Editor:

Some believe Apex Project Lighthouse Wind will bring huge economic benefits to our area. “Lighthouse Wind will prevent our area from becoming a Ghost Town.” “Research the benefits,” they say.

What are the benefits? Research reveals that there are few facts and little information from Apex “Clean Energy” on the claimed economic benefits of Project Lighthouse Wind.  We are told of a planned  PILOT – A Payment In Lieu of Taxes that would generate 1.6 million dollars in revenue.

A PILOT is purely and simply a tax break. No mention that this figure would be divided among six taxing jurisdictions, thus watering down its possible effect. Further the fact that a PILOT is in the Apex plan at all indicates that Apex intends to pay as little as possible to our local communities and is intent on obtaining every conceivable tax break. Many vague promises are made. Nothing specific is given. A great deception is taking place.

The collateral damage to our community from project Lighthouse Wind, and the associated government policies that support it, will be severe and include not only a myriad of environmental issues but economic issues as well. It is the intention of our Governor to close all coal-burning power plants by the year 2020 and substitute renewable energy sources. This will include the closing of Somerset Station. Why? Because it uses as fuel, that evil substance and 11 letter word – HYDROCARBON.

A conversion of this plant to natural gas, a clean burning fuel, makes both economic and environmental sense. The loss of jobs, payroll and tax revenue as the result of a Somerset Station shutdown will be extremely devastating to our community. Even after going through  bankruptcy and a transfer of ownership, Somerset Station will in calendar year 2017, pay 4.6 million in local taxes, employ 99 people and have an annual payroll in excess of 11 million dollars. These are  facts, not vague blue sky speculation!

Why should we tolerate the demise of one of the areas largest taxpayers? There is nothing in project Lighthouse Wind that will come close to replacing this economic engine.

Further, current economic damage thrust upon our community by Project Lighthouse Wind is not difficult to find. Recently Apex, in a move showing contempt for the majority of our citizens and our public officials, has brought suit against the Somerset Planning Board relative to the siting of two meteorological towers. These towers would obtain wind information for Project Lighthouse Wind, a project our community has soundly rejected. Clearly a defense must be made and that will take precious Town funds and much human capital that would otherwise be directed at improving the quality of life in our community. Apex has demonstrated they will stop at nothing to impose their will on us.

Lighthouse Wind will drain our pocket books, raise our electric rates and bring on  environmental disasters that will leave our grandchildren with nothing but debt and devastation. The power it will produce is neither necessary nor clean.

Project Lighthouse Wind should be immediately terminated!

James C. Hoffman

Town of Somerset

Editor:

In response to the letter from Mr. Kent, you cannot locate power generation systems just anywhere. These systems have to be located near the power grid in order to economically feed the system.

The location of the two wind projects in our area were sited in part because high voltage transmission lines are located nearby. Placement at remote locations would be ideal if transmission lines are nearby and wind is available.

Evidently there must not be many of these remote locations which meet this criteria. All of the manure digesters constructed in our area are forced to operate at less than full load since the infrastructure cannot handle it.

I am almost certain these green companies would rather locate in remote areas as to putting up with the local opposition.

Ed Urbanik

Lyndonville

Editor:

How does it make sense to spend money to reduce property values and eliminate invaluable community assets?

The Albion Betterment Committee has advocated for trees in the Village of Albion since 2003. To our dismay several healthy landmark trees of incalculable value have been sacrificed, we believe, unnecessarily since then. They include two 125-year-old sugar maples on West Bank across from Archer Lumber at a reported cost of $1,600 taxpayer dollars.

Five independent experts, including Gary Plummer, Kevin Pilon and Dave Reville, confirmed to us that they absolutely did not have to be taken down to accommodate drainage improvements. The stunning hundred-year-old Austrian Pine on West Avenue across from Tops no longer stands at the western approach to the Village.  A hundred-plus-year-old red oak at the east end of Chamberlain is gone while trees of much lesser value remain at the site.

With the help of Daryl Moyer, Kevin Kent and Pete Panek, the aforementioned Austrian Pine was pruned—at no cost to the owners—two years before removal by its owners. Perhaps the Village’s most venerable tree, the huge beech on the corner of Beaver and Liberty Streets likewise received pruning attention 8-10 years ago.

ABC volunteers have planted, pruned, and watered 55 white dogwoods, several red and white oaks and numerous other trees in and around the Village. Tim and Linda Kirby donated about a dozen evergreens for the nursing home. Though these efforts were not “official”, as they are in Medina, they nonetheless are arguably beneficial.

Beeches and sugar maples are extremely difficult to establish in today’s environment. Those that are over 100 years old should be prized, as they are in the South, if only because they have monetary value. Oaks may be easier to establish as street trees, but a 150-year-old oak cannot be replaced until the latter part of the 22^nd century—if it is planted now.

When living things get old, they typically develop health issues. That doesn’t mean they should be euthanized.

The 150-175-year-old year old American Beech that was recently taken down at Key Bank’s Main Street location in Albion needed some dead wood removed.  But it was otherwise a healthy tree, as the completely green stump suggested. In our view, removal, rather than pruning of yet another landmark Village tree, was extremely ill-considered. (We are well aware of the “cover” ostensibly provided by the liability argument.)

Key Bank’s decision to remove that particular tree suggests corporate America’s lack of familiarity with, and even indifference to, the historic character and essence of the community it aspires to serve.

We have some choices to make relative to the future of the Village of Albion.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

ABC co-director

Provided photos: Carol Culhane, the Gaine town supervisor, decorates ornaments that are given to soldiers and their families at the Walter Reed Medical Center.

Editor:

I returned from a trip to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday evening after spending a few days with members of the New York Warrior Alliance located at 507 Thornell Road Pittsford, NY 14534, nywarrioralliance@gmail.com.

Founded in 2007 at Northfields Church, this organization began as a Military Ministry that involved praying for deployed military personnel each week, during the church service which continues to this day. The ministry has evolved to sending care packages to deployed military and collecting supplies for wounded warriors at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda.

I play a very small part in the effort to honor our servicemen and servicewoman along with their families and caregivers.  This was my 3^rd trip to the Bethesda Hospital and my fourth trip in all.  My first trip I spent 4 days with a Mr. Bob Kunkle who was a Vietnam veteran with a fused leg.  He was devoted in teaching the wheelchair bound self-defense.  As a black belt in jujitsu, ironically he claimed he was the only “handicapped black belt.” I thought that comment was a complete oxymoron as he obviously could defend himself. It was an eye opener for me in so many ways. So many injuries, so many limbs missing, so much suffering but yet no regrets. True heroes to say the least.

Going to the Bethesda Walter Reed was again a very humbling experience and an honor to be with the New York Warrior Alliance.

I give away Christmas ornaments with a variety of designs, Military Emblems, Purple Hearts, American Flags, Gold Star and this year a pretty Christmas tree with all the glitter for the children.

I paint messages on the back. Sometime it designates the troops “alive day” the day they were injured, some with their name and rank, places served and some just a year. I painted the glittery Christmas tree for the children. There are so many young families who make the hospital their home, the lobby the playground and a small room near by their home while their loved one recovers from their injuries.

I have to tell these stories because we ALL need to remember their sacrifice for our freedom. One beautiful little girl stood in front of the table admiring the Christmas tree ornament.

I asked would you like one. She turned to her young mother while her little brother fussed in his stroller and asked “can I Mommy”? The mother looked at me and I said can I put your name on it sweetheart?  Her mother said we won’t have a Christmas tree this year so we will use this for our tree.

Another young troop came to the table to get a Purple Heart ornament as she was injured in combat in Iraq. She noticed the Gold Star ornament so we explained. She said her battle buddy had been killed and his Mom was coming near Christmas to lay a wreath at his grave in Arlington National Cemetery. She would love to give her it.  I asked would she like me to place a message on the back for her. She thought for a moment and on a piece of paper she wrote “Mom I really miss you. Love Ben.”

What reignited over and over  again was they feel forgotten. I gave away 126 ornaments and with each was some conversation and some very personal messages.

I know this is wordy and I am not a writer but the message is simple. Remember the sacrifices of these soldiers and Marines and their families. Take an example from the New York Warrior Alliance and remember.

Send a card, say a prayer, talk about it your friends and family,  keep their sacrifices in the conversation. They fought for our freedom be thankful and remember, don’t let them ever think we don’t care.

Carol Culhane

Gaines

Culhane and a group from the New York Warrior Alliance visited injured soldiers at Walter Reed.

Editor:

While supporters of the Second Amendment are taking a big sigh of relief with president-elect Donald J Trump’s victory, I say now is the time to get more active in the cause.

The anti-self defense Left is going to go ballistic, pardon the pun as Trump and the Republican House of Representatives work to repair the tremendous damage 8 years of Obama policy has done to the country on all fronts.

So what can you do? It is good to keep on your local representatives. We are in a pretty safe district here in Orleans County. At least that’s what our representatives tell us when they come to the one S.C.O.P.E meeting every 2 or 4 years to get our support at election time.

“Ouch” I just wish they would attend more and hear from the front line. The truth is we are not safe. We live in a state that is dominated and controlled by extreme corrupt progressives headed by Andrew Coumo that will be doubling down to keep its authoritarian power.

So here is what we have to do now. If you don’t belong to a Second Amendment group join one. There is a S.C.O.P.E chapter pretty much in every county. Attend a S.C.O.P.E. meeting. It’s free and you don’t have to be a member.

The Orleans Country chapter has its meeting on the second Monday of the month at the Hoag Library in Albion at 7 p.m. Just don’t have time? Then you can express your First Amendment right and donate to S.C.O.P.E. There are some hard battles going on in the courts right now and any help with this expense will benefit all of us in the future.

If you care to notice there are businesses in the county that have S.C.O.P.E. literature at their establishments for your consumption. You can obtain this and find out just what you can do to continue the fight to preserve and protect our 2nd Amendment.

The left is on the ropes right now. We have a chance to right this country for the next 40 years with strict constructionist Supreme and Circuit court appointments in the Trump administration. Hold Trump’s feet to the fire and Congress’s. Be vigilant, be involved. We haven’t won anything yet.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Editor:

Thanksgiving gives us all a chance to focus on gratitude and appreciation, and hopefully time to connect with family, friends, and community.

At the Ministry of Concern, we are thankful for our connection to you, the community of individuals and organizations that support our work. It is a privilege to be a trusted resource, and we are committed to supporting each person or family in the way that works best for them so they can overcome their current challenges.

At a recent meeting of our Board of Directors a key topic of conversation was expression of gratitude to the Orleans Hub for their recent and ongoing coverage of the suspension of our furniture program because of a broken truck.

Community support was overwhelming in helping us address this challenge once the need was known.  Today we now have a functioning truck that allows us to provide gently used furniture to those who cannot afford to buy new.

Thank you from the children and families that benefit from your generosity.

Sincerely,

Nyla J. Gaylord

Director of Development

Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Inc.

Editor:

This is in response to Mr. Pierce’s letter who refers to a retired Col. David Belote endorsing wind turbines in close proximity to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base.

Retired Colonel Belote is a past executive for Apex Clean Energy. Furthermore, he is now employed by Cassidy and Associates, the DC lobby firm that is working to transfer the mid-air refueling mission that NFARS has, to a military installation in NJ.

It is also not a coincidence that Apex Clean Energy has this same lobby firm and uses Belote as their military “spokesman.”  The news piece quoted Belote because perhaps they are unaware of his past and present employment, thinking he represented official views of the Pentagon.

He may have strong connections in the Pentagon, but his paycheck depends on his ensuring the longevity of NJ military bases, as well as the citing of Apex wind turbines here. Would his be an “objective” opinion?

Christine Bronson

Barker

Editor:

Ed Urbanik appears not to have understood what my earlier letter on wind turbines was saying. I used a barren landscape in Texas to illustrate the type of area where turbines would ideally be located.

I was not suggesting we should move power two thousand miles from a wind farm in Texas. In New York State, there are no areas that I know of as desolate as Roscoe, Texas.

In New York, putting turbines in extensively wooded areas with lower population densities absolutely makes more sense to me (in fact, existing New York “farms” tend to be located in such areas) and is advisable because doing so would add to habitat diversity in extensively wooded areas.

