FSW LOOKING FOR NOMINATIONS FOR HUMAN SERVICES WORKER OF THE YEAR

Rochester, N.Y.-- The local chapter of the Federation of Social Workers is looking for more nominees for this year's Human Service Awards! Nominees can come from any field that works with people or volunteers. Past honorees have included individuals from:

* education
* healthcare
* law enforcement
* social work
* community groups

Human service comes in many forms and from many different sources. Please take a moment to nominate someone who you know who has made an exceptional contribution as either a professional or a volunteer. They deserve recognition from the community that they serve. 

Please see the attachment or go directly to www.fsw-union.com to download the nomination form. A one page narrative describing what the individual or organization has done to help those in need in the community is all that is required. The documents can then be faxed to the FSW office at 328-2162.

FACE THE FACTS: MONROE COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE SCREWING YOU THE TAXPAYER

Once again, it's Monroe County vs. the state comptroller

POSTED BY JEREMY MOULE ON TUE, SEP 4, 2012 AT 8:36 AM

County officials are on the offensive over the latest state Comptroller's Office audit report criticizing the county's use of local development corporations (LDC's).

Late Friday, the county released a draft of the audit report, which specifically targets the county's use of Monroe Security and Safety Systems LDC to contract out upgrades to public-safety communications systems. It also released a statement responding to the audit, which it rightly points out is the third LDC-related audit in the past year.

"Mr. DiNapoli’s unnecessary reviews of successful public private partnerships suggest that he is hostile to utilizing the efficiency and ingenuity of the private sector to protect taxpayers and reduce the size of government," said Scott Adair, the county's chief financial officer. "The LDC model was actually established in law by New York State government to allow local governments to do exactly what Monroe County is doing right now — take on important projects, while achieving savings for taxpayers.”

The audit is highly critical of the county, and says that the process used to procure the contract favored a specific firm: Navitech. It says that the county appears to have had discussions with future beneficiaries of the contract about the used of an LDC as early as 2006. Navitech's chief operating officer is Stephen Gleason, a former finance director for the county. (The state Attorney General's Office is investigating the request for proposals process used to solicit bids and which resulted in Navitech's selection.)

The audit report says that the 20-year, $212 million contract — particularly $30.3 million in administrative and management fees — benefits "individuals with previous ties to the county."

The audit report says that the county will overpay by $39 million over the life of the contract. Adair and other county officials disagree on this point; they say it'll save taxpayers $10 million.

But the audit report makes few striking recommendations. Mainly, it recommends that the county follow accepted bidding and contracting procedures. It also says that the county "should not deliberately structure capital expenditures into long-term contracts as a means of reclassifying these expenses as operating expenditures, thus diminishing legislative oversight and public transparency."

Local Democrats have criticized Republican county administrations for transferring assets — including a parking garage, a power station, and county information technology — to LDC ownership. Their arguments mirror the audit's recommendation.

In its statement, the county says that it is preparing a formal response.

2012 Rochester, N.Y. Labor Day Parade

Rochester, N.Y. Labor Day Press Conference 2012

CSEA WNY REGION 6 WALKS WITH THE 99%

Western Region 6 President Flo Tripi leads a large contingent of marchers in
the 26th Annual Rochester Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 3, 2012.
photo: Ove Overmyer

Monday, September 3, 2012 

(Rochester, N.Y.) -- Thousands of workers from several dozen unions in the Rochester area took part in the 26th Annual Labor Day festivities on Monday, celebrating "Walk With the 99%."

At 10:00 am, The Rochester Labor Council hosted a press conference on the steps of the local Boy Scouts headquarters as area union leaders greeted the media.

Union leaders say this year they were calling for what President Franklin Roosevelt wanted in 1944, a second Bill of Rights. That would give Americans the right to quality education, medical care and retirement security. Most of all, it called for workers to have the right to organize and make a living wage.

Western Region President Flo Tripi gave a sober and stirring speech about voter suppression efforts around the country. She warned that every labor ally must become politically active in order to fight our oppressors in any meaningful way. 

"We are right now in a recession, a depression of consumer demand and consumer spending," explained Jim Bertolone, President of the Rochester & Vicinity Labor Council, AFL-CIO. "Workers need a raise, and they need jobs and that's the only thing that will get the economy going. We need a strong middle class."

An hour later, the Rochester Labor Day Parade began in the East End and made its way through downtown Rochester. CSEA had a large contingent in the Rochester parade, and once again built an award-winning float honoring 19th and 20th century labor and civil rights heroes. 

After the parade, members attended picnics, some did volunteer work and community service, and others visited amusement parks and local beaches with their family and friends.