Saturday, August 31, 2013
August 31, 1974
In federal court, John Lennon of The Beatles testified the Nixon Administration had tried to have him deported because of his involvement with anti-war demonstrations at the 1972 Republican convention in Miami.
Editor's note: In 1974 I was 29 years old and the Viet Nam war had been going on for 9 years. I had escaped the draft because I was a divinity student, then got married, and then had kids. Nixon had campaigned and promised to end the war but didn't do it until his second term.
Many of my friends were conscientious objectors or did alternative service. We knew the war was bogus and immoral at the time, a judgment which history has vindicated. Even Defense Secretary Robert McNamara at the end of his life, in the documentary, Fog Of War, admits the Viet Nam war was a big mistake.
Having said this, I am living in the house on King Street in Brockport, NY which was the childhood home of George Marks who was killed in Viet Nam after only being there 6 weeks as a medic. I also love people in Brockport who are Viet Nam veterans who got caught up in the insanity through no fault of their own other than that they believed their government which lied to them.
John Lennon has always been a hero of mine for many reasons, but the first and foremost was his witness for sanity and peace at a time that was very insane.
I would have hoped that we Americans had learned our lesson but then we supported another insane President who started two more wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the end of my life, I wonder about the mental health of Americans. They seem delusionally intoxicated with their own hubris and power and corrupt values that lead them to believe that they can obtain justice and safety from military might. These are insane ideas that lead to insane values that lead to insane policies that lead to insane behavior. Maybe we should heed John Lennon's suggestion and sit back and "imagine" and take to heart his vision for the people of the world. It begins not "out there" but in our own minds and hearts.
Editor's note: In 1974 I was 29 years old and the Viet Nam war had been going on for 9 years. I had escaped the draft because I was a divinity student, then got married, and then had kids. Nixon had campaigned and promised to end the war but didn't do it until his second term.
Many of my friends were conscientious objectors or did alternative service. We knew the war was bogus and immoral at the time, a judgment which history has vindicated. Even Defense Secretary Robert McNamara at the end of his life, in the documentary, Fog Of War, admits the Viet Nam war was a big mistake.
Having said this, I am living in the house on King Street in Brockport, NY which was the childhood home of George Marks who was killed in Viet Nam after only being there 6 weeks as a medic. I also love people in Brockport who are Viet Nam veterans who got caught up in the insanity through no fault of their own other than that they believed their government which lied to them.
John Lennon has always been a hero of mine for many reasons, but the first and foremost was his witness for sanity and peace at a time that was very insane.
I would have hoped that we Americans had learned our lesson but then we supported another insane President who started two more wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the end of my life, I wonder about the mental health of Americans. They seem delusionally intoxicated with their own hubris and power and corrupt values that lead them to believe that they can obtain justice and safety from military might. These are insane ideas that lead to insane values that lead to insane policies that lead to insane behavior. Maybe we should heed John Lennon's suggestion and sit back and "imagine" and take to heart his vision for the people of the world. It begins not "out there" but in our own minds and hearts.
From SUNY Brockport web site:
Registration is now open!
13th Annual Diversity Conference
"Building Community through Diversity" CHAMPIONING ACCESS AND EQUITY
Thursday, September 19 • 8 am-5 pm
Pre-registration for the Annual Diversity Conference is now open online. The Diversity Committee invites the campus community to celebrate diversity by attending the annual Diversity Conference in the Seymour Union. This year's conference deals with disparities in access to education, health care, as well as the influence of gender, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status on equity and civil rights. The workshops offer a wide range of topics that will broaden our diversity experiences. Faculty are encouraged to include the Conference in their syllabi, students are encouraged to attend.
The Conference is free to all Brockport students, faculty and staff. Tickets for Off-campus students are $20, Alumni $40, and off-campus non-student participants are $50. Pre-registration is required for everyone so that we can plan seating. Online registration will be open until Tuesday, September 17. Walk-in registration will be available the day of the Conference based on space available.
Read the abstracts for the Educational Sessions.
Register for the Conference
Volunteer at the Conference
Have an hour or two to help staff the Conference? We can put you to work (very light duty) as an usher, moderator, attendance taker, in the Cultural Showcase, or as a floater. Please volunteer (students, faculty and staff are welcome).Conference Schedule8 am-3 pm Registration Seymour College Union9 am - 10:15 am Keynote Address11 am -2 pm Cultural Showcase Seymour College Union Lounge Ballroom 11 am - 12:15 pm Educational Session I 1-2 pm Multicultural Food Tasting 2 -3:15 pm Educational Session II 3:30-4:45 pm Educational Session III |  |
Keynote Speaker
 | The Diversity Committee is pleased to announce that Dr. Muriel A. Howard will deliver the Keynote Address at the 2013 Diversity Conference on Thursday, September 19, 2013. Dr. Howard is president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and first African-American to lead one of the six presidentially based higher education associations in Washington, D.C. She is also AASCU’s first female president. As AASCU president, Dr. Howard is an advocate for public higher education at the national level, working to influence federal policy and regulations on behalf of member colleges and universities; developing collaborative partnerships and initiatives that advance public higher education; directing a strategic agenda that focuses on public college and university leadership for the 21st century; and providing professional development opportunities for presidents, chancellors, and their spouses. She also served as the president of Buffalo State College, State University of New York from 1996 to 2009. |
Friday, August 30, 2013
From Jim Hightower "Militarizing America's Police Forces" published on 08/23/13:
You know, in New Hampshire. The state Capitol. Even though only about 43,000 people live there, Concord apparently has strategic significance, for the local police, fully backed by the city council, are preparing for a horrific terroristical assault. Specifically, they're seeking $258,000 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) so they can gird themselves by purchasing a "Lenco BearCat G3" armored vehicle.
For more click here.
You know, in New Hampshire. The state Capitol. Even though only about 43,000 people live there, Concord apparently has strategic significance, for the local police, fully backed by the city council, are preparing for a horrific terroristical assault. Specifically, they're seeking $258,000 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) so they can gird themselves by purchasing a "Lenco BearCat G3" armored vehicle.
