Editor:

Several years ago, the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) decided to place an industrial park next to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s Reservation Territory, right on the border of its biodiverse old-growth Big Woods.

The GCEDC said it would create 9,000 good-paying jobs. But to date, they have created zero.

Recently, Stream Data Centers is proposing to build a 2.2 million square foot, 500 megawatt data center. And how many jobs would they create? 125. And how much in tax breaks are they asking for? $810 million. Which translates into roughly $6.4 million per job.

This is so outrageous that even our state environmental conservation agency has put GCEDC on notice.

In a recent letter to GCEDC, DEC set forth rigorous and meaningful requirements for GCEDC’s environmental review of the monster data center.

For the first time, the DEC is directing GCEDC to conduct a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the STAMP site as a whole and for data centers specifically. This guidance represents a meaningful turning point for environmental review at STAMP and answers the Nation’s decade-long call for a robust SEIS for STAMP.

Moreover, DEC points out numerous gaps of information and inconsistencies in the plans that STREAM has submitted so far, and raised numerous important additional details that STREAM and GCEDC will have to provide in order to complete SEQR review.

And: DEC states that GCEDC must analyze how a massive data center providing just 125 jobs (they say 120, the number listed in the original application) jobs is consistent with the original goal of the STAMP site to provide 9,000 jobs.

Well done, DEC! I’m glad to see the agency calling out GCEDC for their failed promises and challenging them to justify how building an environmentally harmful, energy wasting data center using taxpayer subsidies is good for the public.

Nationwide opposition to data centers is growing. According to datacenterwatch.org, $64 billion of data center projects have been blocked or delayed.

Nobody wants them in their back yard and yet the GCEDC and other organizations are offering huge incentives for the companies to bring data centers to their communities.

Most of these communities are rural and important agricultural areas.

We oppose this monster data center and ask GCEDC to rethink STAMP. Why not build a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary and a native plant nursery?

People are wanting more native plants and more protection of our food and water sources.

Join the Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation alliesoftsn.weebly.com and tell GCEDC and Stream absolutely not!

Evelyn Wackett

Buffalo

Editor:

On February 2, Stream US Data Centers hosted an “Open House – Community Information Session” at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall regarding the massive data center complex they are applying to build at WNY STAMP in Alabama. Here are our takeaways.

1) The event was structured so that all conversations between Stream employees and members of the public happened one on one or in small groups. The room was set up like a science fair, with numerous display boards arranged in a large circle. After signing in, members of the public were encouraged to walk around looking at the displays and talking with the specific Stream employees at each of the displays. Many glossy informational handouts were available to take home.

2) There was no large group presentation by Stream and no opportunity for members of the public to ask their questions in front of the whole group.

3) The event was well attended (about 75 people total over the course of two hours) and, from our observations and the conversations we overheard, most people seemed to be opposed to the proposed data center or to have significant concerns. This perception is reflected in the media coverage, see “Most attendees at Stream Data Center information session remain opposed to project” in The Batavian on Feb. 3 as an example.

4) A number of GCEDC staff and board, as well as local elected officials and Town employees, were present. They mostly stayed in a circle in the corner of the room, talking amongst themselves.

5) There were very few chairs and finding a place to sit down was difficult. This presented challenges for numerous attendees and also discouraged group conversation.

6) Stream provided comment postcards with a two lines of space to write in comments. No information was provided on other structured opportunities for asking questions, sharing concerns, or discussing the project with other community members. We were not proactively told about the review process.

Overall:

We were disappointed by the event.

We had hoped for an opportunity to hear a comprehensive presentation from Stream, and instead we had to ask for information in piecemeal conversations.

We wanted a chance to hear our neighbors’ questions and ask our questions in front of a large group so that others could hear our questions and concerns.

We were disappointed that GCEDC and local elected officials did not come over to talk with us.

We were disappointed that Stream did not share more details about their plans for “community engagement” and we assume this means they aren’t actually interested in hearing from the community that would be most impacted by the monster data center. We assume they held the Open House so they could check the box on community engagement.

Let’s tell Stream: hold an actual public meeting.

Stream says they plan to hold another open house during the week of February 23. We don’t want another science fair setup. Stream says they want to hear from us. So let’s tell them to change the format – we want an actual presentation on their plans, with time for questions and answers from the audience. Submit a comment on their website today!

Then, join Allies of TSN for an open, honest conversation about the data center plan

We know Stream isn’t telling us the whole story. But we’re trying to educate ourselves and each other. If you’d like to learn more and be part of our conversation, join us!

Desserts and Data Center Discussions #4 with Allies of Tonawanda Seneca Nation. February 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Library at 19 Ross St. in Batavia.

No prior knowledge is needed to join and all perspectives are welcome. There will be light refreshments, and you’re welcome to bring a sweet treat to share. It is open to all so please invite your friends, family and neighbors to talk about what our community truly needs — and what we want to see at that site. For more info, see Allies of TSN and STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center on Facebook or call/text us at (585) 300-4925.

Signed,

Allies of TSN, including:

Sharon Larmon, Alabama

Gina Schlemanow, Batavia

Angela Larmon, Batavia

Christine Zinni, Batavia

Kelly Hallenbeck, Bergen

Adrienne Yocina, Pembroke

Editor:

Recent discussion about STAMP’s expansion shows why our community needs clear answers and strong, independent oversight.

STAMP covers approximately 1,250 acres in the Town of Alabama, with a portion already slated for development. Even at this scale, it places a massive industrial footprint on a rural farming region.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) declined to lead a full environmental impact study. Instead, the Industrial Development Agency—which created, promotes, and funds STAMP—took control of the review process.

This decision raises serious questions about political pressure and conflicts of interest.

Nearby, the Cider Solar project spans roughly 2,500 acres across parts of Elba and Oakfield, within about 10 to 15 miles of STAMP.

Although these projects remain legally separate, officials promote them together, implying that they complement one another—especially in meeting the growing energy demands of proposed data and media centers that could eventually exceed two million square feet.

Local officials promise major financial benefits for municipalities and schools through STAMP-related agreements. While education funding matters, communities should not sacrifice farmland, clean water, and long-term environmental stability in exchange.

Developers are now converting thousands of acres of productive farm land and wildlife habitat into industrial zones. As these natural areas disappear, deer and other wildlife move into neighboring farms and residential areas, worsening an already serious overpopulation and safety problem. Residents must manage the consequences.

Construction crews strip topsoil, alter drainage patterns, and fragment natural landscapes. Neighbors face rising risks of runoff, erosion and flooding. Once developers industrialize this land, no one can restore it.

STAMP’s 2.2 million square foot data center’s projected energy demand could reach approximately 500 megawatts, placing enormous strain on our regional power grid. When renewable sources fall short, operators will rely on 12 diesel generators, bringing noise and pollution into communities that once enjoyed clean air and quiet nights.

At the same time, data center operations will require more than 20,000 gallons of water every day for cooling. Operators will then discharge that water back into local waterways, raising serious long-term concerns for water quality and ecosystem health.

Supporters often describe these projects as “green” and “sustainable.” In reality, no project that replaces farmland and habitat with permanent industrial infrastructure deserves a “Green” label.

This letter does not oppose progress. It calls for responsible development, honest review, and meaningful public participation.

Our community deserves transparency, independent environmental oversight, and a real voice before decision-makers lock in irreversible changes.

Once we lose this way of life, we cannot bring it back.

Sincerely,

Gina L. Miller

Albion

Editor:

In 1776 the Founders recited their grievances in the Declaration of Independence.

“…He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone…He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their Substance. He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power…”

Americans fought against such tyranny then, why do we tolerate it now?

Gerard M. Morrisey

Gaines

Editor:

As a NYS Real Estate Salesperson, I would like to share a note as an opinion regarding commercial wind power plants and your duty, as a seller, to disclose. This is an opinion, only, and is not to be construed as legal advice. I always encourage sellers and buyers to seek legal advice from their attorney.

There are wind power plants and potential wind power plants scattered throughout NYS.  Most homeowners looking to sell their home know that NYS Real Property Law §462 requires residential sellers to disclose (in writing) any known material or latent (hidden) defects about their home (i.e. mold, structural, or water issues, etc.) to a buyer.

However, some homeowners in potential or developing wind power plant areas may be wondering, “Do I have to disclose that there are (or may be) wind turbines being constructed here?”

A wind power plant (wind farm) is generally not considered to be a legally binding “hidden defect” as pertains to a residence itself. It is, however, according to the attorneys at the New York State Association of Realtors, a material fact that should be disclosed once the project is approved and construction has begun.

A seller might have reservations about disclosing such a fact, because they may believe that to do so will deter some potential buyers from looking at their home and from making an offer to purchase. However, it is imperative for the seller to safeguard against possible lawsuits that could happen due to being negligent in their duties to disclose such an important material fact.

To be fair, there will be a few potential buyers who have strong negative feelings about wind power plants and are less likely to purchase a home located in such an area. But there will also be a few potential buyers that would purchase that same home, nonetheless.

Be aware, though, that if they do purchase, without being told, and later see or hear construction happening in their new backyard, an outraged buyer could take a trip to an attorney and further into court with the seller in tow. Therefore, even though making this type of disclosure may seem like a daunting task for a seller, it cannot be stressed enough…it is prudent to disclose.

What should a seller do?  Your skilled salesperson will know exactly how to help with such a situation and will make it easier to navigate. Remember, a commercial industry, such as a wind power plant, is not considered a “latent” defect on a home, itself, but it certainly could be considered a “midden material fact” if not disclosed.

Therefore, “Disclose, Disclose, Disclose…in writing.” Be honest and upfront. It could save you, as a residential home seller, a gigantic headache later, should a wind “farm” actually take “root”.  And, remember, always consult your attorney for advice.

Sincerely,

Cindy Burnside

Office Administrative Manager with Peter Snell Realtors in Albion

Editor:

Rather wade into the battles about who is ignorant about what, today I write about the math of our current economic problems and the upcoming Fed Chairman. Gold was soaring but fell dramatically as soon as Trump announced next the Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh, whose term starts in May.

Meanwhile we all know that other countries are entering into trade deals to circumvent doing business with the United States. They want to avoid the drag on their exports tariffs cause and the inherent instability tariffs introduce to their economies.

Households can balance their budgets at zero income versus bills. Governments deal with layoffs, firings, firings, building, emergencies, currency fluctuations, sales fluctuations, internal debt, external debt, borrowing, interest rates, exports, imports, trade balance and resultant adjustments. A fundamental accounting identity is that the sum of the Current Account, the Capital Account, and the Financial Account must be equal similarly be zero.

When the United States runs a Current Account Deficit (importing more than we export) in order to balance our accounts globally at zero (the Capital Account is negligible) the excess dollars we spend abroad must come back in the form of investment.

Other countries have been buying our debt which lets us afford our deficits. The raw numbers are that our federal budget deficit of $1.8 trillion is mechanically financed by a current account deficit of $1.1 trillion. Our trade deficit provides the foreign savings to bridge our deficit gap.

When other countries trade elsewhere we face a serious issue! Will they continue to finance our debt and keep our balance close to zero or will we, the country which is losing their trade, spin off into a crash. And if we are forced to raise interest rates to attract foreign investment to avoid that crash how many jobs will it cost if the job market is down and in need of lower rates?

Keep in mind that to the extent Congress does not fund job growth or pay government debt the rates the Fed sets fulfill three functions. It always pays our debt, can lower them to create a stimulus for job growth, and can raise them to put a damper on inflation.

If debt service means high rates to attract investors the Fed’s flexibility on the latter two suffer. Right now rates are being kept up as we are in an era which has a glut of national debt and the speed at which dollar inflows will drop due to reconfiguration of international trade is uncertain.

Importantly as trade shifts other counties still have to balance their accounts. As unlikely as it seems if rates are not high enough to service our debts the result would be temporary insolvency and mayhem to cover it.

