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Editor:

If you haven’t yet attended a performance of the Hoag Music Series you’ve missed some wonderful entertainment. From March until December on scheduled Saturdays at noon Jim Doyle arranged for some great music for our community.

On October 10^th, the concert featured Evie Ladin who sang, played the banjo and did some percussion dancing that was awesome. She performs all over the country, is based in NYC and Jim promises that she will be back. You should not miss her.

Os Pipe and Fiddle Witch Duet will be here on Saturday, November 7^th for a blend of East and West.

The Rochester Ukelele Orchestra will be at the Hoag on Saturday, December 5th at noon. Bonus: Gary Simboli will lead a Christmas Carol sing along at 2 that afternoon too!

All performances are free. December 5 closes the series for 2026. Jim promises that next year’s series, starting in March, will be awesome too. Look for them, put them on your calendars and enjoy!

Catherine Moore

Albion

Editor:

I am writing to encourage residents, veterans, and local organizations to petition Orleans County school districts to hold public hearings on the newly authorized property tax exemption for permanently and totally disabled veterans under New York State Real Property Tax Law §458-a(11).

This legislation gives local governments and school districts the authority to provide a full property tax exemption to qualifying veterans who have been permanently and totally disabled as a result of their military service. However, each taxing jurisdiction must decide whether to adopt it.

Monroe County has already adopted the exemption, and some school districts have begun taking action. Yet here in Orleans County, there has been little public discussion about whether our school districts intend to offer this benefit.

I am a permanently and totally disabled combat veteran who served in Iraq. I live within the Kendall Central School District, which does not currently participate in the Alternative Veterans’ Exemption. I recently contacted the district’s Board of Education president to ask whether the new exemption had been discussed or would be considered. I was informed that the board had not discussed it and that there was no timeline for doing so.

This raises a larger question: Why should disabled veterans have to appear personally before a school board just to get elected officials to discuss a benefit that the state has already authorized?

Many permanently and totally disabled veterans live with serious physical injuries, PTSD, anxiety, and other service-connected disabilities. For some, appearing before a room full of people to publicly discuss their disabilities or advocate for themselves can be extremely difficult.

These veterans have already demonstrated their disabilities through the Department of Veterans Affairs. They should not have to stand before another government body and explain why their sacrifices deserve consideration.

I recognize that adopting this exemption has financial implications for school districts and taxpayers. Those implications deserve an open and informed discussion. That is precisely why I believe public hearings are appropriate.

I am calling on the Boards of Education in Kendall, Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina to publicly consider this exemption, hold hearings, and give residents an opportunity to understand its potential benefits and costs.

I also encourage local veterans’ organizations, including VFW and American Legion posts, to help organize petitions and advocate for these discussions.

This is not a demand that school districts automatically approve the exemption. It is a request that they put the issue on their agendas, examine the facts, and make a decision in public.

Our disabled veterans should not have to fight another battle simply to have their needs considered.

Respectfully,

Dan Brundage

Kendall Central School District resident

Iraq War veteran

Editor:

My name is Kathy Harnischfeger, and I am a write-in candidate for Clarendon Town Supervisor.

I am writing in response to the SCOPE article. If elected, I will take seriously my oath to uphold the Constitution and will base my decisions on evidence, facts, and the best interests of our community—not on personal opinion.

I did not attend the SCOPE debate or respond to Mark Allen’s questionnaire because I have been focused on listening directly to residents and understanding their concerns through my door-to-door campaigning.

Across the community, people have consistently raised issues such as high taxes, rising energy costs, public safety, sewer infrastructure, and other local priorities. The Second Amendment has not been among the concerns most frequently raised with me.

For the record, I am a gun owner and support the right to bear arms. I also strongly support the First Amendment freedom of speech. These rights carry important responsibilities, and they should be approached with care and respect.

I encourage Clarendon voters to look beyond distractions and misinformation and to focus on the facts. This is an important moment for our community and an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to honest, responsible local government.

Every eligible voter has a voice in Clarendon’s future. Please make a plan to vote and participate in this important election.

Sincerely,

Kathy Harnischfeger

Clarendon