Editor:

Many of us from the townships of Somerset and Yates were heartened by the news that Apex “Clean Energy” had withdrawn its application to construct a 108-megawatt, 30-turbine industrial wind turbine complex on Galloo Island, at the eastern end of Lake Ontario.

Public concern and involvement did stop an ill-cited major industrial wind turbine project. The Galloo project has fluctuated through several variations over the last 12 years. The withdrawal has come, unfortunately, with the caveat that Apex is “open to initiating the project (again) when the time is right.” When does no really mean NO!

When does the bullying and harassment of a small rural community by huge billion-dollar companies stop!

Lighthouse Wind, like Galloo, is the wrong project in the wrong place. More than 5 years have passed since Apex ”Clean Energy” solicited their first secretive 49-year leases in the Town of Somerset. The citizens of Somerset and Yates have in that time period educated themselves about the alleged benefits and potential hazards and negatives of an industrial wind turbine project.

It has been overwhelmingly concluded after three independent surveys, countless public meetings, public hearings and an Apex forum, that residents feel the risks are far too great and the benefits are nil.

There are better ways to “save the Planet and protect our children and grandchildren” than cluttering up the landscape with huge grotesque structures that threaten the health, welfare and lifestyle of residents.

Mothers Up Front should make note of the following: The Nature Conservancy, a widely respected environmental organization, has concluded that “conserving and restoring forests, grasslands and wetlands can deliver up to 37 percent of the emissions reductions needed to curb the climate change predicted by 2030.”

We are blessed with those features in our area. Preserving and enhancing the growth and preservation of forests, grasslands and wetlands has been public policy for years dating in Somerset, back to the original Comprehensive Plan of 1972.

Local ordinances of both towns have codified this policy. We in Somerset and Yates are well aligned with those who desire a “cleaner, healthier Earth.” The proposed Lighthouse Wind project is in direct conflict with this and is in violation of Town Law. Ignoring this, Apex “Clean Energy” continues to bully our community in the hope that the Article 10 Siting Board will disregard long-standing policy and current law and approve Lighthouse Wind.

Tragically, organizations that could support this open space policy have recently bought in to supporting Lighthouse Wind. Specifically, the Sierra Club and the Adirondack Mountain Club have endorsed Lighthouse Wind. These organizations have strayed far from their original roots and have lost their way and damaged their creditability.

Perhaps it is because the vast majority of the membership will never live among industrial wind turbines and is therefore content to  clutter someone else’s backyard. The NIMBY movement is alive and well among the supporters of Lighthouse Wind.

It is time for Apex “Clean Energy” to reassess the risks and rewards associated with the development of Lighthouse Wind as they have done for the Galloo Island project and terminate all effort.

James C. Hoffman

Somerset

Editor:

Mr. Wilson, whom is lecturing who? I merely responded back to your style of writing that is designed to make you look smarter than everyone else. I gave my perception of the business climate in this state as a businessman.

You may have not been targeted by anyone but there are too many who have. I find it to be delusional to think it does not happen. There is nothing pretentious here. I have read your letters and responses to letters, and one can only deduct from that ideological leanings.

You seem to seek out Republicans and Conservatives when you do respond. I have yet to see you disagree with anyone with left or far-left leanings as you claim to also disagree with. I never said you personally hated oil companies, go back and read. The picture painted, as you say, is one you drew.

One can see the same picture differently but my glasses are not rose-colored. Sometimes one has to look in the mirror. You claim to place free speech in a high regard but it seems only when it’s speech you agree with. You state to leave the messenger out yet your letters are laced with jabs and barbs. I find that hypocritical.

Did you ever think you may be wrong? I kind of doubt that. I myself won’t respond to any of your letters that I am not the subject of because honestly your opinions are too easy to refute, a total waste of valuable time and intellect. Handle it like a man and in the future show some restraint.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Editor:

Now in our third generation of farming in Gasport, our family is proud to be part of the population that feeds families in our community and beyond.

March 14 is National Ag Day, a time to recognize the important role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products. Our family farm is dedicated to producing wholesome, nutritious milk. To do so means taking excellent care of our cows–ensuring they have a healthy diet, plenty of fresh water and clean, comfortable living conditions–no small feat during this challenging winter!

There are no snow days or delays for farmers and harsh weather makes routine tasks harder–but farming isn’t just our job, it’s our passion and way of life.

