Are You There John? It’s Me, Rusty.

The Waiting Game

Always a favorite of Rochester Turning the beast that is the Monroe County Communications department overseen by one John Durso is no stranger to the game that is politics, for example, trying to pass off tax and fee increases as innovations and adjustments:

INNOVATION

The Plan changes the way we pay for local services in Monroe County. Specifically, the Plan will charge-back the local cost of Monroe Community College to local taxpayers based on student residency. The Plan will also adjust the County vehicle registration fee by $10 to fund road and bridge repairs throughout our community.

It seems the department is also an adept opponent in the waiting game.

About two weeks ago the Swede posted on the Troopergate Factor and the role it could play in Maggie Brooks’ FAIR plan.  The Swede followed up with an email to the MonCo Comm department and I sent one directly to the office of the County Executive.

The emails were rather straightforward:

To whom it may concern –

 

If I understand the FAIR plan correctly it revolves around the division of Monroe County Sales Tax Revenue (8% divided equally between county and state according to the MyMonroe Finance FAQ page) between the state, county and school districts.

 

I am aware that the 8% rate needs to be approved/renewed by the state legislature before the end of the year.  In the event that this does not occur and the rate regresses to 7% in 2008 how will the FAIR plan be effected?  Does the plan contain any provisions in anticipation of this happening?

 

Thank you for your time, I look forward to your response.

I called the Communications department after no response to my October 8th email.  Bonnie, the wonderfully vapid individual who answered the phone, conducted the conversation exactly as I expected.

“Hello, this is Bonnie.”

“I have a question regarding the FAIR plan and its relation the state sales – “

“What we will need you to do is put your question in writing or email it to us.”

“I actually did that multiple times over the past two weeks.”

“Oh.  Well, your question will be answered.”

“Anytime soon?”

“I would imagine.”

Thank you for all your fucking help Bonnie.  You were obviously tops in your class at the How to Be Frustratingly Bureaucratic and Unhelpful Institute.

Political squabbles in Albany could significantly alter the tax base in Monroe County, the very base which Jowls’ FAIR plan revolves around, and there is apparently no readily available answer from any department of preparation for or even consideration of that scenario.

Genius.