Editor:

I brought my 10-year-old son home from school last week, and found a flyer for a celebration October 31st: “Happy Harvest Day!!!”

Yes, this is Medina Central Schools caving in to the Politically Correct Leftist Agenda, aimed at indoctrinating our children’s minds regarding the centuries old Halloween holiday.  I was stunned.

In the cities, teachers are force-feeding our youth with “sex education”, anti-Americanism, and Socialism. Never in my life did I think this poison would reach my own community.

So the flyer from my son’s school requested “treats” for the ‘harvest-what-about-ism’, a cancer of holiday degradation spreading throughout the country, much like the atheists attempts to ruin Christmas with “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” … apparently this anti-holiday has spread to my own suburban county in rural WNY!

I’ve had it!! I mean, if the PC police can infect Medina, we are done as a country. And I refuse to bend to this, by stating the historical FACTS (cue screaming liberals):

The fact is, October 31st is the eve of the Feast of All Saints Day, an ancient holiday celebrated by Catholics for a millennium: Kids would go door to door asking for “Soul Cakes”, a treat the bereaved would offer to them if they prayed for a deceased loved one’s soul in Purgatory. The following day is the Feast of All Saints, November 1st. The day after (November 2nd) is the Feast of All Souls, a holy day of obligation in the Church, explicitly insisting we dedicate the day to praying for the dead, which Our Lord Jesus Christ insisted upon during His Life.

So if the school district really wants to celebrate Halloween (or All Hallows Eve, from the words “Hallowed be Thy Name”, stated in the Lord’s Prayer), it should instead go back to the origin of the holiday instead of minimizing the Catholic Faith by labeling it “Harvest Day”, whatever the heck THAT has to do with the Saints!

Kimberly Kennedy

Medina

Editor:

As a citizen of the Town of Ridgeway, I am interested in the issues of the local campaign for Ridgeway Town Clerk. Rather than listening to hearsay of the past many weeks about some serious concerns brought to my attention, I went to the proper officials and departments, both local and county, for answers.

I am concerned about the questions relating to the costs of training a newly elected Town Clerk, as opposed to a person temporarily acting as such. I learned from town officials that regardless of who wins the election, the training and costs will be the same. The training for this position is ongoing every year and is a consistent line in the budget. It will not be a financial burden to the Town.

After a close primary election between the candidates, I am pleased and relieved that we still have a choice in November. It was brought to my attention by several fellow citizens that the practice of handing out political advertisements during working hours at the Town Hall has been a practice of late.

Town officials were not aware of such a practice, but a representative of the Board of Elections was notified by concerned citizens. When Town officials were notified by the Board of Elections, it was stopped. By that time, damage had been done to an opposing campaign. This practice is unethical, illegal, speaks to character, and should not be tolerated.

There is a better option for the people. Yes, experience counts, but not always most important, integrity is priceless. Being in a particular position for six years does not mean you are the best for that position or the next, there is much more to it.

I am proud to say that I am supporting Tara L. White for Ridgeway Town Clerk. Tara is a candidate with formal education and professional experience that will surely contribute to her ability to do what is right and fair for her constituents, implementing new ideas and services, and serving with honesty and integrity.

It is time to pass the torch and utilize the energy and talents of the next generation.

I ask you to please join me in voting for Tara L. White for Ridgeway Town Clerk, a candidate for all of the people.

Patricia (Patty) Woodworth

Ridgeway

Editor:

I have known Gaines Town Justice Bruce Schmidt for over 20 years, beginning when he and his wife moved into our little neighborhood. I have known him to be an award-winning attorney in the State Attorney General’s Office and the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office.

I have known him in the capacity of a private attorney and also the judge in the Gaines Town Court. He has been and still is a member of various community organizations. He has always been a loving spouse, father and grandfather.

But, above all, I came to know him when he worked with my husband as an attorney for Orleans County Child and Family Services, advocating for many children and adult victims.

To this day Bruce continues to be an advocate for justice.

On Nov. 7, 2017, please join me in voting to keep Judge Bruce Schmidt for justice of the Town of Gaines Court.

Gloria Neilans

Albion

Editor:

I was greatly offended by the fact that Ms. Smith admonished our Hub editor, Mr. Tom Rivers. I have met Tom and talked with him on several occasions and found him to be very personable and knowledgeable on many subjects. A good reporter reports both sides of a story and I feel Tom as done that.

Funny, Ms. Smith, you admonish Mr. Rivers for reporting “rude remarks” made by Donna Bane and Apex supporters, but forget about the many “very rude remarks” by SOS and Mr. Riggi against Donna and the many Apex supporters.

Ms. Smith stated Riggi ran on a platform with different planks. I find that his platform is actually one 4’x8′ sheet of 3/4″ treated plywood with one mission: stopping wind projects. The rewriting of the Town of Yates Wind Law is proof of that. I know because I was a token member put on the committee at the last minute. In fact, a Town Board Meeting was held at 7:30 on a Saturday morning to approve me as a committee member. One thing to note about the committee is that I was the only member on the committee that wasn’t SOS affiliated.

If one of Riggi’s planks for running was to bring economic development to this town, why hasn’t there been a single penny of revenue since he was elected. In the year and a half that Riggi has been on the board, he hasn’t brought a single penny of revenue into this town.

Now, he is asking for a lawsuit that the Town of Yates can’t afford. As stated at the meeting, all the requirements for the application of the MET tower have been met. Questions have been answered. Apex has done everything right in their MET tower application and they have the right to sue the town. Lucky for Yates, Apex is trying to work things out peaceably so there can be another vote, and the town can avoid a lawsuit. Apex has been more than patient with our town board.

Like Donna Bane, I too thought Riggi’s outburst at our August town board meeting was very inappropriate, especially for a board member. As a constituent, I would ask that he refrain from that behavior in the future.

SOS has made numerous presentations to the town board. By looking at many board members expressions, I’m sure by now they find them very boring. Every time someone from SOS would present misinformation, there was clapping and cheering from the SOS supporters.

I found this behavior inappropriate, and after thinking it over, I sent Town Supervisor Jim Simon an email stating my objection to their behavior. Simon must have agreed because he started the September Town Board meeting with a couple of statements. He asked those present speak and act with civility toward the Board and each other and to try and direct their comments to the Board only. He also asked the audience to limit their reactions of the testimony of each speaker so as not to disrupt the meeting. Thank you, Jim, for taking control of the Town Board meeting again. I would hope that respectful behavior can be maintained not only from the public in attendance, but also from Mr. Riggi.

In closing, Ms. Smith, I would like to remind you this is “A Right to Farm Town.”

Howard L, Pierce

Lyndonville

Editor:

Thank you for the feature story on Jacki Mowers-Sciarabba, Ministry of Concern Client Advocate, that appeared in the Orleans Hub on October 11.  We were all so pleased that Jacki’s work was recognized by the presentation of a Community Service award by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

Unfortunately, there was some inaccurate and confusing information concerning services provided by the Orleans County Department of Social Services (DSS).  Excerpts from the interview questions and answers are followed by the correct information.

Interview Question: People might think there is Section 8 and welfare that cover all of the needs?

Answer: There is, but there is a waiting period for everything. If you go in and apply for Medicaid, you have a 45-day wait.

Correction:  There is a 30-day eligibility determination period for Medicaid.

Interview Question: Do you sometimes function as a connector to other agencies?

Answer: I never send someone out without having someone else for them to go to for the assistance that they need. We don’t help with rent or security deposits and that is an issue. Nobody in this county helps with security deposits. Community Action and DSS do first month’s rent, but there is limited funding.

Correction: The Orleans County Department of Social Services can provide landlords with a security deposit waiver agreement in which DSS will pay the landlord for any damages and recoup that money from the person receiving DSS benefits.

Interview Question: So people could need $500 or more for a security deposit?

Answer: Absolutely. The typical one is generally between $500 and $700. and then there is the matter of finding apartments. The landlords are often booked.

It is very difficult. They have to go through the application process. There is nothing quick when it comes to housing. So therefore how many nights can we pay for someone to stay at Dollinger’s? We used to have a rule for one night and you have to have a place to go by 11 o’clock the next morning. So if they needed one night’s lodging before they could move into their apartment, that was fine. But that is so often not the case. If the people are being evicted on a Thursday, they won’t get into DSS until Monday. What do they do for the weekend with their kids? What are they supposed to do?

I’m not one to encourage people to sleep in their cars. It’s not the heating season so DSS won’t help them with emergency housing. It has to be 40 degrees or lower for them to help with emergency housing. That displaces a lot of families.

Correction: DSS provides emergency shelter to families with children on the same day they apply. Single individuals are offered opportunities to rent through arrangements with local landlords. Once the temperature falls below 32 degrees, they may be placed in emergency housing until permanent housing is secured.

While we regret that these errors occurred it has afforded us the opportunity for a productive dialogue with the Department of Social Services. Both organizations are committed to working closely together, and with other organizations, to maximize limited resources and prevent any duplication of services.

Sincerely,

Nyla J. Gaylord

Executive Director

Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Inc.

Editor:

Last April I submitted a request to change my party affiliation. For the last 39 years I registered as an Independence party member, but I almost always voted conservative or republican.

I opted to change my affiliation to the Republican Party so I could better participate in what is essentially a two-party system.

During this past primary in the Town of Murray, I was surprised to find out that I was still registered as an Independence Party member. I’m not sure if my paperwork was lost or if the republicans didn’t want me.

Either way, I was a little relieved. I was relieved because I spent most of the last primary season nauseated by the campaign practices of the Town of Murray Republican Party.

To be fair, I doubt that most of the Murray Republicans approved of the sophomoric tactics employed by the party’s choice for Supervisor. I know and trust some of the members of the Republican Committee and two of the elected officials. I bet they were just as appalled as I was to see new lows in campaign ethics.

I implore all Republican and Conservative candidates to remember that you are on the same team; that you have the same goals. Conduct your lives and campaigns with dignity and grace.

Embrace the opportunity to serve the public. Earn the trust of your neighbors. Unite in our common belief that a just, efficient government can exist. Stun us with your magnanimity.

Put your egos aside. Live by the same rules as the rest of us do. Improve our systems, our methods and our community. Be honest and forthright. Give credit where credit is due. Do what you say you’ll do.

We’ll be blown away.

Chad Fabry

Murray

Editor:

I am Al Capurso and I am the endorsed Democratic candidate for Orleans County Legislator at-large. If you live anywhere in Orleans County, I would greatly appreciate your vote on Tuesday, November 7.

I am a life-long resident and property owner. My service to the people of Orleans County spans several decades in several county agencies. I am the first former county employee to run for the legislature. I will bring a much needed pro-labor perspective. When we attract and keep quality County employees, everybody benefits.

As a member of SPOC (Stop Polluting Orleans County) I am opposed to any new landfills. I also stand with those opposed to the proposed stone quarry in Shelby next to the National Wildlife Refuge. As a hunter and gun owner, I will work to preserve wildlife habitat and enhance hunting opportunities through conservation easements.

I will use my 25 years experience running a fishing/tourism business to work toward making Orleans County the tourism destination it should be. Visitors from all over the region are beginning to seek us out.

My work in historic preservation has taught me how to strive for the recognition our historic gems deserve on the state and federal level. Our increase in historic markers tells the public we have many special places here.

I look forward to serving for the common good.

Respectfully,

Al Capurso

Gaines

Candidate for Orleans County Legislator

Editor:

The Erie Canal towpath has always been a place of beauty and tranquility. It is a place to escape, walk, ride bicycles and enjoy nature.

