Editor:

I read with grave interest your recent article, “Central Hall will be vacated by county and put on market – County Historian to move to space next to Subway in Albion.”

As someone who served as Orleans County Historian from 2015 to 2020, and who worked extensively in Central Hall during that time, I feel compelled to provide additional context about the building, its history of use, and the implications of this relocation.

When I began my tenure, Central Hall was fully occupied. The County Treasurer occupied the main floor, Information Technology used the second floor, and the Historian’s Office was relegated to the basement. That basement space was barely temperature controlled; winter workdays often meant running space heaters to reach the low 60s. There was no humidity control.

These conditions—combined with the historian’s cramped “office” and lack of proper storage—resulted in collections being scattered between the basement and the attic. Decades of inadequate environmental controls inevitably led to damage to those resources.

Over recent years, the county has had several opportunities to correct this. The addition to the County Administrative Building could have provided a more secure, accessible space for the Historian’s Office—either within the new footprint or in the vacated third floor of the County Clerk’s Office, which offered elevator access and immediate proximity to other historical records.

Later, thanks to the unwavering support of Legislators John DeFilipps and Ken DeRoller, the unused second floor of Central Hall was slated for renovation for the historian’s use in late 2019. COVID-19 delayed progress, and my departure in 2020 meant I never saw that effort reach completion. Legislator Fred Miller also deserves recognition as the lone dissenting vote in the recent 6–1 decision and for his support of local history.

Another chance came when the County Treasurer moved to the old Bank of America building on South Main Street. That transition could have allowed the Historian’s Office to shift into the main floor of Central Hall—a far more accessible space that included a secure vault, an invaluable asset for preserving rare and fragile collections. Even the entrance ramp would have offered a meaningful improvement over navigating the building’s stairs.

It is understandable that maintaining Central Hall—a building once fully occupied and now housing only one of its original three departments—represents a financial challenge. I was once told the deteriorating brickwork alone carried estimates north of $100,000 for repairs, and officials now project annual savings of $90,000 to $110,000 by selling the property. Those costs are real. But so is the opportunity.

Orleans County has long lacked a centralized, fully resourced hub for its municipal historians. Many municipal historians operate without offices and receive only modest stipends, leaving valuable local collections scattered in basements, attics, and closets across the county.

Central Hall, with thoughtful investment, could have become a collaborative, inclusive space—an accessible home for preserving, organizing, digitizing, and sharing the county’s history with residents and researchers far beyond our borders. Our heritage is uniquely rich and deeply connected to the broader story of New York State, the United States, and the world. It deserves a home that reflects that significance.

Perhaps a small gesture to offset sales tax gains?

Instead, the County Historian’s Office will now occupy a strip mall—a site built atop land once home to some of Albion’s most stately mansions. The symbolism is hard to ignore. At a moment when the county is celebrating its Bicentennial, and when our local historians remain among the most active, dedicated and community-engaged in the state, this decision feels particularly short-sighted.

Important questions also remain unaddressed:

• With historically significant collections housed in a plaza with food establishments, who will handle pest mitigation should mice, insects, or other pests be drawn to the paper-based materials?

• Will the county invest in appraising and insuring rare or valuable artifacts now that they are being moved into leased space?

• What assurances exist that the property owner will maintain the building if a roof leak, sewer issue, or fire in an adjacent unit threatens the collections?

• What are the projected property tax breaks for commercial properties that are partially “leased” to governmental agencies?

• And with projected savings from the sale of Central Hall, will the county reinvest even a portion of those savings (or proceeds from the sale) into better resourcing the Department of History, including appropriate compensation for the extensive off-hours work the role of County Historian requires?

Orleans County has benefited enormously from the dedication, expertise, and passion of its historians—often without providing the support and infrastructure such essential work deserves. As the county turns the page on Central Hall, I hope leaders will reflect on the broader cost of undervaluing the stewardship of our shared history.

Matthew R. Ballard

LeRoy, NY

Former Orleans County Historian (2015–2020)

Editor:

The nation needs more energy and something needs to be done. The current permitting process can take a decade to bring new energy sources online.

There are many solar, wind and battery storage projects waiting to be connected to the grid, but can’t be for lack of transmission capacity. Congress needs to update the permitting process through a comprehensive permitting reform bill.

This legislation would not increase the size of government, but it would reduce energy costs and increase the size of the economy by increasing the energy supply. I am hoping Congresswoman Tenney will co-sponsor a bill to do this.

We at Citizen’s Climate Lobby support real solutions that favor jobs, economic growth and enhance our global competitiveness.

As a lifelong Republican and a member of Citizen’s Climate Lobby, I know that Conservation is Conservative!

Rob Johnson

Medina

Editor:

I want to thank you and reporter Ginny Kropf for promoting and often attending our many programs scheduled each year to benefit the Cobblestone Society & Museum.

Ginny recently posted details of our upcoming December events before including responses to some additional questions she posed. She encouraged me to use this forum to share the answers, which she felt held merit for an additional communication with your followers.

Our “Simply Christmas” event scheduled for Saturday, December 6 at 11 a.m. is the third holiday program we’ve offered to the public in consecutive years. They have always included Christmas music, readings and/or stories.

Current trustee and treasurer Maarit Vaga initiated this holiday event with its deliberately chosen title so that from year to year the theme of the event could change.  Our first “Simply Christmas” program allowed Maarit to share traditions and customs from her Scandinavian heritage, with an emphasis on St. Lucia.

Last year St. Nicholas Day was the focus. This year in “Simply Christmas: A Community Musical Quilt” the spotlight is on locally talented individuals. Just as a beautiful quilt is the result of piecing together individual bits of fabric to make its design, the program’s variety of music – vocals, instrumental and sing-along – plus readings, will come together to kick off the Christmas season for the audience in a delightfully entertaining way!

I am super excited by the skill level of the various performers that will participate. Of note, Aaron Grabowski (baritone, Director of Music/Holy Trinity), Susan Walders (alto, flutist with E-Yah-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet), Bradeen Walders Erakare (soprano) and husband Sebastian Erakare (tenor) are teaming up as a quartet to perform Riu Riu Chiu, a Spanish Renaissance Christmas madrigal, sung unaccompanied.

All are welcome at the Cobblestone Church to celebrate the season.

Sue Bonafini, Assistant Director

Cobblestone Society & Museum

Editor:

News of the My Lai incident broke in November 1969, during my tour of duty in Vietnam.  The My Lai incident happened March 16th, 1968, in Quang Ngai province when members of the 23rd (Americal) Division killed between 347 to 504 women, children and elderly unarmed civilians. It was a war crime.

While some in the military tried to white-wash it, the Vietnamese knew what had happened. It made winning the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese citizens more difficult. And it contributed to the American public’s attitude in opposition to the war.  Returning soldiers, such as myself, were shunned and tainted as drug-addled murderers.

My tour of duty in Vietnam was from July 1969 to July 1970 with the 101st Infantry Division in Thua Thien and Quang Tri Provinces. Most of our operations were in the jungles of the Annamite Mountains, with very limited operations around villages.

My unit did not kill civilians, nor did we kill friendly soldiers, (South Vietnam soldiers). However, I know the intense hatred of the enemy, the rage and anger and desire for revenge. I know how atrocities happen. I also know the moral injury suffered by those of us who killed enemy soldiers.

The oath taken by members of the military includes: “I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So, help me God.” The Uniform Code of Military Justice states explicitly that this requirement does not apply to “patently illegal orders.”

In Nov. 1969, when news of the My Lai massacre broke, my unit commander called us together and made it clear to all of us, officers and enlisted, that orders to kill civilians are illegal and not to be followed. Furthermore, he made it clear that orders to kill unarmed P.O.W.’s is illegal.

It is also manifestly unlawful to issue orders or follow such orders to kill unarmed fishermen. While the administration has stated that those targeted are drug smugglers, they have offered no evidence to support that claim. They have offered no evidence that they are armed, or intend to smuggle drugs, if they have any, into the U.S.

There is no evidence that the occupants of those boats threaten in any manner, shape or form the U.S. We are not at war with Venezuela. Following “patently illegal orders,” and killing without due process diminishes how our allies view us and gives our enemies fodder.

It shakes the foundations that America stands for ideals and that the law is king not arbitrary capricious whims of those in power. Finally, it diminishes how we feel about ourselves, as citizens living in a democracy.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

During the recent visit of Saudi leader Salman to the White House, a reporter asked Trump about the brutal murder of Washington Reporter Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. Trump’s reply was “….things happen.”

