Editor:

In answer to the concerns of Mr. Knab I offer the following:

Appointments by law are made by the Republican committee to fill vacancies.  The Town Board does the same.  At the last town Republican meeting 8 of the 10 members were present, including Mr. Sidonio, we filled two vacancies and endorsed a candidate for council unanimously. No other names were brought forward by any committee member. Anyone interested could contact any member at any time and their help will be greatly appreciated. We have a committee of 12 and generally have two alternates. We are elected every two years.

The Town of Murray meeting room holds 90 people and at the most was half filled during the discussions about the property maintenance law, and there were people on both sides. The property maintenance law, as you are well aware, mirrors the State property maintenance law, (click here to the state law  and click here to see the local Murray law) with the addition of the requirement to pick up garbage cans and limit the time refuse stays roadside. The local law allowed us to treat infractions as violations, not misdemeanors. Please take the opportunity to review and compare.

Potholes are not a violation. The grass as in the state law must be kept shorter than 10 inches. The aerial imaging you refer to is the Pictometry, which is taken once every three years, is hardly intrusive. The Supreme Court has ruled on the admissibility of this evidence. Further I have never had to use it in court, but do use it to help those that forget to obtain a permit become compliant.

No there is no politics in code enforcement, every violation has a picture. The code enforcement position is a Civil Service job, it has nothing to do with politics. I was number 1 on the list when I was hired. There is a lot more to code enforcement than property maintenance. My job is to protect the people in the Town. When there is a fire, a faulty appliance producing carbon monoxide, a car crashing into a house, I go out whatever time of night. When a contractor does faulty work I inspect and have it corrected.

I am the Town of Murray Republican Chair because I was elected by my fellow committee members. I have served in leadership positions in the American Legion, the County Joint Veterans Council and the Rotary. I have a proven record of leadership.

The committee interviews prospective candidates, fundraises, collects signatures on petitions and helps to get our candidates elected. The committee endorses, but supports the winner of the primary. That person is the choice of the party. These are hardworking unpaid individuals. Sometimes I think your group doesn’t seem to understand that it’s not the loudest voice, but the majority that rules in this country. I know you are new to the party, but the American principles should be familiar to you.

Hope this helps you to understand how the party works.

Ron Vendetti

Holley

Editor:

On July 10th at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference room at The Villages of Orleans Nursing Home there will be a Family Council meeting. I am strongly encouraging all family or representatives of a resident to attend.

Under regulation 10NYCRR 415.5, a resident’s family has the right to meet in the facility with the families of other residents. The Villages of Orleans may in no way prohibit the formation of a Family Council.  As the Family Council, we shall be allowed to meet in a common meeting room within the facility, in private, without facility staff at least once per month upon a mutually agreed time.

It has been quite a period of time since the families have gathered and it is time we re-establish the council. Join me on Tuesday, July 10^th, at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference room. Looking forward to seeing and hearing from you all.

Sincerely,

Kelly M. Bentley

Albion

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Editor:

There is a new arrival in town. I am referring to the recent appointment by Apex of Mr. Paul Williamson as Development Manager for Lighthouse Wind. The story, however, remains the same. Apex, ignoring the overwhelming local opposition to Lighthouse Wind, has doubled down and recommitted to completing this project in the towns of Somerset and Yates.

Clearly, Apex is relying on Article 10 and the “burdensome clause” contained in it to ram Lighthouse Wind through the Siting Board dominated by Albany Bureaucrats, and thus obtain the authority to industrialize our quiet rural community with up to 70, 600-foot-high wind turbines.

Being ignored are the surveys showing overwhelming public opposition, the hundreds of unanswered comments on the Public Service Commission site, the dozens of organizations with issues relating to Lighthouse Wind, the Power Coalition opposition, the Save Ontario Shores activities, the town’s restrictive industrial wind turbine laws and the numerous negative environmental and physical impacts that will plague our community for generations. The list is practically endless!

The economic and environmental benefits are continually extolled by Ms. Mosley of Apex, yet after more than 4 years of activity in our community we know little more than when Apex first arrived. The inescapable conclusion is, there are no benefits, but very many negatives to Lighthouse Wind.

One thing is sure, over the last 4 years the communities of Yates and Somerset have paid a heavy economic and social price as we attempt to regain the home rule stolen from us under Article 10. Consider the human and capital costs associated with revision of Comprehensive Plans, revision of local laws associated with the siting of Industrial Wind Turbines, the endless series of public meetings and hearings, the met tower applications and their associated activity and subsequent intimidating lawsuit. This list is also practically endless!

We know Apex wants a PILOT as has been stated several times. A PILOT is a tax break, so from the outset Lighthouse Wind wants to get by “on the cheap.” Complete honesty would dictate what is never mentioned, that the PILOT monies will be distributed among 6 taxing jurisdictions thus substantially watering down any benefit. Taxes should be based on the full assessed valuation of the project.

Apex has recommitted itself to Project Lighthouse Wind and likewise we in Somerset and Yates will recommit to what one of our opposition signs so aptly states, “Apex Go Home.” Project Lighthouse Wind is the wrong project in the wrong place being proposed by the wrong company.

Perhaps Mr. Williamson will assist us in sending this message to the home office in Charlottesville, Virginia.

James C. Hoffman

Somerset

Editor:

Make no mistake.  Whether it is—as the president has insisted—the “worst immigration” approach in the world, or not, America’s generous approach to immigration is likely the single most important ingredient in our greatness.  The result is a population that is—without doubt—exceptional by definition.

Those who have come here “willingly” have typically possessed extraordinary confidence, drive, intelligence, talent, and a willingness to do what others often have not. My grandparents’ Austrian neighbors stayed in their comfort zone after WW I, unsure that they could make it in a far off land which benefitted enormously from immigration but was nonetheless persistently hostile to it.

After all these years and personal experience, what has history taught us?  Might we actually benefit from an approach to the stranger that is arguably more welcoming than that of other nations? It has apparently always worked for us.

What if France demanded that we return the Statue of Liberty because it appears we no longer welcome the poor, the tired, the huddled, persecuted and downtrodden who feel they deserve dignity?  What if?

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

July 2018 marks the three-and-a-half-year anniversary of the formation of Save Ontario Shores, Inc., in opposition to Apex’s Lighthouse Wind project. We are grateful to Somerset Town Supervisor Dan Engert and Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon, as well as both town boards, for their ongoing efforts to protect the health, safety and welfare of their constituents.

Since SOS was formed, the opposition to Apex’s Lighthouse Wind project has continued to grow.

Opposition is not just from local people who would be directly impacted on a daily basis by the alteration of our community into an industrial wind factory. The opposition to this project also comes from people who are concerned about tourism, hunting and fishing opportunities, bat populations, raptors and song birds which use this internationally known migratory pathway along the shore of Lake Ontario and inland, as well as the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

SOS’s partners in the POWER Coalition (Protecting {Lake} Ontario’s Waterfront, Environment and Resources) have looked at the specifics of this industrial wind project and have decided to oppose it. They include the American Bird Conservancy, NYS Ornithological Association, Hawk Migration Association of North America, Niagara USA Chamber, Great Lakes Seaway Trail, Federation of Monroe Co. Environmentalists, Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, Burroughs Audubon Nature Club, Genesee Valley Audubon, Rochester Birding Association, and Orleans Co. Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. These are national, statewide and regional groups representing thousands of members.

Apex claims its project has support with over 100 landowners who have signed leases or easements. At last check with the Niagara and Orleans County Clerks’ offices, these landowners represent around 60 families who will receive direct payments from Apex should the project go forward. Census data from 2010 for Somerset and Yates show a total combined population of 5,221. These 100 landowners, who stand to personally gain from the project, represent less than 2% of the towns’ population. (A list of all the leaseholders is on our website.)

Our question remains – Why is Apex still here? The opposition is educated, engaged and growing. Our message to this Virginia corporation could not be clearer from multiple fronts.  Lighthouse Wind does not belong in our towns, along our lakeshore, in our migratory flyway, or near our air base, and we will keep fighting for as long as we have to.

Our surveys say: Apex – go home!!

By Pam Atwater

President

Save Ontario Shores, Inc.

Editor:

We (Brian Sorochty, Connie Nenni, Kevin Lynch) would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents in the Village of Holley for their continued support and trust they have placed in us by voting to re-elect us this past Tuesday.

We are humbled and honored to have the privilege of serving you, the residents, for the next two years. Our goal was to have this election be about the issues and our plan to move forward. We feel that with the results from Tuesday’s election a great majority of the residents feel we are going in the right direction; a positive direction where efforts put in are recognized and results matter.

Recognizing there is still la lot of work to do and the current projects are really just beginning, we thank you for your vote of confidence. The total vote count, which was higher than any of the recent elections, is very encouraging. Our hope is that this trend continues as people become more and more engaged in our community.

We again want to thank the Orleans Hub/Lake County Pennysaver, all the volunteers, and the Holley School District for their efforts in having the candidate forum. This was an approach that has not been done in Holley before and we feel it was well attended and a success for bringing the issues out in the open so a discussion can be had.

All of these things are good for our community, the more people participate in their community and local government the better we are all for it.

Lastly, we would like to say that if the attention that was brought to this election has inspired residents to get more involved, please attend our Village Board and Planning/Zoning meetings, join our Community Events Committee or our Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Step 2 Steering Committee. All interested residents and business owners are welcome to participate. Thank you to all for your continued support!

Mayor Brian Sorochty

Trustee Connie Nenni

Trustee Kevin Lynch

Holley

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Editor:

“Patriotism is supporting your country always; and your government when it deserves it.” – Mark Twain, famous American author

If liberty and justice for all are what you desire, then the time for idleness has passed. We, as taxpayers and as American voters, need to pull our heads out of the proverbial sand and act!

There are certain figures strutting around within the town governments who seek to acquire and consolidate the power of authority in their own favor to limit the choices that we can make for ourselves. Long have these people cultivated an atmosphere of blatant corruption within our governmental system, with complete disregard for the will of the people. This is being achieved by the Town Board members and some code enforcement officers also being in control of the Republican committee as well – allowing them to appoint themselves and their friends to positions of influence to sway elections and keep themselves in power.

Months of town meetings packed with patriots and dissatisfied taxpayers watched as the local town of Murray’s elected and appointed officials completely ignored the will of the people and passed sweeping property maintenance laws that effectively removed much of our freedom of autonomy upon our own property!

For example, got a pothole in your driveway? Violation (someone should mail the county about a hundred of those for their roads). Grass a bit too long? Violation. And if you have too much water sitting in your lawn or on your driveway? That’s a violation now too. And if you think you can hide from their enforcement of these laws, good luck – these same people support the use of aerial imagery; effectively spying on the taxpayers to force their compliance.

And if these suffocating regulations weren’t bad enough, the towns use code enforcement as a weapon against political dissidents to scare them into silence. For example one particular code enforcement officer monitors and tickets some people and turns a blind eye to their friends. This was especially evident in the last election cycle, when a political opponent was cited for an obscure violation that the officials endorsed candidate was not cited for.

If you think “well I don’t live in Murray so it’s not my problem,” think again. These government officials are seeking to adopt legislation from Albany to give them enforcement power over the entire county. That means that every ridiculous code and law that they introduce will be enforced upon us all.

It is our duty as Americans and as taxpayers, to remind these would-be lords that they serve THE PEOPLE. We are sick of the bullying, sick of the regulations from people who would call themselves Republicans, and sick of the corruption! We need all of us to get up, go to town meetings, push back against this expanding authoritarianism, and vote the corruption out! Stand up for our liberties! Stand up for our American way!

