12:00: The case for a local public utility
1:00: Music for Veterans
Some members of Rochester City Council contend that last year’s budget allocated funds that could have been used to study a potential public utility. For those who don’t love the service from RG&E, this has been a big issue for years. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said last week on "Connections" that he is not trying to block a public utility, but he wants the county to share the cost of a study. Our guests explain why they think the timeline should speed up. In studio:
- Mary Lupien, member of Rochester City Council
- Michi Cole Wenderlich, campaign and policy coordinator for Metro Justice
Then in our second hour, how can the arts help us heal? A program called Music for Veterans aims to leverage the therapeutic qualities of music to support and enrich the lives of military veterans. Experts say music therapy can help people cope with anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. The head of a national program called Music for Veterans has ties to Rochester. He's in town this week to help support the local chapter. This hour, we talk with him and with local program organizers and veterans about the healing power of music. Our guests:
- Roy Ernst, Ph.D., founder of Music for Veterans National Association and professor emeritus of music education at the Eastman School of Music
- Mike Doolin, president of Music for Veterans-Rochester, U.S. Navy veteran, and trumpeter in the New Horizons band, among others
- Judy Rose, executive director of Music for Veterans-Rochester, bass clarinetist in the New Horizons Band, and vice president of Datrose Inc.
- Laura Heltz, executive director of Veterans Outreach Center, U.S. Army veteran, and author
*Note: "Connections" is livestreamed each day on the WXXI News YouTube channel. Watch here.
