Editor:

As a concerned citizen, I’m speaking for myself and many others in my community. NYS is the epicenter of the coronavirus with 44,635 cases and 519 deaths (as of Friday) and people admitted to hospitals doubling every 4 days.

We would like to know how the governor can possibly justify expecting Correction Officers or any Corrections employee to put their lives on the line every day, but are not willing to protect them with masks, gloves and other equipment and stopping transfer of inmates between prisons. How does that even make sense for controlling or prevent spread?

The point about masks, etc. not being part of uniform code is completely moot. The world has completely changed. All the rules have changed. Absolutely nothing is as it was, yet the Corrections workers still show up. Every day they are on the front lines keeping you and your families, and the rest of us safe regardless of the fact that COVID-19 is just beginning to affect the prisons. They then however risk bringing it home to their families and community. Correction facilities are one of the most confined areas in the nation with 1.3 million incarcerated in state prisons, 3/4 of a million in local jails, nearly 200,000 in federal prisons and 43,000 in NYS prisons alone living in extremely close quarters.

If NYS is leading the way to be a teaching point for other states to follow, as you our governor stated, we should teach them the correct way. As of 3/25/2020, 75 NYC inmates had tested positive for COVID-19 and 37 Corrections staff members, up from 50 inmates and 30 staffers the previous day. Sharp spikes in positive tests should be a warning to those in charge of the realization that it could bloom into our nation’s first major outbreak inside a correctional facility, spread to others and then the communities. Those responsible for protecting you and your loved ones, me and my loved ones and everyone else at the risk of their own lives, need to be protected. They need the governor to stop the inmate transfers and provide masks, gloves and other equipment to corrections workers to do the job they are expected to do and are willingly doing, showing up in order to protect us all.

Joanne Johnson

Medina

Editor:

I received another purported “legislative survey” from Assemblyman Steve Hawley the other day, and wondered how much this one cost me. These thinly disguised political ads get under my skin.

So I’ve written some poll questions to go along with Mr. Hawley’s, perhaps not slanted the same way as his:

Do you feel sending out right-wing push polls is the best use of your taxpayer-paid assemblyman’s time?

Do you support calling them “legislative surveys” rather than campaign flyers in order to use your taxes to pay for them?

Would you like to know how much of our money your “representative” spent on it?

Do you think New Yorkers should continue to pay over twice as much for health insurance as citizens in all other advanced nations?

Do you think our school children should be protected from infectious diseases, like measles, which may be carried by anti-vaxers’ children?

Do you support jailing arrestees who are unable to afford bail, at tens of thousands in tax money per inmate per year, while those who can afford thousands of dollars in legal fees go free?

Would you prefer to share our highways with undocumented drivers who are unlicensed and uninsured, or would you prefer them to be qualified for a driver’s license and be insured?

How do you feel about those who have been imprisoned and paid their debt to society?  Should we give them a chance to become contributing citizens again, or discriminate against them for the rest of their lives?

Do you support continuing to spend our limited tax money subsidizing wealthy farmers (like, for instance, the Hawleys)?

If you have other questions for our representative, please, do let him know!

Don Welch

Clarendon

Editor:

I was scanning these letters and saw my name thrown in at the end of one. In Bob Harker’s letter, there was not much there to comment other than Bush trained people on pandemics, Obama trained Trump’s and Trump fired his.

But I have been thinking about a couple of things so he spurred me to write anyway.

First, the United States Military is the best in the world! Period! In difficult times like this no state can hold a candle to its ability to organize, purchase, transport, design, build, put up its MASH units, and EXECUTE. Take that for what you will but if it’s wartime, keeping them sidelined three-plus months into this (and well after our intercepts showed how bad it was in China and what was coming) does not seem consistent or wise.

Second, as far as the bailout being negotiated no one caused it and no one is to blame. I do, personally, cringe when I hear “cruise lines” mentioned. They are all foreign companies for tax reasons. I also wonder a bit about all the companies that spent their tax cuts buying back their own stock to drive up the price.

But what I really think about is Sen. Mitch Mitchell’s TARP which I saw firsthand. The banks got the money, executives got raises, workers got laid off, and the housing bailout was stacked (!) so the banks not only kept the money but also ended up nationwide with the majority of the houses.

That theology will hurt our county again and I bet 98 percent of the average people, myself included, who live here.

