Editor:

It is now been 10 years since the Republicans have promised to replace the Affordable Care Act. To date, they have no plans other than to take away your health care. Where is the leadership? Republicans have talked about block grants but have never seriously proposed any plans. What Republicans have proposed is to put limits on pre-existing conditions and to allow younger, healthier people to forgo health insurance which will drive up cost of health insurance for those in need of insurance.

Under Mr. Trump’s and Republican leadership, drug prices are raising at rates far above the cost of living. Republicans have failed to take the issue of health care seriously. They have failed to see the real pain of the constituents they serve.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

This letter is to highlight a person who exemplifies determination and leadership. I have personally witnessed Brett Sobieraski dedicate countless volunteer hours in support of Special Olympics New York athletes.

Brett has always gone above and beyond to help Special Olympics New York reach its mission in providing athletes with year-round training at no cost to them.

Most notably, Brett Sobieraski completed a 50-hour continuous run to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics. His 50 for 50 mission raised enough funds to sponsor 25 Special Olympics athletes to participate in sports for an entire year. His determination was on full display as he ran from Buffalo to Syracuse without pausing for sleep. In fact, Brett ran his entire birthday. He never lost sight of his goal – to support Special Olympics athletes.

Brett Sobieraski has also had a vital role in other fundraisers to benefit his friends at Special Olympics New York. He activity participates in the Rochester Polar Plunge, the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Cops on Top at Dunkin’. Brett always leads a team of law enforcement members that volunteer their time during these events.

I am personally inspired by all that Brett takes on. There is no doubt that he is an outstanding and effective leader. I am positive he will do right by members of the community and that all will find a sense of trust and pride with him as their leader.

Luke Folts

Director of Program – Unified Sports

Special Olympics New York

Pittsford

Editor:

To the residents of Ridgeway, I would ask for a few moments of your time to tell you about my friend, Brian Napoli. I was fortunate enough to work for the Town of Ridgeway for a few years and my observations may help you with your decision in the upcoming Republican primaryon (June 25 and the general election in November.

Brian Napoli is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. Smart? Ethical? Sure, but more importantly, hard working. He can take a complex problem, break that problem down to its component factors, analyze and mitigate those factors and come up with viable solutions to that problem.

I watched him do that again and again. Town budgets, contract negotiations, personnel matters or the concerns of a frustrated taxpayer, he never failed to present imaginative solutions to the rest of us on the Town Board. He can methodically and pragmatically work through problems, always with the Ridgeway taxpayer in mind.

Brian Napoli’s dedication to the town manifests itself in accessibility. His regular business hours at town hall and by cell phone in off hours, attendance at all luncheons, dinners, conferences, county meetings, private business meetings, community meetings, church gatherings, any venue which directly or indirectly affects town business in any way, is legendary. I still remember when Brian Napoli and I put our best face forward to be pelted with tomatoes to assist in a community fund raising project.

Brian Napoli is also a networking marvel. If the town needs guidance or assistance from some other governmental agency or jurisdiction or community organization, they take Brian’s phone calls and react. In my experience, those reactions were always favorable to the Town of Ridgeway.

The highest form of praise I know comes from street vernacular and it’s “he’s a standup guy.” Brian Napoli is a standup guy.

He does, of course, have his flaws. He is terrible at self-promotion. His many accomplishments as town supervisor have to be cataloged by others. Where the financial health of the Town of Ridgeway is concerned, he is inflexible. If it does not benefit the town, or at least be cost neutral, it will not happen. Finally, having worked with Brian Napoli, he expects everyone else to work as hard as he does. That can be difficult.

Please do not just take my word that Brian Napoli is a hardworking and effective town supervisor who absolutely deserves re-election, talk to anyone who knows him. Town, village or county leaders, planning board members, church leaders or the people with whom you might share a cup of coffee or perhaps a beer. Don’t be surprised if you hear “Brian Napoli? Yeah he’s a standup guy…”

Paul J. Blajszczak

Ridgeway

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Editor:

Once again, we have a hotly contested sheriff’s race, with the Republican primary only days away. Before you go to vote, understand what the office of sheriff entails.

According to the NYS Sheriff’s Association (and NY state requirements), to hold the office of Sheriff or Undersheriff, a person must have at least 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university or have five years experience in leadership and management; and five years experience in one of the following: law enforcement, public safety, corrections, court security, civil process, or like experience in the criminal justice, legal field or military command.

We have been brainwashed into thinking that the sheriff has to please the legislature, the country executive, the DA, or other political figures. As Andy of Mayberry often said, “We have to keep the mayor happy.” We have also been taught that the sheriff is the top law-enforcer, making him no more than a Super Cop. If this was the case, the county would be hiring the sheriff, just as it hires other police officers.

