Editor:

As a Barre native and a signed landowner with the Heritage Wind project , I found Jim Simon’s recent Letter to the Editor puzzling and riddled with false information. I do not blame him for not being well-versed in the wind project in Barre, after all he is a well-known and vocal opponent to wind power in his town.

Claims that Heritage Wind (Apex Clean Energy) does not engage with the Barre community or the surrounding area are simply untrue. Heritage Wind strives to connect with the community by hosting various events, attending town and county meetings and supporting various community  organizations, including the Orleans County Fair, Albion Strawberry Festival, Orleans Chamber Home & Garden Event, Orleans County Chamber, Leadership Orleans, Barre Cubs, Hospice Golf Tournament, Walk for the Cure, Hospice 5K, Metro 10 Race, Megan Dix Fundraiser, Albion Fall Festival, Orleans County 4H Robotics Sponsorship, Albion Merchants Association, Medina Vendor Blender, Community Action Group of Orleans and Genesee, the Eastern Star Golf Tournament, Orleans County BOCES Wind Blade Challenge, Medina High School Destination Imagination World Competition, and the Environthon Tournament Sponsorship.

In addition to six open houses held during 2016 and 2017, Heritage Wind has held a community forum and two meet-the-expert events in 2019, a wind farm tour to the High Sheldon Wind Farm in Wyoming County, and extended its sensitive area input gathering an entire month, while giving away free LED lightbulbs to encourage participation.

These are lengthy lists of outreach and a good indication of positive involvement in our community. The project itself will bring in more than $1 million annually to Barre, Orleans County and the Albion Central School District.

As an outsider, Simon must not be aware that the Barre Town Board is currently conducting a review of the proposed project and determining what is best for our town. He is the town supervisor for Yates and his attention should be more focused on his own municipality than ours. His concerns have been acknowledged but are not necessary.

Alice Mathes

Barre

Editor:

A Board of Education is elected to represent the community in which they serve and is tasked with providing students with the best possible education and programs. The Lyndonville Board of Education has recently failed in representing their community when they voted not to reappoint Lee Dillenbeck as the Athletic Director, after 18 years of dedicated service to the athletic programs.

Mr. Dillenbeck has been a constant presence in the school district for 23 years, serving as a teacher, athletic director and coach. Throughout his entire career, student athletes have benefited from having Mr. Dillenbeck as their AD. How do I know? I am a Lyndonville graduate and former three-sport athlete.

I recall the 2011 baseball season, in which we won the Genesee Region League Championship, Section Five Championship and Far West Regional Championship – Mr. Dillenbeck was a constant presence throughout the season attending home and away games, regardless of where we were playing. He always ensured that the team had enough of everything that it needed.

This was not just for our team, but for every team in the district. Mr. Dillenbeck was always there. I also had the privilege of having Mr. Dillenbeck as my Varsity Soccer coach. He always pushed his athletes to be their best, not only on the field, but off of the field as well. He has simply always wanted what was best for the students and his community.

Mr. Dillenbeck exemplifies leadership and professionalism. His proven record of effective leadership is the reason that he is highly recommended by Superintendent Jason Smith, parents, teachers, coaches, past board members and past students. Neither Mr. Dillenbeck, nor the community has been given an explanation of the Board’s decision.

Much like the over 100 people that attended the July 1 Board Meeting, I stand with Mr. Dillenbeck. I am calling on the Lyndonville School Board to put their own personal and political agendas aside. For those Board members that might be afraid to stand up to the bullies that you serve alongside – now is your time to stand up, set an example and LEAD.

I urge the School Board to reinstate Mr. Dillenbeck as Athletic Director. He is and will continue to be the best man for the job. I urge all community members to stay active, hold your Board Members accountable and keep pushing.

Respectfully,

James White

Medina

Editor:

School Board members are elected by the people of the community to serve the school district and present to our students the best possible education through quality teachers and programs.

June 10, 2019 was my last school board meeting after 16 years of service. I was never more disappointed with the board than I was on Monday night. The community may as well have talked to the wall.

The majority of the members were not thinking about what is best for our students or this community. They were concentrating on their own personal agendas.

We have yet to hear the reason for their decision on why Lee Dillenbeck should not be returned as Athletic Director. As a board member I was privy to prior executive sessions and heard no justifiable or logical reason why he should not be athletic director. He was given a list of goals and improvements and satisfied each one of them. He has been an outstanding leader, teacher, coach and AD. What is the reason for dismissal? Will we ever know?

The board members need to get down off their high horses and return to reality and really represent this community. They say they want to have communication that is timely, transparent and reciprocal. Let’s see it!

As I voted in the June meeting, I still believe that Lee Dillenbeck deserves to be athletic director. As the superintendent stated last night, Lee Dillenbeck is the most qualified for the position and should be reinstated.

Thinking out of the box here for a moment: After all the publicity and heat this district is getting about this whole situation, I would not believe that anyone would want to apply for this position to take his place. What guarantees would they have that they would not be treated the exact same way?

Come on Board, serve this district the way you should. Gain back the respect and decency we once had.

Rick Mufford

Lyndonville

Former LCS Board of Education member

Editor:

Over 100 people attended the Lyndonville Central School Board meeting three days before the Fourth of July. The meeting had to be moved from the High School Library to the school’s auditorium to accommodate what appeared to be a restive group of attendees.

Perhaps 20 people signed up early and spoke attesting to the fine job Lee Dillenbeck has done in 18 years as athletic director. They included Wes Bradley, Mark Hughes, parents, teachers, a school custodian, former students, and athletes influenced by Dillenbeck’s leadership.

After people spoke, the board went into executive session. Upon their return, Superintendent Jason Smith again recommended that Dillenbeck be retained as A.D. Smith’s recommendation was—again—rejected.

Now that impassioned pleas have fallen on mostly tone-deaf ears, what happens?

What does the history one former student who spoke and is studying to become a teacher—in part because Dillenbeck inspired him—tell us? What would James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Tom Paine, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and numerous other heroes of painful progress recommend?

There is a chance that what was called a “travesty” more than once at the L.C.S. Board meeting just might result in peaceful protest, an avalanche of free speech, or, perhaps, economic pressure. It might suggest the election of a new school board that might remove a cloud of unwarranted doubt and suspicion where none should exist. Leaving such decisions unexplained doesn’t make it for the thoughtful, in my opinion.

History surely would not tell the protesters who attended the L.C.S. Board meeting three days before Independence Day to “pack it in.”

“Tigers” aren’t quitters who go away quietly and are never heard from again. They are willing to give it a “go”, stand up for what is right, and hang in there.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

The tragic accident that took Brennan Moody’s life touched many of us, and even though I did not have the honor of knowing Brennan, as a parent of two sons who graduated from Albion, I grieve with them as they deal with the loss of their uniquely talented son.

There was a vigil at Bullard Park, and many people were able to witness the vision of a new outdoor performance stage come to fruition. There would be no better way to honor the life, and musical aspirations of Brennan than to dedicate and name it the “Brennan Moody Memorial Performing Arts Stage.”

In addition to naming the stage in the young man’s honor, the stage provides the perfect opportunity for Albion to host a concert that showcases high school musical talent from the region. The proceeds from the event could go towards a scholarship, or to support music programs.

Most importantly, it would be an important step in the healing process for the community.

Thom Jennings

Albion

Editor:

On April 23, 2019, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced their third annual solicitation for large-scale renewable energy proposals under the state’s Clean Energy Standard.  NY taxpayers concerned about the rapid increase in sprawling industrial wind projects should take heed.

There seems to be a conflict of interest between NYSERDA, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), industrial wind developers and the NYS Article 10 Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (the Siting Board).  Two of the seven members of the Siting Board who decide if a project is approved are NYSERDA and the DEC.

