Editor:

While it is fair to say that radical left-wing forces used this year’s Legislature in favor of seemingly everyone but the law-abiding middle-class, end of session negotiations yielded a $100 million relief package for Lake Ontario flood victims, an expansion of the State and Municipal Facilities program to aid local governments, such as shoreline communities, and a reinstatement of our Extreme Winter Recovery Funds – used to repave and revamp damaged roads and highways.

We fought diligently to expose the malfeasance behind the agenda of downstate politicians this year who pushed driver’s licenses for illegals, easing of marijuana laws and a slew of protections for criminals and those accused of crimes.

Despite these challenges, I am honored to have led the fight to protect our Gold Star families and ensure spouses and dependents of deceased military heroes receive the benefits they deserve.

I look forward to attending countless community events, meetings and functions this summer and fall – talking and listening to constituents and building a better understanding of their needs and desires to start 2020 off better than ever.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia

Hawley represents the 139th District, which consists of Genesee, most of Orleans and part of Monroe County.

Editor:

As one of two Republican candidates for Orleans County Sheriff, much has been written in the weeks and months leading up to Tuesday’s Republican primary. I wanted to establish the record straight on a few matters, offer my platforms to the public again and take this opportunity to thank everyone for the overwhelming support they’ve shown me during this campaign.

I am the father of two adult sons who lives in a house in the Town of Carlton that I built with my own two hands. I am a 27-year member of the Orleans County community. I was born and raised in Lockport, the son of a Lockport Police Department Detective and a medical clerk at the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office. I was a police officer in the Lockport Police Department for four years before transferring to the Rochester Police Department.

I have been a police officer for over 31 years, and police supervisor for 22. I currently hold the rank of sergeant and am the Supervising Sergeant of the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Taskforce (G.R.A.N.E.T.). For the last 14 years, I have been a team leader for the Rochester PD SWAT Team. I served our country in the New York Army National Guard in the field of Military Intelligence. I have served on the board of directors for a substance abuse counseling clinic, Huther Doyle, for the last 18 years. It is not much smaller in size and budget as the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. During my 7 year tenure as board chairman, I navigated the agency through some very challenging times and gained vast administrative experience. I was directly involved in securing both state and federal grants, meeting with county and state officials and the hiring of a new CEO. 

My diverse leadership experience makes me fully capable to head Orleans County’s largest law enforcement agency. My decades of leadership experience includes involvement in over 1,000 critical incidents. Officers do not follow me because of the rank on my sleeve, but rather because I have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience to make the right decisions that not only protect and benefit them, but more importantly safeguard the general public. I understand the nuances of providing law enforcement to smaller rural and suburban areas that are impacted by the influx of crimes and drug trafficking that originate in larger urban centers because I currently do it. I have experienced it all. Making our county safer will be at the forefront of every decision I make as sheriff of Orleans County. I will always put people before politics. 

While I have plans to improve all six divisions of the OCSO, these are my main priorities:

• Push back the Opioid Epidemic – This is the largest public health crisis we will ever see. As sheriff, I would work collaboratively with the Orleans County Major Felonies Crime Task Force, as I do now. Unlike the current administration, there will be no feuds. Over the years, I personally executed narcotics search warrants in Orleans County, and worked consistently with the task force. Through first-hand experience, I understand the devastation drugs bring to families and communities. I have long known that many of those who break into vehicles or burglarize homes are addicts looking to fuel their addictions. I also know we will never arrest our way out of an epidemic of this proportion and society is best served when people devastated by addiction are made whole again. A strong prevention piece will also be key to stopping addiction before it starts.

• Create safer roads and towns – In a 2017 statewide traffic report developed from NYS Department of Motor Vehicle statistics, it was determined that Orleans County had the most unsafe roads in the entire state when it comes to serious physical injury, fatal and alcohol-related crashes. I have maintained all along that I am not looking to ticket honest, hardworking folks. I will rid the roads of those that put our families’ safety at risk. The drivers with no or suspended licenses, with no insurance, driving at dangerously high speeds, intoxicated/impaired to the point where they are bound to crash. I don’t think anyone wants these people on our roads.

• Unify regional law enforcement – As the Orleans County Sheriff, I will take the lead role in reestablishing the relationships with our regional law enforcement agencies by forming a Law Enforcement Council. This will allow agency heads to meet on a regular basis and face our challenges on a unified front. We will regularly train with our partner agencies which will build a cohesive countywide law enforcement approach that best serves our community. This will also save taxpayer dollars.

• Increase moral for all employees – I will establish an awards program that recognizes those who go above and beyond in their service to our community. There will no longer be an A team and B team. There will be one team in which everyone gets treated fairly and has self-worth.

• Improve the Animal Control Service – No longer will you be told to either shelter or release a stray dog during off hours. These family pets will be transported to the shelter where they will be reunited with their owners.

Over the years I have brought awareness and raised in excess of $80,000 for the following charitable organizations: Special Olympics New York, Veterans Outreach Center, Huntington’s disease, US Navy Special Warfare Fund, Rochester Police Foundation and the family of a RPD officer who died unexpectedly. It is important for community leaders to set the example of philanthropy, which I will most certainly continue if elected Orleans County Sheriff. Community outreach and philanthropy is also an effective way for law enforcement to build relationships in neighborhoods and towns.

I have witnessed the ugly side of politics and often get asked how I keep my composure when people take cheat shots at me or tell half-truths. Years ago, I disrupted a street level drug network so bad that I became the proverbial thorn in their side. It was the busiest drug market in the city. During enforcement action, an elderly woman a few doors down would often peak through her curtains and give me a “thumbs up.” I often thought how I would feel if that was my grandmother. The drug leader became so angry with me that he put a bounty on my head and, on a relatively calm summer night, cowards attempted to collect on it by ambushing me. They fired three shots from across a street with one narrowly missing my head. Life is about perspective and keyboard bullies can never hurt me.

My largest frustration and disappointment has been my opponent’s unwillingness to publicly debate me. He has declined three separate debate invitations (Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, David Bellavia and me). Why would a candidate not want to publicly champion their values, service record and platform?

I believe the success of an organization hinges on effective leadership. I am a passionate law enforcement leader who loves Orleans County. I am confident that my leadership as Orleans County Sheriff will have a direct and positive impact on our community.

 Respectfully,

Brett A. Sobieraski

Carlton 

Editor:

This is response to Scott Smith’s letter to the Orleans Hub on June 19. I’d like to break it down just a bit. His letter is in response Bob Lonsberry’s endorsement of Brett. Mr. Smith’s first line in his letter was, “Bob, you don’t get it.” Wrong. Bob gets it, you don’t.

Everything Bob Lonsberry said about Brett is 100 percent accurate. The two most important things he said were, “Brett Sobieraski won’t let you down” and “Brett Sobieraski doesn’t let anybody down.” That’s what you can expect from him every single day.

Mr. Smith then goes on to say that, “Bob Lonsberry admires the guy because he can run long distances and carries a gun to work.” Well Mr. Smith, I think he admires him for why he ran long distances and swam the width of Lake Ontario. He did it for charity. He raised over $80,000. He seeks no personal glory. He likes to help people. That’s who he is, that’s what he does.

You also stated that Brett was an outsider. Once again you’re wrong. He’s lived in Orleans County for 27 years and built his house in Kent with his own two hands. Just because he has worked for the RPD for the last 30 years doesn’t mean he doesn’t love this county and the welfare of its people. To think otherwise is ludicrous.

Ask the older farmer from a couple of summers ago that was bailing hay by himself on a sweltering day while Brett was out for a run. The farmer would do a couple of bales, hop off his tractor and load them on the wagon then get back on the tractor to do a few more. Brett saw him struggling so he ran back to his house, got some gloves and help him bale his hayfield. That’s who he is, that’s what does. You can not question his integrity.

Mr. Smith also asked whether we liked what we see when we look outside the window. I like the serenity but I don’t like what Orleans County has become with the opioid epidemic we’re facing. Brett Sobieraski has a plan for that and it’s a good one. One that will work. He’s more than qualified to be our sheriff. Just read his campaign ad right here on the Hub.