You may have heard dairy farmers are facing tough times right now. Want to support us? Think of us when you go to the supermarket. Choose real dairy products—milk, cheese, yogurt or your family’s favorite dairy food. Warm up with hot chocolate made with real milk, creamy soups or grilled cheese.

Learn more about dairy farms by visiting AmericanDairy.com.

Beth White

Gasport View Dairy Farm

Gasport

Editor:

According to the CDC only about 1 percent of abortions occur after 24 weeks. There are several reasons women may need an abortion at this time, including maternal health or fetal abnormalities.

These may include pre-mature rupture of the membrane, pre-eclampsia or placental abruption and many other conditions. These conditions can cause severe blood loss and septic shock. Doctors and nurses who perform these procedures are specially trained in ethical decision making in difficult complex circumstances. We can not know the circumstances of other people.

It is callous and simplistic to try and shame medical conditions with bumper sticker slogans and sound bite morality.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

This past year, there has been considerable discussion on windmills. However, no one has mentioned the amount of trees that have disappeared.

While our attention has been focused on windmills, acres of trees have been removed by the dozer. Windmills would certainly change the landscape. However, the landscape has already changed due to the vast amounts of hedgerows that have been taken out. We should be watchful regarding the amount of hedgerows and woods that are continuing to be removed.

Where we once looked out and viewed a colorful tree line, we now see traffic a mile or more away on a distant road. We have seen as farmer’s fields have increased in size. Farmers need bigger lot sizes to accommodate larger equipment. Overgrown hedgerows can hinder the drainage of water resulting in the flooding of crops.

Towering trees remove nutrients from the soil. Trees create shade, which starves the crop of adequate sunlight resulting in lesser yields. These issues and others threaten the farmer’s bottom line. Thus, hedgerows become no more than costly obstacles.

Still to some the hedgerow is appreciated for its natural beauty and the resources that are located within them. Hunters favor these types of habitat for their variety and abundance of game. Hunters bring revenue to the state through license fees.

Ironically, some of the money collected is allocated to protecting the hunting environment.  This type of environment is a bird watcher’s paradise! There are many other reasons to consider the importance and existence of hedgerows.

New York tourism pitches the state’s colorful fall foliage which brings revenue into our region. But consider, a big part of that color is located in hedgerows. However, when you remove so many trees that same colorful foliage is removed as well!

We must consider the impact of removing these types of habitat. New York State provides protection for wetlands, but offers nothing for the preservation of hedgerows and woodlots.  Our legislature needs to address this issue. That is why I have sent copies of this letter to our state representatives. Hopefully, this concern will bring discussion to the table.

Final thought: it is understandable that we are troubled about unwanted windmills. However, we should also be just as disturbed about our disappearing countryside.

Jim Fackler

Albion

Editor:

I would like to respond to Paul Lauricella’s letter posted on Feb. 17, 2019. I don’t care that he constantly sees conspiracies perpetrated by the media, Hollywood, scientists, government agencies, priests and pastors.

I don’t care that he thinks those who are concerned about the way we treat the environment are out to destroy the economy and the country. I don’t care that he dismisses social justice and civil rights as some kind of leftist plot to ruin America. That’s how conservative extremists think. They sing the praises of corporations and companies who treat our air as an open sewer. They only believe the writings of those who support their narrow, profit-oriented destructive “pro-corporation” agenda. I understand all that.

But the truth is 97% of scientists believe human activity is driving global warming, and global warming is and will become an even more serious threat to human health, crop production, public safety, coastlines, ocean habitat and the US economy. The only scientists who do not make these claims are those who are employed by the fossil fuel industry. They are the ones Mr. Lauricella calls “real scientists.”

Remember the saying, “who’s bread I eat, who’s song I sing”?’ Government scientists such as those employed by NASA and others are constantly fighting to make their voices heard over President Trump’s censorship. Some are getting fired. I wonder why.

What crosses the line is Mr. Lauricella’s accusing our public school teachers of “child abuse” for teaching science. He echoed Donald Trump Jr. who recently referred to teachers as “losers.” Mr. Lauricella, I worked for several years with and for the Orleans County agency in charge of investigating allegations of child abuse and working to keeping children safe. I actually had to remove children from their homes in the middle of the night when it was clear they were in imminent danger of serious harm. It was a job I took very seriously.

I object to your politicizing and trivializing the term “child abuse” to mean teachers explaining to children scientific facts you may not understand. Make no mistake, global warming and the pollution of our air and water by unregulated industries will result in serious child abuse for generations to come.

Perhaps Mr. Lauricella should run for a seat on the Board of Education if he feels so strongly about the curriculum that schools teach. In the meantime, he and Donald Trump Jr’s inflammatory rhetoric has no place in the civility we are hoping to achieve in this county.

And finally, science doesn’t care what any of us believe. Accurate scientific consensus gives our energy policy meaningful direction, for an efficient use of our resources and a result that is beneficial to humans and nature. Even if they are wrong, or we can stop this thing, please tell me the harm of cleaner air, cleaner water and less dependence on fossil fuel.

Mr. Lauricella claims that alternative energy won’t satisfy our energy needs. He couldn’t be more wrong. A recent study by Stanford University researchers predicted that the world could be powered entirely by renewable energy in just 20 to 40 years from now. And given that we already have the technology, it’s not that hard to imagine. What good is a lot of corporate money when we can’t breathe the air or drink the water?

Al Capurso

Gaines

Editor:

Mr. Lauricella attempts to paint a picture of me that is so far off I’m not sure where to begin.  This gentleman lectures me about the way business works – although I have started three small corporations spanning nearly 40 years. For the record, I closed the first business, my second went bankrupt and my third remains ongoing after two decades. I was never “targeted” by anyone at any time. To suggest otherwise is to be either uninformed or delusional – akin to your suggestion of “Lauricella Envy” – whatever that is – but don’t flatter yourself.

Lauricella believes that I am an extreme leftist. This is truly laughable. I dislike and disagree with extreme leftist in equal measure as I do the extreme right. And by the way, my personal voting record would reveal nearly equivalent votes for both parties. I vote on merit and qualifications – not party affiliation.

I also don’t hate the oil companies. Where on earth did you get this idea? My personal portfolio contains shares in nearly all of them. They are by-and-large solid long term investments. On the other hand, some time ago the Rockefeller Family, who’s family fortunes are grounded in oil, have divested themselves of the industry entirely.  I’m not one to go that far.

Before you paint a picture of anyone – or begin to lecture – or promote one side of a two-sided story as being the only side – you may wish to consider that you might be wrong – or at least as wildly off the mark as you are here with your pretend portrait of me.

Mr. Lauricella is clearly committed to his point of view. That’s perfectly fine. No objections. I place free speech in very high regard. Personally I prefer more flexibility in thought and action that you may, but that’s just me. However, Mr. Lauricella, I will call you out from time to time. Truthfully, you’re kind of an easy target. Handle it like an adult and stick to the message – and leave the messenger out of it – poor call on your part.

With far more clarity,

Darren D. Wilson

Lyndonville

Editor:

Instead of asking our leaders and neighbors if they believe in climate change, we need to start asking if they understand it. Real scientific evidence is not something that can be debated. Over the last century, the human race has completely transitioned the world into a more industrialized and technologically advanced society.

While these advancements created the luxuries we all enjoy today, it also sparked irreversible degradation of the planet. Burning fossil fuels, among other practices in the modern world, release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases create a metaphorical blanket around the earth and trap energy in the atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise.

Over the last century, the average global climate has risen by 1.5 degrees Celsius. This may not seem like much, but it has already caused more extreme weather patterns. Just look at our last month in western New York. In the first week of February there were a few days with windchill warnings of negative double-digits, followed by two sunshine-filled 60 degree days, followed by a freezing ice storm. This is not business-as-usual.

In past decades, we as a society were not aware that our actions would cause so much destruction. We relied solely on fossil fuels for energy without knowing carbon dioxide was warming the atmosphere. We used harmful household chemicals that later were proven to burn a hole in the ozone layer. Now, we don’t have the same excuses that we did in the 70s and 80s.

Today, we know that our actions directly affect the fate of the planet. It is up to us to make conscious decisions about how to preserve the earth for our children and grandchildren. This may seem like a daunting task, but one way we can work together as a community to fight against climate change is right in our backyards.

On Feb. 5, Mother’s Out Front gave a presentation at the Hoag Library in Albion to express the need for Lighthouse and Heritage Wind to meet New York State’s energy goals. The goal is to have a 40% reduction in total greenhouse gases below 1990 levels and to obtain 50% of our electricity from renewables by 2030. By 2050, the goal is to obtain 75% of our energy from renewables.

In order to obtain this goal we need 10,000 megawatts of energy to come from wind power, even with the utilization of nuclear energy. Currently, there are 28 operational projects in the state, which produce 1,800 megawatts of clean energy. We are in desperate need of more wind power projects across the state.

Lighthouse and Heritage wind can potentially add another 360 megawatts to chip away at our goal. It is essential that we as a community, as parents, and as grandparents, support the development of these wind power projects. We now know the consequences of our actions on the planet and must act accordingly.

Linda Fisk

Lyndonville

Editor:

The chart attached to this letter is a screen shot from nyiso.com taken on Feb. 28, 2019 at 6:55 p.m.

The chart indicates the percentage of renewable energy being uploaded to the NYS electrical grid at that moment in time.

Please note that the hundreds of industrial wind turbines in this state were contributing 0.47 percent to the grid. And yet as taxpayers and ratepayers were are supposed to believe that somehow we can rely on wind power to fill this modern society’s need for steady electrical power. Sadly, wind is intermittent. Moreover, this chart indicates that at 6:55 p.m. on Feb. 28, it was almost nonexistent.

What this graphic also indicates is that the Niagara Power Plant, existing since 1961, and occupying a fraction of the footprint that will be required by Apex’s Lighthouse Wind, is a large part of our renewable energy success story. Hydropower is efficient, reliable, and already here. It does not require the industrialization of some beautiful rural areas with 600-foot wind turbines that may last 15 to 20 years, and then must be removed. In contrast, the Niagara Power Plant has been operating literally non-stop for 58 years.

This chart speaks for itself and for the residents of Somerset and Yates, the majority of whom can see clearly that there is no need Apex’s Lighthouse Wind.  If you want to save the planet, keep the bulldozers out, and point out eagles flying overhead to your grandkids, then promote hydropower.

Christine Bronson

Somerset

Editor:

As a long-time Assessor in this county I am offended by the implication that because the STAR program only resided with the assessors we allowed fraud. Words should be carefully chosen so as not to offend and imply wrongdoing.

We have provided this service to our public for free for many years. (How much is the new-and-improved program costing taxpayers?) The state used to pay the towns for each application. However like most of the aid to localities, this too has disappeared. However we continued to provide this service to our taxpayers because we are public servants first and foremost.

We do our very best to verify incomes to insure that no one is receiving anything that they are not entitled to. We are denied access to the state database which does limits us. Most of us assessing in our own town(s) know our people, know our properties and we do pay close attention, believe or not. Remember, government closest to the people serves the people best, can the government farthest from the people make a similar claim?

I called the STAR Assessor hotline yesterday for one of my taxpayers who after many years on Auto Renewal (IVP) is this year being questioned about their income despite fact that they continue to file income tax each year. The state rep (doing as instructed) would not answer my question, “Is their STAR okay for 2019?” We are being treated with suspicion when we try to assist our taxpayers, many of whom are elderly and really need our help. Is this what the state wants, everyone is guilty until proven innocent?

I happen to be one of the assessors who feels the penalty for fraud is much too low and would not deter anyone determined to cheat. I also feel that those caught cheating should be banned from receiving the exemption permanently.

I am also one of the assessors who believes that most people, including the assessment community, are law-abiding decent people who can be trusted. In a small town we know who the criminals are. I am sorry that there is corruption in certain segments of the political community which gives all of us a black eye when in reality most public servants are good people doing good things every day.

Thank you.

Cindi Davis

Assessor for Town of Clarendon

Editor:

Ms. Larkin, since when the does the Constitution allow the Executive Branch (law enforcement) to usurp the powers of the Judiciary? That is, the authority to interpret our laws as being constitutional or not constitutional? Or, as you so eloquently stated here, oppressive or unoppressive?

How did I miss the revolution that flushed the Legislative Branch consisting of my elected officials (along with the rest of “We the People”) down the toilet – enabling law enforcement to arbitrarily decide which laws best serve our interests and those that do not?

More importantly, how may I become deputized so that I too can pick and choose those laws I need obey or disrespect based on my own personal interpretation of the Constitution?

Even if you agree with the principles behind the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, as you said, the Sheriff remains the CLEO, or … “Chief Law ENFORCEMENT Officer” and is not a legislator, interpreter or amender of the law.

Any law-abiding, elected Sheriff (constitutional or otherwise) will tell you that “law enforcement” has just one job regardless of level of government. Any guess what that might be?

Finally, when does law enforcement start to look and sound like a police state? I’ll give you a hint Ms. Larkin, it’s when law enforcement has the power to say that you are bound by the law and that others (including themselves) are not.

Respectfully,

Tom Graham, AHS ‘78

Rochester

Editor:

I’m not sure what letter Al Capurso thought referenced Joe Arpaio, but if it was mine, he was mistaken. However if he needs to know who some of the Constitutional Sheriffs are, he might look up Richard Mack, the sheriffs in Washington and New Mexico who are refusing to enforce oppressive gun control laws, Darryl Wheeler of Bonner County, Marty Gleave of Piute County, and those on this list (click here).

Even though Joe Arpaio supports CSPOA (Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association) and claims to be Constitutional, it does not follow that every other member of the organization is like him. Nor does it follow that he actually is a Constitutional Sheriff.

This is a statement from CSPOA about vetting your sheriff: The Sheriff is identified as the CLEO, or chief law enforcement officer of his/her county. As an elected official he/she is the ultimate protector of the people providing a check and balance locally for any state or federal agency that may infringe the constitutional rights of the people.

The sheriff is a citizen first. Elected by citizens (the people). And answers only to the people.

Our goal is to educate citizens and elected officials, from sheriffs to commissioners to judges on their Constitutional rights and responsibilities. With this knowledge we become empowered to walk in our inalienable rights that have endowed upon us by our creator.

Perhaps Joe Arpaio was not such a Constitutional thinker and that is why he lost his race.

Judy Larkin

Ridgeway

Editor:

Over the past month, 212 responses to a canvass done by Know Your Facts USA have been posted to the Public Service Commission docket. In the cover letter, it is stated that “No board members or leaseholders have been included in these numbers.” In a video posted on the Know Your Facts USA Facebook page, it is stated that friends and family of leaseholders are also not included in the canvas.

Approximately 2,000 people live in the Town of Barre. Eliminating leaseholders and their friends and family leaves a large percentage of the residents and taxpayers unaccounted for. This exercise was not fair or unbiased and should be taken with a very large grain of salt.

In the summer of 2018 Labella Associates conducted a survey of the town’s opinion on Heritage Wind. Out of the respondents who are full-time Barre residents, 46% of them are in support of the project, 36% are opposed, and the remaining 12% are either neutral or need more information. The survey report from Labella states that “potential leaseholders are still members of the Barre community. Their expressed concerns, knowledge, and opinions need to be accounted for as part of a whole picture for the Town of Barre.”

Alice Mathes

Barre

Editor:

I’d like to introduce to you a despicable man named Joseph Arpaio, former sheriff from Arizona. He was a self-professed “constitutional sheriff” and a very dangerous man who thumbed his nose at state and federal laws in his pursuit of his extreme fascist/racist vision of America. And he was convicted for it.

In his years as sheriff, many of Arpaio’s policies were struck down by the US Supreme Court. According to Wikipedia, Arpaio has been accused of abuse of power, official misconduct, misuse of funds, failure to investigate sex crimes (when white males were accused), criminal negligence, torture, improper clearance of cases (when white males were accused), unlawful enforcement of immigration laws, election law violations and racial profiling.

He was found guilty of criminal contempt of court for violating the civil rights of US citizens. Donald Trump gave him a presidential pardon and called him a “patriot.” Arpaio investigated President Obama’s birth certificate and to this day believes it was a forgery. Fortunately, he was defeated in his sheriff race in 2016.

In a recent letter in the Hub, there was a thinly-veiled attempt to hold Arpaio up as someone our future Orleans County Sheriff should emulate; someone who ignores state and federal law when there is a question about its constitutionality.

Excuse me, but the duty of the sheriff is to enforce all laws through investigation and arrest. It is the duty of the Orleans County District Attorney to indict and prosecute. Therein lies the check and balance of our constitutional judicial system. We don’t need a rogue sheriff doing an end-run around laws enacted by our duly elected legislators. Stay vigilant.

Al Capurso

Gaines

Photo by Tom Rivers: A bird’s nest is high on the Orleans County Courthouse.

Editor:

Orleans County has been given a wonderful chance to put itself on the map in a positive light.  The news that a yet to be identified avian critter is considering nesting in the west corner of the County Courthouse should be welcomed for what it is—another opportunity for us to demonstrate to the thinking world that we can sometimes co-exist with other creatures without great inconvenience to ourselves.

Will permitting this creature and her mate to procreate and raise their young produce some mess? You bet it will. Would the resulting cost and trouble incurred give some folks a “bad hair day”? No doubt.

I say, let nature take her course. We will be better for it. Think about what it will convey to our youth.

And, by the way, volunteers trimmed the 175-year-old beech tree on Beaver Street some years ago. My guess is volunteers will take care of this potential situation as well—after the fact.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion