Editor:

It is interesting that the District Attorney of Orleans County, Susan Howard, is criticizing Albany’s attempt to make the judicial system fairer while supporting Rob Ortt and Steve Hawley, who support a convicted felon and sexual predator as the President.

Research and data show that New York’s bail reform and the Clean Slate Act make New Yorker safer and communities stronger by addressing recidivism. The Data Collaborative for Justice, at John Jay College of Criminal Justice research center, in a long-term study found that individuals released under New York City bail reform had significantly less rates of recidivism than those who had bail set pre-reform.

The Brennan Center for Justice analyzed the results in 33 cities and found that bail reform does not cause an increase in crime rates. The Clean Slate Act reduces recidivism, according to studies by the Clean Slate Initiative and the R Street Institute, a policy research organization that promotes free markets and limited effective governance, show that long-term recidivism rates are reduced.

The general public is not expected to keep up with research on recidivism rates and judicial reform while the district attorney for the county should be aware. It is also easier politically to scare the general public than to debate policy research.

It is time to stop being led by fear-mongering politicians. It is time to support intelligent policy making decisions. I support Thomas Arida for State Senate district 62 and Sara Wolcott for Assembly district 139.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

The New York State Legislature adjourned last month and once again, law-abiding New Yorkers are left wondering whether Kathy Hochul and the downstate-led Senate and Assembly are listening to the communities forced to live with the consequences of its policies.

While the state budget increased by billions of dollars and hundreds of bills passed both houses, they did not confront the very real public safety threat that many prosecutors, law enforcement officers, victims, and residents have been warning about for years.

Albany’s experiment with pro-criminal policies continues.

Over the past several years, New York has enacted a series of criminal justice reforms that have systematically weakened accountability and tilted the scales away from victims and public safety.

Bail Reform has repeatedly limited judges’ ability to detain repeat offenders who pose a danger to our communities.

Raise the Age has shifted serious juvenile offenders into a system that too often prioritizes ideology over accountability.

The Clean Slate Act seals criminal records on an unprecedented scale, making it harder for employers, landlords, and the public to access information that may be relevant to important decisions.

Each of these policies was sold to the public as necessary reform. Together, they have produced a criminal justice system increasingly disconnected from common sense.

As Orleans County district attorney, I see the consequences firsthand.

I see victims who are frustrated and fearful when offenders are quickly returned to the streets. I see police officers undermined by a revolving-door system that too often treats repeated criminal behavior as an inconvenience rather than a threat. I see communities struggling with retail theft, drug-related crime, and repeat offenders cycling through the system without meaningful consequence.

Yet despite growing concern from residents across the state, Albany ended the legislative session without taking action to restore balance.

There was no comprehensive effort to strengthen judicial discretion in bail decisions. No serious reconsideration of policies that have undermined accountability. No acknowledgment that perhaps the people closest to the problem like local prosecutors, law enforcement leaders, victims, and community members might have legitimate concerns.

Public safety should not be a partisan issue. Every New Yorker, regardless of political affiliation, deserves safe neighborhoods, safe schools, and confidence that the justice system will hold offenders accountable while protecting the rights of the accused.

Unfortunately, this legislative session provided little reason for optimism. Albany had an opportunity to make New York safer and less hospitable to criminals. It chose not to take it.

But that doesn’t mean we stop the fight.

Senator Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley have been strong partners and fierce advocates for fixing the broken system. They deserve our thanks for fighting the uphill battle in Albany on behalf of the District Attorney’s office and all Orleans County residents.

I’ll continue to do my part to join the growing calls for change and use my platform to advocate for victims and secure justice for our community.

Susan Howard

Orleans County district attorney

Editor:

Korean War veteran Joe Gehl‘s 94th birthday was last month. His humility, composure, compassion and character are among the qualities that compelled me to attempt to pay tribute to the person I regard to be an exemplary human being.

As a founding board member of the Albion Betterment Committee, 501(c)(3), Joe embodied decency and genuine concern for others, irrespective of superficial differences.

Whether it encompasses his work with Orleans Habitat for Humanity, his involvement with Holy Family Parish, or anyone of several other beneficial roles, Joe Gehl gets it done, and has for some time.

To me, Joe exhibits the very best of what it means to be a selfless Christian.

With sincere appreciation,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

The Town of Yates is currently grappling with the Short-Term Rental issue as are many towns across the country and globally. As such, the Town is updating Yates’ Short-Term Rental (STR) Local Law #2 of 2026. A public hearing on the STR Law was held on Monday evening, July 6, 2026 in order to obtain public input on the law.

The following are excerpted comments and input made to the Town Board at the public hearing:

I am a resident and property owner in the Town of Yates.

I have read the law and believe the law protects STR customers. However, there is precious little in STR Local Law #2 of 2026 that protects current, taxpaying residents who make up the heart and soul of the very special place we call home.

So, in an effort to provide constructive, actionable criticism of the proposed law and solutions, I offer the following:

1. Moratorium On Any STR Activity:Institute a moratorium on implementation of an STR Law until a fair and equitable solution is reached that addresses all significant concerns on the part of current, taxpaying residents of the Town of Yates.
2. Survey of the Taxpayers:Use the time allowed by the moratorium to survey the current, taxpaying residents of the Town of Yates on their views and ideas on the STR issue.  An informal survey of a number of current, taxpaying residents and have found very little support for the proposed STR Local Law #2 of 2026 as written. All want a say in whether or not an STR is located adjacent to their property. I offer my assistance in developing and administering a survey of the taxpaying residents of Yates, if required.
3. Suggested Updates to STR Local Law #2 of 2026
4. Special Use Permitting:The Special Use permit provision in the original STR Local Law #1 of 2026 has been written out of STR Local Law #2 of 2026 that is currently under assessment.  I would urge the Town Board to revisit and reinstate the Special Use Permit Requirement for STR businesses. Special Use Permits are a critical part of ensuring compliant behavior of businesses that are located in areas of the town zoned as residential and as such need to be reinstated.
5. Grandfathering:Grandfather current STR business owners based on previous performance.
6. Adjacent, Bordering Property:As a part of the Special Use Permit (or the normal permitting) process, each adjacent, bordering property owner will have approval/disapproval decision on the Special Use Permit.  Given the real “skin in the game” imposed by a potential STR a few yards away from their homes, approval/disapproval by adjacent property owners seems prudent and fair in ensuring the closest neighbors have a say in the approval of a Special Use or any permit for an STR.  If any adjacent property owner does not approve or does not respond, the Special Use Permit for the STR business will not be approved.  This would be in effect for single use and multi-use drives.  This would also be utilized for multi-property lanes, where only the adjacent bordering properties would have the approval/disapproval option.

These three, simple improvements/modifications to the STR Local Law #2 of 2026 would allow for:

1. Via Grandfathering, fair and equitable treatment of long-time STR business owners that have remained very closely connected to their properties.
2. Ensure that adjacent taxpaying property owners have some say and teeth in the location decision of STR’s, considering the potential property misuse and quality of life reductions that may come with the location of an STR so close to their homes.

In closing, I’d like to thank the Town Board for the opportunity to speak at this public hearing on STR Local Law #2 of 2026. Only in America does this precious right of free speech exist.

Update: Unfortunately, these comments and the plea to protect the constituents were not deemed actionable by the Board. The Town Board needs to understand that the current taxpaying landowners live here and need basic respect and protections in Town Law.

The specter of this new STR paradigm in Yates is sobering in the extreme. As such, the Town Board must act to protect the constituency and the constituency must let the Town Board know their positions on this divisive issue.

Thank You.

John B. Riggi

Yates

Editor:

On May 27, the GDEDC posted a 480-page “Geotechnical Report” for the North Campus of the STREAM US Data Centers facility proposed for the STAMP site in the Town of Alabama.

This report was posted (a) weeks after the end of the period of public comment, and (b) contained in a document given the misleading title “Supplemental Information.” This Report is the opposite of “supplemental”: it is fundamental to understanding what would actually be needed in order to construct the proposed facility.

