Editor:

On Saturday, March 28, the third incarnation of the “No Kings” protest will take place in the US and in places all over the world. The movement is dedicated to the premise that citizens have the right to determine their own destinies, and the destiny of their country, while exercising the rights and responsibilities accorded them by the US Constitution.

Perhaps the hardest responsibility of living in a democracy rests in preserving it. “A republic, if you can keep it….” said Benjamin Franklin in 1787. Those words foreshadow the place we find ourselves now, where corruptive forces on all sides strain the seams of our laboriously constructed institutions and carefully protected freedoms. Ironically, those who attempt to bring our system down do so with the very liberties afforded by the Constitution and, unfortunately, the inattention of many citizens.

I urge all freedom-loving individuals to attend a “No Kings” rally this coming Saturday and future demonstrations as they occur. In Albion, we the people will meet at the intersection of Routes 31 and 98, at noon until 2 p.m.

At the time of this writing, the weather forecast for the event looks difficult, to say the least. But to paraphrase JFK: we should do this thing not because it is easy, but because it is hard.

David Vanderlaan

Albion

Editor:

I would like to publicly thank Dan Rosentreter for taking a chance on Medina when he opened The Coffee Pot. It has been a warm, comforting place where people can meet and socialize, or quietly sit and enjoy a cup — just what the village needed coming out of the pandemic.

Dan is selling the business so he can pursue a different dream, and I wish him and Hans (now running Hans’s Bakery on Main) all the best in whatever they pursue in the future.

One of Medina’s greatest assets is no shortage of people who are willing to invest in its business district.

The Coffee Pot will likely change under its new owners, whoever they may be, but I hope whoever it is tries to maintain some of the magic Dan and Hans created in that space.

Richard Moss

Medina

Editor:

New York’s most vulnerable residents – including many right here in Orleans and Genesee counties – are at risk because of a quiet but deeply concerning budget decision.

Across the state, Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) providers are raising the alarm about proposed funding cuts, and Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is no exception.

Weatherization is far more than insulation and air sealing. Our team of eight walks into homes every day and finds serious safety issues that don’t show up on spreadsheets—homes without ceilings, exposed electrical hazards, kitchens without ventilation that force families to disconnect smoke detectors just to get through the day. The work we do prevents tragedies, reduces energy costs permanently, and helps neighbors live in safe, healthy homes.

Yet the Governor’s budget removes 10% of the HEAP funding traditionally dedicated to WAP. For agencies like ours, that 10% represents up to 60% of the operating budget that keeps these programs running. The impact would be immediate and painful: fewer homes served, fewer families able to afford heat, and potential layoffs for the skilled workers who deliver these essential services.

Our Weatherization team assists between 50 and 100 families each year, and we currently have a waitlist of 200 households—200 families who are already waiting for help. In a climate like ours, where winter hits hard and heating costs keep climbing, we simply cannot turn our backs on them.

WAP is one of New York’s most effective tools for lowering energy costs while improving health and safety. Cutting it undermines affordability, community stability, and long term energy goals.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve taken this message directly to Albany and Washington, D.C., because our families deserve to be heard. Now we need your voice too. Please contact your elected officials before the April 1 budget deadline and urge them to restore this critical funding.

Our communities cannot afford to lose a program that delivers real savings, real safety, and real impact.

Renee M. Hungerford

Executive Director/CEO

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee

Editor:

On March 19, as I listened to 5 ½ hours of testimony during GCEDC’s public hearing on its proposal to award $1.46 billion in financial incentives to a data center complex at STAMP, I felt a new sense of community with my fellow Genesee County residents.

I learned that they share my concerns about this plan. I learned they too fear the air and water pollution, 24/7 noise, impacts on our precious wildlife and birds.

They also see the proposed tax abatements to STREAM US Data Centers, their financial backer Apollo Global Management, and an undisclosed Big Tech firm operator as a bad investment for our County.

We all think 125 jobs – at $11.7 million per job in incentives – is just not worth the harms. That Big Tech and Private Equity will put their own profits before the well-being of our County.

That GCEDC needs to justify why it wants to invite a company – Apollo – whose former and current execs have extensive ties to Jeffrey Epstein, into our community.

That GCEDC must reject this harmful proposal. We can do better.

So, join me on March 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. for Desserts and Data Centers with Allies of TSN at the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia or Zoom video conferencing. Go to GCEDC’s Board Meeting on March 26 at 4 p.m. at the MedTech Center.