(The alternatives are we could have a tax raise on the top 5% to let government invest in job production, sales of goods and services abroad to keep things in balance – supply side tax cuts have always made our account balance worse – or the raise in interest rates.)

Now for the strange part! Two Fed Governors just voted to lower rates and follow the Presidents urgings. One is the new nominee, Kevin Warsh.

On the one hand Trump thinks, and Warsh voted for, lower rates and a weaker dollar on the premise that sufficient inflows will continue as long as the dollar is used for trade. But on the other hand in 2008 Warsh (who holds to Chicago School theories of money) voted to increase rates and bail banks out to the detriment of consumers with TARP which he helped design. He believes in printing less money, keeping the dollar high, by letting interest rates rise. Looking at his history investors immediately dropped Gold thinking he will raise rates.

The thinking before his appointment was that gold was a solid way to protect each investor’s saving inasmuch as this government will not reverse its huge tax cuts and wildly increased deficits. The gold spurt was a hedge on a recession, depression, or even temporary insolvency as foreign support fled.

So Trump thinks the new Chairman will do what he wants. But investors think the new Chairman will follow the math and adhere to immutable relationships of what it takes to balance our accounts.

(Perhaps Trump and Walsh are thinking there is time to slip in a temporary rate cut for a pick up around the midterms. But already even enemies like China are shifting out of Treasuries. That risks a larger recession.)

What I can say with some certainty is that if our pocket books do not feel a lot better soon, in a year or so they will feel much worse no matter which way rates go. Our debts and deficit need to be financed. Now even our enemies, like China, are shifting out of Treasuries. Warsh was a strange pick in stranger times.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Barre

Editor:

The citizens of Orleans and Genesee County need to understand the big money behind the proposed Data Center at the Genesee County STAMP site.

In August 2025 Stream Data Centers was acquired by Apollo Global Management, one of the largest private equity firms in the world. Founded by three former investment bankers one of whom resigned as CEO (Leon Black) in 2021 after he faced abuse accusations and was found to have paid $158 million to Jeffrey Epstein.

Data Centers are the latest scam being foisted on communities. They will cause great harm to the environment, use millions of gallons of water, raise your electric rates, and for what? To make billionaires even richer? To collect more data?

They sell this as a money maker for the county for the next 30 years. It’s a short sighted investment as the scam unfolds data centers will be obsolete and Genesee County will have a big block of concrete sitting on land that once was farmland.

Do we really want this dystopian behemoth in our community? Do we even stand a chance in this fight against one of the world’s largest private equity firms?

Darcy Beeman

Kent

Editor:

Almost two hundred years ago the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said, “He who fights the future has a dangerous enemy.”  The future, he said, takes shape within us, from our individual and collective fears, and then appears outside of us as an enemy.

Those of us with legitimate fears about issues like the mad proliferation of data centers in our country can be so easily dismissed as prisoners of our fears (or NIMBY’s, or Luddites), regardless of the validity of our concerns.  We have to keep the philosopher’s words in mind, and be careful and thorough in our arguments.

The proliferation of data centers is a growing national concern. It’s all over the internet; you can’t swing a digital cat without hitting an anti-data center article. There’s a growing demand for a national data center moratorium. It’s interesting that the list of national concerns is mirrored almost perfectly by our local concerns about the proposed data center at the STAMP site in Genesee County.

We are facing a proposal for an $11.2 billion, 2.2 million square foot behemoth using 500 megawatts of electrical power, enough to power all the homes in the city of Rochester, plus all the homes in the 4-county GLOW region.

The proposed tax abatements: an unbelievable $774 million. That’s tax money that New Yorkers will never see. All this for 125 permanent jobs (“permanent” being a relative term, since the lifetime of data centers is typically in the 10-15 year range.). That works out to $6.2 million in tax breaks per job, a ridiculously high number.  Add to this the expectation that the data center will likely get cut-rate hydropower from Niagara Falls, and financially this looks like the mother of all one-sided deals.

As if all the above were not bad enough, the location of the data center, surrounded by protected, environmentally sensitive lands and abutting the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, is very problematic. Air, water, and noise pollution are the risks that the local population must bear (along with higher electric bills).

The fundamental problem is that data centers are extractive entities, sucking up resources (land, electricity), generating almost zero permanent employment, channeling the wealth from their operations away from New York State to some of the world’s richest corporations, and offloading the risks onto the locals.

There is a bigger picture. Data center madness is itself driven by the mad race by tech companies to develop AGI, or artificial general intelligence, a technology that has the potential to radically disrupt modern society. Fantastic riches and fantastic power await the corporate winner of this race.

Right now there’s an AI financial bubble, a mismatch between the level of investment (enormous) and the financial returns (tiny so far). The bubble may burst, which would be terrible for the US economy, or it may not burst and we will be thrust into a new, very different future. In either case, the technology will still be there and will eventually be adopted.

AGI offers fantastic upsides as well as terrible risks. It will lead to massive increases in productivity in areas like the service sector that currently dominates our economy. This could lead to massive white collar unemployment.

It will likely be instrumental in developing cures for terrible diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. It could also lead to a massive surveillance state, a precursor to a totalitarian state.  It may revolutionize education, especially in underserved areas. Over the next five to fifteen years it will hit our society like a freight train.

The drivers of this grand game (Musk, Altman, Cook, Bezos, Pichai, and others), all brilliantly intelligent people, seem to lack the will, motivation, or wisdom to provide a coherent vision of a decent future for all human beings. They apparently cannot escape our current economic culture, where amassing riches and power is the only goal.

Capitalism is the greatest system ever invented for generating wealth, but it is truly bad at distributing wealth. Uncontrolled, it breeds savage inequalities. We’re on that road right now, and it’s safe to say that the lives and livelihoods of  Western New Yorkers are of little to no concern to the cash – and power-hungry tech bros running the show.

Returning to Kierkegaard, we need not fear the future, but we do need to act in ways to ease the shock.  We need to build a society that places more value on all human beings, a society with greater empathy.

Some time ago Bruce Springsteen was on tour, and he sang the Woody Guthrie song, “This Land is Your Land.” He said that he wasn’t sure if the message of the song was still true, but he knew that it ought to be true. Then he said the song reminded him “…with countries, just like with people, it’s easy to let the best of yourself slip away.”

Don’t let the best of yourself slip away.  The proposed local data center is a bad idea. Oppose it.

Also attack the root of the problem: Do what you can – read, learn, discuss, argue, and make your voice heard – to help shift the inevitable but currently aimless AI paradigm onto a more humane path. Easy? No. Doable? Maybe.

Dave Giacherio

Kent

Editor:

I am writing to express my strong appreciation for the leadership of our County Legislature Chairwoman, Lynne Johnson, and her commitment to look out for the best interest of the community.

At a time when large development projects often move forward with little regard for the long-term consequences, Chairman Johnson has shown the courage and integrity to stand up against the proposed data center in our neighboring county—a project that would have serious environmental impacts on our own community. From increased strain on water resources to potential harm to air quality, wildlife, and our rural character, the effects of this development would not stop at county lines.

Chairman Johnson understands that protecting our environment is not anti-progress—it is pro-resident. Her advocacy reflects a deep respect for the people who live here, work here, and want to preserve this county for future generations. She has demonstrated that responsible leadership means asking tough questions, demanding transparency, and refusing to sacrifice our quality of life for short-term gains elsewhere.

Our county is fortunate to have a legislative chairman who listens to constituents and is willing to stand firm when our environment and well-being are at stake. Lynne Johnson’s actions remind us of what true public service looks like, and she deserves recognition and thanks from the community she serves.

Sincerely,

Stephen Songer

Medina

Editor:

Once again, someone is killed by immigration officers in Minnesota. Once again, the official account of what happened is not supported by video evidence.

According to the government, Alex Jeffrey Pretti “approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun,” and Border Patrol tried to disarm him. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, has issued a statement claiming that Mr. Pretti intended to “kill law enforcement” and calling him a “domestic terrorist.”

