Editor:

A Board of Education is elected to represent the community in which they serve and is tasked with providing students with the best possible education and programs. The Lyndonville Board of Education has recently failed in representing their community when they voted not to reappoint Lee Dillenbeck as the Athletic Director, after 18 years of dedicated service to the athletic programs.

Mr. Dillenbeck has been a constant presence in the school district for 23 years, serving as a teacher, athletic director and coach. Throughout his entire career, student athletes have benefited from having Mr. Dillenbeck as their AD. How do I know? I am a Lyndonville graduate and former three-sport athlete.

I recall the 2011 baseball season, in which we won the Genesee Region League Championship, Section Five Championship and Far West Regional Championship – Mr. Dillenbeck was a constant presence throughout the season attending home and away games, regardless of where we were playing. He always ensured that the team had enough of everything that it needed.

This was not just for our team, but for every team in the district. Mr. Dillenbeck was always there. I also had the privilege of having Mr. Dillenbeck as my Varsity Soccer coach. He always pushed his athletes to be their best, not only on the field, but off of the field as well. He has simply always wanted what was best for the students and his community.

Mr. Dillenbeck exemplifies leadership and professionalism. His proven record of effective leadership is the reason that he is highly recommended by Superintendent Jason Smith, parents, teachers, coaches, past board members and past students. Neither Mr. Dillenbeck, nor the community has been given an explanation of the Board’s decision.

Much like the over 100 people that attended the July 1 Board Meeting, I stand with Mr. Dillenbeck. I am calling on the Lyndonville School Board to put their own personal and political agendas aside. For those Board members that might be afraid to stand up to the bullies that you serve alongside – now is your time to stand up, set an example and LEAD.

I urge the School Board to reinstate Mr. Dillenbeck as Athletic Director. He is and will continue to be the best man for the job. I urge all community members to stay active, hold your Board Members accountable and keep pushing.

Respectfully,

James White

Medina

Editor:

School Board members are elected by the people of the community to serve the school district and present to our students the best possible education through quality teachers and programs.

June 10, 2019 was my last school board meeting after 16 years of service. I was never more disappointed with the board than I was on Monday night. The community may as well have talked to the wall.

The majority of the members were not thinking about what is best for our students or this community. They were concentrating on their own personal agendas.

We have yet to hear the reason for their decision on why Lee Dillenbeck should not be returned as Athletic Director. As a board member I was privy to prior executive sessions and heard no justifiable or logical reason why he should not be athletic director. He was given a list of goals and improvements and satisfied each one of them. He has been an outstanding leader, teacher, coach and AD. What is the reason for dismissal? Will we ever know?

The board members need to get down off their high horses and return to reality and really represent this community. They say they want to have communication that is timely, transparent and reciprocal. Let’s see it!

As I voted in the June meeting, I still believe that Lee Dillenbeck deserves to be athletic director. As the superintendent stated last night, Lee Dillenbeck is the most qualified for the position and should be reinstated.

Thinking out of the box here for a moment: After all the publicity and heat this district is getting about this whole situation, I would not believe that anyone would want to apply for this position to take his place. What guarantees would they have that they would not be treated the exact same way?

Come on Board, serve this district the way you should. Gain back the respect and decency we once had.

Rick Mufford

Lyndonville

Former LCS Board of Education member

Editor:

Over 100 people attended the Lyndonville Central School Board meeting three days before the Fourth of July. The meeting had to be moved from the High School Library to the school’s auditorium to accommodate what appeared to be a restive group of attendees.

Perhaps 20 people signed up early and spoke attesting to the fine job Lee Dillenbeck has done in 18 years as athletic director. They included Wes Bradley, Mark Hughes, parents, teachers, a school custodian, former students, and athletes influenced by Dillenbeck’s leadership.

After people spoke, the board went into executive session. Upon their return, Superintendent Jason Smith again recommended that Dillenbeck be retained as A.D. Smith’s recommendation was—again—rejected.

Now that impassioned pleas have fallen on mostly tone-deaf ears, what happens?

What does the history one former student who spoke and is studying to become a teacher—in part because Dillenbeck inspired him—tell us? What would James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Tom Paine, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and numerous other heroes of painful progress recommend?

There is a chance that what was called a “travesty” more than once at the L.C.S. Board meeting just might result in peaceful protest, an avalanche of free speech, or, perhaps, economic pressure. It might suggest the election of a new school board that might remove a cloud of unwarranted doubt and suspicion where none should exist. Leaving such decisions unexplained doesn’t make it for the thoughtful, in my opinion.

History surely would not tell the protesters who attended the L.C.S. Board meeting three days before Independence Day to “pack it in.”

“Tigers” aren’t quitters who go away quietly and are never heard from again. They are willing to give it a “go”, stand up for what is right, and hang in there.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

The tragic accident that took Brennan Moody’s life touched many of us, and even though I did not have the honor of knowing Brennan, as a parent of two sons who graduated from Albion, I grieve with them as they deal with the loss of their uniquely talented son.

There was a vigil at Bullard Park, and many people were able to witness the vision of a new outdoor performance stage come to fruition. There would be no better way to honor the life, and musical aspirations of Brennan than to dedicate and name it the “Brennan Moody Memorial Performing Arts Stage.”

In addition to naming the stage in the young man’s honor, the stage provides the perfect opportunity for Albion to host a concert that showcases high school musical talent from the region. The proceeds from the event could go towards a scholarship, or to support music programs.

Most importantly, it would be an important step in the healing process for the community.

Thom Jennings

Albion

Editor:

On April 23, 2019, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced their third annual solicitation for large-scale renewable energy proposals under the state’s Clean Energy Standard.  NY taxpayers concerned about the rapid increase in sprawling industrial wind projects should take heed.

There seems to be a conflict of interest between NYSERDA, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), industrial wind developers and the NYS Article 10 Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (the Siting Board).  Two of the seven members of the Siting Board who decide if a project is approved are NYSERDA and the DEC.

NYSERDA is a public, billion-dollar-plus corporation which operates beyond the oversight of the NYS Legislature.  Where does their money come from?  You and me, the ratepayers, when we pay our electric bill each month.

Looking for that line item on your electric bill?  You won’t find it – it is masked and will remain so by order of the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS).

That’s right, every time New Yorkers pay for electricity we are adding an undisclosed amount of our money to what NYSERDA affectionately calls their Green Bank.  And where does the Green Bank money go?  A sizeable portion is “awarded” to industrial wind developers under the Clean Energy Standard solicitations mentioned above.

It’s bad enough that our money is being funneled to this corporation and then redistributed as they see fit, but it gets worse.  The NYSERDA grant decision-making process and the actual amounts awarded are completely concealed from New Yorkers.  It is our money, but not our decision, and not the decision of any of the lawmakers we elect.

Shockingly, in many cases, the NYSERDA grants are awarded before the developers have even filed their application to the DPS for the Siting Board review process.  That process involves 41 detailed exhibits to be submitted, examined and subjected to hearings and cross-examination.

NYSERDA’s January 2019 press release announcing the results of last year’s solicitation awarded funding to 20 projects including Apex Clean Energy’s Heritage Wind project in Barre.  At the time, Apex hadn’t filed their Heritage Wind application.  They still haven’t.

In NYSERDA’s press release, Alicia Barton (NYSERDA CEO) and Basil Seggos (DEC Commissioner) praised the developers and their, “community engagement and responsible siting considerations (Barton),” and touted NYSERDA’s “rigorous review process (Seggos).”

What “community engagement?” What “rigorous review?”  Perhaps we should toss out the 41 exhibits of Article 10 and simply rely on NYSERDA’s rigorous review, after all, it was good enough for NYSERDA.

Meanwhile, hasn’t NYSERDA literally put our money where its mouth is?

Sure, one might argue that the NYSERDA funding is only given to the developer if and when the project is approved.   However, this begs the question: How can NYSERDA remain an impartial voting member of the Siting Board?

Finally, guess who sits on the board of directors of NYSERDA where their billion-dollar Green Bank finger is tipping the scales of justice?  Right, the DEC Commissioner.

Welcome to New York. Clean energy?  How about clean government?

Jim Simon

Yates Town Supervisor

Editor:

To the residents of the Town of Barre, I just wish to inform you of a get-together that took place on June 24, between representatives from Heritage Wind and the town.

The purpose of this discussion was to go over concerns on a reimbursement agreement and further discussion about a host agreement.  We held a public workshop on May 29 where we as a board went through and discussed the host agreement line by line. We inserted a number of changes we as a town wished to have in the language.

On the 24th, myself, a town board member and the town attorney met with representatives of Heritage Wind. The whole purpose was to discuss many issues that we had from our May 29th workshop and to clarify some of the draft host agreement language. Is it finished? No, there will need to be more discussions.

This discussion centered on the language of the host agreement. There was minor discussion about host fees that would be paid to the community.

As was indicated who was in attendance, there was no quorum and the discussion was held in full compliance of Municipal Law. We as your elected officials are working very hard for everyone in this community to ensure that Barre gets the best results if and when wind turbines come to town.

Sean P. Pogue, Ed.D.

Barre Town Supervisor

Editor:

I received a letter from the Village of Albion on Tuesday. Apparently new water meters are being installed. This was news to me. Perhaps this is old news to some. Perhaps others received the same letter today.

But what I find more interesting is that the letter essentially said that if I did not comply with getting this meter installed by July 31, I would be sued. I allegedly received “previous” notification about the installation of new meters, and it seems I ignored that notification.

This letter from the village did not say when or how I received this notification. Perhaps it was a news release I missed. Perhaps a certified letter that I tossed out. Maybe it was on my water bill?

Well, I can honestly say if I saw a request to get this meter installed, I would have done it. But my friendly reminder was, “do it or we will sue you.” So I guess I’m going to call and get my new meter installed. Why wouldn’t I?

I mean I get a new meter, and I don’t get sued. Oh and by the way the letter arrived one day after getting a receipt for my village taxes, paid in full. The irony is thick. I had just asked my wife, when I received the taxes paid receipt, “what exactly do we get with these taxes?” We get police protection, and fire protection, and…..ummm. ..oh right we get a new water meter, and we don’t get sued. Now I know why I live in the village, I think.

Sincerely,

Ken Degnan

Albion

Editor:

When a man or woman pursues a profession as an athletic director or coach, they willingly and knowingly submit themselves to a life of unbridled criticism. For every decision they make there are those who will publicly analyze and criticize those decisions. Everyone is an arm-chair quarterback who has the right to question every move and to share their respective analyses and perceived competency.

In Lyndonville, the Board of Education has done one better. They no longer look at evaluations by the Superintendent or recommendations made by the Superintendent. They simply act on their own personal agenda. This has never been clearer over the last three years until the time when two longtime coaches and now the athletic director have been let go after being recommended by Superintendent Jason Smith.

Like Jeff Gress and Jim O’Connor before him, Lee Dillenbeck was not hired back by the district after 18 years of outstanding service. Dillenbeck was recommended by Smith, his recent direct supervisor (changed in 2017), to the Board after receiving an exemplary evaluation. However, the board voted 4 to 3. They gave no reason for this vote nor do they have to. They can vote any way they want without having to give our community any reason for this unexpected and unrecommended departure.

Lee has given everything to this district over the last 23 years. He has been an elementary and high school physical education teacher, soccer coach for both the JV and Varsity teams, basketball coach for the JV and Varsity teams, Softball coach JV and Varsity teams, ran the youth basketball program, and served as district athletic director. He even stepped in to do the dean of students job for six years to save a full-time position in his department. He has been and will continue to be the consummate professional.

The community needs to realize what the truth is. Lee did nothing wrong. If he did do anything wrong it is giving all that he had to a position he loves, taking time away from his five kids, wife and family to make sure the students, athletes, coaches and community had everything they need to be successful. In the eyes of the Lyndonville Board of Education this seems to be a bad thing because Jeff Gress and Jim O’Connor did the same and suffered the same fate.

Having worked with Lee for the past 22 years, as a teacher and  as a coach of the Varsity Baseball team for the past 18 years, I can honestly say our success is due to his leadership. So please come out and show your support for Lee, ask questions, speak up and be heard.

This is our community, we cannot sit silent, leaving the room empty and the Board answering to nobody. We as long-time members of a great community can no longer let a Board make decisions based on their own personal agendas. We need to be present in that room supporting the future of our Lyndonville family and our future Tigers.

The next Board Meeting is July 1 at 7 p.m. in the High School Library.

Shane Price

Lyndonville resident

Lyndonville Teachers’ Association President

Teacher (22 years)

Varsity Baseball Coach

Editor:

The Mueller Report stated that Paul Manafort, President Trump’s campaign manager, shared polling data with Konstantin Kilimnik, who the FBI assesses to have ties to Russian intelligence. Furthermore, the Mueller Report states that leaked documents, stolen from the Democratic National Committee, were timed to undermine the 2016 Presidential election and harm candidate Clinton.

The Mueller Report also states, “The investigation did not always yield admissible information or testimony, or a complete picture of the activities undertaken by subjects of the investigation. Some individuals invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and were not, in the Office’s judgment, appropriate candidates for grants of immunity. The Office limited its pursuit of other witnesses and information – such as information known to attorneys or individuals claiming to be members of the media – in light of internal Department of Justice Policies.”

Since the Mueller Report did not fully pursue witnesses and testimony and we know Russia systematically interfered with our democratic elections it is time for a fully televised investigation.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

We need a sheriff who not only knows the Constitution, but understands what it actually means, and will uphold it fully.

We need a sheriff who knows what the original intent of his office was—to protect us from any and all persons and agencies who would infringe on our Constitutional rights.

We need a sheriff who knows that he is the highest power in the county and is not afraid to take that position for our sake.

We need a sheriff who understands that he has an office of the people, not a department of the county.

We need a sheriff who grew up in, lives in, and works in our county and intimately knows our community, our ways, and our needs.

We need a sheriff who coordinates our social service agencies and groups to accomplish the goal of securing our health and well-being.

We need a sheriff who treats us with care and concern, using discretion when necessary, and enacting fairness in every situation.

We need a sheriff we can be confident will not run roughshod over us, abuse us physically or verbally, or use his position to intimidate us.

We need a sheriff who will not bow to the wishes of those in political office, no matter the repercussions, because he knows he works for us.

We need a sheriff who will do everything in his power to keep us safe and secure.

We need a sheriff with the integrity to command the divisions in his office honestly and fairly.

We need a true Constitutional Protective Sheriff, as he was originally intended to be by our founding fathers.

That sheriff will be Chris Bourke, who has been working in a Constitutional Sheriff’s office and fully understands and embraces the tenets of that office. He will defend us to the full extent of his power and he is not afraid to face down the dragons that would destroy our liberty. He is a man of courage and integrity, as well as personable and sympathetic. He will combine the full knowledge and skills of his profession with the desire to keep us safe, healthy, and at peace.

Judith Larkin

Ridgeway