Editor:

As a Yates Town Councilman trying to defend my constituents’ right of home rule, I note with interest the following comment from Town of Lyme (NY) Supervisor Scott Aubertine entered into the public record of New York State Public Service Commission Case #12-F-0575 in the matter of Horse Creek Wind Farm, LLC. Comment is as follows:

“A large majority of the residents of the Town of Lyme expressed their opinions regarding the location of wind turbines in the town by taking the time to fill out and return to the town board a detailed survey. The results of that survey showed a large majority of town residents were opposed to wind turbines in the town. Experienced and knowledgeable citizens worked with the Town Planning Board to incorporate the results of the survey and develop a law that met with the wishes of the residents of the Town of Lyme.

“For Governor Cuomo and New York State to override the home rule law of local municipalities is unfair and unjust. The Power of NY Act of 2011 removes the decision making process from the officials elected by its residents to make decisions according to their wishes and in their best interests. The new law does not even require the developers to follow the zoning process that is required of every other individual, company or entity.

“For the State to override local law and not require the wind developers to, at least, go through the local zoning process borders on socialist dictates. The Power of NY Act of 2011 follows a disturbing trend in New York State to remove powers from local jurisdictions and ignores the desires and wishes of the people of that jurisdiction, who are also residents of New York State.”

Mr. Aubertine’s comment to the DPS regarding the Horse Creek Wind Farm, LLC rings as true in Lyme, NY as it does in Yates, Somerset and every other town in New York State that is currently fighting wind projects.

The Power of NY Act of 2011 (aka: Article 10) has stolen the right of home rule away from my town and all towns that stand in the way of what Albany craves and covets – the reduction of rural New York State in to a massive complex of industrial wind turbine factories.

Article 10 and the loss of home rule give a new and ominous meaning to the acronym – NIMBY – Next It Might Be You.

Thank you,
John B. Riggi
Councilman, Town of Yates

Editor:

This letter is in response to the letter written by Mr. Riggi. It reads more like a letter written by the President of SOS than by my Town Councilman. If it was written by my Town Councilman, I would think that he would check the facts before writing a Letter to the Editor.

It is true, Apex Clean Energy has proposed the Lighthouse Wind Project in the Towns of Somerset and Yates and has also proposed another wind project called “Heritage Wind” in the Town of Barre.

Fact: The only expansion of the originally proposed Lighthouse Wind Farm project’s siting plan is as follows: If a land owner that had land in the project area signed up for the project and he had land across the road, that land may be included in the project. This in no way significantly modifies the project area.  It is not a significant expansion of the project south as stated by Mr. Riggi.

Apex signs in Ridgeway: The last time I checked, Mr. Riggi, a landowner could place any signs of his choice in his yard.  At this time there are no plans by Apex to site any Industrial Wind Turbines in Ridgeway.

“Connecting the dots” – Both the Lighthouse Wind Project in Somerset/Yates and the Heritage Wind Project in Barre stand on their own two feet. There are transmission lines connected to the New York grid system available in both project areas so there is no need to connect the two wind farms. Besides, the two farms are approximately 18 miles apart.

Additional Apex projects in Niagara and Orleans Counties? None at the present time.

As my Town Councilman, I would hope that before you write your next letter to the Editor, you would check the facts.  It’s not that hard to do, John. Taylor Quarles, Project Engineer on the Lighthouse Wind Project, has invited you to the project office and informational meetings several times.

As my Councilman, I feel the more you learn about both wind projects, the more qualified you would be to write these letters.

For reasons stated in my letter, John, I give you four “Pinocchios” for your last letter.

Sincerely,

Howard Pierce
Lyndonville

Editor:

Three years have passed since Apex “Clean Energy” located in Charlottesville, Va., slipped into our area, and began signing land owners to 49-year non revocable confidential leases for Lighthouse Wind.

This project is a proposed 71-unit industrial wind turbine complex, with units perhaps as high as 650 feet, to be sited along 12 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline in the towns of Somerset and Yates.

Incredibly, after this length of time, the exact size and location of these monsters is not yet known. Secrecy prevails throughout the process as leaseholders are under a gag orders, certain technical information related to the project is deemed proprietary and town representatives are being excluded from technical meetings.

Although the project has not yet been approved, Apex “Clean Energy” has permanently scarred our community by pitting neighbor against neighbor. No matter the final decision to proceed or not, the scars will remain.

This project has also raised a huge amount of opposition, as it threatens our environment, our health and the way of life in our rural community. The opposition to this type of heavy industrial development runs deeply.

Comprehensive Plans officially dating back to 1974 and recently updated, stress above all else, the preservation of the rural character of our community. Erecting huge industrial structures of the number and size associated with Lighthouse Wind makes a mockery of this objective.

There never was the intent to heavily industrialize our community. Further these huge structures raise many physical and environmental issues that we, who will be forced to live among them must face. Issues such as health effects, degradation of property values, visual pollution, disruption of normal farming operations, noise, flicker, vibration, bird kill, bat kill, alteration of drainage patterns, disruption of wildlife, electromagnetic interference, road damage and general construction disruption.

A citizens coalition SOS (Save Ontario Shores) has been formed to protect interests of the citizens of our area from project Lighthouse Wind. Currently several hundred individuals are involved with this coalition and 30 businesses and /or organizations have expressed opposition to, or concerns about, this proposed project.

Further, three independent surveys in our towns have shown that residents oppose Lighthouse Wind by a margin of 2 to 1. Public opposition has reflected itself also in the last local election.

Those running for Town Board In Somerset in opposition were handily re-elected. Two incumbents in Yates in support were turned out, one of them being the supervisor, thus shifting the balance of the Yates Town Board. Those supporting Lighthouse Wind argue that proper turbine siting will mitigate these issues to the extent that we will be able to “live with them.” Those opposed, and with a multitude of very good reasons say, this is the wrong project in the wrong place.

Despite overwhelming public rejection, Apex “Clean Energy” pushes on with Lighthouse Wind, under the authority of the recently passed Article 10 of the State Public Service law.

This law stripped local governments of the ability to decide the fate of this project and placed that authority in the hands of a Siting Board dominated by Albany politicians.

Big business and big government are therefore in control of our community and our destiny. This should not be! Based on the overwhelming public rejection of Lighthouse Wind, Apex is requested to immediately cease all activity related to Lighthouse Wind.

The New York State Public Service Commission is requested to reject the project. Our State Legislators are requested to modify Article 10 and return home rule.

James C. Hoffman
Somerset

Editor:

I recently read a comment about the proposed Lighthouse wind project where a person said, “Lake lives matter.”

But it’s not just the people who live in massive lakefront homes or the people who have vacation homes there that we need to think about. We need to think about everyone.

What about the lives of everyone who call Niagara and Orleans counties home? The wind turbine project will bring in millions of dollars that can help our schools, towns and counties.

What about the lives of the farmers who keep this community alive? Stability from leasing land to the wind farms would be vital to keeping those farms operating.

And what about the people who need the jobs that will be created with these projects? Finally, what about the lives of our children and grandchildren, who will be devastated by climate change if we don’t take action now?

These projects won’t hurt anyone in our community; they’ll help everyone. This is an incredible opportunity for our area and could bring growth we haven’t seen in years, economic viability as well as hope for the future.

Sincerely,

Susan Campbell
Lyndonville

Editor:

I read, with great interest, Mr. Pierce’s letter regarding the recent analysis of comments made to the New York State Department of Public Service (NYDPS) regarding opposition/support for the Apex Clean Energy (APEX) Project.

As many may know, Apex has proposed the siting of an Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project in the Towns of Yates and Somerset. Concurrently, most now understand that there is massive and ongoing opposition to this project.

Gaining an understanding of the overwhelming nature of the opposition is why the assessment of comments was performed.  Interestingly, Mr. Pierce seems to have misunderstood the reason for the assessment.  As stated in the assessment:

“All comments made to the DPS site regarding the Lighthouse Wind Project were included in the assessment and as stated, cover the time period from Q1-2015 through Q2-2016. All comments were read fully in order to ascertain position regarding the wind project.  The positions were tabulated as in-favor or opposed to the project.”

The assessment was, in effect, a simple tally of the “in-favor” vs. “opposed” statements.  It must be stated here that multiple submissions were made to NYDPS by both those “in-favor” of the project, as well as those “opposed” to the project.

View of the assessor was that all comments are important regardless of position on the Wind Turbine Emplacement Project issue.  As such, all comments were assessed and used in determining results.

I am happy constituents are reading the comments and making comments as well.  Open, free and truthful discourse is the American Way and as such am glad to have cleared up any misconceptions Mr. Pierce may have had.

As always, I am available to meet with any Town of Yates constituents on any question or concerns they may have.

Thank you,

John B. Riggi
Yates town councilam

Editor:

I just completed reading the well done article on Sheriff Randy Bower and what the Sheriff’s Office has accomplished in his first six months in office. I just have to say that from Day 1, I felt that Sheriff Randy Bower was capable of and able to steer the Sheriff’s Office in a new and innovative direction.

So often, candidates make campaign promises and if elected, lay out goals for their time in office reflecting those promises. Rarely can an elected official say that they have accomplished many of their initial goals, however Sheriff Bower has done exactly that in just six short months.

Regardless of our cultural, ethnic, racial or political backgrounds, Sheriff Randy Bower represents all of us. It is evident that he cares deeply about our community and it is undeniable that he has already had a positive and lasting impact on both the Sheriff’s Office and the county.

In a time when being a police officer is one of the toughest jobs to have, it is comforting to know that the Sheriff, deputies and investigators have the best interests of our community at heart. I feel comfortable saying that I think I speak on behalf of the overwhelming majority of county residents when I say; Thank you Sheriff Bower and the entire Sheriff’s Office for your work.

Sincerely,

James C. White
Gaines

Editor:

Let it be known that Mr. Riggi’s views are not shared by many of his constituents in the Town of Yates. I am deeply troubled by his recent letter to the Orleans Hub, in which he reviewed the PSC comments regarding Apex’s Lighthouse Wind Project.

His confident assertion that the comments “show a clear, ongoing and massive opposition to this project,” is misleading. Although the PSC is an important forum for voicing opinion, it is worth noting whose opinion is being voiced and at what frequency.

A closer look at the 776 comments now submitted reveals that 390 comments (over 50% of the total collected), were submitted by a mere 40 households (59 individuals). In fact, 35 comments – nearly 5% of the total counted – were submitted from one individual alone, a collection which reads more like a private diary and less like a public discourse.

When considering Mr. Riggi’s numbers, consider the number of hours many farmers work in a day, in a week, in a season. Although we are all given the opportunity to comment, sharing our opinions at such a statistic-bending frequency requires a lot of time, a luxury many of us cannot afford.

I spent this past weekend at the Orleans County Fair, a beloved event attended by a proper sampling of our towns.  This is the second year running Apex has supported the 4-H in Orleans as a top level sponsor. Not only did the Apex employees have an informational tent at the fair, presenting a genuine and respectful face to the community, but also I saw their plans widely embraced as “common sense” and “about time” by swaths of farmers and others alike.

It is a long time for both voices in this fight to be heard, and for the slanted and misleading arguments to be exposed.

Sincerely,

Howard Pierce
Lyndonville

Editor:

With the proposed Apex industrial wind turbine project in Somerset and Yates there are those who are opposed and those who support the wind turbines. This is normal.

However, as one who is opposed to the project, along with many others, we have placed signs on our property which display our opinion. Supporters of the project have also placed many signs along their property.

I am writing to document the fact that many of the SOS anti-wind signs are being removed by persons unknown. This has been reported to the sheriff and steps are being taken to identify the thief (or thieves).

For the record, no one opposed to the turbines has removed one pro-wind turbine sign. We respect the right to free speech. We respectfully ask that Apex and Lighthouse Wind do the same and publicly request people to cease and desist in unlawful removal of signs which are in opposition to their project.

I also ask those who have had their signs removed to report this to the sheriff.

Sincerely,
Susan E. Dudley
Lyndonville

Editor:

I am not surprised of the one-mindedness of the Murray Town Board. Perhaps that is what has bolted them into the limelight this past year with discontent from 2nd Amendment advocates and those who were woken up over excessive taxation.

They seem to be obsessed with Mr. Sidonio having the gall to aspire to run for a position on the Town Board. Maybe it’s because he’s not of the same mind. Politicians seem to fear that and will go through lengthily effort to ward off that kind of evil.

I see nothing wrong with what Joe (Sidonio) wrote. He speaks the truth. Mr. Morgan is not a small government advocate. He has endorsed probably one of the most progressive big government Legislatures in the history of Orleans County.

This legislative body is constantly spending money and growing the government complex. Under Mr. Chuck Nesbitt’s leadership the citizens have gotten one tax cut in 11 years. None of the legislators bat an eye – not even the lone Democrat.

Always blaming Albany. Yet every year new projects to expand continue to take place. Never giving it a few years’ rest out of decency to show the people that they count, too. I’m not speaking of basic functions and repairs but genuine expansion that would make Chuck Schumer smile.

I’m told every time I question these undertakings it will make money for the county. Yet no tax cut. Where is all this money generated by government? Last Wednesday at the county meeting I’m told that the free software from the State is no good that’s why we have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for it from private companies. While I agree some may be better, shouldn’t the tax payers be put first? I believe it’s just preference or maybe use of a favored company. At any rate it is a matter that this Legislature should address but probably won’t.

Exposing what political figures in high positions take advantage of every day in our government is quite admirable. While what Republican Party Chairman Ed Morgan has taken advantage of is perfectly legal, does it pass the test of the appearance of being ethical? This is more a reflection on the character of the Town and Country Governments that it is on Mr. Morgan.

While I would deny no person the opportunity to take health care from an employee I do not condone paying someone not to take it if one already has it. I do not condone the giving of longevity bonuses when few ever leave a gravy, pension guaranteed, paid holiday, sick day, recession-proof and depression-proof government job.

Even when they do attempt to leave, many don’t and continue on double dipping. I have been told that these people have valuable experience and expertise. Perhaps, but anyone in the know knows it a payback for being a good soldier programmed to doing what they are told, never questioning anything and keeping it in La Familia – the power families.

Our local governments are an organization run much like the mafia. Certain families in the County and Towns hold the power and can bar the door if an outsider tries to come in with common sense, and fresh ideas that may put the money back in the peoples’ pocket, instead of lining theirs.

If I lived in the Town of Murray, I would vote for Joe. We need more Joe’s. Be a Joe. What a great bumper sticker.

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Lyndonville

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Editor:

Melissa Ierlan and Linda Redfield Shakoor are owed the gratitude of all Orleans residents for their tireless work done in the interests of making Orleans County a better place in which to live.

Melissa’s efforts to recondition numerous historic markers should be appreciated for the labors of love that they are. This area’s history is very real and warrants greater attention than it gets. Melissa has supported several other historical projects including the refurbishing of the fox that famed naturalist Carl Akeley reportedly mounted as an Orleans County teenager.

Linda has made a tremendous difference in the lives of dozens of first generation immigrant residents of Orleans County. Her dedication to the realization of their dreams has made it possible for them to accomplish far more than might have been possible without the fluency in English and encouragement she and the World Life Institute provided.

Thanks to both Melissa and Linda for their contributions to the quality of life in Orleans County.

Sincerely yours,
Gary Kent
Albion

Editor:

We feel compelled to respond to a letter published in the Orleans Hub on July 25, 2016 written by Mr. Joe Sidonio.

While we respect Mr. Sidonio’s Constitutional right to criticize the policies and practices of this Town Board and Town Boards of the past, we are concerned when his statements attack the personal character of any one individual within the Town of Murray. While Mr. Sidonio may not like the employment conditions of our Highway Superintendent (Mr. Ed Morgan), let it be known that Mr. Morgan has done nothing wrong and simply receives the compensation and benefits that are rightfully due him in his many positions.

It’s well known that Mr. Sidonio plans to run for public office in November 2017, and has publically stated his interest in becoming the next Supervisor of the Town of Murray. It’s unfortunate that he chooses to attack a single individual in this Town in his belief that such allegations will strengthen his candidacy for this position. Perhaps the behavior and comments made by political candidates at the national level has also become the model for accusations that can be made here in Orleans County and the Town of Murray.

While we will no longer debate Mr. Sidonio in this, or any other publication, we do understand he can make comments as he chooses. We only ask Joe, that you keep your remarks focused on the workings of the Town Board rather than any one individual working within the Town. Is that too much to ask?

Town Board of the Town of Murray,

John Morriss, Supervisor
Ed Bower, Councilman
Kathy Case, Councilwoman
Lloyd Christ, Councilman
Paul Hendel, Councilman

Editor:

In January I wrote of the 15.5% Murray Town Tax Rate increase we experienced. At the 2016 budget hearing Supervisor John Morriss stated “it’s the best we could do”. Highway Superintendent Ed Morgan added “It’s really not that bad” and Councilman Paul Hendel commented “we are going to either raise taxes or cut services in 2017 because we spent all our savings.”

The most recent New York State Comptroller’s Audit Report is clear. “The Supervisor did not adequately oversee and monitor the book keeper’s work, which resulted in significant problems with accounting for and reporting of capital project activity, as well as the use of certain debt proceeds.” A representative of the Attorney General’s Office described our situation as the result of “fiscal mismanagement and or irresponsibility.”

Town Governments are beginning to think about budgeting and I’d like to suggest a simple way to save the taxpayers a few bucks. STOP FRIVOLOUS SPENDING. For example:

Our Highway & Water Superintendent earns a salary of $89,307.00 including a stipend of $1,200.00 a year for his private cell phone and collects his pension of $37,370.00. He has been absent at four Town Board Meetings this year perhaps as he is a member of multiple boards including Soil and Water and Regional OTB Board of Directors. OTB Board of Directors receive a nice five figure salary to boot.

Our Superintendent receives a payment in Lieu of health insurance stipend of $5,000.00 per year for not taking the Town of Murray’s health insurance. The Town of Murray enacted a local law providing the payment. In documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, Orleans County pays a maximum of $2,500/year for their stipend. Here in the Town of Murray we pay double that to our Highway Superintendent. It’s worth noting he is the only highway person to receive such a generous benefit by our Town while his highway workers are now required to contribute to their insurance policies, essentially taking a pay cut.

The $5,000/year payment wouldn’t be under such scrutiny if his spouse wasn’t an appointed official at the County eligible to cover his health insurance needs. Well there’s your taxpayer funded double dip. Our Town tax dollars pay him not to take health care while our County tax dollars can cover him. But let’s not stop there.

There’s a triple dip on the menu. Both are covered by the third taxpayer owned entity Off Track Betting. Our Superintendent is entitled to lifetime health care on the taxpayer as a member of the OTB Board of Directors. It appears that our elected highway superintendent has multiple opportunities to obtain taxpayer funded health care. Why then does the Town of Murray pay him $5,000 not to take our health plan? Simple: fiscal mismanagement and or incompetence.

To think the Murray Town Board rewards so generously its Highway Superintendent who’s water department has budgeted for a $66,000 loss this year is unfathomable. Furthermore, the Town has been overtaxing water district residents for years as acknowledged by Supervisor John Morriss in April. The Town owes its water district residents a refund for over taxation since the Town didn’t use the money for its intended purpose.

Our Highway Superintendent is also Chairman of the Orleans County Republican Party. It seems hypocritical to represent Orleans County Republicans at the Republican National Convention in Ohio carrying the flag for less government, low taxes and free enterprise while using our cell phone and knowing back home the taxpayers of Murray and Orleans County are paying handsomely for the triple dip on health care.

To add insult to injury our Highway Superintendent refuses to have Town of Murray decals on his new 2016 pickup truck. Since he is authorized to use it for personal use at our expense you would think he’d at least acknowledge the Town of Murray taxpayers who bought it for him while cruising around in his political circles.

Status Quo….Where your Taxes Go!!

Joe Sidonio
Republican
Town of Murray

Editor:

I wish to thank the Orleans Hub for providing a closure article to compliment your original article on the Circle of Love Memorial Garden. Your news coverage really helps the gap in local coverage!

I would also like to thank the the gals who pushed through and brought the Garden to completion. Your dedication was remarkable. Thank you for including me as the concept originator. I have to give credit to Tim Bensley, his wife and the Kid Corp! The young people who worked for Mr. Bensley did the majority of the heavy lifting, spreading and leveling stone and filling the gardens with dirt.

I would be remiss in not mentioning Ms. Hannah Pollard who organized and ran a large fund raiser to benefit the Garden, as well as, letting her business be a drop off point! Laura Fields created and maintained collection jugs in local businesses to raise money as well. Renee Lama for creating the labels for collection Jugs. Local businesses Medina Lumber for discounts on wood for entry way, Shelby Stone and Art Hill Construction for materials. Of course, Jenn Thom who got the charitable status for the Garden. Our plaque maker, JC, and goodness knows how many community members who gave change and more serious donations to make this Garden a reality. Lynn Stanley for the Angel and the late Irwin Mattoon for the birdhouse (currently occupied)!

It truly takes a community to undertake a project like this. There where hiccups, however, it is done and it is beautiful. Praise the Lord.

Dayton Hausman
Medina