Editor:

Speaking as a past member of the legislative minority, I would like to thank outgoing County Attorney Dave Schubel for his years of even-handed service to Orleans County.

Perhaps I missed it, but Mr. Schubel appeared to perform his duties as an advisor to legislators in an objective, fairly non-partisan, fashion. In today’s environment, that is refreshing and may be missed, depending on how his successor views the role of County Attorney.

Enjoy whatever form your retirement takes, sir.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

My name is Kellie Gregoire and I am a candidate for the Town of Murray Republican Committee for election District 6.

I am a God-fearing woman who has lived in the Town of Murray for 19 years. I have been married to my husband Mark for 20 years and together we are raising our 6 children in our country home along Ridge Road. I am actively involved in 4-H, home schooling our children, a school bus driver, a domestic engineer and operate a small business.

I was inspired by an advertisement in the Lake Country Pennysaver this spring by Allen Lofthouse of Kendall. He encouraged people to become involved in their community by running for their respective political committees. I have also been very inspired by our President, Donald J. Trump. President Trump said (talking about Americans) “We will never give up, we will never give in, we will never, ever back down, and we will never, ever surrender-because we are Americans and our hearts bleed Red, White, and Blue.” I remembered that it isn’t just my right to run for government office, it’s my civic duty.

The committee’s primary role is to nominate candidates for election or appointment. The current District 6 committee members do not live in our district. I would like to have District 6 residents represented by someone who lives here in our district and it would be my privilege to serve them. I would also like the voters to elect their representatives during the primary elections on September 13, rather than having someone appointed for them by the current committee.

I have no political, financial or professional ties to the Town’s Government. I would merely like to be a voice for my neighbors in our district by nominating candidates that reflect Republican Core Values and represent you fairly, honestly, and openly while serving on our Republican Committee.

Sincerely,

Kellie Gregoire

Murray

Editor:

Mr. Wilson, in his recent letter, ponders the question of immigration with deliberative thought. I really disturbed Mr. Wilson with my lack of facts. Mr. Wilson I am not re-treading tired worn out stereotypical opinions that have been disproven for 150 years.

I am merely stating what is going on in the country and worldwide with Illegal immigration in the 21st Century. Your bundling all immigrants into this argument. I welcome legal immigration. Come in the front door. Prove your worth. Come on a VISA, we know who you are, then go home.

You also know then when President Ford created that council (DCCOIA) that the house was controlled by Democrats (not yet quite as rabid as today’s) followed by the 2nd worst president, a Democrat (my opinion) in my lifetime.

Appointments are made by who you know in the ruling party. Always look at the names. These were stacked appointments to achieve the result. You should know that.

True, President Reagan signed the Immigration reform and control act that gave amnesty to 3 million-plus illegals – more like 11 million. He regretted it afterward. It was a get tough act but failed because nothing was done by Tip O’Neill and the liar Democrats like Teddy Kennedy who promised to control the border. They did nothing. They also controlled the house till 1994.

That is what’s driving the movement for a wall in 2018. The citizens have been burned before. You seem to be leaving out facts, too. You also have it partially wrong about the illegal immigration reform and immigrant responsibility act of 1996. It was not the left’s bill (the left never tires of Illegal immigration) it was a Republican bill and was passed after Clinton signed the welfare reform bill. (Remember they won the house in 1994 – the 104th Congress.)

It was a tough bill but ended up having bad results as it finally beefed up border patrol and accelerated deportation but it gave many illegals pause to settle here in the States under the radar rather than get caught trying to invade again. Then they started having children and of course you liberals use the children as weapons to advance most of your dirty deeds. So they illegally invaded and stayed rather than risk getting caught going back and forth. It actually turned out to be a disaster, again why we’re here today.

There were 2.5 million illegals who invaded under Obama, slightly less than Bush who was hardly a Republican. The numbers kind of balanced themselves around 11 to 12 million as those sneaking in were pretty equal to those being deported by both. That’s too many illegally in our country, sir.

Taxpayers spend $18.5 billion on illegal invaders’ hospital bills every year, says an article in Forbes. It’s a well-known fact the strain on hospitals that illegals have through the country. That’s not counting the education and social services strain on the taxpayers. Kind of nullifies the invaders’ contributions.