There’s a lot more to this man and all the good things he has done that I can ever write in an e-mail. The only thing you did get right in your letter Mr. Smith, is when you said, “Do the right thing Orleans County.” Doing the right thing would be to vote for Brett Sobieraski as the next Orleans County Sheriff.

Tim Jurhs

Kendall

Editor:

I served in the military for 28 years with multiple combat tours and believe strongly in our country’s foundation. I, like many of my friends, fought to protect the freedoms guaranteed in our constitution and Bill of Rights – the civil liberties such as freedom of speech and protection from governmental oppression.

Moreover many of my friends, including my best friend, gave their lives to protect the freedoms our nation cherishes. However, a disturbing situation recently occurred and remains ongoing in the campaign for Orleans County sheriff which violates many rights my comrades served to protect.

One of our country’s most essential rights remains the ability for individuals to choose who they support during an election, free from coercion regarding their choice. Whether a person chooses to be liberal, conservative, democrat or republican, they have an assured protection from our government with regards to their political stance. This freedom remains essential to maintain democracy.

Moreover, my military career enabled my travel to numerous countries where firsthand I observed coercion and oppression in political elections. These actions violate the rights we Americans cherish but often take for granted. Such political oppression now exists in Orleans County.

Some members of the current Orleans County Sheriff’s Department are employing political pressure against individuals supporting Brett for sheriff to the point of harassing individuals for having “Brett for Sheriff” signs in their yards. These actions are contrary to American ideals and protections guaranteed in our constitution sealed with patriots’ blood to protect those freedoms.

During all my years of service I could not imagine a situation wherein members of a government entity would employ intimidation to achieve a political end. Law enforcement officials dedicate their service to protecting all citizens, not just those who support their political ideals.

Some may argue that is their right to campaign for their candidate and I wholeheartedly agree.  However, intimidation, coercion and oppressive actions by members of a governmental organization not only violate ethics but subvert our constitutional foundation.

Moreover, when people feel they cannot back whom they choose to support without prejudice or fear of reprisal, something is wrong. All those that served desire a fair election, we served to protect the rights of all individuals.

I believe service in the Sheriff’s Department is similar to military service protecting individuals regardless of their political stance. Regardless, who wins, that person will be my sheriff and will have the respect garnered by that position.

However, if the future sheriff wins via intimidation and coercion, then will not only my respect be lost, but I will seriously question my and my fellow service-members’ sacrifice.

Keith McKinney

US Army retired

Lyndonville

Editor:

I should start by saying that I am Joseph Root, Dale and Helen Root’s son. Dale Root is running for town of Shelby highway supervisor. So yes, I have some bias in the topic, but I’m not here to talk about the highway superintendent election.

I’m here to simply say that I am proud of you, Dale Root, and also thank you and mother for being our parents. You two have raise three pretty respectable children. We have had some pretty amazing times and some downright tough times, but I challenge you to show me a family that has not.

Dale Root has owned two businesses longer than I have been alive. And I now know why and how you did what you had to. You would leave Sunday night with the semi-truck and return home Thursday morning maybe Friday, only to work countless hours on the farm while home.

You punished your body across million miles of roads and highways at night so you could work on the farm during the day light. With what time you had left for us kids, you taught us the value of a dollar, and hard work (my wife would probably argue too much time was spent on the hard working part). Also to never lie cheat or steal.

You showed us compassion when mother was digging out a sliver which seemed to be a mile deep in our hand, or when one of our animals would die. Responsibility was a later lesson with the phase ” feed before feeding” which meant you better feed the livestock before you yourself go home to eat. You would get us out of bed to go to work especially if we had been out late the night before (I believe you enjoyed that part).

With all that going on you still beat the odds that a small family apple farm would not make it in today world. Thank you for finding a way to keep it alive for your children and grandchildren. Many years having to harvest current year’s crop before being fully being paid for the past’s year crop.

To have the strength to look into your wife’s eyes some years and tell her that she couldn’t buy all the Christmas gifts that the children wanted because taxes had to be paid. For fitting an extra 20 hours into an already 70-hour week, only to look across the room at disappointment in a child’s eyes for you wouldn’t be able to make that games, dance recital, FFA meeting or 4H show.

I now know. Thank you Dale and Helen Root

Respectfully, your son,

Joseph Root

Shelby

Editor:

It would be unfair to Murray residents if I didn’t refute a few of the points made by Mr. Wood. He is correct in that there are 10 towns in Orleans County, and Murray does have a $4.83 tax rate for town taxes (for outside-village residents. It’s $3.06 for village property owners.).

The range of taxes is actually $2.76 to $9.18. (Click here to see the town tax rates in Orleans County.) Albion has the lowest at $2.76 and Barre the highest at $9.18. (Village residents in Yates pay a $2.60 rate.)

Murray would be No. 7 on the list out of the ten for highest tax rates with a $4.83 rate.

I would also like to point out that just because tax rates may of laid flat, tax bills did not. Through a series of reassessments in the last few years, including my 2019 reassessment that was over a 10 percent hike, will further entrench me and my family with brutal tax bills.

I would also like to point out that in the last few months our town has been hit with separation agreements from an improperly removed employee and also has a pending lawsuit of negligence on its hands which we the taxpayers are going to be accountable for. What will our taxes look like when this all comes out?

Mr. Wood, I thank you for your 25-plus years of service. It’s not an easy position to be in, but we shouldn’t try to sugar coat what is going on in our town.  We as a town are bleeding money and it’s coming out of the pockets of the residents.

Adam Moore

Holley

Editor:

Republicans voters on Tuesday will go to the polls to choose who will head the ticket. For sheriff you can vote for Christopher M. Bourke, a constitutional sheriff. He will work for the people. The other guy will accommodate the DA’s Office and the County Legislature. He promises in his ads to turn the Sheriff’s Department into ticket pushers. Will our deputies be reduced to hiding behind billboards and trolling parking lots for bad stickers on grandma’s truck? Nothing in his ads about lowering your taxes or saving and protecting our 2nd Amendment gun rights from an all intrusive State Government.

Do the voters want an aggressive, table-pounding superman fundraiser that’s worked his entire career in another county with murders every weekend and can’t stop the drugs from flowing over the border into our county from his own stomping grounds? He claims he’s in charge of that job. He’s going to keep us safe? No sir, we need a professional sheriff for the people like Christopher M. Bourke and one who doesn’t think it would be controversial to say who his under-sheriff will be.

In Murray you can vote for Joseph Sidonio for Town Supervisor and Dirk Lammes for Town Councilman. They will work for you, the people. Or you can vote for the incumbents who fight hard to maintain the old-guard status quo. Time to term limit these two incumbents.

In Ridgeway you can vote David M. Stalker. He will end the cronyism, back room deals, meeting law violations and foolish spending. Or vote for the long-time incumbent that has consistently presided over the second highest taxes in the region. Term limits are long overdue here.

In Shelby you can vote for Dale S. Root for change and private sector, money-saving common sense application of ideas or you can vote for the comfortable incumbent and it shows by all the bright red shiny new equipment. Term limits are needed badly.

In Clarendon you can vote for Tracy B. Chalker for Highway Superintendent. He is the clear choice, highly qualified to do the job. A fresh race with new challengers.

Keep in mind in the main election on Nov. 6 the Conservative-endorsed candidates: Mark L. Wambach for Shelby Town Justice, Kerri A. Richardson for Barre Town Councilwoman and Dr. Mary R. Neilans for Gaines Town Councilwoman

These are the candidates that the Orleans County Conservative Party Committee interviewed and we feel will keep in check the political shenanigans and be mindful of your tax dollars. We are the party of term limits. Twelve years in any one position and no or no more endorsements. So Republicans you have a choice. Elect people who will work for you or elect bureaucrats that will serve themselves and government. It’s your money at stake here. Do you want to keep more of it or do you enjoy having less of it. Get up. Get out. Go Vote.

Thank you,

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman

Editor:

I’m writing this letter in support of re-electing Brian Napoli for Town Supervisor in Ridgeway. Having worked for the Town of Ridgeway Highway Department for over 33 years and under six  different town supervisors, Brian Napoli has been one of the most open, honest and available supervisors that I’ve worked with.

He’s been instrumental in helping us keep our highway equipment updated, moving forward with town-wide water, and other projects that benefit the town, while still being fiscally responsible.

The town is fortunate to have such an honest, hard-working and knowledgeable person as Brian as its current supervisor. Hopefully when the taxpayers of Ridgeway vote on Tuesday, they will vote for a proven successful supervisor.

Tim Feldman

Town of Ridgeway

Editor:

Soon Orleans County residents will be given the opportunity to select their next sheriff. I write this letter to encourage voters to take the time to learn about candidate Brett Sobieraski.

Brett is a long-time Orleans County resident living in Kent. He has lived in Orleans County for more than 27 years. He raised his sons in Kendall where they graduated from high school and have each become very good men.

Brett’s character, integrity, passion and commitment to his/our community is so evident thought his involvement with organizations such as the Special Olympics, the Veterans Outreach Center Huntington’s disease fundraising, Huther Doyle – a substance abuse counseling clinic, All In All The Time Foundation (provides immediate response to the needs of Naval Special Warfare families). He also is the founder and president of the not-for profit organization, Limitless Racing Inc. (a racing event for children with disabilities).

Brett spent many years as an assistant wrestling coach for Kendall Youth Wrestling. Being a wrestling coach for kids from age 4 all the way through high school is quite a commitment.

Coaching kids at practices during the week and coaching at wrestling tournaments on the weekends throughout the county provided Brett a great opportunity to mentor children and get to know the towns and schools throughout Orleans County. An added benefit that I know Brett is extremely proud of was the opportunity to mentor young people and watch them become young successful adults.

Orleans Hub recognized Brett as an Outstanding Citizen at an annual awards program in 2018. This recognition is for those people who have made a big impact in the community.

Brett has been and is such a strong advocate for his/our community.

He truly loves his home, this county. He is a highly skilled law enforcement professional, a leader, as well as an engaging and compassionate man, everything we should expect from our sheriff. He will be a great servant for his/our community.

Dan Wiler

Albion

Editor:

I am the proud daughter of Mike Fuller, the Shelby highway superintendent. There was a mailer received Saturday by many Shelby residents from my dad’s opponent. While my dad has continually kept his campaign clean and focused on himself, I feel the need to clear up some untruths printed by the opposition.

1. Root states no politician should be in office for more than 40 years. If he had done his homework, or had his funders do it, they would see that Mike Fuller has been in office for 14 years, not 40.

2. Mike Fuller doesn’t see himself as the “politician” Root tries to make him seem. My dad will always say that he works for the people. He is not a “yes man” to the Town Board.

3. This leads to the statement of Root implying there is a fractured relationship between my dad and the board. Anyone who has met my dad knows he is an easygoing person and gives people multiple chances. With this being said, he knows how to do his job and will not be bullied, by the board, or anyone.

4. Root’s slogan has been “We need change.” Okay, but he never can give us a good example of the change he would implement. I have been door to door with my dad a lot this election season. I’ve only seen people applauding his work.

5. Root keeps saying he is this great businessman, but is he?

Election season is always very hard when your family member is on the hot seat. I know that I see my dad working 24/7/365 for the Town of Shelby. He loves this community where he was born and raised. He is not a yes man, he is a get down in the trenches and work with his guys man. He plows, he mows the cemeteries, he weed eats, he paves, he drives truck, he uses a shovel. He also works with the Town Board, does the budget, pays the bills and God knows what else.

One thing that sticks out for me about my dad’s character and work ethic is this: One summer Sunday I went to my parent’s house and my dad wasn’t home. My mom said he went to mow the cemeteries his guys didn’t get to during the week. Now, instead of saving it for Monday when his guys got there, he was doing it. He was saving your money. Remember, it doesn’t matter how many hours my dad works, he is salaried. I truly believe the Town of Shelby is more than getting their monies worth out of Mike Fuller.

Please remember to vote this Tuesday. Ask yourself: will Dale Root mow your loved one’s cemetery plot on a Sunday? Will Dale Root pitch in and plow roads to keep your family safe?

I know Mike Fuller will!

Sincerely,

Amy S. Herman

Shelby