For more click here.
The creative tension is built around the conflict between the haves and the have nots and the story is told from an observation of the banal perspective of daily life which towards the end of its almost 500 pages gets tedious. The moral of the story seems to be that nice guys indeed finish last as well as those who do them in. It seems that in the long run no matter what side you're on, you lose and die.
I read the whole book and enjoyed the character development which seems honest and accurate, but overall I don't think I would recommend it unless you have nothing better to do and enjoy voyeuristically watching other people struggle with their problems of daily living.
I give it a 3 on my 5 point scale.
Editor's note:
The Brockporter Book Of The Week is a regular feature of the Brockporter Online News Magazine which appears most Fridays. If you have a book review you would like to share with the Brockporter readers please send it to davidgmarkham@gmail.com
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Tom found his cat and got her back.
In my walks through the village I literally talked to thousands of SUNY Brockport students, and they responded wonderfully by spreading the word so it went viral across campus and throughout the village. It has given me a completely different view of SUNY Brockport students.
The Brockport Police Department did an outstanding job of investigating the theft and spreading the word on the streets of Brockport. I owe a special thank you to Police Chief Daniel Varrenti, Office Mike DeToy, and Officer Steve Mesiti for their work on this case.
Many of the residents of Brockport and many of the staff of SUNY Brockport reached out to help. I have gotten phone calls and emails from people I have never met offering me encouragement.
The list could go on forever.
The way people responded turned a rotten situation into a heart warming experience.
To read the whole story, click here.
In my walks through the village I literally talked to thousands of SUNY Brockport students, and they responded wonderfully by spreading the word so it went viral across campus and throughout the village. It has given me a completely different view of SUNY Brockport students.
The Brockport Police Department did an outstanding job of investigating the theft and spreading the word on the streets of Brockport. I owe a special thank you to Police Chief Daniel Varrenti, Office Mike DeToy, and Officer Steve Mesiti for their work on this case.
Many of the residents of Brockport and many of the staff of SUNY Brockport reached out to help. I have gotten phone calls and emails from people I have never met offering me encouragement.
The list could go on forever.
The way people responded turned a rotten situation into a heart warming experience.
To read the whole story, click here.
From the Village of Brockport board meeting minutes for 08/05/13:
Mayor Blackman also expressed sympathies for the recent passing of former DPW employee Gerry
Bower.
From the Thomas E. Burger funeral home web site:
Hamlin: July 20, 2013, 67. Predeceased by his parents, Harvey & Lucille Bower; his brothers, John & Mike Bower and Mike's fiance, Lynn Lemmon. Jerry is survived by his brother, Ricky (Terry) Bower; his sister, Lena Bower (Don Frederick); sister-in-law, Sheryl Bower; nephews, Matt (Joann), Tim (Stephanie), Ricky, Austin & Timmy Bower and Ari Thulin; nieces, Sarah Bower, Elizabeth (Jamie) Thulin, and Ashley Bower. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and wood-working. He proudly served his country in Vietnam in the Navy Seabees.
Editor's note: Hometown Hero is a regular feature of the Brockporter Online News Magazine which appears most Thursdays. If you have people you would like to recognize and acknowledge send your nominations to davidgmarkham@gmail.com
Mayor Blackman also expressed sympathies for the recent passing of former DPW employee Gerry
Bower.
From the Thomas E. Burger funeral home web site:
Bower, Gerald H.
Hamlin: July 20, 2013, 67. Predeceased by his parents, Harvey & Lucille Bower; his brothers, John & Mike Bower and Mike's fiance, Lynn Lemmon. Jerry is survived by his brother, Ricky (Terry) Bower; his sister, Lena Bower (Don Frederick); sister-in-law, Sheryl Bower; nephews, Matt (Joann), Tim (Stephanie), Ricky, Austin & Timmy Bower and Ari Thulin; nieces, Sarah Bower, Elizabeth (Jamie) Thulin, and Ashley Bower. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and wood-working. He proudly served his country in Vietnam in the Navy Seabees.Editor's note: Hometown Hero is a regular feature of the Brockporter Online News Magazine which appears most Thursdays. If you have people you would like to recognize and acknowledge send your nominations to davidgmarkham@gmail.com
Hamlin: July 20, 2013, 67. Predeceased by his parents, Harvey & Lucille Bower; his brothers, John & Mike Bower and Mike's fiance, Lynn Lemmon. Jerry is survived by his brother, Ricky (Terry) Bower; his sister, Lena Bower (Don Frederick); sister-in-law, Sheryl Bower; nephews, Matt (Joann), Tim (Stephanie), Ricky, Austin & Timmy Bower and Ari Thulin; nieces, Sarah Bower, Elizabeth (Jamie) Thulin, and Ashley Bower. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and wood-working. He proudly served his country in Vietnam in the Navy Seabees.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/democratandchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-h-bower&pid=165987245&fhid=7327#fbLoggedOut
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/democratandchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-h-bower&pid=165987245&fhid=7327#fbLoggedOut
Hamlin: July 20, 2013, 67. Predeceased by his parents, Harvey & Lucille Bower; his brothers, John & Mike Bower and Mike's fiance, Lynn Lemmon. Jerry is survived by his brother, Ricky (Terry) Bower; his sister, Lena Bower (Don Frederick); sister-in-law, Sheryl Bower; nephews, Matt (Joann), Tim (Stephanie), Ricky, Austin & Timmy Bower and Ari Thulin; nieces, Sarah Bower, Elizabeth (Jamie) Thulin, and Ashley Bower. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and wood-working. He proudly served his country in Vietnam in the Navy Seabees. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/democratandchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-h-bower&pid=165987245&fhid=7327#fbLoggedOut
Hamlin: July 20, 2013, 67. Predeceased by his parents, Harvey & Lucille Bower; his brothers, John & Mike Bower and Mike's fiance, Lynn Lemmon. Jerry is survived by his brother, Ricky (Terry) Bower; his sister, Lena Bower (Don Frederick); sister-in-law, Sheryl Bower; nephews, Matt (Joann), Tim (Stephanie), Ricky, Austin & Timmy Bower and Ari Thulin; nieces, Sarah Bower, Elizabeth (Jamie) Thulin, and Ashley Bower. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and wood-working. He proudly served his country in Vietnam in the Navy Seabees. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/democratandchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-h-bower&pid=165987245&fhid=7327#fbLoggedOut
Almost, Maine Playwright Appears at First “Stage Whispers” of the Year
Brockport, NY – In a healthy dose of happenstance, Almost, Maine playwright John Cariani will appear as the initial guest at this year’s Stage Whispers: Conversations with Theatre Professionals series three weeks prior to the opening of that play at The College at Brockport’s Tower Fine Arts Center Mainstage. Cariani will speak about the mythical, mystical Northeast town where several of his plays take place, his transition from actor to playwright and the pre-production process for his play, Last Gas, which will be seen later this season at Geva Theatre Center. Stage Whispers takes place on Thursday, September 12, 2013, at 10 am, in the College’sTower Fine Arts Center Black Box Theatre, 180 Holley Street. The talk is free and open to the public.
Cariani, who was nominated for a Tony Award® for his performance in the most recent Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof, has also appeared in many television series, including his recurring appearances as “Beck” on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and in several feature films, including Kissing Jessica Stein. His evolution from onstage to offstage artist stemmed from what he considered a dearth of decent audition material for men. So he took it upon himself to create his own. That audition piece begat a series of monologues that were presented at an NBC-sponsored event for budding playwrights. Eventually, he realized that some of the monologues (which had numbered more than 20 at the time) were thematically related, drew on his childhood in Presque Isle, ME, and were all a bit fantastical. In their review of Almost, Maine, The New York Times indicated that Cariani “is working from the notion that the remoter expanses of the country are the natural harbor of the adorably lovelorn, the touched and the irretrievably lost.”
Reading the minutes - State very slow disbursing need money for Brockport's record management system
Apparently New York State is not distributing the money to local governments in a timely fashion so that they can set up processes to better manage their local records. Brockport Village Clerk, Leslie Ann Morelli has sent a letter to our State Senator, George Maziarz, and State Assemblyman, Steven Hawley, asking for their assistance in getting the New York State Division Of The Budget to disburse the money. The Brockport Village Board voted unanimously at their August 5, 2013 board meeting authorizing Ms. Morelli to send it. It probably would be good if Brockport Village residents let Maziarz and Hawley know that we would like to see the money disbursed so that Brockport's record management system can be improved.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Wonderful rendition of John Denver's beautiful song by the next generation. Some music delights and inspires new generations.
Editor's note: Music For Brockport is a regular feature of the Brockporter Online News Magazine which appears most Wednesdays. If you have a suggestion for a feature song, please leave it in the comments or send it to davidgmarkham@gmail.com.
From the Village of Brockport board meeting minutes 08/05/13:
SUNY’s Matt Barone – parade permit application (Village streets) – Homecoming Parade
Saturday, 9/28/13 – M. Barone, Will Mitchell, Mike Furness shared that they decided not to pursue the newly required NYSDOT special permit to close a portion of Route 19 (Main Street) for this year’s parade.
There are pros and cons to having it on Main Street versus Village streets and on-campus
roads. They reviewed the application submitted and indicated a change in the end of the route. They
plan to have a family-friendly fair/festival open to the community in front of Hartwell Hall which will be fun as the parade passes by there. They have and will continue to meet with Brockport Police and SUNY University Police regarding the road closures.
→ Mayor Blackman moved, Trustee Hannan seconded, carried 4/0 to grant the parade permit for Noon to 1pm (line up at 11am) on Saturday, 9/28/13 route to start at SUNY parking lots D & D-1 on Holley Street, head East on Holley Street, turn right onto Monroe Avenue, turn right onto Utica Street, turn right onto Residence Drive. End just past SUNY parking lot N-1.
SUNY’s Matt Barone – parade permit application (Village streets) – Homecoming Parade
Saturday, 9/28/13 – M. Barone, Will Mitchell, Mike Furness shared that they decided not to pursue the newly required NYSDOT special permit to close a portion of Route 19 (Main Street) for this year’s parade.
roads. They reviewed the application submitted and indicated a change in the end of the route. They
plan to have a family-friendly fair/festival open to the community in front of Hartwell Hall which will be fun as the parade passes by there. They have and will continue to meet with Brockport Police and SUNY University Police regarding the road closures.
→ Mayor Blackman moved, Trustee Hannan seconded, carried 4/0 to grant the parade permit for Noon to 1pm (line up at 11am) on Saturday, 9/28/13 route to start at SUNY parking lots D & D-1 on Holley Street, head East on Holley Street, turn right onto Monroe Avenue, turn right onto Utica Street, turn right onto Residence Drive. End just past SUNY parking lot N-1.
Dr. King's "I have a Dream" speech from Jon Cobler on Vimeo.
Brockporter, Carol Taillie, lives on Beverly Drive in Brockport with her husband, Paul, and she was there at the March On Washington on that historic day, 50 years ago when she was 11 years old. I interviewed Carol about her experience.
David : Carol, I understand that you went to the March on Washington back on August 28, 1963. How old were you and how did you happen to go?
Carol: I had just turned eleven a couple of weeks before the march. My parents felt strongly that they wanted their children to witness "history in the making". We, as a family watched what was going on in the south at the time on tv, and we'd travelled south and had seen and talked about segregation. My mom and dad decided to pile us all into the station wagon and head to Washington, from our very rural home in southwest New York state.
David: What did you understand about the purpose of the march at the time? What do you understand the purpose of the march was now as an adult?
Carol: I guess I basically understood the purpose of the march in very simple terms. I didn't sense the importance of this time in the history of our nation. My understanding of the conditions being protested against, and the immense commitment people had to have to come together at that time is far greater now, obviously.
David: What stands out for you at this point in time, 50 years later, as the most important thing about the march?
Carol: The thing that stands out most profoundly is the caring, non-violent, cooperation of all participants.
The event has had an extremely positive impact on my life. The fact that my parents cared so much about our nation and were trying to help change the country non-violently makes me proud.
David: To what extent do you think that Martin Luther King, Jr.' vision of the Beloved Community which he describes in his "I have a dream" speech has been achieved in Brockport, in our country?
Carol: I wish we had made better progress. I do not think we are anywhere close to true equality when we have the rates of incarceration of persons of color, along with terrible reading scores, and very high drop out rates. We still have defacto segregation in so many parts of our country. I was so proud and pleased when we elected Obama. Still, his election has not caused our country to make much progress in these areas.
David: What do you think is one of the most important aspects of Martin Luther King's legacy that his life has left for us?
Carol: .I think that the fact that MLK voiced his dream so eloquently, and that people gained such strength from hearing him voice it, is a great legacy.
David: Anything else you would like the readers of the Brockporter to know about this historical event and/or your experience?
Carol: The one thing which I have not mentioned is that even as a young person I could sense the heightened security around the capitol, because many exits off the beltway were blocked by police and National Guard. I remember listening to my parents talking about whether they should try to go into the city, and thinking back, I can understand their concern, since they were traveling with my grandma who was over 70 at the time, my brother, who had down syndrome, and me at age eleven, and my sister who was seven. We did go into the city, and what I remember was a multitude of people, all happy and quietly listening to what was happening over the loud speakers.
David: Thank you very much, Carol. It is very interesting to know that we have a first hand witness and account of that day here in Brockport. I have heard you tell your story before at the Brockport Unitarian Universalist Fellowhip and it is a great privlege and honor to be able to share some of it today, on this day of historic remembrance on The Brockporter.
Editor's note: If other Brockporters have memories of that day, please share them in the comments.
Brockporter, Carol Taillie, lives on Beverly Drive in Brockport with her husband, Paul, and she was there at the March On Washington on that historic day, 50 years ago when she was 11 years old. I interviewed Carol about her experience.
David : Carol, I understand that you went to the March on Washington back on August 28, 1963. How old were you and how did you happen to go?
Carol: I had just turned eleven a couple of weeks before the march. My parents felt strongly that they wanted their children to witness "history in the making". We, as a family watched what was going on in the south at the time on tv, and we'd travelled south and had seen and talked about segregation. My mom and dad decided to pile us all into the station wagon and head to Washington, from our very rural home in southwest New York state.
David: What did you understand about the purpose of the march at the time? What do you understand the purpose of the march was now as an adult?
Carol: I guess I basically understood the purpose of the march in very simple terms. I didn't sense the importance of this time in the history of our nation. My understanding of the conditions being protested against, and the immense commitment people had to have to come together at that time is far greater now, obviously.
David: What stands out for you at this point in time, 50 years later, as the most important thing about the march?
Carol: The thing that stands out most profoundly is the caring, non-violent, cooperation of all participants.
The event has had an extremely positive impact on my life. The fact that my parents cared so much about our nation and were trying to help change the country non-violently makes me proud.
David: To what extent do you think that Martin Luther King, Jr.' vision of the Beloved Community which he describes in his "I have a dream" speech has been achieved in Brockport, in our country?
Carol: I wish we had made better progress. I do not think we are anywhere close to true equality when we have the rates of incarceration of persons of color, along with terrible reading scores, and very high drop out rates. We still have defacto segregation in so many parts of our country. I was so proud and pleased when we elected Obama. Still, his election has not caused our country to make much progress in these areas.
David: What do you think is one of the most important aspects of Martin Luther King's legacy that his life has left for us?
Carol: .I think that the fact that MLK voiced his dream so eloquently, and that people gained such strength from hearing him voice it, is a great legacy.
David: Anything else you would like the readers of the Brockporter to know about this historical event and/or your experience?
Carol: The one thing which I have not mentioned is that even as a young person I could sense the heightened security around the capitol, because many exits off the beltway were blocked by police and National Guard. I remember listening to my parents talking about whether they should try to go into the city, and thinking back, I can understand their concern, since they were traveling with my grandma who was over 70 at the time, my brother, who had down syndrome, and me at age eleven, and my sister who was seven. We did go into the city, and what I remember was a multitude of people, all happy and quietly listening to what was happening over the loud speakers.
David: Thank you very much, Carol. It is very interesting to know that we have a first hand witness and account of that day here in Brockport. I have heard you tell your story before at the Brockport Unitarian Universalist Fellowhip and it is a great privlege and honor to be able to share some of it today, on this day of historic remembrance on The Brockporter.
Editor's note: If other Brockporters have memories of that day, please share them in the comments.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Hartwell Hall bells will ring at 3 pm
BROCKPORT, NY—The College at Brockport, State University of New York, will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington Wednesday afternoon.At 3 pm, the exact time Martin Luther King, Jr. began his famous "I Have a Dream Speech" 50 years ago," the Hartwell Hall bells will toll 50 times over a three minute, 15 second period.
Editor's note: Tomorrow at 3:00 PM listen and you will hear the bell in the air
From the 08/05/13 Village of Brockport board meeting minutes:
Brockport Historical Moment: Trustee/Deputy Mayor Andrews provided Mayor Blackman with the
following to share:
Because this village recently underwent an election, it may be interesting to take a look at its first elections. Whereas we now elect four trustees and a mayor for 4-year terms, under our original 1829 charter, we elected 5 trustees, 3 assessors, a clerk, a treasurer, a tax collector, a pound keeper, an overseer of highways for each of the three road districts, and two constables – a total of 17 officials, for one-year terms.
Only those residents who owned their own homes could hold office. The election took place at a public meeting by show of hands or viva voce. Any person who was elected to office and refused to serve was fined $10.00
Editor's note:
Articles on Brockport History will be published on The Brockporter, Brockport's Online News Magazine, on Tuesdays. If you have an article, picture, a story to share please send it to davidgmarkham@gmail.com.
following to share:
Because this village recently underwent an election, it may be interesting to take a look at its first elections. Whereas we now elect four trustees and a mayor for 4-year terms, under our original 1829 charter, we elected 5 trustees, 3 assessors, a clerk, a treasurer, a tax collector, a pound keeper, an overseer of highways for each of the three road districts, and two constables – a total of 17 officials, for one-year terms.
Only those residents who owned their own homes could hold office. The election took place at a public meeting by show of hands or viva voce. Any person who was elected to office and refused to serve was fined $10.00
Editor's note:
Articles on Brockport History will be published on The Brockporter, Brockport's Online News Magazine, on Tuesdays. If you have an article, picture, a story to share please send it to davidgmarkham@gmail.com.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT from State Ed...
A new GED® test series will begin on Jan. 1, 2014. After this date, scores from tests previously taken will be invalid and will not be combined with new test scores. Anyone who has taken the GED® test since Jan. 1, 2002 to the present and wants those scores to count must retake and fully pass the test before 2014.
Please Note: The GED® Tests are only given at official GED® Testing Centers approved by the New York State Education Department. There is no online or computer-based GED® testing available at the present time. For more information,click here. http://www.acces.nysed.gov/ged/.
Editor's note: The Brockporter, Brockport's only online news magazine, publishes articles on education on Tuesdays. If you have an article, concern, idea that you would like to see on the Brockporter, please forward it to davidgmarkham@gmail.com.
A new GED® test series will begin on Jan. 1, 2014. After this date, scores from tests previously taken will be invalid and will not be combined with new test scores. Anyone who has taken the GED® test since Jan. 1, 2002 to the present and wants those scores to count must retake and fully pass the test before 2014.
Please Note: The GED® Tests are only given at official GED® Testing Centers approved by the New York State Education Department. There is no online or computer-based GED® testing available at the present time. For more information,click here. http://www.acces.nysed.gov/ged/.
Editor's note: The Brockporter, Brockport's only online news magazine, publishes articles on education on Tuesdays. If you have an article, concern, idea that you would like to see on the Brockporter, please forward it to davidgmarkham@gmail.com.
Monday, August 26, 2013
August 26, 1920
The 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote, officially became part of the U.S. Constitution: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
This day has been known since 1971 as Women’s Equality Day.
Editor's note: It dawned on me a few years ago that neither of my grandmother's could vote at the time my parents were born in 1918 and March 13, 1920. We have come a long way in terms of female equality during my life time. As I write this our Village government is staffed with 3 females and 2 males, something that would have been unheard of 90 years ago.
This day has been known since 1971 as Women’s Equality Day.
Editor's note: It dawned on me a few years ago that neither of my grandmother's could vote at the time my parents were born in 1918 and March 13, 1920. We have come a long way in terms of female equality during my life time. As I write this our Village government is staffed with 3 females and 2 males, something that would have been unheard of 90 years ago.
Take the NWHP Women's Equality Day Quiz!
To help celebrate Women's Equality Day, the National Women's History Project developed a quiz to use at your events, or just around your office, or in conversation with friends. It took 72 years for women to win the right to vote.
1. August 26th is celebrated as Women's Equality Day to commemorate
a. the work women did during the Second World War
b. the anniversary of women winning the right to vote
c. the flappers of the 1920's
d. the contemporary women's rights movement
2. In what year did Congresswoman Bella Abzug introduce legislation to ensure that this important American anniversary would be celebrated?
a. 1992
b. 1984
c. 1971
d. 1965
3. In what year did women in the United States win the right to vote?
a. 1776
b. 1848
c. 1920
d. 1946
4. How many years did it take for women to win the right to vote in the United States?
a. 72 years
b. 120 years
c. 20 years
d. 51 years
5. Women in most of the western states won the right to vote years before the Federal Amendment was secured. 2010 is the 100th anniversary of women in Washington State winning the vote. California will celebrate the 100th anniversary of women winning he vote in 2011. Oregon will celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2012. What other state will celebrate the 100th anniversary of women in this state winning the right to vote in 2012?
a. New York
b. Florida
c. Maine
d. Arizona
6. What was the name given to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which guaranteed women's right to vote in the United States.
a. Abigail Adams Amendment
b. Sojourner Truth Amendment
c. Susan B. Anthony Amendment
d. Gloria Steinem Amendment
7. Women who worked for women's right to vote were called
a. radical
b. immoral
c. suffragist
d. all of the above
8. The term suffragist is derived from
a. one who suffers
b. a voting tablet in ancient times
c. the Constitution
d. the Bill of Rights
9. How many other countries had already guaranteed women's right to vote before the campaign was won in the United States?
a. 6
b. 2
c. 1
d. 16
10. What was the first country that granted women the right to vote?
a. Canada
b. Germany
c. New Zealand
d. United Kingdom
Answers:
1. b
2. c
3. c
4. a (from the first Women's Rights Convention in 1848
to 1920)
5. d
6. c
7. d
8. b
9. d (New Zealand (1893), Australia (1902), Finland
(1906), Norway (1913), Denmark (1915), USSR (1917), Canada (1918), Germany (1918), Poland (1918), Austria (1919), Belgium (1919), Great Britain (1919), Ireland (1919), Luxembourg (1919), the Netherlands (1919), Sweden (1919)
10. c (1893)
1. b
2. c
3. c
4. a (from the first Women's Rights Convention in 1848
to 1920)
5. d
6. c
7. d
8. b
9. d (New Zealand (1893), Australia (1902), Finland
(1906), Norway (1913), Denmark (1915), USSR (1917), Canada (1918), Germany (1918), Poland (1918), Austria (1919), Belgium (1919), Great Britain (1919), Ireland (1919), Luxembourg (1919), the Netherlands (1919), Sweden (1919)
10. c (1893)
Fine Arts Series Now Selling Performance Tickets Online
Brockport, NY – The Fine Arts Series at The College at Brockport, an excellent – and economical – way to explore dance, music and theatre, has computerized its box office and is now offering the ability to purchase tickets online.