So that’s all except maybe to add that Dr. Fauci is currently my hero! I wish he and the Military would run the show. We need square shooters everyone trusts. Only a fool plays politics with life and death.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

In response to Mr. Fine’s recent letter, he claimed the President is not the blame for the coronavirus but he was slow in responding. His sources for info were the NY Times and Time magazine, along with CNN and MSNBC. They are the best in getting misinformation to the public.

He also used the adjective “lackluster” in responding to the virus. Let us look at the facts and have a comparison to make an intelligent evaluation..

It is suspected by the health experts that this flu started in October or November in Wuhan, China. China did not give any notice to the world until January 2020 and then downplayed it with the help of WHO (World Health Organization) which acknowledged a respiratory issue but they were not sure if was human to human transmission.

Keep in mind the House of Representatives tied up Washington for much of November, December and January with the phony impeachment of President Trump. At the end of January, he stopped travel between the US and China. He was not praised for this step but criticized by Joe Biden who said, the President was a xenophobe or racist for that action.

The President also assembled a team of health experts which has been led by VP Pence. That group has been doing an excellent job and keeping Americans up to date on testing and developing improvements to a system that was not made for this huge pandemic. With the President red tape has been cut to try to develop a vaccine and therapy drugs to stem this virus.

President Trump declared a State of Emergency on March 13, six weeks after stopping travel from China. Our first case of this virus was in January in the State of Washington. My first comparison involves the pandemic In 2009 described as H1N1 flu in the US which was discovered in April of 2009.

The President did not declare a State of Emergency until October 24, 2009 or six months after we saw the first case. As I write this, the totals in the US for the coronavirus are 50,000 have tested positive and 600 have died. My second comparison involves the 2009 pandemic which was discovered in April 2009 and lasted until April 2010 when the swine flu was considered over.

The CDC did not track this pandemic like what is being done now with 24/7 news. They have given approximate numbers which you can check on their website. They estimated in the US that between 61 million to 89 million Americans had the flu. They estimated that 195,000 to 402,000 were hospitalized. They also estimated that 9000 to 18,000 died and worldwide 500,000 died. All of these numbers do not paint a pretty picture but the health experts have claimed that the Covid-19 virus is three times more contagious then the swine flu. Someone is doing a great job in protecting the American public.

This flu is dangerous. It kills older people in particular. President has said each life is important to him and he wants to protect all regardless of age, gender, nationality or political leanings. I trust him and think he has done a superb job. Take the politics out of the situation and judge the results.

Ray Watt

Town of Yates

Editor:

I read an article in the Washington Post today that said, “Thousands of inmates released as jails face coronavirus threat.”

This is another example of the bleeding hearts in this country that will use any excuse to further their agenda to let felons back on our streets. A New York State Parole Board just released this month an inmate that in 1976 raped and murdered a young girl in Medina.

According to law he has to be released to the county in which he committed the crime for that county to bear the costs involved in supporting him. The politicians we elect set policy and staff these parole boards and our taxes support them. This is just another example of our tax money being wasted.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any felons back on my street, especially not ones that committed rape and murder. I have a wife, daughter and granddaughters that I’m worried about. Do you?

David Schrader

Medina

Editor:

Farmers know adversity well. Dealing with the unknown is part of the very nature of what we do every day. Whether it is the weather, fluctuating commodity prices or the issues that come with running a small business, we take what we are dealt and make the best of it.

Therefore, New Yorkers should be confident that farmers will help get us through these uncertain times as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic. People rushed to the grocery stores to stock up, but they shouldn’t worry that we will run out of food.

Americans are blessed with a productive agricultural community that makes food safety a priority. We have an abundant food supply in this country, and farmers and their employees are currently on the job to keep it that way. New York Farm Bureau urged the state to make agriculture an essential service, keeping us open for business and the supply chain moving.

You can also rest assured that farms are taking special precautions to keep the workplaces clean and our employees as safe as possible to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

Food security is national security. Today’s world is reminding us of that in a big way. Keeping farms in business must remain a priority. As we marked National Agriculture Day on March 24, let’s all give thanks to the food on our tables and the men and women who help put it there all along the food chain.

Sincerely,

John Kast

Albion

President of the Orleans County Farm Bureau

Editor:

Bob Harker attacked me in a letter so let me respond. First I didn’t blame the President “for all that is wrong in this country.” I blamed the President for his slow and lackadaisical response to the crisis.

Unlike his predecessors, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Mr. Trump when warned of a coming pandemic did nothing. Furthermore, I cited my sources and date of publication as the NYT and Time Magazine. Mr. Harker could check on my sources. Mr. Harker writes that both the NYT and Time magazine “are known for baseless assaults on our president,” yet he provides no evidence or documentation for this statement.

