48 Responses to:
BRUCE FENNIE, LOBBYIST EXTRAORDINAIRE

# 1. 7/22/10 12:12 AM
You have left the field wide open for something nefarious. It seems prudent to check for some fire beyond that smoke.

# 2. 7/22/10 12:28 AM by Jolene
Just ordered up your new shirt for my family reunion....grandma included.

# 3. 7/22/10 2:31 AM by ex-pansy
Yep. And people wonder why I left the Republican party...

# 4. 7/22/10 4:29 AM by hunter - e. bethany, ny
Nice.

# 5. 7/22/10 4:54 AM
What the F-word? This is unreal - no it isn't - it's Monroe Maggie and Her County. What the F-word

# 6. 7/22/10 6:15 AM by Liberty Tom - Rochester, NY
The more power and money that government can expropriate from its citizens, the more "necessary" lobbyists are. Devolve power BACK from ALL levels of gevernment to the people, and the lobbyists suddenly aren't necessary. Alas, this speaks against the Republican motto of "Big government is bad.....unless we control it." Sad. Where do you go ??? Who do you vote for ??

# 7. 7/22/10 6:43 AM by rjd
So what you are saying is a lobbyists is someone who is paid by someone to go beg for money for them, and all the money is taxpayer money. So what you have is a bunch of pigs wallowing around in the government trough, ie, money stolen from us tax slaves, and one pig is paid a rotted corn cob to turn it into a pile of rotten apples for another group of pigs. I don't know about you but it sounds like time to gut these suckers and have a pig roast. Politicians, the other white meat.

# 8. 7/22/10 7:00 AM by Fly on the Wall
Check the tax rolls of commercial properties in Monroe County and look at the wide discrepancies in value vs. assessment. There are local lobbyists at work here for sure. Looks like in Monroe, ya gotta be connected...

# 9. 7/22/10 7:04 AM by rochester escapee
Lets see, we have a recession going on. People have lost jobs or chunks of salary. A lot of belt tightening going on, yet this guy got a rather hefty raise in compensation.

It seems all tax dollars, school, county, state, federal, etc... are spent with complete aplomb. There is actually an air of arrogance on the part of public officials, public sector employees, deadbeats and other recipients of those hard earned dollars. I wonder how much more efficient those dollars would be if they were not taxed away from the productive class.

As for our congressional representative, that non-meeting wouldn't have accomplished anything. This is a career politician who has been extremely consistent in acting AGAINST the best interests of Monroe county, and NYS in general. Just look up her record. It used to mystify me how she gets re-elected again and again. Must be there are more female voters. That and the welfare crowd and liberal men who have surplus female hormones.

# 10. 7/22/10 7:11 AM by Ron - Kenmore, NY
It doesn't appear that there's anything illegal here. The county CAN pay anyone they want to lobby for them.

The system is corrupt and Mr. Fennie has found a way to cash-in.

I believe that more of "the Press" should do what you've just done, bring this information to light.

If Bruce had told Mrs. Slaughter's receptionist that he wanted to talk about high-speed rail for Monroe County, he probably could have gotten that appt.

# 11. 7/22/10 7:16 AM by MIKE
Re-d!ck-ulous!

Hey bob, for $250,000 a year, i'll lobby the Utah radio stations to get you back on the air? deal?

# 12. 7/22/10 7:23 AM by Mike R. - Livonia, NY
Heeeeeeyyyyyy Bob,

Nearly 900 grand for NOT meeting with our representative? Hey Maggie, I can do that for half the price. Want to negotiate? Okay, one-third. Call me.

Keep writing.

# 13. 7/22/10 7:27 AM by Grandma Taxpayer - Greece,NY
I wish we could pick two agencies to investigate this sweetheart deal. The FBI and the State Attorney General's Office. This smells big time. And the politicians wonder why we New Yorker's are fed up.

# 14. 7/22/10 7:28 AM by Andrew the fired up Democrat - Henrietta, NY
This brings up a couple questions. Bruce Fennie seems to have a pretty cool gig. How does somebody get a job like that? That's probably one of the things Maggie Brooks wont talk about. Maybe Bruce Fennie could talk to the media about it. The other question I have is what the heck is the Monroe Industrial Development Agency? I can imagine where they get $234,000 to throw at a lobbyist, but what does this agency do besides give money to lobbyists? Do you think the citizens of Monroe County could manage to get by without a Monroe Industrial Development Agency? I wonder if counties in South Carolina or other states that actually have industries have an Industrial Development Agency.

# 15. 7/22/10 7:42 AM by Beth - Canandaigua, NY
And come November, the people who can be voted out won't be.

Citizens will again come to the polls without reading/researching. They will vote the incumbent back in or vote for the one who looks nicest on TV.

