Republicans win the contested races in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 10:35 pm

There were only a few contested races among the local elections today in Orleans County, and Republicans won all of them.

In Carlton, Ryan Woolston won a seat on the Town Board over Marlene Seielstad, a Democrat, by a 286-138 vote.

In Clarendon, three candidates were seeking two seats on the Town Board. Chris Caufield, 311 votes, and Fred Seeman III, 310, were elected. Cecelia (Pacheco) Stevens, a Democrat, received 125 votes.

In Shelby, an endorsed Republican was elected to the Town Board. John Pratt III received 405 votes to 143 for Mark Wambach, who was backed by the Conservative Party.

There were four other candidates who mounted write-in campaigns, but fell short of getting elected.

The results from the Board of Elections didn’t tally the write-in results by name. The BOE just notes the write-ins for each position.

John Fitzak, a Republican, was re-elected as county legislator for District 4, which includes the towns of Carlton, Kendall and most of Murray. Jeremy Ross was endorsed by Democratic Party as a write-in. There were 71 write-in votes opposing Fitzak.

Dirk Lammes Jr. was re-elected Murray town highway superintendent but there were 101 write-ins opposing him. William D. “Bill” Bosley Jr. ran a write-in campaign against Lammes.

In Barre, George and Iva McKenna both ran write-ins for the Town Board against Wesley Miller and David Allen, who were endorsed by the Republican Party and also ran under “Future for Barre.” Allen received 266 votes and Miller 265. The write-ins included 117 and 119.

The full local results include:

County

Treasurer – Kimberly DeFrank – 3,052 votes
County Legislator (at-large from west) – Merle “Skip” Draper of Medina – 2,817 votes
County Legislator (at-large from central) – Don Allport of Gaines – 2,830 votes
County Legislator (at-large from east) – Ed Morgan of Murray – 2,827 votes
County Legislator (District 1) – Bill Eick of Shelby – 932 votes
County Legislator (District 2) – Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville – 540 votes
County Legislator (District 3) – Fred Miller of Albion – 389 votes
County Legislator (District 4) – John Fitzak of Carlton – 913 votes; write-in 71

Town of Albion

Town Supervisor – Richard Remley – 260 votes
Town Council members – Arnold Allen, 240 votes; Sandra Bensley, 244 votes
Town Clerk – Kim Hazel – 262 votes

Town of Barre

Town Supervisor – Stephen Coville II, 285 votes; write-in, 93
Town Council members – David Allen, 266; Wesley Miller, 265; and two write-ins, 117 and 115

Town of Carlton

Town Council members – Charles Ricci, 323 votes; John Olles, 307 votes
Town Council member (2 years to fill vacancy, pick one) – Ryan Woolston, 286 votes; Marlene Seielstad, 138
Town Clerk – Deborah Yokel – 336 votes
Highway Superintendent – Kurt VanWycke – 327 votes
Town Justice – Kevin Hurley – 336 votes

Town of Clarendon

Town Supervisor – Marc Major – 320 votes
Town Council members (pick two) – Christopher Caufield, 311 votes; Fred Seeman, 310 votes; and Cecelia Pacheco Stevens, 125 votes

Town of Gaines

Town Supervisor – Tyler Allport – 187 votes
Town Council members – James Kirby, 204 votes; Kenneth Rush, 192 votes
Town Clerk – Janet Cheverie – 216 votes
Town Justice – Charles Prentice Jr. – 200 votes

Town of Kendall

Town Supervisor – Tony Cammarata – 306 votes
Town Council members – David Gaudioso, 299 votes; Jeffrey Kinne, 297 votes
Town Clerk – Tina Palumbo – 328 votes
Town Justice – Debra Kluth – 332 votes
Highway Superintendent – Eric Maxon – 347 votes
Referendum – increase highway superintendent term from 2 to 4 years – 250 yes, 125 no.

Town of Murray

Town Supervisor – Gerald Rightmyer, 387; write-in, 53
Town Council members – Neil Valentine, 415 votes; Elaine Berg, 371 votes
Town Council member (2 years to fill vacancy) – Scott Lang – 380 votes
Town Clerk – Cynthia Oliver – 423 votes
Town Justice – Michael Christopher – 413 votes
Highway Superintendent – Dirk Lammes Jr., 321 votes; write-in, 101

Town of Ridgeway

Town Council members – Cliff Barber, 328 votes; Jesse Cudzilo, 294 votes
Town Clerk – Hannah Hill – 349 votes
Highway Superintendent – John Olinger – 336 votes

Town of Shelby

Town Supervisor – James Heminway – 491
Town Council members – Edward Zelazny, 453 votes; Lawrence Waters Sr., 412 votes
Town Council member (to fill 2-year vacancy, pick one) – John Pratt III, 405 votes; Mark Wambach, 143 votes

Town of Yates

Town Supervisor – James Simon – 182 votes
Town Council members – William Jurinich, 187 votes; Harold Suhr, 156 votes
Town Council member (to fill 2-year vacancy) – Steven Vann – 193 votes
Town Justice – Donald Grabowski – 220 votes

State

Supreme Court Justice, 8th Judicial District (2 positions) – Shannon Heneghan, 3,397 votes; and Jorge deRosas, 3,109 votes

Referendum: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. This would allow skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park – 1,875 yes votes, 1,867 no votes

Albion FD checked blood pressure for residents as part of expanded community outreach

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 10:14 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion residents were given a chance to have their blood pressure checked today after they cast their votes at Hoag Library.

The Albion Fire Department was on site form 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., checking blood pressure and sharing information about hypertension.

This photo shows Robert Toman and Dawn Marciszewski of the Albion FD at an informational display.

Marciszewski said the department will be at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex in Albion on Dec. 6 as part of a Christmas event. Firefighters will be sharing fire prevention tips.

The Albion FD is stepping up its community outreach, she said.

The Fire Department had displays about hypertension and a list of the dangers of high blood pressure including stroke, loss of vision, kidney disease, bone loss, depression and anxiety and sexual problems.

‘Dahlia doctor’ will share tips at master gardener workshop on Nov. 8

Posted 4 November 2025 at 9:27 pm

Provided photos: (Left) Dahlias come in many different colors and forms, and they are stunning addition to any garden! (Right) Sue Starkweather Miller shows a dahlia tuber during a class presentation at Orleans CCE.

By Katie Oakes, Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Coordinator

KNOWLESVILLE – Dahlias are beautiful flowers native to Central America. They are hundreds of different Dahlia varieties, and each one offers unique qualities that delight cut flower enthusiasts and gardeners alike.

But dahlias can be a bit tricky for gardeners. Dahlia tubers are not cold-hardy and therefore need to be dug up and stored over the winter in order to be grown again the following year.

Master Gardener Sue Starkweather Miller will lead a hands-on workshop called “The Dahlia Doctor is In!” on Saturday, November 8th at 10 a.m. at the Orleans CCE Education Center. Starkweather Miller has grown dahlias for many years and is an afficionado on the care and maintenance of dahlias. She came up with the idea for the clinic after she kept getting requests for help from friends and neighbors about their dahlias.

“I kept getting the same questions – how do I divide my tubers? How do I store my tubers?” explained Starkweather Miller. “I wanted to offer a class where anyone can come to learn about the best ways to care for their dahlias and we can address all of their questions at the same time!”

This free hands-on clinic will show attendees how to dig up dahlia tubers, clean and dry tubers, divide a clump (can be done in the fall or spring), and store tubers (different methods will be shared). Attendees are welcome to bring in their own tuber clump to divide if they’ve already dug up their dahlias. People are encouraged to bring garden gloves, scissors or pruners, and any questions!

A spring hands-on class will also be offered to show you how to warm up your tubers after winter storage, divide tubers (if you choose to wait until spring to divide them), get them started indoors and how/when to plant them for success (date TBD).

The Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center is located at 12690 State Route 31, Albion. To register, call (585) 798-4265 or email klo54@cornell.edu.

Byron-Bergen tops Holley in state qualifier

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 November 2025 at 8:39 pm

Byron-Bergen earned a trip back to the state tournament by downing Holley 4-0 in the Section V Class C state qualifier game this evening at Caledonia-Mumford.

Byron-Bergen, which captured the state Class C title last year, took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by Mia Gray.

The Lady Bees then pulled away with three unanswered second half goals by Gray, Anastasia Kuszlyk and Grace DiQuattro.

Byron-Bergen advanced by defeating Kendall 1-0 in the Section V Class C2 championship game.

Holley advanced by edging Canisteo-Greenwood 2-1 in overtime in the Class C1 final.

Byron-Bergen advances to the Class C regional against Section VI champion Wilson with a 18-2 record while Holley finishes the season at 13-7-1.

Barker trims Medina in Class C semifinal

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 November 2025 at 8:25 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Madelina Pavlock, who scored both Barker goals drives toward the goal as Adelynne Lacy and Penelope Schalck defend for Medina. The action took place during host Barker’s sectional semifinal win over Medina this evening.

All of the scoring came off of corner opportunities as No. 2 seed Barker edged No. 3 Medina 2-1 in the semifinals of the Section VI Class C field hockey playoffs this evening at Barker.

Barker grabbed a 1-0 lead with 2:30 remaining in the first quarter as Madelina Pavlock scored off a corner by Kaylee Stoll.

That same combination of Stoll to Pavlock clicked again off a corner with 11:57 to go in the final quarter for what proved to be the game winning goal giving Barker a 2-0 lead.

Medina answered right back a minute later as Penelope Schalck scored off a corner by Lilah Class to cut the deficit to 2-1 but the Mustangs could not net the equalizer.

Improving to 13-5, Barker will now face top seeded Niagara-Orleans League champion Akron in the Class C championship game at 8 p.m. Thursday at Alden.

Medina finishes the season with an 11-7 overall record.

Akron nipped No. 5 seed Eden 4-3 in overtime in the other semifinal on a goal by Mackenzie Tomporowski.

Morgan Tomporowski also had a pair of goals on the evening for Akron.

Medina’s Penelope Schalck lets go with a shot which scored the Mustangs lone goal. Kaylee Stoll moves in to defend for Barker.

Barker’s Milayna May reaches to knock the ball away from Medina’s Penelope Schalck.

Heron Falls seeks to pay $2 million for sewer project in Clarendon from 31A to Holley system

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 4:19 pm

Residents could hook into system that would run along 31A, Bennetts Corners Road

Photos by Tom Rivers: Matt Zarbo, director of engineering for Square Engineering in Buffalo, discusses constructing a sewer line from the Heron Falls park on Route 31A and connect with the Village of Holley sewer system on Bennetts Corners Road near Route 31.

CLARENDON – Heron Falls is offering to spend $2 million to extend public sewers in the town by about 2 miles.

Heron Falls has about 400 housing units and 800 residents. The park on Route 31A, formerly called Thomas Estates, wants to decommission its aging wastewater treatment system on site and instead run a 4-inch sewer line to connect with Holley’s sewer system.

Heron Falls would pay for the new sewer lines and a pump station, and then turn the project over to the Village of Holley. Residents along 1,650 feet on Route 31A and then 9,150 feet along Bennetts Corners Road would have the option to connect to the sewer system, but wouldn’t be required.

During an information meeting about the project on Monday, some Bennetts Corners Road residents – Dan Cater, Katie Applegate and Charles Kinsey – said they were concerned the public sewer line would bring more development to the rural road which they said already sees lots of speeding motorists.

Cater said the construction of the project could have negative impacts on properties, and he also worries potential leaks in the sewer line could contaminate well water.

“I only see negatives,” Cater said during the meeting. “I only see negatives for my family and neighbors.”

Matt Zarbo shows how the proposed sewer line would go east 1,650 feet along Route 31A, and then north 9,150 feet along Bennetts Corners Road.

Matt Zarbo, an engineer working as a consultant for Heron Falls, said the sewer line is safer than having septic near wells. He said there is very little chance the sewer line would leak. The sewer line should last for a century.

The project would use directional drilling to minimize construction impacts, he said.

Applegate said the rural nature of the community is a big draw for the residents.

“I don’t want to see development on Bennetts Corners,” she said. “It would decimate the peacefulness we have in that area.”

The project would give the village of Holley more sewer users to help the village pay for its sewer plant, which recently completed over $2 million in upgrades.

Holley’s sewer plant currently treats about 210,000 gallons a day. Heron Falls would send another 38,000 to 70,000 a gallons to Holley’s plant which has a capacity to treat 450,000 gallons a day. Even with Heron Falls, Holley would have plenty of capacity to accommodate other users, said Aric Albright, the sewer plant chief operator.

The project needs the Clarendon Town Board’s approval to proceed. Town Supervisor Marc Major said he wants the board to consider the comments made during the meeting. The board hasn’t set a date on when it will vote on the issue.

Major said residents can check the Town Board agenda and attend upcoming meetings. The regular town board meetings are the third Tuesday each month beginning at 7 p.m.

Matt Zarbo speaks during a public information meeting on Monday at the Clarendon Town Hall. About 25 people attended the meeting. Town Supervisor Marc Major said the board would discuss the issue in an upcoming meeting.

If the town doesn’t allow the sewer project, Zarbo said Heron Falls would have to spend more to put in a new waste water treatment facility, and would need to pay an operator for the system. That would also mean there wouldn’t be a new sewer line over about 2 miles for residents to have the option to tap into, and Holley wouldn’t get the sewer revenue from Heron Falls.

The proposal to run a sewer line and connect to Holley’s system is the best option for Heron Falls residents, Zarbo said, while offering a benefit for residents along the line and the Village of Holley.

“We view this as a win, win, win,” Zarbo said about the benefits for Heron Falls, Clarendon and Holley.

A Heron Falls representative said the park has no plans of expanding and adding more units as part of the proposed sewer project.

Heron Falls is working to have all the approvals in place between now and February, so construction can start in the spring and be done in the fall 2026. It has an agreement with Holley to connect into the sewer system. Heron Falls also is working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Transportation to get their approval.

‘Operation Green Light’ highlights veterans as they transition to civilian life

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 10:09 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: Part of the Orleans County Courthouse dome is illumined in green on Monday evening as part of Operation Green Light.

ALBION – Orleans County is joining in Operation Green Light, a campaign designed to show support for our nation’s veterans, raise awareness of the county role in providing support and resources to veterans, and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties’ ability to support veterans.

In honor of Operation Green Light, the dome of the courthouse will be lit green from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in Operation Green Light by placing a green light in a window of their home or business.

Orleans County legislators last week passed a resolution in support of Operation Green Light. Legislators said 44 to 72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life.

“Active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service,” legislators stated in the resolution.

The Orleans County Veterans Service Office can help veterans with anything they need including filing important paperwork, fighting for benefits, securing medical appointments and finding counseling. The office can be reached at (585) 589-3219.

Medina FD promotes 3 lieutenants who are all veteran firefighters

Posted 4 November 2025 at 9:38 am

Photos courtesy of Medina Fire Department: Three Medina firefighters were sworn in as lieutenants of the Medina FD during a Village Board meeting on Monday. Pictured from left include Steve Miller, Adam Fisher and Tim Miller. (Steve and Tim are twin brothers.)

Press Release, Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley

MEDINA – At the special meeting of the Village Board on Monday, the following promotions were made.

Firefighter Adam Fisher was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 3.
Firefighter Stephen Miller was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 4.
Firefighter Timothy Miller was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 5.

Lieutenant Fisher is a nine-year veteran of the Department. He has been a senior firefighter/paramedic on the 4th Platoon and serves as the Department’s Municipal Training Officer.

Lieutenant Fisher is also a Certified Instructor Coordinator for NY State EMS courses as well as a Fire Instructor for NYS Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services assigned to the NYS Fire Academy in Montour Falls. Lieutenant Fisher will serve as the Company Officer for the 1st Platoon effective Dec. 1 and oversee the Department’s EMS Operations.

(Left) Fire Chief Steve Cooley pins the collar on Tim Miller during the swearing in ceremony. (Right) Steve Miller takes the oath of office in front of his family.

Lieutenant Stephen Miller is a 13-year veteran of the Department, most recently serving as the senior firefighter on the 2nd Platoon with prior time as the senior firefighter on the 3rd Platoon.

He also serves as a Fire Investigator with the Department’s Fire Investigation Unit. Lieutenant Miller will be the Company Officer for the 2nd Platoon and will be assisting Lieutenant Fisher with the Department’s EMS Operations.

