Editor:

I think it is great that Albion is back to having Midget A and B baseball. These are the tools that make are kids stronger and prepare them for bigger and better things.

I do believe that all kids should have a chance to play on these teams and not be selected by who you are. I also don’t feel it is fair that the money is paid out of the Little League account with no cost to the kids playing. That is very unfair to the hundreds of kids and families that have played and will play in this league and have no were to play for the summer.

I ask were there tryouts? Were all kids made aware of these teams? I have been told no.

Maybe people need to start asking questions. The people on the board should understand that it is not their money. It’s the kids and that should mean all kids should have a chance to play, and help improve themselves.

Finally I would like to thank all the coaches for their hard work and timeless hours they put in.

Jeff Holler
Albion

Editor:

I just read the letter to the Editor about the condition of the Parkway. I used to use the Parkway but it has been falling apart. The worst part is between the Kendall Route 237 and Hamlin Beach Route 19 area, a 10-12 mile stretch.

The Parkway has been put on the bottom of the list of priorities by the person who has been running the DOT in Orleans County way too long. (The head person at the Orleans DOT is not from and does not live in Orleans County. That speaks for itself.)
Last year they shut it down for the winter between Lakeside Park at the west end to Route 98 and then boasted how much money they saved by not plowing and salting that stretch. What was the saved money spent on? Not road repairs!!

I hear that next winter the entire Orleans County section of the Parkway may close for the winter. What are they thinking?? Look at Route 31 and Route 31A – also in terrible disrepair. The only way to get the attention where it is needed is to go to Steve Hawley’s office with these concerns.

Robert VanWuyckhuyse
Kent

Editor:

The state is providing money to pave Route 98 from 31A to 104.

Obviously they haven’t driven south from 31A through Barre. I was hauling my trailer on this stretch of road and the shaking was so bad I almost lost control. But that’s how the state works: pave only the good road.

James Recco
Albion

Editor:

Does anyone else find it concerning that Apex Clean Energy, during its efforts to develop the Lighthouse Wind Project, has offered to retroactively pay for the Town of Yates’ attorney fees back to January 2015?

This information was brought into public view during the Yates Board’s monthly workshop on June 8. According to town officials, APEX may fund an escrow account to pay consulting fees provided by the town’s retained lawyer, Dan Spitzer. Mr. Spitzer, among other accomplishments, has worked for industrial wind turbine developers in the past.

It’s interesting that this escrow revelation came to the forefront just days prior to the Board’s vote on the project’s MET tower application. Should this have been done when Mr. Spitzer was initially hired? Why now? Legalities aside, I question if this arrangement passes the impropriety litmus test?

Glenn Maid
Lyndonville

Editor:

Is it just me? Am I the only person that thinks the state is totally delinquent in allowing the Lake Ontario Parkway in Orleans County to deteriorate to the point where it is almost unusable as a public roadway?

How do we allow this beautiful drive along the lakeshore, and access point into our county and all the things we have to offer, to fall into such a state of disrepair?

I have tried to contact our state representatives, and also the DOT about this, but am met with only deaf ears. I hope there isn’t the thought that “It’s not a priority because of decreased use.”

Of note here is it’s pretty obvious that there is decreased use because of the horrendous condition of the roadway. I believe there is also a safety issue here, as there are more and more drivers that actually drive on the paved shoulder, at speed, due to it being in far better condition than the highway itself.

I’m pretty sure the shoulder surface is not designed to be used as a primary roadway. (Sarcasm intended.) Could this highway, and our county, get just a little of the state’s attention please?

Mark Doty
Kendall

Editor:

Legislation (A.285 and S.911-A) backed by New York’s trial lawyers would change New York State’s medical malpractice statute of limitations. While patients who are the victims of malpractice deserve justice and fair compensation, this proposed law does nothing to further those goals. In fact, it would have negative consequences for our entire healthcare system.

New York’s world-class doctors and hospitals already spend billions annually on medical malpractice coverage, the highest in the nation. This legislation would increase these already enormous costs by hundreds of millions of dollars and further divert vital patient care resources.

New York’s medical malpractice statute of limitations is among the longest in the nation, with important exceptions for children and patients undergoing continued treatment.

Unlike New York State, many states with provisions similar to those in this bill also have reasonable caps on the amount that can be recovered for pain and suffering, and some even cap total damages.

This proposed legislation is the wrong approach to fix New York’s medical malpractice system.

We urge the New York State Legislature to consider a comprehensive package of medical malpractice reforms that will strengthen New York’s entire health care system, and to reject
piecemeal legislation.

