The mail
HOW TO KEEP YOUNG TALENT
I am inspired to write in response to Ms. Fullerton's letter in support of Renaissance Square ("Build It Now," The Mail, December 27).
Ms. Fullerton reiterated the common sentiment that the key to a great city is retention of "young and creative talent." I absolutely agree. However, as a young and creative talent, I can tell you that Renaissance Square has no relevance to me.
Being creative and young in Rochester is a frustrating experience. While Rochester undoubtedly asserts an artistic identity, it only celebrates a mature creativity --- one that can be sold as product at craft fairs or performed for $45 a ticket. In contrast, youthful creativity manifests as an experience or as raw, recycled, and/or temporary objects. Unfortunately, the seriousness of Rochester's artistic commerce cannot support that culture.
But commerce is not community.
In general, Rochester's decision-making body seems preoccupied with developing outlandish get-rich-quick schemes. I am offended by the attention that is given to a fictional tourist industry while the actual populace goes neglected. I am overwhelmed by the pervasiveness of economic desperation in all political discussions. Is it possible for the resourceful creative youth to become an acknowledged, supported, and vital force in Rochester's cultural climate? Would there be more support if we all promised to stick around and sell stuff when we get older?
I can't offer a quick solution here --- this is a community issue. I have a youthful, idealistic dream that a team of relentlessly creative and ageless people (I can think of more than a few) could come up with great ideas for utilizing extant Rochester resources in all-inclusive events and projects.
In this dream, the mayor sees that the commitments of an active populace are worth more than all the fast ferries and Italian markets in the world, and grants us the key to the city.
Voila!
Mary Lewandowski, Field Street, Rochester
Editor's note: Fullerton's letter was in support of a performing arts theater for groups like Garth Fagan Dance, not for Ren Square itself.
WHY O'REILLY?
At the recent Lakeside Foundation fundraiser, Bill O'Reilly said, and I quote: "Do I care if the Sunnis and Shiites kill each other in Iraq? No.... Let them kill each other. Maybe they'll all kill each other, and then we can have a decent country in Iraq."
A man who would advocate the killing of one person by another was an appalling choice for a speaker by an organization dedicated to saving human life.
O'Reilly has conducted a pseudo war on Christmas and wears his Christianity on his sleeve, along with the so-called Christian right, jamming perverted views of Christianity down everyone's throats for the last six years. The directors of Lakeside Foundation, along with Mr. O'Reilly, would do well to read the teachings of Christ and, while they're at it, the basic tenets of Christianity.
Dale Carselli, Brockport
CONSERVATIVE FUEL?
I regularly listen to Progressive Talk 950 on WROC radio, and I like Stephanie Miller's often-sleazy patter (December 27). I like her politics even more, especially when she becomes sharply witty.
The problem is that Miller has absorbed her sometimes slutty patter only too well from her mentor, Brother Wease.
I shudder when I picture the Right Wing taping Miller's sometimes-juvenile patter, occasionally about homosexuality, sometimes hetero, stringing these comments together, and making them available to the conservative public.
That could be the start of the Blue States turning pink, and turning against liberals.
Mitchell Kaidy, Crittenden Road, Rochester
A 'GREEN' TRAIL?
Regarding the trail that is going to be built through the city ("Trail Mix," December 20), including Conkey and Clifford Avenues: The powers that be say that it will provide green space and recreational opportunity. Who is kidding who?
How is this providing green space, and where is the recreational opportunity? What's wrong with sidewalks to walk on?
The police captain in charge of that area says that the way the trail is now, it provides a getaway for drug dealers running from the police. If this trail is paved like they want, all it's going to do is provide a safer and faster way for the drug dealers to run away.
Who is going to walk a trail that runs through one of the worst parts of the city? Unless this trail is constantly monitored by police 24/7, I don't see it succeeding. It sounds to me like a terrible waste of $2.2 million.
Thomas Dolan, LeGran Road, Irondequoit
WRITING TO CITY
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