NYSERDA is a public, billion-dollar-plus corporation which operates beyond the oversight of the NYS Legislature.  Where does their money come from?  You and me, the ratepayers, when we pay our electric bill each month.

Looking for that line item on your electric bill?  You won’t find it – it is masked and will remain so by order of the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS).

That’s right, every time New Yorkers pay for electricity we are adding an undisclosed amount of our money to what NYSERDA affectionately calls their Green Bank.  And where does the Green Bank money go?  A sizeable portion is “awarded” to industrial wind developers under the Clean Energy Standard solicitations mentioned above.

It’s bad enough that our money is being funneled to this corporation and then redistributed as they see fit, but it gets worse.  The NYSERDA grant decision-making process and the actual amounts awarded are completely concealed from New Yorkers.  It is our money, but not our decision, and not the decision of any of the lawmakers we elect.

Shockingly, in many cases, the NYSERDA grants are awarded before the developers have even filed their application to the DPS for the Siting Board review process.  That process involves 41 detailed exhibits to be submitted, examined and subjected to hearings and cross-examination.

NYSERDA’s January 2019 press release announcing the results of last year’s solicitation awarded funding to 20 projects including Apex Clean Energy’s Heritage Wind project in Barre.  At the time, Apex hadn’t filed their Heritage Wind application.  They still haven’t.

In NYSERDA’s press release, Alicia Barton (NYSERDA CEO) and Basil Seggos (DEC Commissioner) praised the developers and their, “community engagement and responsible siting considerations (Barton),” and touted NYSERDA’s “rigorous review process (Seggos).”

What “community engagement?” What “rigorous review?”  Perhaps we should toss out the 41 exhibits of Article 10 and simply rely on NYSERDA’s rigorous review, after all, it was good enough for NYSERDA.

Meanwhile, hasn’t NYSERDA literally put our money where its mouth is?

Sure, one might argue that the NYSERDA funding is only given to the developer if and when the project is approved.   However, this begs the question: How can NYSERDA remain an impartial voting member of the Siting Board?

Finally, guess who sits on the board of directors of NYSERDA where their billion-dollar Green Bank finger is tipping the scales of justice?  Right, the DEC Commissioner.

Welcome to New York. Clean energy?  How about clean government?

Jim Simon

Yates Town Supervisor

Editor:

To the residents of the Town of Barre, I just wish to inform you of a get-together that took place on June 24, between representatives from Heritage Wind and the town.

The purpose of this discussion was to go over concerns on a reimbursement agreement and further discussion about a host agreement.  We held a public workshop on May 29 where we as a board went through and discussed the host agreement line by line. We inserted a number of changes we as a town wished to have in the language.

On the 24th, myself, a town board member and the town attorney met with representatives of Heritage Wind. The whole purpose was to discuss many issues that we had from our May 29th workshop and to clarify some of the draft host agreement language. Is it finished? No, there will need to be more discussions.

This discussion centered on the language of the host agreement. There was minor discussion about host fees that would be paid to the community.

As was indicated who was in attendance, there was no quorum and the discussion was held in full compliance of Municipal Law. We as your elected officials are working very hard for everyone in this community to ensure that Barre gets the best results if and when wind turbines come to town.

Sean P. Pogue, Ed.D.

Barre Town Supervisor

Editor:

I received a letter from the Village of Albion on Tuesday. Apparently new water meters are being installed. This was news to me. Perhaps this is old news to some. Perhaps others received the same letter today.

But what I find more interesting is that the letter essentially said that if I did not comply with getting this meter installed by July 31, I would be sued. I allegedly received “previous” notification about the installation of new meters, and it seems I ignored that notification.

This letter from the village did not say when or how I received this notification. Perhaps it was a news release I missed. Perhaps a certified letter that I tossed out. Maybe it was on my water bill?

Well, I can honestly say if I saw a request to get this meter installed, I would have done it. But my friendly reminder was, “do it or we will sue you.” So I guess I’m going to call and get my new meter installed. Why wouldn’t I?

I mean I get a new meter, and I don’t get sued. Oh and by the way the letter arrived one day after getting a receipt for my village taxes, paid in full. The irony is thick. I had just asked my wife, when I received the taxes paid receipt, “what exactly do we get with these taxes?” We get police protection, and fire protection, and…..ummm. ..oh right we get a new water meter, and we don’t get sued. Now I know why I live in the village, I think.

Sincerely,

Ken Degnan

Albion

Editor:

When a man or woman pursues a profession as an athletic director or coach, they willingly and knowingly submit themselves to a life of unbridled criticism. For every decision they make there are those who will publicly analyze and criticize those decisions. Everyone is an arm-chair quarterback who has the right to question every move and to share their respective analyses and perceived competency.

In Lyndonville, the Board of Education has done one better. They no longer look at evaluations by the Superintendent or recommendations made by the Superintendent. They simply act on their own personal agenda. This has never been clearer over the last three years until the time when two longtime coaches and now the athletic director have been let go after being recommended by Superintendent Jason Smith.

Like Jeff Gress and Jim O’Connor before him, Lee Dillenbeck was not hired back by the district after 18 years of outstanding service. Dillenbeck was recommended by Smith, his recent direct supervisor (changed in 2017), to the Board after receiving an exemplary evaluation. However, the board voted 4 to 3. They gave no reason for this vote nor do they have to. They can vote any way they want without having to give our community any reason for this unexpected and unrecommended departure.

Lee has given everything to this district over the last 23 years. He has been an elementary and high school physical education teacher, soccer coach for both the JV and Varsity teams, basketball coach for the JV and Varsity teams, Softball coach JV and Varsity teams, ran the youth basketball program, and served as district athletic director. He even stepped in to do the dean of students job for six years to save a full-time position in his department. He has been and will continue to be the consummate professional.

The community needs to realize what the truth is. Lee did nothing wrong. If he did do anything wrong it is giving all that he had to a position he loves, taking time away from his five kids, wife and family to make sure the students, athletes, coaches and community had everything they need to be successful. In the eyes of the Lyndonville Board of Education this seems to be a bad thing because Jeff Gress and Jim O’Connor did the same and suffered the same fate.

Having worked with Lee for the past 22 years, as a teacher and  as a coach of the Varsity Baseball team for the past 18 years, I can honestly say our success is due to his leadership. So please come out and show your support for Lee, ask questions, speak up and be heard.

This is our community, we cannot sit silent, leaving the room empty and the Board answering to nobody. We as long-time members of a great community can no longer let a Board make decisions based on their own personal agendas. We need to be present in that room supporting the future of our Lyndonville family and our future Tigers.

The next Board Meeting is July 1 at 7 p.m. in the High School Library.

Shane Price

Lyndonville resident

Lyndonville Teachers’ Association President

Teacher (22 years)

Varsity Baseball Coach

Editor:

The Mueller Report stated that Paul Manafort, President Trump’s campaign manager, shared polling data with Konstantin Kilimnik, who the FBI assesses to have ties to Russian intelligence. Furthermore, the Mueller Report states that leaked documents, stolen from the Democratic National Committee, were timed to undermine the 2016 Presidential election and harm candidate Clinton.

The Mueller Report also states, “The investigation did not always yield admissible information or testimony, or a complete picture of the activities undertaken by subjects of the investigation. Some individuals invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and were not, in the Office’s judgment, appropriate candidates for grants of immunity. The Office limited its pursuit of other witnesses and information – such as information known to attorneys or individuals claiming to be members of the media – in light of internal Department of Justice Policies.”

Since the Mueller Report did not fully pursue witnesses and testimony and we know Russia systematically interfered with our democratic elections it is time for a fully televised investigation.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

We need a sheriff who not only knows the Constitution, but understands what it actually means, and will uphold it fully.

We need a sheriff who knows what the original intent of his office was—to protect us from any and all persons and agencies who would infringe on our Constitutional rights.

We need a sheriff who knows that he is the highest power in the county and is not afraid to take that position for our sake.

We need a sheriff who understands that he has an office of the people, not a department of the county.

We need a sheriff who grew up in, lives in, and works in our county and intimately knows our community, our ways, and our needs.

We need a sheriff who coordinates our social service agencies and groups to accomplish the goal of securing our health and well-being.

We need a sheriff who treats us with care and concern, using discretion when necessary, and enacting fairness in every situation.

We need a sheriff we can be confident will not run roughshod over us, abuse us physically or verbally, or use his position to intimidate us.

We need a sheriff who will not bow to the wishes of those in political office, no matter the repercussions, because he knows he works for us.

We need a sheriff who will do everything in his power to keep us safe and secure.

We need a sheriff with the integrity to command the divisions in his office honestly and fairly.

We need a true Constitutional Protective Sheriff, as he was originally intended to be by our founding fathers.

That sheriff will be Chris Bourke, who has been working in a Constitutional Sheriff’s office and fully understands and embraces the tenets of that office. He will defend us to the full extent of his power and he is not afraid to face down the dragons that would destroy our liberty. He is a man of courage and integrity, as well as personable and sympathetic. He will combine the full knowledge and skills of his profession with the desire to keep us safe, healthy, and at peace.

Judith Larkin

Ridgeway

Editor:

While it is fair to say that radical left-wing forces used this year’s Legislature in favor of seemingly everyone but the law-abiding middle-class, end of session negotiations yielded a $100 million relief package for Lake Ontario flood victims, an expansion of the State and Municipal Facilities program to aid local governments, such as shoreline communities, and a reinstatement of our Extreme Winter Recovery Funds – used to repave and revamp damaged roads and highways.

We fought diligently to expose the malfeasance behind the agenda of downstate politicians this year who pushed driver’s licenses for illegals, easing of marijuana laws and a slew of protections for criminals and those accused of crimes.

Despite these challenges, I am honored to have led the fight to protect our Gold Star families and ensure spouses and dependents of deceased military heroes receive the benefits they deserve.

I look forward to attending countless community events, meetings and functions this summer and fall – talking and listening to constituents and building a better understanding of their needs and desires to start 2020 off better than ever.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia

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

Editor:

As one of two Republican candidates for Orleans County Sheriff, much has been written in the weeks and months leading up to Tuesday’s Republican primary. I wanted to establish the record straight on a few matters, offer my platforms to the public again and take this opportunity to thank everyone for the overwhelming support they’ve shown me during this campaign.

I am the father of two adult sons who lives in a house in the Town of Carlton that I built with my own two hands. I am a 27-year member of the Orleans County community. I was born and raised in Lockport, the son of a Lockport Police Department Detective and a medical clerk at the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office. I was a police officer in the Lockport Police Department for four years before transferring to the Rochester Police Department.

I have been a police officer for over 31 years, and police supervisor for 22. I currently hold the rank of sergeant and am the Supervising Sergeant of the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Taskforce (G.R.A.N.E.T.). For the last 14 years, I have been a team leader for the Rochester PD SWAT Team. I served our country in the New York Army National Guard in the field of Military Intelligence. I have served on the board of directors for a substance abuse counseling clinic, Huther Doyle, for the last 18 years. It is not much smaller in size and budget as the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. During my 7 year tenure as board chairman, I navigated the agency through some very challenging times and gained vast administrative experience. I was directly involved in securing both state and federal grants, meeting with county and state officials and the hiring of a new CEO. 

My diverse leadership experience makes me fully capable to head Orleans County’s largest law enforcement agency. My decades of leadership experience includes involvement in over 1,000 critical incidents. Officers do not follow me because of the rank on my sleeve, but rather because I have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience to make the right decisions that not only protect and benefit them, but more importantly safeguard the general public. I understand the nuances of providing law enforcement to smaller rural and suburban areas that are impacted by the influx of crimes and drug trafficking that originate in larger urban centers because I currently do it. I have experienced it all. Making our county safer will be at the forefront of every decision I make as sheriff of Orleans County. I will always put people before politics. 

While I have plans to improve all six divisions of the OCSO, these are my main priorities:

• Push back the Opioid Epidemic – This is the largest public health crisis we will ever see. As sheriff, I would work collaboratively with the Orleans County Major Felonies Crime Task Force, as I do now. Unlike the current administration, there will be no feuds. Over the years, I personally executed narcotics search warrants in Orleans County, and worked consistently with the task force. Through first-hand experience, I understand the devastation drugs bring to families and communities. I have long known that many of those who break into vehicles or burglarize homes are addicts looking to fuel their addictions. I also know we will never arrest our way out of an epidemic of this proportion and society is best served when people devastated by addiction are made whole again. A strong prevention piece will also be key to stopping addiction before it starts.

• Create safer roads and towns – In a 2017 statewide traffic report developed from NYS Department of Motor Vehicle statistics, it was determined that Orleans County had the most unsafe roads in the entire state when it comes to serious physical injury, fatal and alcohol-related crashes. I have maintained all along that I am not looking to ticket honest, hardworking folks. I will rid the roads of those that put our families’ safety at risk. The drivers with no or suspended licenses, with no insurance, driving at dangerously high speeds, intoxicated/impaired to the point where they are bound to crash. I don’t think anyone wants these people on our roads.

• Unify regional law enforcement – As the Orleans County Sheriff, I will take the lead role in reestablishing the relationships with our regional law enforcement agencies by forming a Law Enforcement Council. This will allow agency heads to meet on a regular basis and face our challenges on a unified front. We will regularly train with our partner agencies which will build a cohesive countywide law enforcement approach that best serves our community. This will also save taxpayer dollars.

• Increase moral for all employees – I will establish an awards program that recognizes those who go above and beyond in their service to our community. There will no longer be an A team and B team. There will be one team in which everyone gets treated fairly and has self-worth.

• Improve the Animal Control Service – No longer will you be told to either shelter or release a stray dog during off hours. These family pets will be transported to the shelter where they will be reunited with their owners.

Over the years I have brought awareness and raised in excess of $80,000 for the following charitable organizations: Special Olympics New York, Veterans Outreach Center, Huntington’s disease, US Navy Special Warfare Fund, Rochester Police Foundation and the family of a RPD officer who died unexpectedly. It is important for community leaders to set the example of philanthropy, which I will most certainly continue if elected Orleans County Sheriff. Community outreach and philanthropy is also an effective way for law enforcement to build relationships in neighborhoods and towns.

I have witnessed the ugly side of politics and often get asked how I keep my composure when people take cheat shots at me or tell half-truths. Years ago, I disrupted a street level drug network so bad that I became the proverbial thorn in their side. It was the busiest drug market in the city. During enforcement action, an elderly woman a few doors down would often peak through her curtains and give me a “thumbs up.” I often thought how I would feel if that was my grandmother. The drug leader became so angry with me that he put a bounty on my head and, on a relatively calm summer night, cowards attempted to collect on it by ambushing me. They fired three shots from across a street with one narrowly missing my head. Life is about perspective and keyboard bullies can never hurt me.

My largest frustration and disappointment has been my opponent’s unwillingness to publicly debate me. He has declined three separate debate invitations (Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, David Bellavia and me). Why would a candidate not want to publicly champion their values, service record and platform?

I believe the success of an organization hinges on effective leadership. I am a passionate law enforcement leader who loves Orleans County. I am confident that my leadership as Orleans County Sheriff will have a direct and positive impact on our community.

 Respectfully,

Brett A. Sobieraski

Carlton 

Editor:

This is response to Scott Smith’s letter to the Orleans Hub on June 19. I’d like to break it down just a bit. His letter is in response Bob Lonsberry’s endorsement of Brett. Mr. Smith’s first line in his letter was, “Bob, you don’t get it.” Wrong. Bob gets it, you don’t.

Everything Bob Lonsberry said about Brett is 100 percent accurate. The two most important things he said were, “Brett Sobieraski won’t let you down” and “Brett Sobieraski doesn’t let anybody down.” That’s what you can expect from him every single day.

Mr. Smith then goes on to say that, “Bob Lonsberry admires the guy because he can run long distances and carries a gun to work.” Well Mr. Smith, I think he admires him for why he ran long distances and swam the width of Lake Ontario. He did it for charity. He raised over $80,000. He seeks no personal glory. He likes to help people. That’s who he is, that’s what he does.

You also stated that Brett was an outsider. Once again you’re wrong. He’s lived in Orleans County for 27 years and built his house in Kent with his own two hands. Just because he has worked for the RPD for the last 30 years doesn’t mean he doesn’t love this county and the welfare of its people. To think otherwise is ludicrous.

Ask the older farmer from a couple of summers ago that was bailing hay by himself on a sweltering day while Brett was out for a run. The farmer would do a couple of bales, hop off his tractor and load them on the wagon then get back on the tractor to do a few more. Brett saw him struggling so he ran back to his house, got some gloves and help him bale his hayfield. That’s who he is, that’s what does. You can not question his integrity.

Mr. Smith also asked whether we liked what we see when we look outside the window. I like the serenity but I don’t like what Orleans County has become with the opioid epidemic we’re facing. Brett Sobieraski has a plan for that and it’s a good one. One that will work. He’s more than qualified to be our sheriff. Just read his campaign ad right here on the Hub.

There’s a lot more to this man and all the good things he has done that I can ever write in an e-mail. The only thing you did get right in your letter Mr. Smith, is when you said, “Do the right thing Orleans County.” Doing the right thing would be to vote for Brett Sobieraski as the next Orleans County Sheriff.

Tim Jurhs

Kendall

Editor:

I served in the military for 28 years with multiple combat tours and believe strongly in our country’s foundation. I, like many of my friends, fought to protect the freedoms guaranteed in our constitution and Bill of Rights – the civil liberties such as freedom of speech and protection from governmental oppression.

Moreover many of my friends, including my best friend, gave their lives to protect the freedoms our nation cherishes. However, a disturbing situation recently occurred and remains ongoing in the campaign for Orleans County sheriff which violates many rights my comrades served to protect.

One of our country’s most essential rights remains the ability for individuals to choose who they support during an election, free from coercion regarding their choice. Whether a person chooses to be liberal, conservative, democrat or republican, they have an assured protection from our government with regards to their political stance. This freedom remains essential to maintain democracy.

Moreover, my military career enabled my travel to numerous countries where firsthand I observed coercion and oppression in political elections. These actions violate the rights we Americans cherish but often take for granted. Such political oppression now exists in Orleans County.

Some members of the current Orleans County Sheriff’s Department are employing political pressure against individuals supporting Brett for sheriff to the point of harassing individuals for having “Brett for Sheriff” signs in their yards. These actions are contrary to American ideals and protections guaranteed in our constitution sealed with patriots’ blood to protect those freedoms.

During all my years of service I could not imagine a situation wherein members of a government entity would employ intimidation to achieve a political end. Law enforcement officials dedicate their service to protecting all citizens, not just those who support their political ideals.

Some may argue that is their right to campaign for their candidate and I wholeheartedly agree.  However, intimidation, coercion and oppressive actions by members of a governmental organization not only violate ethics but subvert our constitutional foundation.

Moreover, when people feel they cannot back whom they choose to support without prejudice or fear of reprisal, something is wrong. All those that served desire a fair election, we served to protect the rights of all individuals.

I believe service in the Sheriff’s Department is similar to military service protecting individuals regardless of their political stance. Regardless, who wins, that person will be my sheriff and will have the respect garnered by that position.

However, if the future sheriff wins via intimidation and coercion, then will not only my respect be lost, but I will seriously question my and my fellow service-members’ sacrifice.

Keith McKinney

US Army retired

Lyndonville