In Orleans County, woodland habitat is rarely extensive and what we have is under increasing pressure. Turbine setbacks and siting realities here will inevitably mean that many turbines will end up being located in woodlots.

The habitat diversity responsible for the tremendous variety of animal life in Orleans County would thereby be further compromised.

I stand by everything I actually said in my earlier letter.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

Certainly, everyone has a right to their opinion on the proposed wind turbine project but there have been two arguments used in favor of the project that I am compelled to address.

The first argument is that landowners have the right to do what they want with their land. In all seriousness, that is not true; we have zoning laws to protect neighbors and communities from people doing whatever they please! No one can do whatever they want with their property.

I am not allowed to build a small shed within 15 feet of my property line but Apex and a leaseholder should be allowed to put a 65-plus story building across the street from me? I was at a Planning Board meeting where a local business owner, planning to build a cold storage unit, was reminded that he had to follow the 35-foot height restriction. Thirty-five!

But seventy 650-foot or taller structures are OK? What is right or fair about that? No one property owner should be able to profit at the expense of their neighbors or community, period.

Secondly, I am appalled by the disdain shown for our concern for birds. Of course, more birds are killed by buildings and cars; there are billions of cars and buildings around the world. Certainly if they were all as tall as skyscrapers, the effects would be devastating. I also don’t understand that logic.

So, because so many birds are already being killed, it’s OK to kill more? Also ignored is the fact that this project is proposed in one of the largest migratory flyways in North America! That makes this an even more important issue, which is why the American Bird Conservancy has named this proposal one of the ten worst sited projects in the country. In addition, as noted by the Audubon Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wind turbine projects should avoid migratory pathways and certain landscape features, such as wetlands and migratory stopovers, where birds gather. I think these three organizations know more about the plight of birds than Apex on this subject.

In fact, neither of these arguments is at all able to counter the overwhelmingly negative effects this project would bring on our environment, wildlife, health, quality of life and property values. That is why the majority of us do not want them.

We have done the research; the unreliable and small amount of energy that would be generated is far outweighed by the negative consequences this project would bring. This is especially true when one considers that we have an excess of energy in our area and that there are transmission problems with getting this energy to where it is actually needed.

When Apex tells you that this project would power a little over 50,000 homes; those homes aren’t here and that is only when the wind is blowing at a certain speed! In New York State that averages less than 24% of the time.

Data from the Federal  Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) shows that no wind farm in New York has achieved a 30% generation rate, compared to its rated or “installed” capacity, and most produce slightly above or below 20%. It has recently been as low as 13%. In addition, turbine manufacturer GE Energy reports that while utility-scale wind turbines have a capacity of 30%, their effective capacity is 10% because most of their contribution to the electricity grid occurs during off-peak times (at night and in the winter) when it’s not needed. Would you buy anything that only works that often?

There are more efficient, effective and less destructive ways to help our climate and environment.

In fact, the true reason this project is proposed is so that Apex can make millions of dollars with our tax subsidies.

Donn Riggi

Lyndonville

Editor:

A prior Letter to the Editor indicated green power sources should be constructed in areas which have little vegetation or population.

Electrical transmission has three costs. The cost of power lost, the rent on the money borrowed to construct the transmission lines and the maintenance and depreciation on the power lines. To move power 2,000 miles as suggested results in 17.4% of the power lost and delivery of that power costing 42% more.

It boils down to locating generators near their loads. With the current progressive leadership demanding green power as a source of New York power, the companies are left with little choice but locating generation near the end users.

An alternative is to work with existing generation systems in place which use coal. It seems that is an unacceptable choice by the leadership in this state.

We are left with three choices, build the green power sources near the end users which will consume a large land footprint, accept black outs or brownouts, or change the state’s leadership.

Ed Urbanik

Lyndonville

Editor:

It seems in this day and age with all the struggles of life and trying to survive one can never let their guard down about what some form of government is plotting and planning to make life just all that much harder.

Whether it’s the Federal or State government picking our pockets or regulating us into the poor house, the worst enemy most of the time is the enemy within – our local politicians.

There are certain personality types that should never ever be elected or appointed to office but always seem to gravitate there. Are they bad people? Most aren’t, but some are. Hey, I’m just being real.

There are good and bad in all of us and more than a few have a real problem controlling the use of power and others have a real problem speaking up against it. The latter are the “yes men.”

Why am I writing this? Well it has come to the public’s attention that on Nov. 15 there will be a public hearing. The Town of Murray is proposing a property maintenance law. I know from following politics that other towns watch to see what happens in other towns. Every town has a representative on the Orleans County Planning Board. This overreach gets discussed among planning members and code enforcement officers.

Many if not all of us live in Orleans County because we like it here. We grudgingly put up with the high taxes and bad winters because we call this home.

Many of us use our homes and property to suit us and our families. We are from all economic backgrounds and we pretty much get along and live and let live because we like being left alone. We take great pride in our independence, especially from government.

So when the Town of Murray, which by the way has had a lot of bad press in the last year or so, comes up with such a dramatic, far-sweeping type of darn right oppressive and a darn right un-American crackdown on the entire population of its town, it sends red flags all the way to me here on the west end.

Make no mistake every resident in that town will be out of compliance for something if I am reading this correctly. This is Soviet-type power put in the hands and at the complete discretion of your code enforcement officer, even the meaning of the wording. Do you understand the magnitude of that?

Other towns will be watching to see if this passes. Do you want this in your Town? Why exactly do Towns spend this type of time, effort and expense on trying to punish its tax base?

It is high taxes and their inability to spend taxpayer money in a wise manner that is the problem. I won’t be able to attend this hearing. I am just letting you know one man’s opinion on what is public information in the works.

Here is the local law as it is written: Click here. (Editor’s Note: The text of the proposed local law has been removed from the Town of Murray website. The above link connects to the Town’s home page.) I believe it should be struck down by the public in its entirety and the paper it’s written on burned in the trash. What do you think?

Paul Lauricella

Yates

Editor:

As everyone knows, the election is over. Donald J. Trump is the president-elect of the United States. I understand the disappointment people may feel. I understand the emotions people may be dealing with. However, we must unite as a community and country.

If you’re a man, Donald Trump is your next president. If you’re a woman, Donald Trump is your next president. If you’re Hispanic, Donald Trump is your next president. If you’re African American, Donald Trump is your next president. If you’re a Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Conservative or Libertarian, Donald Trump is your next president. If you’re gay, straight, bisexual or transgender, Donald Trump is your next president.

He might not represent your views or values, but Donald Trump is OUR next president. Accept the results. Come together and work together. Until we come together as Americans, we will continue to be divided.

As President Obama recently said, “everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember that we’re actually all on one team. We are not Democrats first, we are not Republicans first, we are all Americans first. We are patriots first.”

Come together and work together, because together we are stronger.

James C. White

Gaines

Editor:

In an area as densely populated, environmentally favored, and habitat rich as Orleans County, wind turbines should be regarded with the utmost skepticism.

To me, politicians who are indifferent to them have not thought through the implications of locating industrial wind “farms” in our area anywhere near enough.

As I have tried to point out several times in the past, the siting realities for wind turbines are such that allowing them into our area will certainly further diminish our woodlands.

The setbacks inevitably required will force industrial turbines exceeding 500 feet in height into wooded areas, making it necessary to level portions of already pressured habitats. A drive down route 98 north of the Ridge might serve to illustrate what I am talking about.

Sportspersons and environmentally conscious residents might later regret the indifference—even nonchalance—with which they appear to be viewing the targeting of sleepy Orleans County by giant corporations. What we too often take for granted, and sometimes even regard somewhat contemptuously, can be taken from those whose vigilance is lacking.

In my view, this particular issue should be regarded with at least as much alarm as The S.A.F.E. Act.  Having a gun with which to hunt means little once there is little left to hunt.

For those such as myself, who are not what I would call “into hunting” as such, the importance of Orleans County on the Atlantic Flyway is difficult to overstate. That does not even take into consideration our tremendous abundance and variety of resident birds.

Companies which stand to reap enormous profits from selling communities on industrial wind “farms” should look to areas with lesser population densities and habitat that is less productive and diverse. The Tug Hill is far better suited for wind farms, as are more extensively wooded areas in general.  Putting them off shore makes far more sense to me than further eroding increasingly scarce woodlands in Orleans County.

There are actually parts of this nation where there is virtually nothing of environmental consequence to ruin. Roscoe, Texas is a pretty good example. Much of it resembles a moonscape, and, as I recall, its population density is a tenth of Orleans County’s.

Lovers of the outdoors need to wake up before it is too late.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

It is with great interest that I read Bob Harker’s letter.  I agree with him 100 percent. Congressman Collins and Senator Ortt are in the back pocket of SOS.

Yesterday I sent a letter to both, stating after voting Republican in every election since 1961, it is with a sad heart, I would not be voting for either one of them on Tuesday. As Mr. Harker stated, “SOS members are misinformed and very selfish.”

As a former military member (Air Force) it’s easy to understand why the KC135 tankers are coming back to Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. All of the underground storage tanks and fuel pumps are still in place from when the tankers were before.

Both Col. Joseph D. Janik, Operations Group Commander of the 914th Airlift Wing, and retired Col. David Belote have stated that the Lighthouse Wind Farm would not affect the Air Base with its new mission now or in the future. We should trust these two men, who both have the knowledge and experience.  Col. Belote was an F16 pilot and the youngest Air Force Base Commander of Nellist Air Force Base.  After retirement, Col. Belote helped establish the DOD Siting Clearinghouse.

The next letter I would like to comment on is the one written by Councilman Riggi and also signed by Supervisor Simon. Both of these officials are also in the back pocket of SOS.

At last check I did not find the Lake Ontario Shoreline anywhere in the Town of Barre. As a taxpayer in the Town of Yates, I feel the two men were elected by our Town to do our Town Business.

Since they took office in January 2016, they have done absolutely nothing to bring new business, new residents, or new tax money into our Town as they promised at election time last year. All they have done is spend money on attorney fees fighting the Lighthouse Wind Project, money which the Town doesn’t have.

Contrary to their belief, a wind farm might tell the public that the Town of Yates is a progressive Town and bring new business and much needed revenue to Our Town. In closing, I’m sure that the elected officials of the Town of Barre are very capable of running their own town.

Yours Truly,

Howard L. Pierce

Lyndonville

Editor:

Your editorial of October 31st about increasing County sales tax revenue was spot on. (Click here to see “Editorial: To lower taxes and strengthen economy in Orleans, local officials should grow sales tax.”)

We do need to take advantage of existing assets – Historic, Heritage Trails, Fishing etc.  But in the end increasing “in-county” purchases requires we have the businesses in place to make the sales and wage earners with sufficient disposable income.

Here’s the basis of a plan for discussion.

1) The IDA needs more money to find manufactures and create higher income jobs. I was the IDA attorney for over a decade. Even though it’s a bit harder to know what they are doing as they no longer file with the county, it’s clear that have completed projects, and implemented policies, that I dreamed of back when. Additional funding, including for more staff to get things done faster and better, is a priority.

2) There is a need for significant expansion of the IDA’s micro-enterprise program. Large businesses like Walmart are one-offs. The micro-enterprise program provides training and financial assistance to participants who will start the small business that will be involved with capitalizing on the existing assets you mentioned. Additional funding in the way of County and Local grants is a priority. In our situation hitting a lot of singles can be a big lift.

3) We need to look out after ourselves better. Federal mandates, especially since Reagan, have increased the local responsibility which are paid for by property tax increases. That’s hard on poor counties like ours. Worse, more property tax means people have less disposable income.

We need to join with other smaller counties and collectively design alternatives that fit our needs and abilities; back in the Clinton Presidency trial programs were encouraged and we need to push for that once more. Similarly, we need to recognize that federal income tax reductions have never worked quite as advertised when it comes spurring growth. Worse, for low-income counties like ours, the benefit from income tax cuts ends up going to higher earners in other counties. We need to support what will work for us. We need leadership which is not tied to the past with slogans and stale ideas.

There is no one out there who will just up and solve our problems. Fortunately, there are some tools in place which we can leverage. We need to fund them and forge our own path no matter what others want us to think or believe. Sales taxes will increase if when we figure out what actually will help us and we then do it.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion