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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

Editor:

As one who taught teens about the Constitution for 29 years, the incremental threats to the document crafted by our Founding Fathers to provide us with a republican form of government worry me greatly.  Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and James Madison would likely be concerned as well.

Was it an accident that those who gave us a representative democracy with separation of powers described the branch of our government that they did in Article One? The legislative branch was first among equals.  And what rights were allotted a measure of protection in Amendment One?

Article Two empowers the head of the executive branch to enforce the law. Grant and Lincoln were among the many presidents who have done so—both Federalist and anti-Federalist, Republican and Democrat. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by the president who appears on our five-dollar bills and one penny pieces—a president with humility, character and integrity.

In my opinion those who head the executive branch should ideally be role models for our young people.  And those of us who care about maintaining our status as a sort of beacon on a hill had better start defending our Constitution against all enemies—foreign and domestic—while we still have a Constitution to defend.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

In 2024 Orleans County turned out in droves to elect Donald Trump and his promise to Make America Great Again. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created for his initiative to address waste, fraud and abuse in government.

Orleans County is said to have one of highest ratios of tax rate per assessed value in the United States. Orleans County Republicans whose GOP Committees are filled with elected and appointed officials must account for that.

There is waste, fraud and abuse at every level of Government from the outhouse to the White House. How can we make America Great Again while ignoring the need for efficiency at home in our County, Towns and Villages?

Here in Murray, we continually struggle with our Water Department. Despite earlier successes in reducing water taxes, refinancing, and reducing water loss, still, the Town cannot operate our water department competitively.

Murray purchases surplus water from Monroe Water Authority (MWA) at full retail price not wholesale. It’s their highest priced water. We also purchase water from Albion at a lesser rate. Consequently, Murray water users pay a blended rate of $6.25/1,000 gallons plus admin fees.

If the Town dissolved its water department as did the Town of Kendall, homeowners would pay $4.01/1,000 plus admin fees. MWA would reduce your rates and we save over $30,000/year in administration costs. Reductions in labor and equipment could save another $100,000/year. So, why are we paying more for the same water when we can get it for less?

The answer is simple. Political patronage and pride. We don’t need increased budgets to build empires. This is Government not the private sector. There will be pushback and claims made that they are operating cheaper than MWA. That is simply not true. I studied our water system financials in depth and numbers don’t lie.

The Town defunded the independent annual financial audit. With the calamity surrounding ethics, unreported cash and a struggling water department taxpayers would expect financial statement certification.

The combined tax rate in Murray for county, town, fire, school & library is $43.84/1,000 of assessed value. Add to that Village of Holley taxes, garbage tax and water district taxes. For farmers, it costs $34.80 per acre plus water tax for cropland. Keep in mind Murray’s equalization rate dropped to 66% so taxpayers can expect a reevaluation soon increasing assessments a minimum of 34%. Is it any wonder why farms convert lands to solar? If you enjoy your landscape, control your taxes, support agriculture or you will be living in an industrial complex.

When there are power outages, you call a utility company not a highway department. When there is a water leak call a utility company not a highway department.

Time to quit blaming Albany for everything. It’s a broken record.

Time to buckle up and make tough decisions.

Time to tighten the ship.

Time to create a more efficient and effective government.

Begin by dissolving the Murray Water Department and save taxpayers a bundle.

We need COGE, County of Orleans Government Efficiency.

Joseph Sidonio

Murray