Editor:

Wednesday night (Oct. 21, 2015) I attended the Orleans County Sheriff’s forum organized by the New York Revolution and the Orleans County chapter of SCOPE at the Albion Elks Lodge.

It was a very well organized forum and both groups should be commended for their professionalism and attention to detail to make this a wonderful educational event. I went there to learn more about the two candidates who are opposing Tom Drennan for the Orleans County sheriff’s position before I cast my vote on Nov. 3.

After an hour and a half of watching these three men answer the questions submitted by the attendees, it reinforced my decision that Tom Drennan is the clear-cut best choice for the sheriff’s position. He answered each question cleanly, professionally and honestly.

There was no dancing around the issues or political rhetoric. There was no “telling the people what they want to hear” and no false promises. His answer to the last question of the night and his closing statement are what left a lasting impression on me as I walked out the door to go home.

The last question of the night was “Why do you feel your choice of undersheriff is the best man for that position?” There was no collective sigh or dramatic pause from Tom Drennan when he stated the name of Brett Sobieraski as his choice for undersheriff. Don Organisciak’s answer was impressive and he simply stated that “You’re not voting for the undersheriff. A sheriff needs to lead by example. You’re the sheriff.” A straightforward response.

Drennan expanded on that statement after Organisciak’s spoke by stating that he wanted this election to be about the sheriff, nothing else. When he felt that by him not naming an undersheriff had become a distraction, he disclosed his choice. He then went on to tell the crowd a brief history of Brett Sobieraski’s background and their plan for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. He made it clear that the undersheriff will work for him. Their 50 years of experience between the two of them make them an impressive duo.

In my opinion, Tom Drennan’s closing statement was unmatched by either candidate. You could tell that the longer that he spoke in his closing statement, it became evident that he was proud of what he’s already accomplished for our county and wants the chance to do more.

He is a calm, cool and collected man by nature and for him to show the passion that he displayed while speaking in his closing statement, well that spoke volumes.

This showed me how much he loved his job, this county and how much he wants to serve as sheriff to make it a safer place for all us. He then went on to state his qualifications, his training and how he worked his way up through the ranks to get this opportunity to be sheriff.

My late father always said “The only job you should ever start at the top is when you’re digging a hole.”

Simply put, Tom Drennan has done it the old-fashioned way: He’s worked for it. Please vote for Tom Drennan on Nov. 3.

Sincerely,

Timothy Jurhs
Kendall

Editor:

I would like to address Mr. Smith’s scathing response to the survey sent out on behalf of SOS. Mr. Smith’s assertions could not be farther from the truth.

In fact, if the Yates Town Board really wanted the truth, they would have conducted their own survey in what should have been a timelier manner. It would seem to me that the information derived from any survey would be imperative to have prior to our upcoming election.

The survey itself, paid for by SOS and distributed and calculated by Lumsden & McCormick, LLC, received a 34 percent response. That response garnered a 77.9 percent response against the APEX Wind project.

All of the responses are available for review by any interested party. Many residents have repeatedly requested that the town conduct a survey such as what was done by this firm and continue to be told they are working on it. I wanted to know before the election what the constituents want and how the candidates feel about those issues.

At the last Town Board meeting, I personally asked Mr. Belson and Mr. Bradley to help me make my decisions for the upcoming election by stating their direction, commitment and position on pending issues before our town. They both would not commit to any direction as a Town Board member.

I understand the neutral direction of the Town Board. However, as a candidate for office, I would expect that the candidates would have some type of position or direction they would want us to know prior to the election.

I was further told that they would have an insert in the Lake Country Pennysaver stating their position. I have reviewed each publication since without finding a position paper for either of these gentlemen.

Back to Mr. Smith’s comments on the survey, unfortunately there will be some people who will believe his untruthful and no fact based assertions. To those folks, I submit, why are these candidates and board members so reluctant to support the will of the majority of their constituents?

We need to ask ourselves, what’s in it for them. As I travel around our town I question the positioning of Mr. Belson’s signs seeking re-election. If Mr. Belson is not in favor of the APEX Project please explain to me why “Fear Not the Wind” signs and his re-election signs are systematically aligned on almost every road in our town.

I would guess if he is not going to put out any type of position paper in a timely manner then his sign placement speaks for itself and I for one have my answer.

Tanis C. Bolick
Lyndonville

Editor:

I am a 38-year resident of Gaines, NY. As a homeowner and taxpayer, I want to applaud Allen Lofthouse and the Moshers for their letters supporting Carol Culhane as town supervisor. I agree with everything they stated.

Going to the monthly board meeting when I can, I have seen the change in management. I have seen my water bills reduced. I have seen fraud exposed and I too, applaud Carol for bringing these issues to the front. Her accomplishments include involvement of every aspect of running a town. She is accessible to the residents all day and into the night.

For many years, I registered as Independent. A few years ago, I realized, being independent doesn’t allow you to vote in the primaries. This is the bottom of the chain and this is where our politics start. So, I changed my registration.

The Gaines Town Board needs a supervisor who will work for the residents. We have that supervisor in Carol. I am only one little voice, but I pray that my neighbors in Gaines will support Carol Culhane as supervisor in the upcoming election.

Are we perfect? Not by a long shot however, this community is the best place to live and the people are wonderful.

Please elect Carol in our upcoming election. She is truly doing a wonderful job.

While I am at it, Mary Nealans was largely responsible for the Comprehensive Law and Dick DeCarlo initiated and got the water in the town of Gaines. They also have my support and my vote.

Sincerely,

Katherine Marsh
Gaines

Editor:

This letter is in response to Tanis Bolick’s letter that was posted Oct. 22.

The assertion that if the Town of Yates Town Board “really wanted the truth, they would have conducted their own survey in what should have been a timelier manner,” could not be farther from the truth.

Our board is acting like responsible government and weighing all the facts before coming out with their stand for or against the wind turbine project.

They have been actively working to create a survey that is impartial and fair. There is a member from SOS (the group against the turbines) as well as a member from Apex (the company proposing the project) and a Town Board member. This is fact. This is the only way to produce a survey that is not skewed to one side or the others’ views.

As to the assertion in the letter, “Why are these candidates and board members so reluctant to support the will of the majority of their constituents?”: They can not support the majority of their constituents until they get the results of the OFFICIAL survey after it is sent out.

In answer to his statement, “If Mr. Belson is not in favor of the APEX Project please explain to me why ‘Fear Not the Wind’ signs and his re-election signs are systematically aligned on almost every road in our town,” I would ask if Tanis Bolick feels that the only issue in our town is the wind turbines?

Many people here support John Belson and it has nothing to do with whether he supports the turbines or not, it has to do with the kind of man he is and the fact that we KNOW he loves our town, knows the history and heartbeat of our town and is one of us. John has no control over what other people support and the fact that his signs are in lawns with the Fear Not the Wind signs has nothing to do with his position on the subject of the wind turbines.

I also wonder that if his assertion that there are Fear Not the Wind signs on almost every road in our town how he can say “Why are these candidates and board members so reluctant to support the will of the majority of their constituents?” Because obviously many, many of the constituents do support the turbines.

John and the rest of the board know that their personal position, (when they do reach a decision on the subject) has nothing to do with whether the turbines come to Yates or not. Like good government officials should they are waiting to get a comprehensive, fair and unbiased view of the ENTIRE town from the results of the official town survey that will go out when all three entities that are creating it can agree on the content.

That is the kind of representation I want in my government, not someone who will bow to special interest groups.

Thank you,

Susan Campbell
Lyndonville

Editor:

I urge Republicans, Democrats and independents to vote for the Conservative-endorsed candidates. Many of you are disenchanted and frustrated with the candidates that are chosen for you and the incumbents that work for their own self-serving interest.

As a resident of the Town of Yates I can’t tell you how incompetently our town has been run for decades. Finally this wind project has brought to light how incompetently, unethical and out-right in violation of town and state law that some of the dealings of this board has been undertaking.

Decades of no supervisors reports, a bookkeeper on the town payroll as an employee that receives all the benefits of a municipal employee yet pays someone else in her firm to do our town books that is NOT a town employee as admitted by the town supervisor in front of a crowd of at least 50 people last meeting.

An unopposed Highway superintendent that for 20 years left the roads in this town in the winter time in such a dangerous, deadly condition. Many accidents were never even reported.

I kept writing letters to the town pointing out how incompetent this man is, and only then did the roads improve. You could eat off the roads last winter and that is because of me and my letter writing to the town.

The town has even had to hire an engineer at taxpayer expense to advise this man what should be done. Why hasn’t anyone stepped up to challenge this incompetence? There are certainly more qualified people in this town who can do that job better than him.

Whether you are for the wind turbines or against them, every single member of the current Town Board should be voted out of office – not because I don’t like them personally. They have only been elected because they are popular old boys and the public has never seen them in action till now.

They act like they don’t know what they are doing and they seem not to care because only I have been questioning them until now. Many people have seen them in action now and the opinion of this board has changed and rightly so. It is overdue time for a change in the Town of Yates.

The Conservative Party is endorsing Glenn Maid for Town Councilman. Glenn is very competent man with fresh ideas. He is a retired police officer and most importantly he has ethics. He will have no tolerance for corruption and underhanded dealings. His slogan is “Effective Leadership.” I truly believe this man will do a stellar job like this town has never seen before – for the people of this community.

Folks it is time for change. Not just for the sake of change but because we need it for a better future. As the vice chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party, I highly endorse Glenn Maid for Yates Town Councilman. He will fight for you. He is a leader. You can find him on Facebook to hear more of what he has to say at Glenn Maid for Yates Town Board. You will be impressed at this man’s intellect.

Please write in Jim Simon for Town Supervisor, and vote for John Riggi for Town Councilman. The entire board needs to be changed and now is the time to do it. These men will steer this town in the right direction.

Vote Randy Bower for sheriff.

Don’t forget to vote for Paul Lauricella for Legislature District 2 and don’t forget to vote for James White Legislature at Large.

We are the candidates of change up at the county. We will not be the rubber stamps that our opponents are. We will work for you and a better Orleans County.

Thank you for your consideration.

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Lyndonville

Editor:

Dr. Mary Neilans, our local veterinarian, is running for one of two seats on the Gaines Town Board. “Dr. Mary,” as she is affectionately known, is a well-respected member of the community. She attends nearly every Gaines Town Board meeting and is well acquainted with the issues the Town Board faces.

Dr. Mary served on the Board of Niagara Community College for nine years, so she brings years of experience with her as well as a keen intelligence when dealing with situations that require clear thinking and positive actions.

Voting for Dr. Mary Neilans for Councilperson will bring added expertise and energy to the Gaines Town Board.

Sincerely,

Connie and John Mosher
Gaines

Editor:

The “survey” about wind turbines only got an 80 percent against result? It should have been virtually 100 percent!

First of all, it was sent only to pre-selected residences: the hard core NIMBY’s along West Lake Road. Line all of SOS’s public pronouncements, it was not intended to reflect anything approaching the truth.

Why, SOS leadership? Didn’t you want the true affected population- the entire Town of Yates voters to participate in the “survey”? Who determined whether a select residence got one vote or two votes or three or four votes? The SOS leadership of course. Truthfulness was sacrificed to assure a pre-determined result.

Secondly, the format follows the infamous “push survey” format used by political hacks (ie: SOS leadership) throughout the country. The wording was incredibly biased against the windmill project and reflected the half-truths and outright propaganda SOS has been peddling since day one.

If any responsible public body gives any validity to this “survey” shame on them. The results belong in the waste basket, not the in basket.

The real survey will occur on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Thinking voters in the Town of Yates will be voting to retain John Belson as Supervisor, and to “bullet vote” to retain Wes Bradley as Town Council member. Even though there are two council vacancies, vote ONLY for one council member.

Fear Not The Wind.

Ralph Smith
Lyndonville

Editor:

After reading the letter to the Orleans Hub from Officer Jenks and her perspective of what an undersheriff in Orleans County should be, I felt I needed to respond to some of what I feel are not factual.

First and foremost, I don’t believe that Tom Drennan was pressured by the public to announce his undersheriff. He clearly stated a few months ago that he did not want the sheriff’s race to be about who the undersheriff was going to be. It was his decision and that should be respected. That being said, when Chief Deputy Drennan decided to announce his choice for undersheriff on his own terms, the choice of choosing Brett Sobieraski was certainly well thought out.

Sergeant Sobieraski’s knowledge, training and experience along with Tom Drennan’s extensive record of training and achievements make an incredible team. To imply that Brett’s experience can’t be applied to the citizens of Orleans County because we’re not “city slickers” is an irresponsible and ludicrous statement. Brett currently lives in the town of Kent and has resided in this area for more than 20 years. I’m sure he has a firm grip on what small town life is like.

He has served the City of Rochester as a supervising sergeant for the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, served as a police instructor and has taught SWAT tactics just to name a few of his achievements. Who could be better qualified than Brett to attack the growing heroin use in Orleans County?

He recently swam the width of Lake Ontario to raise money for charity to honor his late friend Thomas Valentine, a Navy Seal who died in a parachuting accident in Arizona in 2008. The charity All In, All the Time supports the interim needs of spouses and children of fallen soldiers.

He also completed a 100-mile ultra-marathon in memory of his fallen RPD colleague, Officer Daryl Pierson. Please don’t question Brett Sobieraski’s ability to adapt to a small-town atmosphere (he lives among us in Orleans County) and never question his experience, heart and determination to make Orleans County safe for all of us. The man’s record speaks for itself as does Tom Drennan’s.

Please join me in voting for Tom Drennan as Orleans County Sheriff on November 3rd. Experience Matters!

Timothy Jurhs
Kendall

Editor:

“Please don’t let outside influence change our town.” That was wind-turbine proponent Harvey Campbell’s appeal in his recent letter to the editor regarding wind turbines in Yates. His statement is loaded with irony.

I have done “research” on wind turbines as well and have been contributing to environmental groups for decades. Mr. Campbell may recall the maxim, “One size doesn’t fit all.”

Energy from wind is generally inexhaustible. Though it is great for a place such as Roscoe, Texas, in my view, it would be incredibly more environmentally disruptive here. And it is much more disruptive than roof-mounted solar panels.

In a desolate, under-populated, environmentally sterile, location such as Roscoe, wind turbines make perfect sense. Provided one views Orleans County as a relatively lifeless and under-populated environment, the environmental cost of an industrial wind turbine project would be minimal here. No one I know views Orleans County in this way.

Similarly, most of Yates teems with life and biological diversity. It is in the Atlantic Flyway. Four years ago, researchers from The Nature Conservancy described the trees at Lakeside Park in nearby Carlton as “dripping with warblers” during the spring migration. The Park is used by migratory birds to rest and refuel before crossing Lake Ontario. As with Orleans County generally, lakefront environmental assets are priceless.

Years ago, the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) made it clear to the Orleans County Legislature that solar energy is a viable alternative here.

I assume he is sincere when Mr. Campbell contrasts open space-consuming solar arrays with ½ acre turbine footprints. I certainly agree that, in most cases, erecting solar panels in open space makes little sense, especially for us. Roof-mounted panels are clearly preferable.

However, though I assume he means well, Mr. Campbell stands reality on its head with his fallacious suggestion that wind turbines take up half an acre. The access and service roads necessary to erect and service turbines consume far more space and rapidly disappearing woodland habitat. (This puts aside the fact that solar panels can be removed as readily as they are installed and that is hardly the case with 500 foot industrial wind turbines.)

We live in a relatively densely populated rural area even if that sounds oxymoronic on its face. The setbacks for wind turbines would, in most of Orleans County, place them in the middle of wooded areas. The space consumed would be important, increasingly threatened, wildlife habitat.

Unfortunately, what could happen in Yates may not stay in Yates.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent
Albion

YATES – Nearly 80 percent of respondents in a survey about a wind turbine project in Yates say they oppose siting turbines that would peak at 570 feet tall in the community.

Save Ontario Shores released the results on Monday of a survey filled out by 421 Yates property owners, asking their opinions about a plan by Apex Clean Energy to construct 60 to 68 wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.

The surveys were mailed to 1,235 Yates property owners and 421 surveys were returned for a 34 percent participation rate, SOS President John Riggi said. Of the respondents, 77.9 percent of Yates property owners say they oppose the project.

The surveys were opened and recorded at a public meeting at the White Birch Golf Course by representatives of the Lumsden McCormik LLP and local residents Russ Martino and Darrel Oakes.

“These results confirm what I have been hearing from hundreds of Yates residents as I have campaigned throughout the town,” said Jim Simon, a member of SOS and a write-in candidate for Yates town supervisor. “As more information is learned about the health, environmental and economic impacts these turbines will have, people have come to realize that they do not belong in Yates. I will continue to use every ounce of energy I have to bring this message to the people and pledge that if I am elected town supervisor, stopping this project will be my first priority.”

Riggi, who is also a candidate for the Yates Town Board, said the survey results should compel Yates and Orleans County officials to go on the record opposing the project.

The Town of Somerset did a survey showing strong community opposition to the turbine project. The Somerset Town Board and Niagara County Legislature have both formally opposed the Apex project.

“I couldn’t be more pleased that the people of Yates have continued the education process and now understand that this proposed project will forever change, in a terribly bad way, the nature, character and appearance of our town and its lakeshore,” Riggi said.

The Yates Town Board is developing a community survey about the issue, working on questions and a procedure for the survey. Wes Bradley, a Yates town councilman, is working on the survey with SOS member Richard Pucher and Taylor Quarles, the project manager for Apex. Bradley said the committee will develop an “objective” survey.

Glenn Maid, a Town Board candidate, said the SOS survey sent a clear message of community opposition to the project.

“The results of this survey reaffirm the comments of citizens posted on the website of the New York State Public Service Commission showing 87 percent opposition, as well as comments that have been made at numerous Town Board meetings since January which have also been 87 percent negative,” Maid said in a statement. “It is time for us to bring this loud and clear message to the state and convince them that the ill-conceived Article 10 law has no place in Yates. Delivering that message should begin with our Town Board unanimously passing a resolution officially putting Yates on record opposing this scheme.”

Editor:

I find Tom Drennan’s choice for his undersheriff, Brett Sobieraski, to be an outstanding one.

During the long months of the campaign for sheriff, and particularly in the time before the primary, there has been a large amount of finger pointing at the Sheriff’s Office, claiming it is dysfunctional, unprofessional, and other not so pleasant adjectives.

Nothing could be better for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and therefore, better for the citizens of Orleans County, than an injection of new blood into the agency in the form of an undersheriff from another agency.

The mix of Tom Drennan’s experience within the Sheriff’s Office and Brett Sobieraski’s experience in a larger, accredited agency will help bring a new level of professionalism and responsibility to the Office of the Sheriff. The mixing of ideas and experiences will lead to new paths for the Sheriff’s Office, all of them for the better.

Chief Drennan’s choice of an individual the caliber of Mr. Sobieraski is a clear indicator of his desire to do whatever it takes to make the Sheriff’s Office the best law enforcement agency it can be. Their combined deep levels of experience in all aspects of law enforcement makes them a power to be reckoned with.

There is no question that Tom Drennan has not only the best qualifications to be sheriff, but shows yet again, in his choice for his undersheriff, that he has the best intentions for leading the Sheriff’s Office into a new era of professionalism and excellence.

That is why Tom Drennan is my choice for sheriff of Orleans County!

Sincerely,

Joseph Grube
Gaines

Editor:

It is Monday morning, Oct. 19, and tonight is the night that the unofficial survey that was sent to SOME of the residents in our town will be publicly opened in the Town of Yates. I strongly urge you to be suspicious of the validity of the results of this survey.

I personally know of seven households that own their homes, pay taxes and are registered to vote who did not receive a copy of this “survey.” I am only one person and I know this many who did not receive it, so how many others did not?

One person in particular that I spoke to owns two businesses and two homes in the Town of Yates and did not receive a “survey” at any of them. A survey that is selectively sent to people and does not reveal who the survey actually comes from at the time it is sent is not a legitimate survey.

Please wait for the official survey that is being put together collectively by the Town Board, Apex and SOS and fill it out and send it in. This will reveal the true feeling of ALL of the residents of our town, not the biased attempts of a small group that want skewed results.

Thank you,

Susan Campbell
Lyndonville

Editor:

After much pressure from the public, Tom Drennan has finally announced his would-be undersheriff. I am not surprised he chose Brett Sobieraski. I’ve met Brett a few times and he seems like a nice guy.

I certainly respect his service to the citizens in the city of Rochester. But therein lies the problem, all of his recent service has been in the city of Rochester.

Very few people would disagree with me that the city of Rochester is a very different animal than Orleans County. Orleans County has its own vibe. It’s people are down home, unpretentious, genuine folks – not city slickers. I want an undersheriff who understands the specific needs of the people of Orleans County.

The Republican candidate for sheriff, Randy Bower, has wisely chosen such an undersheriff, Chris Bourke. Chris has lived and worked in Orleans County his entire life. He understands the uniqueness of the county and its people. He has a rapport with the folks here.

He knows the child protective case workers, the ladies at the DMV, the guys and gals who work at the jail, the farmers and the people at our town and county highway departments and they know him. I want an undersheriff who has an established working relationship with them.

Both Brett and Chris have impressive law enforcement backgrounds but as a citizen of Orleans County I’m looking for someone who can relate to the particular needs of the county.

The Republican candidate for sheriff, Randy Bower, has said that he and his undersheriff, Chris Bourke, will work as a team to get the job done. That’s why I ask you to join me and vote for Randy Bower your sheriff on November 3rd.

Amy L. Jenks
Albion
Jenks is a deputy sheriff with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Editor:

By now, every resident of the Town of Gaines must know that, under the leadership of Town Supervisor Carol Culhane, the tax rate for the 2016 Budget will be lower by 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed property. Actually. town taxes have been reduced consistently for the past three years by Supervisor Culhane. How many budgets, of any kind, are LOWER in these times?

That is just one of the many accomplishments made by Supervisor Culhane since she took office in 2012. Following is a list of some of those accomplishments:

Reduced budget and efficiencies savings on the day to day operations. In her first year saved $72,000.

Manages the Town of Gaines website, keeping it current so town residents have easy access to information.

Discovered the over-levying of the water debt, which amounted to $205,000 over eight years. Water District #4 is now paid off and eight out of the other ten are paid down, resulting in lower water levies for the residents.

Reconciled water billing to make sure customers are fairly charged and accounted for correctly.

Discovered the water loss and implemented controls to monitor closely.

Scheduled a water audit to make sure the water systems didn’t have any more problems.

Initiated the first financial audit in seven years! There will now be annual audits to make sure the fiscal house is in order.

Secured the lowest prices for the best services (i.e. insurance saving of $6,500 annually).

New accounting firm with attendance at all Board meetings and complete accessibility at all times.

New security system that is directly connected to the Fire Department with a substantial cost savings.

Fuel monitoring at the highway garage.

Established policies and procedures providing guidelines for the Town.

Put together an Employee Handbook to protect the workers as well as the Town’s best interests.

Supervisor Culhane is a big promoter of the Town of Gaines. She is helping Gaines to become a part of the bigger picture in the county by meeting with other town supervisors and community leaders. She keeps informed on a larger scale.

She also has a policy of being present at her office as supervisor to problem solve or assist in any way possible.

Culhane has always worked toward open and transparent government and town actions for “the greater good”. For “the greater good” of the Town of Gaines, please vote for Carol Culhane for Supervisor on Nov. 3rd.

Sincerely,

Connie and John Mosher
Gaines

Editor:

I have been a resident of Yates for 35 years. I raised my children here and worked in the community. It is time we think about doing something for the future, like lowering our carbon footprint.

I have done some research and have found several discrepancies in the claims made by the anti-wind turbine folks, but please do your own research. Don’t look at just pro or anti sites, look for independent studies or those done by governments, science or The World Wildlife Federation. I think you might be surprised.

I also looked into solar – it would take a lot of farmland and not be as efficient. It would take 60 acres of farmland with solar panels to create as much electricity as one of the newer style commercial wind turbines that take up only 1/2 acre of farmland.

I don’t think we should listen to people who say you should sue your neighbor and have already done so. This is not what this community is about.

I have always been impressed with the way people here have helped one another. We have people who are running for town offices that only have one agenda, to stop the wind turbines from coming here.

These people have never shown any interest in the community that I am aware of, in fact until SOS (Save Ontario Shores) showed up I had never even heard any of their names. Please don’t let outside influence change our town.

Thank you.

Harvey L. Campbell
Lyndonville