Equal-opportunity bashing

It might seem like I enjoy harping on the local Republican officials. Well, actually, I DO enjoy it, but I want to note for the record that I'm an equal-opportunity basher of politicians. I have just as much fun criticizing area Democrats.

Recently, for example, I've been whining that local GOP reps, especially the ones in the Monroe County administration, don't return my calls and e-mails. However, they're not the only ones who've stiffed me.

For the last several months, I've been trying to interview Democratic County Legislator Ted O'Brien about the Greater Rochester Sports Authority and government industrial development corporations (IDAs), of which the Greater Rochester Outdoor Sports Facility (which runs Frontier Field) is one. O'Brien has introduced legislation asking for the abolition of the Sports Authority and requesting a study of county-sponsored IDAs.

But I haven't heard back from him. At all. I've called him at his law office, the Lej Democrats' office and his home. I've also e-mailed him. It's all been in vain.

I also make a habit of reporting on the campaign donations various local sports people (Frank DuRoss, the Red Wings, etc.) give to GOP politicians. But I'm also quick to point out the campaign cash that gets funneled to local Dems. In addition to giving thousands to County Exec Maggie Brooks, the Monroe County Republican Committee and other Repuplicans, Rochester Community Baseball (i.e. the Red Wings) has given thousands to Democratic Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy and other local Dems.

And Frank DuRoss? He's given heavily to Republicans like state Sens. Mike Nozzolio and Jim Alesi, plus other GOP candidates and committees. However, DuRoss has also doled out thousands to Democrats like Assemblymen Joe Morelle (who himself has received more than $4,000 from DuRoss), David Gantt and David Koon, as well as $7,500 to the Monroe County Democratic Committee.

Plus, I just found out that just last year, Duffy received $4,000 from SMG, the firm that contracts with the city to run Blue Cross Arena. Neat, huh?

And, of course, there's my extreme distaste for Gantt, who runs his own little political fiefdom and controls the entire local Democratic base. If David Gantt doesn't want to do something, it simply doesn't get done. The prime example, as we all know, is PAETEC Park. Gantt basically controlled the construction of the soccer stadium by forcing the cash-starved Rhinos to build it in a neighborhood in his Assembly district if the team wanted financial help from the Assembly. In my mind, Gantt and Maggie Brooks are exactly alike and equally weasely.

Oh yes, and keep in mind that for several years Gantt opposed the soccer stadium until suddenly changing his mind a few years ago. Incidentally, DuRoss also gave thousands to Gantt's campaign coffers over the last few years. What a funny coincidence.

So, for the record, I bash equally when it comes to politics. True, when it comes to county matters, I tend to be anti-Republican, but that's largely because they're the ones in power. If the Democrats ever took over county government (which will probably happen when Barry Bonds admits to using steroids and Bill Belichik becomes a nice guy), I'd probably bash them with equal zeal.