We appreciate input from our readers, and we publish letters to the editor without charge. The letters should be written by the person who submits the letter and not be “ghost written” by someone else. While open speech and responsibility are encouraged, comments may be rejected if they are purely a personal attack, offensive or repetitive. Comments are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Orleans Hub. Although care is taken to moderate comments, we have no control over how they are interpreted and we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of comments and the rationality of the opinions expressed. We reserve the right to edit letters for content and brevity. Please limit the length of your letter (we suggest no more than 500 words) and provide your name, telephone number, mailing address and a verifiable email address for verification purposes. Letters should be emailed to news@orleanshub.com.

Editor:

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who got involved in the election by either volunteering or exercising their right to vote.

That is what is great about our election process. Opposing viewpoints, ideas, and maybe even ideologies, can crop up during elections, then we vote, and after the dust settles we move on with our daily struggles.

Now that the dust has settled, let’s move forward together, work together and maybe we can make life a little more enjoyable for everyone.

Respectfully,

Scott Wengewicz

Shelby Town Supervisor

Editor:

Even though I was unopposed for Shelby Town Justice after my appointment in June, I would like to thank everyone in Shelby who came out and exercised their right to vote.

I also appreciate those who took and displayed my yard signs, the backing of the Shelby Republican Committee, the Orleans County Republican Committee, and the Orleans County Conservative Committee, as well as the parties for their support.

Often overlooked are the poll workers who spend an extremely long day and night helping voters. A big thank you to them – we all appreciate your time making our democratic process work.

Respectfully,

Edward J. Grabowski, Esq.

Shelby Town Justice

Editor:

We would like to thank all the Yates voters that came out and voted for Steve Colon and Paul Lauricella. We thank you for acknowledging the Conservative Party platform to government.

Hopefully the Town Board will adopt some of these restraints in their approach to unnecessary spending and government overreach, which would be good for all of us.

While we won’t be able to make any decisions for you, we will continue to hold government accountable the best way we can by staying involved. That’s the American way.

Please attend meetings and workshops where you get the bigger picture. It’s your money.

Paul Lauricella Jr.

Steven A. Colon

Yates

Editor:

We truly appreciate the support of voters in the Town of Yates. It is an honor to be given the opportunity to continue to serve you.

We acknowledge that our opponents, and those who voted for them, hoped for a different electoral outcome. We will do our best to serve you as well.

We thank Tom Rivers and the Orleans Hub for once again providing an important public forum for debate – well done.

God bless America!

Jim Simon, John Riggi, Susan Hrovat

Town of Yates

Editor:

Veterans Day…November 11 at 11 a.m., 1918, the war that was to end all wars came to an end. The Germans surrendered…the battle field that had been smoke ridden by gun fire and the smell of death, cries of wounded fell to an eerie silence.

Cries filled the air, “It is over!” Yes, it was over. It did not end all wars. We still have wars…take a good look at the world today.

Not long after the end of World War I, Congress made November 11 to be Veterans Day, the day that we honor veterans, living and deceased. We pay them respect, honor them. Thank them for our freedoms and service to this country. Thank a vet!

It is sad that we are not able to have parades to honor the living and deceased veterans. Veterans’ organizations have been declining in membership. They are getting older, public interest is declining. It is time the younger veterans get off their butts (military term) and

rise up and join a veterans’ organization. You owe it to them as they are the ones that have lobbied for many of veterans’ benefits.

The citizens of this country need to wake up and show patriotism to the veterans so they will not feel serving their beloved country was in vain.

Thank a vet!

Carl Boyle

American Legion Post 1603 in Lyndonville

U.S. Army, 3rd Armored Div.

Editor:

I’m sure many of you who live in the Town of Barre, or its outlying areas, are aware of the ongoing political conflicts stemming from the alternative Wind Turbine Project.

Assuming the people who run for and are in these positions, are supposed to be educated, impartial problem-solvers, then why is it, Mr. Pogue thinks he’s entitled to verbally intimidate, and be outwardly argumentative towards the people he works with?

The body language displayed at the Barre Town Board meetings clearly shows he is not deserving of a leadership role. When a community member comes to a board meeting, to express their concerns about something that is important to them, it should also become important to the town officials.

On several occasions, I have witnessed a member of the community trying to get answers for an ongoing problem, outside of the wind project, only to be given some sort of “tell them what they want to hear response,” from the Town Supervisor.

It is not a matter of whom we like or dislike, but who has good leadership qualities. In closing, I would like to ask that the Town of Barre residents think long and hard before they vote.

