Editor:

Whenever a family member struggles with any serious ongoing condition, everyone in the family is significantly affected.  To find out a loved one has a substance use problem can be heart-wrenching.

If you know someone with a substance use disorder, you may find yourself struggling with a number of painful and conflicting emotions, including guilt, shame, self-blame, frustration, anger, sadness, depression, anxiety and fear. Those emotions can often overtake our lives and cause stress, burnout, fatigue, inability to sleep and more issues that can affect our own health.

When you fly on an airplane, the flight attendant instructs you to put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others. Why is this an important rule for ensuring survival? Because if you run out of oxygen, you can’t help anyone else with their oxygen mask. This is an important metaphor for those of us who have loved ones with substance use disorder. A reminder that we need to take care of ourselves.

You may feel overwhelmed, but there are things you can do to help yourself. We all know we need to get enough rest, exercise, and eat right.

Here are a few other things that will be helpful:

Learn all you can about substance use and addiction. Addiction is a disease, not a character defect! According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. We have identified many of the biological and environmental factors and are beginning to search for the genetic variations that contribute to the development and progression of the disease. Scientists use this knowledge to develop effective prevention and treatment approaches that reduce the toll drug abuse takes on individuals, families and communities.”

Don’t go it alone! Shame is one of the biggest reasons people don’t seek help. It may help you to know that no one, and no family, is immune from addiction. Like any other chronic disorder, addiction to alcohol and other drugs afflicts people regardless of age, income level, educational background, race, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, and community. Many families deal with addiction. You are not alone – there is support!

Know that Recovery is Possible! Although it takes time, people do find recovery from addiction. Many individuals find recovery and continue on to live fulfilled lives. There are many pathways to recovery including 12-step meetings, peer-support, Medication Assisted Treatment, and more.

To learn about more about addiction, to connect with support, and to find resources related to addiction and recovery, visit the GOW Opioid Task Force website at www.gowopioidtaskforce.org.

Sue Gagne

Co-chair of the Families, Loved Ones, and Allies Work Group with the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force

Editor:

I attended today’s Lyndonville Board of Education meeting this morning. I’m taken back by what I witnessed in that meeting! I’ve never been one to attend meetings such as this, but with the growing controversy over the A.D. position, I wanted to see firsthand how it got handled. Privately I’ve spoken with people on both sides of the debate, prior to this meeting and formed my own opinion. The outcome at this meeting was to replace the current A.D. with someone else.

Now the issue I have with this isn’t the qualifications of either individual, or their ability to fulfill the requirements of the position. It’s in the Board’s lack of transparency! The situation could have and should have been handled more professionally.

By the removal of Mr. Dillenbeck and appointment of Mr. Zeliff the board created an uncomfortable situation for both of them, and the community as well. The current Board could have given Mr. Dillenbeck a chance to make changes. Instead they made, in my opinion, the wrong decision. Any and all repercussions should fall directly on the Board!

This is a great opportunity to remind the Board that they were voted into a position to do what’s best for the kids! Also being reminded that they work for us! The community who voted them into their current position can or will use that same voting privilege to remove them from their obligations to the students!

Sincerely,

Stephen Bane Jr.

Lyndonville

Editor:

In response to Mr. Simon’s July 1st Letter to the Editor, I think it deserves having some light shed on it.

Mr. Simon states, “NY taxpayers concerned about the rapid increase in sprawling industrial wind projects should take heed.”

The Power NY Act of 2011 established the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, which instituted a process for the siting of any electric producing project in NYS that generates over 25 KW, whether it’s wind, solar, fossil fuel, water or nuclear powered. This process and the regulations guiding it are a referred to as Article X.

In the last 8 years, 19 proposed wind farms have begun the Article X application/approval process. One has been put on hold. Three have been withdrawn. Of the other 15 wind farm projects that have begun the filing process, only one, Cassadaga Wind, has had their application approved. This is according to the Siting Board website. None have been certified. A wind turbine occupies less than ½ acre or approximately 19 acres in a project the size of Lighthouse Wind (which powers 50,000 homes) – not exactly “rapid or sprawling” increase.

Mr. Simon complains that NYSERDA and NYS DEC should not be members of the NYS Article 10 Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (the Siting Board) because he believes it is a conflict of interest.

Mr. Simon thinks there is a conflict of interest between the NYS DEC and the Siting Board but never tells us why he thinks this.

Regarding a conflict of interest between NYSERDA and the Siting Board, maybe Mr. Simon is trying to make the case that because NYSERDA awards money to wind farm developers, they are then biased toward approving wind farm projects. The NYSERDA “Green Fund” goes to all types of clean energy projects, not just wind projects. I fail to see how this constitutes a conflict of interest.

Mr. Simon accuses NYSERDA of using customers’ money to support wind farm development. Need I remind taxpayers that he and Yates Town Council members Riggi and Suhr voted to use constituents’ tax dollars to help the Town of Somerset pay legal fees that Somerset would incur in 2019 fighting against Lighthouse Wind? Based on what Somerset spent in 2016 through 2017 (the most recent full years at the time this was approved) that could cost $130,000 for the two-year period. The Yates budget for legal fees in 2018 was $19,000.

Mr. Simon accused Apex of not exercising “rigorous review” or “community development.” Apex presents the facts on their proposed projects when it is appropriate in the Article 10 process. Mr. Simon did not attend the October 2018 community forum that was held at Lyndonville School. In fact, he and others tried to prevent the meeting from happening after accusing Apex of not addressing community outreach. Regarding Apex supporting the community, please see Alice Mathis’ July 4th LTE.

I hope this helps clarify the status of Clean Energy in NYS.

