Editor:

Last week I watched the deliberations in the US Senate chambers. This, of course, is the continuing drama of the Senate confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh. He is, by all accounts, an excellent choice for Supreme Court Justice.

We all saw the accusation by Dr. Ford, of high school age sexual harassment by Judge Kavanaugh. We all saw Judge Kavanaugh defend himself with strength and righteous indignation! If you think you witnessed a search for justice, you are wrong! You also did not see a Democrat Party support a victim of sexual abuse.

Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh are both pawns in the attempt of the DNC to control the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh is expected to be an originalist. A Supreme Court Justice who will interpret our Constitution as original in meaning. The Democrats are willing to use lies or any underhanded means destroy his reputation and stop his confirmation.

The American people have long lived under the threat of decisions made by activist judges. The issues of abortion, separation of church and state, same-sex marriage and Obama Care are all tainted by activism. Judge Kavanaugh must be confirmed. The Democrat Party must be defeated at the ballot box.

Joseph Rak

Lyndonville

Editor:

I wish to provide some clarification to your recent article regarding the Lighthouse Wind presentation at the Lyndonville School on October 2.

First, your article correctly states the nameplate rating of the facility at 197.4 megawatts (mW). Information regarding the actual output was conveniently omitted by Apex representatives.  Over the course of a year, output will average about 60 mW due to the variable nature of wind.  That’s about one tenth the capacity of the existing Somerset plant.  During the summer months, when wind speeds are generally lower, and when demand for electricity is highest, output will average 25 to 30 mW.  On those steamy calm summer days when you want to crank up your air conditioner and swimming pool pump, output will be near zero.

Mr. Williamson stated that the facility will make the towns “..a high value area to live and work.”  Hard to believe that people leaving a once quiet but now industrialized area would result in a high value area.

Mr. Williamson touted a 1.5 million dollar annual tax payment to the six taxing jurisdictions in the project area. That number is based on their proposed Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT).  Given the objections from the towns and counties affected by the project, it is highly unlikely that a PILOT arrangement will be accepted. More likely is the idea that the facility will be taxed as an industrial facility, which would result in 6 to 9 million dollars in annual revenue. That, at least, would result in some real benefit to the communities. You can be sure that Apex will fight tooth-and-nail to avoid that type of arrangement.

Apex advised that 200 to 300 construction jobs would be created over the course of 6 to 8 months of construction.  Conveniently missing from the discussion, although asked, was a response to a question regarding how many of those jobs would be from local workforces.  It is also worth asking whether those local jobs would be under prevailing wage agreements or at lowest possible wages.

The 41 studies that Apex must conduct as part of the Article X application are not all environmental studies.  In fact, only a few fit this category. Others deal with electrical production, construction and other unrelated areas.

Mr. Williamson pointed out at the beginning of the meeting that this public meeting was not part of the Article X process (read that as “we’re doing this out of the goodness of our hearts”) but at the conclusion of the meeting, stated that the notes from the meeting will be submitted to the DPS as part of their Article X requirements. Which one is it?

Finally, only a few questions were answered by the Apex panel of “experts” at the meeting.  No opportunity for public discussion was offered. The audience was advised that all (repeat all) unanswered questions will be answered on the Lighthouse Wind web site after November 2.  Anyone want to take a bet on that?

Steve Royce

Appleton

Editor:

Amazing! The Town Of Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals is recommending another solar energy moratorium. The previous one expired. Yet, they will allow commercial development and destruction of green space within the Historic District.

When the idea of a moratorium on commercial development in the Historic District was proposed, it was met with resistance from the Town. This isn’t “apples and oranges.” It’s a valid question as to where our priorities are.

It looks like corporate dollars are more important than historical and environmental protection. “Money talks, nature walks.” Why have a Historic District when anyone can wreck the surroundings and construct a cheese-box of a store we don’t need?

It is my hope that the town’s quest for “regulations” pertaining to solar energy isn’t a veiled attempt to outlaw solar farms in Gaines and keep us dependent on polluting fossil fuels.

Al Capurso

Gaines

Editor:

Hurrah For Apex!

Tuesday evening’s forum conducted by Apex Clean Energy was a real winner for proponents of the New York’s Article 10 process. The Virginia developer certainly has kept its first stringers on board to see this project through. The forum at Lyndonville School’s public auditorium was a welcome relief from the stridency and boorish behavior that usually prevails when two or more S.O.S. types congregate.

Unveiling for the first time the proposed locations of the wind turbines, the presentation was a model for how public meetings should be conducted. Embarrassing rants by local politicians and assorted clean energy opponents were nowhere to be heard at this meeting. Just honest, rational assessments of the advantages and the disadvantages of completing this ambitious project.

The reduction in the number of wind mills from the original 70 or 80 to the current 47 is overwhelming good news for the entire Yates and Somerset communities. The doomsday scenarios painted by S.O.S. are quickly fading.

As a Yates taxpayer, I’m hoping the current Yates board will renegotiate the ill-conceived blank check given to the Supervisor to pay 50 percent of burgeoning legal bills aimed at killing the project. If he can’t get Yates’ share down to less than 20 percent, the Yates board should kill the deal outright. It’s clear that Somerset, with its fat coffers from the coal-fired power plant taxes era, is in a better position to pick up the entire tab.

Hopeful citizen,

Ralph E. Smith

Lyndonville

Editor:

Thankfully, we have survived the yearly nightmare of finding correct supplies for our children to start school. When I had children in school, the list was logical and doable. Now students are expected to bring (among 20-plus other things) Kleenex, batteries and maybe 20 glue sticks.

I was helping a family of 7 children, and started going bat crazy finding the stuff on the lists.  There is no way I could do it right, so I gave up. I was told to “go to Ministry of Concern.” Really?

Like they need to shop for color-coded folders on top of the zillion other things they do? My Niagara County friends donated a ton of things that their kids never used so I sent that stuff to the schools. Not one person I shared my frustration with disagreed with me. All said that this is just outrageous.

If the district can spend millions on a new access road to the middle school, air conditioning for 2 months  a year, and sports, then Tissues, soap and crayons (not “dollar store” and don’t forget the brand name scissors… ) should be in the budget.

I was a department head at a school and school supplies were in my budget. Kids purchased some spiral notebooks and pens. We had a class set of scientific calculators that lasted for years.

Come on boards of education, do the right thing. This whole thing contributes to bullying (“ I brought  brand name stuff, not like your crap”) and anxiety … and wouldn’t it be nice to eliminate some of it. We can. Demand a change. I made my call to the superintendent.

Debby Rodrigues

Medina

Grandmother for 7 children

Editor:

It has been 3 1/2 years now since Apex Clean Energy held its first and only public information meeting at the Barker Fire Hall on April 1, 2015. Since that day there has been no divulging of Lighthouse Wind project details released to the public. What residents have learned, however, is that Apex’s employs slick and deceptive practices.

• Apex’s own January 2015 Public Involvement Plan filed on the Department of Public Service website called for multiple information sessions on such topics as the Grid, Turbine Technology, and more. Apex’s elaborate descriptions included “local workshops on turbine technology,” “a review of the specifications of models proposed for this project currently,” and “interactive sessions on what the community will see during and after construction.” To be clear, these or any other information sessions were never offered or publicized at any time.

• Apex’s own Preliminary Scoping Statement filed in November 2016 was deemed “deficient” by the DPS, but never resubmitted for corrections or omissions.  Responses to public questions about their PSS were glossed over or completely ignored.

• Apex held onto landowner leases keeping them under wraps, sometimes for many months, before they were publicly registered at Niagara or Orleans County offices.

• Apex had to be publicly pressured for much of 2015 to actually sign New York State’s Wind Code of Conduct, which was done in March 2016. Municipal employees with Apex contracts had not been publicly disclosed as per this state requirement.

• Apex sued the Town of Somerset Planning Board over met tower placement, forcing the town to spend funds for legal defense.

• An Apex paid lobbyist Bo Shuff presented false information about Save Ontario Shores and town residents in a presentation to the Buffalo Sierra Club. Three individuals present from Somerset subsequently filed affidavits to Attorney General Schneiderman regarding the false statements made.

• Another lobbyist and former Apex executive Dave Belote was portrayed as a military spokesman who endorsed the coexistence of industrial wind turbines and the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. Belote had actually worked for DC lobby firm Cassidy and Associates.

• In a surprise move Apex forced the Town of Somerset to relocate a public hearing because they had imported union members from Buffalo to occupy the limited seats for residents.

• Apex’s Taylor Quarles was a no-show to present info on met tower inspection data to Somerset Planning Board, as required by the special use permit.

• At a Yates/Carlton Sportsmen’s Club event, when directly questioned, Apex biologist Dave Phillips denied a May 2015 letter addressed to him from US Fish & Wildlife Service about the service’s recommended industrial wind turbine setbacks from Lake Ontario shoreline.

• Apex has used questionable methods to get reluctant landowners to sign leases.

