Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joseph V. Cardone
Orleans County District Attorney

Editor:

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

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

I am looking forward to serving you.

Best Regards,

John Riggi
Yates Town Councilman-elect

Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent
Albion

Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With Gratitude,

James White
Gaines

Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diane Wood
Holley

Editor:

Thank you to the Democrats who had the courage and fortitude to step forward and run for an office. Yes, we lost several of the races but be proud and hold your head high. We ran a clean campaign and gave it our all.

We also owe thanks to our supporters who had faith in us and for family and friends.

We congratulate Randy Bower and wish Tom Drennan success in the future.

Jeanne Crane
Carlton
Chairwoman of Orleans County Democratic Party

Editor:

Does the Great and Powerful Oz have a secret master plan for Orleans County? Why is he so unwilling to tell us what it is?

Under the Oz master plan, one asset after another is sold, folded into Genesee County, or allowed to founder, or wither. Among these are Medina Hospital, the former County Nursing Home, the Visiting Nurse Service certification, the Continuing Day Treatment Program, our historical institutions, and now, perhaps our environment itself.

The Great and Powerful Oz decided who our next sheriff would be, by some accounts, 3, or 4, years ago. What would Oz do if he didn’t get his way and his choice came in second, or third? He really thinks he can get away with anything now that he emerged unscathed in 2013.

Would The Omniscient Oz eliminate the Sheriff’s Department road patrol?  It is one of our finer assets, and you may know how hard it is for the Omniscient Oz to recognize the things that really matter to his subjects.

The Wizard believes that we need to follow the lead of other counties, apparently because he believes Orleans County is no different than any other place. That may have helped him decide to sell one of the finest long-term care facilities in New York State.

Though belated improvements have been made with walk in mental health services in the Land of Oz, he initially disregarded the advice of one in-house expert and decreased access to such services by shifting the Continuing Day Treatment Program to Genesee County. Fortunately, he was able to revisit that mistake. Occasionally that is possible.

Among the mistakes that cannot be undone is the loss of the County Nursing Home.  Though Mr. Blajszczak, a Land of Oz court jester, thought of it as just an experiment, it is another asset that is gone forever. Of course, to P.B., it doesn’t matter. In fact the only thing that really matters in the Land of Oz are the whims of the Great and Powerful Oz.  But, such losses show how pathetically out of touch he is with his subjects.

You see, when you are the Great and Powerful Oz, you do not need surveys. All you need to do is bemoan the lack of them when you need an excuse not to lead. Or perhaps you just need to delay until after an election. Or you may wish to avoid a decision that might reveal part of your master plan.

Oz would have his loyal lemmings believe elections are equivalent to surveys. But personalities and the range of issues before voters make elections an unreliable barometer of what your subjects think.

A humble subject of the Great and Powerful Oz, and someone I consider a good friend, suggested something that never occurred to me.  He said The Oz may have refused to take a position on wind turbines in northwestern Oz because he may have invited Apex into the Land of Oz in the first place.

After all, lands beyond Oz had fallen for what was blowing in the wind.  Perhaps I am still failing to comprehend how devious the Oz can be. Perhaps my friend hit on something.

One of Oz’s northwestern prefecture subjects, thinking globally, correctly noted we have only one planet. She failed to act in a locally appropriate way when she wrote that turbines only take up half an acre.

Does the Great Oz even understand what a phenomenal asset the environment of his Land is? His subject might want to “research” the wildlife habitat we have all around us in the Land of Oz and what an industrial wind farm would mean to it.

Wind turbines are seen as environment-friendly, and they are, in the right places. The Land of Oz isn’t one of those desolate places that are right for them. But others have made mistakes. Why can’t we?

For The Great Oz, any howling from the turbines in Roscoe, Texas, or the barrens of North Dakota, may seem like beckoning from the Sirens of Greek mythology.

Most sincerely yours,

Gary Kent
Albion

Editor:

I was busy with my morning chores, blocking my three-corner hat and polishing my faux scepter, when I happened to come across an editorial in the Hub today. From the first few words, I thought the author might be expressing his admiration for Ozzie Osborne, the bat munching rock and reality star.

Perhaps it was a review of the television prison drama from a few years ago or maybe a travel piece on the continent of Australia. Then it came to me, it had to be an insightful piece on Ozzie’s life with Harriet, David and Ricky.

