Editor:

We need new leadership on the Town Board of Yates. Having narrowly missed winning the Republican primary, I am compelled to run a write-in campaign for town supervisor. I am willing to do it in order to serve all Yates residents regardless of party affiliation.

A significant majority of the residents of Yates are against Apex’s Lighthouse Wind project. I am convinced that Yates is opposed to Apex and loss of home rule after hosting a debate for and against industrial wind turbines at Genesee Community College; by going door-to-door the past eight weeks and speaking to hundreds of residents about the Apex proposal; by closely reading the hundreds of comments on the Public Service Commission website about the project; by seeing the hundreds of no-wind-turbine lawn signs across our town; and by listening to the public comments made by concerned residents at town board meetings these past 9 months.

Our Town Board found out about Apex in October of 2014. If I had been the town supervisor then, I would have been shocked to learn that Apex had secretly signed leases before the Town Board even knew they were in town.

I would have pushed for a resolution declaring a halt to all further discussions with Apex until they signed the NYS Wind Ethics code. For our town supervisor to claim there is nothing that can be done is very troubling. Meanwhile, Apex continues to sign leases behind our backs and refuses to sign the wind ethics code.

The Yates Town Board agreed on Aug. 13 to conduct a survey in order to gauge the will of the people. This was a welcome step, but long overdue. Our neighboring Town of Somerset decided to do a survey and had the design, development, implementation and publication of the results completed within 4 weeks.

In Somerset, 67 percent of respondents are against Apex’s proposal! That was in May. Had I been the town leader with such a monumental decision facing our town, I would have immediately launched a parallel survey effort to match Somerset.

No action was taken in Yates for 5 months. Now, over a month has passed since the decision was made to do the Yates survey, and we were told on Sept. 9 that it could be several more weeks before the survey is even written and months before the results are available. This is unacceptable.

If elected, I will establish a Business Development Committee to help us seek ways to attract businesses. I will institute a community-wide Renewable Energy Task Force to explore alternative energy sources like solar, geothermal, micro-wind and other forms of clean energy. I will seek grant funding to enhance our town park with restrooms and a playground. I will try to leverage USDA Rural Development funds to extend clean water to all town residents.

I will stop Apex and the State from industrializing our town against our will.
My town is worth serving. I ask for your vote.

James Simon
Yates

Editor:

I am concerned about the dysfunction in our Sheriff’s Department. The nasty airing of laundry from active employees in support of one candidate or the other was just plain inappropriate.

How can these men continue to work together for the good of our county if there are such differences between them?

Two points I wish to make here.

1) I think that it would be more appropriate for candidates to step away from their positions to campaign for elected office. I also think that government employees should not be allowed to campaign for any candidate. The only candidate that should not have to step away from current position would be an official running for re-election!

2) I am glad that there is a third candidate that has no previous relationship to the current department. Perhaps a breath of fresh air is needed to rehabilitate a department in disarray.

Sincerely,

Dayton Hausman
Medina

Editor:

Regarding the effort by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley with the Lake Ontario State Parkway: I would like to commend Hawley on his interest in improving the Parkway.

Sounds like the assemblyman was provoked into action by irate constituents. While I’m not a constituent, my family and friends pay property taxes in both Monroe and Orleans counties. We use the Parkway weekly three seasons a year, and monthly over the winter months.

But Hawley’s solution for the deterioration the Parkway is misguided. Perhaps he should read the state Moto “EXCELSIOR” (Ever Upward). By shutting down the northbound lane (west bound), it would remove the most scenic parts of the parkway in Orleans County – not to mention, making it private lands for the few, not the many, as first intended by Robert Moses.

Instead the assemblyman should use his levers of power to make sure proper funding for maintenance is in the State Budget. So we, New Yorkers, continue to enjoy the Seaway Trail, a National Scenic Byway in this jurisdiction, as a world-class byway.

This could be accomplished by Hawley and other Western New York state legislators, lobbying for proper maintenance and improvement funding, such as adding a few scenic rest stops close to the lake, with fishing piers and benches to watch sunsets.

With those improvements maybe more tourists will head to Point Breeze, and other Orleans County destinations while on a wonderful scenic drive.

Respectfully,

Timothy J. Flavin
Rochester

Editor:

Just recently I had a letter to the editor published expressing my disappointment with how law enforcement leaders handled the situation at the local mosque.

Now I would like to say that I applaud our law enforcement officials for bringing the Hate Crime charges against the individuals for the terrible acts that they committed. I believe that these charges are appropriate and send the message that these crimes will not be tolerated in our community.

I hope to see the individuals convicted and I also hope to see the World Sufi Foundation and their community grow stronger in the face of adversity, as they have done many times before.

To our law enforcement leaders – thank you for sending a message.

To the World Sufi Foundation – keep being great!

Sincerely,

James White
Gaines
Candidate for Orleans County Legislature

Editor:

Though Hollywood producers seem obsessed with films focusing on apocalyptic events, in the real world the human race has to take a longer view.

It is either take the long view, or act in such a short-sighted manner as to help fulfill the predictions of doomsday prophets.

The Sept. 15 “Sustainability Fair” at Holy Family Parish’s Lyceum (5:30 p.m.) will provide numerous perspectives on better securing our long-term future as residents of “Mother Earth.”

The first thing I wrote alerting people to the “Sustainability Fair” focused on economic sustainability in food production. Some may have concluded from that discussion that individual self-sufficiency in food production might be ideal. For most people who live in the “developed” world, the concept of individual self-sufficiency is unrealistic, even if one thinks of it as ideal.

Sustainability of food production systems is directly related to the impact of those systems on the environment humans have to live in. Forcing crop cultivation into areas too arid to support it backfired in the 1930’s Dust Bowl.

Growing the same crop on the same ground indefinitely is a risky proposition. Failure to strip crop or, in more hilly tropical areas, failure to terrace fields can be a recipe for food shortages and failed farms. Agricultural experts at Iowa State University have suggested severe flooding in the Midwest may be related to over-reliance on corn as a cash crop.

In deciding how we go about producing the food that we must have, we certainly benefit from considering the effect food production methods have on our environment. An approach which devastated the biological allies we depend on would be short-sighted and, ultimately, catastrophic.

There are areas where so-called “second-generation” rodenticide use is prevalent enough that, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology publication, “Living Bird,” raptors consuming poisoned rats, voles and mice die as a result. Without the aid of raptors, environmental deterioration would be inevitable.

One of the premier “mousers” is the red fox. Having too many fox(es) certainly has a big downside. Without a healthy raptor population and no foxes, the result might well be far less agricultural productivity due to rodent-related losses. Habitat preservation is vital to maintaining needed balance.

Any practice that upsets a reasonable natural balance can result in unacceptable alternatives whether they be greater reliance on poison, or reduced food production, either of which would be unsustainable.

Often overlooked allies in the struggle for sustainable food production are the lowly amphibians. A single garden toad was estimated to be worth almost 20 1947 dollars! While that raised my eyebrows when I read it, there is no doubt that toads and frogs can be invaluable allies to anyone attempting to grow food.

As an amphibian admirer since the age of 4 (we make special provisions for them), I can say without equivocation, that 2015 has to be number one in leopard frog reproduction in my experience. There is, nonetheless, reason to be concerned about the long-term viability of our amphibians.

The health of Orleans County’s raptor population (kestrels, hawks, eagles and owls) and, perhaps, its amphibians as well, suggests that, at least here, we are doing pretty well. The healthy coexistence between people and some of their more important allies on the food production sustainability front seems relatively intact.
The challenge is for us to sustain that coexistence for the long-term.

Gary F. Kent
Albion

Editor:

I was reading the Sept. 6 issue of the Lake Country Pennysaver. Amongst the myriad of political advertisements in the sheriff primary race was the column, “To Protect and Serve”. The fifth section down was a story of a 42-year-old man arrested for a variety of DWI charges of the most serious type.

He allegedly was drinking in the vehicle, scoring a BAC of more than three times the illegal limit. State Troopers observed him driving recklessly (changing lanes unsafely, and failure to keep right). This means as he drove he was heading right for you, your family, your teenager, your friends. Thank God no one was hurt.

He was processed by law enforcement and given appearance tickets to return to Barre Town Court on September 17. Yes, I said “appearance tickets.” Nothing will stop this man from drinking and driving in the mean time except his good judgment and common sense, which he seems to possess very little of.

One of my best friends was killed by a drunk driver while that driver was waiting for a court appearance. I would like to know why this man was not jailed right away pending court. Remember, the title of the news column was “To protect and serve”. Hardly.

As we get wrapped up in the excitement of upcoming elections, let us not forget we have a responsibility to make sure those already in elected office are doing their jobs. Letting a public danger drive around drunk doesn’t make it. He should have been jailed pending bail. That would have been the safe thing to do.

With all respect,

Al Capurso
Gaines

Editor:

Chris Bourke and I have the knowledge, experience, and desire to serve the people of Orleans County. The time is now to give the Office of Sheriff back to the people.

For those of you who have witnessed our campaign over the past eight months, I pledge to you that we will have the same work ethic, drive, and accessibility as your sheriff and undersheriff that has been present in our campaign efforts.

It is a team approach I am bringing to the Office of Sheriff, and you are a part of the team. As the People’s Sheriff, I will focus my service on the people and be an effective advocate for Orleans County. When necessary, I will lobby Albany and our local governments for our public safety needs. We don’t work for the State of New York or any special interests; we work for you, the people of Orleans County. We are a team opposed to the SAFE Act.

Chris and I will work as hard for you as we have with this campaign for sheriff. As lifelong Orleans County residents, coupled with our 60 years of experience, we have a keen awareness of your public safety needs. It is that awareness along with our transparency, availability, and responsiveness that set us apart from my opponent.

My opponent, who is third in command of the department, along with Steve Smith, who is second in command, have occupied these leadership roles for the past eight-plus years. I ask you this – how are they doing? Are they approachable? Are you satisfied with their effectiveness or is it time for a change?

There are two unions that comprise the department’s workforce, and I am proud to have garnered the endorsements of both. It means a lot to me that those hard-working men and women, with their boots on the ground daily, have put their faith in me.

The team is in place to execute our comprehensive plan featuring attainable objectives that will improve all five divisions of the department, at no additional cost to the taxpayers.

In response to a question posed to me many times, “will the county have to buy you a special vehicle at a high taxpayer expense?” The answer is no. I drive a Chrysler minivan. The hand controls are $800 paid for by Chrysler Mobility Program. My vehicle costs less than a patrol car.

I have absolutely loved the entire process of this campaign and meeting all of the great people of Orleans County. Over the past eight months you have inspired me, motivated me, and encouraged me that change for the best is possible.

In closing, I am truly blessed to live a life with great family, friends, and co-workers. I am running for sheriff to serve you, the people of Orleans County, and together we can make our public safety great.

Randy Bower
Holley
Candidate for sheriff

Editor:

Yes, it’s a heated race, both weather wise and temperament wise.

Has there been any finger pointing, or demeaning remarks about anyone from Lt. Chris Bourke? I rest my case. The race for sheriff of Orleans County, the most important election in the county this year, is what I am referring to, and is closing in fast.

The Republican Primary is Thursday, Sept. 10, from noon to 9 p.m. Don’t forget.

The two Smiths, Orleans County Undersheriff Steven Smith and his son Todd Smith from Churchville, which is not in Orleans County, have been hasty in rendering disparaging remarks about our Orleans County deputies, and Sheriff candidate Randy Bower’s campaign.

Todd Smith from Churchville made remarks about Randy Bower’s campaign gestures at the St. Rocco’s Italian Festival held in Hulberton on Sunday. I can understand that some folks may have taken issue with some of the campaign rhetoric, such as red shirts with the slogan “Randy Bower Your Sheriff” imprinted on the back. I was proud enough to have worn mine!

For Todd Smith to have written that the attendance was way off because of that incident is a bit over the top. The weather, and the economy had more to do with a lower attendance, if that was the case. People seemed to be coming and going all the time while I was there.

Myself, I like the heat, bring it on, but my wife literally hates it, and I think some people that could afford to support St. Mary’s and St. Mark’s of Kendall stayed home in the air-conditioned house or in the pool.

At events that I have attended, there certainly haven’t been people in the numbers that there has been in previous years. I didn’t see people driving in, and abruptly turn around to go back out, because of the red shirts. I also didn’t happen to notice people on their cell phones calling their friends, and neighbors, and telling them not to bother coming because of the red shirts. People could not form an opinion unless they were physically there.

This is the scenario that I will throw out to you. I believe it possible that if Tom Drennan is elected Sheriff of Orleans County that Steven Smith will remain the Undersheriff. I could be wrong, but I think Tom Drennan is not naming him beforehand because it may have a detrimental effect on his chances to be elected.

How would a person like to work as a commander in a department with personnel that he has literally run into the ground?

Vote for Randy Bower and his Undersheriff Chris Bourke, and give the Orleans County Sheriff deputies some peace of mind while putting their lives on the line protecting all of us, and our families.

Al Lofthouse
Kendall

(Mr. Lofthouse is chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party, which has endorsed Bower for sheriff.)

Editor:

Voter apathy. It isn’t the way that our founding fathers had in mind, but it is the way it has been done for years in Orleans County.

The leaders of the Republican Party hand pick candidates to fill the available positions up for election. No need for a primary because there is no opposition. The general election comes along, the Republicans get the majority of the votes and victory is declared. End of story! Nothing changes.

Don’t blame the party leaders, they know voter apathy when they see it. They have been doing what must be done to keep the local government running. It does not get the best person into office. Your voice isn’t heard. But now there are signs of unrest and change!

Something new is happening in Carlton Township. Status quo is being challenged. Frank Lauta has successfully collected the number of signatures on petitions to have his name appear on the Primary Ballot for Sept. 10 for the position of Town Board member. Party leaders in the mean time of course picked their candidates with the minimum of fanfare . For the first time in memory we have a horse race, not just a rubber stamp election.

Lauta has forced a primary. Lady Luck is on his side. In a drawing at the election office he won the first slot on the primary ballot.

Lauta is not a radical.

He is not a Tea Party candidate.

He is only a man who has lived here for 14 years, looked at the system that is in place and has decided to improve it, for the benefit of all the citizens of Carlton Township.

He wants to be a servant leader. (Visit his website www.Franklauta.com to see examples.)

He is proposing to be an ally of Gayle Ashbery (Town Supervisor) to bring better government to the town. If you want to be part of it, put aside voter apathy and vote on Sept. 10. Vote for Frank! This will get Frank’s name is on the ballot for the general election in November.

How will the voters respond? Will they ignore the primary on Sept. 10 and allow for more of the “same old-same old” or will they cast their vote for change and a brighter future? The clock is ticking, time will tell.

Paul Zeppetella
Kent

Editor:

The Town of Yates has a significant challenge and a monumental opportunity. The challenge is how to take advantage of the green revolution we are witnessing without destroying our town with massive 570-foot tall industrial wind turbines.

The opportunity is to restart the renewable energy conversation and have smart, unbiased experts collaborate with our town. I ask you to consider two issues: economics and solar energy.

Economics: As I go door-to-door talking to folks about the industrial wind turbine proposal of Apex, I find some people who believe that the economic benefits outweigh the negatives. On the one hand, yes – individual land owners who sign leases would benefit, and there would be a certain amount of payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) going to the town.

On the other hand, the economic facts about industrial wind tell another story.

Fact: One out of every three dollars that the Apex’s of the world spend on these projects is taxpayer money. So if it costs a million dollars to build a turbine, why not give the town back the $300,000 and let us pursue efficient and less-intrusive renewable energy?

Fact: The closer the wind turbines are to homes and real estate, the more they negatively affect real estate values. With lower real estate assessments, the town would be receiving less tax revenue. Any offset of town taxes resulting from the PILOT would be quickly dissipated by less tax revenue from property assessments. This is not to mention the land owners who would receive much less than they’d hoped for from the sale of their property before wind turbines were built.

Fact: According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, existing wind turbine projects in New York State only effectively operate 24.7% of the time. Not a good balance sheet regarding cost benefit analysis.

Solar Energy: With SolarCity in Buffalo and the strong possibility of major nanotechnology companies locating just beyond the southern edge of Orleans County in the Science Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park, our area is poised to be a leader with regard to solar energy.

Did you know that – according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory – it takes 32-acres of solar panels to provide electricity for 1,000 homes? No health issues, negligible impact on migratory birds, no reduction of low-level flying areas for C-130s out of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and no massive impact on real estate values in our town.

Now of course we would have to consider that solar energy is only available to be gathered during the day and that we would have to use up a small portion of our farmland (or rooftops) to build such a solar panel system. And certainly it would be costly. But with the technology getting better and cheaper – and with cutting edge companies in our own backyard – we might want to consider alternatives to industrial wind turbines.

Don’t forget to vote on Thursday, Sept. 10, Noon to 9 p.m.

Please vote: Simon – Riggi – Pratt!

Cheers!

Jim Simon
Candidate for Yates Town Supervisor

Editor:

The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight as it relates to the question of Deputy James DeFilipps’ Worker’s Compensation as discussed in his own letter to the editor published September 7, 2015.