• Apex CEO Goodwin has failed even to acknowledge letters from Somerset Supervisor Engert and Yates Supervisor Simon requesting a meeting.

• Apex spokesman Williamson gave incorrect information to Yates Town Supervisor Simon that Apex “was denied” access to Barker or Lyndonville venues for this upcoming October 2 “Forum,” his rationale for originally having the event scheduled in the Town of Ridgeway. (Apex’s forum was hastily relocated to Lyndonville school.)

• Apex has failed to divulge critical project details from the general public for over four years. In fact, it looks as if the public will be getting more of the same, because in their forum scheduled on October 2 in Lyndonville, Apex promises to reveal the turbine array, but the format of this event is highly unusual. Apex will not allow questions from the audience directly to their “panel of experts”; questions must be submitted to a moderator who will then present them to the panel to be answered after the presentation. “Questions that may go unanswered due to time constraints will be answered and posted to lighthousewind.com after November 2.”  Thus, Apex will be controlling what information they choose to reveal, and what will likely still remain under wraps—omitted from the program.

Is it any wonder, then, that this developer has no credibility? How much will we learn about this project? Why so secretive? We have seen and heard enough misinformation and obfuscation from Apex Clean Energy and want no part of its industrial wind turbines in Somerset and Yates.   And that’s the truth.

Christine Bronson

Councilwoman,

Town of Somerset

Editor:

We have received yet another mailing from Lighthouse Wind (ie: Apex Clean Energy). This time it is regarding an Oct. 2 “Community Forum.” The banner reads as such:

“LIGHTHOUSE WIND Presents Community Forum: Site Plans, Expert Panel and Community Q&A”

And:

“Mark your calendar: Lighthouse Wind will host a community forum on Tuesday, October 2.  We will share the proposed project layout, hear from a panel of experts, and hold a community Q&A session.”

It is interesting that Apex Clean Energy would term this event a “forum.” By definition, a forum is:

1. a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged

2. a court or tribunal

In order for there to be a forum, each party to the forum must be fully informed of the material to be discussed. Only then can there be a free exchange of ideas. Apex Clean Energy has shared none of the forum subject information. In fact, Apex Clean Energy has held this information very close to the vest. They have shared this information with no one … except their representatives. In addition, a true forum empanels experts from both sides of an issue. Clearly not Apex’s plan.

Believing Apex Clean Energy’s statements on commitment to public outreach and in order to prepare for the “forum,” I contacted Apex Clean Energy at both local and toll-free numbers to obtain a copy of the planned presentation materials. At the time of this writing, no response.  So much for public outreach.

Without full dissemination of information, there can be no free and clear exchange of ideas. As such, this “event” is not a “forum” in the primary definition. That is: “a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged’, but more of the secondary definition: “a court or tribunal.”

If you do not prefer the secondary definition, then think of this event as more of a lecture and not in the educational sense. Think of it as more of a lecture in the disciplinary sense. That is, Apex presenting their project and the panel of experts at the ready to expound on how wonderful this project will be and how uneducated and in-the-dark is the opposition.

Unfortunately for Apex, the communities of Yates and Somerset have made their decisions via:

1. Multiple elections

2. Town laws

3. Multiple surveys

4. Statements of support from Boards of Health, County Legislatures and Multiple National, State and County Organization

Of course, Apex Clean Energy will attempt to “astroturf” this tribunal with outsiders that stand to profit from the project as this is their standard operating procedure. However, our towns have taken our position and it is against Apex Clean Energy and the destructive Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Project.

I expect the Apex-sponsored tribunal and their panel of experts will not newly convince anyone in Yates or Somerset of the positives/benefits of Lighthouse Wind.

The only thing that Apex will accomplish will be to further convince Yates and Somerset that Apex should just pack up and take Lighthouse Wind with them.

Wonder what Governor Cuomo is thinking about all of this.

Thank you,

John B. Riggi

Councilman, Town of Yates

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Editor:

In 1969, I served in the military and fought in Vietnam with the infantry; I put my life on the line for my country’s honor. During that time I did not feel that the values and institutions of our democracy were at risk.

Now, however I am very worried about the values that define our republic. The President’s assaults on the free press combined with the complacency of the majority party undermine the institution of a free press.

In addition, the assault on the FBI and the Department of the Justice by the President and the Republican Party is undermining confidence in our rule of law. The President’s and GOP’s refusal to investigate foreign interference in our election is undermining confidence in our elections.

