Editor:

For a strong economy and job growth, vote for Nate McMurray. Under Mr. Trump’s leadership, which Chris Jacobs supports, the economy in Western New York has been sluggish at best. David Robinson of the Buffalo News reported (3/13/20): “The January slump (in the jobs market), combined with major revisions to last year’s numbers that showed the local jobs market fell into decline last July, (2019), paints a picture of a sluggish employment market during a time when the national economy was still going strong.”

The State Department of Labor reported that the Buffalo area lost about 3,000 jobs from January 2019 to January 2020. This was before the Covid-19 pandemic that further weakened our economy. Non-partisan analysis of Mr. Trump’s economic plans vs Mr. Biden’s, overwhelming favor Mr. Biden’s proposals. Moody’s Analytics reported (9/23/20), that: “We conclude that Biden’s economic proposals would result in a stronger U.S. economy than Trump’s.”

James Pethokoukis, economist at Goldman Sachs, also expressed more favorable views of Mr. Biden’s economic proposals over those of Mr. Trump’s.

Western New York’s economy was bad and getting worse under Mr. Trump and Mr. Jacobs. Expert nonpartisan analysis by Moody’s and Goldman Sachs shows that our economy will improve faster and longer under Mr. Biden with Nate McMurray’s help.

Western New York needs a leader with a strong voice for economic development. We need Nate McMurray in Congress

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Sadly, I must report that the “it is a hoax and therefore never happened” pandemic has had a severe symptomatic impact on the United States Senate; specifically, it has affected a group of eight Republican Senators.

It appears that Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Joni Ernst, Cory Gardner, Ted Cruz, John Cornyn, Chuck Grassley and Marco Rubio have come down with a very serious case of Trump Mandated Dissociative Amnesia (TMDA). This form of Psychogenic Amnesia occurs when a person blocks out certain previous information or events and is therefore unable to remember important personal events and\or actions from their past.

Case in Point – In 2016 these eight Senators, led by Mitch McConnell, refused to consider President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court following the death of Antonin Scalia. As directed by then Chairman Chuck Grassley, the Senate Judiciary Committee never considered the Garland nomination and simply allowed it to expire following a delay of 293 days.

In defense of the Senate’s failure to act, Mitch McConnell stated that any appointment by a sitting President this close to a pending Presidential election is “null and void.” Thus, the Garland nomination died a dishonorable death leaving the Scalia seat vacant until Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation April 7, 2017.

Now these same Fascist Eight Trumpster Minions (FETM) have had an epiphany and claim that indeed they do have the constitutional obligation to act with all deliberate speed to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Contrary to how they intentionally neglected their responsibility in 2016, they are now committed to abide by this pseudo-constitutional timeline requirement even though four years ago they had declared it to be “null and void”. Of a greater concern, it seems that our nation has become impervious to lies and falsehoods which has very sadly become the new normal. Worse even is the realization that this model of behavior is emanating from our nation’s leaders.

We are left to ask how could there be such a drastic historic change in the United States such that what was once declared “null and void” in 2016 by McConnell is now the law of “his” land? How is it that in this case such hypocritical actions by the leaders of the Senate could be tolerated and emboldened when the United States Senate was once the most highly regarded political institution in the world?

Why is it that in the eyes of the world we are no longer seen as the standard bearer of the democratic principles which had been envisioned by our Founding Fathers and fostered by American leadership for centuries?

Since when have we preferred an Autocratic Kakistocracy to Lincoln’s moral and political commitment to a unified nation? I know exactly when; it was when we chose Fascism over a government of the people, by the people, and for the people on November 8, 2016.

RBG ut vos RIP.

Doug Miller,

Albion

Editor:

I voted for Donald Trump in 2016. At the time I truly felt that he posed the best hope of breaking through the government gridlock we have endured for far too long.

Since then I’ve had my share of “what on earth was I thinking” moments but nothing made it more appallingly clear than this week’s anything-but-presidential debate.

Donald Trump (self-promoting liar, prolific serial adulterer, thief, cheater, draft-dodger, race-baiter, proud self-admitted sexual molester, negligent murderer and now tax fraud) is nothing more than a broken man’s idea of a successful man, an unlettered man’s idea of an intelligent man, a coward’s idea of a strong man, the evangelicals idea of a righteous man, republicans idea of a moral man, and most dangerously – a fool’s idea of a leader. These are “conservative values”? No thanks, I won’t be duped this time around.

For those with a modest sensibility and a propensity for honor, truth and basic human decency … Donald Trump has shown the entire world he’s just a rude, vulgar, ill-mannered, crass, immature, classless schoolyard bully.

Joe Biden called “a terrible man” in the same sentence as Trump? Not even close. Tuesday, November 3rd is trash day for the entire United States of America. Send this heaping refuse pile to the White House curb and put “PRESIDENT” back in POTUS.

I’m not judging, I’m just passing along the verdict.

Tom Graham, AHS ’78

Rochester

Editor:

President Donald Trump has recently appointed a successor to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who has recently passed away.

Our duly elected President has the constitutional authority along with the Senate to appoint qualified justices to the Supreme Court and further has the obligation to accomplish this task as rapidly as possible. This happens to be the third appointment to the Supreme Court by President Trump, and it is not “stacking,” as some have suggested, but responsible discharge of presidential duty.

Despite the fact that President Trump did not carry a majority of the popular vote in the 2016 election, his authority is in no way diminished. The Electoral College elected our President and it did so with a substantial majority of 304 vs 227. Those who criticize the election process and push for election by popular vote want to deprive the minority of any voice in the process. Without the Electoral College candidates would merely need to engage the large population centers of our country and neglect the remaining regions. Imagine if the politicians of our largest cities had control of our government. “Summer of Love,” “Peaceful” Riots, Defund the Police etc., etc., etc. would rule the day.

The Senate should not delay in appointing a justice to the court and it should not be left to the next elected president. We need a fully staffed and functional Supreme Court, i.e. no 4 to 4 hang-ups. This is particularly critical under the current situation, where the huge, unprecedented volume of mail-in ballots and the controversy on counting them in the swing states exists.

A final judgement on the outcome of the 2020 election may therefore reside with the Supreme Court. Some claim this is “not fair.” I submit fairness is in the eyes of the beholder. I am confident that if the situation were reversed the opposition would be taking an identical approach and consider it fair.

Our President has nominated Amy Coney Barrett to fill the current vacancy on our nation’s High Court. Judge Barrett is highly qualified to serve and is on President Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees.

Candidate Biden has refused to supply such a list expecting us to fly blind on the subject through the election and hope for the best. The Senate confirmation process should be straight forward as Judge Barrett’s qualifications have been previously vetted when she was appointed to the 7th district Court where she currently resides.

The High Court needs her expertise as one who follows the law as written and does not legislate from the bench. Legislation is the responsibility of Congress and the president. Hopefully, the hearings will not degenerate to character assassination as the opposition did in the Judge Kavanaugh hearings and those of some time ago involving Judges Clarence Thomas and Robert Bork.

A speedy confirmation of Judge Barrett to the United States Supreme Court will allow a return to the more pressing issues of this current presidential campaign such as defeating the Covid-19 pandemic and returning our economy to its previous excellent shape.

James C. Hoffman

Barker

Editor:

A recent Orleans Hub article highlighted the community’s frustration to get COVID-19 testing. Many of our health centers including Albion, Brockport, and Hornell provide testing for people with and without symptoms. At the Corfu, Batavia, and Alexander locations we are testing people with symptoms only.

COVID-19 swab tests are available at our health centers outdoors to ensure safety for patients and staff. However, if you have symptoms, please call in advance for arrival instructions. Test results are typically back in 3-5 days but in some cases can take up to seven business days.

Regarding payment, we start by billing the insurance companies (co-pays may apply), and should it not be covered, we also offer a sliding fee scale discount based on family size and annual income. For questions or more information, please call (585) 637-3905 ext. 221.

And we have another alternative, free LetsGetChecked COVID-19 Self Collection Kits that patients can take home with them but are in limited supply. The kits can be used when appropriate based on current testing guidelines. The test kit comes with a UPS next day air return shipping label to send your sample back to the lab. They aim to deliver your results within 24-72 hours of your sample being received in their laboratory.

We invite everyone to explore the COVID-19 testing options available at Oak Orchard Health. For more information, please call (585) 637-3905.

Mary Obear, MD, PhD,

Chief Clinical Officer

Oak Orchard Health

Corfu

Editor:

President Carter used to quote his teacher, Ms. Julia, who said, “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.”

Gov. Bush said just a few years ago that the Republican Party which elected his brother was gone.

In the old days, Republicans emphasized support for A) paying our bills, B) holding down national debt, C) resisting Russian expansion, D) farmers and their sales overseas, E) courting black voters, F) supporting immigration,

G) trade, F) low-cost public college, G) initiating most major environmental initiatives including the EPA and OSHA, H) starting and expanding our national park system, I) until 1986 using tax credits (not cuts) to boost investment and jobs, J) expansion of mail-in voting, K) following our laws to the letter, L) honoring and supporting our Vietnam veterans and veterans generally, M) resisting, until 1915, the erection of Confederate statues,  N) support for NATO and our alliances,

O) originating progressive taxation on the wealthy (1862 and again in 1892 and in 1911), P) huge support for Rep. Sen. Chafee’s “Health Equity and Access Improvement Act of 1991” (a/k/a Obama Care), Q) appointing traditional judges who considered the Declaration of Independence when deciding cases, R) massive opposition to politicians suspected of receiving foreign support and politicking involving calls from and guests to the White House, and finally,

S) the party aggressively excluded “John Birchers” (a fringe group in favor of 1. unfunded tax cuts, 2. keeping the rich rich, 3. Anti-immigration,  conspiracy theories that all change is communist or socialist in origin…) and George Wallace’s  “American Democratic Party” and Strom Thurmond’s “Dixiecrats” (populists in favor of 1. white supremacy, 2. unfunded spending).

The parties started flipping principles when Republican doors were finally opened wide to Bircher and Wallace supporters and their ideas in 1982 and 1968, respectively.

I knew the Presidential debate on Tuesday would include a lot of overdone, even false, claims.   I would hear Bircher and Wallace dog whistles. I fact check virtually everything so none of that threw me – that former RNC Chief Counsel Attorney Ben Ginsberg emphatically says the vote by mail harangue is vicious nonsense, that Republican cities have suffered demonstrations and “organized” white supremacist violence, and that the national production act was used extensively for Ebola and swine flu pandemic before matters got out of hand – unlike Covid, and that our economy had slowed under him.

The straw (nee club) in the debate came when President Trump asked that “his supporters” –not official party poll watches – go to the polls to ensure his victory.

And he refused to denounce “white supremacy” including specifically the machine gun armed “Proud Boys”  (who are officially listed as a neo fascist group) who he told to “stand back and stand by”!

Peaceful transitions of freely elected government is the Article of Faith that binds us no matter how much we disagree! President Trump just up and threw it out. Love of God, family, this country,  freedom, the right to vote, and peaceful transition of administrations – everything we fought for in our Civil War and two World Wars – he put at physical risk!

No matter what else you may think, he made clear who to vote against: Trump and any politician who does not renounce him.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

Last night’s presidential debate was a total fiasco. Americans watched the debate to learn about each candidate’s platform and solutions to our nation’s issues. Instead we witnessed a national embarrassment and disgraceful moment in our country’s history, and nobody learned anything except that they have to choose between two terrible men. Is this really the best America has to offer for President?

Turns out, the answer is no. There is a third candidate, Libertarian Dr. Jo Jorgensen. Unlike Trump and Biden, who offer no real solutions and are relying on stirring up hatred and fear to win, Dr. Jorgensen has answers and real policy proposals. She has a different vision for America, one where the individual is empowered to make the changes he or she wants to see. Her vision is one of love, hope and brotherhood.

So many people visited Dr. Jorgensen’s website, in search of a better candidate that the high volume caused it to crash! Americans want to hear her message! They want to let her speak! However, the Commission on Presidential Debates excluded her from the first debate, because they don’t want Americans to know they have a choice outside the two-party system. They don’t want Americans to know there is a better candidate than what this system has to offer.

Dr. Jorgensen will appear on the ballot in all 50 states and D.C. right alongside Trump and Biden. Last night’s spike in Google searches for “libertarian candidate” and “Jo Jorgensen” demonstrate that there is no reason to silence the only woman in the race and exclude her from the other debates.

That’s why I urge everyone reading this to call the Commission at (202) 872-1020 or email them at media@debates.org and demand Dr. Jo Jorgensen be included in the next two presidential debates.

Chase Tkach

Carlton

Chairperson of the Libertarian Party of Orleans County

Editor:

“Big Business wants Socialism on losses, Capitalism on profits,” said Pat Golden, a Senior Analyst for the NYS Legislature, Kendall ’79.

We taxpayers (by the way not Mr. Trump) bailed out Big Business in the Covid emergency (they’ve made nearly $300 billion since March 15th), whereas fresh water supply is threatened by lack of bailout support of smaller municipalities, 11 million small restaurants are in danger of losing their businesses, and 20 million working poor are in danger of eviction, with small (most) rental property owners also endangered, and high layoffs for many workers, with UIB running out. But Socialism for the Rich.

We bailed out Big Business in the 2008 Bush/Cheney crash. Socialism for the Rich.

We gave Big Business big tax breaks in the beginning of George W’s administration to stimulate the economy and it doubled the national debt. Socialism for the Rich.

We gave Big Business big tax breaks during the Reagan administration. President Reagan said that it would stimulate business, increase tax receipts and balance our budget. It doubled both the debt and deficit. Socialism for the Rich. President George H. Bush called it “Voodoo Economics.”

We now owe $26 trillion. That’s nearly 40 times the $712 billion we owed in 1980.

Health care for everyone, like in every other industrialized nation in the world.  “No, that’s socialism,” they cry. No, it’s Pro-Life!

Reserve Socialism for when business fails again, and they will. We can afford that, but not health care for poor children and their mothers or the working poor or homeless veterans.

Only Socialism for the rich, from the borrow-and-spend Republicans.

Bob and Marg Golden

Kent

Editor:

I am writing in response to Kerri Richardson’s letter from September 20. I was surprised by the number of factual errors and misleading statements it contained, especially coming from a member of our Town Board who has been involved in the process of reviewing these wind law changes.

Councilwoman Richardson states that the setback distance remains at 1.5 times tip height from all residential and commercial structures, and that this setback does not apply to property lines. Both of these claims are false.

I listened to all of the Town Board meetings and workshops regarding the ordinance changes and the draft ordinance clearly establishes a minimum setback of 2 times tip height (over a quarter mile) from all residential and commercial structures and 1.5 times tip height from the property lines of those not participating in the project.

Know Your Facts USA graciously posts all the Town Board meeting recordings on their Facebook page if you would like to listen for yourself. I am disappointed that one of my town councilmembers either didn’t bother to read the ordinance or is purposefully misrepresenting the proposed law changes.

Councilwoman Richardson also claimed, “The noise regulations do not meet the suggested standards of the New York State Department of Health in its letter to the Siting Board on March 2020.” The Department of Health and Siting Board have since approved multiple wind projects with the same sound standards as Barre’s proposed law.

Councilwoman Richardson suggests a “property value guarantee” as part of the wind ordinance. I don’t see this as necessary or practicable. There is no peer-reviewed, scientific study showing that property values are affected by wind projects. However, there are numerous studies that show wind turbines do not affect property values, such as the 2013 Study by Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, which states, “The core results of our analysis consistently show no sizable statistically significant impact of wind turbines on nearby property values.” That study can be read by clicking here.

There are many factors that drive property values to fluctuate, such as age and condition of the home, the local economy, and even this pandemic. Homes are selling in Barre faster than I could ever remember, at or above asking price due to people wanting to get out of cities, all while we are considering a proposed wind project. It is absurd to think that wind turbines alone will be responsible for changing property values.

Councilwoman Richardson has stated that transparency is important, and I agree with her. I am hopeful that she will be more responsible and accurate with the information she presents in the future. I encourage you to attend the public hearing on Sept. 30th at 6:30 p.m. in the Barre Highway Garage and to support the wind ordinance changes that will allow Barre to receive the many benefits of hosting a wind project. I believe the new ordinance changes strike the right balance between protecting residents and allowing wind projects to be built in our town.

Charles Mathes

Barre

Editor:

Being a former NYS resident, it’s been great to be informed by the Hub of local and state news. As I write, NYS has 35 states under its “quarantine” list issued by Governor Cuomo.

My state, Florida, is on his list. He says he has done a great job with his discipline that he has conducted of his control with the virus prevention. Death toll in NYS from the virus is 32,708. With a population of 1,000,000-plus more people in Florida, coronavirus deaths here are 13,961. With 900 people moving here per day to make Florida their permanent residences, Governor DeSantis gave up the “quarantine” but has kept virus death toll down.

It has propped up the TV and radio stations with receiving Michael Bloomberg’s $100 million to enhance the Biden campaign here in Florida. Another shot in the arm was Tom Golisano’s (left NY to be Fl resident) contribution of three Golisano Children’s Hospitals here in Southwest Florida.

As Gov. Cuomo says, we’re “New York Tough.” Maybe spend more time in preventing New Yorkers from leaving than “quarantine” those entering.

Charles Woodworth

Englewood, Florida

Editor:

I am a U.S. Army veteran having served my country in Germany. I have seen the ravages of war. I go to the VA for my health care. The VA has become a great place for veterans to get care. Veterans receive of the types of help from the government.

Many of these benefits have come about by the efforts of veterans’ organizations through the years. Now these organizations are facing a decline of membership. They need the veterans to become members. The membership of American Legion posts of Orleans County is falling to a point that some may not be able to survive. Sad, but true.

They need new members to become energized as their membership is getting older and becoming unable to keep their programs helping veterans and civilians.

“Veterans helping veterans.” Become a member and fight to keep your benefits and continue to help others.

Carl Boyle

Medina

Editor:

Congressman Chris Jacobs once again shows his totally grotesque subservience to President Trump. In a vote on the House Resolution, (H.R. 908), that condemns all forms of anti-Asian racism, Mr. Jacobs voted no.

The bill reads: “The resolution recommits U.S. leadership to (1) prioritize language access and inclusivity in communication practices and (2) combat misinformation and discrimination that puts Asian-Americans at risk.”

This is what our Congressman voted against. Our congressman favors treating Asian-Americans as second class citizens. I am reminded of a poem by Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller: “First they came for…”.

But in this case you could substitute migrant farm workers for the first one attacked by Mr. Jacobs and now Asian-Americans. Chris Jacobs’ blatant racism needs to be called out and he needs to be voted out of the House of Representatives. I strongly urge voting for Nate McMurray this November. Thank you.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

A writer in the Letters to the Editor shocked me when I saw he wrote that he claimed to have checked to see if FOX had verified that Trump had called our veterans “suckers” and been unable to find it! Part of my shock is that I know that if President Trump does not say it, this writer believes it’s fake news.

Well every search I did confirmed Fox’s News Division’s verification! But since a picture is worth a thousand words, readers can click here to see it.

Joe Apatow recently said – more pointedly than I – that every Trump supporter thinks cruelly about someone or something. It’s a surprisingly wise observation when you think of all the disinformation and attacks that characterize his rallies.

But in this case write about one of them – to say “Our Vets deserve better.”  Lies should never betray the truth and democracy for all they fought for.

Note though this letter of appreciation of our Vets could be like writing to the choir if Trump’s statements today about setting the vote aside play out. Their sacrifice means nothing if Red State Legislatures set aside the vote and reappoint members of the electoral college to elect Trump. ( See 1st: Bush v. Gore, Scalia opinion and 2nd Gelman “The Atlantic” The Election that could break America on Trump strategy. )

Vets sacrifice for democracy could be for naught in the future if the house burns down but they gave me a good life. Thank you.

Conrad Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

I was invited to debate my opponent for the position of Orleans County Clerk. The letter received from my opponent offered the opportunity to debate my experience and values.

Although our campaigning has been greatly hindered by Covid-19, I do not believe that my experience and values are something that can be debated. I have shared my education and experience with the voters through multiple ads and social media postings to allow them the opportunity to get to know me better.

Even though I am unable to shake hands and share hugs during parades, fundraisers, and other public events, I have faith that through my community service and active participation within Orleans County that the residents understand how much I value our community.

The Orleans County Clerk’s office is governed by state and local directives as well as statutes and regulations. My goal, if elected County Clerk, is to create an office that offers quality customer service, updated technology to enhance customer service, and easier access to information.

I have strived to maintain a civil campaign and still intend to do so with great integrity. With both of us being current County employees, I believe that it is our duty to those residing within the County to maintain a professional and respectful work relationship to ensure that tasks do not become hindered due to tension over a political campaign.

Given the circumstances that have arose this year, I still believe that the residents of Orleans County are capable of respectfully choosing a candidate to fill the seat of Orleans County Clerk come November.

Nadine P. Hanlon

Kendall

Republican-endorsed candidate for Orleans County Clerk

Editor:

Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance (COVA) has been providing community based Emergency Medical Services to the towns of Albion, Barre, Carlton, Gaines and the Village of Albion for over 40 years.

As our name states – Central Orleans – we have provided the central portion of Orleans County with the highest standard of pre-hospital care. COVA currently staffs Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers as well as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).

As of today, we have two active volunteers and 24 paid employees. Today the average family requires a two-income household, therefore it is difficult for an individual to commit to the required time and training to volunteer. Currently there is a national shortage of all levels of EMS providers.

Not only are we experiencing a shortage of providers but also we continue to have a steady decline of revenue from insurance contract adjustments as well as default payments. Operational expenses have also continued to drastically increase for ambulance agencies. These factors have directly impacted our agencies ability to operate. We need the support of this community in order for us to continue to provide ambulance services to Central Orleans County.

In the past year over 1,600 community-based ambulances in New York State alone have closed.

We need your help. Please call your local town or village office to express your support – Town of Albion, 585-589-7048; Village of Albion, 585-589-9176; Town of Barre, 585-589-5100; Town of Carlton, 585-682-4358; and Town of Gaines, 585-589-4592.

COVA Community Relations Committee

Brandi Fisher, COVA Finance Manager

Laurie Schwab, COVA COO

Anna Tower, COVA CFO

Jennifer Stilwell, Member of COVA Board of Directors