Why I voted for Adam Bello and a trip down Talker political memory lane, 2015 – 2021

Adam Bello at the 2019 Labor Day Parade. [Photo: David Kramer] SEE ALL PHOTOS 2015 – 2021 BELOW

Last Saturday, the first day of early voting, I chose Adam Bello (D) for County Executive because I trust the judgment of Brighton Town Supervisor William Moehle and I highly approve of the Brighton Town Council.

A few days ago at the grand opening of the Brighton section of the Highland Crossing off Elmwood Avenue, I spoke with Bill about the election.  Specifically, I was interested in how the town and county collaborate — or don’t. Who would better build collaborations, Bello or his Republican opponent Cheryl Dinolfo?

Bill said that historically and systemically, there are not enough examples of town/county partnerships. That said, he felt the county was backing off from, and missing out on, collaborative opportunities.

For example, for many years a program existed that helped Towns in Monroe County address serious property maintenance and zombie home issues, where the Town has to spend significant funds to restore the condition of a property or in extreme cases of health and safety, actually require the demolition of the property. The County guaranteed payment of the town’s expense and charged it back to the property owner on their tax bill. The County suddenly discontinued that program, retroactively, on December 30, 2016.

As Bill noted, the program benefited all Towns whether they were predominantly Democratic or Republican.

Bill contrasted the limited collaboration between town and county with the robust collaboration between town and city. For example, the city of Rochester worked closely with the town of Brighton to complete the Highland Crossing.

Bill believes Bello will more aggressively pursue town/county partnerships. According to Bill, as County Clerk, Bello meticulously created and shared governance data with all the towns.

I don’t automatically assume Bill supports Bello based on partisan bias. I accept Bill’s endorsement that Bello would be better for Brighton than Dinolfo.

Admittedly, I have not have followed the campaign as closely as I could. Much of my information originates from the Bob Lonsberry Show. While Lonsberry and I are on opposite sides of the political fence, I appreciate that his show is perhaps the only media platform devoting substantial time to local politics. And, unlike conservative hosts like Hannity, Limbaugh and Savage, Lonsberry presents his viewpoint without being always offensive, abrasive and wrong. Sometimes Lonsberry is right.

In LONSBERRY: Bello Runs With The Wrong Crowd (Feb 11, 2019) and LONSBERRY: How Adam Bello Lost The Election (Sep 5, 2019), Lonsberry advances a thesis that Bello was an apolitical good guy with a proven track record of management ability who morphed into a water boy for the statewide progressive agenda. Given my better or worse bias, when Bob dislikes something, I probably like it.

Amongst the many of Lonsberry’s criticisms of the progressive agenda and Bello’s supposed transformation is that Bello is “a gun banner, and deeply concerned about global warming.” First, I doubt Bello wants to ban guns and, more importantly, gun control is a good thing.  As for addressing global warming, if not now, then when?  Thanks Bob for reminding me that climate change is a hoax, fake news and Bello is duped.

Lonsberry predicts, hesitantly, that the advantages of incumbency will produce a Dinolfo victory, especially as Bello has ostensibly moved too far to the left into the progressive camp for the taste of county voters. At the same time, Lonsberry also points to the recent gains in registration numbers by the Democrats and how some voters will see this election as a chance to punish all Republicans who support Trump.  As I see it, odds are that Dinolfo will squeak by, but the election will be close and could still go either way.

As for Dinolfo, if she wins, I will not be overly disconcerted. Lonsberry defines Dinolfo as a centrist Republican. While not my first choice, I can live with a centrist Republican as long as she continues to display scandal free competence.

Also — from my not always enlightened male perspective — I find Cheryl’s persona appealing.  Cheryl’s campaign ads present her as “a strong woman.” I like strong women very much.  At the same time, I have met Cheryl on numerous occasions; she has been in five magazine photo ops. In each meeting Cheryl flattered — my perception not her intent — my pathetic male ego.  She always appeared in colorful outfits, an endearingly weird hair do and a ready smile like she was happy to see me and be in the photo ops. Political scientists say that women candidates — unlike male candidates — have to balance supposed masculine traits (“strong”) and feminine traits (“welcoming”). Cheryl succeeds in the balancing act.

I also voted for Bello because I voted for the Brighton Town Council and Court Democratic Team. County and Town collaborations are made easier when both are represented by the same political party.

In addition, members of the council are friends of the magazine.  Chris Werner wrote Traffic Control Box Art in Brighton – Evolution of a Community project. As seen in Brighton Town Councilmember Robin Wilt pitches in at the Game at the Corners, at Twelve Corners Middle School, Robin Wilt threw out the first pitch of our 2018 softball season. Judge Karen Morris has participated in several stories, most recently “Motivated by the Audacity:” Remembering 9/11 at Monroe Community College.

