration Tuesday, emphasizing the need to preserve the space for future generations to enjoy. “This city is being revitalized before our very eyes,” says Evans....
PAB report scrutinizes RPD’s discipline system
A new Police Accountability Board oversight investigation examines the Rochester Police Department’s disciplinary practices and points to a number of shortcomings. The report notes that sustained findings, where departmental investigation concluded that an officer’s conduct amounted to misconduct or misjudgment, have decreased markedly. Among other points, it also states that “many of the RPD’s policies related to discipline are out of date.”
The importance of understanding and supporting ethical journalism
Each fall, I teach a new cohort of student journalists at Ithaca College, many of whom are first-year students majoring in journalism, documentary studies, or sports media. One of the first questions I ask them is, “How many of you have friends and family members who question your decision to study journalism?”
Golisano pledges $50M toward new UR institute
The University of Rochester has received a $50 million commitment—the largest single donation in its history—from entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Golisano. The gift will establish the Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute at the UR Medical Center. The transdisciplinary institute will assist with the health and quality-of-life issues that affect this population.
The Jazz Festival at 21
If the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival made it past its first two years, co-producer Marc Iacona believed, it could soar to new heights. Now, more than two decades later, it is one of the largest jazz festivals in the world, and in this region, the month of June has become synonymous with the sounds of music and dancing in the streets of downtown Rochester.
RMAPI lands $750,000 in new state funding
The Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative has been awarded $750,000 in funds from New York State. The new funding will aid RMAPI in its Unity Agenda, a comprehensive effort and roadmap toward eliminating systemic poverty in Rochester and Monroe County. RMAPI’s 2024 policy agenda includes further commitments on affordable housing, minimum wage increases, child care, mental health services, and fighting predatory legal fees.
RCSD board eyes renaming School No. 33
Since its founding in 1890, School No. 33 has been named after John James Audobon, the 18th century naturalist. Soon it will have a new name, potentially that of a beloved leader and “Queen Mother” in Rochester. “Place and people mattered to Iris Bannister and they knew that...
Rochester launches Vision Zero initiative
Rochester plans to become a Vision Zero city, aimed at eliminating traffic-related deaths and severe injuries. At a June 6 news conference at the Lake Avenue Fire Station, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans began his remarks by recalling the hit-and-run death of 19-year-old Jarod Jones in August 2022. Jones was hit near the intersection of Lake Avenue and Burley Street, just south of the station. The driver of the vehicle that struck him has not yet been identified.
A culinary gathering of the Muslim community
A weekend ago, in the backyard of the Islamic Cultural Center of Rochester, stalls and tents provided countless dishes, desserts, and drinks from around the world at the International Food Festival. “We plan the entire year and wait for this weekend,” says Melih Güngör, a local youth imam....
Parrinello to lead Strong Memorial, Highland hospitals
Kathy Parrinello has been named as the first woman to lead Strong Memorial and Highland hospitals as part of a reorganization at the University of Rochester Medical Center. A teaching hospital attached to UR’s School of Medicine and Dentistry and the area’s largest hospital, Strong Memorial has more than 800 beds and operates the area’s only trauma center. Highland is a 263-bed community hospital. Both are located in city of Rochester.
Old meets new in chamber music season finale
If you attend a Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concert, you see Juliana Athayde and Erik Behr from the very beginning. As RPO concertmaster, violinist Athayde sits front and center to lead the orchestra’s string section. And as principal oboe, Behr strikes up the note “A” for the orchestra’s tuning.
Momentum toward 2034
Since its adoption nearly five years ago, Rochester’s comprehensive plan—its blueprint for growth and development as the city heads toward its 200th birthday—has marked a number of significant milestones. And work on its myriad goals and strategies is “moving forward,” city officials say. The phrase,...
Brave conversations about inclusion
The Levine Center to End Hate next week will host its fourth Annual Summit to End Hate titled “Brave Spaces: Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations to Restore Empathy and Authenticity.”. The event will bring together business leaders and employees to explore the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion in the workplace....
Crisis preparedness for all
Gerard Buckley, president of the National Technical Institute of the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology, is proud of the reputation his city has as a welcoming place for the deaf and hard of hearing. “We call Rochester ‘The Signing City’ because of the many hearing and deaf people...
SJNC to mark 30 years with fundraiser
St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center will celebrate its 30th anniversary this week with a tasting and auction. Formed by six Sisters of St. Joseph, the South Avenue center helps the Rochester community in many ways, primarily by offering health care and mental health counseling for people who need it but can’t afford it. More than 80 health care professionals work or volunteer their time at the center, which also draws student interns and counselors and social workers. Altogether, more than 250 volunteers work an average of 850 hours a month, a total value of $2 million annually, St. Joseph’s estimates.
Greenlight’s new focus
High-speed broadband internet provider Greenlight Networks has returned to its roots with several recent endeavors. Earlier this year, the company revealed a new focus on multi-dwelling units, mixed-use environments, and small businesses. “(MDUs) were where the business started, to be honest, before we got aggressive, growing by building districts in...
I’m a crime survivor who supports Elder Parole
I’m a crime survivor working to pass Elder Parole and I’d like to tell you why. Thirty-six years ago, the father of my unborn daughter was murdered right before my eyes. I loved him so much and suddenly he was gone. The pain was unbearable. I tried to...
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