Editor:

An election that brought an astounding number of Republican voters to the polls, and might have elected anyone appearing on the Republican line (even, in one case, a person most voters didn’t even know lived in their town), wasn’t “survey” enough for those who want to see industrial wind turbines in Orleans County.

A highly regarded town supervisor with years of experience – appearing on the Republican line – was defeated by a newcomer who wasn’t even on the ballot! (For write-in candidates to win anywhere is extremely rare.)

Jim Simon’s election in Yates wasn’t “survey” enough either. Perhaps if enough “surveys” are taken, the people who do not “get it” will obtain the mandate they seek. For such people, history has no relevance, no validity.

The sad experiences of others do not matter. So what if property values have plummeted in Cohocton? Who cares what Cathi Orr says? What does it matter that swaths of rural countryside must be destroyed to build the service roads needed to erect industrial behemoths three times the height of the Presbyterian Church steeple in Albion? Who cares what happens once they are de-commissioned?

Without doubt, renewable energy is an absolute no-brainer. The more we lessen dependence on fossil fuels, the better. Asthma is real. Air pollution is serious. The cost/benefit analysis matters.

Solar panels are likely appropriate regardless of the rural landscape, abundance of wildlife, terrific habitat, tourism and residential potential, and a major migratory bird “flyway.” I know of no one who objects to roof-mounted solar panels. NYSERDA recommends solar energy for Orleans County.

All of these things cannot be said of industrial wind turbines located in habitat-rich, agriculturally productive, rural environments.

Properly sited, gigantic turbines make sense.  But Orleans County would lose a great deal should we be forced to accept them. If our population density was 2 people per square mile, industrial turbines would have far fewer adverse impacts.

If Orleans County was a lifeless, windswept, unproductive – and visually barren – landscape, 590′ wind turbines would be less objectionable. Google: Roscoe, Texas, for a better idea of the type of barren landscape most appropriate for industrial wind turbines. Of course, they “work” in other places as well.

The people of Orleans County who think that what happens in the Town of Yates, to the Town of Yates, doesn’t matter to the rest of us, might want to reconsider. In addition to what happens in Yates, beware the proverbial “foot in the door.” Every little bit of asset degradation matters. Our environmental assets matter. Should S.O.S. prevail, we may all owe them a debt of gratitude.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent
Albion

Editor:

The constant comparison Mr. Kent makes between the Republican Party within Orleans County and the Omniscient Oz is beginning to hinge on the verge of litany. I’m not quite sure, from what I gather through his write-ups, how educated he truly is when it comes to the possible allegory of Oz.

It appears that he might just be going off of Lindsey Graham’s reference to Trump’s charm fading with the public’s realization that “there’s nothing behind the curtain.” And in turn, calling Trump “the Almighty Oz” in the Republican field.

If that’s the case, it is a carriage of injustice that a shallow statement, made over 100 years after Baum penned his “modernized fairytale,” would overshadow the depths of its conceivable symbolic nature.

Many scholastic debaters have argued whether Frank Baum’s, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was wrote “solely for the pleasure of children” or if the book’s parallels to the 1890’s Populism movement, prove it otherwise, an allegory of political satire.

A quarter century after its film debut, Henry M. Littlefield linked the characters and plot of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to the political landscape of its time, the Populism Movement.

This developmental passage was a revolt by farmers in the South and Midwest against the government for ignoring their interests and difficulties. In support of his findings, Littlefield presented writings from Baum, from a small newspaper in the Midwest, where Baum expressed his stance on politics in the late 1800’s. Littlefield concluded that though not an activist, Baum was considered “sympathetic to the Populists and one who voted consistently for Democratic candidates.”

These claims have since been dismantled.

Records have shown that some of Baum’s editorials expressed support for Republican candidates. In fact, during the 1896 campaign, Baum published a poem backing the Republican Party’s candidate, McKinley and his economic policies: “Our merchants won’t be trembling/ At the silverites’ dissembling/ When McKinley gets the chair!”

Baum consistently claimed to have no hidden agenda behind his masterpiece and his descendants go as far as to call the political thesis behind Baum’s legendary tale, “Insane.”

All in all, I believe Littlefield conceded it best in 1992, when he stated, “Whatever Baum’s intentions were in writing Oz, he kept them to himself.” (Winter 2005 Issue of the Independent Review)

Richard Klaver
Albion

Editor:

I’m writing in response to the recent letter from the district attorney, urging the citizens of Orleans County to set aside “personal differences” and unite behind our newly elected sheriff, Randy Bower.

The DA writes that he is confident and speaks “on behalf of the entire law enforcement community” when he says “Sheriff Bower will receive full support and cooperation as the next Sheriff of Orleans County.”

Am I the only reader who interpreted its content to be somewhat irrelevant due to the outcome of the election? Now, if this letter came on the heels of Tom Drennan winning the majority of the votes, I would have seen the importance and urgency of such a letter. But that not being the case, I find the write up to be a fluff piece, wrote, too little too late, by a very intelligent elected public official.

Let us consider the facts: Bower was backed by “the current members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, State Police, Orleans County Employees Association and the NYS Law Enforcement Officers Union.” (Martin Troup) Also, “in an unprecedented move, both the union that represents the criminal division and the union that represents the correctional division also endorsed Bower.” (James W. Halstead, Retired Deputy Sheriff)

I am curious as to the extent of backlash the citizens of Orleans County were to have endured, had the members of its Sheriff’s Department not gotten their way.

As far as I am concerned, the “tidal waves of controversy and discord” wielded directly from within THEIR walls. Eventually, we, the general public, began forming our own opinions based on the words of those who have sworn to protect us.

I do agree with Mr. Cardone that the “safety and security of our community is dependent on the effective operation of the Sheriff’s Department.” €With that being said, I too now stand behind Randy Bower for sheriff.

Not because I found him to be the better candidate; but because I truly believe that had Tom Drennan been elected, the OCSD would not have upheld their oath to “protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic” to the best of their abilities. (Sheriff’s 2nd Amendment)

Just one person’s opinion.

Richard Klaver
Albion

Editor:

At long last, the election is over and a new day is dawning for the Town of Yates. A note of thanks to Mr. John Belson for his long years of service as Yates Town Supervisor.

We look forward to working and serving with Mr. Wes Bradley, Mr. Brad Bentley and Mr. Jim Whipple as we move Yates forward into a positive and meaningful future.

To our comments:

The most unique and important component of a democracy is the ability of the people to make their wishes known via the voting process. The vote is a precious right of all US citizens and our only systematic way to truly ensure our voices are heard and change effected.

Gentlemen of the Yates Town Board, the voice of the people has been heard loud and clear. Yates is opposed to the APEX Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project known as Lighthouse Wind.

The people’s opposition to this project has been heard at least three times prior to the Nov. 3 general election and once after the election:

These results show a clear, consistent, massive and ongoing opposition in Yates and Western New York that must be respected and acted upon.

We understand that the Town Board does not perceive any of these results as valid and continues to push forward with yet another survey. All while APEX continues with their unwarranted, unwanted efforts to impose a project on this town that is immensely destructive to our environment, wildlife, personal health, property values and yes, the very social fabric that makes Yates such a special place.

APEX is also trying to take from us that which we hold most dear Our very quality of life. Is Yates a better place for APEX’s presence?

We think not and Yates voters agree as is evidenced with the results of this most important election.

If the Board does not value the results of multiple surveys which trumpet opposition to this project, surely the election results must speak to the Board and direct said Board to stop this survey and immediately oppose the APEX project. The will of the people has been made clear. There is no need for further surveying.

THE PEOPLE OF YATES ARE TELLING YOU TO OPPOSE THE APEX PROJECT!

In addition, as an incoming Town Supervisor and Town Councilman, we are extremely concerned about the cost of upward of $4,000 that this survey is going to cost the Town.

That $4,000 will need to be covered with tax dollars that are clearly in short supply right now. To spend these tax dollars on this survey project brings little, if any, value to the Town and leaves the Town with a deficit that must be made up with additional revenue.

In fact, any actions taken now taken by the Board on the APEX proposal between, now and the end of the year, will clearly be perceived as actions taken to impose the Board’s personal will and policies contrary to the expressed desire of the people as expressed in the recent election.

We call on the Board to respect the election results, curtail all activity on the survey, immediately oppose the project and leave a positive legacy for the Town of Yates.

In addition, we would like ensure we are clear with the citizens of Yates regarding direction for the town. A contention was made during the Yates Town Board meeting of Thursday, Nov. 12, that the newly elected candidates are only concerned with wind turbines. To ensure clarity, the following platform goals are, again, communicated as follows:

Pass resolution by Town of Yates of formal opposition to Apex Lighthouse Wind industrial zones.

Seek immediate town declaration against New York State Article X law which removes home rule.

Form Yates Renewable Energy Task Force with interested residents and clean energy experts.

Develop, enact, assess and refine a comprehensive, 5-year strategic plan for Yates.

Attract people to Yates to live, raise their families, go shopping and start businesses.

Seek opportunities to collaborate with Lyndonville, neighboring towns, the county and the state.

Lead with transparency, crystal clear ethics, data-driven analysis & collaborative decision making.

In order to achieve these goals, we will need your input and help. We urge you to get involved as we begin to move forward.

We are excited to begin working with the citizens of Yates in January and are delighted to begin the process of meaningful development for our Town.

Jim Simon – Town of Yates Supervisor-elect
John Riggi – Town of Yates Councilman-elect

Editor:

First, I would like to thank the Orleans County Democratic Committee for endorsing me to represent them in the sheriff’s race. Also, thank you to my family, friends, supporters and those who voted for me.

We knew going into this election would be tough as Orleans County is 2 to 1 in favor of the Republicans. When I entered this election all I wanted was to give the citizens of Orleans County a choice in the sheriff’s election but also to have a Democratic candidate on the ballot. I felt with my 30 years in law enforcement I could be a true contender.

The first real test was in the Fourth of July Parade in Lyndonville. I along with my supporters thought we had entered a t-shirt contest and what candidate could put the most t-shirts on their supporters – we LOST this competition.

After this it was how many signs could be put in peoples’ yards. Some even put on private property and some supporters putting up these signs were being chased off of people’s property! We didn’t win this competition either.

Then it was the biggest sign contest. The “Billboard” won this contest.

I started to wonder about this sheriff’s election after seeing and hearing all this. I truly believed at this time that the true meaning in this sheriff’s race had been lost. But I still believed my experience and hard work would pay off.

I then could not believe the “mudslinging” that went on between the supporters of the other two candidates. I thought that at least one of the candidates would tell their supporters to stop. That did not happen.

At this time I personally felt this was very degrading to the Sheriff’s Department in general and wondered where all this was going. These two men were running for the Office of Sheriff acting like this?

Then came the forum. I did not know that the sheriff in any county could supersede any law, let alone the SAFE Act. But then again I told the truth and some people don’t like the truth especially when it comes to enforcing laws.

I was brought up and taught hard work and telling the truth was the right thing to do, and I still believe this – even after losing the sheriff’s race, that turned into a popularity contest.

The sheriff’s race was not won on who had the most experience as a law enforcement official and who could do the job. It was won on who knew who in the political world.

At this time I will take some words from my opponent’s sign – “Experience Does Matter” and the Citizens of Orleans County will find this out.

How do you compare 30 or 23 years of law enforcement experience to having none?

Don Organisciak
Retired Medina Police Investigator
Medina

Editor:

As I sit at my computer enjoying my day off for Veterans Day, I feel compelled to try to compose this letter of appreciation. Being a veteran myself, I was moved by the wonderful concert Tuesday (Nov. 10) that was given by the Albion High School Music Department.

After reading earlier in that day of the projections for the student population decline in the coming years, made me even more impressed of the participation of the students at Albion.

The concert was moving and inspiring, and even showcased the talents of an Albion alum, County Historian, and former band member Matt Ballard.

It is easy to see why Albion continues to be recognized as an elite school for music. There were 155 choral members that participated last evening and 115 band members. Great job by Gary Simboli and Mike Thaine in the preparation of your students in such a short time from the beginning of the school year. Also, great job by the school administration in supporting the Arts at Albion.

Thanks again for the wonderful evening of entertainment.

Peter Toenniessen
Gaines
Veteran

Editor:

Thank you to Michelle Restivo for writing, and The Hub for publishing the accounts of the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

To end the series on Veterans Day was even more moving. Reading the accounts reminded me of a few tears back when my father, in failing health was offered one of these trips when he was living in Florida. He declined the offer, then told me about it some time later.

I am so sorry that he didn’t take the offer, I am so sure he would have enjoyed it.

Michelle, thanks for your relaying of what I am sure was a very moving experience. You made me feel as if I was there myself.

Peter Toenniessen
Gaines
Veteran

Editor:

To the people of the Town of Yates, the official survey on the Wind Turbine Project will be coming to your house very soon. Please, please, please take the time to fill them out and get them back to the town by the deadline. The surveys will be going out to EVERY registered voter and/or taxpayer. Everyone’s opinion is needed.

I want to thank our Town Board for their time and effort that was put into creating a survey that will reach all of the people who have a stake in this venture. The current Town Board has shown us what true government should strive to accomplish: unbiased governing without bowing down to special interest groups that would like only their voices to be heard.

Do your research, ask questions if you are not sure of what your position is. There are wonderful resources on line that are neither pro or con on the issue. Please check these out.

If you have specific questions about the project you can contact Carmen or Taylor at Lighthouse Wind. The address is: 8691 Main St., Barker, NY 14012 and their phone number is 1 716-562-4262.

I believe that this will be a positive addition to our community. Your voices need to be heard regardless of which side you are on.

Thank you,

Susan Campbell
Lyndonville

Editor:

To the citizens of Yates, I am honored to be elected as your next town supervisor. Thank you for your vote of confidence.

I thank John Belson for his service to our town, and I look forward to working with him as we transition to a new year and new beginnings.

I am very thankful to my wife and family for their support these past few months. I am also very grateful to all of you who supported my campaign.

I look forward to serving all of the citizens of Yates. I promise to do my best and to do what is in the best interest of our town.

Most Respectfully,

Jim Simon
Yates

Editor:

This is not going to be your typical letter from a candidate that lost an election. This is not my first run and I am not new to politics.

Stepping up and speaking out at government should be something that every citizen should do regularly, along with running at least once in their lifetime.

The founders set up a system where the average man or woman could go be an elected representative of their constituents pretty easy, especially at the local level. The intent was to be for a short time. Then go back to whatever they were doing in their life. Not make a career out of it.

With that said. Thank you to all of you who “Got It” and cast your vote for change. I espoused conservative principals throughout my campaign. I let people know where I stood. Unfortunately the best candidate does not always win. It is apparent in some of the elections in this county.

Committees that continue to endorse RINO candidates, ignore their voting records, and keep these stale dinosaurs as heads of the towns, county, and villages – election cycle after election cycle – are a big part of the problem.

Voter Sloth is another. Those of you who are tired of the process should become a free-thinking committee member in your local party. That will allow you to buck the establishment choice. That’s how you get the best candidates. That is how you term-limit these Incumbents that linger on long after their useful shelf life to become the problem they initially ran against.

There are too many people worried about losing their piece of the pie if things change and too many people getting things from the taxpayers and I’m not talking about the poor. Truth.

There are no congratulations to my opponent. I ran to defeat her and her progressive big government agenda. 552 people did their best to see that happen on the Conservative Line. That’s pretty darn good for a county that votes RINO as its majority. It didn’t happen. No sweat. I was over it seconds after I found out the results.
Losing another election is nothing compared to what I have lost in my life. The fight for change is bigger than any one person. Many great ideas were put forth in the campaigns. Will the Legislature act upon them?

The people who really lost are the people of this county that returned a big spending progressive back for another two years. The voting record does not lie.

This has been a fun experience. I enjoyed it. I even enjoyed all the mudslinging. Politics is a contact sport. Those who supported me should know that I will continue to fight city hall and who knows what the future will present.

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Lyndonville

Editor:

It has been only a week and barely a political sign can be found throughout the landscape of Orleans County. The voters have spoken and so ends a spirited debate as to who is to be the next to lead our Sheriff’s Department.

The recent Sheriff’s race was the most tumultuous time in my 23 years working daily with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. The ripple effect of the race for Sheriff has caused tidal waves of controversy and discord amongst various levels of government, political parties and the general public.

Fortunately, one of the things I have learned during my years in office is that the sense of community of our citizens in this County is much stronger than any attack any upon it.

Never in Orleans County politics have I seen so many people so passionate about their candidate and with good cause. Sheriff Randy Bower, Chief Deputy Tom Drennan and Investigator Don Organisciak campaigned very hard as did their supporters.

I personally know each of these three individuals having worked with them for many years. They are very capable individuals with character and integrity. They deserve our collective appreciation for the tremendous efforts they made during the election process to give us a choice. So too do their families and supporters for the many sacrifices they made on their candidate’s behalf.

That having been said now is the time for all of us to set aside our differences and to support Sheriff Randy Bower and Undersheriff Chris Bourke and their new administration.

As citizens of Orleans County we must now focus on our common good and take strength from the conviction that was shown by each of the three candidates to make this a better community.

During the next few months Sheriff Randy Bower deserves our full understanding and support while he installs his new administration. I am confident that I speak on behalf of the entire law enforcement community when I say Sheriff Bower will receive our full support and cooperation as the next Sheriff of Orleans County and that he will do a great job.

The safety and security of our community is dependent on the effective operation of the Sheriff’s Department. It is imperative that we work together to afford the citizens of this County the high quality of law enforcement they pay for and deserve.

Joseph V. Cardone
Orleans County District Attorney

Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters of Yates for their vote of confidence in allowing me to serve you for next 4 years.

There is much work to do and I promise to exhaustively work to the best of my ability to fulfill the responsibility you’ve entrusted to drive the Town of Yates into a meaningful future.

I am looking forward to serving you.

Best Regards,

John Riggi
Yates Town Councilman-elect

Editor:

A few days have passed since the election, and most of us that ran for office have had time to reflect. In terms of my race: Mr. Allport annihilated me, winning 66 percent to my 33 percent.

I am not completely discouraged or disappointed by the unofficial results2,244 voters put their trust in me, put their faith in me, and gave me a chance.

I just want to say thank you to those voters and everyone else that supported me throughout the campaign processspecifically Jeanne Crane, Gary Kent, Janice Grabowski and the entire Democratic Committee.

The committee demonstrated that they have faith in my generation by endorsing me and supporting me. They showed that they believe young adults are capable of standing up and being leaders in government.

I truly believe that this is another example of the Democratic Party being the party of the future. I am forever thankful for their support and the opportunity that they gave me. As always, I am PROUD to be a Democrat.

To Mr. Allport: I wish you the very best, and want to thank you for your many years of service to our county. The same goes to Mr. Callard, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. DeFilipps, Mr. Eick, Mr. DeRoller and Mr. Miller. I hope that you all serve and continue to serve with the best interest of the pubic at heart.

To my supporters: I am not sure what the future holds, or where life will take me. We can never truly predict those things. What I can promise you is that no matter where life takes me, or where I may end up; I will not be silenced, I will keep fighting, and I will continue to serve the public.

With Gratitude,

James White
Gaines

Editor:

Reflecting on the recent election is somewhat painful for us Democrats. It may sting even more once the absentee ballots are counted. At this point, we know that two outstanding candidates, Don Organisciak and James White, were defeated even though great cases can be made for each of them.

It was the first electoral experience in the brutal arena of Orleans County politics for each of them. Being a four-time loser myself has gotten me used to it, but reality hit them like a train on night of Nov. 3.

That said, the candidacy of Randy Bower was a breath of fresh air for Orleans County. The Republican Party has long needed a focus on people. Bower is clearly a “people person” who appears to understand that those who hold office are there to serve all people.

As far back as 2004, when the legislative chairperson told me the only thing the people in Orleans County care about is the tax rate, the Republican Party has focused on property taxpayers as if they were the only ones who pay taxes.

Bower’s Republican roots and his primary victory made it possible for a message that Democrats haven’t been able to sell to finally become viable.

While any Republican primary winner is virtually guaranteed victory in Orleans County, the roads to, and from, the primary for sheriff produced a massive Republican voter turnout this year. When the Omniscient Oz decided to give the sheriff’s crown to Tom Drennan back in May during the Oz caucus, it finally backfired, even though Drennan was in most respects a great candidate.

Randy Bower’s people, said, in effect, “Not this time.” The Republican wizard wasn’t going to be able to take his subjects for granted this time. Bower forced a primary and won the all-important republican line by 21 votes on September 13th. A little over 30% of eligible republicans voted in the primary.

Normally, a Democrat, working with an enrollment base roughly half that of his/her Republican opponent, stands little chance of defeating the Wizard’s choice. Not enough people vote for the best candidate. They dutifully vote row B, just as the Wizard has trained them to. Of course the Wizard tells them who (he thinks) is best every year. This year, his choice wasn’t on row B. Such confusion!

One down side to what just happened is that two sets of coattails may have doomed some really capable down ballot candidates. It is likely that close to 50 percent of Republicans came out to vote due to interest in the sheriff’s race.

Many voted for Bower. Many left row B to vote for Tom Drennan. The problem for people like Darlene Benton and Bill Lattin is that, after voting for Tom, many Republican voters returned home to row B. Darlene and Bill were on row A. (Though John Belson of Yates enjoys a broad base of support and should probably not be pigeon-holed as an insider under the thumb of Apex, I imagine interest in the sheriff’s race boosted his vote total for the reason mentioned above.)

The Wizard should be careful what conclusions he reaches from the Yates results. Concluding that the town is divided roughly 50-50 on the wind turbine issue based on the results of this particular election could well be a mistake. One might even wonder how much closer the Johnson-Lauricella race would have been had the Omniscient Oz come out in favor of the proposed Apex project before the election.

Wouldn’t it be something if the Omniscient Oz eventually spun off into irrelevance as a consequence of casting his lot with something he vastly underestimates the significance of: industrial wind turbines. Of course, Oz may just be waiting for the right survey.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent
Albion

Editor:

It’s finally over. Ballots cast, counted and Bower won.

There were many that showed up to vote. However, when you look at the population of Orleans County compared to the number of casted votes, it is sad.

I think many people were disgusted with the whole thing and just stayed out. While I totally understand where they are coming from; history shows that a laissez-faire attitude towards politics is how we suddenly find ourselves stuck with things like the SAFE Act, misappropriation of welfare benefits, politicians making more than military members, etc.

If we as a nation just allow things to happen then we have no right to complain when they do. This is bigger than a local political race, this is happening with everything from a sheriff’s election to the presidential election.

It saddens me when voter turnout is less than the lines to go black Friday shopping. I get people are overwhelmed with what to believe, I get people are sick of the bantering, I get people are sick of the mudslinging. But we do have a voice and people need to realize that not standing up, not debating, not caring because everything will still go on the next day is not going to solve anything.

That being said, this election brought out the best and the worst in people. I look back at the comments, posts, letters to the editor – some filled with positives, some filled with negatives.

People’s integrity, morals, beliefs all attacked because they didn’t support the candidate others thought they should. The name-calling, lies, misdirected anger, non-factual statements was a disgusting display from both sides of the election.

Passion is one thing but passion should be supported with compassion. The ridiculousness of it all was down right embarrassing. One would think that now it is over people would bow out gracefully and become part of the solution.

As I read through social media, the disgust I had is still present. Can’t it just be accepted that we need to now move forward? Why must people, inside and outside of Orleans County, continue this disgusting display of moral ineptitude?

Diane Wood
Holley