Hurricane relief concert raises $800

MONROE-Monroe Democrats took time out from politics on Sunday, Sept. 11, to raise more than $800 for Hurricane Katrina relief effort through a two-hour concert at Sapphire Elementary School emceed by local singer-songwriter Bob Barlow. Other performers included Aldo Troiani, Toni-Anne Leone, Jon Stein, Denise Jordan-Finley, Rob Cannillo and Heather Curtis. "Monroe faces several serious issues and the outcomes of the upcoming elections will have a great impact on our town's future," said Alicia Vaccaro, the Democratic candidate for town supervisor. "But today, we set aside politics to focus on something much more important: helping people in need. It made me feel proud of our town, seeing so many people giving so generously to the victims of Hurricane Katrina." In their press release, Monroe Democrats made a point to thank the school's custodian for his assistance during the concert.