Sincerely,

Wendy Jacobson MS RN GNP
Interim CEO
Orleans Community Health

Editor:

The Rotary-sponsored Albion Strawberry Festival (June 12-13) represents a tremendous volunteer effort. These are volunteers who give their time, energy and talent to make this event happen.

Joe Dibella manages the annual car show, sponsored by Don Davis.

Bill Pileggi and Karen Appleman coordinate the music and children’s entertainment.

Kathy Ludwick serves as treasurer and coordinator of vendors.

June Persia and Gayle Grabowski manage all vendor, service, business, and raffle booths.

Brad London and Don Bishop manage the food court.

Don Bishop and Karen Sawicz coordinate logistics ensuring an enjoyable festival for all involved.

Brad London coordinates advertising and media coverage.

Brad Shelp is parade master, with help from Superintendent Mike Bonnewell of the Albion Central School District.

Becky Dillenbeck of Albion Five-Star Bank and Becky Karls coordinate the Turtle Race, with help from Deb Boyer of Crossroads Abstract, World-Class Turtle Ticket Salesperson Jared Saj, and the Albion Lions Club.

Ron LaGamba coordinates the newly added fishing component.

Jerry Ulrich from Albion Ace and Clifford Thom are coordinating the new demonstration tent.

Marsha Rivers, Executive Director of the Orleans County United Way, coordinates the Family Fun Center with help from Mrs. Boyer’s ACS Freshman Class.

Karen Sawicz and MaryAnn Braunbach prepare the event application and facilitate efforts with partner organizations.

Brian Krieger of The Albion Running Club coordinates the 5K-8K Walk, Run, Race.

The Community Amateur Radio Club coordinates communication throughout the Festival.

Tammy Yaskulski of Medina Five-Star Bank organizes fundraising and sponsor recognition.

Ron Tower and Doug McFarland have refurbished the Family Fun Center games.

Joe DiBella coordinates the Farmers’ Market.

Leon Zak of Zak Software provides and manages the website.

Community Action provides shuttle service.

The Catholic Daughters tirelessly staff the information booth.

We partner with the Albion Central School district to generate the artwork for the Festival and to determine, by competitive essay, the parade royalty.

Please see our Festival trifold for a complete list of our in-kind and financial partners for this wonderful, family-friendly celebration of our community’s assets.

This year we are proud to partner with Orleans County Tourism, with special help from Mike Waterhouse, Lynne Menz, and Ron Bierstine, in our efforts to promote Orleans County’s world-class fishing industry.

Michael Bonafede
Albion

Editor:

As it gets closer to the county elections, it is a great time to reflect on issues that voters have taken seriously in previous election cycles. This cycle it is likely to be the APEX windmill project that will encourage more voters to get involved and voice their opinions. But the issue that was most important to voters in the last county election cycle, one that many people became involved in and spoke out about, was the county nursing home.

I would like to question my opponent and current Legislator At-Large, Don Allport. Mr. Allport voted in favor of selling the county nursing home to the highest bidder, despite the outcry of county residents that it not be sold.

The Legislature sold the nursing home to “save taxpayers’ money”. In reality, according to the most recent budget that was passed, it saved the average county homeowner a mere $17.60 on their total tax bill. That’s it$17.60. The same Legislature that was glorifying saving taxpayers’ money by selling the nursing home actually voted to give District Attorney Joe Cardone a $10,000 raise in 2010, at the expense of taxpayers.

It is my opinion that when Don Allport approved the sale of the nursing home, he signaled to the patients receiving care there, and their families, that all of the taxes that they paid throughout their lifetimes, the wars that they fought in – Korea, Vietnam, World War II, and many others -were not good enough. “You just haven’t done enough to have treatment that costs an extra $17.60 on county residents’ tax bill.”

Now, because of Don Allport and the rest of the Legislature, more families of “hard to place” residents have to send their loved ones to places further away. They may now be 40, or more, minutes away from their loved ones, instead of 5 to 10 minutes away. To Don and the Legislature that might not seem like that big of a deal, but that makes it harder for families to visit their loved ones.

Many people might believe that the sale of the nursing home is “water under the bridge,” but this decision that was made by Don Allport and the County Legislature is one of many examples that he is perfectly content with selling the county to the highest bidder.

Privatization can reduce the quality of service that residents get, for example: when the deal was struck to sell the nursing home in 2013, it had a four star rating from the federal government. Since the sale, according to The Batavia Daily News, in 2015 the former county nursing home was rated at two stars.

It’s time for the residents of our great county to have elected leaders that put the interest of the residents first.

Best regards,

James White
Gaines
Democrat-endorsed candidate for the County Legislature (At Large Central)

Editor:

A recent article on the Orleans Hub highlighted that, as of 2014, Orleans County has lost an estimated 2 percent (approximately 900 residents) of its population since the 2010 Census.

Conversely, the United States population grew more than 3 percent during this same time period. Orleans County, like much of Upstate New York, is struggling under a tax burden that continues to weigh on fewer and fewer taxpayers.

As Albion Town Supervisor, I know full well the challenge in assembling a budget that keeps taxes from increasing. While citizens have a right to expect outstanding services from local governments, the cost is rising exponentially every year. For example, road salt costs rose about 17 percent in 2014 over the previous year and employee health care constantly reflects a double-digit increase.

This begs the question: Where will tax revenue come as the population continues to decline? It is a question I expect from my constituents and one I would hope residents in other towns, villages, and the county at large will ask of their elected representatives. Can we continue to undertake government in the same way we did 30, 40 or 50 years ago?

As a Town Supervisor, I see it as my responsibility to make the best decisions not only for now, but the future as well. Elected leaders cannot simply do what feels good in the moment, but rather, must consider evident trends to plan for down the road.

And we cannot expect Albany to provide further financial aid when budgets are tight. It remains incumbent on us, specifically local governments, to partner together now toward a common goal: To give taxpayers the least burden to live here.

I want to see, as everyone does, the community as a whole prosper. I consider myself fortunate to work in the county I grew up and continue to reside in. Therefore, my pledge to Town of Albion constituents remains that I will be proactive in studying solutions toward solving our financial challenges, not standing idly by and maintaining the status quo. The criticism against continuous improvement will not stand in the way of adapting to changing times for an uncertain future.

Matthew Passarell
Supervisor
Town of Albion

Editor:

I was born in the Town of Gaines and have lived here over 80 years. My brother, George Perry, was an employee of the Highway Department for 40-plus years, as was my husband, Cliff Kelley, also retired from the Gaines Highway Department after 40-plus years, 18 of which he was Highway Superintendent. I retired as bookkeeper, completing 25 years of service to the town.

I love my little town and I am happy with the excellent job Carol Culhane has done as Town of Gaines Supervisor. I see great progress happening. Thank you, Carol, for all your hard work.

Taxpayers and voters, please remember that Carol has all of our interests at heart. We can thank her by voting for her in November.

Respectfully,

Doris Perry Kelley
Life-long resident, voter and former Town of Gaines employee

Editor:

I feel compelled to write about a small event with significant ramifications that occurred on May 29, 2015. As many may already know, the residents of Somerset and Yates are currently embroiled in a critical battle to preserve the health and welfare of our residents, wildlife and environment from the proposed Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project.

The project, as proposed by APEX Clean Energy, would plant 60 to 70, 600-foot tall turbines in the center of a fertile farming, wildlife and residential area in Somerset and Yates.

APEX is an out-of-state (Charlottesville, VA) firm that has no ties to this area or its people and has been surreptitiously wooing landowners for almost two years to sign 50-year leases to place industrial wind turbines on their land. The leases will allow APEX to erect these 60 to 70 sixty-story tall structures in a swath of over 12 miles in length, effectively splitting the whole of Somerset and half of Yates geographically down the middle.

Apparently, APEX believes this type of divide-and-conquer strategy to be acceptable. These structures, if erected, would be the tallest structures outside of New York City in all of New York State. We, the residents of Somerset and Yates do not find any of this acceptable.

Provided photo – This juvenile bald eagle is pictured at John Riggi’s property in Yates on May 29.

As a result of this activity on the part of APEX, the towns of Somerset and Yates are now internally divided into leaseholders and everyone else. The leaseholders have been wooed by APEX (again for almost two years) and have given into the lure of money at the expense of all else that we hold important in these towns: caring neighbors, fertile farms, abundant wildlife and the balance of all of these that make this area such a desirable place to live.

Somerset and Yates are now on the brink of utter social destruction due to the proposed project by this out-of-state company. A company, by the way, that will not sign the New York State Wind Industry Code of Ethics. Is a firm that will not commit to ethical behavior, in fact, ethical? I think not.

As such, the multitudes of concerned residents have formed a non-profit, member-financed, citizen’s coalition, Save Ontario Shores Inc. (SOS) to address the concerns of the health, safety and welfare of Yates and Somerset taxpayers and residents regarding the issue of permitting APEX industrial wind corporation to build as many as 70 industrial wind turbines in these rural towns.