Lieutenant Timothy Miller is an 8-year veteran of the Department and has been serving as the senior firefighter on the 3rd Platoon. He has been running the Department’s CPR training program both in-house and for outside agencies including the public.

He will serve as the Company Officer for the 4th Platoon effective Dec. 1 where he will also assist Senior Lieutenant Jacob Crooks with planning and Fire Department Operations.

Congratulations Gentlemen!

Adam Fisher takes the oath of office while joined by his family.

Editor’s Note: The promotions give Medina a lieutenant for each of the three shifts. They fill some of the recent leadership vacancies. Steve Cooley was promoted from lieutenant to fire chief on Sept. 8. Jonathan Higgins, a captain for the Medina FD for 11 years, retired on Aug. 8.

Churches in Medina, West Barre serving take-out election day meals

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 8:25 am

MEDINA/BARRE – Two churches are serving meals today on election day.

The First Presbyterian Church in medina will again be serving a ham and scalloped potato dinner. Last year the meal was such a big hit, the church is doing it again this year.

The dinner will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. as a drive-thru only at the Senior Center on West Avenue. The Senior Center provides a convenient setup to pull up, hand in your ticket and pull forward to the next door and get your meal to go.

Pre-sale tickets are encouraged, but if not sold out, a limited number might be available at the door. Tickets are $15 and available by calling the church at 798-1264 or dinner chair Sue Martin at (585) 721-4723.

The meal will include ham and scalloped potatoes, green beans, applesauce, roll and butter and dessert.

The West Barre Church for many years has served a turkey dinner on election day. The meals comes with sides and pie for dessert.

It is take-out only from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are pre-sale only and are $15 for adults and $7 for children. The church is located at 5377 Eagle Harbor Rd.

See list of polling sites in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 7:46 am

Orleans County residents go to the polls today with voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There are positions up for election in each of the 10 towns as well as the seven Orleans County legislators and the county treasurer. There are 25,777 registered voters in the county.

Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library, part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company, and Carlton uses the Fire Company Rec Hall.

Here is a list of the polling sites:

Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Town Hall/Highway Garage, 3840 Fancher Rd.
Ridgeway – Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
Ridgeway – Districts 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

Photos from thunderstorm that brought hail

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2025 at 9:20 pm

It was an intense thunderstorm this evening in Orleans County, which pelted the landscape with hail.

The top photo was sent in by Rebeccah Demaray of Waterport.

Demaray also sent in this photo of hail all over her porch.

Jacob Delamarter took this photo of the sky lit up by lightning.

Aaron Vosburgh had hail all over his yard in Albion.

Roy-Hart spikers romp in B2 semifinals; lightning postpones field hockey semis

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 November 2025 at 8:09 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Grace Pearl spikes over JFK’s Emily Swain during the host Lady Rams sectional semifinal win this evening.

Setting the tone at the outset by romping to a 25-9 win in the opening set, No. 3 seed Roy-Hart went on to complete a three set sweep of visiting No. 7 JFK by scores of 25-17, 25-15 this evening in the semifinal round of the Section VI Class B2 volleyball playoffs.

Peyton May served up points 1-8, Grace Pearl 13-17 and Raegan Kern 21-25 in the opening set to get the Lady Rams rolling.

Pearl had 10 spiking kills on the evening as Kylie McOmber had 7 and Lauren Snyder 5.

Roy-Hart advances to Wednesday’s B2 final at 5:30 p.m. at Cheektowaga against the winner of the No. 5 Springville vs. No. 8 Salamanca semifinal.

Field Hockey semis postponed
This evening’s Medina at Barker Section VI Class C field hockey semifinal was postponed due to lightning and has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The No. 5 Eden vs. No. 1 Akron semifinal at Alden was also postponed by lightning with Akron leading 2-1 in the second quarter. The contest is expected to be completed on Tuesday.

Roy-Hart’s Zoe Healey spikes over JFK’s Erica Reader. Moving in on the play for the Lady Rams are Peyton May, Raegan Kern and Ryleigh Capen.

Holley quintet helps GCC win soccer regional

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 November 2025 at 4:42 pm

Contributed Photo – Holley’s quintet of players on the GCC regional championship team includes, in front, Samantha Bates and in back Emma Brady, Bella Thom, Alexia Renner and Alivia Wolf.

Five Holley graduates have helped the Genesee Community College women’s soccer team capture the Region III championship.

The Lady Hawks quintet includes sophomores Samantha Bates, Emma Brady and Bella Thom along with freshmen Alivia Wolf and Alexia Renner.

GCC defeated Herkimer Community College 7-0 in the semifinals and Jefferson Community College 1-0 in the Region III championship game on Sunday.

Brady, Bates and Wolf each scored a goal in the semifinal win over Herkimer.

Bates then had an assist on the game winning goal in the championship game which was scored by Oakfield-Alabama graduate Piper Hyde who also scored twice in the semifinal.

Bates now has 14 goals and 13 assists on the season, Wolf 8 goals and 3 assists, Brady 6 goals and 14 assists, Thom 4 goals and 5 assists and Renner 1 goal and 1 assist.

GCC is now 12-2-2.

George McKenna says endorsed candidates haven’t done due diligence for Barre

Posted 3 November 2025 at 2:26 pm

Editor:

To residents of Barre, please vote this election! I wanted to take this opportunity to respond to the “Republican endorsed candidates” stating that this election is not about Heritage Wind or renewable energy.

Did you know that the majority of the Barre Republican committee are lease holders or immediate family of lease holders? Did you know that when Dave Waters and I ran the first time, the Republican committee in Barre denied us an interview stating that they “always endorse the incumbent”?

Did you know that this time, when I reached out to seek their endorsement I was told that things have changed and they now required an interview and they went with the “new” candidates? I asked why, and was told that they were going in a “new direction.”

To me they are going in the same direction, endorsing candidates who support or are uninformed about large projects impacting our community, specifically the Heritage Wind project. This financially benefits the committee members and their immediate families’ own interest.

Now I ask you how your voice and opinion has been heard? Or is it a minority with their own financial interests directing this community? Steve Coville has a signed lease and has been and will continue to be paid by Heritage Wind as listed by Heritage Wind.

Wes Miller, as co-chair of the Planning Board, allowed lease holders to vote and discuss the proposed changes for the wind ordinance and at a public hearing. When concerns were brought up about the changes to the wind ordinance, he sat and listened and then read a pre-written note by the attorney that no changes would be made by the Planning Board and they would hand it off to the Town Board. (Did he actually care or listen or would he rather handoff the concerns?)

The endorsed candidates have disregarded the community’s voice. The current Town Board is stalling the new comprehensive plan, mainly trying to hide your comments and the results of the Town survey that shows a majority of the community being opposed to wind, solar, and battery in our community.

The Planning Board co-led by Wes Miller chose to bury the comments and survey results in the back of the “updated comprehensive plan,” going against the recommendation of the professional hired by the planning board from Labella, who shared that very few communities chose to do this of the many that she has worked with.

These individuals do not want your opinion, they have ignored your concerns, they have ignored or failed to investigate, or question the project. The candidates are being endorsed by the same people who endorsed candidates involved in a scam of our community by a University of Buffalo professor that supposedly worked for 16 weeks, 40 hours a week and was paid tens of thousands of dollars for a 7-page report that lacked substance to change our wind ordinance allowing this project to continue.

The endorsed candidates will tell you that this is not about turbines, or renewable energy. The reality is that it is, and their position or lack of position on the biggest thing facing our community actually shows the need for different leadership.

So yes this election is important for you. Please write in “No Turbines” for Supervisor, to make a statement. And please write in the names Iva McKenna and George McKenna for Town Councilmembers, so that we may serve you and protect all residents of our wonderful community.

I promise to continue my commitment to serve you in all Town matters, but to say that this election is not impacted significantly by the Heritage Wind project and renewable energy is deception.

As those candidates have done before them, if Iva and I do not win, these candidates will likely say that their being elected is the endorsement that says “yes, the Town of Barre is in favor of wind turbines.” We know that this is not the case, please help show them by writing in George and Iva McKenna’s names for Town Councilmembers.

George McKenna

Barre