Flynn is having to leave MCC in the hands of an interim president because of a board of trustees driven by politics. Its members made a mockery of a more than yearlong search for a successor by steering the search toward a political crony. Rochester D&C Editorial, August 21, 2008 Full Editorial "I was certainly upset with the past, that we do not have a president today at the college full-time with the necessary experience and background that this community needs in running this community college," Flynn said. Bennett J. Louden, Rochester D&C, August 20, 2008. Full Article The rules of the Legislature should require a two-thirds majority on all appointments, including the position of Legislature president. The majority party will thus have to collaborate with the minority party in identifying candidates acceptable to all. John Wadach, Rochester D&C, August 19, 2008 Full Letter
Over the past year, in particular, Zyra's leadership has been inept. ... Too, Zyra badly mishandled the appointment of a new county public defender and the appointment of a new trustee to Monroe Community College's governing board. Rochester D&C Editorial, August 15, 2008 Full Editorial Minority Democrats failed to remove Republican Wayne Zyra from the leadership of the Monroe County Legislature. ... "Once again, the president has exhibited his approach to governance, which is to stifle debate," Bronson said after Tuesday's meeting. Bennett J. Loudon • Rochester D&C • August 13, 2008 Full Article
The board voted to keep its existing chairman, Richard Guon, its vice-chair (Kenneth Goode) and secretary (Nancy Price) as the new presidential selection starts back at square one. Bonyon Lee, Rnews.com, August 12, 2008 Full Story Do you feel that the MCC Board made the best choice in selecting Richard Guon and Kenneth Goode to lead the MCC Board as it embarks on a new presidential search? Link to Blog So either the legislature Republicans were up to no good with the Bartolotta appointment, or they behaved this way simply because they could. (It’s our legislature,our college, and our board of trustees, and we’ll do whatever we want.) Mary Anna Towler, City Newspaper, Page 9, Metro Justice News, Aug-Sept 08. Full Article Parrinello was the only trustee on the 10-member board who traveled to sporting events at MCC's expense ... "My feeling is Mr. Parrinello certainly has enough money to buy his own plane ticket," said MCC engineering and physics professor John Wadach ... Parrinello said his trips on behalf of the women's basketball team may have cost him money in the end. "I charge 300 bucks an hour to represent people" as a lawyer, said Parrinello. "When I'm out there (at tournaments), I'm not working." Gary Craig • Rochester D&C • August 3, 2008 Full Article Has Parrinello considered how many other money-making opportunities he is wasting through foolish activities such as sleeping, eating and showering (just to name a few)? Chuck Ingersoll, Rochester D&C, August 8, 2008 Full Letter Konar's appointment was rancor-free. But Bartolotta's appointment was so controversial that it prompted Democrats to call for the resignation of Monroe County Legislature President Wayne Zyra, who also serves on the MCC board of trustees. Gary Craig • Rochester D&C • August 3, 2008 Full Article But because the board allowed partisanship to overtake the search, it's difficult to believe Richard Guon's new commitment to an open and fair process.
Consequently, it remains in the best interest of MCC and this community that board members who participated in the now-defunct search submit their resignations. Doing so would provide the fresh start that the new search desperately needs. Rochester D&C Editorial, July 22, 2008 Full Article
"President Zyra's heavy-handed, partisan style of governing represents an abuse of the legislative authority he is entrusted with," said Minority Leader Harry Bronson, D-Rochester. "It stands as the most significant obstacle to this county moving forward with a collaborative spirit, (which) our community is currently demanding." Jill Terreri • Rochester D&C • July 16, 2008 Full Article
BILL NUMBER: A11797 SPONSOR: Rules (Morelle)
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the education law,
in relation to authorizing the chancellor of the
state university system to remove the board of
trustees of community colleges and establishing
the removal procedure. Full Bill
Please ask your state representatives to support this bill
Because the person making the nomination — Zyra, in his role as an MCC trustee — had repeatedly voted to appoint a Republican insider to MCC's presidency, our requests for an interview with Bartolotta appear even more well-founded. Harry Bronson, Monroe County Minority Leader, Rochester D&C, July 11, 2008. Full Essay May 17, 2008. That day will go down as the most infamous day in MCC history. That was the day when Board Chair Richard Guon, and those who supported him, choose to put politics ahead of the mission of MCC. ... I strongly urge each of you to ask Mr. Guon to resign so that a new Board Chair can begin to restore Monroe Community College’s national reputation. John Wadach, MCC Professor, Monroe County Legislative Meeting, July 8, 2008 Full Address In the extended MCC merry-go-round, money is not only the gold ring of politics; it's the cow mooing at the doorstep. MCC regularly awards millions of dollars in construction and other MCC contracts that are dispensed to favored contributors. Mitchel Kaidy, Rochester City Newspaper, July 8, 2008 Full Letter
The 90 degree heat didn't keep these folks from speaking out!
Holding signs that said, "MCC board must go" and "Keep politics out of MCC," protesters voiced concerns about the presidential search process at MCC, which became mired in charges of political partisanship. ... "The county executive feels that the board of trustees have demonstrated their commitment to a nonpolitical process going forward," said county Communications Director Noah Lebowitz. "She doesn't feel they all should be asked to resign." Jill Terreri, Rochester D&C, July 9, 2008. Full Story
"There has been a lot of talk over the last two weeks with the resignation of Steve Minarik that the Republicans were going to change the way they conduct business in this county. Their first test was on this appointment; they failed miserably,” he said. Harry Bronson, Monroe County Minority Leader as quoted by 13WHAM.com, July 9, 2008. Full Story
If Zyra, the Republican president of the Monroe County Legislature, was trying to send the message that nothing has really changed in the post-Steve Minarik era of the local GOP, he succeeded Tuesday night. Rochester D&C Editorial, July 10, 2008. Full Editorial