Submit a comment to GCEDC at streampublichearing@gcedc.com by March 31. Call/text (585) 300-4925 or “No Monster Data Center at STAMP” Facebook group for more info.

Alyssa Beuler

Oakfield

Editor:

A “No Kings” demonstration will be in Albion on Saturday, March 28, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the corners of Rt. 98 and Rt. 31.

How can people not be concerned about what this current administration is doing to solidify unaccountable power?

A war and a gold-plated ballroom, neither with Congressional authorization celebrate an inflated ego; trial balloons about an unconstitutional third term; Undermining voting integrity on the basis of election irregularities that have never been proven in court case after court case; Promoting our nation’s 250th Anniversary in ways that only a dictator could love; Changing government departments for personal gain as evidenced by appointment of leaders without expertise in these areas; Pardoning convicted criminals following massive business deals or donations to campaigns – These are the things we protest today.

The No Kings Movement has been accused of over-dramatizing its case, but everything we have warned about has come true as democracy is being squeezed and squeezed until there will be nothing left.

It’s time to take a stand in every village and town. The basic tenets of democracy are evaporating before our eyes, but we who are participating in this No Kings event, one of thousands of such gatherings across the country, are hopeful, deeply committed, and not afraid to speak truth to power. Join us, stand with us, and add your voice.

“No Kings” is a nonviolent national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration. It is non-partisan in nature.

Although this event is being hosting by your Orleans County Democratic Committee, all are welcome. Municipal and street parking are available, and we ask participants to respect the needs of businesses.

Beth Wood

Orleans County Democratic Committee Secretary

Editor:

Have you been wanting to tell the Genesee County EDC what you think of the $1.44 billion subsidy to Stream Data Center? This is your chance! On Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall, the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) is holding a public hearing on the request from STREAM US Data Centers and its parent company, the multinational private equity firm Apollo Global Management, for $1.44 billion dollars in tax subsidies for the massive data center complex – 2.2 million square feet and 500 MW of electricity – they want to build at the failing STAMP site.

I oppose this plan for many reasons: it would dump pollution into our air, toxic chemicals into our water, make 24/7 noise that would scare away deer and other wildlife in the nearby preserves, and it would make all of our energy bills go up while also knocking down our property values.

I think it’s a bad investment, too: we could create a lot more jobs, with a lot fewer environmental and quality of life problems, for that kind of money (they say the project would create 125 jobs, so if you do the math that’s $11.5 million dollars per job… but we all know the workers won’t see that kind of money!)

But most of all, I oppose this plan because I don’t want to invite Big Tech and private equity into our peaceful, rural home. We don’t know the Big Tech firm that would operate the data center once STREAM builds it (that’s right, GCEDC has signed a non-disclosure agreement – so we don’t know whether it would be Amazon or Google or Meta or some other company that would eventually move in). But we do know about Apollo Global Management, and what we know is that the company does not share our values.

Leon Black, one of the founders and the former CEO, was apparently Jeffrey Epstein’s main client: he paid Epstein $158 million to help him dodge roughly $2 billion dollars in taxes. And another one of the company’s founders – Marc Rowan, who is still an executive at Apollo – communicated extensively with Epstein about the company’s tax arrangements.

Is this the kind of company we want to welcome into our community? I don’t think so. Apollo Global Management does not have the best interests of Genesee County or the GLOW Region at heart. No – they want to profit off us. They want to make a quick buck while ruining our local way of life. They think we are country bumpkins who won’t put up a fight.

Let’s prove them wrong. Join me at the public hearing this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall. Tell GCEDC what you think about this plan and why it’s a terrible deal with Genesee County. If you can’t be there, tell your friends and family to go, and submit a written comment to streampublichearing@gcedc.com by March 31. For more info, check out “STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center” on Facebook.

Adrienne Yocina

Pembroke

Editor:

On March 19, the Village of Medina elections will come to a close. Campaigns will thank their supporters, yard signs will be picked up, and materials will be set aside. What also needs to happen is that we all realize this has all been done because of a mutual love for our community.

As many of you know, I dislike politics, but I am deeply committed to serving people. As much as I enjoy speaking with all of you in the community, coming up with solutions to problems, and being a helping hand, I do not like the political side of any of this.

With that being said, I have an incredible amount of respect for anyone who decides to jump into these races. We do not have to agree, but I know that in order to run for local office, we at least agree on our desire to put in the time to help make things better. All of us need to do a better job at being able to sit down and constructively work through the challenges that we face. Our community is strongest when we focus on what unites us.