And this Bruce Fennie and his ilk will keep on keeping on.

# 16. 7/22/10 7:49 AM by Reality Czech
I received a mailing last election with a big picture of Maggie Brooks on it saying she endorsed some candidate that was running. It was either a photo of her at 25 - 30 years of age or it was EXTREMELY Photoshopped. No hanging jowls or wrinkles or anything. She looked like a movie star. It was way overdone. Seems like politicians don't want to be honest about anything, including reality.

# 17. 7/22/10 8:01 AM
I have a friend who operates a daycare center and pays her property taxes and now has to compete against a COMIDA favored competitor who doesn't have to pay property taxes. COMIDA should be ended. It undermines fair competition.

Editor's Note: roger that

# 18. 7/22/10 8:05 AM
Bruce was rather inept when he was GM of our local company. Lofty goals, no direction or plan. We've done OK since his departure. Looks like he has, too.

FUBO, FUMB, FUBF

# 19. 7/22/10 8:05 AM by tom - penfield
He sounds like a teen age boy. You ask him what he's doing and he says "Just Stuff". I bet Bruce is a good golfer, but always lets the other guy win anyway.

# 20. 7/22/10 8:11 AM by GEORGE ( THE OTHER ONE!) - Gananoque Ontario CANADA
*

I am officially offering to do the job for half the current price and you can pay me in CANADIAN dollars too. That, at today's rate, will give you an extra 4.856% savings!

I can not talk to anyone for half price !

# 21. 7/22/10 8:13 AM by Dave B - Rochester
I'm sure Steve Minarik is looking up and smiling.

# 22. 7/22/10 8:21 AM by Jerry - Rochester
It sounds to me like you know more to this story, but aren't saying all of it. You came out loaded for bear with just a veil of inuendo. Now, you're mysteriously adding no "Editor's Notes" to the comments section. Hmmm... I'm anxiously awaiting the other shoe to drop. I wonder what it is.

# 23. 7/22/10 8:37 AM
Are you now saying that our county agencies and public colleges are nothing more than welfare suction vacuum cleaners? Mr. Fennie is like a miniature federal government and the taxpayers are his bread and butter.

# 24. 7/22/10 8:46 AM
It always amazes me how Maggie Brooks can keep her "above reproach" demeanor. It made her a successful TV news host and propelled her to her current political office.

It doesn't seem to matter that Maggie is probably just as slimey as the next slimey politician only Maggie gets away with it.

# 25. 7/22/10 8:52 AM
He's not your agent is he, Bob?

Editor's Note: i honestly need an agent. i'm good at doing jobs, i'm not good at getting jobs.

# 26. 7/22/10 9:13 AM
I have a friend who works for the county in the finance dept. She explains to me about all the wasteful spending as well as the laid back culture. She further explains the more she has managed to save by eliminating waste, the more the county finds to spend elsewhere. Maggie responded to my email saying that they had many auditors rooting out and controlling our taxpayer money. Right.

# 27. 7/22/10 9:42 AM by John - Logan, Utah
I'm jealous of NYS and Monroe County. We need you back in Utah Bob. Thanks, by the way, for the expose on Herbert's group therapy for illegals.

# 28. 7/22/10 9:50 AM by Brad - Piffard, NY
Hhheeeaaay Bob, your not seeing the big picture. How can this schmuck beg for money if he can't afford to get into the country club where all the money movers hang out? Those caddies are expensive ya know!

# 29. 7/22/10 9:55 AM by Jolene
Just say the F-word. You'll feel better. Got a response from KSL. They said that they welcomed my thoughts of praise for Bob Lonsberry,and that they are in careful consideration for employment for all applicants.

Editor's Note: well, that's better than nothing. may their considerations be wise and fruitful.

# 30. 7/22/10 10:13 AM
Editor's Note: i honestly need an agent. i'm good at doing jobs, i'm not good at getting jobs.

Or keeping jobs

Editor's Note: i've kept the job i have now 15 years, the job i just lost i had had 10 years. the job before that i had seven years. the job i had before that i had four years. i could have stayed longer but i didn't want to re-enlist.

# 31. 7/22/10 10:14 AM by Calvin Pitzrick - Rochester, NY
Bob, Another great and interesting column. Looks like one has to be in the loop to prosper nowadays! As I understand it "You scratch my back and I`ll scratch yours" is the motto. I think Maggie has kept our taxes lower than a dem would have. As far as COMITA goes, they give money to prosperous Wegmans, the largest business in the County as well as being the best super market in America! This is supposed to save jobs that might go elsewhere while Wegmans gives a lot to their charities.

But I`m scared of these lobbyists too! The lobbyists for the medical insurance and drug company`s seemed to get all that they wanted for Obamacare! I believe that all this will result in much more expensive and poorer quality medical care for all of us! Our selfish congressional reps take their cut and leave the rest of us hanging while they get their much better medical care free!

Keep up the great work Bob, telling it like it is!

Cal Pitzrick

# 32. 7/22/10 10:22 AM by Sherry - SLC UT
Question: What is COMIDA? Thanks.

Editor's Note: county of monroe industrial development agency

# 33. 7/22/10 10:46 AM by I M Grady - RIT
Editor's Note: i've kept the job i have now 15 years....

hmmmm seems like my recollection is not of a single 15 year period but rather two segmented periods of employment.

Editor's Note: good point. i black out the hard times.

# 34. 7/22/10 10:46 AM by chuck
WOW... Bruce was shown the door at Harris RF after several middling years at the helm, and business boomed upon his replacement. But all things told, sounds like he's done even better for himself, than his former employer has!

# 35. 7/22/10 11:55 AM
Despite the snide comments from some posters, I notice that most radio people change jobs a heck of a lot more than you do.

Editor's Note: average radio job is three years

# 36. 7/22/10 11:59 AM by Phillip
I love it when the right turns on itself. Maggie is a conservative republican isn't she? Though folks on your side of the aisle could do no wrong because God is guiding your every action.

Maybe Maggie isn't republican enough for the tea-baggers.

Editor's Note: that seems pretty clear

# 37. 7/22/10 12:00 PM by Dave Rusin - East Rochester, NY
There are entrepreneurs in Monroe County that create more value and jobs with an annual salary at a fraction of what Mr. Fennie receives.

If Monroe County wants jobs, good paying jobs, start investing the lobbying money with a few of the promising local firms that have disciplined CEO's and a promising growth business.

Lobbying is a much easier job than actually creating sustainable, good paying jobs and the business results to remain a healthy community tax payer!

Maggie, put your money where it belongs -- at home.

An audit by the IRS on Mr. Fennie could also be interesting as well ...

# 38. 7/22/10 12:08 PM by Rick G. - Spencerport,NY
Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, but who was the a-hole who came up with Country Club Drive? What? Was Snobby Velvet Pants Lane taken?

# 39. 7/22/10 1:09 PM by Sjparky - NC
I looked at a couple of the campaign contribution web sites. The guy is giving his money to Democrats. What the f-word?

# 40. 7/22/10 1:17 PM by Working Class Stiff
Them C.C.Drive folks are un-frickin-believable. Snob ain't the word for them either!

# 41. 7/22/10 3:43 PM
Today I saw a WHAM 1180 license plate on a car with a "Don't Tread on Me" and "Fubo" bumper sticker. Was this possibly a Bob Lonsberry sighting?

Editor's Note: only if you're a hot chick

# 42. 7/22/10 3:47 PM by Mike Rosenhan - Kearns, UT
I'm thinking that Maggie ought to be the lobbyist for your county. It seems like that would be part of her job description anyway.

# 43. 7/22/10 5:13 PM by Pete
Bob,

Damn buddy do you have a vendetta against politicians?

Well Good for you, this is the third Column in a row that exposes the political system for the slime, slight of hand dirt bags they are!

Thank You........

# 44. 7/22/10 5:33 PM by mark
I'm not sticking up for him but alot of the 800k goes to politians to get their ear.

still based on your #'s he not to good on return on investment. Great system we have.

# 45. 7/22/10 7:11 PM by Rhyan - Salt Lake City Utah
Hello Bob, We sure miss you out here in the mornings. The voice of freedom station, ya right. Take Care

Editor's Note: i hope to be back. and not just because i want to beat the old station in the ratings.

# 46. 7/22/10 7:30 PM by Big D - Henderson
Were you wearing the magic underwear when you got fired?

# 47. 7/22/10 8:05 PM
Instead of What the f...., a funnier and more entertaining way to say the same thing is, What the Ham and Cheese! It gets a laugh every time, clean to say and just downright goofy funny :)

Editor's Note: if you're an idiot

# 48. 7/25/10 5:28 PM by clint - scottsville, ny
I never understand you attacking good people...even if they do a job you disagree with! Lobbyists are a reality...and, they are effective. You also fail to mention that at the time of the trip to Washington, Eric Massa (someone you endorsed) was no longer available for meetings. Bob, sometimes good people (like Bruce Fennie) simply try to do good jobs...whether you like them or their jobs aside!

Editor's Note: i never endorsed eric massa, and worked against his candidacy twice -- probably making the difference in his defeat the first time.

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