Editor:

As we begin a new week of “different” during this historical time, it is important to remember we are all in this together. Many of you may be frustrated, a bit afraid or even feel a sense of being lost or lonely due to the “safer at home” and social distancing guidelines.

We understand this, and want to remind each Orleans County resident that we can control our reaction to COVID-19 and in some ways slow the spread of this virus.

Each of you can take action to provide defense to the spread of COVID-19 as you are the first line of defense to Stop the Spread!

Please adhere to the following Civic Responsibility Guidelines:

• If you are sick – Stay Home!  Call your primary care provider (doctor) and follow his/her advice. Do not show up at the hospital unannounced. Healthcare staff is already working hard on those who are sick.  Don’t add needless stress to our healthcare system. Think of others first.

• Follow the guidance from the authorities – if you are told to stay 6 feet apart – Stay Apart.

• If you need essential – Shop Solo! Don’t take your family on a shopping trip. You are putting others at risk, especially those working to ensure you have your essential items. Think of them first.

• If at all possible, use mail-order prescriptions. Drug stores are offering many options to enable you to receive your medications. Call and ask so you can “Stay Safer at Home.”

• Consider a grocery delivery service. Call your favorite grocery store to see if they provide store-to-door delivery. If your store doesn’t have a delivery service, check to see if they have curbside pick-up. Remember to wipe down items before bringing into your home or leave untouched (if no refrigeration is needed) in a secure area for a couple of days. Recipe for bleach solution: 1 gallon of water to 5-6 tablespoons of bleach.

• Cloth face coverings are now recommended when you go out in public. You still need to stay 6 feet apart even with your face covered. Online tutorials on face coverings are available (click here). Face coverings should not be used on small children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

• Remember this is not the time to have company, play dates for your children or date night to the local store. Stay apart so we can be together again!

• Remember that children crave routine. Continue to follow daily bedtimes, meal schedules, dressing for the day and routines they are familiar with.

• We encourage you to stay in touch with your loved ones and friends…virtually! Take 5 minutes each day to talk with a family member or friend to check on their needs, remind them you are thinking of them. Offer to assist if you are able, however do not engage in group activities.

• Take time to document these times for your family history. This will be talked about for years, so journal, take pictures and provide future generations with an inside look at how you, your family and our nation handled this temporary situation.

The Care + Crisis Helpline is available for anyone 24/7 who needs to talk with someone. Call 585-283-5200 or you can text ‘Got5’ to 741741. Trained listeners can take your call and provide encouragement, support and guidance to services.

We understand the desire to be in control and these suggestions will give you a sense of having control over COVID-19. Remember this time will end soon as long as everyone does their part.

We ask that you remember all those who working hard to provide services for our county. Remember the store clerks, mail personnel, sanitation workers, medical personnel, emergency services, government workers and so many others all want to be with their families, but they are working to keep you safe and supplied with the necessities.

Do your part now and for the next few weeks, stay apart so we can all be together again!

Together we are Orleans Strong!

Lynne Johnson, Chair of Orleans County Legislature, and District 2 Legislator

On behalf of the Orleans County Legislators:

William Eick – District 1, Vice-Chairman of the Legislature

Fred Miller – District 3

Kenneth DeRoller – District 4

Merle Draper – At Large – West

Donald Allport – At Large – Central

John DeFilipps – At Large – East

Editor:

Apex Clean Energy recently announced The Heritage Wind Community Grant Program. This is an attempt by Apex own admission to obtain favor and gain support for the proposed Heritage Wind Project in Barre.

This program comes at a curious time that coincides with Apex submittal of the formal application to the Article 10 Siting Board. This is a diversion from the real issue which is to review and respond to the formal application.

Perhaps Apex would like to “Build Healthy Communities, Promote Economic Development, and be Stewards of the Environment.” However many in the townships of Yates and Somerset have seen a different side of Apex, the one exposed in the six-year battle against proposed Lighthouse Wind.

We have seen a company which completely disregards the desires of the general public who have overwhelmingly rejected the proposed Lighthouse Wind, no less than three times in independently conducted surveys, and countless meetings and public hearings.

We have seen a company which disregards the long standing objectives of Town Comprehensive Plans, a key one of which is to “preserve the rural character of our towns.”

We have seen a company that disregards our local laws regarding the siting of Industrial wind turbines and associated equipment. To this day, a meteorological tower still stands in violation of the permitting conditions that Apex agreed to in the original siting decision.

We have seen a company that operates in secret with leases and easements and the associated gag orders and other multiple restrictions.

We have seen a company indifferent to the environment and wildlife as exemplified in the disregard of US Fish & Wildlife recommendations for siting of industrial wind turbines.

We have seen a company that touts their generosity via a proposed PILOT agreement while not acknowledging that a PILOT is a huge tax break that will allow them to get by on the cheap and avoid full local taxation for years to come.

Perhaps the Heritage Wind Community Grant Program will “contribute towards pressing community needs and make a meaningful impact.” One can only hope so. The record says otherwise!

James C. Hoffman

Town of Somerset

Editor:

The healthcare workers on the front lines are truly the heroes of the day today. Getting out of bed early in the morning, working through the nights, and braving the virus to ensure citizens get the help and support they need during this crisis is nothing short of extraordinary.

I, like many of you, have constantly been thinking about ways we can show our gratitude and support to these extraordinary individuals. I have some ideas I wanted to share with you today.

The simplest thing we can do is follow instructions to make their jobs easier. That is, stay home if possible, practice social distancing, and help to flatten the curve. I’ve seen that this habit is being practiced with seriousness and great regularity, and I want to encourage those who haven’t done so to try to implement it into their daily lives for the time being. The fewer cases these healthcare workers have to worry about, the better.

Another way to show support is through social media. Even if we can’t say our thanks to these heroes in person, the beauty of the modern world allows us to connect virtually, across entire continents. Find your local hospitals on social media, like that of Medina Memorial, United Memorial and Summit Medical Center, among others, and feel free to leave uplifting messages and videos for the staff who continue to work day and night throughout this crisis.

Lastly, continue this habit after the crisis ends. It’s true that with all this free time, many people have the opportunity to give thanks and give back to our healthcare workers. But these heroes continue to work even after health crises like the one we face now are resolved. Being able to show kindness and support to our health officials is a small way we can continue to support them. I will be taking these steps, and I invite you to do the same.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia

(Hawley represents the 139th District, which consists of Genesee, most of Orleans and part of western Monroe County.)

Editor:

Town of Barre offices are still open and doing business. Unfortunately the doors are closed to the public.

Payments, letters, notices or applications may be placed in the drop box to the left of our front door. For any inquiries please leave a message at the appropriate extension and calls will be returned if no one is there.

We do have a copy of the application to the DPS submitted by Heritage/APEX in our foyer area. As posted on our website, anyone wishing to look over the five, 8-inch-thick binders and maps just need to call the Town Hall and make an appointment. Yes there is a bottle of hand sanitizer there as well.

Sean P. Pogue

Supervisor

Town of Barre

Editor:

Upstate New Yorkers are familiar with how downstaters think at this point. With this year’s state budget, it shows that things haven’t changed.

The only new element was that Gov. Cuomo was calling the shots because downstate liberals didn’t meet the budget deadline. Nevertheless, this budget was filled to the brim with bad policy and further restrictions on the liberties of New Yorkers.

I voted no on every single budget bill. Throughout this budget debating process, I pushed back against more unconstitutional gun control. I pushed for supporting local institutions like libraries during a time when children and teachers will rely on them more than ever. While I fought to support small businesses during this healthcare crisis, they decided to spend $100 million in taxpayer dollars on funding political campaigns.

The acceptance of Gov. Cuomo’s reign during this crisis greatly concerns me. It sets a dangerous precedent during this healthcare crisis. The legislators, elected by the people of New York, should be legislating on behalf of the citizens.

The last thing our state needs is to give more authority to its executive. No matter how well-intended the budget might have been in places, I couldn’t, in good conscience, vote on budget bills that were filled with policy and pushed by an overreaching executive.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia

(Hawley represents the 139^th Assembly District which includes most of Orleans, all of Genesee and part of western Monroe County.)

Editor:

It is heartwarming to read and hear about the great deeds being done by the community during this current period of uncertainty. Communities in Orleans County have a long history of responding in times of need and despair.

Recently each correction officer and staff member at the Orleans County Jail received a handmade facemask to aid in protecting against the Covid-19 virus. On behalf of Council 82 – Local 2966, I would like to express our gratitude and publicly acknowledge Kim Lockwood (her brother Terry Weaver, a retired Sergeant from the Orleans County Jail) for donating the materials and Lynda Standish for making the facemasks.

Their thoughtfulness and generosity provide hope and encouragement during these dubious days. Thank you for thinking of us, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Sgt. Chris Caufield

Local 2966 Union President

Editor:

In this time of crisis it is more important than ever that we, as a community, pull together in order to support each other and those that go to work every day to provide essential services.

These folks include doctors, nurses, first responders, those that work in grocery, drug, and other essential retailers, mail delivery personnel, and everybody else that is still going to work to provide services. They are putting themselves at risk in order for our lives to continue as “normally” as possible.

Genesee County had a “Corona Convoy” in which more than $4,000 was raised for Crossroads House. I happened to be driving through there and every street corner and country road intersection had people showing support – all while following social distancing guidelines.

I am soliciting ideas as to what we can do here in our community to pull together, support one another, and show our gratitude for the efforts of those mentioned above. Be it online, safely out in the open air, or whatever platform comes to mind.

I can be reached at OrleansBridge@gmail.com or The Orleans Bridge on Facebook.

Thank you.

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

I don’t get it.

Mr. Hawley says that his Legislative Survey was mistakenly sent out for reasons beyond his control, but then he doubles-down and asks people to take the very same survey, even though it completely avoids asking any questions about the Covid-19 virus. I don’t get it.

James Renfrew

Clarendon

Editor:

Isn’t it kind of defeating the purpose having a parade when we’re supposed to be staying home and distancing.

What I saw on the news was a lot of people standing on the sidewalk, shoulder to shoulder.

Where’s the common sense in that?

C. Brabon

Middleport

Editor:

Many of you may have recently received my survey in your mailbox. This survey was supposed to have been sent in early January prior to the start of our 2020 Legislative session to help me understand constituents’ views on issues.

It was held up for reasons beyond my control and was released, erroneously, as we face one of the most difficult times in our state’s and nation’s history with the Covid-19 Virus.

Please practice social distancing, stay home and wash your hands over and over and over. We will get through this.

Take the 2020 Legislative Survey online by clicking here.

Steve Hawley

Batavia

Member of Assembly, 139th District

Editor:

I want to go on record as endorsing Mike Sidari for the office of Mayor for the Village of Medina, as well as Village Trustees Marguerite Sherman and Timothy Elliott.

Mr. Elliott was my first point of contact in the Village government when I began the pursuit of funding a new concrete public skate park in Medina in early 2018. Tim provided a wealth of information to set myself and the Medina Skate Society on the proper path for gaining local support and fundraising for a new skate park.

Mrs. Sherman has been a proud supporter of the efforts of the Medina Skate Society both on the Village Board and out at our local events over the past year of fundraising. Marguerite has spoken positively of the Skate Society and the new skate park during Village Board meetings and has attended many of the skate park fundraising events even with family members in tow.

Mr. Sidari has been most helpful to the efforts of the Medina Skate Society and has been integral in progressing the project forward over the past two years. Mike has voiced his support for the project to other Village Board members even before the Village secured the Tony Hawk & Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Skate Park Grant. Mike has kept the lines of communication open, answering calls, providing documentation and keeping correspondence between Medina Skate Society members, the Tony Hawk Foundation, the Department of Public Works and the Village of Medina to ensure the skate park project is on track to become a reality.

Mayor Sidari has also made it a point to attend every event he was able to and has been a familiar (and friendly) face to our local skaters and Skate Society members.

I would encourage any and all Village residents to cast a vote for positive community engagement and development and re-elect Mike Sidari, Marguerite Sherman and Timothy Elliott.

Sincerely,

Alex Feig

Medina Skate Society President

(Editor’s Note: The village election was moved back from March 18 to April 28 and now has been moved again to a date to be determined in June.)

Editor:

I read that Apex Heritage Wind LLC submitted an application to the state February 26, 2020 for an industrial wind project in the town of Barre.

However, I can not access it because all the libraries and the town hall are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

My internet access is limited to my phone which will not download a lot of pages. I am sure that there are many others with little or no internet.

Is New York doing anything about this? Has the government suspended the process while we are dealing with closures and social distancing?

Nancy Blank

Barre

Editor:

I see the news every day, lawmakers are extending unemployment benefits for workers who have been laid off due to the Covid-19 crisis, extending help to small businesses, etc. These are fantastic things.

I am writing to ask what about the millions of us Americans that live and work every day with compromised immune systems due to underlying illnesses or from immunosuppressive medications?

The Americans that only have the choices of go to work at higher risk of disease and infection, or stay home voluntarily, make no money and not be able to pay bills or buy needed supplies. We fall through the cracks, not eligible for unemployment benefits because we stay home voluntarily in hopes to avoid infection, not eligible for assistance because we have a job we can go to if we choose that risk.

We are not lazy people, we would just prefer not to get sick if possible. Many of these people are hard-working Americans that pay taxes and contribute to society. I have written a similar letter to Senator Robert Ort’s office, with the only response being: “We have been hearing a few stories that are similar to yours and with everything rapidly changing each day, we advise people to continue to monitor the DOL’s Unemployment (https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/) website as they post changes and waivers of requirements as they come in.”

That’s great, but I don’t foresee the DOL waiving the “ready, willing, and able requirement” for unemployment. That would be welfare at that point.

All the while the state doles out millions of dollars to perfectly capable people that are flat out working the system to get a free ride, carry 1,000-dollar cell phones, covered in tattoos, freezers full of food, smoking cigarettes, carrying cases of beer and lotto tickets out of the stores and never paying any taxes, and getting tens of thousands of dollars back in tax “refunds.” How is it a refund? Last I knew, tax refunds were refunds for overpayment of taxes.

Scott Lonnen

Gaines

Editor:

I write to settle the unfortunate bickering about the handling of COVID-19 and daily changes in stories from the President since January.  While fact checking I found the previously uncirculated and complete 2016 National Security Council manual on pandemics. It is embedded in full in this article which follows.

The “play book” is fully indexed and has appendixes with contact and capability information detailed about who should do what in a pandemic of THIS magnitude – the why, what, when, and under what circumstances are laid out. If it had been followed there would be none of these distracting arguments now. The complete playbook (manual) is found by clicking here.

The existence of the Manual in the NSC office located in the White House settles any argument that the response has been anything other than abysmal. By January 23rd our scientists had confirmed COVID was just as highly with droplet (sneeze) transmission as suggested by China. That is the last date for any excuses not to turn the page to “1918” type outbreaks and those “additional” measures. Social distancing, tests, were weeks late by then.

Before President Trump was elected there was a fear that a property developer might not be up to the challenges of the Presidency in a crisis. Now we all have to pray our President, President Trump, finally listens to the actual experts and  executes the plan! You know I think it should be the United States Armed Forces in charge but no matter these delays are killing people.

Worse, if this President had simply funded the Bush/Cheney/Obama/Biden “Arura” project in 2017 we already would have 70,000 more ventilators.  (Look it up you Doubting Thomas’s and apologists.)

Frankly, we need to spend as little time talking about President Trump as he does thinking up and pitching all these daily yarns he then has to “clarify” or back down on. It’s bad faith use of the Bully Pulpit that both presidents Roosevelt – one Republican and one Democrat – used to lead us through and out of catastrophe.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

Thank you, Don Welch, for correctly pointing out that Assemblyman Hawley’s “Legislative Survey” is a not-so-subtle campaign flyer sent out on our dime. Mr. Welch, you beat me to it!

One thing you did not mention that I spotted immediately in reviewing the survey is that there is not a single question about the coronavirus. With that matter front and center in everyone’s mind I was astounded that there was no reference to it.

I am sure that this survey was in the works for some time, but was there no one with the wits to stop it from going out with this glaring omission? Maybe the Assemblyman shares President’s Trump’s view that everything will be back to normal by Easter, so no need to include anything about it in the survey? Good God, I hope not!

But of course the Assemblyman’s pet concern pushing for western/upstate New York to secede from the rest of the state is included, as usual. Mr. Hawley, I am a New Yorker. I was born here, educated here, and expect to live out my days here. Do not try to divide my state! Especially at a time like this.

James Renfrew

Clarendon