Editor:

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”— Maya Angelou

Kamala Harris certainly confirmed the truth of this quote during her 60 Minutes interview with CBS correspondent, Bill Whitaker. As always, she struggled to offer any clarity on the key issues such as immigration and border security.

When Whitaker pressed her on whether the Biden/Harris administration should have responded sooner to the horrific migration crisis, she declined to give her opinion. One of her signature tactics is to sidestep into a different issue, which she did by redirecting the topic at hand.

I’m sure she found Whitaker’s questions hard to tackle such as “Why did your administration loosen restrictions on immigration that led to a quadrupling of illegal migration into America?” It was obvious she didn’t know what to say. This too is a pattern. When she becomes overwhelmed or dumbfounded by a question she finds distasteful, she either talks in circles like a dog chasing its tail, or she tries to pump up her credibility by citing dissociated events.

Over time it has become apparent she is more comfortable in superficial settings such as “Call Her Daddy.” This type of arena gives her freedom to talk about herself and her campaign and steers clear of important topics such as immigration and the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene. I’d like to know how she is going to fix immigration, address the Middle East conflict and reset the economy. Her colorless and disconnected counters on these vital issues leave her audience in a stupor of confusion.

On the flip side of the coin, Trump does not shy away from difficult issues. He made peace between Kim Jong Un and Moon, becoming the first sitting US President to not only meet a North Korean leader but also enter that land. He calmed the ever brewing Middle East storm between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.

He has made his vision very transparent:

• Purging the USA of foreign gangs
• Stopping the gateway for fentanyl and other drugs
• Creating citizen/work release for qualified immigrants
• Strengthening our military
• Supporting our veterans
• Developing energy independence
• Promoting world peace
• Controlling inflation

Trump supports the police and prioritizes law and order and citizen safety. This means peaceful demonstrations, not riots.

Many people are looking ahead to what the next four years will be like, but I encourage everyone to look at the last four years.

There is a lot of work ahead. Work to improve social security, work to reduce our country’s debt and taxes and work for voting for citizens only.

During Trump’s time as President, he accomplished a great deal and proved his diligence, unlike Harris, whose time as VP has been riddled with incoherent, muddled verbiage, chaos and unfinished assignments. To expect the latter to now morph into someone who is suddenly going to handle an even more challenging job, is fodder for a fantasy novel.

Mary Mager

Fairport, formerly of Albion

Editor:

To undecided voters, be sure to not confuse what do you know and what do you think you know. Trust history, not imagination. That requires looking for real facts, logical explanations, and not mere conclusions. Bragging does not count.

Ignore partisan TV and personalities.  And read the link below to an interview that makes clear that freedom as we know it is at stake.

For 9 years everyday has brought new turns and twists. More accusations, more promises, more threats, and more bragging. So much I only write about a few things since the VP debate.

Recently Trump, Vance and Fox have been claiming criminal immigrants/illegals “walk free” based on ICE reports. In fact ICE reports use the words  “in detention” and “not in detention.” That basically means “in prison” but not held by ICE itself.

The reality is Biden decided to clean up decades of mess by locating and arresting these criminals.

The recent accusation Biden is taking FEMA money for ICE is false! Look it up. Actually it was Trump who did that.

Look it up. Remember Maria and the Puerto Rico aid disaster. Remember delaying disaster aid to Blue States. All Trump.

At the debate Vance claimed a Federal Reserve “study” shows immigrants are driving up the price of houses. That is playing the blame game. Vance’s  follow up “proof” was a quote from one member of the regional Houston Branch who simply said: “Given.. current low inventory of affordable housing ….(In some areas)… new immigrants could result in upwards pressure…”

Trump’s so-called plan for housing is to stop immigration but that does not level the playing field with Trump’s big property developer donors. (Vance used to do that and still gets money from his big money mentor.)

Harris’ proposal appears to use USDA-type grants and incentives to spur private housing.  The fundamental idea is proven. Whether or not there will be similar repayment terms or recapture for early sales appears to be an open question. But it’s doable.

Vance was so intent on claiming immigrants are eating pets he tried to talk over Walz and denied the existence of long standing (Reagan Era) Visa law. Both mics got cut. (Walz, not the attorney, knew the law.)

Walz did call one Vance answer “damning.” It deserves attention as Trump has left so many people who have anything to do with him fallen in his wake.

Presidents, vice presidents, congressmen and lawyers all take an oath to support the Constitution. Vance refuses to pledge he will support the final vote count after each governor certifies their state’s vote.

Pence honored his oath. Not on the ticket. Vance however is a proven charlatan. A never Trumper who is willing to break the same fundamental oath all our soldiers take and many have died for.

That is critical stuff!

Similarly Trump’s lawyers – those who joined him in his dishonorable ways – learned  the hard way. Falsify papers and claims and you get disbarred.

Giuliani testified he had “hoped” he could find proof of what he said in his speeches around the country and under oath to the courts. All he ever actually had, all any of them had, was exactly on tape from which 8 hours was deleted. Those hours showed continuous surveillance of ballots Giuliani and others said were tampered with.

The various court cases and disbarments trials laid out the bogus claims in detail but Trump people avoid reading anything different than what he tells them. Evidence is what you see, hear, and facts you read. Trust evidence and not Trump or those who repeat what he says as fact.

At the debate Vance was such a Trump puppy his math was bad! Harris spending 1.5 trillion to help people is covered by letting Trump’s tax cuts expire. Trump adding another 5.8 trillion of tax cuts adds 5.8 trillion to the debt. On follow up he dodged explaining the difference.

Actually, as we all recently lived through, big tax cuts result in a spurt and then lead to inflation which peaks in about two to three years. And that’s assuming tariffs do not collapse middle class buying power before then. Tariffs result in price rises as the supply chain is restocked. Economists are united on this fairly obvious fact as companies pay tariffs, not nations as Trump repeatedly claims.

The entire goal of moving production back here requires building and getting plants on line first. Biden started that job two years ago. It’s solid stuff Harris will continue and finish. It’s a matter of putting first things first. Trump’s lines from the teleprompter leave that out.

After the debate, the DC Court complied with the new SCOTUS requirements and the  released materials showing Trump was not innocent Jan 6th. There were documented months his convicted or still charged accomplices laid illegal and multiple contingency plans. And only a crook  would say “so what” when warned about, and asked to intervene, when his VP was close to getting killed. That’s from multiple witnesses.

Believe this if nothing else! When it comes to Pence’s danger and possible death there is no reason Trump can not step up and deny saying something which is false. His silence signifies guilt!

See if this fits Trump and Vance. Everything is wrong or someone else’s fault. That they leave out that Republicans were the big force pushing for trade deals and behind tax cut deficits for several decades. Their policies are tailored to give specific groups what they want – the top few percent, large  corporations, fringe groups, with some bones to people who are impressed when they get quick and easy answers.

In the debate Vance, the Yale Law School grad who said Trump uses Hitler’s tactics, got a A on slick-talking in the debate but got a F for honesty. He believes democracy is outmoded. For more read “What JD Vance Really Believes.” The interview and review starts down the page (Click here).

It seems with Harris and Walz they always acknowledge we are privileged to live in a great country with decent hard-working people. They talk about time-proven type solutions. They know since the Declaration of Independence that freedom, happiness for all, and prosperity for everyone without bias take priority.

Walz’ debate showed he could bring his gun and fit right here in living in Orleans County. He is a good man with good ideas and plans whose state ranks first in so many areas it’s hard to count.

Ben Franklin said that Democracy is fragile. Do your homework.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

I am asking you to vote for David Wagenhauser for Congress this Nov. 5th. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney does not represent veterans.

She voted against H.R. 1836 The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act which would ensure that Guard and Reservists receive credit for every day they spend in uniform counts towards GI Bill benefits. Prior to this legislation they only earned credit towards GI benefits when they were federally mobilized.