“One of our target audiences is our student population. Not only are they used to doing just about everything online, they lead busy lives,” says Stuart Ira Soloway, the manager of the Fine Arts Series. “Now they can log on from their dorm rooms at 6 am, 10 pm, or whenever they like. Similarly, the off-campus audience now has an option if they want to conserve gas and only drive to Brockport once, for the show, but still be able to choose their seats.”
Events go on sale approximately four weeks prior to the performances. “Of course, subscribers are able to purchase tickets for the entire season all at once, at a substantial discount, though those do have to be processed by the box office, and can’t be ordered online,” admits Soloway.
The Fine Arts Series is utilizing the same University Tickets software as the Brockport Student Government. Brockport students with a BSG account will have to create a new account to use for Fine Arts Series performances.
Tickets ordered online will be printed at the Tower Fine Arts Center box office, where they can be picked up prior to the performance, or they will be available at “Will Call” beginning one hour prior to the performance in the respective venues.
Tickets can still be purchased in person at the box office, where patrons will be able to use cash, checks or the campus’ EZMoney card, in addition to their charge cards. Patrons can also continue to purchase tickets by phone, at which point they will have a fineartstix account created. The Tower box office, 180 Holley Street, is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 am – 5 pm, and on Saturday, from 10 am – 4 pm. The box office can be reached at (585) 395-2787.
Additional information about the more than 60 performances being presented during the 2013-14 season can be found at www.brockport.edu/finearts.
From the San Francisco Chronicle on 08/23/13:
The most expensive neighborhood in New York City isn't TriBeCa or the West Village. It's Rikers Island.
The city spent an average of $167,000 per inmate on its jail system in 2012, according to a new report from the city's Independent Budget Office. That's nearly three times the cost of New York State's prison system and five times as much as the national average, according to data from the Vera Center for Justice and the Pew Center on the States.
Editor's note: The Brockporter will be publishing articles regularly on our dysfunctional criminal just ice system and our attempt to incarcerate Americans to maintain civil order in a time of huge income and wealth inequality.
Most people don't know the facts and are kept in the dark manipulated by fear tactics by politicians who have gained political advantage with their ghastly "tough on crime" rhetoric. America has spent 40 years trying to incarcerate away the victims of its social policies. Incarceration is very expensive, ineffective, and promises benefits it can't and hasn't delivered.
It is time for Americans to educate themselves on the facts so that we can make better choices about our social policies. It costs $167,000.00 per inmate per year in the New York City prison system and it costs over $60,000.00 per year in our State prisons. I don't know how much it costs per year for an inmate in our County jails but I am guessing it's at least $35,000 per year.
While we have supported policies reducing our safety net by reducing social welfare assistance, food stamps, health care, child care, mental health services, we have been supportive of incarcerating people at far greater costs with much less benefit. For poor people, mentally ill people our prisons have become not the last resort but often the first resort because other help has not been available when it was needed. Rather than love and support we have chosen judgment and punishment. It should be no surprise that it isn't working. Watch for further information. Educate yourself. Pass the information along to family, friends, and acquaintances. Let's build better communities and a better America.
The city spent an average of $167,000 per inmate on its jail system in 2012, according to a new report from the city's Independent Budget Office. That's nearly three times the cost of New York State's prison system and five times as much as the national average, according to data from the Vera Center for Justice and the Pew Center on the States.
Editor's note: The Brockporter will be publishing articles regularly on our dysfunctional criminal just ice system and our attempt to incarcerate Americans to maintain civil order in a time of huge income and wealth inequality.
Most people don't know the facts and are kept in the dark manipulated by fear tactics by politicians who have gained political advantage with their ghastly "tough on crime" rhetoric. America has spent 40 years trying to incarcerate away the victims of its social policies. Incarceration is very expensive, ineffective, and promises benefits it can't and hasn't delivered.
It is time for Americans to educate themselves on the facts so that we can make better choices about our social policies. It costs $167,000.00 per inmate per year in the New York City prison system and it costs over $60,000.00 per year in our State prisons. I don't know how much it costs per year for an inmate in our County jails but I am guessing it's at least $35,000 per year.
While we have supported policies reducing our safety net by reducing social welfare assistance, food stamps, health care, child care, mental health services, we have been supportive of incarcerating people at far greater costs with much less benefit. For poor people, mentally ill people our prisons have become not the last resort but often the first resort because other help has not been available when it was needed. Rather than love and support we have chosen judgment and punishment. It should be no surprise that it isn't working. Watch for further information. Educate yourself. Pass the information along to family, friends, and acquaintances. Let's build better communities and a better America.
Reading the Village of Brockport board meeting minutes of 08/05/13:
SUNY’s Michele Reed – Saturday Day of Service 8/24/13 1:30pm-4pm – M. Reed, Student Conduct Coordinator introduced Josh Fegley, Assistant Director of Prevention Outreach Services, Sean Ferguson, BSG President, Will Mitchell BSG VP, Tyler Loveless BSG Treasurer.
She said the Off Campus Relations Team comprised of representatives from the College, Village, landlords, etc thought it would be a great idea to reach out to neighbors in the Village. Students in their first year participate in the annual Saturday Day of Service in which students go out into the community and help in agencies, nursing homes, etc.
