Editor:

To the Real Medinans, you know who you are.

The ones who have been here the whole time. We’ve watched it progress from great to rock bottom and back to good again.

But still we don’t feel heard. They keep telling us just a little more tax. Go without that happy meal for the kids so the village can have this or that. Yet we never see the improvements.

And next year?

They’re back again, asking us for more sacrifice.

All the while not appearing to sacrifice anything themselves.

They’re pushing us out. Our families were loyal to this town and now a lot of us can’t afford to live here.

My parents started in an upper apartment on East Center across from the Vets. Then we moved to Church Street in a small half house.

I know that feeling well….

That feeling of never being comfortable enough to stop looking over your shoulder because we have no safety net. We only have ourselves.

Electric bill comes, we toss it on the kitchen table. There it sits for weeks because we dread opening it. Same with the gas, or cable, and those taxes every June. Dread.

We’ll open them later….don’t wanna ruin our day.

But still, our leadership pushes on.

Just a little more, make that sacrifice!

And they often rig the system in their favor. The public payrolls sometimes read like a family tree.

Many of us face the fact that our current family generation may be our last in Medina.

Driven away by a disregard for the common people that make this town what it is.

I could have left…but I didn’t.

And what you’ve been hearing from me the last few weeks is my resistance. I’ll be damned if I go down without pushing back.

I’m a Village Boy at heart, still playing on the trestle of Church or in the milk barns off Starr, walking to Meyers for penny candy and pop.

I never forgot where I came from, because I never really left.

To the real Medinans, my people…. Don’t be fooled by a slick, polished, money bought campaign. Vote for “Change” in the eelction.

Give that fiscally responsible group of 3 another voice at the table.

Do it!

And I’m confident that 4th voice will be our voice!

David Sevenski

Medina

Editor:

I am honored to write this letter on behalf of my mother, Mayor Marguerite Sherman, candidate for mayor in the upcoming Village of Medina election.

Over the past few weeks, I feel as though the rhetoric that divides us as a community has created a lot of noise and has done little to strengthen us as one. Real progress comes from thoughtful leadership, honest conversations, and a willingness to work together for the good of everyone who calls Medina home.

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to see our community thrive. That is my mother’s vision. She is a dedicated leader and an effective public servant to the Village of Medina.

I chose to raise my family here and to teach here because I believe deeply in this community. I see the potential in the people, the pride in our neighborhoods, and the opportunities for our future. This place matters to me not just as a resident, but as someone invested in the next generation growing up here.

A lot of that belief comes from the values my mother, Marguerite Sherman, instilled in me—hard work, caring about your neighbors, and standing up for what you believe is right. When you grow up with those values, you learn that community isn’t just a place you live. It’s something you show up for, support, and work to improve, which is exactly what she has done and will continue to do.

Throughout my life, I’ve watched my mother approach challenges with integrity, experience, and a steady commitment to doing what she believes is right. Her belief has always been that leadership is not about personal recognition or political noise—it is about service, accountability, and making decisions that help move a community forward —making thoughtful decisions that benefit everyone.

My hope is that as we move forward, we remember that our shared goal should always be to strengthen the place we all call home. I encourage residents to vote Sherman for Mayor on March 18th.

Sincerely,

Kayla Rosenbeck

A proud daughter

Ridgeway

Editor:

Art has a unique way of bringing a community together. In the Town of Barre, a new mural will hang as a reminder that even small towns can express big stories through creativity and pride.

The mural will be a community paint by number by local artist Stacey Kirby. It will reflect the history, character and spirit of the town. In a rural community like Barre, where generations of families have lived, worked, farmed and built their lives, the mural becomes a visual celebration of that shared identity.

When the artist contributes her talents, the mural will help shape the visual landscape of the Town of Barre and leave something meaningful for future generations.

This mural at the town hall is more than a painting on the wall. It is a statement that art belongs everywhere, including the heart of Barre.

This mural is sponsored by GO Art! and the Barre Betterment Committee.

Cyndy Vanlieshout and Betsy Miller

Barre Betterment Committee

Editor:

“As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: How much money will it bring in?” – Alexis de Tocqueville, circa 1840

The French aristocrat de Tocqueville traveled around America in the 1830s and wrote the classic and still popular book, Democracy in America. After nearly 200 years the above quote is still relevant.

Today, a few ultra-rich corporations have a tremendous influence on our economy and culture. As every business student learns, the sole criterion for corporate success is the generation of wealth for the shareholders. That’s it.  Anything else – equitable distribution of wealth, concern for nature and the environment, concern for employees and customers, basic human empathy – is only important if it helps increase shareholder wealth.

A consequence of this philosophy is the raw capitalistic ethos that dominates 21st century America: phenomenal wealth but savage inequalities, material well-being for some but hardship for many others, and emotional and spiritual desolation for nearly all. A change is needed.

A microcosm of the whole cultural picture is being played out locally, in the form of a proposed data center in Genesee County.

It will be huge, around 37 football fields.

It will use far more electricity than the combined total usage of Genesee, Orleans, Livingston and Wyoming counties.

It will cost over $19 billion to build, and will employ only 125 people.

The builder is asking Genesee County for over $1.4 billion in tax breaks.

It will be noisy – constant, 24/7 noise.

It will burn large amounts of polluting diesel fuel to run its backup generators.

Its wastewater will be handled by an awkward, heavily criticized plan to discharge treated waste into an already impaired Oak Orchard Creek.

It will be nearly surrounded by government protected land (e.g., the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and others) and by the Tonawanda Seneca reservation. Spills of diesel fuel or cooling fluid could cause great harm.

It will be used by an undisclosed corporation, almost surely for artificial intelligence computations.

If America can avoid a bubble-bursting AI crash, the data center could be immensely profitable. Where will the profits flow? Essentially all the profits will flow out of our area, most to fabulously rich high tech corporations on the West Coast.

Data centers are, in essence, extractive entities. They use resources like land and electricity, and do not return meaningful wealth to the area, mostly because they employ very very few people. Granted, PILOT payments and fees paid to the GCEDC stay local, but remember that there’s also the proposed $1.4 billion in abated tax revenues that the state and county will never see. Finally, to make the whole situation worse, residential electric bills will go up. Please ask yourself: Is this what we want?

Perhaps more important than the economic issues are the social and environmental risks that come with data centers. Those risks are all borne locally. The Big Woods of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation gets the unceasing noise, the diesel exhaust, and groundwater pollution from any spills. We believe that it is neither ethical nor moral to subject the Nation to such risks.

Moreover, the buildings themselves will lie along the border of the reservation – looming, noisy reminders to the TSN that for 250 years our government has taken advantage of them.  Again, is this what we want?

Beyond the TSN reservation, the protected wildlife areas will be subject to pollution risks, the magnitudes of which are very difficult to quantify, but are not zero.

In summary, we contend that the local economic case for a data center in Genesee County is weak. We also contend that it is fundamentally wrong to base the decision on economics alone, and that arguments based on the lifestyles and well-being of local people and the health of the environment should be given more weight than they have been given. From  humanistic and environmental points of view, the risks of the data center outweigh any benefits.

Though our culture tends to channel us toward a narrow view, the value of everything in our beautiful world cannot and should not be reduced to economics alone. If you agree with us, please consider making your voice heard. We urge you to come out explicitly against the data center. You can start by contacting your local and state elected officials. This is not just a Genesee County issue; it affects all of western New York and beyond. Other communities around the country have come together and successfully stopped data center projects. We can too.

Sister Dolores O’Dowd (Chairperson, Green Orleans)

Kim Remley

Gary Kent

Dennis Seekins

Sharon Cassidy

The Reverend Joseph Kozlowski

The Reverend Robin Kozlowski

Holly Manaseri

Chris Manaseri

Charlie Manaseri

Tracy Panczyszyn

Frank Panczyszyn

Cheryl Giacherio

Dave Giacherio

(all signatories are from Orleans County)

Editor:

Whether I’m writing an endorsement letter or a love letter to my community, this feels like the right time to share what I’m feeling as we enter another village election.

I didn’t grow up in Orleans County. But in 2020 as so many of us were passing each other on the sides of the roads (notably not the sidewalks!), I know I wasn’t the only one who suddenly found myself paying closer attention to the five miles or so closest to home.

Through that experience, and through the mentorship of Mayor Sidari, I was introduced to the people who quietly keep this village running: department heads, employees, volunteers, and neighbors who care deeply about this place.

Serving on the Village Voard has revealed the secret to the magic here: Medina works because its people work together. Our school district, village departments, surrounding towns, businesses, volunteers, and faith communities constantly collaborate to get things done. In a community our size, that kind of partnership is something special. It’s the delicate balance of those entities that keeps our community alive.

Some of those partnerships extend beyond the village – because imaginary lines don’t void out the need for life-saving responses. I’m not the first, and won’t be the last to talk about MFD.

However, I will use this opportunity to briefly say that the firefighters protecting this community, career firefighters and volunteers alike, care about making sure the folks keeping us safe have what they need to do their jobs. These folks have looked into the face of hell. They aren’t moved by the absolute fact that the village residents pay more than town residents for near-identical service. They know a lot of things I don’t know. They know what it looks like when the right equipment didn’t get there in time.

When I think about this election, I think about the representatives who will help keep our community safe, affordable, and connected. Our experts know what they need, but we can’t afford to send out blank checks. It’s our job to figure out those details.

We need to elect representatives who are prepared to share decision-making with the voters and are able to see a complete picture of what the majority of the residents need from the village.

For Mayor, that candidate is Marguerite Sherman. Marguerite cares deeply about Medina and understands the balance required to lead a community like ours. I trust that she will always act with the best interests of the village at heart.

For Trustee, the candidate with the most to offer is Courtney Henderson. Despite her briefer period of residency, Courtney has made it her mission to learn about our community. Her commitment to listening to residents and understanding issues before forming opinions is exactly what local government needs. Her website, Your Voice Your Village, is already set up for village residents to submit their thoughts and desires for the village’s future.

If you live within the village limits and have never voted before, I hope March 18 will be your first of many trips to the Senior Citizens Center to remind our village that every voice deserves to be heard. Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m., and the firefighters’ union is offering free rides to and from the polls to any resident who requests them, no ballot questions asked.

And I hope you’ll fill in the bubble for Marguerite Sherman for Mayor and write in Courtney Henderson for Trustee.

Jess Marciano

Medina Deputy Mayor and resident

Editor:

Tomorrow the village of Albion will vote for a new mayor and two trustees. I hope this election is decided by more than the approximately 200 to 400 people who always vote in each election. Some thoughts on the candidates:

Some say they have past experience on the board, however, previous administrations did a very poor job of planning for the future. They seemed to concentrate only on keeping the tax rate under the tax cap. This led to poor budget planning and no planning for future needs.  We now find ourselves faced with higher water/sewer rates because of this lack of foresight. Kicking the can down the road does not help the village prepare for the future.

This lack of planning also led to the issue with the Albion police department. The correction attempted by the new board was not a “defund the police” issue but an issue of incorrect pay accounting by a previous administration. See Orleans Hub, July 18, 2022 article for complete explanation.

Now the two candidates for mayor, as well as the trustees, must contend with increasing the tax rate to bring the village back to a budget that includes planning for the future in a responsible, proactive manner.

Joyce Riley is the kind of mayor that Albion needs to get this job done. Joyce is not afraid of doing what is right and best for the village and its residents. She is not afraid to speak her mind on issues. The people of this village needs someone who is honest, straightforward and willing to do the hard work it will take to bring Albion back to the vital, vibrant community it once was.

Please vote for Joyce Riley for mayor and let her continue her good works for Albion.  Remember to get out and vote tomorrow, March 18th, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Albion Village Hall, 35-37 Main St.

Sandra Walter

Albion

Editor:

Genesee County has long struggled with water problems, including contaminated and insufficient groundwater and devastating droughts in 2023 and 2025. Despite piping water in through the massive, expensive Genesee County Water Supply Project, we still suffer persistent water scarcity. People in Pembroke and Bethany have dealt with dry taps in the past two years.

Yet the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) is considering a proposal for a hulking data center the size of eleven Walmart Supercenters in our rural Town of Alabama. This monster would be built at the STAMP (Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park) failing boondoggle, harming local public protected lands and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s territory with its noise and pollution.

The GCEDC will tell you the data center would use “only” 20,000 gallons of water per day. They will also tell you that it is needed to solve the County’s water problems– that data center proceeds will help fund the infrastructure needed to bring up to 10 million gallons of water per day to the County from Lake Ontario via the Monroe County Water Authority.

This nonsensical plan would hinge our water “solutions” to multinational corporations and their financial backers who have no care or concern whatsoever for Genesee County and its people. And we’d have to accept all the data center’s unacceptable energy, environmental, and aesthetic impacts.

There are other ways to fund water infrastructure that don’t hold Genesee County hostage to GCEDC and its for-profit tenants: for example, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Giving billions in tax breaks to a data center in order to generate far less for our water problems is dangerously short-sighted: taxpayers and local governments will be on the hook to maintain this infrastructure forever, long past the data center lifespan (10-15 years) and even the length of the proposed 30-year PILOT (Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes) agreement.

And how helpful will the data center be if it opens pipes to future thirsty industrial tenants at STAMP? Genesee County has already committed 200,000 gallons of water per day to STAMP, and claims this will have “no adverse impact.” But this would be 200,000 gallons going daily to STAMP instead of to people, households, and farms.

Who loses here? People suffering from water crises–the same people who will foot the big bills for much of this boondoggle. The $1.4 billion in taxpayer subsidies sought for the data center would dwarf what it ever would contribute to water infrastructure.

GCEDC also wants you to believe that agriculture and food industries are the real water gluttons in Genesee County, not data centers. Yet agriculture has long been top-priority for our economy and way of life. It’s simply unjustifiable to use any water for data centers, AI, and future far-flung STAMP Big Tech and multinational corporation tenants – instead of for people and food.

For all its massive demands and impacts, this data center would provide only 125 jobs –likely to include non-local construction laborers, given GCEDC’s history of local labor waivers. The per job public cost for each job? A shocking $11.4 million. GCEDC once promised that STAMP would create 9,000 advanced manufacturing jobs. An AI data center does the polar opposite: it would provide a pitiful number of jobs while guzzling 410,000 homes’ worth of electricity every year, and generate nothing of social value. This is more proof that STAMP is failing: that the site is untenable; and that GCEDC is desperate.

So, who wins? US STREAM Data Centers, financial backer Apollo Global Management (one of the world’s largest private equity firms, with ties to the Epstein Files), and the data center operator – a Big Tech company whose identity is secret thanks to a non-disclosure agreement. And GCEDC, which would make a sweet $145.9 million in fees from the deal.

We cannot allow any water to be siphoned away by developments like data centers, or be fooled by the GCEDC’s claims that a data center will solve our water problems. We call on Monroe County residents to oppose the data center, since Monroe County Water Authority supply and infrastructure would be tapped for STAMP. We encourage residents of Genesee County and Monroe County to weigh in on this plan: there is a legally required public hearing this Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall, and GCEDC is accepting written comments through March 31.

A mega data center complex is the polar opposite of a “savior” for the physical and financial realities of our dire water situation. It would hurt our rural and agricultural communities, and be a deep, deep injustice to the next-door Tonawanda Seneca Nation. And it is being leveraged to attract even more resource-sucking development to STAMP.

RaeAnn Engler

Batavia

Christine Zinni, Ph.D

Batavia

Evan Lowenstein, MUP

Rochester

Editor:

I don’t usually comment on the race for Mayor, and unlike some others, I’ve always preferred to keep a low profile on issues involving the Village. Many of you know me from my years teaching high school science at Medina High School and coaching baseball. One thing I always tried to instill in my students was that their voices matter. At a time like this, I feel it’s important that I use mine.

Marguerite and I have shared a life together for many years, and long before she ever held public office, I saw the kind of person she is. From the start of her career in education, she has always gone above and beyond to make sure things are done the right way and that people are treated the right way.

When the cheerleading team didn’t have a coach and it looked like the girls might lose their season, Marguerite stepped in to coach because she couldn’t stand the thought of those students missing out. She also took on class advisor roles so students would have someone guiding and supporting them.

Throughout her teaching career, both as a teacher and later as a department chair, she fought for special education students and their families. She believed deeply that those students deserved every service and opportunity available to them, and she worked hard to make sure they received it.

That same sense of responsibility is what led her into public service. Her involvement began on the Planning Board, where she spent years helping guide thoughtful decisions about our community. Following that, she continued serving Medina as a trustee and now as mayor, always focused on moving the village forward.

All of this happened while we were raising four children. She was there for band and chorus concerts, YMCA sports, Scouts, and high school athletics. Today she brings that same love and energy to being a grandmother.

We chose to buy our home in the Village of Medina 26 years ago because it was where we wanted to raise our family. Medina had everything we hoped for – great schools, a paid fire department and police force, and a walkable community with shops and restaurants nearby. It was a wonderful place to raise our kids, and in many ways it has only gotten better.

Elections can sometimes bring out the worst in people. I’ve read some of the comments and accusations, and they don’t solve the challenges Medina faces. What I know is this: Medina means the world to Marguerite. She has given countless hours of her time to this community because she truly cares about the people who live here.

I’m proud of the work she’s done, and proud to stand beside her as she continues working for the Village of Medina.

Sincerely,

Marguerite’s husband

Jon Sherman

Medina

Editor:

To the residents of the Village of Medina, the village needs a Mayor who is a good leader.  The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer.  The Mayor represents the directives of the majority vote of the remaining four Board of Trustees.

The Mayor has no authority over the other four Board members other than their authority to supervise the police and other subordinate officers.

A good leader needs the respect of all members of their team and of those which they supervise in order for there to be progress. Respect is earned when respect is given. A good leader is honest and transparent. A good leader recognizes the strengths of the members of their team and uses those strengths towards the achievement of the goal.

The last two years have unfortunately spiraled into chaos and dissention on our Village Board. Leadership skills on many fronts have been severely lacking. Differences of opinion have resulted in a debilitating absence of transparency on the Board. Focus on one loud, disrespectful department has prevented much needed attention on other departments.  Our Village has suffered.

I was not raised to point fingers of blame or toot my own horn. I had also not intended to be running for the position of Mayor. But I see the direction of this Village, financially and quite frankly, ethically, and I cannot sit idly by.

I do not have all of the fancy words to promise all of the wonderful things I plan to do for this Village. I will say that my lifetime of experience in Village government is actually unparalleled. My experience working with budgets and finances should be a huge asset to our Village Board. My leadership skills will hopefully provide an example to follow. I will be honest and transparent and recognize the skills and experiences of others to move this Village forward.

If you elect me Mayor, I will not do this alone. I will include my fellow board members, department heads, committee members, community leaders and hopefully surrounding elected officials to make Medina a comfortable, affordable place to live. We all love Medina. Please take advantage of this turning point in our Village. I would appreciate your support. Thank you!

Please vote Padoleski, Prawel and Wagner on March 18, 2026!

Deborah Padoleski

Candidate for Mayor in Village of Medina

Editor:

Things Joyce Riley has left off her accomplishments list:

Approximate Result of attempted Police Defunding: $7,500 to PBA attorney, $30,500-plus in village attorney fees, and $20,000-plus for auditor, plus monies resulting from back pay due to the unauthorized and illegal pay change.

Three police officers quit with one as a direct result of the defund attempt and another two resulting from fear of no growth (loss of SRO because of inability to work with school on negotiating) or further hostilities from the board.

The water plant operator and an employee quit as a result of verbal berating and constant micro managing including comments to the effect of “they knew what the job was and if they don’t like it then they can leave.”

Several personal harassment and other investigations.

Pricing a not-for-profit out of a rental unit then saying good luck finding a new place cheaper than what we’re offering. And ridiculing other board members when attempting to correct the situation. And the rental unit is still empty, costing the village to continue on missing out on income.

Constant rhetoric of just cutting services and leaving them fall to the county with zero concern about their budget or impact on county-wide constituents.

Overly aggressive communication to the point where unless you agree you’re wrong.

We don’t need to continue with those accomplishments.

Please get out and vote for Tim McMurray on March 18th for mayor.

Geno Allport

Albion

Editor:

It was voted yes to construction of another Dollar General next to Cone Zone and across from the school in the village of Albion.

Why?

There was already a Dollar General on West Avenue near Tops from 2006-2019 that closed because it couldn’t compete with Dollar Tree, Walmart and Family Dollar even Save-A-Lot and Tops. The lease had expired and Dollar General left which was the easiest way to when it was the least performing store in the area during those years.

Why attend public hearings? When I’ve attended public hearings in the past and had valid concerns, I was told by elected officials that everything will be okay and to just deal with it, and brush us off.

So here we are its 2026 and the change certain people ran on to bring change to Albion and were bringing back something that’s already failed and the competition that led to it leaving is still here.

You drive down Main Street in Medina and see a street full of businesses and people and you go down Main Street in Albion and you see well a lot less then Medina.

So whoever thought this was a great idea bringing back Dollar General for a second time, the only thing you brought back what could be in the future is another empty store front, an empty parking lot, or another bottle can return. I say give it 5 years.

I don’t see change when it comes to this idea. I just see a band-aid fix to losing to another village that’s flourishing.

Aaron Vosburgh

Albion

Editor:

It is a privilege for me to write this letter of support for the re-election campaign of Mayor Marguerite Sherman in Medina. She is an exceptional individual and a public servant of the highest caliber. As a long-time resident, I have seen many mayors and trustees come and go – Marguerite Sherman is one of the best.

She possesses an impressively sound command of the issues and takes a wide-ranging, creative approach to seeking common sense solutions. Over the years, I have come to see that what makes a truly exceptional public servant – what sets her apart from others is what she possesses beyond those basics.

She is a professional, competent, and capable individual, and is also a good and decent human being. She is energetic, passionate, dedicated, creative, empathetic, collaborative, communicative, engaging. In short, she is everything a good public servant should be.

Further, Marguerite understands that good governance demands a broad perspective. She understands that when politics becomes fixated on a single issue, it turns destructive – pushing a narrow agenda at the expense of the many complex needs of a community. The result is dysfunction, deepened division, and the complete erosion of any realistic chance for meaningful compromise.

Medina needs people who engage, cooperate, and communicate. People like Marguerite Sherman.

I could write far more at the risk of losing the most important part of what needs to be said:

Marguerite Sherman is extremely dedicated to her office, public service and this village, and has proven herself to be an invaluable asset to the community. The Village of Medina is indeed lucky to have her.

Sincerely,

Darlene Rich

Medina

Editor:

As a resident of Genesee County, I am hopeful for the possibility of AI when used to solve problems and further progress for us all. However, I have serious concerns about US Stream Data Centers and their proposal to build a massive data center complex at the STAMP site in Alabama, NY. I also have several unanswered questions.

Just last month, I attended the Stream open house at the Alabama Fire Hall; I arrived open minded and eager to learn, but left deeply disappointed that there was no formal presentation from the company and no space for meaningful public dialogue.

All conversations were one on one or in small groups. It was a spectacle that struck me to be as disingenuous as it was strategic. When I expressed my concerns to Stream, I was told by two representatives that the engineers do not feel comfortable presenting to a large public group. I have to ask: How is it that a company that is planning to make a 19-billion-dollar investment can’t figure out how to hire someone to moderate a presentation or panel discussion with the engineers?

That brings me to my next question: Do New Yorkers really want to fund a for-profit company with our tax dollars? A recent article in the Batavian announced Stream donated $50,000 to the Oakfield Alabama School District. But this comes on the heels of them requesting $1.4 billion in tax subsidies. More than that, the average expenditure per student in Genesee County is just under $23,000 per year and in Oakfield Alabama is around $24,000 per year (data.nysed.gov), so what they’ve donated equates to chump change. To me, it speaks to how little they value the community’s future and their partnership with it. Sure, they donated $50,000, but they are asking for  $1.44 billion dollars, which averages to $46 million a year over 30 years. Are we really supposed to play along or pretend we don’t see how lopsided this agreement is?

Another question I have is about the future price we’ll be paying, not just with our tax dollars, but with the increases in electricity rates over time. The 500-megawatt demand the data center would place on the grid will mean more electricity would be used. Unfortunately, with the way power is delivered and priced, such a huge increase in demand will pass on that cost to all end users. For those already struggling with the cost of gas, groceries, and their current electric bill- we do not need our finances to be stretched any further by private for-profit companies over-using our shared utilities.

I encourage the GCEDC to reThink STAMP and for all who want to learn more and/or lend their voice to their public hearing on the financial incentives on March 19th at 7 p.m. at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall 2230 Judge Rd Basom, NY. I will see you there. For more info, check out Allies of TSN’s website, Facebook group STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center. Call / text: (585) 300-4925.

Very truly yours,

Em Grant

Bergen

Editor:

This could be a typical writing about all the intentions if elected Mayor but that’s not me, instead let’s talk about “We.” This village, this community, this group of individuals and families that collectively have one thing in common which is where we call home.

This is about more than an election; it’s about rediscovering who we are as a community with neighbors, friends, and families connected by roots and shared hopes. It’s about getting back to the basics where caring for one another, stepping up to help/volunteer, and remembering that each of us plays a pivotal part in the strength of our village.

It’s not about titles or positions; we thrive because people care enough to volunteer, to show up and to put in the work. It’s the hands that set up tables at the Strawberry Festival or HomeTown Holiday, the voices that cheer at our children’s games, the neighbors who lend a tool or a smile. That is the heartbeat of our community.

If we want our future to shine brighter, we must roll up our sleeves and invest in each other. It takes courage to take chances on new ideas, on each other, and on the belief that together, we can do more. The foundation we need is already here; it just needs all of us building upon it with our time, energy, and our love.

So yes, this is about coming together not just for an election, but for a renewal of our sense of belonging. Let’s remind ourselves that the power of “We” is greater than any single “me.” When we choose community over competition, connection over criticism, and action over apathy, we don’t just preserve what’s special about this village; we make it even better.

On Wednesday the 18th let’s vote for Character, Compassion and Commitment and begin the rebirth of togetherness within our community.

Tim McMurray

Concerned resident and Village of Albion Mayoral Candidate

Editor:

My name is Joyce, and I have had the privilege of serving the Village of Albion as a trustee for the past four years. I have lived in Albion since the age of 10, educated here, and raised my family here and retired here to be near family and friends.

Albion is not just where I live — it is who I am. Now I am asking my neighbors for the opportunity to serve as your next Mayor, and I want to share a little of what we have accomplished together.

When I took office, I stepped in to close out a critical Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that was in jeopardy. With no prior experience in that process, I learned what was needed to successfully and appropriately complete all required reports and paperwork and got it done in time – protecting the village and program participants from losing their financial investments.

I stayed current on communications and, as a result, entered the Village into a class action suit regarding PFAS contamination. Many said we would not qualify. I believed we could, because we test for it and it is not present in our water system, but present in some neighboring farmland. After our department head completed the required paperwork, approximately a year and a half later, we received $75,000 — with the prospect of additional payments for up to ten years. I was also instrumental in the purchase of two new dump trucks that were aged from 1992, that were a risk to the drivers and the public. We secured a USDA grant for $50K and bonded the remainder.

I collaborated with the Town of Albion to establish a shared code enforcement agreement, writing the Memorandum of Understanding myself to ensure both municipalities benefited fairly. I am currently working with the Town of Gaines on a water billing collaboration and grant that has the potential to expand to multiple municipalities — reducing personnel costs, improving reporting accuracy, and revenue generation.

I have written multiple grants for this community: Music in the Parks (twice), a $5,000 GO Art! grant for a local artist Bill Schutt to create a solar-powered lamppost from 100-year-old steel salvaged from the Main Street bridge, and a second artist grant for a new gateway sign on the east side of town celebrating Albion’s connection to Charles Howard — the original Santa Claus. Our staff at the Pollution Control Facility crafted a park bench from that same historic steel, complete with a time capsule, now registered in the International Time Capsule Society. The lamppost and bench are both on display as part of our new Erie Canal Park.

I am in the office regularly and make it a priority to monitor the village’s general, water, and sewer budgets weekly with our clerk. When the sewer fund faced cuts that were not fiscally sound — leaving it in the red — I worked with the Supervisor to develop a PowerPoint presentation to justify a necessary increase and make the case to restore that department to a healthy footing. Our sewer team has always run lean; they deserved support from us recognizing their needs.

None of this work happens alone. I am grateful to the dedicated department heads I work alongside every day: Tracy VanSkiver (Clerk/Treasurer), Jay Pahura (DPW), Levi Boyer (Water), Rick Albright (Sewer), Chief Dave Mogle (APD), Jason Zicari (Cemetery), Chris Kinter (Code Enforcement), John Grillo (Parks and Recreation), Harry Papponetti (Animal Control) and Susan Starkweather Miller (Village Historian). This village runs because of dedicated people like them.

I would also like to recognize the community residents, schools, businesses and property owners that I have worked with on other projects, such as the beautification of the Erie Canal Park. Tim Archer and Carrie Kozody from our Middle School provided a platform showcasing the interest and talents of our youth at many venues around historical events in our town. The students’ parents showed up for them as did many others. This is how we change! Everyone doing their best in their roles in the community together.

As your Mayor, I will carry forward the same commitment to fiscal responsibility, shared services, grant funding, and community pride that has guided my four years as trustee. I will work to bring businesses to our village through the Economic Development Agency and other creative endeavors, continue expanding our pocket parks through grants, advocate for a senior center befitting our county seat, and complete a new Comprehensive Plan that will move this village forward.

On March 18, 2026, I humbly ask for your vote. I am running on both the Democratic line and the independent “Vote for Albion” line. This is not about party — it is about the place we all call home.

Sincerely,

Joyce Riley

Candidate for Mayor, Village of Albion