Mr. Harker writes that I failed to mention that Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi were also aware of the coming pandemic. I failed to mention that because I have no evidence that they were made aware. What source or documentation does Mr. Harker have for this statement? And, second neither Mr. Schumer nor Ms. Pelosi control the levers of government that the president has. Mr. Harker confuses a House bill that was not seriously being voted on with the Senate bill that was being voted on. Senate Democrats held up the bill because it would have allowed the Treasury Secretary to dole out billions of dollars in secret without oversight.

Finally, Mr. Harker writes that I will try to dispute his “facts” when he provided no facts, evidence or documentation just opinion. Mr. Harker intentionally misstated what I said, made statements without evidence and used unrelated information to attack my letter.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Replacing Article 10 procedures for siting clean energy production facilities with an Article 23 process is a serious mistake. Overriding local decision making with state directives for siting solar and wind energy projects assumes towns and counties cannot rationally decide what is in their best interests.

When people practice self-rule, they sometimes make mistakes (witness the sale of the formerly Orleans County-owned Villages of Orleans nursing facility). That is the price we pay for democracy.

Global warming is not a hoax. We must address the consequences of our arguably excessive reliance on fossil fuels such as coal and oil. The science says global warming is one of those consequences.

I applaud Governor Cuomo’s leadership on the coronavirus and many other issues. Nonetheless, in my considered opinion, those who would allow state usurpation of local control where clean energy production is concerned are mistaken.

Real human, environmental and economic consequences to siting wind and solar projects in places such as the Town of Barre in Orleans County exist.

Should the Governor stand against local self-rule on alternative energy projects in favor of an “end justifies the means” approach, he would be, in my view, unequivocally wrong. It should be up to people in the towns to determine the circumstances under which such undertakings occur in their areas. Highly productive agricultural land is used for such positive ends at a price. Increasingly endangered woodland habitat is sacrificed for such positive purposes at a considerable downside.

Yes, we need to drastically decrease our dependence on fossil fuel energy sources. But we must do so as sensibly as possible. Put solar panels on roof tops where crops aren’t grown anyway. Locate wind turbines in Lakes Erie and Ontario, or in some other location where woodland habitat capable of harboring valuable wildlife resources and removing carbon from the environment doesn’t get destroyed.

We will replace the Article 10 process with an Article 23 methodology that we will regret after those making the decision now are no longer “here”.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

I read with great amusement Mr. Fine’s latest attempt to blame our president for all that is wrong in this country, and indeed the world.

Mr. Fine fails to mention that many such briefings regarding the possibility of a pandemic were made not just to the Trump administration but to the Obama and George W. Bush’s administrations as well. He also fails to mention that Pelosi and Schumer were briefed as well in almost all cases. It is truly unfortunate that President Trump cannot foresee the future as he seems to expect.

His “facts” come from the NY Times and Time Magazine – both long known for baseless assaults on our president. Hardly unbiased.

I would mention also that Mr. Fine’s letter comes at a time when the Democrats in Congress have been holding up the stimulus package that our nation and its people are in urgent need. Why? Simply put because their attempts at bribery are not being accepted by those that refuse to politicize the current crisis.

They insist on trying to advance their agenda by inserting new left wing regulations and conditions on companies targeted for aid. Regulations such as stricter fuel consumption standards for airlines and auto makers. These are important issues, indeed, but to hold the economic future of our nation and its people hostage at a time like this is beyond comprehension. It is immoral.

As I am certain that Mr. Fine and most likely Mr. Cropsey will again try refute my facts with their opinions. Further comment will not be forthcoming.

Thank you.

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

I just wanted to let you know that there are still great neighbors here in Medina, helping each other out and encouraging everyone in this time of uncertainty.

I want to thank the “neighbor” girls – Natalie, Emma and Rachel Herbert – for letting us look out our window to see this caring message our driveway.

You have brought a huge smile to our family and wanted to thank you!

Gary Lemke

Medina

Editor:

No one is blaming President Trump for the coronavirus but we do blame him and his administration for being unprepared and his slow lackadaisical response.

In an October 2019 report, officials at the Departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services and at the White House’s National Security Council were made aware of the potential for a respiratory virus pandemic.

The NYT 3/20/20 reported “Many of the potentially deadly consequences of a failure to address the shortcomings are now playing out in all-to-real fashion across the country.” “What the scenario makes clear, however, is that (President Trump’s administration) had already modeled a similar pandemic and understood its potential trajectory.”

Time Magazine (3/19/20) reported “A few weeks after the outbreak began in China’s Hubei province in December, U.S. health officials warned Trump of the seriousness of the threat.” Yet, Mr. Trump and his administration failed to take action to ameliorate the pandemic.

At this time the Trump administration is in the courts trying to do away with insurance for pre-existing conditions. On February 10, nearly three weeks after the first reported case of coronavirus in the U.S., Mr. Trump proposed to cut C.D.C. budget about 9%.

There are still too few tests for the coronavirus, nurses and doctors are MacGyvering personal protective equipment despite a national stockpile of 12 million N95 masks and 30 million surgical masks, according to NYT on 3/20/20.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

As we are moving quickly through these unprecedented times with information changing seemingly by the hour, I wanted to give Holley residents an update. In an effort to comply with the Governor’s request for reducing staff in order to slow the potential spreading of the COVID-19, and to plan to provide continuity of the necessary services, we have made the following operational changes effective Monday, March 23, and going forward:

For the DPW and Water/Electric Departments, our total staff working each day has been reduced with departments divided up into teams. We have the two teams alternating between working regular hours and the other team on “standby”. This allows us to maintain the basic critical maintenance each day, provide availability and service to residents if needed, while separating staff to minimize the opportunity for an entire department to be exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Those employees that are on standby are essentially on call and will come in to work if called upon.

While we are staffed and working, all Village offices are still closed to the public, as such you will notice that the doors will be closed and locked during regular business hours. Any needs that require in-person meetings (request for a new service, building permit, etc.) should be arranged first over the phone to schedule an appointment. All voicemails will be checked regularly to ensure that residents requests will be responded to in a timely fashion. At the main office we are still accepting payments through the drop box and through online payments.

I would also remind everyone to be wary of some of the stories and disinformation going around as these can just unnecessarily add to the anxiety level. If you are looking for factual information go to reputable sites such as the Orleans County Health Department page where you will find a page dedicated to the local impact of the Coronavirus along with other appropriate state and federal links. I will also assure you that the folks at the County level have been doing a great job keeping everyone up to date, informed, and available to help answer our questions. We are blessed to have so many hard working and dedicated professionals working on this.

On a personal note I realize that these are stressful times for everyone and our main goal is to ensure we continue to provide the residents in our community the services they need. We will do our part. But, I would also ask that during these times that you look out for one another, be kind, be respectful and we will get through this. Our community has proven time and time again that during tough times we know how to come together when it matters most.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the office at (585) 638-6367. My best to all of you and your families! Be well and stay healthy!

Brian Sorochty

Mayor of Holley

Editor:

This is an unsettling time for our country and our community, as we are in a public health emergency due to the spread of the novel coronavirus(COVID-19).

Your elected leaders and public health officials are working around the clock to slow the spread of the virus and provide care to those who need it. It is important to remember that we need to be prepared, not scared. Heed the advice of public health experts who agree that the most effective way to “flatten the curve,” or slow the spread of the virus, is to practice social distancing.

Below is some helpful information regarding COVID-19:

How can you be infected?

• Coronavirus can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Because these droplets can travel up to six feet, public health experts advise maintaining six feet of distance from others.

• The virus can also remain on a surface or object and enter the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes. This is why it is important to wash your hands before touching your face.

How long does it take to show symptoms after being infected?

• It takes 2 to 14 days to develop symptoms after exposure to the virus. The average is about 5 days.

What are the symptoms?

• Fever

• Dry cough

• Shortness of breath

When should you seek testing?

• If you are exhibiting symptoms

• If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus

•  If you have recently traveled to one of the high-risk countries

Except in the case of an emergency, please call your healthcare provider before seeking treatment in person.

While it is normal to feel anxious, there are ways to take control of the situation and be prepared. I urge you to take the following precautions to keep yourself and our community safe.

• Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

• Avoid physical contact like handshakes and hugs

• Stay home if you feel sick

• Avoid large crowds

• Abstain from unnecessary travel

What is the difference between “Safer at Home” and “social distancing”?

Safer at home is a stricter form of social distancing. There are some differences.

Safer at home means:

• Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others)

• Only go out for essential services

• Stay six feet or more away from others

• Don’t gather in groups

It is important during this national emergency that we unite as a community, follow the advice of experts, and take responsibility for our actions to #SlowTheSpread of coronavirus. For more information, visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov or call the NYS Novel Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

Lynne Johnson

Chairman

Orleans County Legislature

Editor:

I received a call from Karen Sawicz, owner of Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub that struck a chord with me. Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub are small and local businesses, just like my own.

Karen, like every other small business owner right now, faces uncertain times ahead.  In spite of that, her instinct was to put together a page celebrating small business in these trying times.  Karen’s action is inspiration to me personally to continue to do all that I can to support fellow small business owners in any way that I can. Please know that the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors stands behind local businesses 100%.

The entire Board is comprised of volunteers and nearly all of us are small business owners. Any perceived lack of visibility is the result of all of us doing exactly what every other small business owner is doing right now. Over the next several weeks, as we are able to get our affairs in order, we will continue to work on a plan to support our fellow business owners in any way we can.  As you know, things are changing rapidly and it is a challenge to stay up to the minute.

As a business owner myself, I will take a minute to speak about what I am doing and what I think will help.  First and foremost, don’t panic. That is really easy to say, much tougher to practice. I have my own private meltdown moments, but as business owners, we are natural leaders, so now is our moment to shine. Over the past week, I have had to make some very difficult decisions with very little time to consider them. My focus is to ensure that my business survives so that I can go back to doing what I do – provide a service, employ outstanding local people and support a truly awesome local community.

I have had countless people come to me, many of them customers, to ask me how they can help me. I have had my moments here too, where it is a bit overwhelming. I am so used to having people ask me for help, be they employees asking for guidance with a task or community members asking for donations from my business, that I am not used to people asking me how they can help me.

I think I can speak for ALL small business owners in saying that this means more than we can express in words. Owning a small business can be very lonely at times. So many people look to us for the answers, yet we may not always know or have those answers. We are used to carrying the load, but not used to people asking us how they can help us carry it. To all of the members or our local community, THANK YOU, on behalf of all of the local business owners.

To answer the question that so many members of the community are asking, “How can we help our small local businesses?” I will say just one thing. Don’t forget about us. Right now, there is a lot of attention being paid to supporting the small businesses that are feeling the direct impact of this. We really appreciate all of your support!

As a business owner, what concerns me isn’t so much today or tomorrow, it is 2 months, 6 months, even 12 months from now after we settle into a new “normal” again. What will my business look like?  Will people remember to buy from me? Will I still have a business? That is the time that we will need the support of the community the most.

We are all being asked to minimize contact with each other as much as possible right now, rightfully so. I would like to ask/challenge all business owners and community members to use that time to think about what we can do to help each other. We all need to lean on each other to get through this, and we will get through this. Let’s come up with some creative ways to support our small local businesses. We are the ones that sponsor your church functions, your kid’s ball team, and numerous other great local causes.

As business owners, we are typically the LAST people to reach out and ask for a little help, but we will need it more than ever after this is behind us. Walking into a local shop and spending a few dollars, or calling a local service provider to do something that you might get done yourself someday might not seem like a big deal.

As a business owner, however, I assure you that every time my phone rings or a customer walks through my door, I gain a little reassurance that I will be able to carry on my mission of supporting local people and local causes.

I think I can safely say the same is true for every other small local business in Orleans County.

Be safe. Be well. Support local.

Thank you,

Adam Johnson

Treasurer, Orleans County Chamber of Commerce

(Johnson is the owner of 39 Problems in Albion.)

Editor:

In light of the extreme situation that has caused us all to change the way we handle our social interactions, we are asking the organizations listed below within Barre to impress upon your members the need to check in on anyone that they know of, on a regular basis, that is 60 years of age or older and anyone that is physically or mentally disabled regardless of age.

Please make sure that they are well provisioned with food, toiletries and medications. In most cases a phone call may be all that is needed but other cases a visit may need to occur. If visiting please follow the protocol as set forth by the Governor’s Office as well as the Orleans County Health Department.

Everyone knows of someone that may be in need. Just checking on them and a few kind words would boost the moral of someone. It may help the depression some may feel due to isolation. Just a little conversation via phone or through a door would help.

Kindness and a smile helps the soul.

We thank you for helping us get through this crises.

Sean Pogue

Barre Town Supervisor

(This letter was also sent to Barre Betterment Committee, Barre’s Rural Home Owner Committee, Know Your Facts, USA, Clear Skies Above Barre, West Barre Methodist Church, Barre Center Presbyterian Church, Ladies Auxiliary and Barre Fire District/Company.)