Several hundred young people jammed into the City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall Wednesday night to take part in Mayor Bob Duffy’s “Voice of the Youth Forum.” They sat in chairs, on each other’s laps, on the floor, and even spilled out into the hallway. “You have the chance to recreate this city,” Duffy said. “You have the power to influence policy.” Then he turned the microphone over to teens who told personal stories of hardship, slammed poetry, and made insightful observations of city government — at its best and worst. Nineteen year-old Eileen

This should be interesting: The MCC trustees meet again this afternoon, and there's the possibility that they'll vote again on a president. I suppose it's possible that one of the five who've supported Bill Smith will switch positions, but I don't hold out much hope. Every one of them has strong, clear ties to Steve Minarik's Republican Party. So does Smith, a former County Legislator.And it's telling that on his application for the MCC presidency, three of Smith's six references are Republican elected officials: Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn, State Senator Mike Nozzolio, and (surprise, surprise), County Executive Maggie Brooks. Three of

The state AFL-CIO is taking its industrial development agency reform campaign to the airwaves. Starting Monday, radio ads paid for by the union will start airing on New York stations, says an item from the Albany Times Union website. Here's the deal: this year's regular session of the State Legislature ends this month. So the unions are trying to ratchet up public pressure on legislators to pass some sort of IDA reform. The issues - as seen by labor, activists, politicians - are the same as always. When a company receives IDA benefits and doesn't live up to job promises,

Late last month, the MCC faculty senate called on nine of the 10 college trustees to resign if they don't revote and select either Rochester business owner Dennis Kessler or Broome Community College President Laurence Spraggs as president. (The 10th is a student, elected by the student body.)When we first heard about the senate's resolution, it seemed like a good idea. But we've been doing the math here, and guess what:Resignations wouldn't change a thing. Here's why:Five of the 9 non-student trustees were appointed by the Republican-dominated County Legislature. Four were appointed by the governor. If all nine resigned, Governor

Governor David Paterson may not know what he just stepped into. His office today sent out a press release communicating his support, and up to $6 million in state funding, for an "advanced coal" plant in Jamestown. The plant will feature technology that captures carbon emissions from the burning coal before they can be released into the atmosphere. The state needs to determine whether the technology is viable, says the press release.Environmental groups and the American Lung Association are already asking Paterson to reverse course. The problem, say a number of environmentalists who have already studied the issue, is that

Ohio Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich is a bit like sparkling wine. Sometimes he can be right on point, but many times he seems like an imitation of leadership.He was insightful enough to vote against the Iraq war.But some of his issues are so far to the left that they become a demonstration - his own little wars that never have a chance of getting any traction. He just started another fire by introducing 35 articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush.He accuses the president of spying on Americans, illegally detaining both US and foreign citizens, and mishandling the response

What is this cry for all of the MCC trustees to resign?The MCC faculty, students, local Democrats, the Democrat and Chronicle editorial page: everybody has jumped on the bandwagon. Off with their heads! All of them!You'd think that the problem lies with all 10 trustees, not just those who've tried to give the presidency to Republican insider Bill Smith. The D&C's editorials have been particularly curious. This morning's piece applauded Lori Van Dusen - who fought hard against Smith - for resigning from the board. "Follow her example," urged the D&C.Oh, for heaven's sake.Van Dusen led the board in setting

By this time next week, California will begin marrying same-sex couples. Here in New York, some same-sex marriages are legal. And some are not.In both states, there are plenty of groups protesting same-sex marriage, and legal battles are making their way through the courts.But one thing is becoming clear: behavior is more important than gender in creating satisfying, long-term relationships. After Vermont legalized same-sex civil unions in 2000, researchers surveyed nearly 1,000 couples, including same-sex couples, writes Tara Parker-Pope of the New York Times. They were trying to find out what causes relationships to dissolve.And the results were pretty interesting.Straight

It's a good sign that Democrats showed up at today's county budget workshop. There was a hint that they might not. Caucus leaders said they never agreed to a schedule for the workshops.So now, the County Legislature has its bipartisan budget committee. Its stated goal is to try to find a way to plug the potential $29 million gap that the county would have to close if it loses its FAIR lawsuit appeal.Today's meeting was devoted to a presentation on the budget. It wasn't a day to discuss solutions. And for a good chunk of the hourlong session, legislators tried

The California Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage kicked in this week, and thousands of couples went to government offices in towns and cities across the state to receive licenses. As important as this milestone is, there is something grating about the term "same-sex marriage." It's the label du jour, and it's getting old quickly.It's the use of same-sex that has grown tiresome. It sounds clinical - like genetically-altered vegetables.People need some way of explaining these things, without a doubt. And it has to be clear and simple enough for everyone to understand. But there's also something demeaning about it.Older

So Senator Joe Bruno is not seeking re-election - let the chaos begin. Bruno is the state's highest ranking Republican office-holder and his announcement carries a lot of weight in this year's pivotal Senate elections.  Despite controversy around him, Bruno was his party's campaigner-in-chief, and probably still will be, especially now that he doesn't have to run his own race. But that's a double-edged sword. His resignation leaves one more seat Republicans will have to fight a little harder for, spend a little more cash on. They lose a little safety by losing Bruno. One more race takes away time

Do I really need to see Cheryl Dinolfo's face on my TV screen already? Why is the county clerk running campaign ads five months before the election? The ads themselves are laughable. When was the last time you stopped in at the clerk's office downtown and found Dinolfo there, waiting behind the counter? And tell me how many residents even know who their county clerk is, much less call her on the phone for help with a passport dilemma.But back to the question: TV ads. Why now? Could it be that Democrats have found a formidable candidate in Tom Hasman