Thank you,

Cindy Confer

Barre

Editor:

I am consistently amazed how people running for public office pull the “Lies” card, usually while they themselves are being untruthful. I have carefully read and re-read the letter from George McKenna to the people of the Town of Barre asking them to support his daughter, Kerri Richardson, in her bid for re-election to the Barre Town Board.

I find nothing in this letter which is untrue from my own experience. Then, a few days later, I receive a post card from the Pogue, Swan, and Mathes with the caption “FACTS NOT LIES.”  Upon closer examination all six of the items listed on the post card were in fact not true or framed in a way as to be vague and disingenuous.

For example, there is no question some of the people running have a financial interest to see this project move forward. There will always be items to vote on at the town board level regarding the wind project.

Electing a board member who is supposed to recuse themselves, and has not in the past, when voting on items which would result in their financial gain is senseless. And then, there is the amount of money the Town of Barre will make while changing the town completely forever.

That amount has changed so many times I can’t even keep track of it anymore. Lowering the amount of turbines to be built and then paying the town and county the same amount of money as originally stated is not how business works.

Please read Dr. McKenna’s letter again and then read the follow-up post card from the Pro-Wind folks and make an educated vote on Nov. 7.

All my best,

Jim Salmon

Barre

Editor:

We need to give our thanks to the extraordinary person who has given more of his commitment to this community than almost anyone.

Joe Sidonio has been working to help this community be a better place for decades. To list just a very few of the amazing things he has quietly achieved for us all:

Joe was the first to see the possibility to restore the old Holley High School. It was he who secured the initial funding for the very first study and brought in those with experience from far and wide – against much nay-saying.  It took years to realize and many other people’s hard work, but Joe brought the very possibility to us by his vision and leadership.

Joe works every day to lower our taxes and reign in public spending.

Joe breathed the life into Mr. Fiorito’s vision to restore the Fancher WWII War Memorial.

Joe organized the first Farmland Protection Plan in the entire of Orleans County – a plan guiding our resource stewardship for future generations.

And so much more.

Singularly Joe Sidonio has had the courage to be the whistleblower to call out the forces of corruption in our local government. He has had the smarts to identify mismanagement of our hard-earned tax dollars and the honest conviction to vote “no” on the 2024 Murray tax increases. Valuing fairness for one and all he has taken steps to stop the entrenched government favoritism that permeates a self described, self-serving elite.

All of these things have benefited the lives of each and every citizen of this town.

All of the voices who choose to continue to overlook Joe’s accomplishments, constantly and aggressively strategizing and concocting to hurt him or belittle him or misrepresent him, do a disservice to our entire region – and they have missed a beautiful opportunity to uplift our town.

But those negative voices do not define him, they cannot take away the years of work he has done on our behalf, nor the generosity of time and thought he has given to this community, nor his deep appreciation for the honest people who everyday give their all, nor his personal generosity and care – particularly for those who are vulnerable –  nor the remarkable, respectful working relationships he has formed with professional women and men including the town supervisors of Orleans County and myriad others across the entire country.

Thank you Joe Sidonio.

My vote will be for you for Town Supervisor of Murray.

Mine is a vote of confidence, respect and thanks.

Amy Machamer

Murray

(Machamer is married to Sidonio.)

Editor:

Just a quick observation from a Town of Carlton resident…

Darlene Rich has been in office as Shelby town clerk for 16 years, never an opponent. Somehow this year is different, according to some  former employees.

But according to Lori Myhill “everyone got along.” So I asked what went wrong in the last 3-4 years? Maybe you should be looking at the last 4-5 persons hired. How odd that suddenly there is dissatisfaction among the workers but they were family for 12-plus years.

And Darlene’s opponent used a STAR on her signs when the EAGLE should have been used.

Choose wisely and vote for the person who is qualified and has several certifications attached to her name.

Jeanne Crane

Carlton

Editor:

I would be proud to serve as Barre Town Supervisor. But, a few things I lack is an arrogant attitude, the ability to be self-serving, or the psychological manipulation of gas-lighting people.

I have a strong character, have served in places where even evil fears to tread, and have no need to sow self-doubt in anyone.

We live in a small town. Everyone used to get along. Think back to when it changed. Who came here and changed it?

I urge people to go back to live streaming of the Town Board meetings. I have attended the meetings in person, live, and virtually. To be attacked and lied about is ridiculous. Even if I did not attend every meeting, is that a pre-requisite to run for office?

