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Photo by Aaron Vosburgh: A trailer being hauled by a truck got stuck under the Butts Road railroad bridge today.

Editor:

What can be done to stop this?

I have written previous articles about the Butts Road railroad underpass and the many accidents that have happened over the years involving vehicles impacting the underpass or getting wedged underneath it.

In the last two weeks the underpass has been impacted three different times, a local farm owned bus, a pickup truck, and now today’s accident that shut the underpass down to traffic for almost two hours.

I witnessed multiple vehicles down here trying to get through and had to turn around and some even tried to go under just after they got the underpass cleared.

People don’t seem to pay attention to the height clarence signs of 7 feet, 2 inches or the speed down here its clearly marked 40 miles per hour.

My honest opinion is the Butts Road underpass should be sealed and turned into a dead end to avoid someone getting seriously hurt or killed.

With the way the accidents keep occurring it’s not a matter of if but when.

Aaron Vosburgh

Albion

Editor:

The Albion school budget vote May 20 includes Proposition #4 $10,000,000 “Capital Improvements Reserve Fund” and #5, a $3,000,000 reserve for “Technology Equipment.”

Reserve Funds can either be wise fiscal planning or a way to “tuck away” money that should be returned to the taxpayers.  I ask school officials to expand on the very limited explanation appearing in the Budget Newsletter.

Gerard M. Morrisey

Albion

Editor:

We demand our government and the NYSDEC stop the destruction of our protected wetlands!

How can Governor Kathy Hochul claim to be an environmentalist and allow the destruction of our wetlands in the Alabama Swamp?

The idea of a data center next to Indigenous land, next to a wildlife refuge and precious farmland is outrageous.

A mega industrial complex in the middle of nowhere!

WNY STAMP is ill-sited. They should build the WNY STAMP closer to Batavia – not in these protected vital wetlands habitat!

The noise from data centers is disruptive to wildlife and people alike. The vibration in the earth will affect wildlife.

The electricity demands from a data center will raise the consumer electric bills.

And water concerns – Genesee County has a water problem, being landlocked it depends on Monroe or Niagara County to get the water. Six million gallons of water daily from the Niagara River or Lake Ontario.

Pipelines need to be built to bring water in and send the sewer out, and we all know what happened last time they tried to build a sewer pipeline!

The habitat loss has resulted in a 50% decline in the endangered short-eared owl since 2011. The environmental impact statement was issued in 2012, coincidentally?

Governor Hochul, the STAMP project violates the New York CLCPA, Freshwater Wetlands Regulations, and the Environmental Justice Siting Act. Honor your words, “I am an environmentalist…” and protect the Iroquois NWR. Honor the Canandaigua Treaty and respect the Tonawanda Seneca People.

Stop STAMP!

Thanks,

Evelyn Wackett

Buffalo

Editor:

Don’t forget the basic when you hear false equivalents used to justify things that are fundamentally bad economics. Tariffs, trade, deficits, interest rates, savings, all tax cuts are being mixed up in a witches stew of nonsense.

1. Most counties use tariffs to protect particular strategic industry and we also use them to combat unethical trade practice(s). They are not used to increase the costs of goods and parts you need. That is what is happening.

2. Foreign countries buy our Treasury bills and finance our debt. After 40 years of tax cuts and huge deficit spending – our interest on debt now is more than our entire military budget – a smidge under 1 trillion.

As the value of our dollar goes down, and so to demand for Treasury bills, the interest rates on Treasury bills will have to increase to attract buyers. That’s what a busted up trade situation causes. Also continued huge deficits could do this if the economy is weak – 5 trillion in just the last tax cut package for the top 1 percent was 1/7 of the problem all by itself.

3. In respect to consumer and business interest rates, they are increased to dampen inflation when we pay more for the same thing – and sometimes possibly more for less.

4. Consumer and business interest rates will be under pressure to go down only if demand drops or the job market starts falling. That would happen when broad based tariffs get to the point they crush spending on goods and business investment.

This may be what OPEC sees in our future as it’s increasingly pumping oil thus dropping prices in expectation of decreased demand.

5. We are only going to save under 200 billion from cuts in essential government services (Elon Musk’s current number). Moreover all these cuts and firings will cost well over 1.3 billion to implement. (PIRG)

The 2 trillion in savings advertised before the election was claim was snake oil to justify tax cuts. Dismantling supporting programs and firing people without a plan is not rational. Unfortunately, that relates back to the interest cost on Treasury bills as net losses in tax revenue and perception of disintegrating government causes downward pressure on the dollar.

6. Economically tariffs do not create or solve trade deficits. Trade deficits are a combination of economic considerations.

The BRAC group of countries are proposing an alternative currency for international trade. With countries waiting to join, they already have 49% of the world’s population. If the Dollar is not used for pricing, interest rates can go up just as US businesses slow down thus compounding the problem. Pricing business in US dollars and interest rates is a huge advantage which is at risk.

Similarly, Japan’s threat to sell 1 trillion of US debt at a discount if the trade deal on tariffs goes poorly, has to be taken very seriously as it would devastate our status as the reserve currency and balloon our external interest rate.

7. We have a trade surplus with the UK and they estimate they came out 38 billion ahead on the partial deal just announced. Their cars now have tariff advantages our cars makers which are sourced in the US and Canada do not get.

Comment:

We have an amazing economy with momentum. We need changes in bidding and  some management issues that are obvious. But we need to go back to our most prosperous days when the rich paid their fair share of tax. As it is these tax breaks could, for example, start paying down the deficit, albeit slowly, and also leverage some for job creation this trade war is claimed to address.

Curiously, if we want jobs why are we cutting Biden’s investments in the future of jobs?

Trump has had many financial failures. All have been characterized by a trail of broken promises and dashed hopes for everyone but himself and friends. Watch your personal pocket books to know where you stand.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

On May 2nd a white school bus full of workers en route to farms owned by Lynn-Ette & Sons was pulled over by unmarked cars near the town of Albion. Everyone on the bus – seasonal and year-round migrant workers from Guatemala and Mexico – sat up straight.

The men in uniform entered the bus and read from a list of names that Lynn-Ette & Sons claims they did not provide. Fair enough, we live in a surveillance state; there are other ways to build a list…but Occam’s Razor makes me dubious.

Were the people marched off that bus citizens? Were they criminals? Were they organizing to push for fair labor practices from Lynn-Ette & Sons? All I know for sure is that they make up some of the roughly 80,000 people who feed New Yorkers, half of whom are believed to be undocumented.

What is the plan here? These jobs which most US citizens won’t take due to the intense physical demand, poor pay, and exploitative employer practices…who will fill them? Robots? Poor people, more likely. When my job in the nonprofit arts sector disappears and I find myself needing to contribute to the economy directly with my hands, I’m going to appreciate that my predecessors had organized, so that I have rights like sick leave, safety standards, fair treatment, and though it’s not a living wage, at least not below $15.50/hour.

When I’m twisting heads of cabbage like we used to let children (the other population that will work for unlivable wages) am I going to be totally isolated? Am I going to be gripping tight to my seat on the bus when it is stopped and the next batch of brown people are disappeared? And when that bus eventually makes its way to field thirty minutes late, will my overseer hold me responsible? Will I be blamed for the circumstance of my survival like so many innocent immigrants in this country are every day?

And I don’t mean every day since January 20. I mean always: America is in a constant state of exploiting and disappearing the most vulnerable people existing between its borders. Especially those people who speak up. But since January 20, things have gotten scarier, and migrant families in NY State have resorted to never leaving the house at the same time, for fear of being abducted all at once, losing any footing they have in the land where the albeit imagined good life might still be built.

I appreciate Lynn-Ette and Sons making a statement about the arrests demanding, “transparency, due process, and human dignity” in all “enforcement actions” (ie. ICE Raids), but I can only hope they treat their workers with the same qualities. United Farm Workers, who many of the farmers detained last Friday are said to have been in the process of joining, would claim differently.

If I were a suit at Lynn-Ette & Sons, I would do something affirmative that shows my support for these workers, something beyond a letter. I’ll believe Lynn-Ette cares about its workers when they join the chanting crowds that continue to grow outside of the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia. I’ll believe them when they allow their year-round, local resident workers to organize.

Tyler Barton

Hamlin

Editor:

This letter is directed to Senator Rob Ortt, asking him to please secure state funds to repair the Lake Ontario State Parkway’s last 10 miles in Orleans County and the bridge over Oak

Orchard River.

This is a section where the State DOT can not plow in winter because the bridge’s condition would be made worse if hit by a snow plow.

Or the exit ramp at State Route 98, where I can lose my front end of the car at 10 miles an hour.

Tim Flavin

Carlton cottage owner

Editor:

As one of about 65 people attending the May first protest in Batavia against what too often passes for representative government, I must say the event provided me with hope.  Perhaps our founding fathers’ belief that the American people could handle living in a democracy was well-placed.

It seemed that most of those bemoaning the ongoing assault on our Constitution had signs made at home. A wide variety of people were there, everyone from baseball coaches to nuns.

Passersby seemed quite supportive. Those exercising their first amendment rights took strength from them as well as their fellow protesters.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

I would like to propose that the Village of Medina designate a portion of low-demand public parking spaces in the business district to be rentable by building owners. Signed off by the head of DPW to take into account of snow removal.

Our community is facing a critical need for additional housing. However, strict parking requirements per residential unit often pose a significant barrier—especially for property owners looking to renovate and repurpose underutilized upper floors in existing buildings.

To address this, I recommend a policy that allows landlords to rent nearby public parking spaces to satisfy required parking minimums, particularly when adding new residential units on second and third floors.

Proposed Terms:

• Rental Rate: $25 per month per space, payable annually at $300 per year.
• Eligibility Permit: Parking rental permits must be held by the property owner, not the tenant.
• Terms: Non-refundable annual fee with renewal payable annually.

Benefits of This Policy:

• Encourages housing development
• Stimulates revitalization of downtown and mixed-use areas.
• Improves utilization of existing public parking infrastructure.
• Generates revenue for the Village of Medina.

This practical, flexible approach supports both economic development and housing growth, while maintaining transparency and accountability through a clear permit structure.

Tim Elliott

Medina

Editor:

I had the opportunity Tuesday night to visit the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company during their weekly training session, witnessing just a small amount of the effort involved in testing, documenting and maintaining all the equipment.

To say the least, I was impressed with the dedication these men and women have in providing essential life-saving services to our community. Over the course of the evening, we had wide-ranging discussions about the costs of equipment, amount of training required and funding.

We also had a conversation about their mutual support relationships with the other area fire companies. At times this means traveling to communities like Kendell, Holley and wherever they are needed.

They also voiced the importance of a reliable ambulance service, something that is the envy of many neighboring communities. Lastly, I was encouraged by the presence of a younger generation who have decided to get involved, something you do not see everywhere.

Thank you to the folks at the Shelby Fire Company and to all that serve in these dangerous and vital services.

Jim Heminway

Medina

Editor:

I am seeking re-election for a trustee position on the Kendall Central School district school board.

As a 9th generation resident of Kendall I am running to continue serving my community. I live in Kendall with my wife Brianna and my two kids Brenton and Brynn. My family has instilled in me the importance of community service with a long history of serving Kendall and surrounding communities and I wish to continue that legacy.

I am a Kendall graduate and also a graduate of WeMoCo from the precision machining program. I have worked in manufacturing my entire career and understand the importance of trades and getting young people interested in pursuing them.

I am also a parent of a special needs student and have been able to advocate for him to be put into an inclusion program in elementary school, and also for changes in his high school program to better serve him. I see the importance of parent involvement in the process for special needs students as well as typical students.

I have coached several teams in Kendall including youth soccer, JV soccer, and modified softball, I have also been an assistant coach for varsity soccer. I received absolutely no pay for my coaching positions as sitting board members cannot receive any compensation.

I am a 20-year member of the Kendall Fire Department, where I have held the positions of lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, deputy chief, chief, purchasing office, vice president and president. I am currently an assistant chief and vice president. This not only gives me a different perspective, it helps me stay connected to the community and its needs.

In my time on the board we have faced many challenges: Covid, appointment of a new superintendent, reorganizing of administrative staff, completion of the prior capital project, starting of a new capital project. I have always advocated for keeping any tax increases to a minimum.

The taxpayers deserve financially responsible board members, while ensuring a top-quality education. In my current term on the board we have always kept the tax increases below the cap, several years we held the increase to 0%. This would not have been possible of it was not for the great team of board members, superintendent, business official and staff. I wish continue to be a part of that team and serve my community.

Please consider voting for me on May 20th at the Kendall Town Hall from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Kendall has been good to me, I want to be good to Kendall.

Thank you for your support.

Bryan Hardenbrook

Kendall

Editor:

It’s been a challenging year for many in our community facing price increases, tighter budgets, and job cuts and the need for Catholic Charities’ services only continues to grow here in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities has provided HOPE to our neighbors who may be struggling to make ends meet, or who are facing challenges impacting their health and well-being.

Catholic Charities’ programs offered in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties gave HOPE to 2,300 individuals of all ages and across all faiths last year alone. These programs include basic emergency assistance such as support for food and finding housing resources, and behavioral health services for both children and adults.

We also work with dozens of families to address youth problematic behaviors through our multisystemic therapy program, and our home visitation and friendly phones programs bring a sense of connectivity and quality of life to homebound seniors.

However, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the continued generosity and support from the community. The annual Appeal helps to fund the many programs administered by Catholic Charities in addition to several ministries through the Fund for the Faith. To provide HOPE for all, we need help from all our neighbors to reach and surpass Appeal 2025’s goal of $8.5 million by June 30.

Your financial support is deeply appreciated, and we hope that all our neighbors in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties know that if anyone is in need, you can call us at 585-343-0614 to find help through Catholic Charities. We have offices in Batavia, Albion and Perry.

Katelyn DiSalvo

Tri-County District Director, Catholic Charities

Editor:

When I personally needed help, Office for the Aging was there with information and assistance getting services, like HEAP and Meals on Wheels. There was so much help available out of one office.

When I was working, I referred many patients to OFA for help. I never heard a bad word about them.

Melissa Blanar and her staff deserve congratulations on the OFA reaching its 50-year milestone, and thanks for making life better for Orleans County seniors.

Eileen K. Kosieracki, D.O., retired

Albion

Editor:

In an April 24 article of the Hub, Albion Mayor Javier stated that a village tax increase of 13% was needed. He suggested “dissolving the village (government) is worth considering to help spread out the cost of services into the towns of Albion and Gaines.” And the Mayor added that “when I look at the tax levy, no one will able to live here.”

In 2020 Orleans County had 40,343 residents. In 2023 the number was 39,124 a decrease of 3%.

I think the Mayor is on the right track. Consolidation appears to be the only way to keep taxes and costs down. Voters should tell the ten town, four village and the county governments, they have had enough. Consolidate all 14 towns and village governments into the county before taxes are so high more people leave.

Why 14 governments when one can do the job more efficiently? A good place to start is with the New York State “Guide to Petitioning for Local Government Consolidation or Dissolution” available online.

Jack Capurso

Albion High School, Class of 1960

Ashburn, Va.

Editor:

Budget season is always a challenging time for elected officials. Striking a balance between keeping taxes low, maintaining essential services, or making tough decisions about what to cut is never easy.

That said, the village still needs to move forward—simply maintaining the status quo isn’t enough to bring about real improvement.

I’d like to propose the creation of a sidewalk replacement fund to help enhance our community of Medina. While sidewalks are privately owned by property owners throughout the village, they provide a clear benefit to everyone.

If the village were to allocate, for example, $20,000 and offer a 20% reimbursement upon project completion, it could serve as an incentive for property owners to invest in sidewalk improvements.

Worst-case scenario, no one applies and the $20,000 simply carries over. In the best-case scenario, we get new sidewalks that benefit the entire community. This could be structured as an annual application process, operating on a first-come, first-served basis—or, if there’s high demand, a rubric could be implemented to prioritize applications.

Growth of Medina is needed and this is a small way to help.

Tim Elliott

Medina

Editor:

This is a message from the Shelby Republican Committee. As stated in my previous letter April 8th, a date and venue for our Republican Primary debate has been selected.

I would like to invite the residents in the Town of Shelby on May 22 at 6 p.m. to the Shelby Fire Hall on Route 63. Light refreshments will be available.

Please attend, ask questions and bring up concerns to the candidates. The committee feels there is a lot to question, as there is a wide range between endorsed and non-endorsed views.

First, we question the stance and position on the tax issue between the village and outside the village. Should snow plowing be thrust upon a small portion of citizens?

The committee thinks the quarry issue should surface again, as discovered an active mining permit is in hand with only the overlay in place to protect the Wildlife Preserve.

Another worthy topic to think about is Shelby water. Why is there such disdain or controversy on the Royalton water project?

Come find out what the candidates think and feel on topics. Let’s have a friendly chat with neighbors.

Hope to see you all May 22 at the Shelby Fire Hall on Route 63 at 6 p.m.

Thank you,

Dale Root

Town of Shelby Republican Chairman