The CIA had concluded in late 2018 that Salman had ordered the murder of Khashoggi by luring him into a trap. At the White House, Salman stated “…we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.”

Khashoggi was a US journalist and a U.S. citizen. Instead of outrage, we get “things happen.”  It is a revealing statement by a narcissist who values self importance, and power over the welfare of US citizens whom he pledged to protect.

John Capurso

Albion High School graduate in 1960

Ashburn, Va.

Editor:

The Jewell-Buckman American Legion Post 529 in Holley sponsored another oratorical contest on November 18 at Kendall Central School. Five Kendall juniors took part in the competition. Each of them put together an 8-10 minute speech related to the United States Constitution.

Several people helped give these teens the opportunity to compose and deliver their sentiments.

As one of four people given the opportunity to judge the contest, I can say that listening to them was uplifting.

But the beneficial event would not have taken place had it not been for the folks at Jewell-Buckman Post 529 along with the encouragement of Kendall Central staff.

Thanks to Ron Boyd and those from the post as well as Kendall staff for pulling this off. And thanks to the students who overcame their reservations and accepted the challenge of participating.

With sincere appreciation,

Gary Kent

Albion

Kendall Class of 1962

Editor:

When Democrats don’t vote, Republicans win.

Shame on the Clarendon and Carlton Democrats. You had two well-qualified candidates and you chose not to vote.

You had a choice and if had you voted, these two would have been elected.  We also had a write-in candidate. These individuals worked hard yet you chose to not vote on a beautiful sunny and warm day. Stop telling us that you do not have a choice.

Jeanne Crane

Carlton

Editor:

While the President hosts lavish, extravagant parties for his Republican enablers with sequined, feathered dancers and a scantily-clad woman dancing in a giant martini glass, his administration is terrorizing immigrants and less affluent communities.

Dayanne Figueroa, a Chicago paralegal, was on her way to get coffee before work on Nov. 4th when masked federal immigration agents crashed into her car, surrounding her with weapons drawn and violently dragged her out of her vehicle by her legs.

Ms. Figueroa, a U.S. citizen, was then detained without a warrant, moved between several undisclosed locations, and not allowed to contact family members or a lawyer. She was later released without charges.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Nov 9th that a video shows federal agents driving a black pickup truck, firing pepper spray into the open driver’s window of Rafael Veraza’s vehicle. Mr. Veraza is a U.S. citizen.

The family was shopping for groceries at Sam’s Club in Cicero, a suburb of Chicago. They were on a family shopping trip.  In the vehicle was their one-year-old daughter, who was also exposed to the chemical agent.

On Nov. 14th, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that officers of the Chicago Police Department started to secure an area. Federal agents, after being informed that police officers did not have gas masks, used tear gas and other chemical irritants.

According to police sources, the Federal agent’s irresponsible use of chemical irritants sickened much of the district’s tactical team. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis stated that the way the feds used gas “shocks the conscience.”  Furthermore, the judge noted that U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino admitted he lied under oath. Obviously, the objective is not law enforcement but to create an atmosphere of fear – to terrorize.

A federal immigration agent throws a tear gas canister at protesters on Oct. 14 at 105th Street and Avenue N in East Side. A Chicago police supervisor who did not have a gas mask washes the irritant from his eyes.

This Republican administration refused to use Congressionally approved funds for SNAP and actively voted to cut Medicaid. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had billions of dollars in contingency funds and other reserves (like the $23 billion in Section 32 funds) available that could have been used to continue the benefits during the shutdown. It was a conscious decision, purposely made to make people suffer.

Multiple federal courts ordered the administration to immediately restore full benefits, ruling that the government was statutorily mandated to use available funds during the emergency. Instead of following the law and court orders, Republicans sought ways to delay and postpone needed food assistance.

In July, Republicans passed their “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” cutting Medicaid by 15% according to KFF.  And so, Republicans partied. Spending $20 billion for Argentina, Kristi Noem spent $200 million of taxpayers’ money on two Gulfstream G700 private jets, Kash Patel used an FBI jet for a date to see his girlfriend, and millions more on an unauthorized ballroom.

While the government was shut down, Republican supporters and enablers of Mr. Trump’s campaign of terror and human rights abuses spared no expense to party, dining on dauphinoise, pan-seared scallops, and beef filet on your taxpayer dollars.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

“The Trump administration on Monday again asked the Supreme Court to block lower court decisions, requiring it to pay full food assistance benefits to about 42 million Americans, who rely on the nation’s largest anti-hunger program.“ (Washington Post, 11 Nov 2025, page 1)

According to figures published in the Hub, about 5,000 people in Orleans County receive SNAP benefits. Perhaps the Republican leadership in the county could comment on why so many Republican voters are being deprived of SNAP benefits by a Republican President. And, just before the holidays.

Jack Capurso

Ashburn, Va.

Albion High School, Class 1960

Editor:

To residents of Barre, please vote this election! I wanted to take this opportunity to respond to the “Republican endorsed candidates” stating that this election is not about Heritage Wind or renewable energy.

Did you know that the majority of the Barre Republican committee are lease holders or immediate family of lease holders? Did you know that when Dave Waters and I ran the first time, the Republican committee in Barre denied us an interview stating that they “always endorse the incumbent”?

Did you know that this time, when I reached out to seek their endorsement I was told that things have changed and they now required an interview and they went with the “new” candidates? I asked why, and was told that they were going in a “new direction.”

To me they are going in the same direction, endorsing candidates who support or are uninformed about large projects impacting our community, specifically the Heritage Wind project. This financially benefits the committee members and their immediate families’ own interest.

Now I ask you how your voice and opinion has been heard? Or is it a minority with their own financial interests directing this community? Steve Coville has a signed lease and has been and will continue to be paid by Heritage Wind as listed by Heritage Wind.

Wes Miller, as co-chair of the Planning Board, allowed lease holders to vote and discuss the proposed changes for the wind ordinance and at a public hearing. When concerns were brought up about the changes to the wind ordinance, he sat and listened and then read a pre-written note by the attorney that no changes would be made by the Planning Board and they would hand it off to the Town Board. (Did he actually care or listen or would he rather handoff the concerns?)

The endorsed candidates have disregarded the community’s voice. The current Town Board is stalling the new comprehensive plan, mainly trying to hide your comments and the results of the Town survey that shows a majority of the community being opposed to wind, solar, and battery in our community.

The Planning Board co-led by Wes Miller chose to bury the comments and survey results in the back of the “updated comprehensive plan,” going against the recommendation of the professional hired by the planning board from Labella, who shared that very few communities chose to do this of the many that she has worked with.

These individuals do not want your opinion, they have ignored your concerns, they have ignored or failed to investigate, or question the project. The candidates are being endorsed by the same people who endorsed candidates involved in a scam of our community by a University of Buffalo professor that supposedly worked for 16 weeks, 40 hours a week and was paid tens of thousands of dollars for a 7-page report that lacked substance to change our wind ordinance allowing this project to continue.

The endorsed candidates will tell you that this is not about turbines, or renewable energy. The reality is that it is, and their position or lack of position on the biggest thing facing our community actually shows the need for different leadership.

So yes this election is important for you. Please write in “No Turbines” for Supervisor, to make a statement. And please write in the names Iva McKenna and George McKenna for Town Councilmembers, so that we may serve you and protect all residents of our wonderful community.

I promise to continue my commitment to serve you in all Town matters, but to say that this election is not impacted significantly by the Heritage Wind project and renewable energy is deception.

As those candidates have done before them, if Iva and I do not win, these candidates will likely say that their being elected is the endorsement that says “yes, the Town of Barre is in favor of wind turbines.” We know that this is not the case,  please help show them by writing in George and Iva McKenna’s names for Town Councilmembers.

George McKenna

Barre

Editor:

If you are looking for people who truly have your best interests in mind when they serve this community we ask you to please write in George and Iva McKenna.

We have been serving this community volunteering and professionally for decades. We have and will continue to give of our time, energy and resource to serve without being paid by a company that would put 28 of the 625-foot-tall monster fans in our community to put money in their own pockets! I must add with extremely little financially coming back to our community.

The candidates state that this is not about wind turbines or Heritage Wind, but that is because (at least one candidate) is being paid by Heritage Wind. The Heritage Wind project, along with the Hemlock Ridge Solar projects, are probably the biggest changes that will impact all of Barre during the upcoming term.

The Heritage Wind Project would destroy the landscape and beautiful birds we all enjoy, and the hard-earned investments we have put in our homes. Many of us Barre residents would have 6 wind turbines within 1 mile of their home, and they will have to be curtailed for many homes because the project is so poorly sited that homes are predicted to have over the state threshold of 30 hours of flicker (mainly in the morning and in the evening during the summer months when you may be trying to enjoy your home (ours is not one of them) but we have and continue to advocate for those of you who will be impacted)!

Additionally, the acres and acres of trees that are planned to be cleared for this project that help to keep our air clean and provide the oxygen that we need does not benefit anyone.

Yes, the wind turbines would be huge, but they are just the tip of the massive 500-foot blades of concern for our community. Issues of financial concern need to be considered and with the background both George and I have in owning our own business helps us to be financially alert and because of the way that previous boards agreed to the host community agreement, it is solely at the discretion of the Town Board how any funds (although only a fraction of what Heritage Wind had promised when they started pushing this project) are used.

By the way, do you know that for years we have been trying unsuccessfully to get the cost benefit analysis of the bottom line of how much the wind turbines would cost and how much they would earn? Seemingly, they would not save any money or make good amounts of power or the developer would be proud and make it well known!

Even our congressman cannot get the bottom line for us! Who do you think would pay for the cost of the industrial wind turbines….we would! In our power bills and our taxes!

When we started our business and needed a loan, we had to be able to justify the amount we needed to borrow to get the loan which is reasonable, but our government does not feel this is necessary. If you would like any documentation supporting what I have shared above please contact me at 716-474-1865.

Please write in George McKenna and Iva McKenna for the Town Councilmember positions.

Barre matters!  You matter in this situation! You obviously do not have to vote for us. Thank God we live in a free country, but at least vote! Let your opinion matter. No matter how you vote we can still be good friends and neighbors.

Take care and God bless you and yours and this nation …..and Go Bills!

Iva McKenna

Barre

Editor:

Having served a 4-year term on the Shelby Town Board (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023), I would be honored to be elected to work with the new board on the issues involving our town and to help move our town forward, keeping our spending and taxes down.

I am the endorsed Republican candidate for councilman in the Town of Shelby where I have been a resident for 37 years. I have attended board meetings and workshops for the last 10 years and have always had a great interest in our town.

I would like to thank everyone for the talks we had as I canvassed the town over the last few weeks. To those of you I didn’t get a chance to speak with, I am always open to your questions.

So Town of Shelby voters, as it comes to Election Day on Nov. 4, please exercise your right to vote and make things right in Shelby!!

Please vote Line B, the Republican Line, and choose Jim Heminway – Supervisor, Larry Waters – Councilman, Ed Zelazny – Councilman, and John Pratt – Councilman.

Thank you.

Your support would be greatly appreciated.

John Pratt

Shelby

Editor:

As a proud Clarendon resident and mother of four, I care deeply about the future of our community. Over the past several months, I’ve spoken with many residents, and one message comes through clearly: people want a town government that listens, communicates openly, and keeps residents informed.

If elected, I’ll work to make local government more transparent and accessible. I’ll promote clear communication about town decisions, encourage public participation, and ensure that every resident’s voice is valued.

As the wife of a veteran and a working mom, I believe in practical, respectful leadership that puts people above politics. Clarendon deserves representatives who listen, act with integrity, and serve with accountability.

I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote. On Tuesday, November 4th between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., don’t forget to cast your ballot at the Town Hall at 16385 Church St, Clarendon, NY 14429.

Respectfully,

Cecelia Pacheco Stevens

Democratic Candidate for Clarendon Town Council

Editor:

Shelby voters, I would like to tell you a few things about my friend and fellow committeeman Mark Wambach.

First off, Mark is not a politician. When the former councilman abandoned his seat and made the seat available to the three parties in Orleans County, Mark stepped up without hesitating. He felt it was his duty to help his town out of a bad situation.

Mark pays attention to the smallest details. Mark is a problem solver and will bring that with him to be an asset to the three candidates that won the primary in June of this year. Mark’s insight will bring fresh ideas to Shelby’s town government.

Mark understands that with an aging and tax stressed population in your town that keeping taxes flat or reducing them is paramount to a thriving community. Mark also understands that allowing new business and reducing the government stresses on existing ones will only make for a better vibrant community.

Mark will work with other towns and their leaders to get the best deal for you. It’s constituents first and foremost. Mark has a great respect for the farming community that is the backbone of the town.

Mark has attended workshops and meetings and is well versed on what is going on in the town. He will come in if elected with a good understanding of the problems that need to be addressed. Mark is a very approachable person and willing to listen. Mark is not afraid to admit if he is wrong and will make a concerted effort to change course.

Mark above all is honest and hard working. His word is his bond. He will be very frugal with your tax dollars and only spend what is absolutely necessary to keep government working. Only needs over wants. Living within the means of the money collected.

He knows what a burden it has become for a good majority of you coming up with the money for that tax bill. I truly believe he will work hard to make the town of Shelby a better place to live for all of its residents.

Folks it’s time to elect people who have true conservative principles when it comes to your money and quite frankly the party that has been in control has violated that trust. Please vote for Mark on Row C the Conservative Party line and vote for all the conservative party-endorsed candidates right across the line.

The team of James Heminway for Supervisor, Lawrence Waters, Edward Zelazny and Mark Wambach as your town councilmen are a dream team for all the taxpayers in your town. They will work for you. No agendas. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Don’t sit this one out. Go vote.

 Paul Lauricella

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman

Editor:

Congratulations to the Tonawanda Seneca Nation for their second massive legal victory against STAMP and the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).

Through their ligation they forced the US Fish and Wildlife Service to retract a key right-of-way permit that would have allowed STAMP to run a waterline through the swamps into Orleans County. It would have dumped up to 6 million gallons of phosphorous-laden waste water into the already endangered Oak Orchard Creek.

While many Orleans County residents only learned about it recently, the Nation had been fighting it for years. The hydrogen globes stand idle with no ability to channel waste water. Their desperate attempt to divert the waste water through Oakfield will likely fail.

Having failed here, GCEDC attempted to push through a massive data center using an outdated and insufficient State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) like they have done in the past.

But this time, in a masterly move, the Nation joined forces with the Sierra Club and challenged the dubious SEQR in court. Knowing they didn’t have a leg to stand on, GCEDC voluntarily retracted project approval requests. They tried to spin it that the reason was because they intend to build an even larger data center.

But the reality is that all environmental reviews of future projects won’t sneak through behind closed doors and will be thoroughly reviewed and a larger data center would have an even bigger influence on the environment. To date the Stream U.S. data center has not completed a purchase and sale agreement for the land and it remains in doubt.

The Nation and the Sierra Club have dismissed their litigation with prejudice which allows them to return to court with the same issues in any further projects. Victory!

STAMP’s placement of the 1,263 acres in agricultural land, surrounded by a network of protected land that encompasses ecologically rich wetlands and forests that provide critical habitat for a diversity for birds, plants and animals borders on criminal.

It is plausible that STAMP would have no footprint there at all if they had followed legal guidelines like consulting with an adjoining sovereign nation as required by law. But they have chosen to conceal their actions from the public from day one until the present with the hopes of progressing without public knowledge or challenge.

The terrain of the STAMP land and its water runoff leads directly to the Tonawanda Creek where any harmful drainage or spills will affect the people of the Tonawanda Rez directly. They have wells not city water. The ancient Big Woods located between the Rez and STAMP has long been a source of medicinal plants and a valued hunting ground is at risk. They are fighting for their way of life over land that was once part of the reservation and stolen from them.

After 20 years and more than $410 million in subsidies paid by us, the taxpayers, GCDEC has struggled to get viable tenants. Currently, only Edwards Vacuum is under construction. It’s time to cut our losses and stop using tax payers’ money to keep it propped up.

The Tonawanda Nation has not won the war. But they have won some key victories and will continue to fight until their land and way of life is secure. The People of the Longhouse have a belief that they should look seven generations ahead when making decisions and that is what they are doing.

I celebrate their victories and you can too. There is a Victory Rally at Batavia City Hall on November 8th at noon to celebrate No Data Centers at STAMP. Everyone is welcome.  You can also follow them on Facebook on their Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation.

Arthur Barnes

Shelby