But no, it turns out it was a full frontal assault on L. Frank Baum’s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the writer, I could be wrong, seemed to be attempting to make a point. There were words, thrown together haphazardly in steampunk construction fashion, that seemed to criticize, besides me, the entire county political structure of Orleans County for not doing what the omniscient author deemed to his liking ! Imagine the impertinence!

If I might site just one example, he apparently does not favor the wind project in Yates. Personally, I think the landowners and the state brown shirts wielding title 10 documents are going to decide this but he is of the opinion that big wind has to be broken. I say to you sir “do not break wind in front of me!”

Mining this piece for meaningful verbiage was difficult but apparently the creator considers himself a munchkin in this scenario. Au contraire. He should be considered the trinitarian composite of the supplicants in this drama. It might just be me, but over the years I’ve read a few of this man’s editorial comments and, if the wizard could help the scarecrow, the tin man and the lion, he might be able to help this individual.

I might site another classic The Lord of the Rings. Mr. Tolkien created a poor unfortunate creature, Gollum, who sought power for power’s sake. He disregarded all common sense, decorum and the greater good just to attain that ring, destroying his persona because of it. A pity really.

Finally, I printed this editorial remembering the comment of Max Reger (1873-1916) a German composer, pianist and organist of some noteriety. When a music critic unfairly (he thought) panned his latest effort he was quoted as saying “I am sitting in the smallest room in the house. I have your review in front of me. Soon it will be behind me”.

Well, time to get back to work. A jester needs to constantly update his material. Let’s see A minstrel, a lady in waiting and a duke walk into a privately owned, efficient and functioning nursing home and the administrator says

Paul Blajszczak
Ridgeway

Editor:

Most men and women who run for office are ordinary people with good intentions. Somehow when they become an official, they transfer to a politician who forgets what their purpose was.

They get away with this behavior because the average citizen does not pay attention or worse does not care. To get attention from most citizens requires a politician to stick a finger in the citizen’s eye.

New York State has done this with the wind turbine projects across the state. The Orleans County and the Town of Yates officials are totally frozen in place, which is cowardly.

The State has extremely high taxes which funnels down to the counties and the townships. The County of Orleans and the Town of Yates elected officials are chasing after the few dollars that will come from this terrible project.

These elected officials are willing to give up home rule to an unelected board that pays no tax to the county or the town and most likely would need to get a map to find the Town of Yates.

The local officials state they are being neutral until they get all the facts. The fact that Apex has been involved setting the table for this project for almost two years should have opened their eyes. Niagara County and the Town of Somerset figured it out and sent notice to Albany they do not want this project.

Some local residents claim that outsiders are trying to stop this project. The only outsiders are Apex who will be gone quickly if this project moves forward, and the unelected board in Albany that pay no taxes in Yates but will decide if this project goes forward.

I am not a full-time Yates resident but I am a property owner and I have paid full-time taxes in Yates for over 30 years. The Town of Yates is a wonderful place to live and I believe that this project will destroy the town for at least 40 years.

I would urge that all registered voters go to the polls and change the Town Board. Casting a write-in vote for Jim Simon, and voting for John Riggi and Glenn Maid are clear choices to improve the Town of Yates. There is a big need for men with a vision of the future and this will be a great start.

Ray Watt
Yates

Editor:

(This letter is directed to Susan Campbell.) The title of your latest letter to the editor may be the most disingenuous and personally insulting of all your statements but certainly indicative of how you really feel.

Don’t let “them” ruin “our” town is pure misrepresentation of both the facts and the perfect example of how this is tearing this town apart. Who are you to determine who is “morally” entitled to vote in an election?

You now are above the actual law? Am I less important than you Ms. Campbell? Are the other Lakers? Do you know my story? Do you know theirs? My family starting with my grandparents has owned property in this town for over 50 years.

I have spent every summer of my entire life there. I baptized all my children there. We have celebrated countless milestones of life in this town, weddings birthdays and anniversaries. My little daughter refused to have her haircut anywhere until she got home to Lyndonville.

Now my husband spent money we have worked our whole lives for and I built a home there to retire to someday. My son went to and graduated from Lyndonville schools and is now a lawyer too, thanks to the great teachers there and Dick Pucher!

His family are farmers in this town. They are my family too. My children call the lake home; it is where our heart is. I have had a job since I was 15 years old, I pay taxes, a lot of taxes and I work 60 hours a week to do so, nothing is handed to any of us.

Your statement reminds me of people who say if your child is adopted they are not “really” your child. That couldn’t be further from the truth, they are chosen. Just like all those who have chosen to adopt this as our home.

Your misrepresentation of the position of those running is wholly without merit. These men are hardworking, competent caring people with a new vision for “our” town. They are residents here. We are blessed to have so many that care enough to want this difficult job.

They are not simply anti-wind as you state. Perhaps a more effective use of your statements would be why we should keep the current board and list their accomplishments rather than your divisive anti-lake rants.

It is ironic that the title of your editorial “don’t let “them” ruin “our” town is exactly how many of us feel about APEX. They are the only true outsider.

Krista Barth Sauerberg
Lyndonville

Editor:

On Tuesday we will head to the polls to decide three seats on our Town Board. This is a very important moment for us.

Yates is a fantastic community with outstanding schools, great farms and businesses, and a distinguished heritage. Yet we are now faced with several substantial challenges that threaten our future.

We bring with us nearly 75 combined years of leadership experience in a wide variety of disciplines – from quality assurance and law enforcement to the military and higher education. All of us have had exemplary careers and possess the qualities best suited to lead our town. We have drive, knowledge, vision, professionalism and collaborative leadership skills.

Our message is clear and unwavering. We will do what is in the best interest of our town to help the people and to preserve our landscape and culture. We will not submit to out-of-state companies striving to divide us or state appointees who think they know better than us.

If elected, we will move deliberately toward restoring economic resilience through strategic revitalization and sound decision-making. The people of our town have demanded attention to these areas, and we are prepared to deliver. Our children deserve our very best efforts.

Given the importance of open communication and decisive leadership, we are the logical choice to move Yates toward recovery, growth and prosperity. It’s time for a new direction.

On Nov. 3, join us and allow us the opportunity to serve you and to lead Yates to a brighter future.

Respectfully Submitted,
 

Jim Simon – Write-in candidate for Town Supervisor
John Riggi – Republican Line, endorsed candidate
Glenn Maid – Conservative Line

Editor:

Please vote for the candidate who will obey the laws! After the first debate on Oct. 21, the real candidate is looking better and better. Please vote for Don Organisciak for Sheriff.

Dan Nogle
Medina

Editor:

The election will be on Tuesday. A huge issue in my very own town is the Apex Industrial Wind Turbine project.

I am running for a Legislature seat in my district so I am doing what the people who will entrust me with this leadership position would expect of me and lead. I do not support this in our community. This has been my stance since the very beginning, not something that was decided with the political winds, so to speak.

The Orleans County Legislature will not take a stand. Your very own legislator, my opponent, has been AWOL and has not given an opinion either way. After all she is the incumbent. She holds the seat. Her lack of leadership on this critical issue is very telling. This is dividing our town. I am seeing folks who were once civil with one another becoming hostile and distant.

I have lived here for 25 years. My children all went to school here. We have roots here. Our family name is reluctantly entombed in our local cemetery. We are here to stay. Over those years I have made friends with many people. The people in this community have stood by my family in our darkest hour.

Some of those people are for this turbine project. You have taken your stand and I as a man have taken mine. You are fighting to win and so am I. No matter how this turns out I will still be your friend and neighbor. Nothing will erase the bond of friendship and community that we have shared. If it does, it will be on your part not mine.

Make no mistake. I will do everything in my power as Legislature to stop this project and bring the fight to Albany to stop Article 10. The people of this community will have a leader and an ally to help them in this fight to stop this project from ever coming to light.

They will have someone to fight the IDA that stands to profit handsomely if this project takes foot. The current IDA leadership, I believe is in a gross conflict of interest with his seat on the Yates Town Board and his job as the head of the IDA. Conflict of interest or appearance of unethical practices have never stopped the Yates Town Board or the county from doing business as usual. Whatever became of the Ethics Committee up at the county?

I hope this project never happens. It is a gross waste of taxpayer money. You can not screen these with a fence or landscaping at 580-feet-plus tall. You can not put distance between you and them. They will always be visible no matter where you are in this town.

You can’t muffle the whoosh, whoosh, whoosh and mechanical grinding of the gear boxes when you step out on nice country summer night to gaze at the stars. You folks in Ridgeway will be seeing and hearing these monstrosities, too.

Turbines this big do not belong in populated areas. Just the production and installation of these things will wipe out any carbon footprint that they will save if you are inclined to believe that.

We must reduce taxes in this county. These are tax dollar hogs that will feed and feed indefinitely. Another green scam to control us. Don’t think that the Orleans County Legislature won’t throw your tax dollars at this project if it comes to be. They have volunteered your money for other foolish endeavors in the past. That’s what they do best is spend other peoples money – $60,000 dollars for a lobbyist, I will not support that.

On Nov. 3 vote for leadership. Vote on the Conservative line for someone who will be ethical, frugal with your money, expose corruption and work for his constituents.

Vote for Paul Lauricella Jr., Legislature District #2 (Yates, Ridgeway and part of Shelby).

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Lyndonville

Editor:

With all the commotion surrounding the Orleans County Sheriff’s race, the contests for Legislature have been all but forgotten. There are only two choices (out of a possible seven) this year.

Your only choices are in District 2 and Legislator At-large central. You can reward two incumbents for helping the Legislature Chairman destroy the County Nursing Home or you can vote for accountability.

You can show your disapproval of the unwillingness of two incumbents who represent Yates to take a stand on wind turbines in Yates using the excuse that there has been no survey (when that never stopped them before). Or, you can vote for candidates who want to protect our assets.

You can elect James White an at-large central legislator and Paul Lauricella District 2 legislator. James enjoys the support of both Paul and Allen Lofthouse. Their relationship shows that James has the ability to build bridges with people who do not always agree with him.

If elected legislator, James White would become New York State’s youngest legislator. Voters who can look past his youth might recognize his extraordinary maturity and commitment. Electing him would put Orleans County in a very positive light.

James has taken positions on a variety of subjects since announcing his candidacy. These include properly funding Child Protective Services, electing the C.A.O. of Orleans County, amending the S.A.F.E. Act to address issues of Constitutionality, and saying “No!” to wind turbines. He has made it quite clear that selling the County Nursing Home was a betrayal of our seniors.

His opponent seems to think that all he has to do is make unrealistic promises about something he has practically no control over. As an insider, he is part of the problem.

It is relatively rare for the more talented young people graduating from Orleans County schools to stay home and attempt to make a positive impact locally. Any teacher can tell you that such intelligent, interested, and motivated students graduate every year from every school in the County.

James White is one of those extraordinary young (21) people who cares enough that he is willing to stay. His candidacy is an opportunity for the people of Orleans County. Those who would discount him purely because of his youth are making a mistake.

One person he encountered going door-to-door told him, “You are too young to know what you are doing.” Yet, at 21, he is old enough that he could have served three years in the military by now! We have everything to gain and precious little to lose by putting him on the County Legislature. As a high school teacher of 34 years, I can assure you it would be terrific for the ability of our teachers to better motivate the young people of Orleans County.

We will either recognize the opportunity James White is offering us, or we won’t. We either “get it,” or we don’t. We can win one for ourselves, or we won’t. But we will not be able to say we didn’t have a chance to make history by electing James White to the County Legislature.

Gary Kent
Albion

Editor:

As a resident of the Town of Yates, I support Wesley Bradley for town councilman and John Belson for town supervisor in the election on Tuesday.

They have done a superb job serving our town in the past and have earned the right to be re-elected. Their decisions have been for the best interest of our town.

SOS (Save Ontario Shores) members do not like the decisions the board has made. They sued the very Town Board board they are seeking to be elected to because they didn’t like one of the decisions made.

The following are working on a survey for all town residents: Wes Bradley, Councilman; Taylor Quarles, representing Apex; and Richard Pucher, representing SOS.

On Oct. 8, I received a survey from SOS. This survey had to be postmarked by Oct. 9. Since I am for the wind project, I found this survey were clearly biased and against the project that I support. It led me to believe that this was an attempt to undermine the survey the town committee is working on. That survey is fair for all residents, both for and against the wind project.

I personally know of homeowners and business owners who did not receive a survey. How does that make the SOS survey fair?

Our Town Board has not made a stance for or against the wind project. I will find out their decision, along with everyone else, when they make it public.

I vote for the person who will do the best job for our town. It is my right to put a sign showing my support based on the job they have done and how they handle themselves as board members.

The conduct the SOS members have shown at board meetings is not the conduct I would like to see if they get a seat on our board.

I urge the Town of Yates votes to cast their ballot to re-elect Wesley Bradley for councilman and John Belson for town supervisor. Let these men continue make their decisions, based on facts, not false statements.

I have every confidence that their decisions will be in the best interest of our town.

Donna Bane
Lyndonville