Editor:

It is that time of year again. We get inundated with yard signs, news advertisements, and glossy mailers, all in an attempt to sway voters one way or another.

This is our process. I support it, I even participate to a degree, I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but it is a necessary evil sometimes, especially when some of what is put out is false or misleading.

I am proud to have served as your Town of Murray Supervisor, and I look forward to continuing. Allow me to tell you what I am most proud of, and see if it is worth letting me continue.

The 2018 Town Budget held taxes flat, that is a zero percent increase. Tough act to follow, and the credit goes to outgoing Supervisor Morris for holding the line, and I was proud to be on the Town Board at the time to approve it.

Fast forward to the 2019 Budget; We raised the Town (Outside Village) taxes by 0.03 percent. That is three one hundredths of one percent, not three percent, or a third of a percent. So, for two years, that is all your taxes have gone up.

Even my opponent will not argue this fact. Instead, he makes a hollow argument about an increase in water rates. Let me take a moment to address this issue. A meter charge, not an administration charge, was added. Meters have always been supplied at no charge, but as they get older, they will need to be replaced at a cost of approximately $200 each.

We buy all of our water – whether from the Town of Gaines or Albion, Village of Holley, or from the Monroe County Water Authority. As the prices they charge us go up, we are forced to pass this increase on in the water rates.

Should we raise everyone’s taxes to pay for those increases or should we value the commodity accordingly, and cover the expense at the point of sale?

His plans would raise water rates only to those that are hooked up, while, as I’ve pointed out before, we all benefit from access to fresh water, be it for property value, or fire services. We qualified for competitive grants from the USDA, are audited regularly, and have over 97 percent water coverage in the Town of Murray. These price increases are only for those who use the water, and still, remain as low as possible to provide quality service.

Another issue has been the separation with our former Code Enforcement Officer. There was an analogy made by a citizen at a Town Board meeting about a school bully. If a bully demands that either you give him some of your lunch money or he will fight you and take all of it, you may have to compromise and only give him a portion. He never comes back to bother you again, and everyone in the schoolyard is happy.

My goal here in Murray is to create an environment where people feel they are served by their Town employees, not harassed by them. This decision was made to further that cause. Despite what you may have heard, it is the opinion of all those on the Town Board, including myself, that this was accomplished at a reasonable expense to the Town, considering the history of this individual, and seemed to be desired by many residents as well. Given the outcome, I do not regret our decision.

We have initiated outreach to the community in various ways, whether by a newsletter, or welcoming new residents to town. Town meetings are run in such a fashion that all who wish to speak are actively encouraged do so, and many do take part.

My only regret is that more citizens cannot attend the meetings on a regular basis. People are busy, and they trust us to do what is right. I will never abuse that trust. Nor will I ever do anything for my own personal gain, nor will I accept that from any employee. As always, I encourage residents who have concerns or questions about anything they have heard, to give me a call or stop at the Town Building. I am there often, and my door is always open!

Thank you for the time you have allowed me as your Supervisor. I humbly look forward to continuing to serve the residents of the Town of Murray in that capacity.

I said when I ran for Supervisor the first time, “I do not automatically expect your trust, but value the opportunity to earn it.” I hope that by my performance in office I have earned your trust. Thank you again for the opportunity.

Respectfully,

Robert G. Miller

Supervisor, Town of Murray

Editor:

I wanted to comment on a recent post by Bob Lonsberry endorsing Brett Sobieraski for Orleans County Sheriff.

Bob you just don’t get it.

If the OCSO was so important to him, why didn’t he work there? That’s the issue. He wants to be the boss of an institution he knows nothing about. He doesn’t know the culture, he doesn’t know the ethos and he has no command level experience.

I think this is what people really don’t understand. One of the reasons that crime is so terrible in the city of Rochester is that every few years there is a change in leadership. A new chief comes in, a new command staff and a new plan. It takes a couple years to put the brakes on the previous administrations initiatives and begin their “new” ones. Before they get to full speed, a new chief comes in and the cycle repeats. Nothing gets done, nothing changes and that’s the issue facing Orleans County voters.

Do you like your community now? Do you like what you see when you look out the window? Or, would you rather have it more like the city of Rochester?

Seems pretty clear to me. Choose a team who knows not just the community, but the agency. Someone who can continue to develop its initiatives to fruition. Someone with command level experience in the agency they wish to lead with knowledge of how to run, not just a police force, but a jail, civil bureau and court security. (I’m not actually sure if Orleans County had those last two bureaus, but I assume they do in some form.)

Just because Bob Lonsberry admires that a guy can run long distances and wears a gun to work, does not mean he’s qualified to be the chief law enforcement officer in the county.

I hope voters take a minute to think critically. To recognize just because Bob says so, doesn’t make it true. Most importantly, I hope they see what Orleans County might become when led by an outsider. When led by a person who only understands vision to the degree of a single chapter of a book and not the story itself.

I don’t know Brett, never worked with him but I’m retired from law enforcement with the same rank and I know of him. He is by no means universally loved by his subordinates but seems liked a competent first line supervisor. In my estimation, the Republican voters of Orleans County have a clear choice for sheriff.

And it ain’t from a police sergeant from a dysfunctional city 30 miles away. Elect a team that knows your county and your agency. A team that put their career where their mouth is, so to speak, and served the agency they wish to lead. Not someone in the Baxter politician mold who hopes to be an executive carpet bagger winning a popularity contest with the help of their friends in the corrupt and out of touch media.

Do the right thing Orleans County.

Regards,

Scott Smith

Churchville

Editor:

On May 21, I attended and spoke before the Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen. I forwarded my speech to the editor of the Orleans Hub about my concerns with the loss of woodlots, hedgerows and wildlife habitat.

The complete speech wasn’t included in the Letters to the Editor, including 16 fixes to the situation.

The last part of my speech said: What are all of us, that includes government agencies, farmers, sportsmen and women, rural landowners and local representatives going to do?

I suggest we meet with representatives from all government agencies and encourage them all collectively to work together to make Orleans County great again for all of us.

Tools to use:

1. Study laws regarding pesticide application.

2. Report to law enforcement of overspray incidents. Collect evidence such as witnesses, videos, photos, etc. Also check hedgerow removal or wooded lots and see if they are being legally removed.

3. Contact local representatives. Let them know how you feel and how you will vote in your upcoming elections if your concerns are not addressed.

4. Attend Orleans County Legislature meetings and share information.

5. Run for office (If you want change, put the rubber to the road).

6. Support only candidates who will help us save our homes and who will openly speak about it.

7. Copy and distribute “Trees against the Wind”

8. If you are a rural home/landowner you should not remove habitat that is vital to survival. This includes hedgerows, wooded lots and/or hardwoods which provide food and shelter for so many species who also live here.

9. Provide food plots and shelter for birds, deer, turkeys, etc. Be sure they are not Hybrid or GMO products, and protect it from over-farming and over-spray.

10. Enlist the help of others. Educate them and yourselves to be good stewards of the place we all call home.

11. Distribute information to landowners who rent their land. Make sure renters tell you what they spray on rented land and investigate before you let them spray, plant or remove habitat.

12. Before you plant, study the seed inoculants and how they affect habitat. Don’t rely of manufacturers labels or rhetoric from people planting.

13. When you shop purchase at least 1 or 2 USDA organic products. If more of us do this prices will decrease and you support an industry that is aware of the crisis we are facing nationwide.

14. Don’t listen to agribusiness, seed or pesticide sales rhetoric. Do your homework. You can visit the media and read the article from National Geographic titled “The Second Silent Spring” and ask your farm friends if they know.

15. Collectively purchase or long-term lease hunting properties to ensure we all have places to hunt, hike, or ride ATV’s without worries of encroachment of agribusinesses or urban sprawl.

16. Lobby our representatives to add money to the budget to bring moneys to Orleans/Genesee/Niagara counties for conservation reserve. Also lobby our legislators to adopt in our counties, New York State Department of Health Neighborhood Notification Laws, to add additional safety restraints to pesticide applicators.

John Metzler

Barre

Editor:

The Orleans County Deputy Sheriff’s Association feels that it is unfortunately compelled to clear up some of the disheartening false accusations that are being spread about its members. The OCDSA is comprised of 24 hardworking individuals, whose ultimate goals are to serve and protect the citizens of Orleans County.

It has been implied that the OCDSA members are untrained, do not make vehicle and traffic stops, do not work with other agencies, and most recently do not handle drug overdoses properly.

The OCDSA members receive required refresher trainings annually, along with opportunities to receive more specialized training. Despite having a small number of members and a tight training budget, the current administration strives to find creative ways to get our members into trainings that are free of charge.

Many essential training seminars are hosted by the Department of Homeland Security at no cost to the department (including lodging for multi-day programs). Other examples also include a week-long training that was put on by the New York State Office of Mental Health in which they traveled to our county to instruct our members on how to help people who are experiencing a mental health crisis and facilitate in getting them support. Additionally, our members have received training in basic first aid, CPR, and Stopping the Bleed (tourniquets). We’ve had specialized training in the civil process and the proper way to serve civil papers.

Due to the opioid epidemic members have also received more specialized training in handling drug overdoses and overdose deaths to include the proper way to administer Narcan and issue a Narcan kit. A critical tool in solving overdose deaths is the ability to access data in the deceased person’s cell phone. Undersheriff Christopher Bourke was able to work with the DEA and have Cellebrite, a $10,000 instrument, donated to the department. This piece of equipment is used in overdoses and numerous other types of investigations.

With a significant amount of waterways in our county, the current administration recognized a need to send our member that is in charge of the Marine Patrol to the NYS Marine Law Enforcement School and also send him and an investigator to the week-long NASBLA Comprehensive Boating Accident Investigation Course.

Since January 1, 2016 our members have increased traffic stops, civil paper service attempts, civil papers served, and assists to other agencies. During this time, Undersheriff Bourke and the rest of the current administration have worked diligently to provide the members of the OCDSA with the necessary tools to successfully complete their duties and keep us all safe. Items such as new body armor, new rifles for patrol vehicles, and new computers for patrol vehicles are just a few things they have been able to acquire.

Our members take pride in our jobs and the community we serve and protect.  We would ask that the residents of Orleans County continue to support the OCDSA and to please support Christopher Bourke for Sheriff on June 25.

Orleans County Deputy Sheriff’s Association

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Editor:

As the Republican Primary Election nears, I’d like to express my support for Brett Sobieraski, and do so from three different perspectives.

As a retired law enforcement officer from a Sheriff’s Office, I understand the need for strong leadership in any law enforcement agency. Sheriffs are more than administrators. They are coaches. They are trainers. They are mentors. They lead by example. They reward success and hard work. They train and guide those who need to improve. They inspire good officers to become great.

We need leadership like this in our Sheriff’s Office. He will help every member of that organization be better. It will make them more efficient. It will make us safer. His service to others outside law enforcement is top notch, raising money for charity and helping people everywhere he goes. His spirit of service and volunteerism will be contagious in our Sheriff’s Office, and that can only be good for our community.

My second point of view is that as chairman of the Gaines Republican Committee. We had the opportunity to hear the candidates speak when they asked for endorsements. Brett’s vision and plan for improving our safety is outstanding. He can communicate it very clearly to people who aren’t in law enforcement. He understands what needs to be done.

He wants to make Orleans County a better place for everyone. His passion and commitment show through in everything he does. While the County Republican Committee didn’t come to the threshold required to support one candidate over another, the majority of the members of the Gaines Committee support Brett Sobieraski as the best candidate.

My third point of view is that of town supervisor in Gaines. As town supervisor, I am responsible for the safety of the residents in the town. In small towns without police agencies, we rely on the Sheriff’s Office to provide for that safety.

Having well trained, motivated, dedicated, and caring members of the Sheriff’s Office helps keep all of us safe. This isn’t just the deputies who patrol the roads and investigate crimes. It is the dispatchers who take our 9-1-1 calls and send needed emergency personnel. It is the jail staff that safeguard and transport prisoners to our court. It is the animal control officers who directly provide those services for our town. It is the office staff who glue it all together.

Brett Sobieraski’s leadership will make every part of the Sheriff’s Office better, and that, in turn, will make our town better.

So please join me in supporting Brett Sobieraski in the Republican Primary for Sheriff. He is the best candidate, and has my support!

Thank you,

Joe Grube

Gaines

Editor:

Looking at Chris Bourke’s endorsements leaves no question who should be Sheriff. Chris has been endorsed by the Orleans County Conservative Party, NYS Independence Party, Orleans County Deputy Sheriffs Association, NYS Deputy Sheriff Association, Orleans County Sheriff’s Employee Association, Council 82 New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union AFSCME, AFLCIO, Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, and the Honorable James Punch, retired Orleans County Judge.

These men and woman who put their life on the line daily to protect you, and work with Chris already. They have that much faith in him to endorse him. To want him to be their sheriff! This isn’t to mention the experience he has had throughout Orleans County. That should be a wakeup call to our residents.

The political nonsense can go back and forth and it doesn’t change these facts. Chris has given us in Orleans County more than 35 years. He knows the county and its residents.

If you’re going to vote for Brett, please ask yourself a few questions first.

1. Do I want a sheriff that knows the county?

2. Am I doing this because my friend/neighbor wants me to?

3. Am I informed with 100% accurate information?

4. Is the grass always greener on the other side?

Make sure your informed and comfortable with your decision. You are the only one in that voting booth, no one knows who you’re voting for.

I am 100 percent confident that I can put my families’ welfare in the hands of Chris Bourke as sheriff.

Corie Strickland

Albion

Editor:

Given the current political climate across the country, I would like to make a few comments about the current race between two Republican candidates for the June 25 primary, and ultimately the office of Orleans County Sheriff.

I would like to start by stating unequivocally that Brett Sobieraski is not an “outsider” as he has repeatedly been called. This is not only insulting, but untrue. He has been a member of this community for the past 27 years. He raised his children here, made his life here, and is well known and active within our county.

The fact that he works for the Rochester Police Department does not, in any way, diminish the fact that he lives in Orleans County. That being said, perhaps the word “outsider” refers to the fact that he is not a member of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

However, this would not be the first time that a person who never held a position within the department has been elected sheriff.  As everyone knows, one of our former and very popular holders of the Office of Sheriff, never had any law enforcement experience in his background.  That didn’t stop me from voting for him. I simply liked the man and what he stood for. I think a lot of people vote like me. We vote for the man. We vote for his ideas.

I would also like to address the attitude, which I believe I see more and more, that this office is being considered, in this particular case, an entitlement. If this was an office based on promotions from within, that would be a completely different issue. This is a public office which puts the power to select the next sheriff into the hands of the electorate.

If someone works there for a number of years, it may make that person well known, it may make that person seem like a viable choice to a certain group, and in fact it may help to get that person elected. However, this sacred franchise to vote is held by the Republican voters of Orleans County.  We get to decide who we want in that office. It is not an entitlement, no matter how emotional people may feel about this issue.

This primary is being decided by persons of the same party who have different ideas about the direction in which we would like to see our county go. After this is decided, and a new sheriff is elected, we have to move forward as one Republican Party. I would like to believe we can survive what is starting to look like growing animosity held by the crew of the current undersheriff toward anyone who doesn’t support their candidate.

Nobody should chastise anyone for wearing a shirt for the candidate of their choosing. This still is, after all, The United States of America, and we do have the freedoms to express how we feel. I have become very uneasy when I hear rumors about these bully tactics.

My personal choice in this race is Brett Sobieraski. I have met with him many times, and found his ideas to be fresh, modern, progressive and invigorating. There is nothing wrong with getting someone with diverse and vast experience, someone who has enjoyed a very successful career with the Rochester Police Department, and brings that invaluable experience into our county.

We are now fighting big city crimes here, and the fight has to be waged by a sheriff with big city experience but who also understands our way of life. I think this is the time for change. I think he is the man who will change things.

I have faith that he is genuine in his cause to do the right things to make our county better than it has been in a long time. We all need to think outside of the box on this one. It may be a long time before a chance to elect someone like Brett comes our way again.