As the department head that oversees the Orleans County worker’s compensation program and 207C (worker’s compensation for law enforcement officers), Deputy DeFilipps was approved and had his coverage in effect in full directly following the incident in question.

At no time was there any question whether his case would not be approved nor was there any consideration given to canceling after the approval had been given. The Chief Administrative Officer is the sole decision maker for initial determinations of 207C coverage and gave a verbal approval virtually immediately upon learning of the incident and what had happened to Deputy DeFilipps.

Any claims to the contrary are not consistent with the facts according to the worker’s compensation plan and 207C program at Orleans County.

Sincerely,

John C. Welch, Jr.
Director of Personnel and Self Insurance
County of Orleans

Editor:

Why does the majority of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department back Randy Bower and not their “Top Cop”, or third in command? Some say disgruntled? But the majority? Doubtful!

Not endorsing “one of your own” is a vote of no confidence.

I’ve read the endorsements for Randy Bower that go beyond the Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputies and reach the state level. Why do the men and woman locally and at the state level, who put their lives on the line for us every day, not want to back Tom Drennan – “One of their own”? Are they disgruntled, too?

Several articles have been written endorsing each candidate, and everyone has a favorite based on opinion and work encounters. We can read about what past sheriffs have to say and how they worked with Tom, over 8-plus years ago. But my mind keeps coming up with the same question Why?

Why are the current members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, State Police, Orleans County Employees Association, NYS Law Enforcement Officers Union and others not backing their own?

Why does Tom Drennan have no endorsements? Some say because he didn’t ask for them. He says he didn’t ask for them. Why? If he was a better candidate then why didn’t those endorsements come automatically, especially being “one of their own”?

Across the country police officers are being shot daily. We have our own deputy right here in Orleans County and he backs Randy Bower to lead. Why? Now he puts himself out there to relive that horrible night and give his side of the story and within an hour he is being attacked again, and this time by “his own.” Why? Undersheriff Smith was out of state when the shooting happened so his involvement is all hearsay.

Do we want a leader that has been given the no confidence vote by his colleagues? What will this do to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department? As of the last 48 hours, the letters written, the social media attacks (that are downright insulting and offensive), I don’t see any good coming out of the Sheriff’s Department, and I don’t question the WHY’s anymore. If this is the leadership that goes on, it’s no wonder Mr. Drennan has no endorsements.

These are serious questions we as voters should be asking ourselves when we hit the polls on Sept. 10. And if you don’t have time to ask those questions before you pull the lever on the 10th, then you should ask yourself those questions again and again before November.

Martin Troup
Holley

Editor:

I am a police sergeant and have lived in this community for the past 23 years. My employer does not allow me to make political endorsements however I am able to state facts.

Public safety is the most important aspect for a community. That goes part and parcel with professional service from our law enforcement officers. Look closely at the candidates and judge for yourself their qualifications because quite frankly the buck stops at the sheriff’s desk.

The undersheriff and chief deputy jobs are integral to the operation but the sheriff must have the requisite skills and experience to make important decisions and as well as to lead the organization. Throughout my career I have watched unqualified people being elevated to upper management positions. Without exception it has always ended with disastrous consequences for both the agencies and the communities.

If you ran your own campaign would you self promote or sling mud at your opponent? This truly speaks to character and a key tenet of law enforcement is integrity. You have it or you don’t. There is no middle ground.

I have much respect for my police union. They have negotiated my contracts, represented me admirably when I needed them and fought for my rights. With that being said they have not always represented my beliefs.

Police unions are run by elected officials that have the final say. Do not believe four union officials represent the views of the entire union or at times even the majority. It would be like saying the current president and vice president of the United States represent my views on Iran and Immigration Reform when in reality they don’t.

We, as a community, have a very important job on Sept. 10 and Nov. 3. We have a direct hand in what the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will look like for at least the next four years. Look at the facts and judge for yourself, but most importantly get out and vote.

Brett Sobieraski
Kent

Editor:

It is a blessing to teach and learn more about world religions. When you take the time to inquire of others’ beliefs you find that almost every tradition includes extremes; literalist, fundamentalists, as well as moderate and progressive people of faith. Christianity and Islam are no exception.

As we stand vigil against terrorism as a nation, so should we have zero tolerance for those who terrorize in the name of Jesus.

Rev. Lori Staubitz
Unitarian Universalist minister
Brockport