This year — all politics is local — I have a pet project: reversing the abandonment of softball games at Brighton Town Park. In the summer, I am an umpire and often umpired games at the Park. In its heyday, the Park hosted four games a night five days a week. Players were attracted to the centrally located and well maintained field.

After games, players and fans would stream into Zebb’s, in what was then Loehman’s Plaza, to keep the good times rolling. For reasons uncertain, two or three years ago the games ended.  See The difference between guys and girls in coed softball at Brighton Town Park

Recently when the Council was greeting the public at a kiosk at the Brighton Farmer’s Market, I discussed the issue with Councilmember Jason DiPonzio. Jason showed genuine concern about the loss of the games, saying he would investigate. Brighton Team, reward my vote by bringing softball back to Brighton Town Park. I’ve even offered to be Head Umpire and League Commissioner.

Below is the trip down Talker political memory lane, 2015 – 2019.  Those featured have held or will soon hold an elected office. Also included are Maritza Buitrago who invited me to canvass with her during her 2016 campaign for Family Court Judge, Marvin Stephenson, and Alex White who has run on several occasions for local offices and is currently a candidate for Rochester City Council.

Rachel Barnhart

Rachel’s Rebel Roots, On the electoral road with Rachel, With Rachel on Broad, CASTED and beyond, On the rally in Washington Square Park. Would Einstein Be Welcome in America Today?, We Are Orlando. And 25 years ago when the RCSD led the nation against discrimination towards gay students

Melissa Barrett

On the electoral road with Melissa Barrett, Who are your labor heroes?

Adam Bello

Who are your labor heroes?, A snowy 100th Veterans Day in Brighton and the Battle of the Bulge

Albert Blankley

On the electoral road with Albert Blankley

Harry Bronson

Who are your labor heroes?, Politics at the Labor Day Parade, On the electoral road with Harry Bronson

Maritza Buitrago

What Maritza Buitrago can and cannot say on the electoral road.

Christine Corrado

Cheryl Dinolfo

Ghosts MIGHT walk the beautiful Brickyard Trail in Brighton., Who are your labor heroes?, In Search of Irishness, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester: A Meditation on the Cost of War

Sandra Doorley

Who are your labor heroes?

Malik Evans

Evans won the June 2021 Democratic primary for Mayor of Rochester. He is running unopposed in the November general election.

Marching on Genesee Street for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Action

Sandra Frankel

On a stainless steel American Bald Eagle in Buckland Park and endorsing Sandra Frankel, At the Brighton Town Hall 1957 mural with Sandra Frankel, Where has Cheryl been since August? We know where Sandra was., Ghosts MIGHT walk the beautiful Brickyard Trail in Brighton., More on how the Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park came to be, Girl, you are WEARING that dress! Inspiring Beauty at the Memorial Art Gallery

Liz Hallmark

Rochester School Board candidate Liz Hallmark rightly and singularly sees substitute teachers as a rich and untapped resource

Bill Johnson

Rejoice, Book Lovers. The Bibliophile Society of Rochester revitalized!

Mark Johns

Badminton shines in Brazil. And “the Game Sublime” has a following in Rochester, including Rajesh Barnabas and New York State Assemblyman Mark Johns

Willie J. Lightfoot 

Adding the first pull up at the new Cobb’s Hill Fitness Court to the Cobb’s Hill series

Mary Lupien

Rochester’s South Wedge: an old working class neighborhood turns progressive, Would America elect a democratic socialist? We already have. Think FDR, Iakaonne´tha ne oneka

Mary speaking at a demonstration against the Dakota Access Pipeline, Liberty Pole Way, 2017

Adam McFadden

Just the facts. On Alex White’s robust campaign (and Adam McFadden’s tardiness)., Election Day and in search of lawn signs in Brighton

Demond Meeks

Marching on Genesee Street for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Action

Tony Micciche

“What is the working class?”with Thomas Warfield at the Labor Day Parade.

Bill Moehle

On Veteran’s Day at Buckland and Highland Parks. And the Moral Equivalent of War, Many voices against hate at the Twelve Corners, Third parties at the Brookside polling place (25th Congressional District), Iconic America at the Brighton Little League Parade, What Maritza Buitrago can and cannot say on the electoral road., On the Memorial Day Parade and The Army of the Republic of Viet Nam, In Washington Square Park remembering the first March for Woman’s Lives, April 1989, On the rally in Washington Square Park. Would Einstein Be Welcome in America Today?, The ground breaking of the Brickyard Trail in Brighton and “Memories of the Crab Apple battles”, Veterans Day in Brighton

