>>
Gary Walker: JUST AHEAD ON
"NEED TO KNOW," YOU'VE ALL
SEEN THE ADS: STATE AND LOCAL
POLITICIANS TALKING ABOUT
TOURISM, HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS,
JOB PROGRAMS AND TEENAGE
ABSTINENCE.
INCUMBENT POLITICIANS APPEAR
IN THE ADS AND YOU'RE PAYING
FOR THEM.
ALSO, STATE LAWMAKERS ARE
RESHAPING DISTRICT LINES AND
HOW ROCHESTER'S REPRESENTATION
IN CONGRESS FOR THE NEXT
DECADE HANGS IN THE BALANCE.
WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT'S COMING UP
NEXT.
ELLEN ROSEN JOINS US FOR THIS
WEEK'S EDITION OF "THE
BUSINESS SECTION" WITH THE
"DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE"
AND JAZZ GREATS WORKING WITH
YOUNG MUSICIANS.
IT'S ALL COMING UP NEXT ON
"NEED TO KNOW."
>> Blair Horner, NYPIRG: WHEN INCUMBENTS ARE USING TAXPAYER
DOLLARS SOLELY TO PROMOTE
THEMSELVES, THEY'RE DOING IT
IN A WAY THAT MAKES IT VERY
DIFFICULT FOR CHALLENGERS TO
TAKE THEM ON.
>> THIS IS "NEED TO KNOW," THE
ROCHESTER AREA'S ONLY IN-DEPTH
NEWS PROGRAM.
"NEED TO KNOW" IS A PRODUCTION
OF WXXI NEWS AND PUBLIC
AFFAIRS, COVERING ISSUES,
POLITICS, EDUCATION AND
CURRENT EVENTS.
>> "NEED TO KNOW" IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE DAISY MARQUIS
JONES FOUNDATION, BY DORSCHEL
LEXUS, AND THROUGH THE SUPPORT
OF VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
>> Gary Walker: THANK YOU FOR
JOINING US.
I'M GARY WALKER.
NEW YORK WILL LOSE TWO
CONGRESSIONAL SEATS THANKS TO
A DECLINING POPULATION AS
REPRESENTED BY THE 2000CENSUS.
TO ACCOMMODATE THAT SHIFT, A
FEDERAL COURT AND STATE
LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN WORKING
TO REDRAW DISTRICT LINES.
HOWEVER, THE PROCESS IS NOT
WITHOUT POLITICAL WRANGLING.
ALBANY HAS AGREED ON A
CONTROVERSIAL PLAN, WITH
PLENTY OF HELP FROM
WASHINGTON, AND IT COULD MEAN
THE ROCHESTER AREA WILL BE CUT
UP BETWEEN SYRACUSE AND
BUFFALO.
AREA DEMOCRATS, ESPECIALLY
CONGRESSWOMAN LOUISE
SLAUGHTER, HAVE BEEN
VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO ANY SUCH
PLAN.
JOINING US NOW IN STUDIO TO
DISCUSS WHAT COMES NEXT IS
WXXI-AM 1370'S BOB SMITH.
HI, BOB.
>> Bob Smith: HI.
THIS IS A STRANGE DISTRICT
THAT THEY HAVE COME UP WITHFOR THE 28th, TO REPLACE THE
ONE THAT IS NOW LARGELY
A CONTIGUOUS MONROE COUNTY
DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY LOUISE
SLAUGHTER.
WHAT YOU HAVE NOW IS ALMOST
LIKE A DROOPING, MELTING,
MISSHAPEN BARBELL WITH THE TWO
WEIGHTS REPRESENTING THE CITY
OF ROCHESTER AND THE CITY OF
BUFFALO.
>> Gary Walker: I HAVE HEARD
IT DESCRIBED AS LIKE A
TELEPHONE OR A PAIR OF
HEADPHONES.
IT FOLLOWS A LITTLE, THIN BAND
UP ALONG LAKE ONTARIO,
DROPPING DOWN INTO NIAGARA AND
ERIE COUNTY AND DROPPING DOWN
INTO THE CITY.
SO WHAT THEY'RE BASICALLY
SAYING IS THAT GRAND ISLAND IS
CONTIGUOUS AND HAS THE SAME
CONCERNS AS PENFIELD.
>> Bob Smith: WHICH IS GOING
TO BE A TOUGH SELL CERTAINLYFOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN BOTH
METROPOLITAN AREAS, ROCHESTER
AND BUFFALO.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN VERY
CONTROVERSIAL IN TERMS OF
PUBLIC REACTION TO IT,
PEOPLE THINKING, "OH, THEY'RE
SPLITTING US UP.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE AN
INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN HOWEVER MANY
YEARS."
IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME
POTENTIALLY THAT MONROE COUNTY
DIDN'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS WHO WAS RESIDENT
OF THE COUNTY SINCE 1878,
DEPENDING ON WHO EMERGES FROM
THIS PROCESS.
>> Gary Walker: AS I SAID,
THERE WAS A LOT OF HELP FROM
WASHINGTON ON THIS.
>> Bob Smith: SOME SAY IT
ORIGINATED WITH VICE PRESIDENT
DICK CHENEY IN CONJUNCTION
WITH THE REPUBLICANCONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN --
>> Gary Walker: BUT BOTH
PARTIES ARE INVOLVED HERE.
THE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN GUYS
IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WERE ALSO
IN ON THIS, SAYING "LET'S GO
WITH IT."
>> Bob Smith: NITA LOWEY, WHO
IS THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE IN THE
HOUSE, HAS SEEN SOME VIRTUE IN
IT FOR HERSELF IN GETTING A
MORE SAFE DISTRICT, AND
POSSIBLY THE RECONFIGURATION
OF DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE
TO ENHANCE THE DEMOCRATS'
CURRENT DOMINANCE IN THE NEW
YORK STATE DELEGATION.
THE REPUBLICANS THINK THEY
HAVE THE SAME KIND OF
POTENTIAL ADVANTAGE AND CAN
PULL CLOSER TO EVEN WITH
DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE
DELEGATION.
BUT STAKES ARE VERY HIGH
SIMPLY BECAUSE CONTROL OF THEHOUSE HINGES ON A VERY FEW
SEATS, AND EVERYBODY EXPECTS
IT TO GO DOWN TO THE WIRE ON
ELECTION NIGHT.
>> Gary Walker: WELL, IF YOU
LOOK AT IT FROM THE
10,000-FOOT VIEW, YOU HAVE TWO
FAIR FIGHTS -- THERE WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE A DEMOCRATIC
INCUMBENT AGAINST A REPUBLICAN
INCUMBENT, AND NOW YOU'VE GOT
TWO DEMOCRAT INCUMBENTS, JOHN
LaFALCE AND LOUISE SLAUGHTER,
WHO WILL GO AGAINST EACH OTHER
IF THEY BOTH RUN IN THIS
DISTRICT, AND THE TWO
REPUBLICANS DOWNSTATE, WHICH
IS WHAT?
BENJAMIN GILMAN AND SUE KELLY
WILL BE RUNNING AGAINST EACH
OTHER.
SO THAT WAY, BOTH PARTIES CAN
SAY, "OKAY, EACH OF US ARE
GOING TO LOSE A SEAT."
>> Bob Smith: ALTHOUGH GILMAN
IS TALKING VERY SERIOUSLYABOUT CHANGING PARTIES AND
JOINING THE DEMOCRATS.
SO THERE COULD POSSIBLY BE
ANOTHER SHIFT AND COMPLICATION
TO THIS, AND IT ALL MAY NOT
MATTER AT ALL.
>> Gary Walker: YES, WHAT'S
NEXT?
>> Bob Smith: WHAT MAY BE NEXT
IS A COURT CHALLENGE.
LOUISE SLAUGHTER HAS TALKED
ABOUT IT AND OPENLY SAID SHE'S
THINKING ABOUT IT.
THERE'S PRECEDENT FOR IT
HAPPENING.
THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP FOR THE
DELEGATIONS OF GEORGIA AND
NORTH CAROLINA --
>> Gary Walker: EXACTLY.
>> Bob Smith: -- AND DISTRICTS
A LOT LIKE THE 28th, WHICH THE
FEDERAL COURTS KILLED AFTER
THE 1990 REAPPORTIONMENT.
THEY ORDERED MORE CONTIGUOUS
DISTRICTS TO BE CREATED, THE
MAP TO BE CHANGED.>> Gary Walker: RIGHT, AND
BECAUSE OF THAT UNCERTAINTY,
WE CAN BE SURE THAT YOU CAN
LISTEN TO AM 1370 AND LOG ON
TO wxxi.org FOR THE LATEST
DEVELOPMENTS ON THIS STORY,
AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO BOB'S
PROGRAM FROM NOON TO 2 EVERY
DAY ON XXI-1370.
THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE ON
THIS, AND WE'LL LOOK AT IT
NEXT WEEK AS WELL.
NOW, WHILE STATE LEADERS LOOK
TO REDRAW DISTRICT LINES,
LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS ARE
WORKING TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY
IN OFFICE.
THAT INCLUDES KEEPING
THEMSELVES IN THE PUBLIC'S EYE
BY USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO
PAY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT FEATURE
THEMSELVES.
IT'S A PRACTICE THAT HAS
CAUGHT THE EYE OF MANY
POLITICAL WATCHDOG GROUPS WHOFEEL IT CREATES AN UNFAIR
ADVANTAGE FOR AN INCUMBENT
OVER A CHALLENGER BY PROVIDING
VIRTUALLY FREE ADVERTISING
DURING THEIR TIME IN OFFICE.
THEY BELIEVE IT IS A MAJOR
CONTRIBUTOR TO THE STATE'S
HIGH RE-ELECTION RATE.
BUT SUPPORTERS SAY INCUMBENTS
ARE BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE
PUBLIC BY KEEPING THEM
INFORMED OF HOW THEIR
GOVERNMENT IS WORKING FOR
THEM.
NOW LOCALLY, OUR ELECTED
LEADERS ARE TAKING TO THE
AIRWAVES AS WELL, PRINT, AND
THE WORLD WIDE WEB TO REACH
CITIZENS.
"NEED TO KNOW's" MATT CUMMINGS
LOOKS AT HOW THIS AFFECTS
VOTERS AND THE DEMOCRATIC
PROCESS.
>> YOU'RE UNEMPLOYED AND
LOOKING FOR A JOB?
WANT ADDITIONAL TRAINING TOGET A BETTER JOB?
IF YOU'RE IN BUSINESS...
>> Matt Cummings: THE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE IS DOING IT.
SO IS THE COUNTY CLERK.
AND THE GOVERNOR IS THE MASTER
OF IT.
MORE AND MORE GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS ARE KEEPING
THEMSELVES IN THE PUBLIC
SPOTLIGHT BY STARRING IN
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
BUT SHOULD THEY BE?
SOME SAY IT'S DONE WITH AN EYE
TOWARD ELECTION SEASON, WITH
TAXPAYERS' PICKING UP THE TAG.
>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT SELLING
INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC;
IT'S ABOUT SELLING THE
INCUMBENT TO THE PUBLIC.
SO YOU HAVE THIS PERIOD OF
TIME WHERE ELECTED OFFICIALS
ARE USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO
PROMOTE THEMSELVES PRIOR TO AN
ELECTION SO THE PUBLIC VIEWS
THAT ELECTED OFFICIAL IN APOSITIVE WAY.
>> Matt Cummings: BLAIR HORNER
WORKS FOR THE NEW YORK PUBLIC
INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP.
HE SAYS THAT USE OF PUBLIC
MONEY BY INCUMBENTS CREATES AN
UNFAIR PLAYING FIELD AGAINST
ANY CHALLENGERS.
>> INCUMBENTS CLEARLY WANT TO
USE THIS MONEY TO PROMOTE
THEMSELVES ON TELEVISION, ON
THE WORLD WIDE WEB, ON
BILLBOARDS AND MAILINGS.