Ms. Tenney voted against Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act, H.R. 4673. This legislation enrolled servicemembers in VA healthcare during their transition out of the military, simplifying the process and taking critical steps to prevent veteran suicides.

Most disturbing, Ms. Tenney voted against the PACT Act, H.R. 3967. Since the passage of the PACT Act over one million claims have been approved for health benefits. Members of the military are asked to sacrifice for this country defending the Constitution and this country should provide for its servicemembers. Ms. Tenney voted against providing healthcare for those who defend our freedoms.

Ms. Tenney voted against jobs in her district voting against domestic production of semiconductors, (H.R.4346). That legislation led to Edwards Vacuum, a British company involved in technology to create flat-screen displays and solar cell photovoltaics, building a plant in Genesee County.

She opposed the infrastructure legislation (H.R. 3684), which will repair and improve roads, bridges, airports, and railroads. This legislation will create good-paying jobs and economic growth throughout her district and in which she is already taking credit. Instead Ms. Tenney supported H.R. 2811 which Moody’s Analytics stated would have result in 780,000 fewer jobs.

Ms. Tenney opposes family values. She voted against the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404), which recognizes that a marriage in one state is valid in all states. She voted against the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, (H.R. 1065). This law requires covered employers to provide “reasonable accommodation” to employee’s limitations related to pregnancy unless the accommodations will cause the employer an undue hardship.

Ms. Tenney voted against re-issuing the Violence Against Woman’s Act, (H.R. 1620). She voted against H.R. 8373, the Right to Contraception Act. That name says it all; Do you want the government to control what contraception you can use if any as Ms. Tenney believes or do you want to have control over your choices.

From veterans to jobs to family values Ms. Tenney does not represent the citizens of Western New York. We need a representative not ideologue. Please vote for David Wagenhauser.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

I knew nothing of Proposition #1 on this year’s ballot until I read the letter from Mr. Lauricella. I did some digging and here is the text with changes to our current constitution as stated below:

“Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly proposing an amendment to section 11 of article 1 of the constitution, in relation to equal protection: Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 11 of article 1 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:

Ҥ 11. a. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law.

“b. Nothing in this section shall invalidate or prevent the adoption of any law, regulation, program, or practice that is designed to prevent or dismantle discrimination on the basis of a characteristic listed in this section, nor shall any characteristic listed in this section be interpreted to interfere with, limit, or deny the civil rights of any person based upon any other characteristic identified in this section.

“§  2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendment be submitted to the people for approval at the general election to be held in the year 2024 in accordance with the provisions of the election law.”

In my reading I fail to see the conclusions drawn by the letter’s author. I will also add that I am not endorsing this amendment merely giving your readers the opportunity to make an informed decision based on their personal interpretation of the material.

Thank you.

Dayton Hausman

Medina

Editor:

Neighbors, regardless of where you identify along the political spectrum, even if you don’t identify with a particular political party, you are not alone.

Of the approximately 25,000 registered voters in Orleans County, about 48% identify as Republican. But, 24% are registered without affiliating with any political party, 21% identify as Democrat, 3% identify as Conservative, and others identify with smaller political parties such as Working Families.

The U.S. House of Representatives election is every bit as important as the presidential election. All of Orleans County will be voting for the 24th congressional seat this fall. It takes balance among the Congressional, Executive, and Judicial branches of government to create checks and balances to ensure the most can be served in the best manner possible while also caring for the most vulnerable among us.

David Wagenhauser (DaveForUpstate.com) is seeking election as our Congressperson because he has ties to our area and knows how important Social Security and Medicare are to us as pillars of our retirement plans. He knows women need health care appropriate to their very individual situations. He recognizes that to actually create policy, all parties need to work together, gathering benevolent coalitions that actually move policy forward into practice. Dave promotes term limits to prevent entrenched career politicians from obstructing progress.

Meanwhile, our incumbent Congressperson, Claudia Tenney (ClaudiaForCongress.com), has tied herself tightly to a former president who seems incapable of rallying, debating, or interviewing without spreading lies to a degree that whole communities are disrupted and dragged through the mud. Of the 10 U.S. House Republicans from NY, last week Tenney was alone in voting against continuing funding of the government while even better solutions are reached.

Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 26. Please make sure you are registered at your current legal address and do some research to make informed decisions.

This year’s election is too important to sit out. Let’s come out of Nov. 5 proud that Orleans County has an amazing voter turn-out.

Beth Wood

Barre

Editor:

This is written in response to Mr. Rogenmoser’s letter. According to New York law, the Town Board has legal authority and oversight over the financial and legal records of the town. Under Town Law § 64, the Town Board is responsible for the general management and control of the town’s finances, and this includes overseeing financial records and decisions. The board as a whole, not just individual officials such as the town supervisor, must have access to financial records to carry out its oversight duties effectively.

Additionally, under Town Law §30, the town clerk has custody of al town records, books, and papers, and must maintain accurate records of all town proceedings, ensuring they are accessible to the Town Board and, through the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), to the public as well.

While the supervisor, as treasurer, handles the day-to-day custody of town funds, financial

records must be available to the entire board for transparency and proper governance. Any claim that the town bookkeeper, supervisor, or auditors are the only ones with access to legal or financial records is blatantly false and inaccurate.

I took state-sponsored training in person. Councilperson Limina took state-sponsored training in person. To my knowledge, Shelby’s other board members, including the supervisor, have not completed this same training.

During the state’s recent audit, it was implied by the supervisor and bookkeeper that they had taken training, but neither the state nor the board has been shown any proof. Whatever training they referenced has not been made clear. Had anyone, other than myself and Councilperson Limina, participated in state-sponsored training, they might be more aware of the laws and policies essential to running the town, rather than spreading misinformation and confusion among residents.

Ed Zelazny

Councilperson Shelby

Editor:

Early voting will start on Oct. 26. On the ballot will be a proposition that will amend the state constitution. Prop 1, which is called the equal rights amendment. Now who could be against a nice friendly sounding name like that. You should be.

Prop 1 would create new constitutional rights allowing minors to undergo medical transgender procedures without parental consent. Schools would be prohibited from informing parents if their child is transitioning unless the child gives consent. This undermines parents’ rights and puts our children at risk.

This will also destroy fairness in sports. Biological males will have a constitutional right to compete on female sports teams. Jeopardizing fairness in athletic competitions and potentially taking away scholarships from deserving real female athletes.

 Taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal Immigrants. Prop 1 could open the door to illegal immigrants to claim new taxpayer-funded benefits under the guise of “equality.” This is a blatant attempt to put the needs and interests of illegal immigrants ahead of hard-working New Yorkers.

Silencing free speech. Under the broad and vague language of this amendment religious organizations and charitable groups could be punished for their beliefs, threatening their ability to serve our communities and uphold our values.

The groomers are coming after our children and our daughters, while moving ahead to further destroy free speech and put illegal immigrants first ahead of the hard-working, over-taxed citizens of our state and country.

This information is brought to you by the Conservative Party. We are involved. We are here to inform you and we care about your family, our state and country. Vote “No” on Prop 1 early or on Nov. 5.

Paul Lauricella

Yates

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman

Editor:

A huge thank you goes out to Assemblyman Steve Hawley, his staff Eileen Banker and Jayleen Carney, and all the other volunteers who made last week’s Patriot Trip for veterans traveling to our nation’s capital a resounding success. This was the 16th yearly September trip that was organized, with more promised for the future.

This wonderful 4-day adventure had over 100 veterans, family members and friends traveling to Washington, DC and the surrounding area. The military theme that was choreographed for us was very well established for this first-time participant. The logistics included numerous service-related museums, memorials, Arlington National Cemetery: the list goes on and on.

My thoughts are that if you are a veteran and ever have a chance to climb aboard and travel on this bus of future adventure, it will be well worth your time and effort. New friends and history lessons will await you.

Thank you again!

Jim Pratt

USN – USNR “Retired”

Albion

Editor:

Recently the Town Board received a letter accusing Councilman Schiffer of property tax fraud. The signee and the other people involved in the writing of this letter did a lot of research. They Google Earthed the property to look for improvements, they drove by to scrutinize and saw a power pole supplying electricity, they researched the town tax records and had the exact amount paid on said lot.

In the letter they demanded that Councilman Schiffer apologize in public, step down as Councilman and pay restitutions. However, the only thing that they did not research was the lot number and address!

The lot that they referred to is not the lot that they researched. The lot that coincides with the tax paid that they were referring to is an undeveloped lot he owns which is an old pig farm pasture which floods every year when the Feeder Creek overflows.

I’m am sure that there were others involved in this investigation. I know who went to the town and inquired about his personal property tax payments. It wasn’t the signee. They simply used him as their cover as they did not have the moral character or the integrity to sign themselves. He has gotten permits for every improvement on the lot that they researched. This reminds me of what the Federal DOJ is doing to try and eliminate a political opponent  only it’s right here in Shelby!

I demand that the signee and the others involved stand up at the next Town Board meeting and publicly apologize to Councilman Schiffer. (I know that the persons that helped but wouldn’t sign won’t  as they have already shown their colors). Some members of the board are genuinely trying to do what is best for the residents of Shelby. Others are using every meeting to grandstand and are looking for gotcha moments.

Our department heads are elected by us because we believe in their integrity and ability to do the job and make the best decisions for Shelby. I watch month after month these people get berated.

I watched our Highway Superintendent’s request to purchase a needed trailer (which the money was in his budget) get postponed for months as certain council members wanted to do more research. A member whom I am sure never bought a wagon to pull behind their lawnmower demand the specifications from a man who grew up on  one of the largest farms in Orleans County and owns a trucking company. If I needed a trailer for a specific purpose, he is the one person that I would ask what to get! This was demeaning and grandstanding at its worst.

I watched our bookkeeper get berated month after month until she quit. Yes we have had some fiscal problems but none of them are due to corruption. Some funds were misappropriated to the wrong accounts and there were severe software problems. No money is missing from Shelby!

The auditors have all agreed on this and most of the board is working diligently to rectify the problem.

Certain board members have been privately telling that they are being denied access to the books. They do not have the legal right to look at the books. The bookkeeper, Town Supervisor and auditors are the only ones with legal access. The councilman’s responsibility is to approve major purchases, period. Overstepping your bounds is again just grandstanding. This is not the Shelby way.

Most of us care deeply about our neighbors. If we have a question about a decision, an assumed impropriety, a rumor, an upcoming issue, etc. we go to that person man to man, woman to man or woman to woman, whatever the case may be and we ask them straight out. We don’t wait to bring it up in public hoping for a gotcha.

Sincerely,

James C. Rogenmoser

Shelby

Editor:

The Russians do not respect freedom. In the ’50s they researched Hitler’s “Big Lie.” Hitler and his propaganda machine persuaded people to go to war and commit atrocities. The Russians  determined it takes two months of repetition to convince people lies are true.

The many faces and uses of the Big Lie are partially enumerated by the conservative Hoover Institute. (Click here for more information.)

Trump apparently learned about the Big Lie from Mein Kampf. He kept the book by his bed, according to ex-wife Ivana. (Click here for more information.)

At the very least he knew enough to instruct aides to keep repeating known lies. (Click here for more information.)  Link.

(For those interested, check the testimony of his Jan. 6th Chief of  Staff Mark Meadows and see what Trump really knows. It tracks others’ testimony. Meadows came clean about what Trump knows about his lies when he, Meadows, was under oath in front of a grand jury. (Click here for more information.)

Two recent letters reminded me of the Big Lie. Both letters had points worthy of discussion but either had bad facts or conclusions which do not square with reality as I will document. They also help make a bigger point.

One said Harris did not have a distinguished career. I am familiar with her work as Attorney General and frequently saw her in  the wee hours of the morning when I squeezed in C-SPAN while she was in the Senate. She was just as impressive as commentators say. I thought the fact that Harris decimated Trump in the debate would make the point.

(At least I did not hear that writer claim Harris does not have an economic plan. I wrote about it. But for those willing to be bored by policy  and plans, minutia can be found on her web site.)

However,  Trump saying she is “dumb” and the writer, unexpectedly, claiming that Harris is not accomplished is part of Trump’s Big Lie.

In fact the national Republican Party has known she was on the horizon because Karl Rove, then in retirement, spotted her 15 years ago. He ran Bush’s campaigns and persuaded the national party to pour money into a State race to try to derail her AG run and inevitable rise. (Click here and here for more information.)

That letter also derided  Vice President Cheney with accurate research. But as I told a good friend who was horrified by VP Cheney’s inclusion, “Shut up and take the win.”

One person does not undo the impact of the hundreds of warnings issued about Trump from highly respected Republican officials and dignitaries. This wave of top conservative Republicans crossing ideological lines to support Harris due to the dangers of Trump’s delusions is historic and telling.

The other writer’s letter is trickier. For over 70 years we have haphazardly patched ever-changing and multiple immigration issues. They are not holding up well.

The entire world is now suffering from mass migration problems and our patches are blowing out.

The letter missed a few things. 1) Trump’s last year, 2020, was an all time low due to special Covid restrictions and not a typical year to look at. 2 ) In raw numbers, in 2024 Biden is indeed doing better than Trump’s worse years in ’18 and ’19.

But whatever the numbers – and for decades they are not great – the writer fell for lies about what the numbers on immigration mean!

One Big Lie is the claim there is now a flood of immigrant/illegal criminals. Not so! Cherry picking a few tragedies is not a flood or a trend. Immigrant crime is a disproportionately very small fraction of our total crime rate. (Click here for more information.)

I previously documented that for thirty years crime rates are sinking. With immigration each president sets priorities on how ICE allocates resources. Biden directed that ICE emphasize national security, border safety and public safety.

Here is a brief history by each recent president. Trump’s priorities you will recall resulted in tent cities and inability to process and admit or return detainees. Safety was not a high priority. Being Hispanic was.  (Click here for more information.)

There is a second Big Lie circulating that Hispanics are a drain on society.  In fact the US Latino population collectively has the 4th highest GDP in the world. The rate of increase in what they contribute to the US outpaces both India’s and China’s growth rates. (Click here for more information.)

They fill countless needed jobs and pay a ton of tax! (Click here for more information.)

We need immigration to fill jobs. Unemployment is near all-time lows and the investments in infrastructure and industry are finally ready after decades in the pipeline under the Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act.

On policy itself, Trump now says his immigration solution will be bloody. He is focused on the southern border – really on “brown” people.

Harris wants the fully written and very comprehensive bipartisan bill that was hours from passing last January. We need  to control our borders and immigration but it takes additional resources, as that Harris  Bill provides, to address all aspects.

Trump’s promise to use his Presidential immunity and shoot immigrants in the legs is an un-serious  solution. (Click here for more information.)

I pretty much ignore one repeat writer who strings lies together without pretense of research or analysis but buys into, inter alia, some whoppers which I call the Delusional Lies. Delusional lies – deep state, sovereign state, NATO as a dues paying club – must be addressed to.  See below for a prime example.

(Fortunately none of the writers fall into the recent and vile deflection which blames violence on the candidate who does not talk about violence, does not encourage violence, and does not pretend violence solves problems. That is use of a Big Lie to flip the script.)

In school, one axiom I learned is “Verbum sat sapienti est”. “A word to the wise is sufficient.” But as appears now in the face of Big Lies, a word of actual truth can no longer be expected to easily undo the damage.

That is sad. It’s not a sign of the intellectual and personal integrity true freedom is all about.

I keep wondering how to solve the dilemma. Maybe it’s impossible if people think they are in an exclusive club (cult) but for the rest of us one thought is to start out by applying common sense. Simply put, in the real world there is no way a hidden conspiracy, Deep State, with tens to hundreds of thousands to millions of participants could ever keep the conspiracy secret. That is a Delusional Lie!

I suggest if one sets aside conspiratorial delusions and checks all troubling claims (Big Lies) with actual facts (from sources which are not Trump captives)  the analysis if far different. Rethinking things, taking stock of what’s real, takes you back to days when government told the truth, advanced freedom and the common good. Things do fit logically and make sense.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

We just had a very disturbing occurrence at our home last night. Someone walked up onto our patio, right under our kitchen window and stole my daughter’s very expensive bicycle. She is a single mom who works three jobs and cleans for a dozen others to have something for herself.

We live in Lakewood Village and felt safe here, or the bikes would never have been in plain sight. She just spent $200 for new tires on it.

The bike is white, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the thief will spray paint it a different color.

We don’t live on the beaten path, so whoever stole it cuts through here, probably to walk to McDonalds, and saw the bike.

We will pay a reward for information leading to the return of this bike. Anyone with information about the bike could call the Medina Police Department at (585) 798-5602.

Virginia Kropf

Medina

Editor:

Hereeeee Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!  If you believe that the Moon landing was fake and that Trump tells the truth, please look at the reporting of that liberal rag (Wall Street Journal) today and see what liars Trump and Vance are.

The article shows staff for Vance had clear and direct denials of story by Ohio authorities.

Enough said.

Proud cat owner,

Gerard Morrisey

Albion

Editor:

NYS has an Open Meetings Law that is key to transparent government at all levels. The law was updated May of 2024. Click here to see the most recent copy.

A few salient points regarding general meetings:

• Meetings and portions of meetings can be recorded by members of the public, as long as they aren’t disruptive. Boards can make rules regarding the location of the equipment, but can not stop someone for recording or ask them to leave.
• The Open Meetings Law requires public bodies (including municipal boards) to make available the documents it will consider at a meeting at least 24 hours beforehand. If the municipality uses a website, they need to put it there. This way, during the comment period prior to the vote, the public congregants have the opportunity to comment on the documents before they’re voted on.
• All meetings scheduled outside of the already published meeting schedule need to be declared to the news media (not as a legal notice) and posted conspicuously in at least one public place along with a regularly updated website (if one exists).

Executive Sessions:

A public body needs to be specific when they go into executive session. The public should know specifically why the board is meeting in private. Because municipalities can elect to go into executive session at times (but are never required to), I’d like to highlight a few of the most common reasons, and the specificity required for the public to be informed of the topic.

Section D: discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation:

• “I move to go into executive session to discuss litigation or a pending legal matter.” This motion is not specific enough under the law, as you have the right to know the name of the litigation being discussed.
• It is the opinion of the Committee that the litigation exception is intended to permit a public body to discuss its litigation strategy and pending or threatened litigation behind closed doors, rather than issues that might possibly result in litigation. As legal matters or possible (as opposed to pending or threatened) litigation could be the subject or result of nearly any topic discussed by a public body, an executive session could not in our view be held to discuss an issue merely because there is a possibility of litigation, or because it involves a legal matter. Click here for full advisory opinion.
• It is insufficient to merely regurgitate the statutory language; to wit, “discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation.” This boilerplate recitation does not comply with the intent of the statute. To validly convene an executive session for discussion of proposed, pending or current litigation, the public body must identify with particularity the pending, proposed or current litigation to be discussed during the executive session. Click here for full advisory opinion.

Section E: collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law:

• “I move to go into executive session to discuss union contract negotiations.” This motion is not specific enough under the law as the name of the collective bargaining union should be stated so that you have some idea as to what union they are discussing.
• Similarly, with respect to “negotiations,” the only ground for entry into executive session that mentions that term is §105(1)(e). That provision permits a public body to conduct an executive session to discuss “collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law.” Article 14 of the Civil Service Law is commonly known as the “Taylor Law”, which pertains to the relationship between public employers and public employee unions. As such, §105(1)(e) permits a public body to hold executive sessions to discuss collective bargaining negotiations with a public employee union. Click here for full advisory opinion.
• With regard to contracts, none of the grounds for entry into executive session deals in general with contractual matters, contract discussions or negotiations. The only provision that touches directly on contract negotiations is §105(1)(e), which authorizes a public body to enter into an executive session regarding “collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law.” Article 14 of the Civil Service Law, commonly known as the “Taylor Law,” pertains to the relationship between public employers and public employee unions. As such, §105(1)(e) deals with collective bargaining negotiations between a public employer and a public employee union. Click here for full advisory opinion.

Section F: the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation:

• “I move to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.” This motion is not specific enough under the law. While the name of a person does not have to be disclosed, you should be informed if the discussion is regarding hiring someone, firing someone, disciplining someone, etc.
• “I move to go into executive session to discuss the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation.” This is improper as there are 14 different reasons stated in this motion and the public has no idea what the reason is for the executive session. A correct motion would be a motion to discuss “the termination of a particular person” or to discuss “the appointment of a particular person.”
• When a discussion concerns matters of policy, such as the manner in which public money will be expended or allocated, the functions of a department or perhaps the creation or elimination of positions, I do not believe that §105(1)(f) could be asserted, even though the discussion may relate to “personnel”. For example, if a discussion involves staff reductions or layoffs due to budgetary concerns, the issue in my view would involve matters of policy. Similarly, if a discussion of possible layoff relates to positions and whether those positions should be retained or abolished, the discussion would involve the means by which public monies would be allocated. In none of the instances described would the focus involve a “particular person” and how well or poorly an individual has performed his or her duties. To reiterate, in order to enter into an executive session pursuant to §105(1)(f), I believe that the discussion must focus on a particular person (or persons) in relation to a topic listed in that provision. As stated judicially, “it would seem that under the statute matters related to personnel generally or to personnel policy should be discussed in public for such matters do not deal with any particular person.” Click here for full advisory opinion.

This is a complex topic, but residents who are aware of their rights make the government and those who serve within it more effective. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

Jess Marciano

Medina

Marciano is a trustee on the Medina Village Board.

Editor:

I am glad that climate change was brought up in the presidential debate. All candidates should address climate change in their campaigns if they want to get votes as the American people know that there is 99% consensus in the scientific community as to the link between climate change and human activities.

Recent press coverage has highlighted the consequences of the continued warming including heat-related crop failures and insurance payouts. The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 which recently passed committee would help to address this by speeding the implementation of clean energy projects.

The bill does not increase the size of government, but it does increase the size of the economy by increasing the energy supply. I am hoping Congresswoman Tenney will co-sponsor this important legislation.

As a lifelong Republican and a member of Citizen’s Climate Lobby, I know that Conservation is Conservative!

Rob Johnson

Medina

Editor:

Town of Shelby residents, please read and sign our petition if you are tired of having revisit the fight to protect the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge year after year.

The petition reads as follows: We, the undersigned residents of the Town of Shelby, NY, are asking that the Town of Shelby formally pass a law banning any commercial industrial wind projects and commercial industrial mining in the town. The town’s residents have overwhelmingly rejected these proposals for over 15 years. We should not have to keep revisiting this fight.”

The Town of Shelby only has a 5-member board. Over the years several board members have secretly been approached by both industrial mining companies and industrial wind turbine companies and asked to sign lucrative contracts for the use of their land.

Board members have been pitted against town residents because they stand to gain financially for their positions on the board. In a recent case it involved access to town legal counsel who worked for a firm representing the wind company. The conflicts of interest are undeniable.

It is time to put these issues to rest once and for all. The Town of Shelby is in the middle of the second largest migratory bird flyway in the country. These industrial applications, while they may be appropriate elsewhere, are a danger to the wildlife that frequent the refuge as well as the way of life for the town residents. They affect everyone in the town, not just a single property owner.

Town residents should not have to revisit and refight these issues every time a board member gets offered money for allowing industrial mining or industrial wind turbines on their property. Please create a local law that bans these applications within the Town of Shelby.  Please just click here for a link to sign the petition.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Wendi Pencille

Town of Shelby