Mr. Trump’s cabinet members, Tom Price and Scott Pruitt, mishandled funds. Other members – Ryan Zinke, Ben Carson, Steve Mnuchin and Wilber Ross – are under suspicion of graft. The GOP shrugs. There are a number of Mr. Trump’s team that have met secretly with Russians and lied about doing so. The Republican Party is either complacent or complicit in the destruction of these American values and institutions.

My congressman in the 27th district endorses these assaults on our institutions and democratic values. He just released a xenophobic, racist political ad that he endorsed in which he lied about his opponent.

We need to return to values of Truth and Justice in our political system. Vote for Democrats. Vote for Nate McMurray.

Thank you.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Recently I attended the OCALS Learning Services 12th Annual Dinner Meeting and saw my long-time friend, Virginia Kropf and her husband, Al, in attendance.

It brought great warmth to my heart because she was one of the first people to help the OCALS organization get started through her promotional/publicity and writing skills and also supported us as a board member of Eastern & Orleans United Way. She knew of the crisis of illiteracy in Orleans County and the lack of services being provided.

Thankfully, she attended all annual dinner meetings and wrote outstanding articles, including photos which helped to validate the work being done by OCALS.

When Virginia, better known as Ginny to her friends, said she’d attend an activity of OCALS…she didn’t fail us. Our organization appeared several times in the Batavia Daily News and also the Medina Journal-Register.

When I learned that Ginny became a reporter for the Orleans Hub … there aren’t sufficient words to express my happiness and gratitude to those responsible for adding Ginny to their staff.

We saw the beautiful article written on OCALS 12th annual dinner meeting that included outstanding colored photos of various people in attendance, highlighting everything of importance to our organization.

I am very grateful to Ginny for the terrific article she wrote about the annual dinner meeting, and to your wonderful online newsletter for helping OCALS promote its work and the cause of literacy.

Sincerely,

Rosemarie Ruck,

Founder of OCALS

Byron

Editor:

The recent fiasco surrounding the location of the October 2 Apex Lighthouse Wind “forum” is another in a series of instances that demonstrate the lack of credibility surrounding Apex Lighthouse Wind operations.

This “forum” is intended to lay out the details of the Apex proposal to construct up to 70, 600-foot-high industrial wind turbines in the towns of Yates and Somerset. This information has been requested by local residents of Apex countless times over the last 4 years and is necessary to completely assess the serious impact Lighthouse wind will have on our quiet rural community.

Most recently the “forum” was scheduled for the fire hall in Ridgeway, allegedly because other suitable locations in Somerset and Yates were not available. This turned out to be entirely false. Why then, was this event scheduled miles from the project area and miles from the people most effected? Clearly, Apex wanted to avoid having to face the people who would be most impacted by Lighthouse Wind while at the same time drawing in those that support, as long as the project is in someone else’s back yard. Fortunately, the “forum” has been relocated to a more acceptable location. The event however is taking on the characteristics of a propaganda blitz.

Other instances of strained credibility have regularly occurred over the years since Lighthouse Wind was proposed in 2013. Recall the secretive leases, the nondisclosure agreements, the closed technical meetings, the private lease holder meetings, the lack of response to questions, the endless generalizations and most recently propaganda mailings rife with inaccuracies and unsupported information.

How then could Apex ever be a reliable partner in a huge undertaking such as Lighthouse Wind? The answer is, they could not! Couple this with the facts that the power to be generated is not needed and the location is highly problematic. All activities related to Project Lighthouse Wind should therefore be suspended and the project should be terminated!

James C. Hoffman

Town of Somerset

Editor:

I wish to respond to Bob and Dawn Harker and their recent letter in the Orleans Hub, September 20. I’ve had serious doubts about Chris Collins for a long time now. He stands directly opposite many of the issues I care about.

First and foremost is his desire to repeal New York State’s duly enacted gun control law known as the SAFE Act. History and common sense shows that sensible gun laws save lives. Everyone is law abiding until they massacre.

Giving unfettered access to assault weapons with large capacity ammo clips is a recipe for social disaster, as the evidence of our own eyes has shown us. This is also just one of the reasons why I oppose the nomination of pro-gun Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. I say this as a hunter and gun owner (shotgun and .22 rifle). Enough!

Mr. Collins favors oil drilling and other destructive activities in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge and other environmentally sensitive lands. Harming our remaining wilderness areas while maintaining our dependence on polluting climate changing fossil fuels make no sense at all. It is a double whammy we cannot tolerate. Our emphasis should be on safe renewables like wind and solar. When someone tells you renewables can’t replace fossil fuel, they haven’t done their homework. Just look to examples around the world.

Mr. Collins sees Social Security and Medicare as social programs to be cut or abolished to pay for federal budget shortfalls. Am I expected to believe Mr. Collins doesn’t know we paid into Social Security and Medicare all our working lives? That money is ours for our cost of living and healthcare needs.

Mr. Collins’ support of Trump and his economic policies means he favors welfare for the rich and corporations. Tax cuts to make wealthy people wealthier is grossly unfair to American labor. Wages remain stagnant and inflation is growing.

But Trump’s economy is booming for CEO’s. To make matters worse, Trump and Collins want to limit the ability of labor unions to bargain. Don’t like unions? Then give up your Saturdays, paid vacation, healthcare, minimum wage and the other benefits won by unions that you now take for granted. Even companies like Kodak which did not have unions modeled their treatment of employees after the those benefits fought for by unions.

I can’t speak to the guilt or innocence of Mr. Collins, or Trump for that matter. I trust in our judicial system to make that determination. What the Harkers seem to fail to realize is that the prosecutors in New York that indicted Mr. Collins are the same ones that have indicted corrupt Democrats in state government.

As for the mainstream media being leftists, that is carrying Trump’s water, calling truthful reporting “fake”. Remember, the press is only an enemy to those who fear the truth.

Thank you,

Al Capurso

Gaines

Editor:

Regarding recent letters, Congressman Chris Collins is entitled to a presumption of innocence in his federal criminal prosecution. That said, he is a liar who has lied to the very constituents who sent him to Washington to “Drain the Swamp.”

He previously announced that his son had sold Australian stock at a great loss AFTER bad news was public. Allegations are that the stock sold before the news. This is an easy fact to prove:  the brokerage statements will show the sale before or after the news. Release of these facts will show if Collins is a liar.

The Trump Justice Department is prosecuting this case with a Trump appointed U. S. Attorney; the rascally Democrats cannot be blamed. The decision for Collins to run is driven by his “Dream-Team” criminal attorneys (he lied about cooperating with Republicans to get off the ballot) so he will have a “bargaining chip” in plea negotiations.

Collins has the best legal defense money can buy. If you support him, maybe the yard signs should say: “Vote for the Millionaire Liar, he needs the Plea Bargain.”

Gerard M. Morrisey

Gaines

Editor:

We take the unpopular stance of supporting Chris Collins.

We grew up in a world where people were “innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Obviously, that is no longer the case, given the dishonesty in Albany and DC today.

Let us be very clear, We opposed Collins’ initial run. I, in fact, worked very hard on David Bellavia’s campaign in the GLOW counties. The Erie County money machine elected Collins, despite us winning Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

Since he won, I’ve studied Mr. Collins’ every speech, interview, and action. I have found him to be a true conservative that has fought for the things most of Western New Yorkers believe in.

Given that, my family will offer Mr. Collins our full support.

If evidence proves he conducted criminal actions, we will withdraw our support and advocate prosecution.

But not before evidence is provided to the public.

Given the recent actions of the Democratic Party, we have every reason to question the validity of these charges.

Until then, we will not be influenced by the mainstream (left) media.

Bob and Dawn Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

This was a text sent to Assemblyman Steve Hawley on September 15.

Dear sir:

As I was driving the other day, I couldn’t help but notice that on route 31A, just west of the Route 31A and 98 intersection, someone had bulldozed another 10 acres of forest and piled the trees all along the surrounding hedgerows, to be burned at a later time.

Do you sir realize how long it will take to consume the debris from these activities! All the residents in that locale will have to endure the smoldering mess for weeks. How can this type of activity  be allowed in a time where environmental consciousness is on the rise?

As you know, we face a deforestation crisis right here in western New York already. And the people I used to call farmers just keep killing all that remains! They are working real hard, it seems, to foment the next dust bowl.

I believe with all your knowledge as a former farmer you must be capable of seeing this. I’m asking sir that you take a stand, do the right thing and help preserve what is left of rural habitats in your district. I do not often ask for a reply but this time I am asking for a reply from you.

From your friend,

John Metzler

Albion

Editor:

I would like to thank the Town of Murray District 6 Republicans for their votes on September 13th. Because of their gracious effort I was voted in as a District 6 Republican Committee member.

I am honored and privileged to represent the District 6 Republicans and be a voice for my neighbors. As stated in my “Intentions Letter” posted on the Orleans Hub August 6th, I will seek to nominate candidates that reflect Republican Core Values and represent residents fairly, honestly and openly while serving on our Republican Committee.

Thank you again,

Kellie Gregoire

Town of Murray Republican Committee

District 6