Photo by Tom Rivers – A big crowd watches the fireworks in Lyndonville on July 4, 2016.

Editor:

The Lyndonville Lions Club held its 42nd Annual Independence Day Celebration on Monday, July 4th. The fireworks display, which culminated the festivities, was by far the greatest expense for the Lions Club on this day.

It is only with the response and support of area businesses, organizations and the general public that these fireworks are possible. I would like to thank each of the nearly 50 businesses and organizations that contributed to this year’s show.

In addition, thanks to all those individuals who bought raffle tickets throughout the year, who placed money in the Lyndonville Lions Club Independence Day Firecracker Cans and who donated money in the firecracker barrels on the LCS grounds.

Again, without the tremendous community-minded support of each and every one of you, a display such as this would not be possible. With your continued support, I hope for an even bigger show next year.

Sincerely,

Wes Bradley
Lyndonville Lions Club
Fireworks Fundraising Chairman

Editor:

I wanted to thank the Orleans Hub for your coverage of Mr. Evoy. I’m an Albion High School alumnus from class of ’94 now living and working in Tokyo, Japan.

Mr. Evoy was my social studies teacher senior year, I believe it was. This would have been when he was in his late 20s. My younger sister also had him for Social Studies. My mom, still living in Albion, forwarded the sad news this weekend. It is a tragedy indeed to hear of Mr. Evoy’s passing and it stirred some memories of my interaction with him.

A story about Mr. Evoy:

Mr. Evoy and I started off in a bit of an adversarial relationship around 1993-94 when we met. I was a bit of an instigator in high school, though I was a high honor roll student. In my senior year we had to write a long essay for social studies. I ended up writing a 42-page essay on government corruption. Mr. Evoy gave me a B+ on it. I remember going to his room after school and challenging him on my grade.

I contended he gave me a B+ because he didn’t agree with my paper, not because of the merit of the paper itself – the time spent, the citations, etc. I asked him how long his Master’s thesis was, and I think he answered, perhaps, 20 something pages – it as a number a bit below my figure.

Surprisingly, after some discussion he agreed I was right about his being biased, and he asked me what grade I thought I deserved. I wasn’t expecting him to actually admit bias, so I replied that an A-minus would be sufficient. I felt at the time it was a symbolic victory, but later realized it probably didn’t really matter. Perhaps he was just being kind by changing my grade, but I was struck by his integrity.

Mr. Evoy later asked me if I’d like to join Mock Trial. He was leading the team. I suspect he thought that my spunky attitude might be constructively used there. I ended up joining Mock Trial and we competed in the Orleans County Courthouse. I ended up really liking Mr. Evoy over the course of that. He turned me from an adversary into a team mate!

Even with a somewhat difficult student like me, that he could have easily dismissed, he found a way to turn it in a positive direction and open up an opportunity for me to no benefit of his own. It’s quite remarkable.

I’m happy to say I went back to the school and visited him again after I finished college and got married, in about 2003, and introduced my wife to him. He was working in the middle school at that time. Mr. Evoy was a lefty, politically speaking, and at the time I was a righty, but now, 13 years later, I’m a lefty, like he was. I’m sure if I had had the chance to meet him again, we would have finally found common ground after 22 years. I’m sad I’ll never get that chance.

When you’re a teenager, it’s just a different world you’re in. You think you’ve got it figured out, but you don’t. It takes a long time to figure it out. It’s often many years later, as an adult, that you really realize how good some of your teachers were, how amazingly tolerant they were, and how selflessly they afforded opportunities to us.

Goodbye, Mr. Evoy. You will be missed. May you rest in peace.

Sincerely and respectfully,
Joel Beckwith
Tokyo, Japan

Editor:

Bald Eagles are exciting to see and appropriate to celebrate as July 4th nears. Along the lake in Yates there have been juveniles as well as adult birds seen. There was just one pair of nesting Bald Eagles in New York State in the 1970’s, now it has become more common to see a Bald Eagle soaring over our beautiful landscape. The species survived and is thriving.

Doug Domedion has written several times this year in the Lake Country Pennysaver about the growing presence of the eagles and describes nests at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the discovery of new nests.

Industrial wind turbines have had permission to kill eagles from the federal government, called a “take.” The administration is revising a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that allows industrial wind companies to operate their turbines and sanctions up to 4,200 bald eagle deaths and injuries per year without a penalty.

They also propose a change for the killing of golden eagles, based on efforts the companies take in that case to minimize the losses. The current law states that industries can apply for a “take” permit that would essentially give permission for them to incidentally kill a certain number of eagles in the operation of their business. The permit can be given for a time period of up to 5 years.

One of the problems with the current law is that it is voluntary and so wind corporations are not applying for it. The government agencies have limited resources to go after industries that kill eagles. In this situation it is unlikely that wind industry employees would ever volunteer numbers about how many eagles they are killing each year in the operation of the wind turbines.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service revised rule will offer a special option for wind corporations to incidentally kill more eagles and to do so for up to 30 years instead of 5.

The director of Fish and Wildlife is quoted as saying the proposal will “provide a path forward” and is “a great tool to work with to further the conservation of two iconic species.” There are now three proposed industrial wind turbine sites in the area: along the lakeshore in Yates and Somerset, in Alabama and in Barre.

As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s birthday, let the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service know your thoughts regarding these proposed revisions to the bald and golden eagle regulations, which it administers under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act).

There is an open comment period through July 5th. Here is the link: Eagle Permits: Revisions to Regulations for Eagle Incidental Take and Take of Eagle Nests. On the right hand side of the page you will see a “Comment Now” button or scroll down and use the listed address to mail your comments. Help protect our nation’s symbol of freedom, the Bald Eagle.

Georgette Stockman
Town of Yates

Editor:

This won’t even attempt to do justice to the life of Jeff Evoy and the respect, regard, and genuine affection so many of us had for him. He will be missed as one who devoted himself to serving others.

Never have I felt so disappointed that a visit to someone I admired was not undertaken. So many people around Genesee and Orleans counties must feel utterly despondent that such a wonderful human being has died.

On those occasions when our paths crossed, there was no mistaking the goodness, commitment to others, and genuine compassion for people of all ages that Jeff personified.

Wendi Pencille’s heartfelt remarks were mirrored by those of newly elected Medina School Board member Brenda Lindsay, with whom I spoke recently.  They were repeatedly affirmed by three other current and former members of the Board.

Anyone who was inspired, or in any way moved, by Jeff’s example of selflessness and dedication to the well-being of others would be served well to recommit themselves to greater service to others as a living legacy and tribute to the life of a wonderful man.

Though I always found him extremely humble, it would be the ultimate honor for those serving Medina Central School in any capacity to ask themselves in difficult times, “What would Mr. Evoy have wanted?”

With deepest sympathy to his family,

Gary Kent
Albion

Editor:

I read, with great interest, Mr. Pierce’s commentary on the “Who Has the D” opinion piece submitted to and published in The Orleans Hub, The Buffalo News and the NYS Department of Public Service site.

Mr. Pierce is mistaken in his belief that the piece represented the opinion of Yates Town Board. The piece was signed: John Riggi, Councilman, Town of Yates. It was not signed: John Riggi, Representing the Town Board of Yates. As such, Mr. Pierce can rest assured that the Town Board view was not represented in the opinion piece.

As always, I am available to all constituents to speak directly on any questions they may have.

John Riggi
Councilman, Town of Yates

Editor:

This letter is in regard to Mr. Riggi’s latest Letter to the Editor on the Orleans Hub.  I noticed that same letter was filed on to the Department of Public State Docket on behalf of the Town of Yates. (Click here to see letters on Public Service website about Lighthouse Wind.)

Was this truly a statement from the Town Board?  Did the Town Board pass a resolution to post this opinion as that of the Town of Yates?

It seems Mr. Riggi is using his status as town councilman to serve his personal opinion and agenda rather than the people of the town, his constituents. This is entirely inappropriate.

The role of a councilperson is to represent the town as a whole, but only through decisions made by a majority of town board members.

As a taxpayer, I sincerely hope Mr. Riggi is not presenting statements on behalf of the town without working with the council as a whole. Correction needs to be made to the Department of Public Service website to clarify if that is a personal opinion, if the board did not vote on this before it was posted.

Respectfully,

Howard Pierce
Lyndonville

I do a LOT of driving. In my line of work, I can put between 100-180 miles on my car on every given weekday. I do mostly “off the Thruway” driving and encounter some of the most infuriating driving situations, and some of the most deadly.

I am never so inclined to bother the Editor with what I call “Road Etiquette,” but an incident last week was appropriate as ever to address this to the community.

We have a ton of 4-way stops in Orleans, Monroe, Genesee and Niagara counties. And I’ve seen just about everything, to be sure. Last week was the most terrifying ever, because my son was in the backseat when it happened.

We were at the stop sign at East Shelby Road and 31A, and a FedEx truck was on the opposite side. He was trying to take a right, I a left. He had the right-of-way and 31A traffic was at 4 p.m., with people in a hurry to get home via speeding.

I patiently awaited the FedEx truck to take his right turn, so that I could safely take my left. And then he waived me on wanting me to take my left, no doubt feeling “gracious” and not considering the dangerous situation he was putting me in. This happens to me ALL OVER Western New York, and infuriates me to no end.

People waiving other drivers to go against the right-of-way unwittingly put them in danger, and they may not be aware of it; they just think they are being “nice” and want people like me to simply trust their judgment via hand gesture that it is “Alright Miss, go ahead, I will wait for your turn first since yours, the left, is the most tricky. I can’t assure you 100 percent that it is safe to go against the rules, you just have to trust me.”

So like a dummy, frustrated because the truck would not take his right turn until I took my left while traffic on 31A was flying by, I took the bait. And we, my son and I, nearly got killed because I did not see the green car to my left flying toward me due to my line of sight being low in my small car.

And how we did not get hit by this car is only a miracle from God. That car missed mine by milliseconds, honked loudly and I peeled out when I saw him by gunning my gas HARD. And the Fed Ex guy then went straight because he realized that because he was “Just being a nice guy,” he nearly caused a deadly car wreck. And the worst of it is, I know better.

Understand, drivers: Had I been hit, the fault would have been MINE.  Had my child been killed by ME agreeing to IGNORE the Rules of the Road, I would have been devastated and the guilt alone would kill me.

I would have been complicit in the FedEx driver’s negligence in going against the rules, and legally, there would be no recourse to me. Do you understand now, gracious drivers who think they are doing others a favor by “The Waive”?

Please, people, if you have the right-of-way just TAKE IT.  Spare the rest of us the guess work, the misplaced trust in your gracious hand gesture to “trust” you. You could save a life, simply by following the rules. Think about it. Would the gratuity be worth it if target of your grace got killed?
Thank you,

Kimberly Kennedy
Medina

Editor:

I wanted to thank the Shelby Women’s Auxiliary for putting on a great Father-Daughter Dance on June 4.

It was good old-fashioned fun and, unlike a prom and weddings, 95 percent of the attendees danced the whole time. It was nice to see all the supporting fathers having quality time.

For $20, I was able to have a wonderful evening with my daughter that she will always remember and even got to hang out with couple friends in the process. In closing I hope this will be an annual event, as I would like to hope we started a new tradition. Thank you.

Tim Elliott
Proud Father
Medina

Editor:

This is NOT a personal attack on any one writer but rather a generalized comment on the types of thinking that is probably occurring in the readership audience. All letter writers are to be complimented for their interest in issues of the day and their effort to voice their opinions.

In reading the “Letters to the Editor” on the subject of Apex and whether or not wind turbines should be installed in the Somerset/Yates area, there were two types of generalizations made that are disturbing in a democracy such as America is supposed to be.

Several statements were made that the citizen meetings had “rude” and “disrespectful” interactions with some of the Apex “speakers.” A democracy requires its citizenry to be dogged in their questioning of those who are telling others what they should and should not do.

Speakers come into a group with certain expectations of how they want to influence the group. The motivation behind these people taking the microphone may be as deep-seated as their own employment.

Get the “job done” or you lose your job or you may lose a “bonus” that would be significant. People from outside the community are especially protected because they do not have to live with the direct consequences of their own beliefs. Such outsiders to the community may live in a workplace bubble where there develops an “echo-chamber” of talk on what is right and what is wrong.

It can take “tough questioning” to break into the “insularity of beliefs” of leaders and so-titled “experts” to get to the reality of the situation. Some people may look upon this questioning as “disrespectful”. A democracy can only thrive if its citizenry is engaged and sometimes relentless in its quest for answers that make sense.

A second worrisome statement was made by a letter writer that “the military” should automatically be trusted. “The military” is a HUGE bureaucracy riddled with politics. I respect America’s military tremendously but it is unwise to automatically “trust” that the military will always “make decisions that are in our best interest.”

People make up any bureaucracy. People are motivated by all sorts of things and are not better or worse than people in any employment. All sorts of people work for the military and the entire spectrum of human behavior and intelligence is found therein.

Two of my favorite TV shows are Matlock and Colombo. The lead characters are annoying, bungling, and, disrespectful at times. By the end of the show, however, one realizes their tenaciousness has solved the mystery. I suspect some of the Yates and Somerset citizenry have a bit of Matlock and Colombo in them. These may be down-to-earth, country folks at their best.

In reading the letters to the Orleans Hub on the wind turbine controversy, to me it seems that the citizenry of Yates and Somerset are to be commended for their time and energy fighting to keep their democratic rights alive.

Elizabeth Storch
Middleport

Editor:

I am writing in concern to the two consecutive years of theft and vandalism at Boxwood Cemetery.

It is a difficult time for anyone who has to visit their lost loved ones at a cemetery; the memories, the tears and the pain of losing them is hard enough. It is even more distraught to fathom that two years in a row someone has stolen the flower arrangements that you took your time and money to place on the headstone in remembrance of your loved one. This makes you lose faith in humanity and the community in which we take so much pride in growing up in and living in.

I ask our community to pay attention to your surroundings while visiting your loved ones at a cemetery and take action if you see something out of the ordinary. I have faith in believing that what comes around goes around but it still behooves me that someone, in their right mind, finds it acceptable to rob the deceased and their family members of a place we try to find peace for our loved ones.

Sincerely,

Tricia A Nudd-Mroz
Medina

Editor:

As a former military man myself, I want to begin by thanking Dave Belote for his service to our country. We recently paused to recognize our veterans and their sacrifices for our country on Memorial Day.

It was an honor to talk with Dave when he visited our area, to hear about his work and to better understand the vigorous and lengthy process that is in place to review renewable energy projects and potential impacts on military operations. It is important to point out that the current review but there will be a formal review submitted with the Lighthouse Wind Project application.

It was also very interesting and comforting to know that all four branches of the military are pursuing renewable energy projects, and the first priority is not related to reducing carbon emissions but to secure our country’s energy supply. Your readers may not know that the military highly respects Apex Clean Energy enough to do business with them and to sign the largest ever military wind and solar project with Apex Clean Energy at Fort Hood in Texas.

I would now like to address a letter from a former English teacher that I am not going to call by name because I don’t typically want to attack my neighbors personally, and I also have a huge respect for teachers. However, I do believe her letter is worth a response, and I wouldn’t call her a “military expert.” In fact, I was very comforted to know that there is an extensive process within DoD to ensure unhampered operations of their facilities by energy projects on a case by case basis. You can guess all you want, but bottom line, Article 10 requires the final review with Lighthouse Wind’s application.

First of all, Mr. Belote and Lighthouse Wind provided documents and letters from the Department of Defense stating “likely no impact to military operations,” not what was quoted in her LTE saying the military has “no issue.” A formal review is forthcoming, but Apex Clean Energy believed it was important to point out the work done so far to address concerns.

I give the company a lot of credit for reaching out to Save Ontario Shores, a group which organized a press conference In January in front of NFARS stating that the Lighthouse project will threaten an NFARS closure. Based on what? This heightened fearmongering was also spread to government officials, current and former base officials and the general public to raise a bias against Apex in the group’s ongoing efforts to prematurely derail the lighthouse Wind project.

This English teacher’s claim that a former military man/now consultant has “friends” at the DoD.  Yes, Dave Belote actually was commander of Nellis Air Force Base, the largest Air Force Base in the country, and he was also in charge of setting up the DoD Clearinghouse. To suggest partiality within the Department of Defense is blasphemous and bordering on libel. Having served myself, I find it utterly disrespectful to print this type of defamation of character of current or former military personnel.

In our English teacher’s assertion of “cherry picking” Lighthouse Wind provided copies of both letters received from the Department of Defense Clearinghouse. There is an ongoing and ugly campaign that this English teacher and others are using to stop this project before all studies are complete.

The oppositions’ relentless personal attacks of Apex Clean Energy employees and now a retired colonel, still working in a field he’s trying to move forward for national security reasons as well as the overall health of our planet is shocking and disgusting. Apex is taking the high road, releasing factual information as they are able while continuing to invite opposition to speak with them.

I am delighted to hear Bolote ran for public office in Virginia. I’d like to see more leaders like him running for office, rather than a currant national crop that are showing our children that it is OK to personally attack, name call and bully others with very unacceptable behavior.

I’d be proud to vote for someone who has shown true leadership for our country, a former F-16 pilot who earned two Bronze Stars during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was also recognized as a “Champion on Change” by the White House in 2013 through his work on Veterans Advancing Clean Energy and Climate Security.  Belote fully disclosed in meetings that he was the former VP of Federal Services for Apex, now working for Cassidy and Associates in DC.

And, if you and others are calling for full disclosure of any lobbying work, these were informational meetings. No action was requested by Belote or Lighthouse Wind. And, perhaps it is time for SOS to disclose their lobbying and marketing budget.

Respectfully,

Howard Pierce
Lyndonville

Editor:

In the world of business, decisions are made and corporate direction taken. However, to ensure proper accountability for those decisions and directions, one person has the “D”. The “D” means the Decision. The “D” means the responsibility and accountability for that decision.

In the past few weeks, APEX Clean Energy, in an all-out attempt to allay fears over Industrial Wind Turbine encroachment on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (and risk to jobs at that base), brought Mr. Dave Belote to Western New York for private meetings with a number of interested parties. Those interested parties included many political and public groups (Town/County Government and Save Ontario Shores, to name a few).

Reports from these meetings show that Mr. Belote indicated that, in his experience as a US Air Force Officer, Federal employee and through his government acquaintances, the Lighthouse Wind project would be unlikely to pose a risk to NFARS. To support his argument, Mr. Belote produced two “informal review” letters from the Department of Defense Siting Clearinghouse.

While Mr. Belote’s military service to our country is commendable, his current service to Cassidy and Associates (a pro-wind consulting firm) and, previous service as a Vice President of Federal Business for APEX Clean Energy, are of particular interest.

It is important to realize that, regardless of his armed forces service, Mr. Belote is a pro-wind consultant whose job is to minimize the specter of risk at NFARS. Regardless of reality.

The reality is as follows: The verdict on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is fully in the hands of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. The decision on whether to close NFARS will be made by and only by BRAC. BRAC has the “D”. Any reason, such as encroachment on military operations caused by industrial wind turbines, will remain a significant factor in potential closure of NFARS.

As such, regardless of the efforts of APEX Clean Energy or Mr. Belote to allay NFARS and Western New York fears, only the BRAC decision determines the future of NFARS and over 3,000 jobs in Western New York.

Neither Mr. Belote nor the DoD Siting Clearinghouse have any input on the encroachment question and therefore the future of NFARS. They do not have the “D”.
BRAC and only BRAC has the “D”.

John B. Riggi
Councilman, Town of Yates

Editor:

I want to apologize to Dave Belote personally for some of the disrespectful letters and personal attacks that I have read recently from Lighthouse Wind opposition.

I appreciated hearing from you about your service to our country and what led to you taking on a leadership role in helping the military move toward renewable energy sources, not just to cut down on greenhouse gases, but for the energy security of our military who are our largest energy consumers. As you pointed out, it’s a matter of energy security for our nation as well.

I want you to know that Lighthouse Wind has a lot of support in this area, some of our largest supporters are our farmers who are grateful for the opportunity to potentially farm a drought resistant crop that is wind. Our community has its roots in the agricultural industry and the Lighthouse Wind project will give our farming community a huge boost, not to mention potential revenue for our towns, counties and/or schools. Many of us see this for what it is – an economic boost in our changing world that can offer welcome economic stability.

I find it ironic that a recent letter writer pointed out that “I’d like my children’s children and theirs to know the same wonders (of Lake Ontario) that I do.” Well, I’d like our children and their children to have a cleaner world to live in, a slowing of climate change and a community that is made vibrant again by an economic shot in the arm that will come from the Lighthouse Wind project. I have found Apex Clean Energy staff very committed to environmental issues, and they recently brought their national wildlife expert to town to meet and answer questions as well.

Thank you again, Mr. Belote. And, please know that not all residents in Orleans County are as rude and disrespectful, but they sometimes make the most noise.

With appreciation,

Susan Campbell
Lyndonville

Editor:

Thank you, Apex Clean Energy, for meeting with public officials and others with Dave Belote, a retired colonel who has been involved with the military and its movement toward renewable energy.

Apex Clean Energy has worked hard to help us all understand the facts around the Lighthouse Wind project, and this time, its impact on Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

If the Department of Defense is willing to say that the Lighthouse Wind project will “unlikely impact” NFARS in an informal review, I am going to save my opinion for the final review which will be part of Lighthouse Wind’s final application. As Mr. Belote pointed out in his Letter to the Editor in the Orleans Hub, not all work by the Department of Defense is in the headlines.

I trust our military to make decisions that are in our best interest.

Sincerely,

Linda Fisk
Lyndonville

Editor:

As this year’s Memorial Day passed, I could no longer procrastinate in sending a “Thank you!” to the kind people of Medina for allowing us, the Butts family, to participate in last year’s ceremony.

When I say kind, I speak of the unfailing, remarkable friendliness and helpfulness of everyone we encountered in all circumstances, from being a stranger asking for directions to the formal ceremony.

I am reluctant to mention names for fear of many omissions but some stand out: Catherine Cooper, your excellent librarian, for her patience and help with Uncle John’s memorabilia. Mayor Andy Meier, for his time in showing and explaining sites of particular interest to our family and of pride for Medina. Frank Berger, who was and continues to be invaluable in tracking down our family history.  Butts-Clark American Legion Post, for being an incredible host and responsible for bringing many of our far flung family together for the first time.

Once again, thank you Medina for being the wonderful city, from which, we are proud to trace our heritage.

John Butts (writing on behalf of the Butts family)
Scarborough, Maine

(Editor’s Note: John E. Butts, the only Medal of Honor recipient in Medina’s history, was killed in World War II in Normandy. Medina named a park for Butts and the American Legion post also bears his name.)