Editor:

I would like to thank Ridgeway and Orleans County residents for their support over the past 14 years. The feedback, encouragement and even challenges on various issues facing our community continue to motivate me to serve as Ridgeway Town Supervisor.

I do face challenges for re-election this year, but I will not stop fighting to protect our local government so that it remains in the Ridgeway tradition of “by the people and for the people,” as long as I represent the citizens of Ridgeway.

For the convenience of the public, I have regularly-scheduled office hours at Ridgeway Town Hall in Medina (410 West Avenue): Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To ensure the smooth operation of town business, I am also available to citizens, other officials, vendors and service providers weekdays during non-scheduled hours, weekends and holidays.

Ridgeway has often been referred to as the “most business-friendly town” in the county, a designation we should be proud of and must uphold. I will always encourage local business expansions and new business development here. During my 14 years as Town Supervisor, I initiated the county’s first rural broadband expansion project and assisted with the county’s first court consolidation. In 14 years, Ridgeway has never exceeded the tax cap and we have expanded water lines to 90 percent of town. We are currently working on Water District #14, with #15 to follow.

This year we celebrated the establishment of the first solar farm in Ridgeway. I believe in promoting economic growth, not restricting commerce, technology and emerging industries. It is equally important to reinforce our existing business community.

As supervisor, I have worked with the Orleans Economic Development Agency to further the expansion and development projects for Helena Chemical, Brunner International (2 expansions), Miller’s Store, Dollar General and Sierra Biological. I welcomed any opportunity to sponsor Office of Community Renewal (OCR) grants for Ridgeway businesses.

To date, Ridgeway has sponsored grants totaling over $1 million for equipment purchases tied to the local expansions of Sierra Biological, Brunner and Sigma International. It should be attractive for businesses to stay in town and also move here so we can diversify our tax base and reduce taxes more.

I will continue to preserve Ridgeway’s zoning laws that allow property owners to decide how their property is used. The town and our residents have always been my priority, not advancing myself at their expense or the business of other towns. The last thing I want to see is residential property rights infringed upon and your municipal tax dollars spent on specialized legal fees or costly litigation.

It is challenging for rural communities like ours across New York State. Depending on the year, we contend with more overregulation, unfunded mandates and new burdensome State and Federal laws – we have to constantly adjust. I am dedicated to continuing to do so no matter what the future holds.

I believe I have proven myself to be a reliable and accessible Town Supervisor with an even temperament, capable of navigating the ups and downs of the economy without creating unnecessary risk for the town, its budget or public departments.

This June 25th is the Republican Primary, and I am a registered Republican. As many of you know, there has been a breech with the Ridgeway Republican Committee over violations to multiple sections of New York Election Law and New York Civil Service Law §107 during the committee’s interview and nomination process on February 9th. Regardless of my political affiliation, I will readily go without the Republican endorsement this year if it means not being endorsed by individuals who illegitimately advanced themselves and others to manipulate our elections.

I am dedicated only to my wife, God and this county. As a public servant it is my duty to work in your best interests, not to serve my own.  My re-election site and record of service to Ridgeway can be found online: RidgewaySupervisor.com. Thank you for your support Tuesday, June 25th.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Napoli

Ridgeway Town Supervisor

Editor:

This is in response to John Metzler’s letter posted on May 23. How do you expect farmers to feed millions of people with antiquated methods? Should we be farming with horses in five-acre fields?

The removal of hedgerows allows farmers to utilize more land for increased production.  Farmers employ many conservation methods such as tiling, rotational planting, etc.

Our economy is based on an abundance of cheap food. Also, the greatest advantage in this country is that you have choices – organic, herbicide-free, etc. What would happen if you went to the grocery store and the shelves were empty ?

Farmers have a right to use their land as they see fit! We live in a Right to Farm community! They are the backbone of this country! They are held to the highest standards of the Soil and Water Conservation program. Soil and Water’s permission is needed  to remove trees, tile, etc., and a request will be extensively investigated before it is granted.

In response to the loss of habitat and wildlife, how many dead animals do you see on the side of the road? In our area we have a large population of deer and geese. During early goose season you are allowed 15 per day and  during deer season you are allowed 4 doe permits and nuisance permits are given out quite liberally. Quite frankly there has never been more game than there is now.

Leave farming to farmers!

Kirk and Alice Mathes

Barre

Editor:

Today, I join millions of Americans who honor the sacrifice paid by fallen soldiers and their families. Generation after generation, beginning with the American Revolution, soldiers have stood ready to defend their country, freedoms and civil liberties with their lives. As a result of that sacrifice, our nation has been free, prosperous and the envy of the world throughout its history.

Americans owe a special debt of gratitude to our fallen soldiers and gold star families. I am especially grateful that my colleagues in the state Assembly finally joined an effort I have long championed to grant the dependents of fallen soldiers free college tuition. I am also proud to continue the tradition of Patriot trips to Washington D.C., the annual trip I take with veterans and their families to visit the Capitol of our country, which they fought so hard to protect.

As the son of a World War II veteran and a veteran of the military myself, standing up for veterans is a duty I will never overlook. That is why I cherish my position on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the Assembly. In the coming weeks, I look forward to continuing my fight for legislation to exempt honorably-discharged veterans from thruway tolls, veterans over 85 years old from paying state income tax and extending state benefits to promote veteran-owned businesses.

Nevertheless, on this Memorial Day I want to extend a special salute to our fallen soldiers and all of our nation’s gold star families. As a nation, we must never forget their extraordinary service and patriotism.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia

Editor:

(This speech was given to the Orleans County Sportsmen’s Federation on May 21.) I was asked to come here tonight to talk about current events that effect every person living in Orleans, Genesee, and Niagara counties one way or another.

I’ve provided satellite photos of a portion of Orleans County. The first one was taken in 1995, the last one was dated 2017. You will notice the loss of a great deal of forest, small wooded lots, and hedge rows.  Along with that, persons have drain-tiled a vast area of farm land which takes away pot holes that migrating species survive on.

As you travel in the three counties being sportsman or woman you may say to yourselves, “Gee, where did that hedgerow go?” or “Look! They are taking more of that woods” or “Oh my, look at the size of those Oaks, or Hickory, or Beach, or Cherry trees they are logging out.” And all along your thinking, “Well, I’m sure that somebody, someone, or government agency is looking into it, or making sure they don’t take too much.”

I’m not going to get into the blame game, that’s not why I am here. I am here tonight to provide you with my observation and facts concerning us all and the place we call our home.

As a child I was once told by a person I respected greatly, “Leave this place better than you found it” and that’s my goal.

Let’s talk about what the trees do for us. I’ve provided you with a paper prepared by three colleges in the West titled, “Trees Against the Wind.” In that publication you will find that they have determined that hedge rows left adjacent to farm fields do so much for the farmers. You have to wonder why we are removing so many. Trees also remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees are instrumental in providing rain fall. Trees shelter homes from bitter winter winds, which if removed cause energy usage for homeowners to skyrocket, which therefore causes the increased usage of fossil fuels to heat homes and businesses. Trees also provide homes for birds, bats, owls, wood ducks, squirrels, and let’s not forget the bees.

Trees provide what’s called mast which are nature’s food crops that feed turkeys, deer, squirrel, and birds with much needed nutrition for the winter to come. Trees help prevent erosion of farm fields, trees also help mitigate overspray incidents (which by the way are skyrocketing).

I am also going to suggest that people here purchase a copy of this core manual for pesticide safety education. It can be found at Cornell Cooperative Extension at this very location. It cost $40, however I believe its money well spent.

While cancer rates keep rising it boggles the imagination why in some circles we believe that the solution to all problems is the next chemical to be liberally distributed and sprayed on all of our foods and fields. I’ve been slapped with what’s called the Food Security Act of December of 1985 P.L99-198 also known as the 1985 U.S Farm Bill on a number of occasions while speaking to bureaucrats.

In summary I believe it says, provide affordable foods and fiber for low-income people and the rest of the population included. You only need to ask yourself then, “Is that why we find veggies and soy in most of our pet foods?” “Are we producing too much of certain crops that we need to place them everywhere?” And, knowing that most of the world does not want or need America’s food crops, I simply have come to the conclusion that certain agencies are responsible for leaving our farmers behind the rest of the world.

It’s time for a change America. We need to begin focusing on our home and how we can begin to bring a fix to help rural property owners, sportsman and sportswomen, and also to farmers as well.

Now let’s discuss other issues. Some local farmers and landowners are disappointed because they feel they have lost the battle to install 600- or 800-foot industrial wind turbines in our rural landscape, this has set off a fire storm. You see a letter from the Orleans County Sportsman Association stating some of the federation does not endorse the proposed Lighthouse or Heritage Winds projects.

In response to that, certain people are threatening loss of usage of their lands for snowmobiling, ATV and hunting. Along with that, in Barre we have had several documented cases of theft and vandalism too (no turbine yard signs), as well as other vandalism to property owned by people who openly opposed these projects.

Looking at the big picture here, I think everyone in this room can come to the conclusion that the place we call home, the place where our children play, swim, fish, and reside is in peril.

What are all of us, that includes government agencies, farmers, sportsman and women, rural land owners, and local representatives going to do? I offer one solution: let’s 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.

John Metzler

Barre

Editor:

Hi, my name is Linda Weller and I am running for a seat on the Board of Education for Albion.

It was not too long ago that our district was the go-to place to see fresh ideas, passionate debate and goal-driven leadership in budget stretching, technology, and student performance, as well as teacher mentoring and affirmation. Sadly, we have dropped in most categories to below average and if there is to be a future in Albion, we must elect leaders whose energy can revitalize the institutions including the schools.

I own a technology company in Rochester, we continually benchmark our performance against our peers – the industry changes so fast that using last year’s goals, systems or software prevents us from providing the best value and the best experience for our clients. School districts are no different. If we have bound ourselves to systems, protocols, and processes of 20 years ago, we cannot provide the best experiences for our students, their parents, and the community.

I believe we should be observing, adapting and adopting best practices both internally and from adjacent or other comparable school districts, to improve student performance. Our teachers should have the opportunity to interact with the teachers in those districts, to share ideas and best practices. I believe we should be seeking out grants for STEAM programs (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), as well as other grant opportunities. One way to achieve this is by utilizing the Smart School Bond money, already allocated to the district.

Albion’s literacy levels have dropped in the last 10 years, some factors may make the job difficult, but we could be much more successful if our teachers had confidence in the district’s direction and credibility. If they don’t have faith how can we, as a community, expect them to confidently give this district their best efforts?

Albion may never have the dollar resources of schools like Spencerport or Brighton, Williamsville or Sweet Home. But we do know from past experience that Albion can be a high achieving district, and I am willing to work collaboratively, and commit the time and skills necessary to achieve this goal

A number of people have asked why I would want to run for School Board again. I was previously elected in 2013. I planned to continue serving, but lost an election last May by only 40 votes. Rather than be discouraged, I’m even more passionate. I’ve been there. I know what needs to be done, and I am willing to work hard for this community.

I ask for your vote for a seat on the Albion School Board.

Thank you.

Linda Weller

Albion

Editor:

I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the Medina School Board for the past 9 years, 2 of those serving as board president. I’ve served along with my dear friend Lori Draper for 6 of those years. We’ve worked hard for the district making the tough decisions that have allowed us to provide a solid education for our children, one that that represents a value to our taxpayers and our community. Our efforts have paid off tremendously with our recent school rankings, academic results, as well as the wonderful successes of our athletes, artists, musicians, and BOCES and Tech students in their recent skills competitions. I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have done, but there’s more work to do.

Lori and I have both volunteered in the schools. Lori volunteers with the Band Boosters and other events. I’ve volunteered my time taking photos at sporting events, special programs, and band shows as well as bringing our TDI Certified Therapy Dogs to the schools to work with the children. I’m in the process of training Ellie, our next certified therapy dog. We hope to pass our test this summer and be able to start at the school regularly in September. Lori and I truly enjoy our volunteer service.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Kellie Schrader-Hurrell when she attended a board meeting. Kellie sounds like she’s got what it takes to become a solid board member.

I believe that together, Lori, Kellie and I, can continue to carry on the work of the board to provide a sound education to our students at a price the district can afford. We’d appreciate your support and your vote, on Tuesday, May 21st, in the District Office from noon to 8 p.m.

Sincerely,

Wendi V. Pencille

Medina

Editor:

The Medina school board election is Tuesday. We have four people running for 3 seats.

I ask you to vote for Mary Eileen Hare. Mary Eileen was born, raised and attended Medina schools, graduating with a Regents diploma. She has shared her skills within Medina and outside of Medina.

I recently asked her what her vision for the board would be. She told me she would like to see the board become more united and change with the times and demographics of our district.

She sees a need for mutual respect and support for the entire working body of the school—teaching staff, support staff within the classrooms, office personal, custodial staff, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, administrators, parents and the board.  All are essential to make our school a continued success.

Mary Eileen would like to see the PSTA build. It is a bridge between the parents, teachers and the workings of the school. A strong PSTA will benefit our entire school system.

She would also like to see put in place a comprehensive plan for disasters. Our police department must know all three buildings thoroughly. There should be a plan in place informing where parents will gather for information and keeping roads clear for emergency vehicles. Our children must be educated to know what to look for and to report suspicions immediately.

Mary Eileen would like to see an adjustment in our school taxes. Taxes must be affordable. The school must practice fiscal responsibility, just as we all do with our own budgets.

Other topics to be considered are support for the children schooled at home, elimination of bullying, and continuation of volunteers in the school.

Board members must make their presence known in the schools to “See, Observe and Listen.”

Sincerely,

Ann McElwee

Medina

Editor:

It has been my high honor to serve on the Medina Central School District Board of Education for the past six years, being president the last two years.

Together with administration, staff and the community, we have made great strides in the work of continuous improvement for our schools.

It is once again budget approval and election time for area school districts.

I urge all eligible voters to turn out Tuesday, May 21, to exercise your right to vote.

Being committed to working on a school board takes concentration, dedication and time. Being effective is more than just holding the position and showing up for meetings.

We are ambassadors to the community and advocates for our students and their families.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Wendi Pencille for all of my six years. Additionally, I have been impressed with Kellie Schrader Hurrell and Mary Eileen Hare.

I feel these three candidates will carry on the course of excellence we have so carefully charted in the recent past.

Please remember to vote on Tuesday!

David Sevenski

Medina

Photo courtesy of family: Richard Murray rings the bell after completing radiation treatments for prostate cancer about 2 1/2 years ago.

Editor:

I am writing to you and to members and service agencies of the Albion community. My brother, Richard Murray, lived in an apartment on Main Street for the last 18 or so years. He died April 22 of natural causes. He didn’t want any services or notices. His internment will be private. He is survived by 5 brothers and sisters, several nieces and nephews, many special friends and acquaintances, and his two cats.

We have received comments from neighbors and friends about how people thought of Richard. He would collect bottles and cans on “his route” on a regular basis overnight until he could not physically do his job any more. People remarked that he was friendly, polite, smiling. His appearance, long hair and beard, could be off-putting, but we are grateful that people looked past that and really got to know him.

I would like to especially commend your local Social Service agencies, in particular the Office of the Aging. Richard often railed against “the government.” He basically just wanted to live his life as he liked. But your Offices proved to be so helpful. He wanted to stay in Orleans County and Albion even though it meant he was not as geographically close to the family.

We are so impressed by everyone’s kindnesses and caring. He really was happy at home in Albion. He was a singular person, we shall miss him.

Tom Murray

Tully, Onondaga County

Editor:

When writing about things which really smoke your grits, knowing most people don’t seem to genuinely care about the elderly, our endangered Republic, and/or defenseless wildlife—among others—it can get to one’s “noggin”.

Today, I am focusing on avian victims of speed. Speed kills. It kills birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other “lesser” forms of life, just as it does human beings. Can we afford it?

A handful of your readers know that I earlier reported that several years ago a single vehicle likely killed six young tree swallows in one pass while they mourned what was probably their dead mother while they surrounded her near the side of a “country” road.

As I noted about a year ago, North American Bluebird Society President, Bernie Daniel, needed to be told by this “local yokel” three times that a common gallinule was evidently killed by a vehicle not far from our house. It was sent to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. An incredulous Mr. Daniel told me that the only common gallinule he had ever seen was in Costa Rica.  A Cincinnati-area resident, Daniel also expressed surprise that Orleans County had a fair number of American kestrels, though their numbers appear to have dropped off this year. (For wind turbine advocates, kestrels are cavity nesters, and more turbines will mean fewer of the cavities kestrels and screech owls—among many other birds—require for reproduction.)

Though you are correct, I did not see it, the gallinule mentioned above was almost certainly killed by a vehicle. And it is true that birds are killed by vehicles obeying the speed limits quite often.

While walking our shi-poo, “Tucker”, today, my attention was called to a song sparrow (a native sparrow named for its delightful singing) that had been killed earlier. Did I see a vehicle collide with it? No, I did not, but it, too, is headed to Sapsucker Woods.

Neither did I see the vehicles that snuffed out numerous other native song birds, birds of prey, and even game birds, during my 74-plus years. But it happens a lot. And the faster we drive, the more likely it is to happen.

The faster we do most things—such as mow the grass—the more innocents get killed as a result. In my view, those who are in the biggest hurry to get there (or “git ‘er done”), ordinarily have the least idea of where they are going (or what they are doing).

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

We note several letters in support of industrial wind in Barre.

The lack of understanding of what these turbines will do for the community is quite alarming.

The writers cite financial advantages to the communities but fail to understand the enormous almost unthinkable profit taking that will take place. Imagine that each turbine, we hear, represents $6,000 (Six Thousand) in revenues from subsidies and generation. That number is per day. Do the math.

So please tell your readers not to sell out for crumbs. That is all a new school yard or community improvement ever is: crumbs.

The harm to the community will be immeasurable. The fact is that even with curtailment at night, many creatures, at unacceptable levels of impact, will be killed. It is inevitable. How many more bats can we afford to lose? Each bat consumes about 1,000 insects per hour. Imagine the benefit to agriculture. Bats are now known to experience the most impact, never mind White Nose Syndrome, from industrial wind turbines.

The fact is: there will be very few long-term permanent jobs. That is a fact. Spain, the UK and Italy, have lost net jobs due to the high cost of power. Ontario, Canada, has lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs in 8 years mainly due to the Green Energy Act, and again, the high cost of power.

Someone gets rich: it is not the community, the town, and the people. Guess who. And please ask your readers to remember that worldwide, electricity is only achieved at point two of one percent, net zero, from wind turbines. What a waste of landscape, habitat, fossil fuels, from which they derive, and what a chilling lack of human imagination.

We wish and pray that the Heritage Wind project, what a docile name, never sees the light of day.

Sherri Lange

Scarborough, Ontario

(Lange is CEO of North American Platform Against Wind Power and Executive Director of Canada, Great Lakes Wind Truth.)

Editor:

I am Dale S. Root, the endorsed Republican candidate running for Shelby Highway Superintendent. I am a 40-year resident of the Town of Shelby. Husband to Helen, father to Kathy, Jess and Joe. Proud grandfather to Haylie, Lexi, Major and Barrett.

With my wife, we are co-owners of Dale S. Root Farms and Dale S. Root Trucking, two vertically integrated  businesses that my daughter Jessica and son Joe will take over at the end of the year.

I will be retiring and stepping down from the day to day operation. I have sound business experiences in budgeting, labor management, a good knowledge of machinery and truck maintenance that I hope will give a new and much needed perspective to the office of Shelby Highway Superintendent. As a business owner, I know what it takes to do more and work with less.

A few issues I have come across that I would like to see changed:

To repair a fractured relationship between the highway superintendent and the town board.  Working together  to analyze issues and create a plausible plan .

The town of Shelby should incorporate the use of our local Iroquois Job Corps, and the Sheriff’s prison worker program. Both of these are free programs that come with supervision, which will free up town personnel to do much needed service on the water districts, road and machinery maintenance, etc. These individuals would be able to mow and maintain the cemeteries along with road side clean up.

Water meter reading issue. We as taxpayers  are paying the town twice to read the meters. Each water district has a $6.75 per meter fee allocated for meter reading that is paid to the appointed water supervisor (highway superintendent), but the meters are read by a town employee at the hourly wage of $25.78. At times, two employees are on the job upon the superintendent’s orders. This costs the taxpayer the meter fee of $6.75 (that goes to the water supervisor) plus the employees’ hourly wage. I would like to work with the town employees on paying the meter read once.

The town has purchased a $30,000 GPS system to map all the water districts, main valves and hydrants so in case the need arises, fire personnel, town employees or contractors have precise coordinates. Currently, this system is not being used.

Another savings to the town is the pension program. I will opt out of the program saving the town  $4,000 in annual contributions.

These are a few things I have discovered in a short period of time, mostly from reading the budgets. These are really not town board issues, but is an administrative issue that belongs to the current highway superintendent .

I am asking for your support.

Dale S. Root

Shelby

Editor:

The Cobblestone Museum’s second annual Membership Fundraising Dinner that was held on Wednesday, May 1, was a huge success! We want to take a moment to thank the many people who made this success possible including our dedicated committee members and everyone who attended the event at the Carlton Recreation Hall. Many thanks also go out to the businesses and individuals who donated or sponsored prizes.

This year our gross revenue from our campaign was $50,690 which is a great start toward meeting our annual budget of $176,790. The event income was comprised of the membership portion of the dinner ticket and the live auction, silent auction, and raffles at the dinner. We are very pleased to note that this year’s total exceeded last year’s event by $6,381.

Special thanks to Sheriff Randy Bower who once again served as our auctioneer and did his part to keep the bidding going! Our third annual Membership Fundraising Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at the Carlton Recreation Hall, and we hope to see you there!

Gail Johnson – Cobblestone Society Membership Secretary and Dinner Chairperson

Dick Remley – Cobblestone Society President

Editor:

I, too, attended the tour of the High Sheldon Wind Farm on March 29. I drove myself, paid for my own lunch, and listened intently to the various speakers through the entire presentation. I am not a leaseholder. My goal was to better understand accurate and first-hand information for myself and to be able to relay this information to concerned Barre residents who genuinely wish to understand the implications of having an industrial wind project in our township.

Driving home, I felt cautiously optimistic about the Heritage Wind Project. Having lived in Barre for 33 years, I have a serious concern for our economy. In light of other options that have been previously proposed (race track, dump), I believe the proposed Heritage Wind Project is superior in both environmental and economic aspects.

The following points support this:

• Much ground work was done ahead of time, including a long SEQR process and painting grid lines on the ground where windmills would be located.

• Pictures of roads in Sheldon were taken before and after from which the wind company repaved many miles of roads to repair damage and restore them to better than previous conditions.

• The wind company put $90,000 into a historical town building.

• Money to the town from the wind company went up at a rate of the consumer price index (2-3 1/2%) per year. They started at $11,000 per windmill per year to the landowner.

• The town has received over 10 million dollars in over 10 years. Sheldon has zero town debt and it has helped everyone have zero town taxes.

• During the building phase, the town benefitted with housing rentals and the supervisor said, the “bars and restaurants were packed,” helping the local economy.

• Their population of 2,200 is very similar to Barre. Their budget is $1.1 million.

• Windmills were approximately 400 feet tall with an 800 foot setback.

• They negotiated a Host Community Agreement so that the town received the majority of the money.

• Their fire tax went from .96/$1,000 to .26/$1,000.

• Reassessed home values have increased and house/farm values have gone up by as much as 5%.

• Permanent, high-paying jobs were added and wind turbine techs were hired locally. One woman (a local that had been hired by the wind company) told us that she had been able to put $100,000 into a 401K in ten years by working for the wind company.

• Technology is used to turn the turbines off at sunset when bats come out to avoid harming them. It also exists to turn them off during times of migration.

• We did get to talk to a leaseholder for quite a while and could ask him questions. He was a local farmer. He explained that with no town taxes, people had more money to fix up their property and increase its value. He was very proud of his operation and saw no ill effects of the windmills.

• We stood directly under a windmill, just a few feet from the base, which confirmed for me that the sound was very significantly less than my lawnmower or the trucks that go by my house. It was easy to converse at the base of the windmills without noise interference.

Barre definitely needs to do its homework and from the information I gathered on the tour, it points to many ways to get the most out of an agreement with Apex if that is the path they choose. Currently, the Town of Barre does not have high speed internet to most of the town, the entire town does not have public water, and we are very much in need of a new fire house.  While most of us love the rural nature of our town, it is also necessary to look to improving the economy and our tax base for the people living here. I am interested to know how most of the people of the town feel, not just the most vocal. This project is an opportunity. If it is not the right one for Barre, then what is your suggestion?

I am hopeful that Barre can come together on the best solution for the majority of the people.  Establishing your point of view and doing all the research to support that view is easy. Let’s try to be a little more objective on both sides and consider each other’s point of view.

Sincerely,

LuAnn Tierney

Barre

Editor:

Kerri Richardson, president of Clear Skies Above Barre, recently wrote a letter about her version of the High Sheldon Wind Farm tour, sponsored by Apex. To say that she has misrepresented the information presented is an understatement.

As she was very open in saying, she missed a major part of the tour which was the bus ride, because the second part of the bus ride was an actual tour of the operating wind farm, guided by an actual lease holder. This portion also included a stop at the base of an operating turbine.  Exactly the type that she has specified in her smoke screen of publicly available facts that have no bearing on the actual intent of the letter, which is to twist the limited information that she did get into some sort of attempt at showing what was a quite positive presentation in the most negative light possible.

Ms. Richardson’s organization would better be named, “Keep our taxes High in Barre” as one of the better benefits of the placement of wind turbines in Sheldon has been the abatement of property taxes for the entire area. Not just the lease holders, but the entire town. The PILOT payments from Invenergy have given the town operating capital that is more than enough to do improvement projects as well as general upkeep on all town properties. The local schools and fire departments have benefited as well, since they are also taxing entities and get PILOT money too.

Ms. Richardson is very good at citing the smallest downside of anything as the biggest worry possible.  A decline in population (not directly attributable to the wind turbines) is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when it is opening land for farming. The tax abatement provided by the development of the wind farm has given many local farmers the relief that they have needed to hold onto their farms and continue the family business. And no matter what she classifies as “business,” I would like to assure Ms. Richardson that farms are indeed serious business.

Having heard only a small portion of the conversation about migratory birds, Ms. Richardson seems to believe that there is no sort of protections being implemented to protect the waterfowl that traverse our skies every spring and fall. She seems to imply that the birds will be decimated as if they were flying directly into a food processor. This is simply not the case. First and foremost there will most certainly be a review of the application by the DEC, and they will have to sign off on the application. Without their approval this project won’t be done.

The Town of Barre and any other taxing entities could benefit greatly from the placement of wind turbines. We currently “make” milk, some vegetables and cow manure. The tax benefits of these are quite small, and the farmers bear the greatest burden. If we want Barre to survive, and even thrive, then we need to let this process take place.

We need to do our work on making the best possible deal. Supervisor Pogue and the Zoning board have to step up and do their part as well.  The variance needs to be granted for the height exception to the current zoning ordinance, during consideration of a permanent change.

One of the biggest fears that I hear is that the development may be abandoned if it is not profitable enough, and the town will be left with unmaintained turbines standing in the town. There is a mandated bond contingency to cover that possibility but it is highly unlikely, as the development wouldn’t even be this far along if they thought that this was going to be an unprofitable location. No profitable business is abandoned. Even if it is sold, once the infrastructure is in place, the worst thing that is likely to happen is that it will eventually be improved and made more efficient.

Karl White

Elba

(Mr. White is also a Barre landowner)