But the office of sheriff is so much more than enforcing laws. This position goes back centuries, when the sheriff worked for the king. With the Magna Carta, his position was changed to working for the people. When our country was established, that position was incorporated into our governmental structure. The sheriff enforces the nation’s laws—providing they do not go against the Constitution—protects the lives and property of its people, and safeguards the health and morals of the community.

But most importantly, the sheriff works for the people. That means he does not answer to the legislature, the county executive, or any other person in power. That means that the legislature and county executive have no say in the sheriff’s business. That means that the sheriff protects his people’s Constitutional rights, even against the “king’s” men.

If state or federal agencies try to act against the people in the county, they must first go through the sheriff, who will wisely decide if their actions are justifiable or if they are infringing on the rights of the people.

Therefore, if you cannot depend on your candidate to defend your rights, or if he is beholden to political leaders, or focused solely on law enforcement rather than combining it with community enhancement and cooperation, then he does not understand that the position of sheriff is a unique position unlike any other in law enforcement. And he will not be a Constitutional Protective Sheriff.

Judith Larkin

Ridgeway

Editor:

To the my fellow residents of Holley, we have an election for Village Trustees this Tuesday, June 18. I am writing this letter in support of Jim DeFilipps and Rochelle Moroz. Jim has been a Trustee for the past 3 years and Rochelle for 2 years. Over the past few years residents have seen and heard about much activity and progress in the Village including the following:

Planning efforts such as the new Comprehensive Plan, and “Revitalize Holley” Program which is currently in progress

Construction projects such as Holley Gardens (Holley High School renovation), water and sidewalk infrastructure improvement projects, milling and resurfacing of Route 31 and 237, and Diaz property cleanup efforts.

Community improvements such as park Improvements and the Holley Community Garden which is now in its very successful second year.

Addressing Vacant Properties such as 89 Public Square which has been listed on Landmark Society’s “Five to Revive” and recently obtained by our Village of Holley LDC, and of course the Diaz homes being returned to the tax rolls with only 2 still under construction.

Equipment upgrades such as our new Kubota track machine which will be used in the park and as our new sidewalk snow plow – obtained through SAM Grant and assistance from Senator Ortt valued at $51,000.

These are a sampling of projects and efforts that have been underway and ongoing within your Village and there is much more to do! In addition to our designated responsibilities, we as a board, have taken on all these projects in an effort to put Holley in the best position possible for success, now and into the future.

This is a very aggressive approach, probably more than what people have seen in many years. None of this could be possible without the hard work of our Village staff and just as importantly the support of our Village Board.

The board, which I consider a management team, has worked solidly together, and with our staff, to keep these projects on track. There is a lot more involved than a once a month meeting. Every expense and every decision is carefully considered and a lot of time is dedicated to that.

Both of these trustees and current candidates for re-election are hardworking and dedicated to serving the Village and have been an integral part of the success of these efforts. I support them and their re-election 100 percent and respectfully ask you for your support and most importantly your votes for Jim DeFilipps and Rochelle Moroz on Tuesday, June 18.

Respectfully,

Mayor Brian Sorochty

Holley

Editor:

We are quickly approaching another election cycle and the Town of Murray more than ever needs new leadership and someone who can right this sinking ship.

I moved to Murray about 6 years ago hoping and thinking that getting out of Monroe County would lessen the financial burden on my family, and at first I was right. However, the last few years I have been hammered with rising taxes to the tune of a 25 percent increase in my property tax bills. That’s stifling for a middle class family to try to keep up with and I am sure I am not alone.

We as residents shouldn’t be complacent and accept rising taxes and fiscal irresponsibility year after year. We should expect the leaders and representatives of our town to fight for us and find ways to keep families thriving not just surviving in our town. Which is why we need change and we need it now.

The person I believe who can bring us back on track to a thriving town is Joe Sidonio. Joe is running for supervisor of Murray and he has my wholehearted support. Joe is an established business man who has the fiscal knowledge and fortitude to strengthen the Murray economy, not laden it with higher taxes and more unnecessary laws regulating its residents.

I’ve known Joe for about 5 years, and in those 5 years I’ve learned that he loves his family and he loves his town and he fights for and wants what is best for both. Joe is running for supervisor not for his own personal gains. He is running because he truly cares for the town and the people living in it.

His incredible work ethic, integrity, and passion are exactly what this town needs to get back on track. Let’s elect someone who will fight to make our town a better place to live and one that we can proudly raise our families in.

Adam Moore

Holley

Editor:

I write this in regard to the letter sent in to the Orleans Hub by Bob Harker or Clarendon. He states that Sgt. Sobieraski had dealt with issues in urban areas and not rural areas. Well now Mr. Harker, exactly how far from Orleans County are the urban areas?

I have worked at the Monroe County Jail for the last 20 years, and I can safely say that crime does not stop at the county line. City and suburban crime does come to Orleans County. No longer can the residents of Orleans County say, “not here in my quiet neighborhood.”

People have got to get their heads out of the sand and realize that society and the crimes they commit have changed over the years.

Just because Sgt. Sobieraski has been employed for 27 years in the city, does not mean he is unaware of the problems we have in Orleans County. Sgt. Sobieraski will be a pro-active sheriff, not a reactive one.

Change can be hard, change can be good and in this election, change is what is needed.

P.S. Criminals don’t read or use road maps.

Thank you,

Carol A. Tibbits

Albion

Editor:

Brett Sobieraski’s service to our country and career accomplishments are commendable. That said, it was surprising to see someone with such an impressive background spending most of his campaign demagoguing.

In reference to an article about a drug bust on the Hub, Brett stated there was “one agency noticeably absent in this criminal investigation.” Kudos to him for choosing an article that highlights drugs from Niagara County making their way to Orleans County. Perhaps his intent was to draw away attention from the fact that the majority of opioids found in Orleans County are being trafficked from Monroe County.

There are at least four cases involving a total of eight individuals from Rochester directly responsible for overdoses in Orleans County. Just one of those individuals was supplying more than 30 residents. If we are to point out an “agency noticeably absent,” I think it is equally important to point out an agency noticeably failing to contain a drug trafficking problem within Monroe County.

As Brett’s website brettforsheriff.com states, he “oversees GRANET.” An organization that according to a D&C article, was at its creation “about an 18-person team comprised of representatives from all 11 police departments in Monroe County.” With all of those resources, how has the opioid crisis spiked so much? Brett says that the drugs are “not a deputy problem,” but a “leadership problem.”

Under his leadership in 2018, Monroe County saw 85 opioid overdoses, of which 16 were fatal, in the month of February alone! Orleans County had 69 overdoses, 12 of which were fatal, throughout all of 2018. Need I mention again that one, just one, Monroe County resident was providing at least 30 members of Orleans County with opioids?

How is it he claims to have a plan to deal with the opioid issues in Orleans County, when he cannot contain it within Monroe? Speaking of containment, how often has anyone heard of cases where an Orleans County resident has been distributing fentanyl to Monroe County?

His campaign website says he will “build” “walls” on the major corridors into our county, but if he wasn’t able to achieve that with a joint effort between 11 departments, he will be completely ineffective with the substantially less resources available as Orleans County Sheriff. Brett is correct with his assertation of the opioid crisis being a leadership problem, but the problem isn’t the leadership in Orleans County.

In addition to slandering the Sheriff’s Department and his opponent, he made it a point to voice his support for the Orleans County Major Felonies Crime Task Force. It is almost as if he is attempting to drive a wedge between our local law enforcement agencies. It seems to echo the last time he was involved in an election for Orleans County Sheriff. As he preaches of unity and cooperation, it has been disappointing to see him sowing seeds of discord within agencies he plans on overseeing. The only people who pay the price when he uses his platform to deliberately undermine the effectiveness of Orleans County law enforcement agencies, are the residents of the county.

Respectfully,

Ace A. Strickland

Ridgeway

Editor:

My name is Scott Peters and I am the Deputy Chief for the Rochester Police Department. I am writing this letter of support for Brett Sobieraski in his run for Orleans County Sheriff.

I have known Brett for almost 27 years and I have never met a harder working man. I have had the pleasure of working side-by-side with Brett as well as being his direct supervisor. For several years, I was the Lieutenant in charge of the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team or GRANET. Brett was the Sergeant in charge of one of my teams. There were many occasions where we assisted the Orleans County Drug Task Force when their investigations crossed into Monroe County. Brett was always my lead for these investigations due to his familiarity with the people involved as well as the locations. Every single one of those investigations led to a safe and successful conclusion due to the leadership of Brett and his ability to work with the Orleans County personnel.

During my time as the Department’s SWAT Commander, Brett was one of my team leaders as well. I could not have asked for a better Sergeant to lead our operations. Brett was a natural leader and always insisted his teammates worked relentlessly and professionally. He is one of the main reasons we have one of the best SWAT teams in the Country!

Brett’s desire to help others is unmatched. Every time he challenges himself to complete another super-human endeavor, it is not just for him. Every event was done to raise money for a needy individual, a charitable organization or for individuals who deserve extra help. Along with physically assisting him during these events, I have readily donated money to his causes because the donations were going to such good causes. I have no doubt this will continue in whatever Brett does in his life.

Please accept my letter of support. Brett will make an exemplary Sheriff for Orleans County. He will bring relentless energy to the office and will insist on having the most professional employees the County of Orleans deserves.

Deputy Chief Scott Peters

Rochester Police Department