Editor:

With the Republican Primary now just a month away, I feel it is time to speak the truth. That has been in short supply from my opponent lately, particularly when it comes to his letter posted in this forum, dated August 11.

Yes, I was “hand-picked” as he says by the Town of Murray Republican Committee to be appointed to the Town Council in January. As a life-long Republican, I have not had to change my party affiliation from the “Green Party” for the sole purpose of personal advancement.

As a former Republican Committeeman and Chairman, my credentials, I believe, stand on their own. However, this is not the sole reason I was chosen for that position. I was interviewed, along with my opponent and others, and was informed that my selection was based on my sense of personal ethics and integrity, exceeding that exhibited by my opponent. He also questions my qualifications by stating I have never been to a Town Board meeting. This, like so much else of what he says, is totally false.

One last thing, on the subject of the Republican Committee, this is not the first primary in more than three decades, to paraphrase my opponent. He forced a primary last year for the sole purpose of getting on the Republican Committee, at considerable cost to the taxpayer. Afterwards, when he determined he could not force his will on the Town Board from the committee, he has been a regular no-show at the Committee meetings. He did not assist at the fundraiser, despite getting emails. He pursued endorsements outside the party, and did not carry the petitions prepared by the party for the endorsed candidates, but rather distributed his own petitions. As a real Republican, I would be disappointed in his representing my interests on the committee. Seems he just represents his own.

Water seems to be a huge issue with my opponent, which seems strange, in that he does not pay a dime to the Town of Murray for water. He champions the cause of the common man, in trying to keep expenses down, or so he says. Yet, when the water districts were being installed, only two families in the entire Town of Murray demanded the Town pay an easement to cross their property – my opponent’s family, and that of another vocal critic of the Town of Murray water system. Just so I am clear, and to reiterate, only those two families required payment of your tax money for an easement. Furthermore, because he derives his water from the Village of Holley, he refused to sign the required petitions to bring water services down his road, thereby depriving his neighbors of water for two years longer than it should have taken. He works for you? This is yet another example of him caring solely for himself.

There has been an unacceptable loss of water in the water districts north of the Erie Canal in the Town. This issue has been discussed at Town Board meetings in the past. Continually, steps are being taken to identify the issues involved. New equipment has been obtained to listen for leaks, particular to the types of water lines in the area. Meters are being tested, and there is an ongoing effort to isolate portions of the systems involved to better narrow the focus of remedial actions.

However, to be clear, this is always an ongoing situation with any water system. There will be leaks, breaks, and loss in any water system. I have personal knowledge of a leak in front of my own residence that was brought to my attention by the Water Superintendent, Ed Morgan, who found it as he was driving by. These issues are never ignored, and are promptly repaired when located. I am proud to say that I have been actively involved with Mr. Morgan and his staff in seeking answers to these concerns, rather than being a “rubber stamp.”

The numbers for water loss stated by my opponent, in his letter to the editor, represent an accumulated loss over an extended period. These are intentionally inflated to make the situation appear worse than it is. Much like his claim (since proven false) of “double-digit” tax increases, his “statements” always require a qualification by my opponent. Mine do not. I stand by what I say without qualification.

As for raising the water rates, that was a decision not entered into lightly, but after careful consideration, and with an eye toward making our rates more equitable for all involved. Simultaneously, the Town Board initiated new rules to guarantee the safety of the water system. Steps taken include purchasing new equipment as needed, and making it mandatory that hydrant meters be installed by a Town employee. This was in response to publically voiced concerns over past practices.

So much for being unresponsive, in fact, in this Orleans Hub article dated April 12 of this year, Editor Tom Rivers wrote “Morgan and the Town Board were praised by resident (my opponent) for the revised procedures. ‘I think it is admirable,’ my opponent said about the changes, ‘Thanks for hearing our voice.’.” This is why I find his most recent comments about accountability rather curious. Perhaps like everything he says, this is just disingenuous and designed to create confusion among the voters.

Tough policy decisions do need to be made. The Planning Board makes them also. My opponent’s not being re-appointed to the Planning Board stemmed from his antagonism towards new businesses that desired to establish themselves in the Town of Murray. Because they did not fit his personal vision of what the town should look like, either they were turned away, or their application process was met with resistance. The inability to work with others is a hallmark of my opponent, and yet another reason he should not be your Town Supervisor.

From the outset of my campaign, I have attempted to be positive and honest in my dealings with the people of the Town of Murray. They should expect this from their representatives. However, since, unlike Pinocchio, my opponent’s nose does not grow for every “statement” he makes, someone needs to challenge him. The people need to know, and deserve, the truth.

He would rather manipulate emotions, while willfully bending or breaking the rules at every turn, crying that he is a victim. I can assure you, I am nobody’s victim. I refuse to be. I believe that truth, ethics, and accountability are the key to making a difference for the Town of Murray.

Paul Hendel, Mike Mele, and I, adhere to these principles. That is why I am proud to have them on my team! Team Murray is going to work for you! We look forward to your support on Primary Day, September 12, 2017!

Respectfully,

Robert G. Miller

Murray

(Miller is a candidate for Murray town supervisor.)

Editor:

This is a reminder to all candidates running for office in Orleans County. Your signs need to have your respective emblem on them. Stars denote Democrats and Eagles represent Republicans.

Please exercise care. There have been printed signs with the wrong emblem and I have been contacted.

Jeanne Crane

Orleans County Democratic Party Chairwoman

Editor:

Recently I received a disturbing rumor questioning Carol Culhane’s reputation. This rumor questioning her character is groundless and everyone I have spoken with agrees, because they know of Carol’s high integrity and work ethic.

I am deeply honored to write a letter of support for Carol Culhane as Town Supervisor of Town of Gaines. It is not only because we have the same surname, because I am related to her husband Jerry (my second cousin), an honorably discharged two-time Vietnam Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, but also because I have known Carol for more than 30 years to be a true professional who practices service above self.

She has done more as a civilian to support veterans than anyone I know. She has utilized her self-taught artistic talent, sensitivity, and compassion to support veterans consistently. She uses her leadership skills to promote enhancement of all veterans of all eras and citizens of Gaines.

Carol has done all of the artwork related to several committees and boards I have chaired including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester and the Gold Star Families Memorial in White Haven while I was serving as Executive Assistant to the President at RIT.

Carol has donated her talents, time, and treasure to veterans and all fellow citizens. I encourage you to affirm Carol’s hard work and integrity for Gaines by voting for her as your Town Supervisor. She is your best choice.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barry R. Culhane

Rochester

Editor:

The following comments were read into the record at the August 10, 2017 Yates Town Board meeting.

Since December 2014, the Town of Yates has been embroiled in a battle with Apex Clean Energy regarding the Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project. Fully 84% of residents have been and remain steadfastly opposed to this project as exhibited in both surveys and in public comments on the Lighthouse Wind Project made to the New York State Department of Public Service.

The reason for publishing my Board meeting comments in this forum is to ensure that the reader understands the business practices of Apex Clean Energy.

This is a cautionary tale that could be titled:

“NIMBY – Next It Might Be You”

“This evening we continue the Public Hearing on the Austin MET tower Special Use Application. While the Board may or may not decide to close the hearing, there are a few things my fellow Yates residents need to know.

At the close of the July Town Board meeting, I presented a list of questions relating to the Austin MET Tower Application to the Apex representative in attendance.  My stated expectation was that Apex would diligently and meaningfully respond to the questions presented, as per the public outreach and informational requirements of Article 10. I believed that my expectation was well founded as Apex has many times stated their desire for the constituency to have all of the information needed to make decisions.

On Monday, August 7^th I received a letter from our Special Counsel Dan Spitzer.  The letter was sent electronically to Mr. Spitzer from a Mr. Robert A. Panasci of Young / Sommer LLC – Counselors at Law. You may remember Young / Sommer as the Albany-based legal representatives of Apex in regards to the Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project. I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Spitzer for his efforts to forward the letter on Monday, August 7^th, as letter was sent via Postal Service to the Town Board and received only this morning.

The important issue here is the content of the Apex letter. Apex, through counsel, flatly refused to answer any of the questions posed to them regarding the Austin MET tower Special Use Application and associated documents. Of course, they stated at the end of their letter:

“In sum, Lighthouse submits that its application documents accord with the requirements set forth in the applicable laws and regulations and provide sufficient information for the Town Board to issue a final determination of the application.”

So, I guess that the constituents are allowed to have questions, but Apex believes that, by law, they are under no obligation to provide meaningful answers. Let me put a finer point on the summary statement I just read to you from Apex’s counsel to Mr. Spitzer. In essence, Apex has total disregard for these public hearings proceedings and they will be providing no answers to any questions raised herein.  Evidently APEX sees these proceedings as pointless and meaningless – a waste of their time.

I would respectfully submit that the Article 10 regulation requires Apex to provide the opportunity for clear, ongoing and meaningful dialog on the Lighthouse Wind Project. I also submit that Apex is in breach of Article 10 Public information/input requirements by its flat out refusal to provide meaningful responses to a constituent’s questions regarding this disruptive and unwanted project.

Remember also that Apex has, as yet, not answered any of the questions posed by the constituency at last month’s initial public hearing session. So, we are all being ignored by this company, as it seems to be their belief that the “juice isn’t worth the squeeze” in expending the effort answer our questions, requests and concerns in a meaningful way.

Simple questions and requests like:

• We would like to see the data Apex has generated from the first MET tower and wind results calculated by algorithms.
• How many MET towers are you planning and what MET tower phase are we currently within?
• If Apex’s meteorological tower and wind measurement expert, as per their sworn affidavit, clearly states that indirect wind measurements are not as accurate as direct measurements, how much more accurate is wind measurement at actual wind turbine height?

They have flatly refused to answer even these simple questions and requests!!

I am INCENSED by the injustice that Apex visits on my fellow Yates residents by their continuing refusal to cooperate and answer substantive questions regarding the Austin Met Tower Special Use Application and related documents.

I urge my fellow Board members to join with me and require full and substantive responses to all questions posed by the public, prior to any vote on the MET Tower.  The importance of this decision requires the Board be fully informed and satisfied that all required information is received for review. An uninformed decision is a decision we will all regret.

APEX….ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!!”

The results are clear.  The residents of the Town of Yates categorically reject the Lighthouse Wind Project and will continue the battle until APEX goes elsewhere to peddle their destructive wares.

Governor Cuomo, ARE YOU LISTENING?

Thank you,

John Riggi

Councilman, Town of Yates

(Editor’s Note: This letter was originally shared during a public hearing Aug. 10 in Yates for a proposed meteorological tower.)

Editor:

First, I’d like to thank the board for providing an open hearing so that we have the opportunity to share our thoughts with you.

I encourage the board to deny this application from APEX for an additional MET Tower. The basic fact here is that they want MET Towers to help them better place industrial turbines in excess of 600′ in our beautiful community. What APEX is clearly ignoring is that this project is not wanted by the great majority of our community! Why would we willingly do anything to help them with an unwanted project?

We were told a few years ago at a public meeting in Somerset by project manager Dan Fitzgerald that APEX would not place a project where it was not wanted. That was clearly a lie. How else do you explain the fact that APEX has ignored five different surveys, two town elections, and the resolutions passed by three counties, and two town boards?

I’d also like to point out the following organizations that have come out in opposition or expressed concerns regarding the siting of this project in Yates and Somerset: The American Bird Conservancy, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, the Hawk Migration Association of North America, the Niagara County Board of Health, the Genesee-Orleans Board of Health, the Rochester Birding Association, the Genesee Valley Audubon Society, the Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists, Save the River, the Nature Conservancy, The Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and the WNY delegation of the NYS Senate and House.

It’s time for APEX to acknowledge their mistake; they chose an area that is too populated; an area rich in wildlife, natural scenic beauty, and tourism. A place too close to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and a place in the middle of one of the largest migratory bird flyways in North America.

It is time to heed the concerns expressed by so many. It is not time to build a second MET Tower. It is time to leave.

Donn Riggi

Lyndonville

Editor:

I am pleased to announce that on July 11th, I submitted my petitions to seek the Republican endorsement for Murray Town Supervisor.

My journey to this decision has taken at least twelve years, when I joined the Murray Planning Board and witnessed first-hand predatory code enforcement practices and selective enforcement. Consequently, the Town of Murray has gained a reputation as a punitive and oppressive government hostile to its businesses and residents.

Since that time, I began to question how Murray does business, and became concerned. At a Murray Town Board meeting several years back, I asked a simple question: why are our town taxes going up again? With no credible explanation from the town board, I began to look at our financial operations.

I studied our local laws, policies, Comptrollers Audit Report and several years of budgets. My work revealed:

• Our water department is losing money

• We have significant water loss

• The Town is not following Local Finance Law

• Residents are over-taxed for bond repayments

• The Town is not adhering to its own local laws

• Public officers are Double-Dipping

• Murray is the 3rd highest taxed town in Orleans County, yet once the lowest-taxed.

I am no longer able to stand by and accept the Status Quo. The primary on September 12, the first in more than 3 decades, will allow the voters to select the endorsed candidate, rather than an out-of-touch GOP committee. I am proud to challenge the Status Quo on your behalf.

My opponent has been a gentleman in our interactions and I appreciate that. However, he has had several opportunities since being appointed to the Town Board to weigh in on serious issues. On the $50,000, 15-million-gallon alleged water leak on Ridge Road, he simply rubber-stamped the highway superintendent’s explanation that heavy truck traffic, vibrating pipes, and pin holes were to blame. So, he voted to raise the water rates instead of solving the problem.

On the issue of double-dipping health care stipends, my opponent had ample opportunity to contact the Comptroller to obtain a free legal opinion on the matter but declined.  This needless spending continues on his watch.

My opponent, hand-picked by GOP leaders to fill a vacancy without having ever been to a Town meeting, now seeks the office of Supervisor to further the Status Quo. In our environment of failed policy, over-taxation and oppressive code enforcement, this is unacceptable.

While I respect my opponent’s professionalism, he is not the right person for the job. Tough policy decisions need to be made. Financial reforms must be implemented. The water department needs to be rebooted. I highly doubt he will be able to separate his GOP loyalty from the pressing issues at hand.

It’s time to end the tax and spend, and I’d appreciate your support on September 12th!

Joseph Sidonio

Murray

Editor:

I am writing in response to John Riggi’s letter regarding the Lighthouse Wind project schedule. John, you are right that the project has been delayed. And you are right that the opposition has had a hand in it. But that does not mean it is right what has been done.

Apex Clean Energy is the parent company of Lighthouse Wind. The employees of the company and the ones which work on the Lighthouse Wind project have never tried to hide their name. The company has nearly 60 projects in 20 states, so naturally they differentiate between the companies different projects.

Why would you try to turn this into another scandal, John? Your anger and selfish motives couldn’t have been more apparent as at last night’s Town Board meeting.

You question why the delay on the project? It’s because of you and your friends at SOS. Not only have you hijacked our town council, but you are not governing fairly nor listening to and representing all of your constituents. You appear to have one agenda – opposing Lighthouse Wind.

Why are you not doing your job and representing all of the people of Yates? Those of us who have lived here for generations are open to this project that could bring needed community benefits to our town.

The met tower delay has been a sneaky way to delay this project. These are temporary structures on private property which gather important scientific data that will be reviewed by the state agencies and town’s experts after the application is filed. It’s not right that you have delayed this process. That is what is not right.

I have been a resident of Yates for a very long time.  This is my home, and I want to see it thrive again.

Linda Fisk

Lyndonville

Editor:

“Experience matters.” It is a slogan I’ve seen around Shelby lately and I agree. Here’s why I believe my experience makes me an excellent choice for Town Supervisor, and how it has influenced my firm opposition to the proposed stone quarry.

My name is Wendi Pencille. My husband, Tim, and I moved to the Town of Shelby in 1993 to raise a family. Our two sons, Noah, 17, and Jaden, 14, are both great students and proud members of the Medina Mustang Marching Band.

I graduated from Cornell University School of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 1985 and soon afterward became assistant administrator of Bassett Manor in Williamsville. I later was promoted to administrator of that 107-bed assisted living facility for senior citizens, supervising its budget and its 40-plus employees.

I then pursued a master’s degree in microbiology at Buffalo State College, leaving to work at Bristol Myers Squibb as environmental microbiologist and later as assistant manager of quality control, chemistry and microbiology.

In 2000, I became a full-time mom to our boys, a life decision I do not regret. Our sons are Tim’s and my greatest achievements.

Three and a half years ago I went to work for Ingram Micro in Williamsville, the largest distributor of technology products in the world. As a senior channel account specialist for IBM, I provide operational support to multimillion-dollar accounts daily.

Even when I was not receiving a company paycheck, I have worked in many ways to try to make life in our town better:

• I have been a member of the Medina School Board for the past seven years, serving two of those as president. I am very proud that while I served, we have maintained or lowered the school tax rate while at the same time improved programs and academic performance across the district. I have been honored to work with some of the best school board members in New York.

• I’ve been a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for nearly 30 years, specializing in birds of prey. My husband, Tim, and I coordinated the construction of one of the largest raptor enclosures in New York State, with the help of many people in the community. Among the hundreds of birds of prey I have tended and released since then are nine bald eagles and eight peregrine falcons.

• I have served as president of the grass-roots committee Citizens for Shelby Preservation for over 10 years now, providing facts about Frontier Stone’s proposed 270-acre stone quarry adjacent to our Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

During that time, I have attended every meeting regarding the proposed quarry. I have attended all-day training sessions by the U.S. Geological Survey on groundwater and hydrology with the refuge staff. I have testified before the state administrative law judge regarding the wildlife at the proposed site. I have met for years with the residents who will be directly affected.

I am not opposed to stone quarries in general. However, after all of those years of research and listening to the people in our town, I am convinced, beyond a doubt, that a quarry should not be sited next to one of the most sensitive habitats in the state of NY. It has no business operating in a quiet agricultural and residential neighborhood.

I firmly believe that the Town Board should do everything in its power to protect the residents who want to maintain their peaceful country way of life.

I strongly support economic growth. Providing great schools, supporting creative and diverse local businesses and providing shovel-ready infrastructure are all great ways to reinvigorate a local economy and to bring people and jobs to the area. A stone quarry is not one of them.

When someone tells you that experience matters, believe them. My experience matters

Sincerely,

Wendi V. Pencille

Candidate for Shelby town supervisor

Editor:

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

The following organizations visited the parks with great messages for the youths attending: GCASA, Genesee Orleans Youth Bureau, Orleans Health Department, and other volunteers. The Recreation Department set up field trips once a week to the Oak Orchard Bowling Lanes.

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

The 15 Park Supervisors did a wonderful job of providing a fun, safe and exciting time at the parks each day. Well over 150 children signed up for the Summer Parks Program at the two village parks throughout the summer, which started on June 21 and ended on July 28. This was another banner summer for the Parks Program.

Special thanks to Annette Grillo Finch and Heide Wyant from the Orleans Community Action for busing the children on the field trips and for the annual Children’s Carnival. Thanks go out to the Albion Central School District for being the host of several sport clinics this summer. Thanks to the Batavia Daily and the Orleans Hub for their coverage of the summer program.

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

John J. Grillo

Village of Albion

Recreation Director

Editor:

I’d like to take the opportunity to formally introduce myself as the endorsed Republican Party candidate for Supervisor in the Town of Gaines.

My name is Joseph (Joe) Grube. My wife, Lori, and I make our home on West Bacon Road. Over the years since moving into our home, we’ve had the opportunity to meet, get to know, and become friends with many new people, along with turning long acquaintances into new friendships. Through those relationships, we became more involved in the affairs of our community and wanted the opportunity to provide our skills, knowledge, and insights where needed.

Before I go on, a little more about myself. I have been involved in some sort of public service my entire adult life, and even as a child. I grew up in the Town of Otto, in Cattaraugus County, and lived there until moving to Orleans County in 2011. Growing up, I spent countless hours with my parents involved in our fire department, and joined that department immediately upon turning 18. I served in many leadership roles there over my 25 years of membership, including 7 years as Chief of the Department. I now serve the residents of the Albion area through my active membership in the Albion Fire Department, which I joined in 2013.

In my professional life, I worked for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years, first as a public safety dispatcher, then as a Deputy Sheriff, working through the ranks and retiring in 2011 as Captain, where I was responsible for the Communications Division of the agency, including supervision of 20 plus employees and direct responsibility over budgets exceeding $1.6 million. Since retiring from law enforcement, I’ve worked in the private sector in the public safety technology industry. I’m currently a regional manager for the leading provider of 9-1-1 Center call processing and networking technology in North America, where nearly all our customers are government public safety agencies.

I’ve also had the opportunity to serve the public in elected positions in the past. I was previously a Councilman and Deputy Supervisor in the Town of Otto. Otto is a very small town of just over 800 people. Living my entire life in rural areas along with my years of experience in both the public and private sector, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and experience on the workings of government. I intend to put all of that to good use in the Town of Gaines!

The Town of Gaines needs a change. Keeping taxes in check is smart and a high priority, but it certainly isn’t everything when it comes to running the town. There are three elected officials in the town that really set the stage for success. Supervisor, Clerk, and Highway Superintendent. These three officials need to work in harmony to provide the best services that can be provided within the fiscal limits available, and they need to be allowed to have their skills put to the best use to enhance our town.

Our infrastructure and services should be maintained at a level that makes our community a desirable one in which to live and do business. Our town government should be an open book to the residents. Meetings should be informative and open to input. Information about the town and its health should be freely available without having to jump through hoops. Special Meetings and Executive Sessions should be held very sparingly, and only when necessary. The town should be using technology to enhance access to the residents who do not have time to drop everything and attend a meeting, only to have it go into executive session and learn nothing.

If elected Supervisor, you’ll see these things put into place as quickly as possible. Town meetings will be open, informative, and honest. The Town Hall will be a place where you’ll be welcome to come in and do business with our employees, and they’ll be happy to help you in any way possible. They will be empowered to do the right thing for our constituents. To serve the public they are employed by.

I hope to have the opportunity to meet many, many more people over the coming months and share my thoughts and ideas directly with you, as well as listen to yours about how you feel the town government should function. We will work together to bring the Town of Gaines to new highs!

Thank you,

Joe Grube

Candidate for Supervisor

Town of Gaines

Editor:

I do not live in Medina but wanted to share an experience we had on a recent vacation in Maine. We were looking for a place to stop, have a snack and walk our dog.

We came across a dog park and stopped. It was wonderful. It was large and the dogs ran free. They were all well behaved and all owners cleaned up after their animal. It was expected and honored.

In contrast, we stopped on the interstate with a small pet area. It was deplorable. It was very small, the gate didn’t close (so pets had to stay on leash) and the garbage had not been picked up in weeks.

If you’re going to do it, do it right.

Grace Denniston

Waterport

Editor:

I felt privileged on this morning (July 26) to witness one small cog in the wheel that makes up our democratic process here in Orleans County.

More town offices will be having primary elections this September 12, than at any time in recent history, perhaps ever. To a political junkie like myself, this would be cause to celebrate, but this one is even more personal, as I am on the ballot for Murray Town Supervisor.

The Orleans County Board of Elections held a blind drawing this morning to decide ballot position for all the upcoming primaries. Many of the candidates for public office were in attendance.

Town by town, the drawing was conducted in the same fashion. A small index card with each candidate’s name was inserted randomly into a book, face-down, with only a small portion protruding. These cards were then pulled out by volunteers from other towns in attendance. The first card pulled out was the top spot on the ballot, and in cases of three or more candidates for one or two positions, the cards were pulled to determine ballot order from the top down.

Many are blissfully unaware that there will be primary elections this year. Unfortunately, turnout for such elections are historically low. I would love to see the County of Orleans reverse this trend, as many important races can be impacted by the primaries.

I will grant you that the excitement generated in this drawing might pale in comparison to that of a large sporting event, yet it is another simple mechanism in the process of a free and fair election. Furthermore, the outcome of a sporting event does not have a direct impact on your life, whereas the outcome of an election may.

The concept of free and fair elections is something we seem to take for granted. We should instead appreciate that we are guaranteed this right, and understand that we are blessed by our founders and those who came after, who established these rights. Further, we should be grateful for those who facilitate, maintain, and protect these rights for us.

In closing, if you routinely pay homage to our veterans and service members, there is no better way to honor them, and truly show your appreciation than to exercise the right that their continuing sacrifice guarantees for you. Exercise your right to vote on Primary Day, September 12!

Respectfully,

Robert G. Miller

Murray

Editor:

I have four children who have graduated from the Lyndonville school district, all starting at kindergarten. When they joined the track team they practiced in the parking lot. For their home meets they went to Barker because Barker had a wonderful all-weather track bought with tax money from the power plant. Each time we went there everyone would talk about all the other great advantages the students had.

I would love to have a stronger tax base for the Lyndonville school district. These children, if they can find jobs in the area, are going to be paying my social security. They need the best opportunities available.

I know that SOS knocked on the doors of all the residents of the town of Yates convincing them that Apex was a threat to their very existence. At a recent town meeting I sat next to a SOS supporter when the board was discussing the recent problem with flooding of the homes on the lakefront. It was stated that before anything could be done in the water the DEC would have to approve it. The home owner next to me (under her breath apparently unaware I heard) said she wasn’t waiting for that. The same person that told the residents of Yates that wind turbines were bad for the environment doesn’t really care about that and is only looking out for herself.

Another resident of Lakeshore Road approached me after the meeting telling me that because I don’t live on the lake shore and the wind turbine was not in my back yard, that of course I would want them. Yet another SOS supporter that is in this fight for themselves. However, I know for a fact that the turbines will not actually be in his back yard or he wouldn’t support SOS.

I ask those people who remain on the Lighthouse Wind Project, is it because of all the fairy tales the SOS agent told you or because you fear you may be publicly mocked? Please speak up and let your Town Board know what you really feel about a new business bringing in more income to this area.

I also discovered at that Yates town meeting that SOS supporters have said that the Lyndonville School District doesn’t need any additional tax money because they have terrific teachers and that is all the children need to succeed. As much as I wholeheartedly agree (more than you could ever imagine) about the teachers there, I think they want to be properly paid and have resources available to do the best job possible. I also think that the supporting staff does too. No new tax money means no need to improve connectivity and technology. But now I know I will vote no on all the future school budgets because the school doesn’t need any more tax money.

I have heard the argument from people in the Village of Lyndonville for many years about those who live part time at the lake are always trying to make changes in the town. The cottage owners respond that even though they live there part time they pay taxes too. So true but I wonder if we removed the taxes we get from those who don’t want to vacation in the Town of Yates due to commercial wind turbines and add in the revenue from both Apex and the additional income tax the homeowners with turbines will be paying, then who has the stronger argument then?

I understand a supporter of SOS is an owner of a car dealership. I work at one too. Maybe this example will be understood. Would you think that we shouldn’t hire a salesman that previously worked for a different franchise because they would tell customers to go down the street and buy a car? That is the same way of thinking that SOS uses for Apex’s military expert, Dave Belote. Doesn’t it make sense to hire someone with experience in the field you need answers in.

SOS is looking to laypeople with no experience that are announcing that wind turbines will cause the closure of the Niagara Air Base. In fact, the head of NFARS Colonel Janik announcement months ago that Lighthouse Wind is a non-issue for the base, yet SOS continues to beat this drum.

I urge the Town of Yates board to act as a board and not individuals and do what is legally right, do what is best for the community, bring opportunities to all of Yates, and don’t worry about “Not in my back yard.”

Sincerely,

Nancy Palmer

Medina (Lyndonville School District)

Editor:

After studying the United States Constitution under teachers such as Dr. Harold Rakov—and teaching about it for 34 years—it is hard for me to think I could appreciate it much more than I do.

But only time will tell whether the efforts by the “Founding Fathers” to create a foolproof republican system were successful.

To work as they intended, the Constitution—and the republic it bestowed upon us—require a serious commitment from our citizenry. Our country is not on auto-pilot as a result of the design put in place by men far more experienced with tyranny than we.

We are where we are 230 years later largely because WE haven’t done OUR “homework” and viewed OUR responsibilities with the gravity they deserve.  Without a renewed commitment to our duties as informed citizens, as well as a willingness to get engaged, we are headed for a national crisis to rival any we may have studied in American History.

Thomas Jefferson may not have had a crystal ball, but he was totally convinced that a free press was an absolutely essential prerequisite in a working republic that would be a lasting tribute to those who pledged our “lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor” to bring about.  Any persistent effort to discredit the press and silence critics of those in power is—wittingly or unwittingly—an attack on an institution vital to a representative democracy.

The existence of a concerted attempt to erode public confidence in the independent judiciary undermines yet another institution the public and a democratic society can ill afford to have subverted.

Convincing those who participate in elections that significant numbers of people vote illegally—even if it is not supported by fact—has the potential to build dangerous cynicism within the electorate. Once such disinformation raises public doubts about the validity of election outcomes, the decision not to bother voting becomes all the more likely. Roughly half the population seems to believe that nothing will change regardless of who gets elected as it is.

Who loves this stuff?  Those who wish the United States of America would go away, that’s who!

Presidential historians such as Douglas Brinkley and Michael Beschloss might suggest we take a long, hard, thoughtful look at Article 3 in the document The Founders labored so strenuously to provide for future generations.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

To continue my recent editorial: Apex Clean Energy attended the Clay County Iowa Supervisor’s Meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2017 to discuss concerns raised regarding the Upland Prairie Wind Project currently proposed for Clay and Dickinson Counties in Iowa.

In addition to the presentation of Mr. Christopher Ollson, a presentation was also made by Mr. Dave Phillips, APEX Director of Wildlife and Environmental Permitting. You may remember Mr. Phillips as the person who has, many times, indicated there is no danger to the environment or to animals from the Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project. During his presentation to the Clay and Dickinson County Board of Supervisors, he indicated the following:

“There (are) very few bald eagle collision mortalities. In the course of the wind industry in the U.S. there’s only been 21 documented collision mortalities of bald eagles. … We have over 50,000 operating turbines in the U.S. so that’s really an astoundingly low number … and I’d rank eagles as a low risk species, simply because of their behavior. They tend to fly during the day, they’re not necessarily distracted when they’re flying around turbines, and the turbines are generally cited away from their preferred habitat, which in most parts involves open water. … The probability of eagles being killed is extremely low,” Phillips said.

Not sure where Mr. Phillips gets his data from. He does not give any reference to generally accepted data. As such, his indication that there have been only 21 confirmed eagle kills in the history of wind turbines is anecdotal at best. Trading anecdote for anecdote, I’ve personally seen pictures of more than 100 eagle kills and I didn’t really work that hard to get to the photos.  Many photos, taken by those that will trespass onto property in order to get to the truth that the wind industry is not owning up to; turbines are killing significantly more eagles than the Wind Industry would like for us to believe.

Turbines kill a massive number of eagles for one simple reason:  Unlike Mr. Phillips’ assertion that “They tend to fly during the day, they’re not necessarily distracted when they’re flying around turbines”, eagles do tend to fly during the day and the reason they are not distracted by turbines is that they never see their death coming. They fly with their eyes trained downward looking for prey and don’t see the turbine-blade coming to deal the death blow.

And then the coup-de-grace. Mr. Phillips stated the following in public when defending his data-less eagle soliloquy:

“…turbines are generally cited away from their preferred habitat, which in most parts involves open water. … The probability of eagles being killed is extremely low.”

Huh?!?!  Then if APEX is so concerned about eagle kills, why are they proposing to site this project along the shores of the one of the largest surface freshwater areas on Earth, Lake Ontario??!?!

Where is the truth from APEX and their people? It is nowhere to be found, because they say whatever they need to say to gain support for their Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Projects.

In closing, we must remember that APEX is a business that believes Governor Cuomo and the State are on their side. As such, they will say and do anything to get their way. This is why Governor Cuomo and the State Siting Board must support the Towns of Yates and Somerset in stopping this project in its tracks…NOW!

Governor Cuomo are you listening?!

John B. Riggi

Councilman, Town of Yates