37 Responses to:
NOJAY DESERVES MONROE CONVENTION SUPPORT

# 1. 5/20/04 12:57 AM by Mr. Venom - Rochester NY
Nojay's agenda doesn't seem to be as hidden as much as the others' are. Ain't nothin' like politicians and hidden agendas!

# 2. 5/20/04 6:39 AM by heather c
Personally I REALLY don't like his smarmy, political "shtick" that came across so loud and clear in those bus terminal commercials. But all in all, he remains someone who is a very positive cheerleader for Rochester, which we so desperately need. THAT is what came across loud and clear on the days he subbed for you. Yeah, He's one of the good guys.Passionate, for all the right reasons. Though his image may be too slick, his representation of us would be honest. I just wish politicians in general would stop acting so fake. the Clinton era is over.People don't like politicians acting like used-car salesmen. Sheesh, Even Jim Bakker doesn't act that way anymore!!!

# 3. 5/20/04 6:57 AM
Like we delegates will have a vote... sources tell me that Smith is going to Washington. The leadership has it fixed. See ya tonight.

Editor's Note: shows what i know. of the four, he would be my last choice.

# 4. 5/20/04 7:38 AM - rochester
I still say that if WHAM wouldnt hire you back, they should have hired Nojay to host the big show. He knows the area, he knows how western ny'ers think and what makes us tick and he can pronounce Chili, Charlotte and Leroy.

Editor's Note: i agree completely. if he doesn't get the nomination tonight, wham should hire him tomorrow. it's been too long that the wham middays have been ridiculous.

# 5. 5/20/04 8:02 AM - Webster, NY
I have to disagree with the two comments about Bill Nojay's hosting of the WHAM mid-day show. When he was the host, I couldn't stand the show. Something about his manner, I found incredibly grating and difficult to listen to. WHAM, please don't hire him to be your mid-day host.

# 6. 5/20/04 8:21 AM by Sharon - Chili, NY
I didn't like Nojay when he was doing the commercials on tv. When he hosted on WHAM I enjoyed listening to him. He made sense and he was knowledgeable of the issues. I actually like Joe Pags. But, I would rather have Bob back.

# 7. 5/20/04 8:28 AM by Al Darnitol - Rochester, NY
Rosenberger. 'Aint that some hamburgher joint on the East side?

# 8. 5/20/04 8:28 AM
You conservatives are going down! Look at the mess you have made of America. The country is divided severely because of conservative rabble rousing propaganda that creeps like Nojay support every time he opens his corrupt mouth. The world hates America because of conservatives need to kill for patriotic fever, to rally the base. Rallying cockroaches is all you preening glory hounds are. You make America cry shoving our great flag up our butts every day screaming for more dead heroes.

# 9. 5/20/04 8:34 AM
Nojay on WHAM was so ridiculously biased Republican he was unlistenable. He was a mommys boy who thought he could say any foolish crap he wanted to because WHAM is all GOP all the time. By the way, how does a 50,000 watt radio channel get away with being a 24/7 propaganda tool for one political party. Where's the FCC on that issue?

Editor's Note: wham's local programs are all liberal.

# 10. 5/20/04 8:35 AM by rjs - Rochester, NY
I'm not in any of that groups district. Great, I don't like any of them. In fact, in my district I don't like any of them either. If I think about it, I can't think of any politican I like. We need fresh blood, maybe term limits would help. Of course I think if we had term limits it should be 2 terms then we take them out and shoot them because they would deserve it by then.

# 11. 5/20/04 8:43 AM by Dave - Perinton
One small quibble. I think Geoff Rosenberger has succeeded in business, a field demanding far more accountability than politics, and would have been a big improvement over Loo-eez. To bash someone for their success in a difficult enterprise doesn't make sense to me. Although, yes, he did completely disappear from the political landscape and it's strange he's resurfacing now.

For that matter, Tom Golisano has done much more good for western NY, maybe the state as a whole, than the last 40 or 50 years of governors have.

# 12. 5/20/04 8:51 AM by John - Irondequoit
Looks like Brian Kolb heard your call as well as that of Gov. Pataki and dropped out of the race for Congress and will instead concentrate on retaining his seat in the Assembly.

As for Nojay? Who knows? He talks the talk but only time will tell if he can walk the walk. Personally, I found him irritating as only a pure politician can be.