Arthur Knab

Murray

Editor:

I’m pleased that Dean Covis can never again defraud the people of Orleans County by playing the role of a protector and first responder.

I must. however, take the judge in this case to task. No jail time for a person that blatantly abused the power entrusted in him by the citizens of Orleans County. Spent our taxpayer dollars through fraud for personal gain. And no jail time.

Covis said in a June 11 Orleans Hub article he is highly trained in law enforcement and “went above and beyond.”

I say a highly trained manipulator much more concerned with his creature comforts than the wellbeing of the community he purports to serve.

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

I congratulate the current Holley Village Board headed by Mr. Brian Sorochty for your many successes this year. Among the accomplishments are the village being awarded $4.5 Million dollars in grant funds to fix village sidewalks and to upgrade the water system. Also you got approval for a $165,000 state grant to develop a brownfield opportunity program. That plan will help develop strategies for improved housing,  business and tourism opportunities.

All Holley village departments have been providing excellent customer service while staying within budget constraints. Additionally, the crown jewel will be the old school renovation into the  Holley Gardens, will just surely be a beautiful sight with fantastic housing for those eligible, and you secured the funding for that amazing project. In my many years as a U.S. Army officer, I have heard a kind of slogan that made a lot of sense, being, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

Therefore, I urge my fellow Village of Holley residents to retain Mr. Brian Sorochty and the current Village Board members (trustees ) that are running for re-election. Nobody knows grants and how to secure them like Mr. Sorochty.

Major William. C. Moroz, United States Army Reserve

Holley

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Editor:

Not very long ago, a man who had ambitions to become President of the United States wrote a book, declaring that the security of our country was being threatened by a mass influx of immigrants. It wasn’t that he was anti-immigrant, the man explained: America had been built by “men of sturdy stocks of the north of Europe…which…every year added to the vital working force of the country…” These new immigrants, coming in their millions, were a different breed. They were “multitudes of men of the lowest classes,” the man explained. They possessed “neither skill nor energy nor any initiative of quick intelligence.” Our enemies were using the United States as a dumping ground for their criminals, their handicapped, and their mentally ill. If we didn’t take steps to stop this flow of undesirables, and find a way to deport the ones who were already here, America was doomed.

This isn’t what you think. These words were not written by any current politician. They don’t refer to immigrants from Mexico, or Africa, or those of Muslim heritage. They come from a book, History of the American People. They were written by Woodrow Wilson, who became 28th President of the United States. They were written about immigrants from “the south of Italy and men of the meaner sort out of Hungary and Poland.” They were written about our ancestors.

There was a time, barely one hundred years ago, when our grandparents and great-grandparents came to this country from places that were poor and oppressive and torn by war. They came here, ready to work. They came here, looking for a better life for their children.

What they found was men like Woodrow Wilson, powerful and influential leaders, who declared them too slow-witted, too lazy, too dangerous to deserve a place at the American table. At Ellis Island, director William Williams created a set of standards to determine who should be allowed entrance to the United States, and who should be forced to take the long voyage back to Europe. Williams was a believer in eugenics, the now-discredited pseudoscience that moral, mental, and physical weakness could be pinpointed to genetic heritage.

Young French women were almost always denied entrance at Ellis Island, because Williams and his top assistant, Dr. Henry Goddard, believed that young French women were genetically inclined to be prostitutes. People were denied entry based on the shape of their skull or the length of their fingers: stubby fingers were a sign of slow-wittedness. Goddard even coined a word, to describe those he ruled unfit to become Americans. He called them “Morons,” an adaptation of the Greek word meaning, “dull.”

One of my great-grandfathers, Piotr Litwin, was less than five feet tall when he landed at Ellis Island. For some of the eugenicist examiners, Piotr’s height alone was enough to send him back to his tiny village in southeastern Poland: short people were too weak for factory work, and too slow-witted to do anything else.

Miraculously, Piotr won admittance to the USA. He settled in North Tonawanda, in the collection of shanties on the unpaved roads that would become The Avenues. He got a job, at the Buffalo Bolt plant. He got married. He made sure his children went to school, learned English, studied hard. He saved his money and eventually bought a business. That business became Litwin’s Bar and Grill, a major gathering place in Third Ward, and home of a legendary Friday fish fry.

Piotr’s descendants include three attorneys, a writer for a major American newspaper, several college professors, a number of nurses and medical professionals, a successful small business owner, an award-winning composer, several teachers, and one town supervisor/congressional candidate. By my count, more than fifty of Pitor’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have earned college degrees, many of them advanced degrees. Piotr, who insisted on being called Peter once he settled in America, is an American success story. And it only a bit of good fortune that enabled him to settle here in the first place.

My family’s experience is not unique. Nearly everyone who reads this can tell a similar story of ancestors making the sacrifice to cross the Atlantic, of the terrifying examination process at Ellis Island or some other point of entry, of facing prejudice and poverty and years of backbreaking labor, and finally, of their descendants reaping the fruit of this amazing, bountiful country.

All of those people who were hated and mistrusted and mistreated a hundred years ago, the Italians and Poles and Hungarians and Russians, our ancestors, our families, they are the people who made America great. This country would be a lesser, weaker place without the contributions of those immigrants.

Immigration is the lifeblood of a vital, dynamic democracy. It is scary, embracing that truth. Our natural inclination is to pull back from the unfamiliar, to distrust. We are better than Woodrow Wilson. We know the power that comes when we open ourselves to new ideas, new people.

When we are tempted to close our hearts, we need to remember the experiences of our ancestors. We need to remember Peter Litwin, and all the men and women like him. And we need to change. Most importantly, we need to remember who we really are and what made us strong.

God bless America. May it be a beacon to the world forever.

Nata McMurray

Grand Island town supervisor

(McMurray is a Democratic Party candidate for the 27th Congressional District.)

Editor:

We live in dangerous times. Almost daily, there is another random act of violence somewhere in America. I remember when we felt safe here, living our lives far away from the heavily populated cities where those unimaginable events took place.

Our sense of security is now and forever gone, replaced by the realization that there is no place on earth excepted from acts of violence. While my generation still has difficulty coming to terms with this harsh reality, the younger generation has learned how to endure it.

I was shocked one day when my niece, Jessica, rather nonchalantly informed me that there has been violence and terrorism for as long as she can remember. I quickly did the math and realized that she belongs to the first generation of Americans forced to carry the mental burden of these brutal acts as a condition of their daily lives.

All of our children shoulder this weight with astonishing dignity and grace. Jessica will never know anything about the carefree world in which I grew up, and I mourn the loss of that for her, for her sisters, and for all young people universally.

We must remember that whenever and wherever catastrophes strike, law enforcement officers are the first to run straight into the chaos. I have no idea where this kind of valor comes from, but I do thank God they all share the same spirit of heroism. There is no greater act of courage than to put their lives into dangerous situations in order to protect others. Officers know that at any time, they may be called upon to lay down their lives, and they willingly accept this responsibility as a condition of their profession.

There is currently a movement to dissolve the Medina Police Department. I have carefully studied the Center for Governmental Research Baseline Report of May, 2017, the Options Report of October 2017, and the Final Report of December 2017. There is nothing in this study to persuade me that any of this is in the best interest of any man, woman or child in our community; however, if we are not attentive, it could happen.

Once these bastions begin to break down, it leaves every remaining department vulnerable. What might be dissolved next? I have waited for our village officials to take a very strong, tough and public position against the proposal to dissolve our Police Department long before it goes to the referendum stage.

So far, at least to my knowledge, their push-back against the proposition has been weak. As a private citizen, I feel uncomfortable standing by and doing nothing; however, I feel equally uncomfortable stepping forward and taking up a cause that I feel should be addressed by the officials for whom we have voted, and in whom we have placed our trust.

The crisis that is paramount today regards the safety of our children, our schools, and all public and private places within our community. We have always looked to our Village Police Department for this protection. I firmly believe that we have outstanding leadership in Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward, a 15-year veteran; Lieutenant Todd Draper; and Sergeant Michael Borrell.

We also have some of the most remarkably talented police recruits Medina has ever seen. Under their leadership, they will create a team to build the foundation upon which a great police department will continue to serve our community with strength and determination.

Thanking you all in advance for your time and attention in this matter.

Respectfully,

Mary Eileen Hare

Medina

Editor:

Just a reminder. The local political committees are reorganizing this year. June 5 was the first day to start circulating petitions to run for a town committee. The petitions have to be filed at the board of elections between July 9th and no later than the 12th.

Become a committee member, become involved. Have first say on who will or will not be endorsed for a political office to serve the people in your district. To quote the Greek Philosopher Plato: “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.”

Becoming a committee member is more powerful than holding an office. You can change the entire makeup of a board. Run. Run in packs of as many as you can convince to run. Get your petitions at the board of elections and carry it yourself. You won’t get another chance for two years.

Orleans County needs changing and this is how you do it. End the tax, regulate and spend. Make our county a low-tax place to settle in and do business with new leadership.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonvile

Orleans County Conservative Committee

Editor:

Let me do my best to respond to my challenger’s comments. First of all, personally, I think Holley is great already! However, just like all small communities, it is true that much work needs to be done to address a variety of issues. The good news is, we are currently on a path to do just that. With experienced leadership we can utilize the current approach combined with new ideas to address other areas in the Village, but this will take time.

If my opponent were to actually read my letter he would understand that what was said was that the creation of these projects and the improvements will make the village a better place to live and do business. This is a true statement…replacing about 1/3 of the Villages crumbling sidewalks and water infrastructure will absolutely help accomplish this. This is approximately $4.5 million worth of infrastructure improvements, a magnitude of projects not seen in this Village in recent history!

Further, revitalizing the old High school (conveniently left out of his comment letter) will absolutely help accomplish this as well. This $17 million project is a game-changer for our Village putting people from 41 apartments within walking distance of our square. This is truly a transformational project that will impact not only the Village but all the communities around us. These are the types of projects and real progress that encourage new businesses to invest here and that has been our consistent message.

These projects also show a commitment to our community. Putting forth projects as described above will create a climate where new businesses, or businesses looking to relocate, will look at Holley and say, this community is pressing forward and constantly improving and investing in themselves. This is what will bring business back downtown.

Does he disagree? Based on the concerns expressed in my opponent’s letter while considering we already have solutions to about 1/3 of the Village in motion, it would be logical to assume they would agree? (Should I take this as an endorsement from them…thanks, I guess??)

So then, my opponent claims to “want to turn this around.” My question to them is, turn what around exactly? Everything you state you want to do during your “infrastructure phase” are things we are already in the process of doing. So again, what needs to be turned around? It simply seems my opponent and his team claim to want to do what we have already been doing. Yet somehow they want to address “ALL” of our curbs and sidewalks, (which is a very big promise by the way), by going in some different direction, and somehow do it better and at no cost? Oh yeah, and also they have a “results-driven, solution-oriented team” that is accountable to the taxpayers. Where is the evidence or plan to back up these claims? How can you make these claims when none of you have been to a board meeting, particularly our recent budget meetings? If you are going to make promises, how can you do that without knowing how much money there is to work with? Now is not the time for platitudes and shallow campaign promises, there is serious business going on here. Now is the time for experienced leadership, those that are truly dedicated to these efforts. These claims and promises are mind-boggling to me.

I would encourage all interested voters to come to the Candidate Forum on June 13, and I hope someone asks the simple question of HOW? to Mr. O’Mara.

I have repeatedly described how I believe we are heading in the right direction given our current progress. Is everything perfect, no absolutely not….We have much more work to do! What we have done so far is just the beginning….we have the experience, dedication, and commitment to Continue the Progress!

Please Vote June 19th to re-elect Sorochty – Mayor, Nenni – Trustee, Lynch – Trustee!

Thank You!

Brian J Sorochty

Mayor Village of Holley

Editor:

It has been a year since I joined the Holley Village Board, and in that time I have seen many changes, and yes it was sad to see the bank and store leave, but I am excited about the new Holley Bar and Grill due to open in the Fall.

And there are many improvements coming, due to the hard work of Mayor Sorochty and all the board members, and thank you to all the village residents who have supported our efforts.

If you received the Mayor’s update letter you know what improvements are coming and I can assure you this is just the beginning of continuing the progress for our little but strong Village of Holley.

The first weekend in June was a prime example of  what we can do when we work together and get involved. This year’s June Fest was fantastic, with the village-wide yard sales, all the children’s activities, food and craft venders, wooden boats and classic cars, library book sale and the many service information booths. The Historical Society put on an old-fashioned cake walk along with a very successful bake sale by the museum. But my favorite was the fireworks. Thank you Krista Wiley and the rest of the June Fest Committee for a job well done.

And a shout out to the DPW Crew who were out sprucing up the village before and cleaning up afterward.

My first year as your Trustee has been a busy one with the monthly meetings the many extra working meetings as well as the numerous training seminars and informational programs offered by the county to attend. I am enjoying it all and learning much. So I hope you will join me in supporting our current Board and vote on June 19 to keep the progress going.

Vote Sorochty, Lynch and Nenni.

Thank you,

Rochelle Moroz

Village of Holley Trustee

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Editor:

My name is Joseph Gangi Jr; I am running for the Town of Gaines open councilperson seat and I am running in the September 13^th Primary Election. Hard work, honesty, morality, objectivity and integrity. These are values I hold dear today.

After 30 years working for the Rochester Police Department, I am retiring this January 2019. I have been the department’s Quartermaster. I managed an annual budget of around half a million dollars. Over the course of my career, I have saved the City of Rochester thousands of dollars.

I met my wife in 2009; we bought a house in Gaines in 2010. We could have lived anywhere but we chose to stay in this town, our town, Gaines. My wife Michelle was raised here in Gaines. We have solid roots.

Our town residents are very smart and I know they share the same concerns as I do. My concerns are simple but extremely important to this community;

Taxes – We need to keep an eye on our town’s taxes. The hope would be to not have them go up. As you all know, politicians all say the same thing, LOWER TAXES.  All I can say is I will work hard to do just that but again, you are smart and know, nothing is guaranteed. I do promise you this; I will work hard for all of us to keep our taxes controlled. We must keep an eye on taxes.

Agriculture (Farming) is the backbone of this community.

1. Agricultural Effect Economically – Farms provide a livelihood for people who work on them. The list goes on and on from machinery, feed stores, transportation, then eventually to us, the consumer. There are multiple professions in between that benefit from agriculture. We must protect agriculture.

2. Agriculture Effect Environmental – When you think of farms, you think of cows grazing in the fields, corn crops, big red barns, and don’t forget about the view over those fields, how beautiful those truly are for miles around. It’s for this reason we chose to live here in our town, Gaines. Also, think about the wildlife that is sustained because these farms exist, I’m sure all you hunters can appreciate that. We must protect agriculture.

Support Smart Economic Growth – This just goes along with agriculture. We must be real careful how and where our town grows as to not disturb the agricultural environment. These are the concerns of many I have spoken to. We must encourage and be conscious of our town’s economic growth.

Smart Spending – Our town is small and most of us, the residents, are not wealthy. We must be smart with the way our town’s money is spent. Again, this goes to keeping expenses down and not being wasteful so that we can keep our taxes low. Money has to be spent; we just need to be smart about it.  We must watch spending.

Our town matters.

Joseph Gangi Jr.

Gaines