I believe this race is likely to be close, and every vote is going to matter. This election is not about a single issue, but about an entire community who wants what’s best for the Village of Medina. Whether you are running for office or not, I hope this moment acts as a catalyst for increased involvement, whether by attending meetings, serving on boards and committees, or simply staying engaged.

Please remember to vote on March 18 at the Senior Center from noon until 9 p.m. I sincerely hope I can count on your support, and I promise to offer you mine as we go through these challenges together.

Sincerely,

Marguerite Sherman

Candidate for Mayor

Village of Medina

Editor:

To the Real Medinans, you know who you are.

The ones who have been here the whole time. We’ve watched it progress from great to rock bottom and back to good again.

But still we don’t feel heard. They keep telling us just a little more tax. Go without that happy meal for the kids so the village can have this or that. Yet we never see the improvements.

And next year?

They’re back again, asking us for more sacrifice.

All the while not appearing to sacrifice anything themselves.

They’re pushing us out. Our families were loyal to this town and now a lot of us can’t afford to live here.

My parents started in an upper apartment on East Center across from the Vets. Then we moved to Church Street in a small half house.

I know that feeling well….

That feeling of never being comfortable enough to stop looking over your shoulder because we have no safety net. We only have ourselves.

Electric bill comes, we toss it on the kitchen table. There it sits for weeks because we dread opening it. Same with the gas, or cable, and those taxes every June. Dread.

We’ll open them later….don’t wanna ruin our day.

But still, our leadership pushes on.

Just a little more, make that sacrifice!

And they often rig the system in their favor. The public payrolls sometimes read like a family tree.

Many of us face the fact that our current family generation may be our last in Medina.

Driven away by a disregard for the common people that make this town what it is.

I could have left…but I didn’t.

And what you’ve been hearing from me the last few weeks is my resistance. I’ll be damned if I go down without pushing back.

I’m a Village Boy at heart, still playing on the trestle of Church or in the milk barns off Starr, walking to Meyers for penny candy and pop.

I never forgot where I came from, because I never really left.

To the real Medinans, my people…. Don’t be fooled by a slick, polished, money bought campaign. Vote for “Change” in the eelction.

Give that fiscally responsible group of 3 another voice at the table.

Do it!

And I’m confident that 4th voice will be our voice!

David Sevenski

Medina

Editor:

I am honored to write this letter on behalf of my mother, Mayor Marguerite Sherman, candidate for mayor in the upcoming Village of Medina election.

Over the past few weeks, I feel as though the rhetoric that divides us as a community has created a lot of noise and has done little to strengthen us as one. Real progress comes from thoughtful leadership, honest conversations, and a willingness to work together for the good of everyone who calls Medina home.

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to see our community thrive. That is my mother’s vision. She is a dedicated leader and an effective public servant to the Village of Medina.

I chose to raise my family here and to teach here because I believe deeply in this community. I see the potential in the people, the pride in our neighborhoods, and the opportunities for our future. This place matters to me not just as a resident, but as someone invested in the next generation growing up here.

A lot of that belief comes from the values my mother, Marguerite Sherman, instilled in me—hard work, caring about your neighbors, and standing up for what you believe is right. When you grow up with those values, you learn that community isn’t just a place you live. It’s something you show up for, support, and work to improve, which is exactly what she has done and will continue to do.

Throughout my life, I’ve watched my mother approach challenges with integrity, experience, and a steady commitment to doing what she believes is right. Her belief has always been that leadership is not about personal recognition or political noise—it is about service, accountability, and making decisions that help move a community forward —making thoughtful decisions that benefit everyone.

My hope is that as we move forward, we remember that our shared goal should always be to strengthen the place we all call home. I encourage residents to vote Sherman for Mayor on March 18th.

Sincerely,

Kayla Rosenbeck

A proud daughter

Ridgeway

Editor:

Art has a unique way of bringing a community together. In the Town of Barre, a new mural will hang as a reminder that even small towns can express big stories through creativity and pride.

The mural will be a community paint by number by local artist Stacey Kirby. It will reflect the history, character and spirit of the town. In a rural community like Barre, where generations of families have lived, worked, farmed and built their lives, the mural becomes a visual celebration of that shared identity.

When the artist contributes her talents, the mural will help shape the visual landscape of the Town of Barre and leave something meaningful for future generations.

This mural at the town hall is more than a painting on the wall. It is a statement that art belongs everywhere, including the heart of Barre.

This mural is sponsored by GO Art! and the Barre Betterment Committee.

Cyndy Vanlieshout and Betsy Miller

Barre Betterment Committee