National security, Mr. Wilson? The people here Illegally don’t give a hoot about this country. They protest waving flags from their own country, trampling and burning ours. Disrespecting the police and private property. These are the young people you’re talking about that are flocking here. Mr. Wilson when it comes to the USA there is no country that is near or our peers. Do you really believe that China and Russia are scared of us because of our immigrant population? They laugh at us. They don’t take in every kind of refugee. They are smart. We have the strongest most powerful, lethal military in the world bar none.

If they have any reason to fear us, it’s because of that, and our armed to the teeth population. We are Americans and we are exceptional. We should only admit legal immigrants that are skilled, self reliant and useful to the betterment of the USA.

By the way I am the son of an Italian immigrant, World War II veteran who came here legally with a sponsor, learned the language, promoted a work ethic to his children, flew the American flag, embraced the culture, loved this country and knew the difference between right and wrong.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Editor:

This letter was read into the public record at the July 12 Yates Town Board Meeting in the presence of Mr. Paul Williamson, Project Manager APEX Clean Energy, regarding the proposed Lighthouse Industrial Wind Project.

“A note of thanks to Mr. Williamson and cadre for clearly describing your 8 tenet strategy for destroying the towns of Yates and Somerset.

You have indicated that:

1. There is no impact on NFARS

2. Turbines are good for the environment

3. Turbines are good for infrastructure

4. Turbines are good for the economy

5. Turbines are safe for birds

6. There is no need for Yates to have laws governing wind turbines

7. There is no need for a baseline health study

8. There is no need for a PILOT

Let’s take these one at a time:

1. There is no impact on NFARS:  Clearly, you have no understanding of the economic history of Western New York. Unlike Virginia, where you live, Western New York is an area with many challenges. High taxes, little economic and industrial development combined with a complete lack of interest by Albany make this a hard-scrabble place to live and thrive. Yet, we do. That’s because we are, as a people, extremely protective of those unique aspects of life in Western New York. Unique aspects such as the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS) base in Niagara Falls.  You say there will be no impact. Frankly Mr. Williamson, your very presence in this area is a threat to NFARS. This base employs 3,500 breadwinners with good paying jobs in an area where good paying jobs, actually any jobs, are difficult to come by. NFARS has been slated for closure twice by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRACC) and we have learned the hard way that any small reason to put a negative spin on a base may cause its closure. So, your impact on NFARS is a clear and present danger to all of Western New York. This is one of the reasons that Orleans, Niagara and Erie counties have opposed you.

2. Turbines are good for the environment: Really!?! How are turbines good for the environment? If allowed, you will blast massive holes into bedrock, potentially impacting aquifers. Pour tons of rebar concrete into each hole. You do this, even as residents are prohibited by law from pouring concrete in the water of Lake Ontario due to leaching. Your holes will also leach lime into Lake Ontario, negatively impacting pH of the water and as a result the lake ecosystem. You will also segment and destroy wildlife habitat. Good for the environment? I think not.

3. Turbines are good for the infrastructure: This Mr. Williamson is downright laughable. You are not coming here to improve the infrastructure. You are coming here to stick steel and concrete into the ground and then repair infrastructure. Turbines are not good for infrastructure.  Nothing can change that, regardless of how you twist the words.

4. Turbines are good for the economy: This is a flat out lie. People who can get out, will get out. Driving property values down. Business will not come where the people aren’t and your tiresome statements of 10-15 good paying permanent jobs rings untrue today as it has since you first stated it, oh so many years ago.

5. Turbines are safe for birds: I’m still laughing about this one. If one bird is killed by a turbine, then turbines are not safe for birds. Certainly, you can state statistics about cars and cats killing more birds than turbines. But the fact remains, birds will be killed, not only during migration season, but all year round. Whenever I was trying to get out of trouble as a youngster, my father used to say “figures lie and liars figure” as he was meting out punishment. Just admit that turbines are not safe for birds already! Stop lying.

6. There is no need for Yates to have laws governing wind turbines: This is basically what you are saying when you indicate that you will “request waivers” of Town laws. That’s a nice way to say, that you are going to ask the state to eviscerate your Town laws as “unreasonably burdensome.” And your reasoning is ludicrous! You state that we passed these laws to stop the project. Nothing could be further from the truth. We crafted the law using input from your industry. We studied and assessed the changes in technology as well as health, real estate, wildlife and environmental impacts via independent, peer-reviewed studies on the subject in order to determine how we wanted to write the law.

Frankly, if we wanted to stop the project in its tracks we could have just banned turbines altogether. So we clearly indicated, via our law, where you could place turbines. If you can’t place turbines in compliance to the Town of Yates wind law, you have chosen the wrong location for your project. But instead admitting your mistake like any normal business, you’ve decided that you know better than the vast majority of the people of Yates. So, you’re going to travel to Albany and ask the Governor to shove this project down our throats. How sweet!! You should educate yourself on recent precedents and decisions by the Siting Board reinforcing local laws as sacrosanct. The vast majority of our constituency is of the same mind regarding the sanctity of our town laws and that’s not going to change.

7. There is no need for a baseline health study: Your statements here are pure pablum. You clearly do not understand the difference between the terms “data” and “study.” We have plenty of medical data, but without an organized assessment of that medical data there are no conclusions to be drawn. Your statements clearly indicate that you do not understand simple and robust scientific methods. You should be willing to pay for the organized assessment of medical data in order to determine the baseline health of the community you are trying to destroy. I am amazed that, as a firm based in science, you do not understand scientific assessment methodologies. Another reason we don’t trust that you know what you’re doing.

8. There is no need for a PILOT: The long-held rule of thumb in the State of New York regarding these types of projects is; “No PILOT, no project.” Assessed values for this project may very well rest in the range of $220 million (Harrisburg, NY,  Watertown Daily Times, April 2015).  You have proven yourselves to date, a firm that likes to get off on the cheap (a few hundred dollars here and there to attempt to curry favor). There will be no “cheap” in this deal.  Forty-seven turbines will tip the scales at $200 million in assessed value. Apply local tax rates and the full taxation will be in the range of $9,400,000 annually. As compared to a PILOT payment of $1,500,000 annually, which nets the Town of Yates $40,000 per year!! A constituent stated last month that he hoped we would negotiate the best deal for the town. The best deal for the Town of Yates is “no negotiation.”

I understand that my comments this evening are fairly blunt and may have ruffled your feathers. Frankly, I don’t care. The Town of Yates has consistently fought alongside the Town of Somerset against this travesty. It’s time for you to begin to feel the rage that fully 65 percent of our constituency has felt since December of 2014.

You need to get out of Town.

By the way, why isn’t your CEO sitting here with you tonight?”

As a final note:

Mr. Williamson needs to do his homework and understand the war being waged against his company for the very soul of our town.

Governor Cuomo needs to understand this as well. Are you listening, Mr. Governor?

Thank You,

John Riggi

Councilman, Town of Yates

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Editor:

Where to begin?  This will be rambling.

Hate to burst any bubbles, but immigration is a principal source of America’s greatness and always has been—by its nature—for the most part, merit based. Kudos to Darren Wilson for his thoughtful, well written, fact-based—yet lengthy (oh my)—letter to the editor on the subject.

That said, ICE isn’t the problem. The person giving it its orders is. We obviously need border security. We do not need to separate infants and children from their parents when they risk it all to escape domestic abuse and violent gangs to pursue a decent life for their children.

After my previous letter on this subject, a person I had thought of as rational tried to “straighten me out” in a personal letter. He flatly accused me of being in favor of “open borders.” Coming to that conclusion after reading what I had written made me wonder whether he had significant comprehension issues. Heavens to Betsy, I know I am a democrat and all.

Great letter on tariffs and agriculture, Ron Mathes.

Guess what, Donald, Article One in the Constitution is about the legislative branch. S.U.N.Y. professors, Drs. Ireland and Rakov made it clear why that was the case. My professors would also leave no doubt as to why Amendment One provides for a free press.

By the way, if you think all republicans are bamboozled by The Donald, guess again.

When Jefferson (the one who wrote the Declaration of Independence) said he would prefer newspapers without a government to a government without newspapers, he may have been anticipating the rise of the biggest conman in history. You know, the one whose tax returns you haven’t seen, who says when you get to a certain position you may grope with impunity, while saying he has high regard for the rule of law (as long as it doesn’t apply to him) and nominated Brett Kavanaugh primarily because he evidently believes the President cannot be prosecuted outside of the impeachment process.

Collusion, Rudy, may not be a crime, but many other related things are crimes.

Despondently yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

I am surprised, puzzled and concerned by Supervisor Joe Grube’s response to my original letter. Mr. Grube responded more like a candidate seeking an office and not like what I expected from a supervisor. I apologize if he was offended by me reminding the public of the promises that he made to have honest, open government and respectful debate on issues of importance. Perhaps he was offended by me identifying actions that he personally orchestrated, and for which he should take full responsibility and accountability.

The Gaines supervisor needs to stop framing all problems or issues as “us versus them” and playing the classic “blame game” to justify his choices. He is the only one doing that at this point. That may have been effective when running for an office, but serves no purpose at this point.

I am also personally saddened that Supervisor Grube chose to attack the residents of his own Town that worked on the Comprehensive Plan and the Ad Hoc committee that was tasked with making revisions. They deserve an apology for having their efforts belittled and devalued and not acknowledging and recognizing all of their contributions on behalf of the Town.

Supervisor Grube’s attempt to misdirect and mislead by providing half truths and attacking individuals is a disservice to the office he is entrusted to uphold. Mr. Grube indicated he reached out several times to me, the fact is he left one voicemail message at my office number while I was on vacation – no further details provided.

A supervisor is not a one-man show, and he needs to work with his board and follow all proper procedures and use all Town resources at his disposal. When Mr. Grube criticizes the past administration, he must be including several current members of the current Town Council.

Lost in Supervisor Grube’s response was his failure to address several significant issues that should raise a red flag for all residents in the Town of Gaines.

Specifically:

• Why did the Supervisor and Town Council ignore its own Zoning Ordinance requiring the ZBA to prepare and amend the comprehensive land development plan for the Town?

• Why did the Supervisor and Town Council ignore its own prior resolution to have the ZBA and Town attorney provide options and possible methods to update the zoning ordinance?

• Who requested and authorized LaBella Associates to provide an RFP to the Town for professional services?

• Did the Town Council or ZBA receive a copy of the proposal to review, understand or comment on prior to the evening of the board meeting to formulate intelligent responses?

• Does anyone believe there was only one qualified consultant to choose from?

• Why was the Town’s very own procurement policy ignored?

• $27,700 is a significant amount of taxpayer assets.

The ends cannot justify the means. A supervisor cannot hide behind his council’s

vote if questions like these are not addressed.

I fully expect the Supervisor to press on and continue on the path he has started. I do not expect any direct response from Supervisor Grube to address these unanswered questions. I do not expect the ZBA to be included in any land use matters from this point forward. I do not expect to ever have any direct communication with the Supervisor. A truly sad day for the Town of Gaines.

Michael Grabowski

Gaines ZBA Chairman

Editor:

Congressman Collins doesn’t care about our farms or farm communities. Farmers in our area have expressed anxiety over migrant worker programs and trade wars.

At a meeting with farmers in April, Jeff True of True Farms in Perry told Congressman Collins that undocumented and non-citizens workers are going underground. It impacts not only farms but the whole community.

David Chamberlain of D&G Farms in Wyoming said, “It will be just as devastating as trade (issue) if we don’t get a solution.”

Mr. Collins visited Stein Farms in Le Roy in June. Shelley Stein, treasurer of Stein Farms, said, “It’s time that our government recognizes that fighting and being involved in trade wars using our basic agriculture products hurts us.”

The New York Times reported, “The dairy industry now faces substantial tariffs on it exports as Mexico, Canada and other countries retaliate against Mr. Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs.” Congressman Collins has expressed support for these tariffs which are hurting our farms and farm communities. Congressman Collins supports the administration’s immigration policies which are hurting our farms and farm communities. Congressman Collins does not care about our farms and farm communities. We need a new congressman. Thank you.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Setting the record straight: Mr. Paul Lauricella thinks that those who favor compassion and humanity over cruelty to children are “extremists,” hell-bent on destroying American society. Mr. Lauricella, there are thousands of refugee children languishing in cages as Mr. Trump golfs. I guess somehow that’s supposed to make our country great? To say, as you have, that those that seek to enter the U.S. are criminals couldn’t be more wrong. Most are law-abiding people as evidenced by FBI statistics.

Mr. Lauricella, you forget it was your hero Ronald Regan who gave corporations and the rich huge tax cuts, beginning the demise of the Middle Class. And now one pay check won’t feed most families. We Democrats make no apologies for advocating equal opportunity and equal pay for women in the workplace. Republicans in Congress have voted against legislation requiring equal pay for women every single time. Every single time. How immoral is that?

Mr. Lauricella, like many two-dimensional thinkers, you go on to confuse “pro-choice” with “pro-abortion.” No one favors abortion. However, this difficult decision must be made between a woman and her doctor. Mr. Trump was pro-choice until he needed to pander to the evangelical community.

Liar-In-Chief Mr. Trump and followers like you, Mr. Lauricella, call careful, legitimate, factual news reporting “fake” and reporters the “enemy of the people.” How convenient when you don’t like the truth coming out than to blame the messenger? Tyrants have done it for years.

There will be more I will be saying later but I’ll end this letter with a quote from Conservative columnist George Will: “The 2018 midterm elections this November won’t be about Democrats vs. Republicans. They will be about moral, decent human beings vs. Trump Supporters.” Mr. Collins, stop hiding.

Al Capurso

Gaines

Editor:

I am saddened by the letter of Mike Grabowski that was published recently. I also find it utterly ridiculous. Let me tell you why:

The Town Board, as a group, unanimously passed a resolution at the February meeting directing the ZBA conduct a review of the current configuration of planning and zoning in the Town of Gaines, including a report on what changes are needed to the zoning ordinance, why we only have a Zoning Board of Appeals and no Planning Board, and how we comply with zoning best practices in New York State. Rather than take a measured approach and provide recommendations, Mr. Grabowski used the March meeting to berate the board about the resolution, tell us the entire zoning ordinance needs to be rewritten, and throw accusations at the board, supervisor, and town attorney.

Two ZBA secretaries have quit. That’s true. You’ll have to ask them why, but the overarching reason is that they did not feel the treatment they received from the Zoning Board was worth the pay. Not being told meetings were cancelled or having no feedback on meeting minutes until the day before a meeting, with no other communication from the chairman, tends to frustrate people.

Mr. Grabowski told us at the March meeting that the zoning ordinance isn’t in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan that was done in 2015 and needed to be heavily revised. My question for Mr. Grabowski and everyone else is: Why wasn’t this done in 2016? Why wasn’t this done in 2017? The proverbial can was kicked down the road. I am not sure why, but it needs to be fixed. Indeed, Mr. Grabowski demanded it be fixed.

Since the beginning of the year, Mr. Grabowski has not returned a single email or phone call to me. Not one. I tried multiple times (precisely, 2 separate emails and 2 attempts at phone calls) to inform him of the plan to move forward with the consultant. None were returned. Whose fault is that?

The Town Board and the attendees at the last board meeting enjoyed a very informative presentation and discussion by LaBella Associates. Some questions were asked  by both the board and the audience, but there was absolutely zero negative feedback. Once again, the board unanimously voted to move forward with using the services of LaBella to help the Town revise our planning and zoning processes.

Mr. Grabowski’s letter is a perfect example of what’s wrong in Gaines. I don’t have any allegiances to anyone on “the other side” of the zoning and planning argument. I’ve had Gaines residents express to me that the board should have immediately formed a planning board in January to go back to the way it was before 2012 when that board was eliminated, and they aren’t happy that hasn’t happened. Rather than do that, I feel the proper approach is a measured and thoughtful one. It is very clear to me, and is certainly evidenced by the venom in Mr. Grabowski’s letter, that the Town of Gaines absolutely needs an outside party to advise us on a path forward. Not only do we have a Comprehensive Plan that was never used to update our zoning ordinance, we have new topics of importance, such as solar farms, that must be addressed properly.

All of this information is available on the town website. Meetings of previous minutes, the remarks made by Mr. Grabowski at the March meeting, the discussion about the consultant at the July meeting, along with the actual proposal from LaBella Associates to do the work. Please take the time to look them over if you have interest.

It is time for all interested parties to stop throwing accusations and talking about conspiracy theories and start working together to get this project completed. There will be a call for Gaines residents to be involved in the process that LaBella Associates will walk us through, and I would encourage anyone with interest to get involved with this.

I am excited that we are taking this project on, and that we are proceeding like we are with assistance from professionals. Together we can prepare the Town for the future, and with teamwork, start to bury some of the ridiculous animosity that exists over actions taken by previous elected officials.

Thank you!

Joseph Grube

Town Supervisor

Town of Gaines

Editor:

It’s been said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Are you aware that’s exactly what’s occurring in the Town of Gaines on a regular basis?

Prior to being elected, Supervisor Grube stated that he had no allegiances to anyone but the residents of Gaines, claiming he wouldn’t stand for anything but honest, open government and civil, respectful debate on topics of importance.

It is my experience as Chairman of the Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals, that communication has not been honest, open or respectful. Many concerns expressed the ZBA have gone unaddressed, and responsibilities delegated to the ZBA have been taken away and intentionally, selectively trampled.

On two occasions this year, the Town Board, led by Supervisor Grube has hired and shortly afterwards accepted the resignation of two secretaries and failed to notify the very board that was served, leaving us without coverage for regularly scheduled meetings. This fundamental lack of communication and understanding the implications of your decisions demonstrates an absence of attention to detail and a commitment to provide quality services to the residents of the town.

What should be more concerning to the residents of the Town of Gaines, is that that Supervisor Grube has attempted to personally propose changes to and modify specific Zoning Ordinance language without the assistance, input or having any dialog or discussion with the very board that is responsible for enforcing the rules, the Gaines ZBA.

It’s also inconceivable, and fiscally irresponsible, for a Supervisor to solicit one, single proposal for professional services for updating zoning/land use regulations in the amount of $27,700 of taxpayers’ money, and after a short discussion requests a motion from his board to adopt. The Town’s very own procurement policy was side-stepped and ignored. Most municipal procurement policies, including those followed by our very own Orleans County, recommends a written request for proposal with response from three sources for items over $20K.

It is extremely important to acknowledge that Supervisor Grube has led an effort to ignore his own town’s ordinance that requires the ZBA to prepare and amend as necessary the comprehensive land development plan for the Town.

Early in his new role as supervisor, he requested and was informed of the role the ZBA has played in its current comprehensive plan and all the work that has been invested to bring the current ordinance into compliance. Back in March a resolution was passed to have the ZBA Chairman and Town attorney research possible next steps. That all changed at July’s town board meeting. No explanation or discussion for the change in direction. The whole process was discarded and course of action changed when Supervisor Grube chose to personally present one option to the board and go forward.

Do you make your own rules, or follow sound, known, established procedures? I ask the residents in the Town of Gaines to decide……honest, open or just insane.

Michael Grabowski

Gaines ZBA Chairman

Editor:

I have been reading the Western Orleans County Comprehensive Plan for a while now and here is what I get out of it. There were 5,553 surveys sent out and 740 were returned – 13.4%.

There were 167 pages of comments and most of them probably were negative, my opinion. That tells me nobody is really interested in this update except government officials, the people that were picked to go over it and those interested in getting their hands on the taxpayers’ money. So why even go ahead with this at all? Because what you want doesn’t matter. What you say at the hearings won’t matter. This is going to go through unless you pack those rooms and in all probability will still be passed.

There were pie-in-the-sky fantasies from 2002 that were removed but there was a bit different thinking back then. What’s new is the aggressive seeking of grant money, more control through zoning and sustainability. You hear that word a lot now days. Sustainability is basically what are the causes of the hoax – man-made global warming (the science is far from settled) or pollution.

So what is or isn’t sustainable will be what determines what you can do on your property, types of businesses, how your home can be upgraded or built from new. It will also be determined by who runs your County, Town or Village board.

This is straight out of United Nations Agenda 21 or what is now Agenda 2030. If you have people with a globalism leftist ideology educated in the progressive higher learning institutions, you’re in for a rough ride with your freedoms. I’m not saying this lightly or to be mean. I am just telling you the truth.

Our colleges are brain-washing institutions with all this garbage. This is happening world-wide. Global. Facts and truth be damned.

From the CP Executive Summary: CP plan is the foundation for all subsequence and zoning action, which must be in accordance with the document.

The CP update incorporates planning ideologies where applicable, such as sustainability and efficiencies in our communities. What does that mean? Just what is or isn’t sustainable? The purpose of the CP planning is to view and examine a community from a “global prospective.” To develop a strategy and course of action to achieve those goals. Strategies consist of land use policies including but “not limited” to zoning which must be in accordance to the CP plan.

I live in the USA. I am American, not a global citizen. Minions were sent out to inspect your property. There were 4 categories. The perfects, the nice, the needing work, and the dilapidated. Where do you fit in and who’s business is it? The answer to bringing up your shabbiness was to get grant money and nudge you into a loan to fix up your house. So they can raise your taxes, my opinion but that’s what will happen.

They know the population is declining and the young are fleeing for lack of opportunity. The school enrollment is declining and the population isn’t going to pick up in the next 20 years. So why not concentrate on making this a more free, low-tax place to settle?

The CP plan is the DNA of our western end. Everything is mapped out to the square inch. You name it they have it down in this document. It recommends to make the downtowns historic and protected. That means lots of restrictions and control. Even that group of “smart people” that goes around planting trees right under the power lines in Medina is listed. I could go on and on. They recommend a “Central Grant Writer” for all the towns and villages. Grants, Grants, Grants, Control, Control, Control over every aspect of your property and your natural rights.

The IDA will continue to bribe businesses to come in with taxpayer money. Jobs with low and medium pay so far. Continue to keep the storefronts full with hobby businesses that when the grant money runs out and the owners can no longer keep them open with money from their main job, fail and close and we fund the next group with unachievable fantasies for this area to do the same thing. All the while patting the program heads on the back and lining their pockets with taxpayer money. They tout over 400 businesses to date. How many are still around? Probably the same percentage as the people who did the survey and I bet it’s less.

Don’t take my word for it read the CP plan. Do research on sustainability. You will be surprised just what is not sustainable. More than likely what you are doing for a living falls into the unsustainable category. Be very, very careful of who you elect to public office. There are a lot of poisoned minds. People you may believe to be highly educated and reasonable until they have power.

The comprehensive plan is a living document and rife with the ability to abuse power. Educate yourself and get involved in what your government is doing while your back is turned. Attend meetings and workshops.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Editor:

I would to thank the many people and organizations who contributed to the growth and success of the Village of Albion Recreation Summer Parks Program.

The following organizations visited the parks with great messages for the youths attending: GCASA, Genesee Orleans Youth Bureau, Orleans Health Department, and other volunteers.

Thank you to the following who contributed to the Annual Senior Citizens Picnic: Orleans Community Action, Wal-Mart of Albion, Crosby’s of Albion and Tops of Albion.

The 13 Park Supervisors did a wonderful job of providing a fun, safe and exciting time at the parks each day. Well over 150 park children signed up for the Summer Parks Program at the two village parks throughout the summer, which started on June 20 and ended July 27. This was another banner summer for the Parks Program.

Special thanks to Orleans Community Action for busing the children on the field trips and for the Annual Children’s Carnival. Thanks go out to the Albion Central School District for being the host of several sport clinics this summer.

Thanks to the Batavia Daily and the Orleans Hub for their coverage of the summer program.

Thanks to the Village of Albion Trustees, Mayor, Village Office Staff, Parks Maintenance Department and the Recreation Committee all for their support throughout the summer.

In addition, thank you to the parents whose children participated in the summer program. Hope to see you next year.

Thank you,

John J. Grillo

Village of Albion

Recreation Director

Editor:

New York all-time record peak demand from July 2013 was 33,956MW. Peak demand from 2016 was 32,075MW. Peak demand from 2017 was 29,699MW, a 7.4 percent decrease in one year

New York State annual electric energy usage in 2016 was 160,798,000 MWH, and then was down 2.8 percent in 2017 at 156,370,000 MWH.

Energy efficiency programs and “behind the meter solar” are slowing the growth of energy supplied by the grid. The declining usage trend is expected to continue, however it is making operating and dispatching operations in the grid much more complex.

The Niagara River and hydroelectric facilities along the river are the most reliable, inexpensive unsubsidized source of renewable power in NYS. The same Niagara River water generates power from three locations: Niagara Power Project with the Storage Reservoir at 3,100 MW and the St. Lawrence Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project at 1,088 MW.

 Niagara Power Project                         St. Lawrence F. D.R. Power Project

2013                                   2,441 MW                                                   800 MW

2017                                   3,100 MW                                                 1,088 MW

Increased MW                      659 MW                                                   288 MW

2016 Capacity Factor             63.5%                                                       98.3%

NYPA has increased power on the Niagara River by 947 MW since 2013. NYISO Power Trends 2018  “Transmission constraints affect Niagara Power Project generation and Ontario imports.” And “AC Transmission constraints affect efficient flow of power from upstate resources to downstate demand.”

It is impossible for the PSC to justify the need for APEX’s 52 MW when the Niagara Power Project has 3100 MW available but operating at only 63.5 percent. The same transmission constraints affecting Niagara Power would affect Apex in moving power from upstate to downstate.

Niagara Power – 3,100 MW at 63.5 percent =1970 MW utilized with 1130 MW sitting idle but available.

Apex Wind – 201 MW at 26 percent  = 52 MW utilized with 0 MW available.

Deny the Apex certificate of public need.

Gregory G. Woodrich

Williamsville

Editor:

I must take issue with Congressman Collins’s justification for President Trump’s proposed 11 billion dollar assistance plan for American farmers. The assistance only became necessary as a direct result of the President’s harmful trade practices.

American farmers don’t want Government Welfare. They want free access to world markets. They can feed the world. They want to feed the world. China wants our pork and beans. Mexico wants our corn.

Farmers make a living. Taxpayers don’t have to fund a short-term bailout. Everybody’s happy.

Ronald Mathes

Albion

Editor:

At Somerset and Yates Town Board meetings held on July 11 and July 12, respectively, residents heard from the newest face of Apex Clean Energy, Mr. Paul Williamson, who allowed questions about what lies in store if Apex receives permission from the NYS Department of Public Service Siting Board to proceed with forty-seven 600-foot industrial wind turbines in our towns. Allow me to describe what he said.

From the outset, this Apex representative used the phrases that indicate that the project is about money: money for leaseholders, money for the towns and villages, money for the school districts, discretionary funds from host community agreements, and much more. I heard repeatedly “economic resource,” “flexibility to use the money,” “highly attractive investment,” “influx of investment,” etc. And, of course, there would be fabulous profits to be reaped by Apex, the bottom line. Those profits are the reason that our towns now enter year four of this occupying siege by this unethical developer.

Despite the questions lobbed at Mr. Williamson, the theme of his responses kept returning to the idea of money. Residents demanded to know about the eagle kill permits Apex will be applying for from the federal government, construction wastes that will empty into our sewer lines, road restoration, buried and leaching concrete into our streams leading to Lake Ontario, bonds for decommissioning in twenty years, baseline community health studies (if there are no issues from infrasound as Apex insists, why not?), noise, local laws, and so many other concerns. The sessions at both town meetings totaled almost five hours.

Mr. Williamson said that Apex would be still seeking to override our local laws when Apex files its application, since setbacks, noise, and tower height regulations would impede this project that would shower such economic benefits on Somerset and Yates.

Over and over residents repeated the same idea: that we are not interested in the money that would turn these beautiful lakeshore towns and the Golden Hill State Park perimeter into an industrial area, sacrificing the sum total of what people live here for. One by one residents who stood up to ask questions sought to reinforce to Mr. Williamson that we live here for the quiet, the night sky, the rural atmosphere, the sounds of birds and lake waves, and so much more that cannot be bought, and once destroyed, cannot be replaced by any “influx of investment.” We are on guard to protect our own health and safety.

Why is it that as residents in the State of New York, we are reduced to begging a corporation not to destroy us with a project of such enormity that it will forever alter these towns for generations to come?

The Siting Board must realize that it is both demoralizing and devastating that despite two election cycles here – now with ten town board members firmly opposing Apex in Somerset and Yates – with several surveys indicating well over 70% resident opposition, environmental groups’ outcries, our towns must outlay precious taxpayer dollars to fight off this company from erecting these monstrous IWTs close to our homes.

This is a moral outrage: wrong for citizens that they must accept the ruination of their town by a subsidy-driven project, funded by their own federal and state taxes, and ratepayer charges and surcharges. We are attempting to fight this off with all of our might and our monies, through official means like taxes, and through voluntary measures like donations to grassroots groups like Save Ontario Shores. Rallies, basket auctions, information sessions, and continued presence at monthly town board meetings have been a way of life here since the fall of 2014, when Apex announced its intention to build Lighthouse Wind.

At the conclusion of the Yates town meeting, Mr. Williamson was asked by the board to communicate to Apex CEO Mr. Mark Goodwin, a message from our towns that we oppose Apex’s imposition. We continue to be stunned and appalled by the arrogance of interloper-Apex’s proceeding as if there was no opposition to Lighthouse Wind. It is a slap in the face to all here who want to preserve what we have. The message is: it is not about the money.

Christine Bronson

Councilwoman,

Town of Somerset

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