The report states  that the soils of the North Campus are characterized by very poor drainage and are highly “compressible”, which means that the soil is incapable of supporting the proposed structure without massive geoengineering interventions – including the installation of concrete supports up to 55’ deep and building up the soil grade by an additional 10 feet in some places.

These re-engineering feats would then be followed by weeks or months of settling. This is not the kind of site preparation anticipated in the original 2012 Environmental Impact Statement for the STAMP site. Additionally, the report shows that the stormwater permit STREAM applied for was based on faulty assumptions about stormwater management on the site.

This information leads us to wonder what CEO Mark Masse of the GDEDC meant when he said the site was “shovel ready.” Does the term “sink hole” mean anything to anyone? Who remembers what happened when GCEDC used inappropriate construction methods during its botched first attempt to build a STAMP wastewater pipeline… in exactly the same kind of soils? That effort ended in a frac-out of 500-700 gallons of hydraulic drilling fluid spilled directly into wetlands of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and, yes, sinkholes.

Dear readers, ask yourselves why the GDEDC would not have made this information easily and openly available to the public within the timeframe of open comment on this proposal. Ask yourselves why the GDEDC would only have posted the information on their website, under a less-than-clear title, in the middle of a 480-page document labeled as “supplemental information”.

Finally, ponder for yourselves the incredible amount of environmental damage and degradation such construction would bring to the Town of Alabama, all of the residents, the watershed, the wetlands, and the Wildlife Refuge. How can anyone think this is a good idea? It’s not!

Signed,

Barbara Price, Warsaw

Leslie DeLooze, LeRoy

Jenn Durham, Alabama

Sharon Larmon, Alabama

Cheryl Cordes, Alabama

Mark Cordes, Alabama

Sarah Kohl, Alexander

Angela Carlson, Batavia

Gina Schelemanow, Batavia

Diane Boeheim, Batavia

Beverly Hoy, Batavia

Irene C Hickey, Batavia

RaeAnn Engler, Batavia

Liz Thompson, Batavia

Charlotte Nelson, Lancaster

Elizabeth Harris, LeRoy

Mary Eisenhard, Pavilion

Joan Gray, Pavilion

Sarah Covell, Perry

Mary Marks, Stafford

Becky Lewis, York

Editor:

For over 120 years, economists and sociologists have predicted that an era of accelerating income inequality would lead to something termed a “post capitalist collapse.” Due to massive turnout by voters (who voted out the entire hierarchy of politicians who supported elites and outdated economics) the Franklin D. Roosevelt New Deal led to policies that addressed the inequality then.

Those changes led to unparalleled decades of prosperity. There was greater opportunity provided for all. The rub (which resulted in decades of gorilla politics financed by the greedy) was that the greedy did not get ultra rich as fast.

Meanwhile government printing presses covered a lot of the tax shortfalls by printing money. Problems, caused by lack of money for job creation, training, education, infrastructure, health care (needed to cut the high death rate in rural areas), were blamed on big government which could not spend enough to meet real people’s real needs.

The worship of money and downright meanness now pervades every level of government and includes many on our Supreme Court. People who should know better glorify illegal illogic when it benefits them or their buddies.

This is the 4th of July – a day to express love for our country. But love for our country is not the same as meanness, distain of other human beings, or policies which really enrich only a few.

Love for our country is a collective expression or it dissembles into the selfish chaos we are experiencing as the long predicted post-capitalist era arrived and now accelerates.

On this 4th of July we must all, as Patriots, rededicate ourselves to massive voter involvement. All levels of government must be run by brave people dedicated to: factual accuracy and consistent, one person, one vote, and ensuring all have the opportunity to go as far in life as both their talent and their will can take them.

God bless our Country and let us work to ensure the voter turnout to bring in a New New Deal. A New Deal which once again will  take us back to our core principles.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

This year we celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Declaration of Independence claims that “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.”

While the Constitution starts off with “We the People of the United States,” it is clear that the Constitution and this government belong to the people. Today those principles, written in the Constitution, are under assault.

