Editor:

Before the conspiracy theorists and FN fans start welcoming another Civil War—as a friend of mine did about a week ago—they might want to reflect on at least two things.

First, people die in civil wars, as my Confederate ancestor general did at Shiloh. Second, another civil war is just what Putin and his pals had in mind when they injected themselves into our Presidential politics in 2016.

Would you want to be complicit in a KGB scheme?

Before you say, “We need a civil war”, you might want to check out the Constitutional definition of treason. It is in there. While you are at it, why not find out how many died in the last one.

Alarmedly yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

Although I appreciated the fine write-up by Mike Wertman and enjoyed reminiscing about the numerous “Albion Sports Night”  events that were coordinated by its Chairman, Rich Monacelli, who always did a fantastic job – I was disappointed in the fact that the Albion Council 1330 Knights of Columbus was not mentioned.

The event was always held at the K of C’s hall and was backed, and very largely financially supported, by the Council.

Joe Gehl

Kent

Editor:

A free thought to be shared by those who like to advocate their own intellectual shortcomings with falsehoods, fabrications and rhetoric long ago proven to be . . . well, just plain wrong.

“To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.” – Thomas Paine, March 21, 1778

A very timely thought offered by one of America’s most highly regarded political philosophers who served as a guiding light, not only to the Founding Fathers, but also to the newly enlightened masses whose blood would be shed fighting to free themselves from the derisive and divisive state of the autocracy from which they suffered.

Now very sadly, the realization that Thomas Paine could have possibly perceived our current reality means that for all of our “advancements” what is most important to the vitality of our civilization has been lost “to a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt.” And, even as I write . . . he speaks proudly of it.

Doug Miller

Albion

Editor:

Hearing stories of the suffragette movement at the turn of the 20th Century and seeing it remembered all these years later is both incredibly important and gratifying to me.

And it’s more than just the fact that the promise of America – where every citizen has a say in the direction of the country – was one step closer to being fulfilled at that time (but that is incredibly important).

My personal connection to this movement comes from the fact that my great aunt, Ella Hawley Crosset of Wyoming County, was an integral part of the movement. Her example has helped guide me throughout my life.

Taking a look back at the era that these suffragettes were living in, there’s no doubt that they were in the fight for their lives in many cases. Political and social pressure undoubtedly kept pushing these brave women back, pressuring them to give up their cause.

Despite the trials and tribulations, women continued to push back for a seat at the table. They galvanized Albany legislators to push for further constitutional changes that had already been started in states lying to the west, and New York was the driving force to make Congress hear these women and grant them their wishes.

Today, my great aunt’s name is listed on the plaque in the Capitol on the first floor as you enter from State Street. Her name is listed alongside other notable women of history and suffragettes, including Susan B. Anthony.

To know that members of my family have been fighting throughout our history to ensure that freedoms and liberties are granted to all citizens fills me with a lot of pride, and makes me honored to continue their legacy. We should all look back to their example of fighting for rights and liberties to help us decide how we act today.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia

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

Editor:

Congressman Chris Jacobs has not denounced the politically motivated slowing of the U.S. Postal Service.

The Postal Service is vital for the economy especially in small towns and villages in Western New York, an area represented by Chris Jacobs. In the past few months the Postal Service has taken measures to slow the mail and cause disruptions in services vital to the region.

Jerry Zremski reported in the Buffalo News, (8/13/20), that: “The Postal Service has removed five of the 20 mail sorting machines from the William Street facility, (Frank Resetarits, president of American Postal Workers Union Local 374), said. Called delivery bar code sorters, the machines sort mail the size of letters and post cards, including mail-in ballots.”

Small businesses depend upon the Postal Service and many in rural residents depend upon the Postal Service for medication and food items. Forcing the Postal Service to be a for-profit service will cost rural areas far more to mail letters, post cards and packages. It is an added expense that economically depressed Western New York doesn’t need.

When the residents of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties learn that Mr. Jacobs is supporting disruption of services and mail price increase, the voters will not be happy. It is time for Mr. Jacobs to hold a town-hall style meeting and explain his position to his constituents. Thank you.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

I’d like to thank Mr. Capurso for his recent insights regarding community consolidation. I read with care the NY State Local Government Efficiency report on the Village & Town of Albion plus Gaines – paying close attention to the appendixes.

Mr. Capurso deserves credit for uncovering this information. The report runs over 100 pages however it took me just a few pages in to provide what I think is the most likely explanation for Mr. Capurso.

The larger savings number – $736,000 – is divided among 12,000 Albion & Gaines residents. Divide the larger number by the smaller number and you get a total annual per household tax savings of just $61 per year –  or $5 per month in reduced taxes. The smaller number – $535,000 – reduces annual household tax by just $44/year – or about $3.60 per month per household.

I’ll throw this out there to Mr. Capurso as a best guess: I have a sneaking suspicion that no significant consolidations have taken place in our area because the time-cost to do so is very large while the average person’s tax burden is only reduced by what amounts to a couple of large pizzas and a 12-pack per year.

Respectfully,

Darren D. Wilson

Lyndonville

Editor:

In response to the article titled “NY approves 17 million in funding for Lake Ontario businesses,” we were originally stated in this publication to receive $542,000 of which we would have to pay 15% which would have been $81,300. Since we had our own equipment and could do the work ourselves, we could use that as payment towards the $83,100.

A couple closed-door meetings and it got adjusted to $200,000 at 50%. In other words, if we spent $400,000 and everything was approved by the state they would reimburse us $200,000.

Trick is we don’t have $400,000 to spend. Add to that where the representative we were dealing with from the DEC retired in the middle of our paperwork and the new DEC representative working from home and not having access to all the document because of Covid-19 delayed all of our paperwork. Now our case has been closed with no funding.

The Governor said he wanted to make sure businesses had skin in the game but we didn’t have enough skins to play his game. Meanwhile two miles down the road at the little used Yates Town Park they were awarded $2.5 million of which they had to pay 15% which according to my understanding was dropped to 5%. Funny how that works.

In the first round in 2017 we were told we would receive $50,000 but again we first had to spend $100,000 and hope we would get refunded $50,000. We ended up with about $6,500.

That’s how they can afford to give $2.5 million to other government pet projects like the Yates Town Park.

Don and Barb Anderson

Green Harbor Campground and Marina

Lyndonville

Editor:

Our rural community has got a major problem. Small business sends its bills and we get parts, social security checks, bills, cards, medicines by the United States Postal Service. There is no good alternative.

On Aug. 14, a plan to pull thousands of mailboxes across the country was stopped when a reporter’s photos from Montana spotted it. The public outcry stopped that.

Now we learn almost 700 functioning sorters have been removed. Each scans 30,000 pieces of mail an hour. That is massive. All our mail goes through these centers.

The USPS pensions are required to be funded for decades. This service is required in Art 1 of our Constitution. The Republican Board of Governors has told us how much is needed to get us through as we deal with the COVID beast.

As with so much else right now keeping our way of life will be far cheaper to pay for now – and  keep – now rather than rebuilt later from the ashes. Everyone has to put their foot down on this one!  Call, write, scream, vote.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

Some time ago I posted a Letter to the Editor suggesting discussion on the top of consolidating the 10 Orleans jurisdictions into one organization. Two citizens responded with thoughtful letters.

After I wrote that letter, I was surprised to learn that a “Consolidation Study for the Village of Albion, Town of Albion and Town of Gaines” had already been completed in March 2009. The study was conducted by the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) at no cost to the jurisdictions. The study stated in the Key Findings (page 8) that:

• “CGR estimates that if the Village of Albion merges with the Town of Albion, taxpayers should save at least $535,000 (an 18% property tax reduction).
• If the Town of Gaines also consolidated with them, taxpayers savings should be at least $736,000 (a 22% property tax reduction).

This study  was funded by the New York State Local Government Efficiency (LGe) office, (phone 800 367 8488). The LGe has also funded over 50 other consolidation studies that have included:  Ulster County, Town and Village of Chester, Cohocton, Orange County, Town of Elba (Lake Placid area), City of Mechanicville, Town of Portland and Village of Brockton, etc.  The entire list can be found on the LGe website.

I remain puzzled at the lack of interest in consolidation by leaders in all levels of government in the county. The above noted jurisdictions cited increased efficiency and lower taxes as their main reasons for considering consolidation.

A note to Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians: as they have in hundreds of jurisdictions across the state, it would seem reasonable that voters would favor lower taxes and improved efficiency at future elections.

Jack Capurso

Ashburn, Va.

Editor:

I live downwind from the shuttered coal-fired power plant located in the Town of Somerset, Niagara County. For more than a generation, Somerset residents benefitted tremendously from the taxes generated by the plant. It was a major step in the industrialization of the town.

It now is an eyesore. Beneath the artificial grassy mountain near the smokestack lies a huge deposit of unusable hazardous ash. The power lines that connect the relic to the NY power grid sit unused, a natural, open invitation for a clean alternative to the pollution spewed from that 600-foot smokestack.

The hypocrisy of the town’s leaders of all stripes is what turned me off to Somerset’s crocodile tears about the windmills. It was like delayed outrage over the vast harm caused by their smoky  benefactor.

I think they were just trying to hustle the developer for a sweetheart deal that never came. All they did was blaze the path for the State of New York to correct the shortcomings of the original Article 10 process. In the new tweaks, the developer does not have to fight wearing a blindfold or one arm tied behind its back.

While the Barre project does not have to incur the wrath of the nouveaux riche crowd huddled along the lakeshore, it does attract the occasional otherwise well-concealed elite of a principally agrarian landscape. This tiny minority’s bold-faced attempt to sway Barre’s political leaders with a  fatally flawed “survey” needs to be rightfully turned aside. It was not created to be impartial and it clearly isn’t. It has no value.

If the leadership of Barre stays focused, they will greatly benefit the environment and the town’s taxpayers and residents. And no pollution downwind.

Ralph E. Smith

Lyndonville

Editor:

This letter is in response to the misleading article published in the Orleans Hub regarding George McKenna’s so-called “survey” about bringing a wind farm to Barre.

The survey was confusing, contained too many choices, and the response options were blatantly biased. Most people I know just disregarded it and threw it in the trash. A legitimate survey should be conducted by an independent, unbiased source, not a resident who is historically and vocally opposed to turbines. On top of that, interpreting the results as showing 70% of the town are opposed to the turbines is very deceptive.

I submitted the following letter to be read at the August 12 Barre Town Board Meeting: “Of the 730 households surveyed, only 254 were returned; that means only 35% of the households responded. Of the 254 households, 176 households were against the wind turbines; that means 24% of the 730 households are against them. It goes to show that one can manipulate the data to say what you want that data to say!

“I was the sole lease holder that helped open and count the surveys. In my opinion, 65% of Barre households that did not return the survey are either in favor of them, did not get a survey or do not care. So, my conclusion of the data shows that 24% of Barre households are opposed, 76% are in favor of, did not receive a survey or do not care about industrial wind turbines.” Alas, Mr. Pogue started to read my letter to the Town Board but was unable to finish reading it.  Dr. McKenna’s purpose for his survey was to obtain the opinion of the majority of the Barre household; nonresident land owners were not included to receive or respond to this survey.

In addition, at Wednesday’s board meeting, a letter in support of the wind project and common-sense updates to the town’s wind ordinance was presented. This letter was signed by over 200 Barre residents and taxpayers. By my math that is more than responded to this slanted survey in opposition to the project.

There are two sides to every story. I respect the opinions of those who oppose the turbines, but these survey results clearly leave out the majority who want to see the benefits of a wind farm brought to our community.

Respectfully,

Ruth C. Miller

Barre

Editor:

Good Lord, doesn’t anyone realize what they are saying anymore? I just read a letter in this forum from a person whom I won’t identify. A little research further down these posts and you’ll find out who it is. (Go get ’em, Columbo.

He bemoans the status of our country because of the uncontrolled spread of the Coronavirus. He throws in the social unrest in the form of “rioting” and “looting” and the fact that “criminal activity has become the (new) norm.” He pretty much checked off all the boxes under “bedlam and turmoil.” I agree 100 percent. The great American way ain’t what it used to be; not even close.

But, unbelievably, his logic doesn’t attribute any blame on the person in charge of the country, the man sitting in the White House. He indicates (by not explaining Trump’s inability to lead) that it’s the opposing political party for the president’s devastating failure. That’s an absolutely astonishing thought process.

Let me ask this: Why, Mr. Smith (oops), is Donald Trump not held accountable for the mess you just described? Not by any stretch did you even question the actions of the person who was elected – a full term ago – to fix problems like this (not create them) and the person who the country looks to, to right the good ship America when it goes off course. Ridiculously, you blamed your go-to scapegoats, namely … the “liberals.”

That’s pretty much what Donald Trump did when he said “If you elect Joe Biden, you’ll see rioting in the streets … just like you’re seeing now!” Say what? Wouldn’t a stable genius realize he just threw himself under the bus by his own indictment of what’s going on during his own watch? “Sure, I screwed up big time, but my opponent will probably be almost as bad, so why not just let me stay?”

Mr. Smith, you need to reevaluate exactly how you evaluate things. Ask those who are elected to hold responsible positions, why they don’t accept that responsibility. Ask yourself why you won’t find them culpable. Finger pointing, such as you and Trump do, is an indication of failed leadership and accountability. Man up and take a look at the hard cold facts. And then don’t tell me you “don’t believe it.” Speak the truth: “you don’t want to believe it.” Big difference.

If this is what America looks like when it’s “great, again” … then I’m not so sure I can take it getting any better.

Tom Valley

Medina

Editor:

This is a response to George McKenna’s survey about the proposed wind turbine project in Barre.

Please check only one response:

• I do not want a hamburger no matter how hungry I am
• I would like my hamburger with pickles but no mustard
• I would like my hamburger with one slice of onion and two squirts of ketchup
• I would like my hamburger with mustard and one half of the bun toasted
• I would like my hamburger with an egg over easy with mayonnaise, but I don’t want to pay for my hamburger
• I would like my hamburger cooked over an open flame of 10-year-old seasoned apple wood obtained ethically from a forest where happy people live
• I would like my hamburger with one slice of cheddar, one tomato, and no relish
• I would like my hamburger with no hamburger, but with lettuce
• I do want a hamburger, I’m hungry, the consequences be damned

Does this survey look familiar? It reminds me a lot of Dr. George McKenna’s survey regarding wind turbines in the town of Barre.

I don’t know about you, but I thought the choices given were very confusing. I chose to not check any boxes because none of the options reflected my opinion. Many of my friends and neighbors shared the same sentiment.

Several comments on the Orleans Hub article revealing the survey results indicated many residents did not fill out the survey, and many did not even receive it. Surveys should come from an unbiased third party.

Dr. McKenna included a cover letter with the survey, which described all the reasons why he is opposed to the turbines. If someone did not do proper research on the subject and took the claims in that letter as fact, they were more likely to side with Dr. McKenna.

Dr. McKenna claims that with 176 respondents checking “we don’t want the turbines,” the survey shows that 70% of the town is opposed to the wind project. I am not sure how he arrives at that conclusion.

The survey was sent to all 735 households in the town of Barre. By my calculation, 176 out of 735 is about 24%. That is just simple math. Numbers can be made to fit whatever they need to fit; one needs to look at the total picture, not just a person’s interpretation of the statistics.

Dr. McKenna also claims that his survey is fair and reflects the true feelings of Barre residents. I don’t see how this is true, when Alice Mathes shared a letter at the August 12 town board meeting, signed by 203 Barre residents and taxpayers, stating they support the wind project and do not believe George’s survey should be used to reflect the residents’ opinions.

This survey was extremely biased. I don’t believe Dr. McKenna’s intention was to obtain an accurate survey, but to further his anti-wind agenda.

Christine Loss and Alice Mathes

Barre

Editor:

The results of a recent survey of Barre households relating to Heritage Wind conducted by George McKenna are very revealing. They track very closely those of three similar surveys relating to Apex Project Light House Wind.

I refer to independent surveys done by the Townships of Somerset and Yates and Save Ontario Shores (SOS). All show a significant response from the public (35-40%) and a grass roots opposition to the siting of industrial wind turbines of more than two to one (2:1).

We that are most affected by the Industrialization of our communities are not being fooled. We understand the hazards and detrimental effects of industrialization and what it will do long term, to a rural community.

Despite this, rural communities comprising approximately 30% of the New York State population are being forced to bear the brunt of Governor Cuomo’s misguided energy policies as dictated by his radical environmental base .

It is time to recognize that the rural community is already contributing much to improving the environment by promoting policies that protect forests, grasslands, wetlands and foster sustainable farming.

Preservation of open space contributes greatly to the protection of our environment. Studies show clean country air is no joke, it is a fact of life. No need to clutter the countryside with grotesque inefficient structures that our grandchildren will be forced to dispose of. Let us keep up the fight to protect and preserve our countryside. Stewardship of the land matters.

James C. Hoffman

Somerset

Editor:

The Medina Business Park is reportedly under consideration for an Amazon distribution center. This would be a $300 million project set to create 1,000 permanent jobs and approximately 300 initial construction jobs, according to news reports.

I commend our local leaders for actively pursuing the project and doing their best to appeal to Amazon. At a time when our local economy is so fragile (as a result of Gov. Cuomo’s overreach by mandating COVID lockdowns), a large-scale project that creates a total of approximately 1,300 jobs could be a key component in revitalizing our local economy.

According to glassdoor.com, Amazon Fulfillment Associates earn an average of $32,000 per year, plus profit sharing, cash bonuses and benefits. This salary level is more than many local employers provide for entry-level jobs.

This project would provide many local residents an opportunity to earn more than they currently do. An increase in pay for so many residents would increase their disposable income, leading to more money being pumped into the local economy by consumers, boosting sales tax revenue and as a result, keeping property taxes down. In addition, as Legislature Chairman Johnson stated, Orleans County is Pro-Business, in close proximity to many urban areas and the thruway. This project could be mutually beneficial for both Amazon and Orleans County.

This is a project I hope local residents and taxpayers show support for and understand the positive economic impact it would have. Again, I commend our local elected county leaders, village leaders and the Orleans County Economic Development Agency for pursuing this project and appealing to Amazon.

Sincerely,

James C. White

Village of Medina