You criticize Assini and Rosenberger for acting in there own self-interest. Find me a politician that doesn't. (Besides President Bush - if he acted purely in his own self-interest he would let the terrorists continue to attack us like the former President did)

# 13. 5/20/04 8:59 AM
I like Nojay I even liked him as a fill in, as full time he's not the greatest but those fools they were putting in at WHAM we awful.

I don't know who they have now because I NO LONGER LISTEN!

Anyway Nojay seems to be in the right place as far as his politics are concerned.

# 14. 5/20/04 9:02 AM by Kimberly - Rochester
Bob, You got this one all wrong. The problem with Nojay is exactly the reason you endorsed him, he believes in the things the Monroe County Republicans believe in. The Monroe County Republicans are just as spend happy as the liberals, with their own pet projects, happy to raise taxes to pay for things that Rochesterians don't really need or want. Instead of putting that money towards tax breaks that will lure new businesses to the area, they think a new Convention Center will do the trick. Get the businesses and jobs first, then add the extras.

And as for principal over politics, I will never forget his use of taxpayer monies to plaster his face all over every local station three or four times an hour during primetime programming. How much did that cost us?

Editor's Note: you confuse monroe county republicans with the monroe country republican party. i believe the average monroe county republican is someone who believes, with me, in smaller government and freer people. they believe in lower taxes and less regulation. they are true conservatives. the politicians who operate in their name are often money grubbers, but the real people of monroe county are true republicans and true conservatives.

# 15. 5/20/04 9:35 AM by Brian - Greece
Bob,

I don't know any of these guys that well. But I haven't really seen any local stand outs lately. I wish we had been able to hold onto Bob King longer. He did an excellent job as County Executive and I would have liked to have seen him replace Pataki in this last election.

Case in point: Remember when that idiot tom frey turned off the lights? Bob King had the county buy the poles! That will always be a shining example in my mind of the kind of damage that can be done when one dope gets a little bit of power!

I also think we need help nationally. I wasn't happy when we lost Paxon and Molinari but I guess old Bill did it to himself. The time might be right for them to make a comeback. And New York needs lots of help. We need Guiliani to knock billary "PONDSCUM" clinton out of the Senate (where she never belonged anyway) in 2006. And it would be nice to see Nojay topple slaughterhouse louise!

Speaking of the national level - interesting how the commie-libs are so desperate they have to exploit a Republican (John McCain) to gain points in the polls? Shows you how unworthy they are of holding power when their inadequate choice for #1 couldn't get elected without a Republican on the ticket! Obviously nobody in the commie-lib America-hating party is worth electing!

Editor's Note: the congressional seat we're talking about in this column is not the one held by louise slaughter, it is the one being abandoned by amo houghton. bill johnson should replace louise slaughter. paxon and king were exceptional leaders, truly skilled and gifted. the region does have, however, an exceptional congressman in tom reynolds. he's not flashy, but he has built exceptional power in the house. the run of kemp, paxon and reynolds from one district, all rising to such prominence, has been a great blessing to the area.

# 16. 5/20/04 9:43 AM
Nojay isn't immune to backstabbing and politics either. Successful CEO's of transit agencies just don't retire out of the blue.

Editor's Note: amen

# 17. 5/20/04 10:05 AM by Jim Morrison - Churchville, NY
Bob -

Bill Nojay is a "true representative of the values and ideals of Monroe COunty Republicans"? Well, that is the problem! I'm a rather loyal libertarian/conservative hybrid Republican who could have never *imagined* voting for a Democratic candidate until I moved here and came up against the sleazy world of Monroe County Republican politics. Nojay fits right in to all that. He FOREVER soiled himself in my eyes when he burned incredible amounts of taxpayer cash in his shamelessly self-serving bus company ads that ran incessantly for months. The malfeasance Nojay exhibited there made it clear to me he has no business being a steward for the public interest. With the possible exception of "Boss Doyle", I can think of few politicians who have more openly promoted themselves at taxpayer expense. Regardless of the political message his professes (which I generally agree with!), his arrogance and blatant misuse of funds entrusted to him disqualify him in my book. You have to have standards and crooks don't get my vote no matter their politics.

Mark Assini: On several occasions, I have seen this ambitious little weasel arrogantly put down members of the public attending County legislature meetings. Anyone asking this spiteful little twit a question was sure to receive a patronizing reply. One on one without witnesses around he was even worse! Assini was (is?) the head of the Legislature's Transportation Committee which made him the chief dispenser of non-competitive gift contracts to Friends of Doyle. You can't spell Ass without... Mark, go back to Gates and stay there, you rude little twerp. Now that Doyle has retired, you need somebody else's bags to carry and ass to sniff. As you indicate, Bob, I guess that is Tom Cook. Cook is a quasi-conservative who likes to consider himself a kingmaker of sorts, but he doesn't have that much power. You better find another mentor soon, Mark. And oh yeah, one more thing... lose the attitude when you are interacting with one-on-one your constituency. We don't like being patronized and we have elephants' memories.

Kolb - He just called it quits today on request from Pataki. Now, just who is George trying to push? Insight, Bob? It looks like he wants the district to stay in the control of the Southern Tier (through Randy Kuhl). Maybe he isn't too happy with Monroe COunty Republicans, either...

Rosenberger: Like you called it, just the rich guy who couldn't buy his last election against Leftie Louise. Forget it. Neexxxxxxt!

Bill Smith: Interesting... In my view, his backstabbing of Boss DOyle should be considered an asset, perhaps even (maybe...) a statement to his underlying character. Boss Doyle was a self-serving doughboy who spent every coin he could find building monuments to himself and dolling out the construction contracts to do so to his cronies and contributors. 30 year Tobacco shake-down cash payout? It's all gone, securitized by Doyle into year-now cash that he could spend on big scheme projects and loony ideas like a Thruway exit in Chili that no one wanted. So Bill Smith backstabbed him... Good! Doyle mooched every cent he could of out of this county spending like a drunken sailor to reward his friends and get the image of his fat face up all over town. Yes, he "held the line" on Property Taxes, but he taxed the heck out of us elsewhere. At the end of his administration, the bills came in, the cookie jar was empty, and there was no way to "pay the man". Doyle's "solution" was to raise the sales tax yet AGAIN!! Most parts of NY have a 7% sales tax... that's 4% for the state and 3% for the respective county. Well, Monroe County instead of a 3% sales tax has 4%. That's not "a penny", folks, it's a full 33 1/3% higher than surrounding counties and most of the rest of the state. Now, that wasn't good enough for jolly old Boss Doyle. He wanted to shaft us (and Monroe County businesses especially) by raising it another 0.25% to 4.25%... an 8.33% increase over the current county sales tax rate! In the end, Doyle wanted a 4.25% sales tax for the county when most other (except NYC and area) counties get by with much much less. Our sales tax rate (4.25%) would have been 42% higher than most of the rest of the state (3%). Well, these high sales taxes wreck commerce in the county and drive residents to either leave or make a lot of their purchases in surrounding counties. The supposedly "business-friendly" Monroe County Republicans seemed intent on driving business out (or under) merely to pay Doyle's bills and protect his unsullied "no property tax increase" pledge. So Smith stabbed him in the back? Good! Maybe he finally woke up and saw what Doyle, Inc. was doing to the county. I can't say for sure if I will vote for Smith, but I will at least consider him.

Frankly, the Monroe County Republican Machine leaves such a nasty taste in my mouth, I think the seat would probably be better in the hands of somebody removed from their sphere of influence. Maybe Randy Kuhl IS the solution.

Editor's Note: i never post long comments, and i don't agree with your harshness towards doyle nor your benevolent explanation for smith's actions, but this is worth reading.

# 18. 5/20/04 10:28 AM
I am getting damned tired of you not capitalizing the first word of your sentences. Stop calling yourself a capitalist until you correct this flaw.

# 19. 5/20/04 10:36 AM by Jim Morrison - Churchville, NY
Bob -

I'll stand by my indictment of Doyle. As for Smith, I wouldn't say I view him "benevolently". I just do not *penalize* him for finally taking a stand against Boss Doyle. Overall, I do not know enough about Smith to form an overall impression of the gentleman. Like I said, in my closing, maybe Monroe County doesn't deserve control of this seat AT ALL.

Vote Kuhl.

Jim

Editor's Note: that's half of my reasoning, the other half is that, honestly, this is a southern tier seat. between the two, we end up at the same place.

# 20. 5/20/04 10:57 AM by Art - Rochester
Nojay is a political hack.

The man who actually ran the GRTA was Don Riley. And things may got to hell there now that he has retired.

I do not know Mark Assini, but Brian Kolb is a good man. If Mark Assini is a 33% improvement over him, then he has my vote.

And why worry about whether its Kuhl, Nojay or Assini in the 29th? Any of them are a vast improvement over that old hag, Louise in the 28th. Somebody should unseat her. My dog could do a better job.

Editor's Note: kolb is a good man, but not congress caliber. the part i will agree with is your high estimation of don riley. he is a very talented and decent man. it's unfortunate he's not a candidate.

# 21. 5/20/04 11:25 AM by John - Fairport
Bob - A story on your Brian Chontosh column is posted today on Page 1 News of WorldNetDaily - Good job!

Editor's Note: and it was in "stars and stripes" on monday. seems like his hometown paper -- the "democrat and chronicle" -- would write something about him.

# 22. 5/20/04 11:46 AM by Anita Hart - Rochester NY
Bob, I think you got this one way wrong. I know MARK ASSINI personally, he is a great guy as you said, but you misjudged him completely! Mark being a conservative republican got the conservative endorsement because he himself has those values. It is beneath you to assume that Mark would be in ANYONE'S pocket, I know better! I believe in him as not only the best that Monroe County has, but also a person I want to be my congressman.

Editor's Note: if you believe the conservative party of monroe county gives endorsements for any other reason than to advance the personal and political interests of the county chairman you're mentally defective

# 23. 5/20/04 11:46 AM by observer
There are probably a half-dozen candidates - nationwide - who are worthy of election to congress - including the current roster. What I know of the local candidates doesn't qualify any of them for me but it's a personal decision.

It's the perfect occasion for opportunists but as already demonstrated even they will sell out. It's just not a sure enough gamble.

# 24. 5/20/04 12:05 PM by Anita Hart - Rochester NY
well then won't it be wonderful for you to meet a defective mind tonight?! see you at the convention, Bob.

# 25. 5/20/04 12:46 PM by Chris - Holley
Bob, I didn't vote in your poll because your name wasn't there. I think you should be running. :-)

# 26. 5/20/04 1:23 PM by Jim - Rochester
Mark Assini has the best chance to upset Kuhl. He has spent the last year traveling the southern tier and gathering support from Republican committee people. This is a new district and is up for grabs, not only in Monroe but in the southwestern counties that were never in Houghton's old district. His personality makes for a good campaigner. He is a workhorse. Everyone who meets him likes him, even you, Bob, with the exception of the writer above, who might want to try a little Prozac. He might also want to talk to someone who knows how it really is with the Monroe Republicans. The idea that Assini polished Doyle's shoes will draw a big laugh from both of them.

Nojay and Rosenberger, who in their unelected capacities were spared the county tax crisis, will attack Assini tonight for voting for the county tax increase. I think he showed courage and responsibility, and loyalty to the new county executive at his own expense, giving her a chance to get out of a Donnybrook at the start of her term, a term that has begun well. Nojay and Rosenberger have the right to criticize Mark's vote, but I think it only fair that they accompany their criticism with a list of the parks they planned on closing and the jobs and services they planned on eliminating. Mr Nojay might also want to talk about the $250,000 of public funds spent on bus ads starring him when he's done explaining to us his courageous stand against taxes.

Editor's Note: actually, i've spoken to a lot of those folks in the district that assini has spoken to, and he's not making the impression he thinks he is. i don't think anybody south of henrietta thinks assini has a snowball's chance in hell.

# 27. 5/20/04 2:11 PM by Dean - Gates, NY
Thanks for your honesty Bob, it's what we are missing on the air from a local personality. When are you coming back on the air? Bill Nojay would be a way better replacement for you than the "Pags". It's really not very interesting hearing the "have you seen the gas prices lately, what is up with that" crap. We have a local radio show, that can't even discuss the real issues that face our local community. It's watered down, "how about that weather out there" talk show that wouldn't interest even the most boring of people. It's not funny, challenging or thought provoking at all. It doesn't do a darn bit of good or bad, or anything for that matter. Please find a way back to the Rochester airwaves Bob, your show is missed more than you know!!!

Editor's Note: i'll be back in a year and a half.

# 28. 5/20/04 3:40 PM by rob - ny
MIKE ASSINI ROCKS, @#$% NOJAY!!!! + the morman religion is a made up religion. joseph smith was not a prophet, i hope you realize that sir. if i were you i would shoot myself or convert to catholosim quick LOSERR!!! btw good site.

-pro assini fan!!

Editor's Note: it's good to know who has the bigot vote

# 29. 5/20/04 4:23 PM by Carolyn - Canandaigua
RE: Kolb's withdrawal and re-entry for his Assembly seat: not the first time he's pulled a stunt like this. Just look at his political track record: In July 1987, he announced he would not seek relection as Richmond Town Supervisor. Then about a month and half later, Kolb toyed with the idea that he might run again by having one of his henchmen, Henry Klemann, float the idea of Kolb's availability for the job. Then, Kolb said no after a little time went by. People were incensed and he was quoted as saying he received flak from the townspeople that he was playing games. Then, in 1988, he ran for a open seat on the Honeoye School Board (to fill out a unexpired term of a board member who resigned). The term was for 1 year. The following year, he took out petitions to run for a 5-year term. Kolb went ballistic at a school board meeting, lost his temper because parents and teachers questioned budget cuts. Shortly after, he announced he would not run for the seat. He called it "a minefield." As Yogi Berra once said, "It's deja vu all over again!" Tom Fox called Kolb's decision "a cock and bull story." How fitting.

# 30. 5/20/04 4:26 PM by yoko
I'd pay good money to hear you call in to JOe Pag's and test his Nojay Knowledge.

# 31. 5/20/04 4:41 PM by Jerry B - Chili, NY
#28 thinks that "Mike" Assini rocks? Well, crap, let's get him then!! MARK Assini (maybe his brother... I dunno) is an EXTREMELY arrogant little toad with more ambition than he has ability. Bring on some real conservatives with fiscal responsibility. Monroe County is rather bereft of any...

Isn't it time we lose the kickback-peddlers from the Jack Doyle era?

# 32. 5/20/04 4:46 PM - Rochester
Bob,

Nojay is a hack! Don Riley was smart to get out of the transit authority when he did. Someone should look into the connection between Nojay's t.v. ads, Mark Aesch and Steve Minarik. Minarik owns an ad agency. $750,000 to promote the bus terminal? Riley has a strong and honest conviction which probably threatened Minarik. If Rochester had any "real" reporters, they'd have one heck of a story to put together. Whomever the nominee tonight, they won't beat Kuhl (unfortunately)!

# 33. 5/21/04 8:51 AM by Scott - Rochester
To number 28: Rob

I hate people like you. Why do people like you feel the need to attack my religion. I don't attack your religion so please don't attack mine.

Based upon your comment, you appear to be Catholic. I think most Catholic's would be embarrassed by your comments.

Christ said by their fruits you would know his true followers. Based upon the venom your comment contained, I would have to deduce that your fruits are poisonous; therefore, you don't appear to be a true follower of Christ.

Please follow your religion and show good fruits not the rotten ones your comment portrayed.

Thanks,

# 34. 5/21/04 10:24 AM by Dennis
You convinced me.

Editor's Note: but apparently nobody else (smile)

# 35. 5/21/04 1:55 PM by Supporter of Mark Assini - Rochester
I was very happy with the outcome last night and Mark's overwhelming victory. However, there was no pleasure in seeing the men who worked so hard on this campaign lose. Jeff Rosenberger was so gracious; he accepted defeat and stayed right to the end to congratulate Mark. Ditto for Bill Smith. Throughout the campaign, Mark, Jeff, and Bill Smith were classy and of the highest character.

Did something happen to Bill Nojay? After they announced the winner, I didn't see him. Is he OK?

# 36. 5/22/04 12:50 AM by Jim - Rochester
Fortunately for all of monroe county, Bob is wrong...AGAIN! mark Assini's victory is a tribute to his hard work and his integrity. Marks has taken some unpopular positions in the County legislature because he felt it was right for the citizens. He also chose to take on Amo Houghton, because it was the right thing to do. Where were all these other candidates eight months ago? Hiding from all that Corning moning, no doubt. Mark Assini is an intelligent and honest candidate.

Editor's Note: who hopefully will be thrashed by randy kuhl.

# 37. 5/23/04 3:47 AM by Dillon - Canandaigua
Here's what Brian Kolb will do with the $100,000 he raised for his now defunct Congressional campaign: he will take the money and "donate" it to the State Republican Assembly Campaign. Then, RAC will turn around and give it back to Brian for his reelection campaign as a donation. Devious, underhanded way of doing business which is par for the course for these honorable people.

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