Joe Morelle

Politics at the Labor Day Parade,Veterans Day in Brighton, Ghosts MIGHT walk the beautiful Brickyard Trail in Brighton., A ribbon cutting and the Pages of the Brighton Memorial Library

Karen Morris

Girl, you are WEARING that dress! Inspiring Beauty at the Memorial Art Gallery, In Washington Square Park remembering the first March for Woman’s Lives, April 1989, A ribbon cutting and the Pages of the Brighton Memorial Library, We Are Orlando. And 25 years ago when the RCSD led the nation against discrimination towards gay students, Iconic America at the Brighton Little League Parade

Joe Robach

Politics at the Labor Day Parade, Iconic America at the Brighton Little League Parade, Ghosts MIGHT walk the beautiful Brickyard Trail in Brighton., A ribbon cutting and the Pages of the Brighton Memorial Library

Matthew Rosenbaum

Who are your labor heroes?

James Sheppard

If your children want to be teachers, send them to East

Louise Slaughter

On his Day, remembering when Martin Luther King visited Rochester, January 8th, 1958, Iakaonne´tha ne oneka, Susan B. Anthony’s gravesite on Election Day and the day after

Marvin Stephenson

Who are your labor heroes?

Jim Vogel

Memories of presidential visits on Election Day in Brighton, Iconic America at the Brighton Little League Parade

Lovely Warren

Getting To Know Mayor Lovely Warren; A Trailblazing Leader Within Our City, HBCU’s are alive and well in Rochester, On the Memorial Day Parade and The Army of the Republic of Viet Nam, Reflecting on the 1960 Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins at Robert Brown High School,Blessing the Boats and a statue where history was made at Edgerton Park, Charlotte Lahr (1970 – 2017), Adding the first pull up at the new Cobb’s Hill Fitness Court to the Cobb’s Hill series, Adding the very first shot at the Tony Boler Courts, 9:07 a.m., to the Cobb’s Hill series

Alex White

Just the facts. On Alex White’s robust campaign (and Adam McFadden’s tardiness). Politics at the Labor Day Parade, Who are your labor heroes?,  Third parties at the Brookside polling place (25th Congressional District), My first election: Horton and Cuomo. And some 2018 endorsements. , Activism Fair draws largest crowd of its kind in recent memory, An art museum as a place of meaning in a time of senselessness, After March, # Never Again Movement Needs to Avoid Four Major Pitfalls, City Council candidate Alex White (D) on the primary process and gathering petition signatures

In 2021, Alex is running for City Council in the Democratic primary.

Van White

On the electoral road with Van White

Robin Wilt

Brighton Town Councilmember Robin Wilt pitches in at the Game at the Corners, Who are your labor heroes?, Honoring Mary Jo Lanphear, Brighton Town Historian since 1986

On the electoral road with Robin Wilt

MEMORIAL DAY, 2020

5/30/20 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square 

VETERANS DAY, 2020

HONORABLE MENTIONS 

Rajesh Barnabas ran for Monroe County Executive as the Green Party Candidate in 2015.  In 2016, as there was no Green Party candidate, Rajesh wrote in my name in for Brighton Town Judge.

Activism Fair draws largest crowd of its kind in recent memory, Badminton shines in Brazil. And “the Game Sublime” has a following in Rochester, including Rajesh Barnabas and New York State Assemblyman Mark Johns, 2016 Rochester Open a smash hit at the Robert B. Goergen Athletic Center. And the debut of ZOOM., Adding panel context signs to the Charlotte carousel is appropriate. And the panel is racist, according to the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, Memories of presidential visits on Election Day in Brighton, Tavis Smiley joins the conversation with Northeast Prep media students

In 2021, Rajesh is running in the Democratic primary for Monroe County Legislator in the 24th LD. He is already guaranteed a spot on the Working Families Party line in the general. A member of the Green Party for a few years, Rajesh feels comfortable running as a Democrat after Bernie Sanders helped moved the party closer to Rajesh’s views. Rajesh hopes to implement elements of Sander’s platform in the Monroe County Legislature. (UPDATE: Rajesh lost the June Democratic primary by 11 votes, but is actively campaigning on WFP line for the November election.)

On the electoral road with Rajesh Barnabas

Shawn Dunwoody ran for City Council in 2017.

Another mural by Shawn Dunwoody. And Shawn answers Obama’s call to service., Shawn Dunwoody joins our conversation with “Psalms of the Glackx.”, Activism Fair draws largest crowd of its kind in recent memory

Nelson Lopatin

The early birds get the worms; Signature gathering in Brighton

Chris Maj ran for Mayor of Rochester in 2005 on the Red, White and Blue Ticket.

“Man’s experience with marijuana had no negative effects” — Democrat and Chronicle, December 22nd, 2018

SEE ALSO 

At Empire State College, I voted for “?”