THEY WANT TO SPEND YOUR TAX
DOLLARS TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT
WORKS.
99% OF INCUMBENTS GET
RE-ELECTED.
AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE
OLD SOVIET UNION IN TERMS OF
RE-ELECTION RATES.
IT'S HARD TO HAVE REAL
COMPETITION WHEN THE INCUMBENT
CAN USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR
MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE IN
ELECTED OFFICE TO PROMOTETHEMSELVES, AND THEN RIGHT
BEFORE THE ELECTION USE THEIR
ALREADY ENORMOUS FUND-RAISING
ADVANTAGES TO BURY THEIR
OPPONENTS GOING INTO THE
GENERAL.
>> JOBS IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE
FACING ALL OF US.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE CREATED THE
JOBS FIRST PROGRAM.
JOBS FIRST HELPS CONNECT
WORKERS WITH SKILLS, TRAINING
AND ULTIMATELY A JOB.
IT HELPS EMPLOYERS STAY IN
BUSINESS AND EVEN EXPAND.
>> Matt Cummings: MONROE
COUNTY G.O.P. CHAIRMAN STEVE
MINARIK SAYS IT'S LOGICAL TO
SEE ELECTED OFFICIALS
ADVERTISING PUBLIC PROGRAMS.
>> THERE'S NO GREATER
COMMUNICATOR OF A PUBLIC
MESSAGE PERTAINING TO -- I
DON'T CARE IF IT'S TOURISM OR
JOBS OR HEALTH CARE OR
SERVICES IN THE CLERK'SOFFICE.
THERE'S NO GREATER
COMMUNICATOR OF THAT MESSAGE,
PUBLIC MESSAGE, THAN THE
INDIVIDUAL WHO REPRESENTS THAT
AREA.
>> Matt Cummings: HORNER SAYS
INCUMBENTS KNOW THAT THE
GOLDEN RULE OF POLITICS IS TO
GET RE-ELECTED BY ANY MEANS
AVAILABLE BUT HE SAYS USING
PUBLIC MONEY TO FURTHER THAT
CAUSE HURTS THE PEOPLE THEY
REPRESENT.
>> THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS
ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY WE
DON'T HAVE COMPETITIVE
ELECTIONS IN NEW YORK, AND
IT'S THE LACK OF COMPETITIVE
ELECTIONS THAT CAUSES PROBLEMS
IN TERMS OF SKEWED PUBLIC
POLICY AND THE FACT THAT THE
PUBLIC GETS INCREASINGLY
TURNED OFF TO THEIR OWN
DEMOCRACY.
THE LIFEBLOOD OF AMERICANDEMOCRACY IS COMPETITION IN
ELECTIONS, THE CLASH OF IDEAS
BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE
THAT HELP DRIVE PUBLIC
INTEREST IN ELECTIONS AND HELP
SHAPE THE POLICIES OF SOME
FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS.
>> Matt Cummings: AND WHO IS
THE MOST ACTIVE SELF-PROMOTER
IN ALL OF NEW YORK STATE
POLITICS?
ACCORDING TO HORNER, IT'S
GOVERNOR GEORGE PATAKI, WHO
HAS COME UNDER SHARP CRITICISM
FROM STATE COMPTROLLER AND
DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL
CANDIDATE CARL McCALL, WHO
CLAIMS PATAKI HAS SPENT TENS
OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR
VARIOUS ADS FEATURING HIMSELF.
>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT NEW YORK
STATE'S WEB SITE, THERE'S KIND
OF A POP-UP PATAKI EVERY TIME
YOU CLICK ON THE OPENING PART
OF THE STATE WEB PAGE.
AS SOON AS YOU GO TOstate.ny.us, THE GOVERNOR'S
FACE POPS UP.
THERE'S NOT EVEN A MENTION OF
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
>> DELIVERING GOVERNMENT
SERVICES TO YOU, ENHANCING
CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE, OUR
MOBILE SERVICE VISITS TWO
TOWNS A DAY FIVE DAYS A WEEK,
ONE ON THE COUNTY'S EAST SIDE
AND ONE ON THE WEST...
>> Matt Cummings: NO ONE WOULD
EVER SAY POLITICS IS FAIR, AND
BESIDES, EVERY INCUMBENT WAS
ONCE A CHALLENGER WHO BEAT THE
ODDS.
BUT IF THIS PRACTICE REALLY
GIVES INCUMBENTS THAT MUCH OF
AN ADVANTAGE, WHAT'S THE
ANSWER?
>> IF INCUMBENTS REALLY WANT
TO USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR
THEIR OWN RE-ELECTION EFFORTS,
THEY SHOULD LET CHALLENGERS
HAVE IT, TOO, AND HAVE PUBLIC
FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.AT LEAST THEN WE WOULD HAVE A
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, OR
SOMETHING CLOSE TO IT, AND WE
COULD REALLY HAVE A REAL
DEBATE OVER THE ISSUES.
>> Matt Cummings: MINARIK SAYS
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
>> LET'S SAY SOMEONE HAS A
PROBLEM WITH SOCIAL SECURITY
AND THEY GO TO AN ELECTED
OFFICIAL HERE AND THAT ELECTED
OFFICIAL THEN SENDS OUT A
RESPONSE THAT HAPPENS TO BE A
MONTH BEFORE THE ELECTION.
WELL, ISN'T THAT A CAMPAIGN
PIECE, TOO?
SO HOW DO YOU MEASURE THAT IN
THE ALLOCATION OF DOLLARS, USE
OF PUBLIC DOLLARS?
I THINK, YOU KNOW,
TAXPAYER-FINANCED CAMPAIGNS,
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, WOULD BE
A TREMENDOUS WASTE OF TAXPAYER
DOLLARS, ESPECIALLY IN AN
ENVIRONMENT WHERE GOVERNMENTRESOURCES ARE SCARCE, LIKE WE
ARE IN NOW.
>> Matt Cummings: SO IS ANY
CHALLENGE TO AN INCUMBENT
DOOMED TO FAILURE?
MINARIK SAYS NO.
>> IF YOU HAVE A GOOD
CANDIDATE, IF YOU HAVE AMPLE
RESOURCES, IF YOU ARE A
DISCIPLINED CAMPAIGNER WITH A
DISCIPLINED CAMPAIGN MESSAGE
AND YOU HAVE THE ISSUES
AGAINST THE OTHER PERSON,
YOU'RE GOING TO WIN.
I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE THE
INCUMBENT OR NOT; YOU'RE GOING
TO WIN.
(Music)
>> Gary Walker: OKAY.
WELCOME.
LET ME FIRST SAY THAT WE DID
ASK -- INVITE MONROE COUNTY
LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY LEADER BILL SMITH,
WHO HAS SOME LEGISLATION IN
ALONG THESE LINES, TO JOIN US.HE COULD NOT, NOR COULD ANY
REPUBLICAN IN THE COUNTY
LEGISLATURE, TO SPEAK ABOUT
THE LEGISLATION THAT WE WOULD
LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.
THEIR VIEWPOINTS WILL BE
MISSED.
I'LL DO MY BEST.
FIRST OF ALL, BOTH OF YOU
GENTLEMEN, YOU HEARD THE
VIEWPOINT OF THE TAXPAYER ADS
ARE NO LOCK ON GETTING
RE-ELECTED.
TOM PROIETTI, YOU TEACH
COMMUNICATIONS AT M.C.C.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> I DON'T THINK THEY'RE A
LOCK.
IF THEY WERE A LOCK, THEN
EVERY INCUMBENT WOULD BE
RE-ELECTED OVER AND OVER
AGAIN.
INCUMBENCY IS NOT NECESSARILY
A GUARANTEE OF RE-ELECTION.
JAY CAN PROBABLY SPEAK TO
THAT.BUT ALSO --
>> Gary Walker: IT'S IN THE
99% PERCENTILE, THOUGH.
>> AND THAT'S PROBABLY AN
INDICATION THAT THE PERSON IS
DOING A FAIRLY GOOD JOB.
I'M NOT QUITE SURE THAT THE
PUBLIC IS ALL THAT DUMB WHEN
IT COMES TO ELECTING AND
RE-ELECTING THEIR OFFICIALS.
SO I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHERE I
SIT ENTIRELY ON THIS ISSUE,
BUT WE'LL GET INTO THAT.
>> Gary Walker: LET ME ASK YOU
THIS, THOUGH: THE ADS
THEMSELVES, OVER -- GOVERNOR
PATAKI'S HAD WHAT? MAYBE 150
MILLION, SO THEY SAY, OVER THE
LAST FOUR YEARS OF AIRTIME, ON
WHATEVER ISSUE: TOURISM,
CHILD HEALTH CARE, ET CETERA,
ET CETERA.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE WITH JOBS
FIRST, WITH TEENAGE
ABSTINENCE, AIRPORT ADS...
ARE THEY OF VALUE TO THATPOLITICIAN?
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.
IF I WERE A COMMUNICATION
STRATEGIST FOR ANY PERSON, ANY
ELECTED OFFICIAL AND HAD
ACCESS TO THE AIRWAVES THE WAY
THESE FOLKS DO AND PRINT MEDIA
-- EVEN THE SIGNS THAT GO UP
ALONG THE ROAD THAT SAY THE
THRUWAY IS BEING REBUILT
THANKS TO GEORGE PATAKI,
IF I WERE A COMMUNICATION
STRATEGIST WORKING FOR THAT
PERSON, I WOULD BE ECSTATIC.
IT'S A BRILLIANT STRATEGY ON
THEIR PART, AND IT'S ONE
THAT'S BEEN USED FOREVER.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE -- IT GOES
BACK TO THAT ORIGINAL NOTION,
TO THE VICTOR BELONG THE
SPOILS.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF THE
SPOILS SYSTEM.
IF WE WANTED TO ELIMINATE JUST
THE ADVERTISING, I THINK WE
WOULD BE PRACTICING AN ACT OFCENSORSHIP THAT IS PROBABLY
DANGEROUS.
I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT ALL
COMMUNICATION FORMS THAT
INCUMBENTS USE, INCLUDING
HIRING PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS,
COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS
AROUND THEM, P.R. PEOPLE.
YOU KNOW HOW MANY PRESS
RELEASES YOU GET EVERY DAY.
SO I JUST WONDER WHERE WE DRAW
THE LINE -- WHY DO WE DRAW THE
LINE AT ADVERTISING AND NOT
DRAW THE LINE AT SOME OTHER
MORE INSIDIOUS FORM?
>> Gary Walker: LET'S TURN TO
JAY RICCI.
HE IS A MONROE COUNTY
LEGISLATOR, A DEMOCRAT
REPRESENTING THE 17th
DISTRICT, IRONDEQUOIT.
THE DEMOCRATIC MINORITY HAS
BEEN OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE
PRACTICE OF THE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNTY CLERK
HEARING THAT PUBLIC-PAID-FORAD.
WHAT'S THE BEEF?
>> THE REAL ISSUE ISN'T THAT
THEY'RE IN THE ADS, GARY.
THE ISSUE IS THAT THEY'RE
USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO FUND
IT.
THESE ADS COME ACROSS AS
PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGES, AND A
LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF PUBLIC
SERVICE MESSAGES AS SOMETHING
THAT ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
IN FACT, THE ADS COST A LOT OF
MONEY.
GEORGE PATAKI, YOU MENTIONED
$150 MILLION.
WE JUST PASSED $110,000 FOR
THE COUNTY CLERK TO ADVERTISE
SERVICES THAT DON'T
NECESSARILY NEED TO BE
ADVERTISED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SO WHAT'S THE REAL END GAME OF
THESE ADS?
THE END GAME MAY OR MAY NOT BE
TO PROMOTE WHATEVER SERVICES
THEY'RE PROMOTING, BUT THE ENDGAME CERTAINLY IS, AS HAS BEEN
SAID, THAT THE POLITICIAN
THAT'S IN THE AD CERTAINLY
BENEFITS.
>> Gary Walker: LET ME PLAY
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE HERE.
NOW, STEVE MINARIK MADE A
CASE, AND I THINK MADE A
STRONG CASE, SAYING, "LOOK,
LEADERS ARE LEADERS.
THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO SELL THEIR
PROGRAMS AND IDEAS.
WHY SHOULD THEY GO TO A THIRD
PARTY TO SELL WHAT IS THEIR
IDEAS, THEIR PROGRAMS, THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICES THAT THEY
REPRESENT?
THEY ARE THEIR OWN BEST
SPOKESPEOPLE."
SO WHY ISN'T IT APPROPRIATE
THAT THEY DO THAT?
>> WELL, EVERYONE THINKS THAT
THEY'RE DAVE THOMAS OF
WENDY'S, AND, YOU KNOW -- GOD
BLESS HIS SOUL -- HE DID A
GREAT JOB WITH PROMOTINGWENDY'S.
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER
C.E.O.'s IN COMPANIES, THEY
USE PUBLIC SPOKESPEOPLE.
I NEVER SAW A JACK WELSH DO AN
AD FOR G.E., YET HE'S PROBABLY
ONE OF THE BEST C.E.O.s IN THE
COUNTRY OVER THE LAST 20
YEARS.
SO YOU CAN SAY THAT THERE IS
SOME BENEFIT TO HAVING THE
HEAD OF AN ORGANIZATION DO
THAT, BUT THE FACT IS THAT
THERE'S SO MUCH INHERENT
BENEFIT IN THEM BEING ON TV
WITH RESPECT TO FACE TIME,
WITH RESPECT TO NAME
RECOGNITION, THAT I WONDER HOW
MANY OF THESE ADS WOULD EVEN
TAKE PLACE IF WE SAID, "WE'LL
PROMOTE THIS, BUT YOU CAN'T BE
IN IT."
THAT'S ONE OF MY BIG THINGS.
I THINK THAT IF THE INCENTIVE
IS NOT THERE FOR THE INCUMBENT
TO BE IN THE ADS, DOES ITACTUALLY LOWER TAXPAYER
DOLLARS THAT ARE SPENT ON
THESE ADS AND THUS SAVE US
SOME TAX MONEY?
>> Gary Walker: A BIG, WIDE
SMILE ON TOM PROIETTI'S FACE
HERE.
(Chuckling)
>> I'M LAUGH -- I'M WONDERING
ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE WE DRAW
THE LINE BECAUSE SO MUCH MONEY
IS SPENT ON COMMUNICATION
EFFORTS, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC
RELATIONS, PRESS RELEASES,
WHATEVER, AND WE SEEM TO BE
ATTACKING THE FOLKS WHO JUST
WANT TO GET THEIR MUGS ON
SCREEN.
I THINK GARY SAID IT WELL,
"IT'S ME PLAYING THE DEVIL'S
ADVOCATE," WHICH I'M DOING AS
WELL, AND I THINK BOTH OF THE
BILLS THAT ARE BEING
CONSIDERED HERE ARE REALLY
INSIDIOUS AND DANGEROUS FORMS
OF CENSORSHIP.
>> Gary Walker: WELL, LET'S
TALK ABOUT THAT.
THE ONE BILL IS BEING
SPONSORED BY Mr. RICCI.
YOU ARE ASKING FOR A
TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE OF
THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE BEFORE
ADVERTISING DOLLARS ARE SPENT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE WANT TO
TOTALLY CUT OFF ADVERTISING.
I THINK THERE MAY ACTUALLY BE
SOME USES FOR IT, TO USE MAYBE
THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OR
SOMEONE IN THE ELECTED -- THE
ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THAT.
BUT IF IT'S SUCH A GOOD IDEA
TO DO IT, LET'S PUT IT TO THE
TEST IN THE LEGISLATURE AND
SAY IT'S THE SAME AS A PUBLIC
WORKS PROJECT, WHERE YOU'RE
GOING TO GET CAPITAL MONEY FOR
IT, AND IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO
WITHSTAND THE TEST IF IT'S IN
FACT THAT WORTHWHILE.
AN EXAMPLE I THINK OF IS MONROE COUNTY IS A GREAT PLACE
TO DO BUSINESS, SAY, IN THE
AREA OF MICROELECTRONICS.
IF WE WANT TO ADVERTISE FOR
GETTING PEOPLE TO MOVE THEIR
BUSINESSES IN
MICROELECTRONICS, YOU WANT TO
ADVERTISE MAYBE IN THE NORTH
CAROLINA AREA.
IF JACK DOYLE WANTS TO BE IN
AN AD IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE
COUNTY GETS THE BENEFIT OF THE
PEOPLE BEING DOWN THERE AND
GETTING THE BUSINESS --
>> Gary Walker: AND THEY CAN'T
VOTE FOR HIM DOWN THERE.
>> -- AND THEY CAN'T VOTE FOR
HIM DOWN THERE.
>> Gary Walker: WE ONLY HAVE A
COUPLE OF MINUTES.
LET ME GET TO THIS: YOUR
COUNTERPARTS, REPUBLICANS IN
THE MONROE COUNTY
LEGISLATURE, HAVE LEGISLATION
THAT SAY, "OKAY, WE'LL STOP
INCUMBENTS FROM BEING IN TAXPAYER-PAID-FOR ADS FOUR
MONTHS OUTSIDE OF AN
ELECTION."
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?
>> THAT MEANS THAT 44 OUT OF
48 MONTHS THEY'RE IN OFFICE IN
A FOUR-YEAR TERM, THEY CAN USE
TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PROMOTE
THEMSELVES.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK
ABOUT THE CONTINUAL CAMPAIGN
NOW, WHERE YOU'RE BASICALLY
ALWAYS CAMPAIGNING.
CERTAINLY IN A TWO-YEAR
OFFICE, THAT HAPPENS ALL THE
TIME.
FOUR-YEAR OFFICE, IT'S
HAPPENING, TOO.
I THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENS IS
THAT WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY
THAT IS BEING RAISED RIGHT NOW
FOR THESE ADS -- FOR
CAMPAIGNS, YOU CAN STOP THE
FOUR MONTHS BEFOREHAND, OR
THREE-AND-A-HALF MONTHS
BEFORE, AND YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO JUST PICK IT RIGHT
UP.
SO IT'S CONTINUOUS
ADVERTISING.
YOU NEVER SEE -- YOU ALWAYS
SEE THE ADVERTISING THAT'S
DONE --
>> Gary Walker: LET ME TURN TO
TOM PROIETTI QUICKLY.
DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE THAT THE
SAME KIND OF GRAPHICS AND FEEL
FOR, SAY, A JOBS FIRST AD
COULD LOOK LIKE A CAMPAIGN AD?
>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO.
BUT I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY,
THESE TWO BILLS, NEITHER OF
THEM WOULD PROBABLY STAND UP
IN COURT.
I THINK THEY'RE BOTH
VIOLATIONS OF THE FIRST
AMENDMENT INHERENTLY.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT --
>> Gary Walker: HAVING
LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL OVER
EXPENDITURES?
WHY WOULD THAT BE --
>>
WELL, IT'S NOT JUST
APPROVAL OVER EXPENDITURES.
IT'S APPROVAL OVER ACCESS TO
AIRWAVES SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU'RE
IN OFFICE.
>> Gary Walker: AND CONTENT,
RIGHT?
>> BUT WE'RE NOT SAYING -- ONE
THING IS WE'RE NOT SAYING THAT
YOU CAN'T BE ON TV.
WE'RE SAYING IF YOU WANT TO
SPEND YOUR POLITICAL ACTION
COMMITTEE FUNDS TO BE ON TV,
GO WILD!
JUST DON'T DO IT WITH TAXPAYER
DOLLARS.
>> Gary Walker: OKAY.
QUICKLY, YOUR LEGISLATION HAS
BEEN TABLED BY THE MAJORITY
AND THE SMITH LEGISLATION WILL
BE GOING ON NEXT WEEK.
>> THE SMITH LEGISLATION WILL
BE IN NEXT WEEK.
I IMAGINE WE'RE GOING TO BE
PROPOSING SEVERAL AMENDMENTS
TO IT SO THAT IT WILL AT LEASTLENGTHEN, IF NOT DO MORE OF
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
>> Gary Walker: IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE IF IT
PASSES COURT MUSTER.
THANK YOU, TOM PROIETTI; THANK
YOU, JAY RICCI FOR JOINING US.
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE
FOR THIS PART OF THE
DISCUSSION.
NOW, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
ELECTED OFFICIALS USING TAX
DOLLARS TO FINANCE THEIR OWN
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT,
LOG ON TO OUR WEB SITE,
wxxi.org/ntk.
WHILE YOU ARE THERE, YOU CAN
ALSO TAKE PART IN OUR WEEKLY
INTERNET POLL.
AND FOR COMPREHENSIVE DAILY
COVERAGE OF STATE ISSUES AND
NEWS, IT'S NYcitizens.org.
NOW
IT'S TIME FOR THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "THE BUSINESS
SECTION" WITH THE "THE
DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE."
(Music)
JOINING US NOW IN STUDIO IS
ELLEN ROSEN, EDITOR OF THE
BUSINESS SECTION OF THE
"DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE."
ELLEN, THANKS FOR JOINING US.
>> Ellen Rosen: THANKS, GARY.
>> Gary Walker: WE HEAR A LOT
OF TALK ABOUT OUR ECONOMY
BEING KIND OF, YOU KNOW,
UNSTEADY.
YOU WOULDN'T KNOW THAT IF YOU
WENT HOUSE SHOPPING.
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS,
PARTICULARLY IN THE CITY,
HOUSES SELL BEFORE THEY EVEN
HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
>> Ellen Rosen: WELL, YOU
KNOW, HOUSES -- ACTUALLY, THE
NUMBERS JUST CAME OUT TODAY,
THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS.
HOME SALES IN THE
ELEVEN-COUNTY AREA ARE ON PACE
TO BREAK RECORD NUMBERS, AND
THEY'RE UP SOMETHING LIKE 13%IN THE CITY.
BUT THAT'S AN INTERESTING
POINT YOU MAKE BECAUSE IT
COULD INDEED BE AN ECONOMIC
ISSUE BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT A
LOT OF HOUSES ON THE MARKET;
SOME PEOPLE MAY BE SITTING ON
THEIR HOUSES, AFRAID TO MOVE
OR BUY UP, WHICH IS THE
TRADITIONAL WAY THAT HOUSES
BECOME OPEN, EITHER PEOPLE
LEAVE THE COMMUNITY OR THEY
BUY UP INTO A BIGGER, BETTER
HOME, BUT THEY'RE AFRAID TO DO
THAT NOW BECAUSE OF CURRENT
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING
TOMORROW, IN TOMORROW'S
NEWSPAPER, A LITTLE MORE INTO
WHY THAT IS AND HOW THIS ALL
CAME TO BE AND WHERE THIS IS
HAPPENING.
>> Gary Walker: I THINK
PARTICULARLY A LOT OF PEOPLE
GOING FOR THAT REALLY NICE
FIRST HOME ARE HAVING A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY DOING IT.
AS LOATHE AS I AM TO TALK
ABOUT THE WEATHER, WE HAVE TO
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE
WEATHER.
IT'S BEEN RAINING; IT'S BEEN
COLD; IT'S BEEN -- WHAT'S THE
TECHNICAL TERM FOR IT?
JUST ROTTEN.
IS THAT AFFECTING BUSINESS AT
ALL?
>> Ellen Rosen: WELL, WE TEND
TO THINK IT JUST MAKES US
PERSONALLY MISERABLE, BUT IT
IS AFFECTING CERTAIN
BUSINESSES THAT REALLY RELY ON
THE SEASONAL NATURE: GARDEN
STORES, LANDSCAPERS, THE POOL
GUYS.
ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE REALLY
FEELING A HIT.
THEY HAD SUCH A COLD, RAINY,
NASTY MAY, WHICH IS TYPICALLY
WHEN THEY GET THEIR BUSINESS
REALLY ROLLING, THAT THEY HAD
TOLD US THAT THESE NEXT COUPLEOF WEEKENDS ARE LIKE
MAKE-OR-BREAK FOR SOME OF
THESE BUSINESSES BECAUSE
THEY'RE SO BEHIND IN THINGS.
>> Gary Walker: MAKE-OR-BREAK?
THAT'S A LITTLE DIRE --
>> Ellen Rosen: YEAH, AND THEN
NOT ONLY THAT -- WELL, IT'S
REALLY MAKE-OR-BREAK FOR SOME
OF THE FARMERS, WHO REALLY
HAVEN'T -- THEY SAY THE LAST
GOOD YEAR FOR FARMERS HERE
WEATHERWISE WAS IN 1996, WHICH
IS A LONG TIME FOR FARMERS TO
GO.
BASICALLY, WE HAVE ALREADY
SEEN DAMAGE TO THE APPLE CROP,
THE CHERRY CROP.
THE STRAWBERRY CROP IS GOING
TO BE DELAYED AND PROBABLY
SMALLER.
NOW WE'RE HEARING THIS WEEK
THAT THE CORN AND SOYBEAN CROP
IS GOING TO BE REALLY HURT.
NEW YORK STATE IS THE SECOND
LARGEST PRODUCER OF FIELD CORN IN THE NATION, AND OUR AREA
HERE PRODUCES LIKE A THIRD OF
THE STATE'S CORN, AND THE
FARMERS HERE LOCALLY HAVE
ALREADY LOST $5 MILLION, AND
THEY SAY IF THE WEATHER
DOESN'T PICK UP BY THIS
WEEKEND, THEY COULD LOSE
ANOTHER 5, SO A TOTAL $10
MILLION LOSS.
>> Gary Walker: A BIG LOSS.
I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE
REALIZE JUST HOW BIG
AGRICULTURE IS IN OUR COUNTY,
IN THIS AREA.
>> Ellen Rosen: AGRICULTURE IS
A VERY BIG BUSINESS HERE, AND
FARMERS REALLY ARE AT THE
MERCY OF THE WEATHER BECAUSE
WHAT THEY MAKE THIS YEAR THEN
DETERMINES HOW BIG A CROP THEY
CAN PLANT NEXT YEAR AND HOW
THEY CAN KEEP THINGS GOING.
>> Gary Walker: A BIG SWITCH
IN TOPICS:
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RELOOKING INTO -- WELL, C.E.O.
SALARIES IS GOING TO BE HIGH
ON YOUR LIST OF THINGS YOU'RE
LOOKING INTO?
>> Ellen Rosen: YES.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT FOR THIS
SUNDAY'S "BUSINESS WEEK."
WE'VE DONE A STORY; WE'VE
LOOKED AT 17 C.E.O.s, THE
HIGHEST-PAID EXECUTIVES
ACTUALLY, OF 17 COMPANIES THAT
ARE EITHER LOCALLY BASED OR
HAVE LOCAL OPERATIONS, AND WE
TOOK THEIR 2000 SALARIES AND
COMPARED THEM TO THEIR 2001
SALARIES, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT
SALARY PLUS BONUS, STOCK
OPTIONS AND OTHER THINGS, AND
WE COMPARED ACTUALLY WHAT THEY
TOOK HOME TO REALLY WHAT THEIR
SHAREHOLDERS TOOK HOME.
AND IT'S SURPRISING, IN SOME
CASES; SOME OF THESE GUYS GOT
A BIG RAISE AND THEIR
SHAREHOLDERS SAW REALLY BIG
LOSSES.SOME ARE ACTUALLY MUCH MORE IN
LINE AND YOU WOULD PROBABLY BE
SURPRISED AT WHO THE NUMBER
ONE C.E.O. IS.
AND YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL
SUNDAY TO FIND OUT WHO THE
HIGHEST-PAID C.E.O. IN THE
AREA IS.
>> Gary Walker: AND WE'LL DO
THAT.
IS THERE A TREND?
IS THE TREND THAT C.E.O.
SALARIES ARE UP, FROM THE 17
YOU LOOKED AT OR IS IT --
>> Ellen Rosen: YES, PRETTY
MUCH EVERYBODY'S SALARY WAS
UP.
SOME COMPANIES DECIDED TO PAY
LESS OF A BONUS BECAUSE
COMPANIES DIDN'T MEET
EXPECTATIONS.
TRADITIONALLY THOSE BONUSES
ARE TIED TO WHETHER YOU MEET
YOUR GOALS.
ACTUALLY, WE HAD A NUMBER OF
C.E.O.s THAT WERE FIRED OR LEFT IN THE LAST YEAR, SO
THERE'S SOME REFLECTION OF
THAT.
STOCK OPTIONS IS REALLY THE
BIG, CONTROVERSIAL ONE.
THAT'S A WAY THAT COMPANIES
REALLY REWARD THESE GUYS, TO
GIVE THEM OPTIONS, WHICH IS A
PRIVILEGE BUT NOT AN
OBLIGATION, TO CASH SOME
SHARES AT A CERTAIN DATE AT A
CERTAIN PRICE, AND THAT'S
REALLY COMING INTO -- CONGRESS
IS SCRUTINIZING THAT NOW AS TO
HOW AND WHEN THE COMPANIES
REPORT THOSE ON THEIR BOOKS
AND WHAT THAT MEANS.
>> Gary Walker: GREAT.
WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT ON
SUNDAY IN THE "DEMOCRAT AND
CHRONICLE."
THANK YOU, ELLEN.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
AND
NOW, THE INTERNATIONAL
JAZZ FESTIVAL IS WINDING UP
THIS WEEK.AND WHILE IT'S THE FIRST YEAR
FOR THE JAZZ FESTIVAL IN
ROCHESTER, THERE'S A LOCAL
ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN
PROMOTING MUSIC AND MUSIC
EDUCATION SINCE 1994.
IT'S CALLED THE COMMISSION
PROJECT, COMMISSIONING
ORIGINAL MUSIC AND SPONSORING
ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS
AT LOCAL SCHOOLS.
EACH YEAR IN ROCHESTER, THE
COMMISSION PROJECT PRODUCES
SWING 'N' JAZZ, A WEEKEND OF
EVENTS, INCLUDING HANDS-ON
WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS WHO WORK
WITH ACCLAIMED JAZZ MUSICIANS.
THIS YEAR'S WORKSHOP TOOK
PLACE AT FIVE VENUES IN THE
ROCHESTER AREA.
WXXI-AM'S ALEX CRICHTON HAS A
LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
BUDDING ARTISTS MEET
EXPERIENCED MENTORS.
>> WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
>> JERRELL.
>> THIS IS JERRELL.
SMILE FOR THE CAMERA!
(Laughter)
SAY "HI, MOM."
>> HI, MOM.
(Laughter)
>> Alex Crichton: BEING ON TV
IS ONLY ONE REASON JERRELL IS
NERVOUS.
THIS MIDDLE SCHOOL TRUMPET
PLAYER IS GETTING A LESSON
FROM A FORMIDABLE TEACHER,
FAMOUS JAZZ TRUMPETER JON
FADDIS.
>> YOU GOT IT.
YOU GOT IT.
YOU DID IT BEFORE.
>> Alex Crichton: FADDIS AND
OTHER MUSICIANS ARE GIVING
SOME OF THEIR TIME TO SCHOOL
KIDS, YOUNGSTERS WHO PLAY JAZZ
AND BLUES, WHO GOT UP EARLY ON
SATURDAY MORNING TO GET SOME
ONE-ON-ONE...
>> ONLY PLAY THOSE NOTES...
>> Alex Crichton: ...WITH THEBEST OF THE BEST.
>> SO HOW MANY OF YOU ARE
FAMILIAR WITH ERROLL GARNER'S
STYLE?
HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW WHO
THAT --
>> Alex Crichton: FADDIS TAKES
THEM THROUGH IMPROV LESSONS
SESSIONS, JUMPING IN WITH
SHORT LESSONS ABOUT THEIR
SHARED CRAFT AND WITH THE
ALL-IMPORTANT ONE-ON-ONE
GUIDANCE.
>> ...AND ONE CHORUS BY
HERSELF.
YOU JUST TELL HER THE NOTES.
(Music)
THERE YOU GO!
>> IT'S VERY INSPIRING.
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I HAD
OLDER TEACHERS THAT WERE VERY
KIND TO ME, AND FOR ME TO BE
ABLE TO GIVE SOME OF THAT
KINDNESS BACK IS ONE OF THE
REASONS I LIKE IT.
SEEING KIDS GROW AND DEVELOP,THAT'S THE REWARD.
(Music)
>> I LOVE STUFF LIKE THIS.
HEARING PROFESSIONALS AND
GETTING ADVICE FROM THEM AND
BEING ABLE TO PERFORM WITH
THEM, I JUST THINK IT'S A
GREAT EXPERIENCE.
>> I HAVE LEARNED CONFIDENCE
AND HOW TO PLAY WITH A GROUP
AND EVERYTHING, TO RELY ON
OTHER PEOPLE, TO ACTUALLY RELY
ON THEM AND NOT RELY ON A
CONDUCTOR.
IF THERE'S A TIME THAT YOU
MESS UP OR SOMETHING, THERE'S
ALWAYS PEOPLE TO BACK YOU UP.
THEY'RE ALWAYS TOGETHER.
IT'S LIKE A FAMILY.
>> Alex Crichton: FADDIS IS
ONE OF THE HEADLINE PERFORMERS
AT THIS WEEK'S JAZZ FESTIVAL
EVENT.
HE'LL RECEIVE A WARM WELCOME
FROM HIS FANS AND FRIENDS IN
ROCHESTER, SOME OF WHOM HE'SKNOWN FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
THE KIDS APPRECIATE HIM, TOO.
>> YO, THAT WAS WEAK.
THERE WE GO.
ALL RIGHT.
>> BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A
WONDERFUL ATMOSPHERE, YOU
KNOW.
I JUST ENJOY THE MUSIC.
YOU CAN LISTEN TO MUSIC FOR
HOURS, BUT IF YOU LISTEN AND
REALLY GET A FEEL FOR IT, YOU
REALLY START TO ENJOY IT.
>> IT WOULD HELP THIS COUNTRY
SO MUCH, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE
EVENTS OF 9/11, TO HELP BRING
PEOPLE TOGETHER.
PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO
UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF MUSIC,
HOW MUSIC CAN HELP TO HEAL.
(Music)
>> YEAH!
(Applause)
>> Gary Walker: OUR ALICIA
CLAUSSELL, MARTIN KAUFMAN, AND
ELISSA MARRA CONTRIBUTED TOTHAT PIECE.
THE SWING 'N' JAZZ WORKSHOPS
TOOK PLACE LAST WEEKEND.
THE COMMISSION PROJECT IS ALSO
PRODUCING WORKSHOPS FOR JAZZ
FESTIVAL WEEK.
THE WEGMANS/COMMISSION PROJECT
EDUCATIONAL SERIES OFFERS
WORKSHOPS TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO
LEARN AND PERFORM.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE
COMMISSION PROJECT, LOG ON TO
THEIR WEB SITE AT
tcp-music.org OR AT
swingnjazz.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS
AND THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF
"NEED TO KNOW," YOU CAN LOG ON
TO OUR WEB SITE: wxxi.org/ntk.
AND THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR
THIS WEEK.
NEXT WEEK, MORE ON
GERRYMANDERING AND THE
REDISTRICTING OF ROCHESTER.
(Music)