The need for electricity in the park is not our biggest issue…and to think that our money will come from an entity that has not been given the full green-light, doesn’t seem wise. The board wisely voted against doing so.

The current town supervisor and I agree on one point, bringing in new business to our town. However, many of his supporters do not agree on this. Without encouraging a younger generation to come in with hopes of increasing a population, what new business would want to come in?

But, that is not my decision, because this is not a regime, it is a town that belongs to the people. However, it is not wise to stop progress to an aging-out population. I am not about my own agenda, I am about wanting to help people, progress as a town, help the elderly obtain the available tax credit, and help the Cold War veterans obtain their veteran’s tax credit.

I never, ever said that I will stop wind turbines from coming into the town and I never, ever threatened to sue anyone using your money, my money, or anyone else’s money to do so….that was from an election years ago where I was not involved and am offended that this has been an accusation on my running for election. I wish people would stop grasping at straws.

I am honest, I am transparent, and I am kind, but I am not weak. The handouts were from the primary election and only says that I was backed by Republicans and endorsed by the Conservative Party. What about that makes me dishonest and how is that cloudy?

I was never approached and told to move a sign. I never, ever threatened to sue anyone for touching signs. Another grasp to tell a falsehood to discredit my good name. We did find that, due to modern technology, signs disappeared and signs were moved around.

What evidence shows that I lack willingness to learn about the position? Where is the evidence that I alone can halt the installation of wind turbines? The damage for this agenda has already been done. I do not support the turbines, but if they were to be forced upon this town, then I would work diligently with the board and with the townspeople to protect everyone’s best interests.

The harmony in this town, at this time, does not seem too promising…if you continue to vote for the person that brought the discord in the first place.

I am asking that you vote for me on the Conservative Party line, because I do care about what happens in and to this town and about you.

Semper Fidelis,

Scott Burnside

Barre

Editor:

Wow! There sure are a lot of controversial issues raised by other Orleans County towns related to their upcoming elections. Call me glad to be a resident of Kendall!

There are three candidates running for two spots on the Kendall Town Board. I strongly support the re-election of two current members, Barb Flow and Margaret (Lynn) Szozda!

Both have been Kendall residents for over 37 years, and both play a very active, considerate, and professional role on Town Board matters and are protective of both individual and community concerns and issues.

Their concerns are driven principally by two factors, costs to residents and what’s best for the community as a whole. They are important cogs in what I see as an extremely well-functioning, innovative, hardworking, and, most important of all, a successfully-operating Town Board. Losing either Barb or Lynn on the board would be a great loss!

I have found the Town Board, Planning Board, and Assessor’s Office to always be responsive to concerns or questions I have raised, and always willing to call me back and/or sit down and discuss any issues. There is no lack of transparency on the part of town officials, and Barb and Lynn will continue this tradition.

As for the need for “change,” I would say why in the world would we want to tamper with success! Let’s return these ladies to the board, as a measure of our thanks for their fine participation in the past and our confidence they will continue their excellent work.

Please take the time to vote, for Barb Flow and Margaret Szozda at the Town Hall on Tuesday. We owe them at least that much!

Jay Dorney

Kendall

Editor:

It has been my pleasure to serve on the Town of Yates board over the past four years. Working with Jim Simon, John Riggi, Harold Suhr, Terri Chaffee and Shelly Harling has been extremely productive and rewarding for our community.

Although we may not always agree on “how much, what, where and when,” this team sees differing viewpoints and opinions as an opportunity for growth and change. Difficult discussions, although often passionate and loud, are encouraged and carried out.

In this election year I’ve read a few editorials which caused me to pause and think, people don’t really believe this do they?

It is easy to attack and throw out campaign slogans… “reduce taxes, stop the tax and spend” etc…. The reality is that with inflation, there is an increase in costs to maintain equipment, snowplows, fire trucks, and the buildings in which our town workers operate. Our town employees deserve to receive raises in order to continue to work in the community and provide for their families.

In making decisions with regard to who I want leading my country, my community and my employment situation, I look to how potential leaders manage their own lives, their money, their homes, their families, and what they produce from their words and actions and daily living habits.

The Town of Yates council members deal with the reality of current fiscal issues and put into action the ideals of responsible stewardship, transparency in governing, building of future generations and collaboration with all aspects of what community means while being as financially frugal as possible and taking in the big picture of what is best for all community members.