We have lost something with the rapid execution of the tree line and foliage along the towpath, which gave home to wildlife, and a break from the harsh winds of fall and winter.

We understand the reasoning behind the clearing of trees and brush, but the ruthless nature that the Canal Corp. has used in clearing this scenic walkway is unforgivable.

It has been particularly harsh for residents living on the north side of the canal, where all privacy is lost. In the article on the Orleans Hub, it was stated that “The trees were not a managed forest. They were not planned and placed so as to be in harmony with the canal bank.” And the removal was “a good thing.”

We strongly disagree that the total obliteration of trees is a good thing. A true environmentalist could have, and would have, managed to leave some semblance, however small, of a natural tree line and still be able to mow and check for breaches.

Our belief and hope, is that whatever the Canal Corp. has in mind for the future, they take a more sensitive approach to management.

Elizabeth and Michael Leone

Medina

Editor:

It will be the 100th Anniversary of woman’s suffrage and my fourth term as the first woman Supervisor in the Town of Gaines.

Just like the women in 1848 through the 1920’s, I have been faced with some challenges concerning changes that were needed to be made as Supervisor.

Planning Board: We were down to 4 members the appointed board was struggling.  Through Land Use Training, an Attorney presented the benefits of appointing ZBA for PB Issues.

The Planning Board was organized by resolution and we were informed we could dissolve by resolution and so we did.  The ZBA has done an excellent job handling all planning and zoning issues.

Town Attorney: The Town Attorney is appointed on an annual basis by board approval.  As a new Supervisor, I felt it was time for a fresh start and the majority of the board agreed.  Andrew Meier has done a magnificent job and has saved us money.

Code of Ethics:  We passed a new code of ethics keeping elected officials that work for you out of Nominating Committees so political parties would not have direct influence on town decisions (My opponent, the Gaines Republican Chairman, obviously disagrees with that philosophy).

Our town has been faced with challenges but we have risen above and it is now in great shape! We have a wonderful board and we work together as a team making decisions that benefit our entire Town – not a select few.

The select few and their self-endorsed committee friends want you to believe that the list of things we have accomplished are goals they need to address. Their lack of attendance speaks volumes on their lack of information. Let’s keep Gaines in a good place.

Sincerely,

Carol Culhane

Town of Gaines Supervisor

Editor:

I am a graduate of Kendall Junior Senior High School, Class of 1977. Recently, I had the opportunity to run into one of my old teachers, out with his Mother for lunch at a diner in Holley. The first time I ran into him was several years ago at the Orleans County 4H Fair. He did not recognize me at that time. However, this time he did, and introduced me to his Mother.

We had an amiable chat, and I left. Afterwards, I felt remiss that I had not taken the opportunity to tell his Mother what an influence her son had on me, and that he was one of my most respected teachers. So much so, that when I did return to college, my chosen minor was Political Science.

My misgivings have been tempered. It seems that from his position as the de facto patriarch of the county Democrat Party, he has taken the opportunity to come out in public support of my opponent. While I defend his right to make that decision, I do feel it is for all the wrong reasons, namely partisan politics.

I am disappointed that he did not take the time to ask me about my qualifications. I would explain that I have a fresh perspective on town government, and desire to see what we can accomplish when we work together for a common purpose. Hardly the “status quo,” I want to make the Town of Murray even more accessible to the owners, the citizens. By creating an environment where we consider our collective betterment, rather than just looking out for ourselves, to be our top priority.

I want to reintroduce a Town Newsletter to keep people abreast of what is going on in their community. I am confident that this can be accomplished at no cost to the taxpayers, and provide an insight into the operations of the municipal government, but also events going on at the Community Free Library, the High School, and the Historical Society, just to name a few.

I believe the future is bright in Murray. Home sales are brisk, and I have spoken to many new residents who are glad they moved here. Businesses are expanding, and we are doing all we can to make a better environment for new businesses to call the Town of Murray home.

Were my former teacher to discuss the matter with me, he would see that I intend to be the best possible advocate for the citizens of Murray. I am proud that we have compiled a preliminary budget that holds the line on taxes this year, remaining below the tax cap. Murray currently enjoys a highly enviable score for Fiscal Stress, according the State Comptroller’s Office website, ranking much better than the average of “All Towns,” “Finger Lake Towns,” and “Medium Upstate Towns.” Please, check it out for yourself.

I am trying to operate a campaign based on facts, integrity, and honesty, traits I would imagine my former teacher values. This is difficult in light of the many falsehoods that others are hearing from my opponent. The following are some of the things I have been told are fact (if only because my opponent said them), in no particular order:

Claim – Everyone at the Town Offices has had their assessments reduced.

False. Over the past two years, anyone with tillable land experienced an increase, due to the price of such land on the current market. Four of the thirteen evaluated did not go up, and just three of these were reduced in accordance with the formulas used. My opponent knows this to be the case. Personally, mine went up 19 percent. Do I like it? No. Do I think it was done fairly? Yes.

Claim – The Town of Murray leases all of its Highway Department equipment.

False again. Everything at the Town Offices inclusive of the Highway Department is a Capital Asset, with the exception of the commercial copier. The citizens of Murray own our equipment, we do not lease! My opponent is well aware of this fact also, yet says otherwise.

Claim – The Town of Murray is overtaxing the citizens for their water.

False again! As part of the agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Agency, which is the agency who approves our grants and low interest bonds for the water districts, we are not only asked to tax and maintain an adequate fund balance in reserves, and for operation and maintenance, we are required to do so contractually. My opponent knows this as well, but strategically omits that fact, claiming we are “overtaxing.”

The explanation of why my opponent wishes only those who are connected to the town water system to pay this cost is simple. He is connected to the Village of Holley water system! On the three properties owned by my opponent or his corporations in the Town of Murray, all are agricultural exempt. Meaning he does not pay water taxes for those properties. Shifting the expense of operation and maintenance to the ratepayers would raise the current rates of $4.25 per 1,000 gallons to as high as $6.25 in some districts, and almost $18.00 per 1,000 gallons in others. This would constitute a grossly unfair system of taxation. It also totally ignores the value added to your property from having municipal water access available, as well as fire protection.

Perhaps he will want the fire departments to install a meter at the hydrant should your house catch fire? At a thousand gallons per minute, per hose, that would add up fast! Obviously, I would not allow that to happen.

I have been accused by my opponent of being a puppet for others. I assure you, this could not be further from the truth. Anyone who knows me knows that I will not hesitate to ask questions, gather all the facts, and make my decisions in the best interest of others and not myself. I will not back down when the cause is just.

Regardless of your voter registration, if you believe as I do that local municipal policies should be above partisan politics, and the integrity of the individual you place in charge of your Town is important, then I humbly ask for your vote on November 7.

Respectfully,

Robert G. Miller

Candidate for Town of Murray Supervisor

Editor:

I read Congressman Collins’ tweet after the latest and largest (not last) mass shooting in the long history of American gun violence. Collins tweeted, “Devastated to learn about the tragedy in Las Vegas. My thoughts and prayers and (sic) with the victims and their families.”

Well, Congressman Collins, your thoughts and prayers are not enough. They are not healing and they are not soothing.

One may ask if your thoughts and prayers are for each and every one of the 58 unsuspecting Americans who died and the more than 500 who were wounded; are there individual prayers for each of them or just a group prayer? Do you also pray for their families and loved ones who have lost and will suffer so much? Do you pray for the first responders and witnesses who pitched in to help and who will hurt as a result of the carnage they witnessed?

Do you pray as well for the more than 90 Americans who die each and every day from gun violence? Do you pray for the more than 33,000 who die annually? What about their families? How about thoughts and prayers for the more than 100,000 who are gravely injured by gunfire every year? What about their families? They suffer too!

We know how you feel when one of your own suffers the same fate. You arm up – after the Rep. Scalise shooting you said “I can assure you, from this day forward, I will be carrying when I’m out and about.” You introduced federal legislation to undo the NY SAFE Act which helped NY attain the 3rd highest gun safety rating in the nation and which is supported of by a wide majority of NYers and a majority of upstate voters.

So here is a better idea! Why not introduce legislation permitting guns everywhere? Allow them in government buildings, into the US Capitol and the Senate and House Office Buildings? And in the Supreme Court. All the places you can hide from the daily threat and promise of gun violence that the rest of us face. How about allowing guns around the Capitol grounds as you go and from your place of security while 7, 8 and 9 year-olds and teens run the gamut to and from school? And in their homes. How about guns in the homes of domestic abusers and terrorists?

If guns make us all safer, then you should be willing to permit guns everywhere. What could go wrong? You want guns in our churches and in our schools and in taverns and movie theaters, mandate them in NRA Headquarters too.

Quit chipping away at gun rights – go full throttle! Guns everywhere! Why restrict them from domestic abusers and the mentally ill and convicts and terrorists and children. Guns in airplanes and on school busses, in hospitals, mental health facilities and daycare centers. At Fantasy Island and Disneyland. At the Super Bowl and NRA conventions.

Why bother with metal detectors and body scanners in airports and at Bills’ and Sabres’ games? Guns everywhere!

Obviously, you are not alone in this disgrace. Your complicity is shared by the entire Republican caucus and too many Democrats. But make no mistake, the blood money in your pocket from the NRA and your fealty to them is as complicit in those deaths as if you pulled the trigger that kills our children and grandchildren and brothers and sisters, on a daily basis.

Dante wrote “The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality.” What must be reserved for those who turn a blind eye to this ongoing tragedy at a time of real moral crisis and real domestic terror?

I live in your Congressional District, but you are not my representative.

Paul McQuillen

Upstate Coordinator New Yorkers Against Gun Violence

Member of Stop the Violence Coalition

Editor:

Town of Yates voters. You will have three choices for councilman this November 7th. All three are against the wind turbine invasion.

What do you know about each of the candidates? I attend town meeting regularly so let me help you out here. Two have been endorsed by the “Liberal Progressive” Yates Republican Committee. I can say that because it’s true. As far back as I can remember they have not produced a candidate that has not voted to raise your taxes or maintain the status quo.

The elected officials are never taken to task for this only given continuous endorsements. The incumbent candidate is a skilled career politician that will say and vote any way he has to to keep the seat. He has also voted to raise your taxes every year since he has been in office.

The endorsed challenger I can’t tell you much about other than he’s against the wind turbine project, was a Democrat before recently being sought out by the Yates Republican Committee to give their endorsement and switched parties. As far as I know he hasn’t been to one meeting or workshop this year and maybe two meetings in the last three years. So I can’t tell you where he stands on all the other town issues and apparently neither candidate has to because they have the R in front of the name. Republican voters, don’t be fooled by that R. It’s in name only. I would like you to help me change that so I can help you where it counts. Your wallet.

So here is why I respectfully ask you to elected Paul Lauricella Jr. as Yates Town Councilman on November 7, 2017.

• Expel the wind turbine giants from our town.

• Help to protect our all-volunteer fire department.

• Help to cut unnecessary spending and fight the status quo.

• Help to continue to support local farming and agriculture.

• Help to bring business and quality development to Yates.

• Help to protect our culture and way of life that residents enjoy.

• Help to reduce regulations and oppose creation of more.

• Fight to cut taxes that burden and stress the citizens of this town.

• Protect and defend the Constitution and all of its liberties.

Those of you who know me know I back up my words with action. When I commit to an endeavor 100 percent devotion is given. I am not a politician. I am an advocate for you the ordinary citizen whose voice is not heard.

When I speak, I speak for you. Government continues to operate and spend in last century’s fashion. Why not, it’s other peoples’ money they are spending. Your money, with no cares how much you have to give up and stress over how you can pay.

I will fight over every nickel spent. We must reduce spending to reduce taxes. It can be done. I will do this job for no pay as a service to my community. I respectfully ask you in Yates for your vote. What have you got to lose? Seems no matter who you elect the status quo reigns supreme. Let’s change that. Help is on the way. For true change vote for Paul Lauricella Jr. on the Conservative and independent lines.

Paul Lauricella Jr.

Candidate for Yates Town Councilman

Editor:

As is customary at quarter end, an assessment has been completed to include comments “In-Favor” and “Opposed” to the Lighthouse Wind Project as proposed by APEX Clean Energy. As you may know, APEX Clean Energy is an out-of-state wind developer based in Charlottesville, Virginia.

By way of history, APEX began approaching large-scale landowners in September of 2013 with the goal of signing leases on land for industrial wind turbines. In October 2014, APEX Clean Energy “went public” with their project and in December 2014 issued a Public Information Plan (PIP) which indicated that they were proposing to place 70 industrial wind turbines in a 24-square-mile swath of land in Yates and Somerset.

In the summer of 2015, APEX indicated that their selection of turbine size would be the largest available at the time of application. For informational purposes, the largest industrial wind turbine currently available is manufactured by Vesta, Inc. and is 787 feet high. By way of comparison, 787 feet corresponds approximately to a 79-story skyscraper.

In late 2014, APEX obtained a project number:  14-F-0485 from the New York State Government and began posting documents on their project to the NYSDPS website. Concurrently, the general public also began posting comments to the NYSDPS website both in favor and opposed to the project. It was at this point that the quarterly comments assessment process commenced.

At the end of Q3-2017, 1004 public comments had been posted to the NYSDPS site. Assessment of comments continues to show the opposition rate to the Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project at 84%.  Please see the table below for details:

It is important to note that in the 2.75 years in which quarterly assessments have been performed, the quarterly opposition rate dipped only once to 70 percent.  The overall average opposition in those same 2.75 years has settled at 84 percent.

As with previous assessments, all comments made to the NYSDPS site regarding the Lighthouse Wind Project were included in the assessment and cover the time period from Q1-2015 through September 30, 2017. All comments were read fully in order to ascertain position regarding the wind project.

In other news:

There seems to be a shift in our State Capitol of Albany toward the many Upstate and Western New York Industrial Wind Opposition Movements.  For example:

• On September 14, 2017, at a meeting of the Independent Power Producers of New York, Public Service Commission Chairman John Rhodes said that the state was not going to force wind projects on rural communities and said the Article 10 is “not a stacked process” against those communities. Mr. Rhodes stated, “Not under this governor are we going to force people in a police state mode to do anything.”
• On September 14, 2017, Lieutenant Governor Hochul spoke at the North Country Regional Economic Development Council Meeting at SUNY Potsdam. A councilmember informed Ms. Hochul that the council unanimously supported keeping Fort Drum a regional priority when siting industrial wind turbine projects. “We are aggressive in protecting our bases,” Lieutenant Governor Hochul said. “It’s the jobs, it’s the impact on the community and also … it’s protecting our nation’s defense.” Ms. Hochul was also asked about industrial wind turbine projects elsewhere in the North Country. Lieutenant Governor Hochul confirmed that addressing community needs was important. “We’re committed to clean energy and reducing our reliance on outside fossil fuels, but we’re also very sensitive to the needs of the communities, and we’ll always strike the right balance,” she said.  The extension of similar Albany attention to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is only a matter of time.
• On October 12, 2017, Mr. Paul Agresta – Chief Counsel for NYSDPS spoke at the Alliance for Clean Energy (ACE) New York Fall Conference in Albany, NY. Agresta stated the following:  “Care must be taken by Article 10 applicants to avoid, and we as regulators must ensure against, giving in to the attitude of the pure entrepreneur,” Agresta said. “The pure entrepreneur only cares about closing the deal, its deal, today’s deal, by hook or by crook, by trickery or intimidation, close a deal, cash out, move on. That’s a dangerous attitude, which if taken too far will kill the Article 10 process.”  In relation to continuing struggle to define the term “unreasonably burdensome” in relation to local zoning law requirements, Mr. Agresta stated the following:…the better practice is to find a town that wants you and help them write an ordinance that accommodates what you want to build. That’s really what we need to have happen,” Agresta said. “We don’t want to be fighting towns over waivers. We want developers to go to a town where they’re wanted and work it out.”

While the tide seems to be turning in Albany, it is important to remember that it takes herculean efforts to effect meaningful, long term change with large governmental organizations. So, it’s right and appropriate to celebrate these victories in Albany. However, we cannot rest in the ongoing effort and fight to defeat APEX Clean Energy and the Lighthouse Wind Project. Our economy, wildlife, environment, health and very quality of life is at stake.

Thank you,

John Riggi

Councilman, Town of Yates

Editor:

I am running for Murray Supervisor to clean up our town’s financial operations. A review of water district taxes reveals that our leaders are asleep at the wheel.

At construction, each water district borrowed money to be built. This debt is repaid by district users through an annual debt service tax. Each district has its own debt and its own corresponding tax rate. The amount raised by tax levy must equal the annual bond payment. No more no less.

However, Murray continues to tax water district resident’s way too much, despite my protests over the years. Here’s the data from the 2018 Preliminary Budget:

On a per user basis, this over levying costs each household anywhere from $27 to $198 per year more in taxes than necessary. That’s real money and it adds up fast.

Where’s it all go? Defenders of the status quo tell us it goes to pay for operation and maintenance of our water system. Sound reasonable? I suppose.

Except that it’s grossly unfair and illegal.

Why should users in District 5 pay almost 7.5 times more for water system operations than their neighbors in District 1? District 11 where our water superintendent resides doesn’t even collect enough revenue to cover its own debt and pays nothing for operation and maintenance! Doesn’t it make infinitely more sense for users to pay for operation costs in proportion to their water usage??

Operation and maintenance cost must be paid from water charges rather than through taxes, precisely to avoid this unfair outcome. The more water you use the more you pay the less you use the less you pay, period.

Unless you live in Murray, that is, where the rules don’t apply.

Our town must immediately reduce water district taxes to come in line with bond payments.  If we can’t pay for our operations by selling water we are living beyond our means and must trim costs and waste.

We cannot afford blind tax and spend. We cannot tolerate covering it up by overtaxing our residents for debt service.

Our board refuses to act. Once elected Murray Supervisor, this will be among my first orders of business.

Please vote Joe Sidonio on the Conservative and Independence Lines.

Joe Sidonio

Murray

Editor:

I have been a member of the Medina-Ridgeway community my entire life. I have raised two children in this community and put them through the public school system. Additionally, I have worked, owned homes, paid taxes, and contributed on a daily basis to the economy of our town.

This letter serves as my endorsement of Tara Albone-White for the Town of Ridgeway Clerk. I have known Tara for 25 years from the time she was a small child. Tara has grown up in Medina and has strong lifetime attachments throughout the community, as well as a strong sense of what it means to live and raise a family here. Tara, as I know her, is an incredibly ethical, honest and hard-working woman who represents the next generation of our community.

Most importantly, Tara’s work with ARC, NYSDDSO and State Correctional Facility, combined with her associate’s degree in business, provide her with a deep sense of community as well as the education necessary to make and execute administrative decisions.

Given the qualifications and the education level of Tara there will be no incremental costs to bringing Tara up to speed in this position other than the required state/local training for any candidate elected town clerk.

The bottom line is that Tara is incredibly well trained and educated and able to step into this position with very limited training and a strong sense of equity in our community.

On a personal level, one of Tara’s strongest assets is her ability to be diplomatic and fairly represent the interest of all constituents.

I endorse Tara and strongly urge all the residents of Ridgeway vote for her.

Cheryl A. Tuttle

Medina