Video of the incident shows a completely different story. In the video, Mr. Pretti is directing traffic in an area with agents around. Then he tries to help another protester who federal agents pushed to the ground. Mr. Pretti is then surrounded by six or seven heavily armed agents in full military gear and body armor; he puts his hands up, showing a phone in one hand and the other hand is empty.

The federal agents spray Mr. Pretti in the face with pepper then they pull him to the ground.  An agent appears to take a legal firearm out of the back of Mr. Pretti’s waistband. It is important to note that Mr. Pretti had a legal permit to carry that firearm.

Then shots are fired and Mr. Pretti stops moving. So, it appears that Mr. Pretti is disarmed, on the ground with at least six agents in full combat gear on top of him when he is killed. It appears to be an execution.

It appears, at the very least, that federal agents violated Mr. Pretti’s First Amendment rights to protest, his Second Amendment rights to legally carry a firearm, and his Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and other organizations have analyzed the video and concluded that it contradicts what the Trump administration is telling us. Is the administration lying to us?  Mr. Trump and his Republican enablers have demonstrated a willingness to lie when it is in their interest.

Normally, the FBI investigates these types of shootings. But once again neither the FBI nor local law enforcement officials will be allowed to investigate the incident. The Department of Homeland Security, which has already passed judgment that Mr. Pretti was a terrorist and the killing was justified, will investigate. Why won’t they allow independent investigations? What are they afraid of?  What are they hiding?

Once again there is no accountability and no transparency from this administration or the Republican enablers. Finally, I want to remind everyone that Representatives Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy are silently acquiescing to this administration’s violation of our Constitutional rights and the lack of accountability.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

As conversations continue about potential cutbacks to the Village of Medina Fire Department—even hints at dissolving it from the ever loud minority—I urge our community to consider the real costs of such decisions.

Our county’s health data show that Orleans County consistently ranks near the bottom among New York’s 62 counties for key health measures. In the 2023 County Health Rankings, Orleans ranked 55th for overall health outcomes and 57th for health factors, reflecting challenges in length and quality of life as well as risk behaviors and clinical care access.

Our residents face higher rates of adult smoking and obesity than many parts of the state, and access to necessary medical care remains difficult. These health vulnerabilities underscore how critical timely, skilled emergency response is to our community.

Yet the local EMS system is already under strain. Response times across ambulance providers in the county have increased from 2018 to 2021, and dropped calls—that is, emergency service requests where no unit was available—have risen significantly.  The Medina Fire Department, with its 14 paid firefighters cross‑trained for EMS and fire response, serves the western end of Orleans and is the only career department in the county.

In emergencies, a few minutes can mean the difference between life and death. With major trauma hospitals at least an hour away, local response capability matters. Reducing staffing or resources at Medina FD not only weakens fire response, it directly jeopardizes EMS coverage when our neighbors are at their most vulnerable. Rather than cutting crucial services, we should be strengthening support for emergency responders who already contend with rising demand and a fragmented system.

Maintaining a fully staffed fire and EMS department is not optional—it’s essential for a county that already faces significant health disparities.

Sincerely,

Hannah Lee, MPH

Lyndonville

Lee is a firefighter’s wife and a public health professional.

Editor:

The recent protests in Minnesota have been a far cry from peaceful. The most recent fatality could have been prevented as an active immigration takeover was in progress before the protester (armed with a gun and magazine) entered the space.

Why would a peaceful protester come armed? Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant, with a history of assault for deliberate bodily harm, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license was being sought.

Governor Walz  has encouraged protesters to record ICE which not only impedes the operation but prevents the agents from completing the criminal immigration removal. He and Frey have heightened the violence by encouraging the protesters to obstruct federal law enforcement.

Frey: “Get the F… out of our city.” – certainly not a peaceful connotation. This type of language fuels fear and anger and puts their constituents in dangerous situations. This obstruction is not only a federal crime but a felony as well.

The ongoing doxxing of ICE has definitely affected the integrity of the operations there. Leaks of personal data have increased the threats and violence against law enforcement and their families.

Walz falsely asserted that his state is at “war” with the federal government. War implies violence, not peace. Josh Blackman, a constitutional law professor at South Texas College of Law-Houston is quoted as saying “… unless there’s a court order saying ‘ICE get out of Minnesota’… they’re allowed to be there.”

No one wants a protest to turn ugly, but this is exactly what has unfolded in Minnesota. Some conservative protesters have been beaten by counter protesters. Physical altercations  have been reported. Profanity has been hurled continually at the agents. Protesters have spit in their faces, taunting them and impeding the assigned directive.

Think of it this way, when we see police tap around an area, that means “stay out” – that space has been reserved for law enforcement only, so a probe, investigation or arrest can be made. The public is not allowed to enter that area because they can impede the proceedings. However, this is exactly what has happened in Minnesota. Why would anyone put themselves in this uncertain position?

The rowdy crowd has vandalized agents’ cars and smashed in windows. DHS has reported incidents of protesters pouring water on the pavement which then freezes; purpose is to obstruct the agents and cause harm. Rocks and fireworks have been thrown, as agitators surround ICE agents.

Minnesota is in chaos and these events run parallel to the massive fraud happening there.

There’s nothing peaceful about this protest at all.

Mary Mager

Fairport, formerly of Albion

Editor:

A recent letter writer made several statements that were flat out wrong. ICE agents have not been attacked by protesters, period.

The first Amendment to the Constitution gives people the right to peaceably assemble. This right extends to taking pictures and videos of immigration officers in public places. There is no factual evidence of immigration officers being physically attacked by protesters, and protesting is legal under the Constitution.

The writer also blames the entire community for criminal activity committed by some members. Yes, there was fraud and that is being investigated; there have been arrests. But the entire community was not involved in that fraud. Blaming the entire community shows the writer ignorance and prejudices.

Minnesota State Senator Omar Fateh did not state he wants to open a no-go zone where no white people can go. What he did say was he wants to make the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood a no-go zone for “white supremacists.”  The writer’s implication was far different from what was actually said or even implied.

With all the false statements and obvious intolerance and bigotry the letter writer displayed it is insulting that the Orleans Hub published the letter.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Anyone who thinks that ICE is the reason for the unrest in Minnesota is out of their mind.

As ICE is there to arrest criminal illegal aliens and protect Minnesota residents and the rest of the U.S. They are attacked by “peaceful protestors.” They burn police cars, throw rocks at police officers performing their duties, call them names, tip off the criminals of their impending arrest and taunt them. These are the actions of criminals, not peaceful protestors.

If there are more people without criminal histories being arrested, that’s because they hang with criminals.

The billions in Minnesota fraud can be attributed to the illegal alien population from Somalia, a totally lawless country whose residents after “escaping” from that country, refuse to assimilate to our customs and want to make America into the same s-hole they came from.

Minnesota State Sen. Omar Fateh wants to open a no-go zone where no white people can go. Somalian immigrants are not an asset to our country. They have already cost us billions in fraud.

Ever since President Trump beat them like a drum in the election, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the rest of the Democrats have lost their minds and are totally responsible for the violence and unrest. This is certainly insurrection and they should be removed from office and held in federal prison.

A few days ago, a lawless mob of “peaceful protestors” raided a church during Sunday services as one of the men told the congregation about their white privilege. The leader of this attack was a former member of BLM.

The state of Minnesota is waging war not just on ICE but on the entire country.

James Anderson

Knowlesville

Editor:

When is enough enough?

There are some positive achievements from the current administration like securing the southern border. His supporters will also cite savings from DOGE and gutting the CDC and stopping immunizations as good things and that he is doing exactly what they voted for.

The reality is since the start of President Trump’s second term, we have experienced one self-induced crisis after another. The Qatar free $400 million 747 that will cost another $1 billion to make it Air Force One and then he thinks he going to take it for his Presidential Library, the lack of release of Epstein files, Signal Gate, the government shutdown, and the list goes on.

Aided by his incompetent and unqualified administration members who are not merely minions, but follow a corrupt leader and implement mean, hurtful and unlawful ideas of their own. It is not merely President Trump but most of his administration who help to perpetuate the chaotic environment.

His blatant disregard of the US constitution and the rule of law transcend every aspect of his actions – both domestically and internationally. The list is quite exhaustive and far too many to list in a short opinion piece.

Internationally, he started with a series of on-then-off-again tariffs that punished our closest and longstanding allies as well as perceived enemies. He ordered the military to blow up suspected drug boats without any proof and violating international laws. He failed to acknowledge the genocide in Gaza, bombed Iran, withheld military support to Ukraine, and cancelled programs that feed starving populations around the world.

He abducted the President of Venezuela and by his own admission plans to manage their oil, says the US will run the country but the large American oil companies are reluctant to re-enter Venezuela. He threatens to invade and take Greenland by force which will end the NATO alliance. Forcing our NATO allies to send military force to the island while he places tariffs on those countries.

His actions have cost the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars in military and ICE deployments, personal recreational trips, renaming institutions to name a few.  Domestically he started by pardoning the January 6th insurrectionists and allowing incompetent DOGE to bastardize the Federal government forcing out some of our most valuable experienced Federal employees causing a huge corporate knowledge drain which will take decades to rebuild. DOGE hackers obtained personal data on every American and who knows has access to all this information with no oversight or audit trails.

He withheld funding for scientific research, food aid for children and healthcare for poor Americans while attacking institutions of higher learning and giving $40 billion to Argentina while American farmers suffered under his tariffs. He has the east wing of the White demolished to build a grand ballroom all while circumventing proper historical or congressional oversight.

He weaponized the DOJ against his perceived enemies like Mr. Comey and now the Federal Reserve Chairman who failed to bend to his will. He rewrites historical events at the Smithsonian and puts his name and likeness on everything he touches. He and Hegseth immediately replaced the female Chief of Naval Operations, the female commandant of the US Coast Guard, the black Chief of the Joint Chiefs and forced out other senior officers who were deemed not loyal or the right gender or color for the current administration.

Others resigned rather than follow these incompetent egomaniacs or execute unlawful orders. He deployed the military to American cities. He and his administration contently blame every situation that many in fact are of their own making.

Without question the most damming is the actions of ICE agents. These ICE officers dress like fully combat ready special forces complete with body armor and assault weapons while hiding their identity behind face masks and no observable credentials – all designed to intimidate and terrorize the population. Their ranks have nearly doubled in less than a year and are still growing. Soon if not already Trump will have a heavily equipped private military loyal only to his administration.

The DHS and White House established quotes for apprehensions which by nature drive aberrant behavior as the ICE agents go from targeting the most dangerous illegal undocumented immigrants to grabbing anyone who fit a certain profile and are easy pickings. Adults and children are whisked away placed in detention centers many times lost to family members and some deported to countries not of their origin. Members of Congress are denied access for proper oversight. American citizens are caught up in these raids and now a young mother died because of being shot by an ICE agent.

The President and his administration along with MAGA republicans lie about the incident, refuse local authorities to investigate and try to paint the victim as a domestic terrorist when the multiple video sources prove otherwise. Then to top it off the ICE agent calls the woman he just shot a F-ing b- and calmly walks away from the scene.

They controlled the incident scene and refused to allow the local law enforcement to investigate. Six DOJ prosecutors resigned in protest and that should tell us something. Maybe the officer had some justification for the shooting but without a proper investigation justice cannot be served.

It appears many ICE officers use fear, racial profiling and overly aggressive tactics in their operations but make no mistake President Trump and his corrupt administration condone and encourage this behavior, and he could stop it if he wanted.

Before the current administration ICE officers were properly vetted, trained and presented as official Federal officers without combat gear, assault weapons, or face masks and openly displayed their credentials. There are better, more compassionate, and less dehumanizing ways to accomplish ICE operations.

My question to members of Congress, the Supreme Court and his MAGA supporters, when is enough enough?

James Fraser,

Colonel, USAF retired

Batavia