This group has taken action. We have worked hard to close the gap with an inherited unhealthy budget to get finances back on track. We continue to work to ensure our town workers receive adequate salaries to commensurate with their work and dedication, and to retain our quality employees and community members so they may provide for their families.

We continue to support ambulance and fire services. We support the parents and youth of our community through summer programs and work collaboratively with the school district to support the growth of future, productive and healthy citizens.

We continue to look for ways to ease the high cost of living for all community members, while being responsible stewards of what we currently have.

I encourage each and every one to review some of our efforts on the town website. We are experienced and educated, and we’ve produced measurable recorded results.

I ask Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon – What is your plan? What is your vision? What is your past experience with money and budgets entrusted to your care? What is your experience dealing with conflict successfully? What ideas do you have to benefit everyone in the community financially? How will you maintain your “stop the tax and spend” slogan during the next four-year period? Will you put a stop to maintaining buildings, purchasing needed equipment, maintaining roads and paying our employees the wages they deserve?

The challenge of managing the money of others is enormous and a great responsibility, often immersed in conflict with difficult decisions to be made. How are you up for the challenge?  You have shared your displeasure in the current board by citing half-truths, I am open to learning your specific plan.

Although this is an “off election year,” it is an important election year. These are the years when the “nuts and bolts” of governments are established. I encourage everyone to educate themselves on the facts, reach out to current board members with any questions, and please get out and vote on Tuesday, November 7.

Respectfully,

Susan Bennett Hrovat

Town of Yates Councilman

Editor:

Recent actions, or rather inactions, by both the Orleans County and Shelby Republican committees are painting a concerning picture ahead of upcoming elections. Citizens eager to volunteer as poll watchers on Election Day are being ignored.

Overt and repeated avoidance of civic participation raises a critical question: why are these committees hesitant to undergo public scrutiny?

This issue is not a standalone occurrence but a recurring pattern that threatens the transparency and integrity of the electoral process. In 2021 and again in 2023, Republican candidates intending to run for office in Shelby were startled to receive calls from GOP members immediately after visiting the Orleans County Board of Elections. Information had leaked from within the BOE before the candidates had even returned home, indicating a serious breach of confidentiality and possible internal coordination.

These are not simply procedural missteps; they’re signs of a deeper problem that threatens the democratic process. The evasion of volunteer poll watchers and premature disclosure of candidate information raise red flags. Are there ulterior motives at play? Is there a concerted effort to control or manipulate the electoral process to favor a specific outcome?

Voters have a right to a transparent and accountable election process. It is the responsibility of elected officials and party committees to restore faith in the system they are entrusted to uphold and take corrective measures to protect the integrity of elections.

Andina Barone

Mindful Media Group

New York City

Editor:

This past week I sent a letter to the residents of Barre asking for their support for my daughter Kerri in this upcoming election. I described her attributes and why I felt she was not only the best candidate for councilwoman but also the best councilperson presently that Barre has, including myself.

At the end of the letter I stated that if anyone had any concerns or comments, I would happily address them. This response is my obligation to happily address the opposition’s comments, and to turn the other cheek after being called a liar, desperate and shameful parent!

A lot of what was shared, Kerri has already responded to (see her letter to the editor where she factually corrects the misinformation from the postcard). There are however a few additional comments and clarifications that I would like to add.

The opposition states my claim that the Heritage Wind proposed funding continues to go down is totally incorrect. The fact is the host community agreement is based on the nameplate capacity which at the time of signing was 200 megawatts. Technology or not the nameplate capacity that is being proposed has gone down. Now they are proposing 168 to 173.6 MW which also decreases the amount that we as a town would receive.

The opposition states that I was wrong in saying Kerri is harassed and insulted at meetings and in fact it is Kerri who is disrespectful!  I can only say if you view the recordings and you see Kerri being disrespectful, I will donate $100 to PAWS Animal Shelter per incident. Don’t worry PAWS just for using your name Iva and I will make a donation.

Kerri does have to speak assertively to sometimes get her point made and understood. A perfect example of this was when Kerri emailed and requested the estimated column in the tentative budget, Sean said he wouldn’t. She again requested this information at the workshop.

Sean condescendingly asked her how long she has served on the board, and expressed that there has never been a column like that. Kerri stated that she would pull up the previous year’s column and show him. Quickly, Kerri had the 2023 budget pulled up on her computer showing the estimated column!

Sean walked over, looked at what she was talking about and then blamed the accountant! Saying he didn’t know why she would not have included it! No apology was given.

While I have your attention, I would also briefly like to address Sean’s letter to the editor. First, I find it interesting; that he actually does not address or comment on any of Kerri’s points in her letter to the editor, because it is the truth.

Second, you will find that all of the candidates are actually integral community members and avid volunteers, and this was never anything that was brought into question. In this particular matter, however, I believe (this is not fact, simply my belief) that the Heritage Wind project was the catalyst for everyone running in this year’s election to run.

There are two big differences. First, one side, Kerri Richardson and Scott Burnside, are not accepting funds from a national corporation that would like to be in our community. While two of the candidates on the other side are, and everyone who has publicly endorsed these candidates as well (Ronald Harling, Chris Loss, Michael Van Lieshout are all leaseholders and are encouraging you to vote for these candidates as they believe they provide the best opportunity to ensure that this project comes to our community to their financial gain without hiccup).

Can you rest assured that they will be a watchdog and ensure that the company is doing what they have said? Or that the modifications are appropriately vetted? Second, Kerri and Scott want to work with others, and will listen and reach out to ensure that they understand everything that is brought before the board, and are making well-informed decisions.

Wouldn’t it have been nice for the whole town to have a vote on the Heritage Wind matter?  Pogue was part of the reason you didn’t get a say on the matter. The reason that was provided by the town board to change the wind ordinance in favor of the developer was that it “aligned with the comprehensive plan.”

However, the most recent comprehensive plan had zero questions about industrial wind, so in their mind there was no objection to industrial wind (Kirk Mathes was on the planning board during this time, who facilitated the comprehensive plan).

I will end this editorial by sharing how disappointed I am in being accused of lying in my letter by Pouge, Mathes, and Swan, and this incorrect postcard being sent not just to the residents of the Town of Barre who can vote, but sent to Town of Albion residents as well (which brings me to question their financial responsibility even with their campaign, and or what their goal was with their postcards).

I want to say I forgive you. I also want to state that Iva and I are unabashedly proud of all of our daughters. That is a great word Iva suggested and it fits perfectly in this case.

Thank you,

George McKenna DVM

Barre

Editor:

There a lot of things being said about the people involved on both sides of the ballet in this town. I think we all have to keep in mind that in a small community it’s hard for good people to sometimes see the where the legal and ethical lines are and not cross them.

We trust them, they trust themselves, but doing things by the book can be an entirely different thing. Whether or not it makes a difference we sometimes only know later if something is missed. And even then, we don’t know if it’s intentionally or simple human oversight.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read all the agreements that affect the Town of Barre. I did get to see the host agreement and it’s worlds better than the one that was for circulated a couple of years ago.

Nevertheless, I’m concerned about several things including that it implies we’re guaranteeing zoning results and indemnifying the company if we breach the agreement. I don’t know if that extends to the other agreements or not but it appears to. Contracting away ordinary municipal functions over zoning and input into the PILOT but seem to be contrary to public policy but could be the grounds for a lawsuit.

I have been told the host fee is being paid instead of a Town Of Barre portion of the Payment In Lieu of Tax. I have looked but do not find that that is the case yet.

It would be a terrible idea with Barre’s host fee tied to power generation output. If power generation goes down, there would be a possibility that Barre could be stuck with a lot of unfunded costs.

It does not appear that there’s a signed PILOT  yet, but if the power generation goes down, it seems entirely appropriate for what Barre to receive an increase portion of the PILOT. Could vary. Insist on that, I don’t know without possible litigation.

I see that the company may fund a spec building in which the county can later devote to a new business which would be located somewhere in the county. But depending on the profits being projected that does not seem enough. With electric ever more dear, with the weather we are experiencing and with our country’s move away from fossil fuel, it seems there should be a way to provide some businesses with reduced electric rates as is done with the Niagara Power Project.

If I am reading the IDA minutes correctly, they have not rushed into this and are methodically going one step at a time. I do not see how involved they are in the environmental aspects however. I think they’re trusting the state and not hiring their own consultant; I may be wrong.

Perhaps the host agreement had to be nailed down first. Maybe it was a way to lock us into a contract with open questions. We won’t know until push comes to shove, if it ever does. This is such a new area of law there are going to be oversights and many specialties of law should have been involved.

But whatever the case, my conclusion is that Barre has to closely be involved with the IDA to be sure that it’s interests are properly protected.

Barre residents have to vote for whoever they think can do that job the best. It’s going to require hard work and clear eyes. I am not endorsing any candidate but whoever is elected, I think may have address some land mines out there as there’s clearly more to be done.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion