Letters

The Rochester Beacon welcomes letters from readers. Submissions are moderated by Opinion Editor Kent Gardner but not edited. Writers may be asked to expand or modify their letter for inclusion as an op-ed (see our Contributor Guidelines). The Beacon’s Comment Policy applies to all Letters submissions, which should be sent to [email protected].

Without a trace: the buried history of Rehovot and the Palestinians who lived there

Brennon Thompson | Nov. 26, 2024

The small plaque for the Israeli city of Rehovot on the recently renovated Sister Cities Bridge in downtown Rochester omits any mention of Palestine or Palestinians, as if they never existed. Read the letter.

Why does N.Y. prioritize abortion over life-changing child care?

Sarah Prentice | Oct. 23, 2024

Passage of the New York Equal Rights Amendment would increase abortion spending. Instead, the state should alleviate financial stress on mothers and children. Read the letter.

An open letter to Judge Paul Warren

Thaddeus Sendall | Oct. 18, 2024

As abuse victims, what is our offense? Apparently, standing up to try to finally get justice and being “stubborn” about it. Read the letter.

Fairport’s zoning update process is a positive step

Robert Salmon | Oct. 2, 2024

Dealing with issues such as auxiliary dwelling units will take time and require legal guidance. Read the letter.

How higher expectations can drive student achievement in Rochester

Shanai Lee | Sept. 26, 2024

To suggest that poverty means our children cannot achieve academic excellence is both harmful and disheartening. Read the letter.

Washington should boost clean energy projects

Rob Johnson | Sept. 23, 2024

The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 is needed to help speed the implementation of clean energy projects. Read the letter.

Opposing Fairport rezoning

John Calia | Aug. 26, 2024

Village officials have not explained how changing Fairport’s zoning code can achieve the goal of maintaining the village’s character by destroying it. Read the letter.

Beware of the slavish, lesser-of-two-damn-evils mentality

Howard Eagle | Aug. 10, 2024

In the upcoming presidential election, there is a viable choice, especially for Black voters—but not if they listen to the Black political “mis-leadership.” Read the letter.

Kudos for music coverage

Kevin Smith | July 26, 2024

The Beacon provides much-needed reporting on the real breadth of musical offerings in Rochester. Read the letter.

Why were Sandra Doorley and Marvin Taylor treated differently?

Elders and Allies | July 17, 2024

Both Sandra Doorley and Marvin Taylor were stopped for traffic violations. How they were treated reveals ongoing problems of racism and lack of accountability. Read the letter.

An open letter to President Biden

Renee A. Sutton | July 12, 2024

You have done so much for this country through your service. Now you can serve your country best by stepping aside and throwing your support behind a qualified candidate. Read the letter.

The people trying to make Jewish American life suck

Lauren Deutsch | July 7, 2024

Our fellow citizens have the power to create a hostile environment for Jews, and they are availing themselves of it. Read the letter.

Why you should support Citizen Action’s Economic Justice Agenda

Jalil Muntaqim | July 5, 2024

There is no better action item than saving children from infant mortality and ensuring released incarcerated workers will not cause harm to the community. Read the letter.

When educational equity is absent—a billion-dollar failure

Josh Jochem Porte | July 4, 2024

The fact that Rochester has the worst school district in New York State is a collective failure. Read the letter.

Message to Washington: Conservation is Conservative

Rob Johnson | June 20, 2024

Climate change can be solved not by expanding the government, but rather by harnessing the forces of capitalism. Read the letter.

I’m a crime survivor who supports Elder Parole

Tracie Adams | May 31, 2024

Older adults who have served long sentences deserve a chance to be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for release, so they have a chance to repair harm. Read the letter.

Being present: (actively) listening to children when their world is upside down

Mary-Pat Cleary and Emily Cady | May 15, 2024

Students today are bombarded with information, much of which they may not be ready to hear or internalize. We understand how each child is affected and then work to create a safe, secure, and inclusive environment for them. Read the letter.

The RCSD superintendent turnover is not the problem!

Howie Jacobson | May 6, 2024

In the Rochester City School District, each part of the system operates with a different set of objectives for success. The result: failure. Read the letter.

When you see the orange cones, drive safely

Chris Reeve | April 24, 2024 The people you see along our highways, often in an orange and yellow vest and hard hat, are people just like you. We need your help to keep everyone safe. Read the letter.

Penfield’s annual EV car show brings community together for Earth day

Jill Bellenger | April 24, 2024

Penfield’s annual event began in 2012, where the first EV charging station in Monroe County was unveiled. Read the letter.

Stop cutting indigent legal services. Please!

Bryan Hetherington, Maureen Polen, Lisa Reagan, Langston McFadden, Julia Cianca, Joan Kohout, Brian Jacek, Richard Dollinger, Eileen Buholtz, Tina Monshipour Foster, Sareer A. (Sandy) Fazili, Stephen Weisbeck, Patricia Marks | April 20, 2024

Legal services for indigent New Yorkers should not be a bargaining chip in state budget negotiations. Read the letter.

‘Good cause’ eviction could worsen housing crisis

Mike O’Connor | April 16, 2024

State lawmakers should enact balanced housing policies that address the need for more affordable housing. Read the letter.

The only path to educational reform in Rochester

John Bliss | April 16, 2024

The success at East can be replicated, but it would require the one thing that RCSD has refused to grant to anyone proposing anything out of the ordinary: autonomy. Read the letter.

Use the market to reduce carbon pollution

Robert Johnson | March 27, 2024

A carbon pricing bill with cash back to US households would harness the forces of capitalism to solve this problem. Read the letter.

Stop STAMP, save Tonawanda and wildlife

Trish Corcoran | Feb. 7, 2024

It’s time to stop abusing the Earth for profit. Please help your neighbors, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, who have fought for thirteen years to stop construction of the Science, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing Park adjacent to their territory. Read the letter.

Welding workshop creates joyful experience

Emma Westerhof | Jan. 31, 2024

Ironwood Studios’ class is defined by intentionality, hospitality and empowerment. Read the letter.

An urgent plea for Medicaid reimbursement reform in nursing homes

Robert Hurlbut | Jan. 21, 2024

New York’s Medicaid program, the primary payer for nursing home care, falls significantly short in meeting annual costs, exacerbating staff recruitment and retention challenges and impacting access to quality care. Read the letter.

In Buffalo Bills vino, veritas

Michael J. Nighan | Jan. 5, 2024

Why are the team’s owners stiffing New York taxpayers—as well as one of New York’s leading industries? Read the letter.

How deep is the corruption & cover-up?

Howard Eagle | Jan. 3, 2024

The leadership contest between Yversha Roman and Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons is revealing. Read the letter.

The great debate: protect our lakes

Rose Khoobyar | Dec. 20, 2023

As climate change threatens to decrease our water supply, it is critical that we maintain the integrity of the Great Lakes Compact. Read the letter.

The therapeutic benefits of community gardening

Jackie Edwards | Dec. 18, 2023

Gardening is good for physical and mental health, and working with others builds a sense of community. Read the letter.

A quarter-century fighting violence on our streets

Gary Mervis | Dec. 2, 2023

Project Exile has not only taken thousands of illegal guns off the streets but has also created a level of agency cooperation that is unheard of in other cities. Read the letter.

Why marshlands are extremely important

Brendan Malloy | Dec. 2, 2023

Marshlands, also known as wetlands, are crucial in supporting the environment and human communities. Read the letter.

Ontario County recognizes FLCC’s ROI

Joan Geise | Nov. 11, 2023

The county’s increased annual contribution to Finger Lakes Community College is money well spent. The college has an annual economic impact of $108.5 million in the county and nearly $198 million regionally. Read the letter.

Don’t overlook nuclear power as a climate solution

Grant Snow | Nov. 1, 2023

Although there are other ways of generating power that also produce little or no CO2, they may not be as reliable or as practical as nuclear power. Read the letter.

In this political climate, there’s a clear choice

Ryan Wilson | Oct. 30, 2023

Of the 13 announced candidates in the 2024 presidential race, one is clearly the best choice when it comes to the most important issue of our time: climate change. Read the letter.

Utility industry ‘fixes’ seldom go as hoped

Marty Nott | Oct. 16, 2023

Delivering higher competence and lower prices is no simple task. Could a public entity improve on RG&E’s operation? Not likely. Read the letter.

U of R should not take money from its charitable causes to fund city programs

Gail Norris | August 18, 2023

Mitch Gruber maintains that the University of Rochester should contribute more financially to its home city. But his argument undervalues the university’s research, education, and health care missions that benefit the community. Read the letter.

It’s time to stop honoring slave owners and traders

Michael J. Nighan | July 31, 2023

Renaming the City of Rochester or Monroe County is not going to happen, but giving new names to certain schools and public spaces will make clear Rochester’s commitment to the justice and morality. Read the letter.

Public power utility would not serve the interests of residents and ratepayers

By Frank Orienter | June 30, 2023

Dissatisfaction with the ownership and management of Rochester Gas and Electric has prompted a campaign, led by led by Metro Justice, to take over the utility. But the half-million-dollar public power feasibility study recently approved by the Rochester City Council is a waste of taxpayer money—because taking over RG&E would produce no financial benefit, and the ownership and operating expense would impact the poorest residents harder than other consumers. Read the letter.

Setting the record straight: a very distorted ‘news’ report about the Take It Down Planning Committee / Faith Community Alliance Coalition/RMSC unprecedented, authentic, effective, anti-racist education program

By Howard Eagle | May 15, 2023

A recent Rochester Beacon article about an anti-racist education program that Take it Down Planning Committee/Faith Community Alliance Coalition developed in conjunction with the Rochester Museum and Science Center is quite distorted and has a crystal-clear, right-wing-slant. Read the letter.

Moving forward with and to equity

By Bill Wynne | May 2, 2023

Most people want to avoid difficult conversations about how to “move from” the horrors of the dreadful, prevailing poverty and racism. A “moving forward” antiracism conversation offers a more hopeful possibility. Read the letter.

Bhutan’s dark secret: human rights violations continue

By Bijaya Khadka | May 1, 2023

Tens of thousands of Bhutanese citizens—including more than 15,000 Bhutanese Americans who live in the Rochester area—have been forced to flee their homes due to persecution and discrimination by the Bhutanese government. Read the letter.

Rochester Music Hall of Fame strays from promised mission

By Michael J. Nighan | March 6, 2023

When established in 2011, the Rochester Music Hall of Fame aimed to recognize artists with ties to Rochester who contributed to musical excellence. However, after its charter class 12 years ago, no additional artist performances have been inducted into the Hall. Read the letter.

Climate change implications for upstate and Rochester

By Frank Orienter | Feb. 15, 2023

It is prudent to behave as if the changing climate and subsequent dangerous weather patterns are human activity caused. Read the letter.

RCSD Education: thoughts on suspension

By Frank Orienter | Feb. 14, 2023

Children that violate a well-articulated code of conduct shouldn’t be removed from the school setting first because some students may desire to not be in school. Read the letter

Ongoing issues prevail at the Pines of Perinton after last year’s devastating fire

By Bill Wynne | Feb. 4, 2023

The Town and many in the Perinton/Fairport community did a great job in responding to last year’s crisis as a result of the Pines of Perinton fire but the many issues impacting the lives of the families and the children who live there remain unresolved. Read the letter.

Rochester K-12 education: What do I need this ‘stuff’ for anyway?
By Josh Jochem Porte | Jan. 30, 2023
The RCSD has failed urban Rochester kids for decades. It shows them nothing during their education journey yet expect them to be enthused, responsive and stay the course. Read the letter.

Rochester K-12 education: Our school children need ‘urgent care’ just like a fallen football player
By Harry S. Pearle | Jan. 30, 2023
We pour millions and billions of dollars into education. But too many children are still not graduating, still not succeeding in life. Read the letter.

Nursing homes are in financial crisis: Our seniors deserve better
By Members of the Alliance for Senior Care | Jan. 21, 2023
New York is dead last in what it reimburses nursing homes compared to actual costs. Read the letter.