Mark Crosby

Medina

Editor:

The Lyndonville Board of Education is holding a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, July 11th, at 7 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Middle/High School Library. No agenda announced at this time.

The Board seems to think that residents will not attend an early morning meeting, and they do not care. This is the lack of transparency that the Board needs to be held accountable for.

I encourage all readers and residents to attend. It is actions like this that call for us to hold the Board accountable. We are stronger in numbers.

Respectfully,

James White

Medina

Editor:

The need for volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel has never been greater, and I believe it has never been a better time to become a volunteer. Not only does volunteering help the community, but the benefits for the volunteer are great indeed – and, I’ve been working hard to expand those benefits to encourage more people to sign up.

This session I worked with local fire companies and the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) to draft three new bills that would extend benefits for volunteer firefighters. My legislation creates a scholarship for those who become volunteer firefighters or emergency medical responders (A.7809). If enacted, this bill would also allow for loan forgiveness to cover student loans of those who volunteer.

My second bill, A.7827, would benefit volunteers as well as their employers by allowing volunteer firefighters to leave work for mandatory fire prevention or emergency medical training while also creating a tax incentive for those who hire volunteers. This would offset any lost wages employers may experience by allowing their employees to leave work for their firefighting or EMS responsibilities.

My third bill, A.8307, would establish the Commission on Volunteer Fire Departments within the state’s Division of Homeland Security to help increase funding for the capital needs of volunteer fire departments and EMS organizations across the state. The commission would be tasked with studying the financial needs of these volunteers within different areas of the state and make recommendations as to how to modernize equipment without overburdening taxpayers.

These measures are just some of those I hope are available to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel soon. Please know I will continue fighting for the enactment of these bills and to support efforts to increase recruitment. In fact, recently I participated in an event to showcase students who have signed up to become volunteer firefighters and the self-confidence and leadership skills they are gaining.

Not only does volunteering give you a greater sense of self-worth but there are tangible benefits as well, including training and education programs; scholarships and tuition reimbursement; reductions on your property taxes; free museum admission; service recognition; tax and pension credit; and health and insurance benefits and screenings.

Our volunteer firefighters contribute so much to our communities – and they save taxpayers $3.8 billion annually. I believe we should do everything we can to help recruit more people to volunteer in order to continue those savings for everyone and to ensure the safety and well-being of our homes, property and, most importantly, loved ones. Thank you so much to everyone who already serves and to sign up, please go to www.fireinyou.org or contact your local fire company.

State Assemblyman Mike Norris

Lockport

(Norris represents the 144th Assembly District comprised of portions of Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties.)

Editor:

I would like to express my utmost support in regards to Mr. Jennings’ suggestion to name the new performing arts stage at Bullard Park in honor of Brennan Moody.

I did know Brennan, and am beyond proud to know his family as my dear friends. I have encouraged several people to read Mr. Jennings’ letter and all have agreed that naming this performing arts stage in honor of Brennan is an outstanding idea. It is a brilliant way to pay tribute to Brennan, his amazing talent, outstanding character, and overall kindness he displayed towards everyone.

I can only hope that this idea is heard by the people that can make such a thing possible.

Sincerely,

Jeff Benfer

Waterport

Editor:

I’d like to commend the 49 percent of Republican voters that took the time to research both candidates for Orleans County sheriff and turned out to vote in the June 25 Primary. To the other 51 percent of active Republican voters, you’ve squandered a great opportunity.

Four years ago the people that so adamantly backed the current sheriff said experience didn’t matter. They said the sheriff is nothing more than a figurehead. They preached that operational, budgetary, training and personnel oversight were not essential qualities needed by an elected official running the largest law enforcement agency in the county.

Now, the song has changed. Those same people now shout that experience is important, but only if it was obtained in Orleans County. So why the sudden change? In 2015 they had a candidate that spent his entire career legitimately rising through the ranks in the OCSO, but he couldn’t get union endorsements. In fact, sworn members of the department worked tirelessly to ensure that Tommy Drennan not get elected in 2015. Why did his experience not count?

Maybe it’s not that Tommy Drennan and Brett Sobieraski’s experience didn’t count, but either of them winning was too damaging to department “insiders.” Maybe the “insiders” in the department don’t want accountability and fair management. Maybe they don’t want their personal gains to be hindered by a boss that will do the right thing. And maybe they don’t want promotions to be based on merit, hard work and a good personnel record.

Voters should be astonished to see a patrol deputy with no supervisory experience get catapulted from a regular beat cop to the 3rd in command of the entire agency. That type of thing doesn’t happen in functional police agencies. Nearly everywhere else, being part of a command staff requires some type of prior promotion, proven leadership, or advanced education. But we’re talking about the OCSO, where campaigning for the winner will likely get you promoted. Sure, one could argue who gets appointed to higher command positions is at the will of the sheriff, regardless of experience.

Sadly the OCSO reeks of a political cesspool riddled with insider trading, an A-team vs. B-team work environment, quid pro quo backroom dealings, where personal prosperity takes precedent over the job itself. The chance to fix all of that might be gone because the beneficiaries of a Sobieraski loss told the voters who they needed at the helm. The last place you want politics and a “self before team” mentality is in law enforcement. It’s time for change.

Nearly half of the voters on primary day acknowledge the type of leadership, character and personality that Brett Sobieraski would have brought to a department that desperately needs a change.  They aren’t wrong, and the hope of Brett for Sheriff doesn’t need to end with the Primary.

Some people may say this a sour grapes letter. Maybe, but those people also know I’m right.

There is one last chance to effect change and get your Sheriff’s Office back on track Orleans County. Write Brett Sobieraski on your ballot in November.

Todd Smith

Churchville, formerly of Holley

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