Michele distributed a proposal and a draft of a handout entitled “Creating Community: Helpful Hints for College at Brockport Students and Members of the Brockport Community Welcome Week 2013”. The proposal indicated:
“Students will go door to door and share helpful resources alongside Village officials, Brockport
faculty/staff and other key partners. Students will meet and greet local residents and share helpful
information. Students will walk alongside local Brockport officials, landlords and campus leadership in an effort to educate, enhance town/gown relationships and disseminate helpful information related to campus services and resources. This service initiative will create an opportunity for students to engage with families, agencies and local businesses in a positive manner. They will come with a smile, great attitude and ready to educate the Brockport Community regarding all aspects of our campus resources as well as the many ways in which the campus can connect and serve the village residents.”
M. Reed said the routes shown were some selected from information provided by Code Enforcement
Officer Zarnstorff. They have only two and a half hours to cover a lot of territory.
Editor's note:
It doesn't say in the minutes what routes were selected or what criteria was used. I didn't see anyone at my home at 46 King Street. King Street is a very heavily traveled street on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights when students go out drinking both in the bars and in the student houses in the area. It also doesn't mention in the minutes who the Village landlords are who participate in the "Off Campus Relations Team". Does anyone know who they are?
It is great to see the effort of representatives from SUNY Brockport interact with the Village board. This is something that Mayor Blackman has been working on and we are seeing significant activity. Hopefully, as relationships are developed better working relationships will benefit everyone.
It's helpful to know that there is someone responsible for community relations.
She said the Off Campus Relations Team comprised of representatives from the College, Village, landlords, etc thought it would be a great idea to reach out to neighbors in the Village. Students in their first year participate in the annual Saturday Day of Service in which students go out into the community and help in agencies, nursing homes, etc.
Michele distributed a proposal and a draft of a handout entitled “Creating Community: Helpful Hints for College at Brockport Students and Members of the Brockport Community Welcome Week 2013”. The proposal indicated:
“Students will go door to door and share helpful resources alongside Village officials, Brockport
faculty/staff and other key partners. Students will meet and greet local residents and share helpful
information. Students will walk alongside local Brockport officials, landlords and campus leadership in an effort to educate, enhance town/gown relationships and disseminate helpful information related to campus services and resources. This service initiative will create an opportunity for students to engage with families, agencies and local businesses in a positive manner. They will come with a smile, great attitude and ready to educate the Brockport Community regarding all aspects of our campus resources as well as the many ways in which the campus can connect and serve the village residents.”
M. Reed said the routes shown were some selected from information provided by Code Enforcement
Officer Zarnstorff. They have only two and a half hours to cover a lot of territory.
Editor's note:
It doesn't say in the minutes what routes were selected or what criteria was used. I didn't see anyone at my home at 46 King Street. King Street is a very heavily traveled street on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights when students go out drinking both in the bars and in the student houses in the area. It also doesn't mention in the minutes who the Village landlords are who participate in the "Off Campus Relations Team". Does anyone know who they are?
It is great to see the effort of representatives from SUNY Brockport interact with the Village board. This is something that Mayor Blackman has been working on and we are seeing significant activity. Hopefully, as relationships are developed better working relationships will benefit everyone.
It's helpful to know that there is someone responsible for community relations.
Michelle Reed
Contact Information:
(Office) 395-5170
mreed@brockport.edu
Sunday, August 25, 2013
There are 48 million Americans with no health insurance which is the worst record for uninsured citizens in first world countries. There are 2.7 million citizens in New York without health insurance many of whom live in the Brockport area. The states with the largest number of uninsured are Florida, Texas, and California which accounts for 50% of the 48 million in the whole country. We have done a much better job of providing health insurance for our citizens in New York than in these other states, something of which we can proud and it will only get better come January 1, 2014 when coverage will begin.
It is estimated by the Urban Institute that over 1 million New Yorkers will use the exchange: 615,000 individuals, and 450,000 employees of small businesses.
It was a fascinating discussion in which everyone participated sharing experiences from their own lives. Unitarian Universalists believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, the free and responsible search for truth and meaning, and acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
The theme "Living Your Dream" can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Some times it may mean quitting because you know that your life is on the wrong track. Some times it means that you don't know you are living your dream until you are living it.
As W. Edwards Deming, the total quality management guru said one time, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there."
Unitarian Universalism offers something unique to people, fellowship as you attempt to find your way. As the Beatles sang, "I'll get by with a little help from my friends."
U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, on 08/24/13:
"The America envisioned at this site 50 years ago – the “beloved community” – has not yet been realized. But half a century after the March, and 150 years after Emancipation, it is finally within our grasp. Together – through determined effort; through a willingness to confront corrosive forces tied to special interests rather than the common good; and through devotion to our founding documents – I know that, in the 21st century, we will see an America that is more perfect and more fair. "
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Foster Miller won the Orleans County Fishing Derby $4,000.00 grand prize catching a 34 lbs. Chinook Salmon. Check out Tom Rivers great article on the Orleans Hub.
**High Holiday Services**
-- Free and open to the public. --
*Rosh HaShanah*
Wednesday, September 4, 7:30 PM,
Thursday, September 5, 10:00 AM,
College at Brockport Seymour Union, Ballroom, West End
*Yom Kippur*
Friday, Sept 13, 7:30 PM,
Saturday, Sept 14, 10:00 AM,
College at Brockport Seymour Union, Ballroom, West End
For more information - BkptJewishComm@aol.com
Editor's note:
For more about Rosh Hashanah click here. For more about Yom Kippur, click here.
The Brockporter, Brockport's only online news magazine is pleased to publish information about religious services and activities in the Brockport area. Send your information to us in a timely fashion at davidgmarkham@gmail.com
Editor's note:
I am surprised at this data. Almost 3/4 of men over 65 are married but less than half of women over 65 are which means that about 25% of men are married to women younger than themselves.
Most women over 65 are not married and over a third of them are widowed.
I don't know if these percentages apply in Brockport, and I have no reason to think that they don't.
What does this data mean for our social life? Comments and ideas are welcome.