The President has actively explored suspending habeas corpus and denying due process.  Internal memos by Will Scharf, serving as the White House staff secretary, show that the administration was seriously considering suspending habeas corpus.

Habeas corpus protects everyone against arbitrary government decisions and ensures a measure of fairness in the legal system. Without it, the government could arrest anyone on any charges, and you have no right to defend yourself. You are guaranteed the right to habeas corpus by Article 1 section 9 of the Constitution. And you are guaranteed due process by both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment. These rights are guaranteed in the Constitution to everyone, citizen or undocumented.

This administration with compliant Republican Congress, are assaulting other constitutional rights. Actions taken by this administration against media companies, law firms, libraries, and federal agencies threaten your First Amendment rights. The administration rescinded funds already approved for PBS and NPR; they have sued the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. They have gone after ABC, CNN and CBS for their reporting and editorial practices.

They have gone after university research funding to force only speech the administration considers appropriate on college campuses. Recently, this administration, with compliant Republicans, have gone after the First Amendment rights of citizens in Syracuse and Rochester, New York.

The President has declared national emergencies to issue Executive Orders that subvert the Constitution’s separation of powers. Aided by a pliant Republican Congress they have pulled back funds appropriated by Congress, who the Constitution gives control of the federal purse strings.

They have implemented sweeping tariffs on foreign goods, also abridging Congress authority. And they have demolished federal departments authorized by Congress. Republicans control Congress and could stop these assaults on the Constitution and our freedoms, but they fear the President more than they fear their constituents.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, it is important to know that this is your country, your “republic, if you can keep it,” as Benjamin Franklin said.

Thomas Jefferson stated that “When the people fear the government that is tyranny, but when the government fears the people that is democracy.”

Our Democracy is under assault by this Republican administration. I urge you not to let Republicans take away our Constitutional rights.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

For anyone reading the Orleans Hub Letters to the Editor today, I have been a town clerk for 18 ½ years. I have gone above and beyond in my job including earning my Masters designation in Municipal Clerk, the only clerk in Orleans County to ever achieve this honor.

I spent many hours in my office when I was first elected staying until midnight and going in at 6 a.m. and working Saturdays. I have had a total of five years without a raise and when I turned 65, my medical was stopped.

I never abused time off. I used the handbook for my time off although I was told the handbook was not for elected people as they don’t get time off however they just take their own time off.

I will be retiring at the end of my term after 20 years on Dec. 31, 2027. The board  has brought up appointed versus elected town clerk and highway superintendent for the next term of town clerk and highway superintendent.

There is a public Hearing on Tuesday,  June 30, at 6 p.m. for the town clerk  and following will be highway superintendent.  I feel the position for town clerk should be elected! People need a choice.

Darlene Rich

Shelby

Editor:

In the last election you, the Town of Shelby voters, elected me as Supervisor and two other board members by a wide margin. It was clear that this was based on a dissatisfaction with the previous administrations.

Since taking office I have seen just how bad things had gotten. The other board members and I have taken our Oath of Office seriously looking for solutions to the current problems and ways to keep it from falling backwards when we are no longer in office. Understand, it is highly unlikely that any future Supervisor will spend as much time in the Town Hall office as I have nor likely to have the quality board we have today. That means that the full-time positions of Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent need to be the very best we can find, regardless of party affiliation.

I have seen firsthand how much a person in these positions needs to know. Just because we are a smaller town does not make these jobs any easier. In fact I will argue they are harder, since we can no longer afford the number of staff for help that we used to have.  When Darlene Rich was elected, she had 3 experienced staff members. The next person will be lucky to have 1.

I encourage you to read some of the documents we have put on the Town of Shelby website (click here).

If the board decides to move ahead the real work will follow. A full list of job requirements, a formal hiring process including resume reviews and interviews, job protection from arbitrary board decisions, a performance review policy, a full description of a benefit package including work hours and time off.

All this and more will need to be developed and formalized. Remember today anyone can run for office, no resume or experience needed and once elected they by Municipal Town Law are not required to work any specific number of hours or have limits on time off.  Together we need to find a way to assure that we the taxpayers get the best service possible for our hard-earned tax dollars.

Let’s make it clear, no one on the Shelby Town Board is looking to take away any of your rights. The public hearing gives everyone a chance to express their views. The board will consider those and then make a decision to proceed or not. Proceeding means that these proposed Local Laws will be put on the ballot in November. With that you’re assured the right to vote YES or NO.

Jim Heminay

Town of Shelby Supervisor

Editor:

We are nearing the 250th anniversary of our country’s battle for independence. The right to elect those who govern and manage for us was a key part of the struggle. We did not want a king we didn’t put in power telling us what to do.

So, this brings up the question, why does the Town of Shelby Board want to remove our rights to elect the town clerk and highway superintendent?

Some quick facts from an internet search:

1. There are 933 townships in NY

2. Only 92, or about 10 percent appoint their clerks and highway superintendents

3. Most of the 92 are located in large urban or suburban areas that might require specialized skills for these jobs.

4. Obviously, the Town of Shelby is not urban or large in population and is in the 90 percent who elect the positions.

There will be a public hearing Tuesday, June 30th at 6 p.m. at the Town of Shelby Hall.  Please plan to attend and ask the board why they want to take away your right to elect these two important offices.

Having the town clerk, and highway superintendent directly accountable to the voters every few years, is better for the people of Shelby than having the board dictate to us who will serve.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeff Smith

Town of Shelby resident, former Shelby Town Supervisor

Editor:

Congratulations to the Kendall boys baseball team on their phenomenal season!

They beat the other C team and not one, but two crossovers as it was Section Five’s turn to do so, beating the Section 6 sectional champs and Section 3 champs before marching forward to the New York State semifinal. They won that game also. The excitement and pride was overwhelming.

Kendall player Vinnie D’Agostino phrased their loss with class in the final saying Kendall is the best public high school in Class C. He didn’t say they suffered a loss in the NYSPHS State final to a private Catholic school.

The “P” stands for ‘Public” in New York State Public High School Athletic Association. This is an ongoing controversy in Section V. Section VI does not allow it. Section 1 just overwhelmingly voted 69 to 4 to prohibit Catholic schools playing in public playoffs beginning with the 2027-28 school year.

No secret that private schools can recruit and do it openly.

Hold your heads up, boys. We are so proud of your not only winning season but your sportsmanship in getting there.

Margaret Zambito

Oakfield (and Kendall cottage resident)

Editor:

You would think by now the “Political Establishment” would get the hint that the people of Shelby are sick and tired of their games. Clearly they haven’t at this point or they just simply don’t care. They will do whatever they think they can get away with.

If you haven’t been following – which everything happens in backroom deals and secret meetings – the Shelby Republican leadership is once again trying to stack the deck to stack their future. Let me explain:

In local politics, the committee can endorse and make decisions based on a weighted vote. This determines who they “support” during elections. It’s not a majority or equal, it’s often a few people making all the decisions regardless. This often prevents good, qualified candidates from ever standing a chance to seek public office.

The Political Establishment’s friends and family program wins out. No matter how many times we tell them to knock it off, they keep going back to the well. It’s a machine designed to break your will.

Next week, there’s an open committee seat to be elected as a result of my brother, Jim Zelazny, passing away from cancer. Jimmy was an avid committee person, for the people, and wanted the best and brightest to represent us. He just so happened to be in one of those heavily weighted districts.

So now, the Political Establishment wants to play musical chairs with their candidates, moving a former board member into this heavily weighted district. To make matters worse this former board member was already a committee person in one of the lowest weighted districts. Makes you wonder why the move is needed?

The Establishment is denying the opportunity for John “Yonic” Parada to participate. Yonic, as we all know, stands for the people. He embodies the principles that Jimmy stood for. He will seek transparency in the committee process while fighting to keep the Political Establishment in check. He’s a person we need!

To make matters even more important, the Town Board recently passed a rule that prevents any elected official or employee from being on a political committee. Guess who the other committee person is in this heavily weighted district? None other than our Highway Superintendent. So not only are they denying Yonic, but they are waiting for this elected official to eventually step away so they can appoint, without election, another hand-picked Establishment candidate. We can’t make this stuff up.

The lights are on. There’s no hiding in shadows. Please join me in supporting John “Yonic” Parada for Republican Committee District 1. To keep the spirit of Jimmy fighting for the people.

Ed Zelazny

District 1 voter Shelby

Editor:

Dear Clarendon Republicans, I am writing to encourage you to vote for Marc Major for Town Supervisor in the upcoming Republican Primary on June 23rd.

Marc has been endorsed by our Republican Committee and has a long history of dedicated service to the residents of Clarendon. His contributions include 20 years of service with the Clarendon Fire Company, where he rose to the rank of Fire Chief, and 12 years as a Town  Councilman.

Since being elected last year to his current post as Town Supervisor, he has continued to demonstrate the experience, knowledge, and leadership necessary to serve our town effectively.

Please join me in supporting Marc Major for re-election as Town Supervisor on Tuesday.

Very Respectfully,

Chris Caufield
Clarendon Republican Committee Chairman

Editor:

The right to vote stands as one of the most fundamental pillars of American democracy, enshrined in the Constitution and protected through generations of struggle. It empowers citizens to select their leaders and shape their government.

Yet today, in the Town of Shelby, this right faces quiet erosion. The Shelby Town Board is quietly seeking to strip residents of their ability to elect certain officials, proposing instead to appoint them directly. Such a move threatens the very principle of self-governance.

Citizens have both the right and the duty to choose their elected representatives. Voting is not merely a privilege—it is the mechanism by which ordinary people hold power accountable. When boards bypass elections in favor of appointments, they reduce transparency and limit public input.

Appointed officials may owe loyalty to the board rather than the community they serve. This shift diminishes civic participation and risks concentrating authority in fewer hands, away from the will of the people. History shows that when voting rights are curtailed, whether through poll taxes, literacy tests, or procedural maneuvers, democracy weakens.

Citizens must exercise their duty to vote, stay informed, and voice opposition to policies that undermine electoral choice. Apathy only invites further encroachment.

From a military perspective, the defense of voting rights carries profound weight. Service members swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Many have fought overseas precisely so that people—including Americans at home—can live under representative government.

Veterans understand that the Constitution’s promise of republic government rests on free and fair elections. Eroding the right to vote for local offices disrespects the sacrifices made to preserve democratic institutions. I for one didn’t risk everything so that politicians could appoint their successors and sideline the voters.

Local actions like the Town of Shelby board’s proposal set dangerous precedents. They test whether communities will tolerate reduced accountability. Citizens should attend public meetings, contact representatives, and, if necessary, pursue legal or ballot remedies to restore and protect electoral rights.

In the end, the right to vote is more than a procedural formality. It is the heartbeat of liberty. Protecting it requires vigilance from all citizens—especially those who have worn the uniform. Our republic endures only when the people retain the power to choose.

Scott Wengewicz

Former Shelby Town Supervisor and a disabled veteran

Editor:

This coming Tuesday, June 23^rd, is primary day.

To be clear, the opinions and observations are my own and not necessarily of the other Town of Shelby Board members.

In the roughly 10 month’s that I have occupied the Town of Shelby Supervisor seat I have learned a lot. Not only about how our local government is supposed to work, but also how it has not. In fact, the system has failed the taxpayers of Shelby for years.

I, and other board members, ran a successful primary and general election campaign on a platform of change and fiscal responsibility. Even though I had attended Town Board meetings for several years I was unprepared for the level of dysfunction that existed.

How did it get this way?

The Supervisor is not only the Chief Financial Officer, but sets the agenda for the board and the town. Planning and oversight, so that the path forward is clear to the other officials and employees. Unfortunately, the last 3 Supervisors quit, leaving no continuity in direction, financial controls, policies, or procedures.

Under the watch of these Supervisors the Clerk’s Office was stripped of some it is primary duties, such as document control and over time the accounting became the focus of a New York State Comptroller’s Office audit, finding it deficient. In addition, this lack of fiscal oversight allowed the Highway Department budget to become bloated.

With the help and support of the board and some employees at the town we have gradually brought the spending under control, completed an independent audit, and provided the public with a transparent local government.

But without change the past failures will return.

After extensive legal research the board passed a revised Local Law for Code of Ethics, which restricts elected officials and town employees from serving on political committees.

Why?

Unless you get the endorsement of a political committee, especially the republican committee, it is extremely difficult to get elected. Unfortunately, many people line vote, meaning they vote all republican or all democrat regardless the qualifications of those on the ballot. With an overwhelming republican registration, the republican committee endorsement almost always results in a win.

In Shelby, the Republican Committee is made up of 8 members. The Chairperson is the Shelby Town Highway Superintendent. Other members include a highway employee, the Deputy Superintendent, a former highway employee and friend who follows the Chair. This is 5 of the 8 votes.

In practice the Highway Department, through the committee, controls who gets the nod and most likely gets elected. While the committee seats are elected positions, I would challenge most people to explain to me the process involved.

On primary day you have the choice to make a change in one of the 4 districts. You can vote for the Superintendent who would continue as the chairperson, or a former board member, who was one of those who quit last July, depriving the town of a quorum and costing thousands in legal fees and other costs. Or there is a third choice, someone who attends almost every board meeting, speaks his mind (not always agreeing with me) but is passionate about his community.

More recently the board has proposed two new local laws. One to abolish the elected position of Town Clerk and the other to abolish the elected position of Highway Superintendent, replacing them with appointed positions. There would be no impact to the current Clerk or Superintendent for the duration of their term.

In the future the Town Board would post these jobs, review their resumes, interview applicants, and appoint the most qualified candidate, just as any business would do.  Because these applications would not be limited to anyone based on their political affiliation, a broader source of qualified people would be available.

So why now?

These jobs are complex, not easily learned in a few months or even years. Having served 18 years, the current Town Clerk has made it clear that she intends to retire next year at the end of her term. The Deputy Clerk has made it clear that she has no desire to assume the Clerk position and most likely be leaving soon.

It is the desire of the current Town Clerk to bring someone else in, getting some experience before she leaves. However, with the current system there is no guarantee that this trainee would get a political endorsement and without it, would they run a primary campaign. I can tell you from experience, it is not for the faint of heart. After digging out from the years of dysfunction, the Town of Shelby cannot afford to have either of these positions filled by unqualified individuals.

I will share a little about what I have learned about elected positions, mine included. While mine, as Supervisor, is designed as a part time oversight position (the last Supervisor rarely showed up at the town hall), the Clerk and Superintendent positions should be full time.  But, for all elected positions, there is no requirement that you do your job.  Unlimited vacation, good retirement, no boss, and according the New York State Town Laws an elected official does not even have to show up and there is nothing anyone can do about it until the next election. In fact, I know of a case where a highway superintendent has another full-time job, but gets full time benefits of the elected position.

The board has scheduled public hearings for these two proposed laws on June 30th at 6 p.m. and at 6:05 p.m. I am sure we will hear from many who have strong opinions on this subject. We will hear from the political parties who wish to maintain control, from associations that represent these positions and collect dues.

We will hear from concerned citizens who feel that it takes the public’s right to choose, to which I will say, three of the 5 board positions come up for vote every 2 years, so you have more control over the affairs of your town. Shelby is not the first, nor the last municipality to follow this path.

We are facing challenging times. Increasing costs, stagnant revenue, and increased taxes. Many who voted for me said they wanted change, but change is not easy or always popular.  I have no agenda other than to make the local Town of Shelby government a more efficient, fair and in a better place than when I walked in the door. I welcome the chance in the public hearings to hear your concerns and hopefully explain the reasoning behind these actions.

Jim Heminway

Town of Shelby Supervisor