I would finally like to thank Sheriff Randy Bower for his service to the county. I personally admire the man, I voted for him, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Eileen Hare

Medina

Editor:

I would like to first state I am not a Shelby resident. I have no stance on matters that pertain to the town. I stand no benefit to any election in Shelby. Now that the necessary disclaimers have been made, I write this letter out of pure respect and gratitude for Shelby highway superintendent candidate Dale Root.

As many know, Dale has made his living in farming and trucking. Roughly a year ago I made the decision to buy my own tractor trailer and strike out on my own. Dale was right there to offer any help needed to establish myself amongst the trucking industry. Dale has put his reputation on the table numerous times and has vouched his confidence in me to freight brokers who generally would not give a start-up such as myself a second look.

In the 2016 election a famous catch phrase was, “Who will answer the 3 a.m. phone call?” I know Dale will! I have tested this out numerous times. A quick cargo question, a logistics inquiry, or a late-night repair tip, Dale has always been a phone call away.

I write this letter because Dale’s nature has always been to help his neighbors. He and his family have donated produce to a variety of charities and fundraisers throughout the years. Dale has gone above and beyond to mentor me when he certainly didn’t have to. For that I am grateful. I wish him the absolute best in the primary on June 25.

Sincerely,

Martin Bruning

Barre

Editor:

It is my pleasure to offer this letter in support of Brett Sobieraski as the next sheriff of Orleans County.  As a longtime resident of Orleans County, Brett loves his home community, is familiar with it and with its residents and is wholly committed to bringing his powerful combination of skills and experience to the county as your Sheriff.

It has come to my attention through traditional media coverage and social media coverage that Brett Sobieraski has been characterized as “an outsider” who knows nothing of the community he is running to serve and protect and neither is he committed to Orleans County as its next public servant.

This, in my opinion, is complete nonsense and falls in the category of campaign rhetoric that is often used as filler when the opponent is unable to develop a strong campaign message of his or her own to include a history of accomplishment and experience, a plan for and commitment to a solid plan for managing the position he or she is running for and a well-defined set of goals to which they are willing to be held accountable.

This characterization could not be further than the truth as it relates to Brett Sobieraski, a man I have come to know as a remarkable driven, solid, public servant dedicated to his constituents and to their safety and wellbeing. Brett has a complete and comprehensive plan for his role as Orleans County Sheriff and welcomes the opportunity to share that plan with anyone and everyone.

The Brett Sobieraski I know is passionate about his role in law enforcement, compassionate about the people of his community – often volunteering for causes that strike a sensitive chord for him such as the Special Olympics – a cause he has powerfully supported for many years.

In my present role as the CEO of Huther Doyle, a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment in the area, I have seen first-hand Brett’s fight to end the opioid epidemic by both holding accountable those selling drugs while also supporting those who have fallen prey to the disease of addiction. He understands and is a champion on both sides of this important issue.

The Brett Sobieraski I know is a fair, reasonable and balanced man who considers all opinions and welcomes dialogue and the experience of others to help inform his decisions while also being clear about his role as a leader and ultimately owning the decisions he makes as his own.

The Brett Sobieraski I know is driven to make the community he serves safe, secure, prosperous and productive. He has a proven record of doing just that in Rochester and in Orleans County where he has lived, raised a family and plans to stay as your next sheriff.

Make your vote count on June 25th.

Regards,

Kelly A. Reed

President & CEO

Huther Doyle

Editor:

I would like to encourage everyone to come out today from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Office to cast your votes for James DeFilipps and Rochelle Moroz.

We are running for re-election as your representatives to the Village Board.

We have served you these past two years and would very much like to continue to serve as we move forward with the many changes and improvements to our village.

I personally would like to thank everyone who signed my petition so I could be put on the official ballot, and to let you know how much I enjoyed speaking with everyone I met.

Remember we do not run on any political party, because we represent all the residents of the Village, so look for the “P” for the people and the “Owl” for common sense, which is how we approach all our decisions and how they will affect all of us as a community.

Thank you for your support.

Rochelle Moroz

Holley

Editor:

To the property owners residing in the Town of Murray, this letter is in response to an oversized campaign postcard I received last week where the writer questions my ethics as assessor.  When campaigning for the job as assessor in the Town of Murray in 1993, I stated that I would serve the Town of Murray residents in a fair and equitable manner. I have followed this practice throughout my career.

All assessed values of town and village properties are available on-line for public viewing. If anyone has any concerns or thoughts that town officials are benefiting with lower property assessments, please check for yourself. Appraising property is not a perfect science, but we have always given our best to be fair and produce an equitable roll.

Also stated is that the Town of Murray has one of the highest tax rates in Orleans County.  There are ten towns in Orleans County. The tax rates range from $4.03 per thousand to $9.28 per thousand. The Town of Murray is at $4.83 per thousand. I don’t consider this to be one of the highest.

Keep in mind that when an election is approaching, some candidates will intentionally make statements that are without merit, just to create attention for themselves. The Primary vote is fast approaching and I hope that the voters just stop and think about the statements that have been made attacking Town of Murray officials.

In my 25 years of experience, Supervisor Miller and the current board have done an excellent job and have indeed exhibited fiscal responsibility, with a decrease in our tax rate in 2017 and no increase in 2018.

Please take a minute to separate the facts from fiction and cast your vote on June 25 from noon until 9 p.m. at the Town of Murray building.

Thank you,

Lynn Wood

Town of Murray Assessor

Editor:

To the Town of Shelby residents, you will be going to vote in the primaries on June 25 and one of the positions that you will be voting for is the Shelby Highway Superintendent. In what I feel was a shocking move, the Shelby Republican committee did not endorse the incumbent highway superintendent, Mike Fuller, who has served the residents of the Town of Shelby for over 40 years.

All of those years were in the highway department as a highway worker, then deputy superintendent, and currently as highway superintendent. In that time, Mike learned and accumulated the knowledge needed to deal with the workings of the Highway Department.

He can do the jobs required by the MEO (motor equipment operator), and as deputy superintendent under the expert guidance of the prior highway superintendent, Carl Caleb. Mike learned to help manage, not only the men working for the department, but also the specifics about the job and budget that are needed to make the right decisions for the workings of the office.

Not only does Mike know and understand the job, his personal character lends itself to working well with the residents of the Town of Shelby and with his men. He does his job with a firm but fair attitude. Having worked for many years in the town offices myself, I know that some residents are so upset that they come through the door in a less than polite manner and expect what is upsetting them to be taken care of immediately. In all the time that I have known Mike, he has always kept his calm demeanor and dealt with the irate citizen in a very polite and professional manner…and as soon as he can, he addresses that citizen’s concerns.

Having FOI’ed many records of the Town of Shelby, I could list several things that would be upsetting to town residents and which are directly attributed to steps to discourage and discredit your current highway superintendent. However, I am respecting Mike’s position that he wants to run a clean campaign to maintain his job.

I do feel, though, it is only fair to address the things said by Dale Root in his letter of  May 9, 2019. The highway superintendent receives a salary for being highway superintendent and when said superintendent takes on the responsibility of the water superintendent, then he is compensated by a per unit fee to take on this responsibility.  This has been the practice for all highway superintendents for years.

As for the GPS system which Dale Root mentioned not being used, it is not being ignored by your highway superintendent, Mike Fuller. Mike is working on putting it into service on his own instead of having the town spend money on an engineer to do it. He realizes it is a complicated job to accomplish but is working diligently on it. I just wanted to make sure you, as residents, were clear on those issues.

As for better relations with the board as mentioned by Dale Root, I, for one, would rather Mike Fuller did his job with the best interests of the residents of the Town of Shelby in mind than to be the “yes man” that the board wants him to be. In Mike Fuller’s mind, the residents are the ones he serves and needs to keep happy….you are his true boss and he will always put you first.

Under new state rules, there will be a primary election on June 25^thof this year. Please exercise your right to vote.

Let Mike Fuller continue to serve with the same expertise and caring as he has done in the past 40 years. We don’t need change when the job is being done efficiently already.

Sincerely,

Gerry Zinkievich

Shelby

Former Shelby Town Clerk

Editor:

What’s integrity? Recently I have heard that question asked among people quite often. My answer to that is I feel it is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values, rather than personal gain.

For the time I have known Christopher Bourke he has shown me these qualities. Also having served 30-plus years with the same law enforcement department proves his ability to adapt to an ever-changing world.

In 30 years, times have changed. Chris has continued to work in this county and progress with these changes. At times we must look at the larger picture, and focus on what’s best for all.

We need to stop trying to divide our county, and come together. Remember there is strength in unity! I support Bourke for sheriff. He has supported the communities of Orleans County for over 30 years. And he will continue to support his county.

God bless you Chris, and God bless Orleans County.

Question for people: “Who can walk around your house better than you in the dark?” No one because you have spent your entire life there.

Rev. Trellis Pore

Albion

Editor:

My name is Herbert McClellan and I have been a resident of Orleans County my entire life. In 1992 I joined the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department as a road patrol deputy. I had the opportunity to work as both an investigator and sergeant, prior to lateralling to the Rochester Police Department in 2000.

I have been a police officer with the RPD for the past 19 years. During my career I have had the unique opportunity to work with both individuals currently running for the office of sheriff in Orleans County. I have the utmost confidence that Brett Sobieraski is the best candidate for this position.

Brett is a highly motivated, accomplished and proven leader. Brett and I both work in the Special Operations Division at RPD. I have spent many years working with Brett on the SWAT team and as a member of the Tactical Unit. I have seen Brett’s leadership, professionalism and work ethic first hand while dealing with very stressful and dangerous situations.

Brett leads by example and has gained the respect of the officers and investigators that work for him. As the sergeant of GRANET (Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team), Brett works and coordinates routinely with federal agencies including the DEA and ATF as well as state and local agencies, including the Orleans County Drug Task Force.

GRANET is at the forefront in the battle against the sale and distribution of illegal opioids and other illicit drugs in and around Western New York. GRANET, under Brett’s leadership, has taken numerous high-level drug dealers and violent felony offenders off of the streets not only in the Rochester area but in surrounding towns and counties as well.

Brett is dedicated, caring and committed to his community. He has been a youth wrestling coach in Orleans County and spent many hours over the years encouraging them to reach their potential both on and off the mats. In addition, he has been involved in multiple events to raise money, amounting to over $80,000 for charities including Special Olympics, Veterans Outreach and Huntington Disease Research, to name a few.

He has also founded his own charity, Limitless Racing, which enables disabled children to participate in local road races by having a partner push their racing strollers. Brett has also competed in many significant ultra-endurance events to provide support and raise awareness.  He swam 32 miles across Lake Ontario to benefit the families of fallen United States Navy Seals.  In addition, he has run in several 50-hour races to benefit New York State Special Olympics. He has also run multiple 100-mile races and competed in the Badwater 135-mile ultra-marathon in California’s Death Valley. He has participated many times in the New York Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run and many Polar Plunges.

All of this he has done to bring awareness and attention to those who are in need. Throughout these journeys he has encouraged his fellow brothers in blue to participate alongside him and to donate to causes that truly deserve attention. His motivation, focus and positive attitude are contagious.

In addition to his time spent raising awareness, Brett has been on the Drug Rehab Board of Directors at Huther Doyle Addiction Treatment Center for the past 18 years. He is truly dedicated to rehabilitation for those addicted to drugs and seeks to end the influx of illicit drugs into our area. To say that he is dedicated to the communities in which he lives and works is an understatement.

It is for the reasons listed above that I believe you will not find an individual more deserving of the position of sheriff of Orleans County. I know that Brett will be successful as our sheriff and will bring knowledge, character, integrity, passion, and leadership to the office.

These are the qualities of the leader we need to affect positive change in our community.

Sincerely,

Herbert McClellan

Town of Carlton

Editor:

Please join me in supporting Brian Napoli in the upcoming primary for Ridgeway town supervisor on June 25.

A little over three years ago my wife and I moved our business to the town of Ridgeway. This was no easy task, but with local politicians like Mr. Napoli being both willing and eager to help, it was possible.

As we continue to grow and create jobs, Mr. Napoli has been, and continues to be there every time we need him.

Casey A. Decker, President

Sierra Biological Inc.