Class of 2017 features record minority enrollment
The College at Brockport, State University of New York, now has another 1,981 students to call its own. And those new students—1,106 freshmen and 875 transfers—were officially indoctrinated into the Brockport community Aug. 23 during an Academic Convocation ceremony.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Brand new on Amazon for $15.75. Buy it from me used in Very Good Condition for $11.00. Email me at davidgmarkham@gmail.com or from Half.com by clicking here.
To see my catalog of used books on Half.com on Ebay click here.
You can either buy the books from Half.com or email me for a personal transaction at davidgmarkham@gmail.com
New York state began seeing the light around the turn of the millenium when a growing group began to understand that the Rockefeller Drug Laws had been a big mistake because the citizens of New York could no longer afford to house nonviolent drug offenders in State prisons at the cost of about $60,000.00 per year per inmate. The drug offender could have been sent to the U of R for that kind of money with his room and board paid in addition to private college tuition. New Yorkers spend over $3 billion supervising 54,600 inmates in 60 facilities and 36,800 parolees in 7 regional parole offices.
There are many reasons for the problem of crime in our society many of which stem from our very poor social policies compared to other developed countries. I will be writing more about our criminal justice policies in coming weeks and months because they have a very heavy impact on us as Brockporters and New York Staters and Americans even though most Brockporters, New York Staters, and Americans are dismally unaware unless they or someone they love have been caught up in the system.
Dr. Currie writes in the preface to the 2013 edition, "The bottom line after Crime and Punishment In America warned that our dominant strategies against crime weren't working well, the United States is still distinguished by having both the world's highest level of imprisonment and the advanced world's worst levels of serious criminal violence. And we are still, for the most part, relying all too heavily on an approach to crime control that is ineffective, costly, and destructive." p.xiv
For a good over view of our criminal justice management of offenders in America I highly recommend Elliott Currie's book.
From Orleans Hub on 08/21/13:
MEDINA – The consulting firm that is working with Medina to prepare a dissolution plan for the village shouldn’t expect much assistance from the town of Ridgeway.
“We're really not interested,” said Brian Napoli, the Ridgeway town supervisor. “We’ve never been consulted. They formed a committee and we were never asked or consulted.”
The village received a $50,000 state grant to work on a dissolution plan, a document that is required by law before the village can hold a public referendum on whether or not to dissolve the village government.
The plan would identify how village government functions could best be assumed by the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby, or perhaps through new special taxing districts or water and sewer authorities.
Editor's note:
Dissolution is one of those conceptual ideas that superficially seem to make some intuitive sense because it involves consolidating overlapping, and some say redundant, levels of government. But when it comes right down to doing it, it rarely saves money, and isn't popular with the citizens who live in the governmental entities being consolidated.
Dissolution was brought to a vote in Brockport in June of 2010 by the slumlord faction of Brockport who wanted to throw off the constraints of having to follow building codes and have their tenants follow the law enforced by Brockport police. The proposition was soundly defeated 2 to 1, but the dissolutionist mayor, Connie Castaneda, kept proposing grants to study dissolution until the end of her term when she was soundly defeated in her bid for re-election. The message should be clear that Brockporters love their Village and don't want it messed up by Town of Sweden officials and won't tolerate further attempts to dissolve the bonds that tie us together as the lovely Victorian Village that we are and aspire to be.
In this light, it is interesting to see another example of dissolution not being favored in Medina and Ridgeway and the lack of cooperation between the layers of government.
MEDINA – The consulting firm that is working with Medina to prepare a dissolution plan for the village shouldn’t expect much assistance from the town of Ridgeway.
“We're really not interested,” said Brian Napoli, the Ridgeway town supervisor. “We’ve never been consulted. They formed a committee and we were never asked or consulted.”
The village received a $50,000 state grant to work on a dissolution plan, a document that is required by law before the village can hold a public referendum on whether or not to dissolve the village government.
The plan would identify how village government functions could best be assumed by the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby, or perhaps through new special taxing districts or water and sewer authorities.
Editor's note:
Dissolution is one of those conceptual ideas that superficially seem to make some intuitive sense because it involves consolidating overlapping, and some say redundant, levels of government. But when it comes right down to doing it, it rarely saves money, and isn't popular with the citizens who live in the governmental entities being consolidated.
Dissolution was brought to a vote in Brockport in June of 2010 by the slumlord faction of Brockport who wanted to throw off the constraints of having to follow building codes and have their tenants follow the law enforced by Brockport police. The proposition was soundly defeated 2 to 1, but the dissolutionist mayor, Connie Castaneda, kept proposing grants to study dissolution until the end of her term when she was soundly defeated in her bid for re-election. The message should be clear that Brockporters love their Village and don't want it messed up by Town of Sweden officials and won't tolerate further attempts to dissolve the bonds that tie us together as the lovely Victorian Village that we are and aspire to be.
In this light, it is interesting to see another example of dissolution not being favored in Medina and Ridgeway and the lack of cooperation between the layers of government.
From Village of Brockport board meeting minutes 08/05/13:
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Notice of Claim filed by M.C. Castañeda V Village of Brockport – insurance
attorney reviewing – Mayor Blackman shared that on July 26, 2013 former Mayor Connie Castañeda filed a lawsuit against the Village of Brockport in respect to the official misconduct and falsifyingbusiness records charges against her that were dismissed by Ogden Court Judge David Murante in June. The damages and injuries claimed include: false arrest, abuse of process, humiliation, damage to reputation, loss of elected office, attorney’s fees, out of pocket expenses, aggravation and the value of time wasted by the prosecution.
Mayor Blackman said as with all claims against a municipality, this one has been turned over to the Village’s insurance broker and the insurance carrier and its attorneys for handling. This does not involve the Village Attorney. It is because of lawsuits like this that municipalities carry insurance.
Editor's note: Mayor Castaneda was found guilty August 14, 2013 by a jury in the Town Of Ogden court of the code violations of which she was accused. She is to appear on September 24, 2013 for sentencing. How her guilty verdict will affect her lawsuit is unknown at the present time.
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