Fun. Cool. Delicious. Original. These are just a few of the words that have been used to describe Rochester's emerging food truck scene. Over the past year, Rochestarians have enthusiastically embraced a movement that is becoming part of the landscape all over the US: mobile kitchens specializing in new and exciting niche menus, bringing their food to a variety of locations. Our local food trucks represent the marriage of food-creative concepts and enthusiastic local entrepreneurs. So why is the city stifling the growth of this popular industry? Currently, the city requires food trucks to adhere to a multitude of vending regulations based on where the trucks may choose to vend, creating a circular permitting scheme that is a burden to existing food truck vendors, and a barrier to entrepreneurs looking to enter the marketplace. Other laws make it even more difficult to operate. As a first step in addressing the needs of the food truck community, the City of Rochester is preparing to launch a pilot program that would allow vending in the City Center, which is currently a severely restricted zone. This program is designed to place food trucks in designated areas with restricted vending hours. While food truck vendors were invited to be a part of the conversation that designed the pilot, it has become clear that our voices are being drowned out by those of existing downtown restaurants and businesses looking to protect their own interests. We have yet to see final legislation - which we expect to be voted on in a matter of days – but we expect that the Food Truck Pilot Program will include the following actions: 1. A sharp decrease in locations. The City reduced the original eight potential locations to five, and just last week Council made the decision to limit the pilot program to only three locations in the downtown area. 2. Selling unlimited permits for these food truck locations, and instructing vendors to operate on a first-come, first-park basis. In doing this, council is dooming this pilot program to become a failure as there are already more trucks than locations. 3. Proximity Restrictions. Locations were selected with the consideration that food trucks will be placed approximately 300 ft from existing restaurants. This is anti-competitive and unconstitutional. 4. Limited hours of operation. The city will place restrictions on when vendors can serve, even excluding dinner-time hours in one location. All of this means fewer affordable, fresh, creative mealtime options for you, the consumer; and robs Rochester of the many benefits food trucks have to offer. We are asking for your support in this matter. By signing this petition, you are letting the Rochester City Council know that you support food truck freedom, and favor expanded choices in the marketplace. You are supporting small local businesses, and fresh, local food options. You recognize the way in which food trucks have been able to benefit under-served areas, and create positive relationships with local restaurants and neighborhoods. In order to make the Pilot Program successful, please sign this petition to reject the actions above, and request that City Council expand the approved locations and ultimately open up all of Rochester’s streets to our food trucks.

Electronic voting machines and electronic scanners can be easily manipulated and hacked. We are paying private corporations to count our votes in secret. Let's do our elections like Germany and Switzerland and use only hand counted paper ballots.

We have elected too many officials that always side with corporate America. We also have to many people in government that hate government.the majority public 's will is not being addressed

All citizens of USA

Our public playgrounds are not handicapped friendly for children with special needs. My 6 year old son is blind and developmentally delayed and loves being out doors. The baby swings are too small and he is not safe to swing on the backless leather strap swings. The wood chips makes it impossible to move the wheel chair. Our children would like to be able to enjoy the playground along with their family and friends and not be socially separated. Please add both handicapped swings and rubber matting in our public playgrounds to include the special needs community.

Removing the automatic pay increase Congress receives

Obama Care has caused a devastating pay-cut to millions of part-time workers in the U.S. "According to the new health-care legislation, all businesses must pay FULL TIME HEALTH CARE to all employees who work 30 hours or more in a seven-day week."1 Normally, we were permitted to work up to 30 hours plus Sunday (Sunday was not counted as part of our work week). Personally, I work six days a week (including Sundays) and receive a weekly pay-check of or about 200 dollars and, as such, already live in poverty.This current legislation will force me and my co-workers to seek previously unsought public assistance, which should be distributed to those who are truly unable to work. This legislation is preventing millions of willing, able-bodied employees from working more than 30 hours per week. Most companies have cut each part-time employee to 28 hours or less per seven-day week, to avoid any fines. Sundays must not be included in our 30-hour work week limit. 1(http://www.local338.org/)

After a highly successful campaign resulted in massive advertiser boycotts of WABC, the station that carries Rush Limbaugh's daily lunacy, profits have plummeted. The head of WABC has put the blame directly where it belongs -- on Rush Limbaugh and his offensive statements, including those about Sandra Fluke where he went as far as to call her a "slut" for speaking out in favor of access to birth control.   Rush has decided that instead of owning up to the damage he's done to WABC, he'll simply move to rival station WOR if WABC keeps being a big meanie and blaming him for the lost revenue. Let's convince WOR not to give him an escape route.

I am not affected personally, but as I consider all people to be my brethren and sisters I stand by their side in all ways. The term "illegal" also tends to destroy families. My support will always be for families also.

Senator Dianne Feinstein is a sponsor of the bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. But she's remained silent on whether she'll vote to protect LGBTQ immigrant families when the Uniting American Families Act is introduced next week! We need her to take a stand!

Senator Richard Blumenthal CT is asking to be including the "Little Dreamers" as an amendment of S.744. But there are a group of dreamers who also must be included.

We've all been personally affected by this issue. VERY few of our elected officials show genuine concern for our Country as a whole or the needs and concerns of its citizens while in office.