Save Ontario Shores will continue the fight until the APEX project is defeated at the local level (Town Boards of Somerset and Yates, County Legislatures of Niagara and Orleans Counties) and at the State level (NYS Article 10).

As we are embroiled in this work to save the pristine area in which we live, there are successes and opportunities for improvement. And every once-in-awhile, small events of great import occur at the most interesting times.

That event occurred on my property on the morning of May 29, 2015. As is common knowledge, there are a great number of endangered and threatened species that reside, winter and nest in this part of New York State. In fact, the DEC has recently listed a number of these species in a communication on the New York State DEC website (click here).

The small event of great importance was the appearance of a juvenile Bald Eagle (DEC – Threatened Status) on our front lawn in the Town of Yates: This is the symbol of our fight.

John B. Riggi
Town of Yates
President, Save Ontario Shores, Inc.

Editor:

As the legislative session begins to wind down, legislative leaders start to get their ducks in a row and make the final push to squeeze every bit of work into those waning final hours. This session was an infamous several months that saw two of Albany’s most powerful leaders topple, an overwhelmingly poor budget and little to help small businesses or the middle class. But, fortunately for us, the clock has not struck twelve and we still have a chance to do what is right for New Yorkers.

It seems like forever since we have seen large-scale businesses tax and regulatory relief in New York. As a small-business owner for over four decades, I know the daily struggles and frustrations of owning a business here. Simple expansions or financial changes are met with hundreds of pages of regulations, and that doesn’t take into account the slew of taxes paid by business owners.

To spur New York’s lackluster economy we need real business tax relief so employers can afford to hire more employees and retain larger profits that they will ultimately reinvest into their businesses. Too often legislative initiatives have targeted only the politically connected or promised to create jobs while falling short. I sponsor the Small Business Full Employment Act, A.5898, which would prohibit new unfunded mandates and provide a host of tax and regulatory relief measures to spur small business growth. It is time we embrace New York’s business climate and create jobs for our thousands of college graduates.

It is time once and for all to clean up Albany’s corruption and restore the people’s faith in government. I, along with the Assembly Minority Conference, have fought for several ethics reforms to deal with unlawful abuses of power and increase openness and transparency in government. Measures used by the governor and Assembly Majority allow the passage of unlawful laws like the SAFE Act and backroom deals that besmirch our Legislature.

Our conference supports the removal of corrupt politicians’ pension and retirement benefits, a measure promised in this year’s budget but removed due to the influence of labor unions on downstate politicians. Furthermore, we have pushed the Public Officers Accountability Act, A.4617, which strengthens campaign finance laws and places term limits on legislative leaders to prevent the alleged abuses committed by former leaders Silver and Skelos over the past few months. Until we enact both of these measures, Albany will remain a cesspool of corruption and malfeasance.

Despite the large increase in education aid, millions for local development such as the Brownfield Cleanup Program, and tens of millions in aid for our farmers, much more needs to be done. Despite our rocky start, it is time to finish strong and help upstate New York regain the economic strength it once enjoyed. We’re part of New York State too!

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley
R-Batavia

Hawley’s Assembly District includes most of Orleans, all of Genesee and a portion of Monroe counties.

Editor:

Four members of the Republican Committee for the Town of Gaines – (Lorraine Oakley, past Gaines Town Board member for 11 years; Susan Heard, present county treasurer; Lisa Mannella, married to the present town highway-water superintendent; and Lorienda Smith) – and past Town Supervisor Bill Lattin were present at the Town Board meeting on the April 14.

They accused the Town Board of bullying the town clerk by continuing to inform taxpayers of the clerk’s abuse of office, which includes over-reimbursements, unauthorized pay increases, record keeping deficiencies, unauthorized pay for the deputy clerk, and more. One claimed this is “old news” (though the investigation continues); Two others levied charges of bullying against the board. It seems to me that those individuals were bullying the Town Board.

Then on May 12, Town Supervisor Carol Culhane went before the Town of Gaines Republican Committee for their endorsement. With a vote of 5-2, incumbent Culhane DID NOT get the committee’s endorsement. This leaves Gaines Republican Party without a candidate for supervisor in the November’s election.

It would seem to me that the members of the nominating committee would have put personal issues aside to continue to support a proven winner. Carol has worked tirelessly to clean up sloppy record keeping and indiscretions which led to over-levying of water districts, funds being wrongly accumulated for four years (to over-inflate each subsequent year’s budget), mileage reimbursement and cell phone allowance abuses, and others too numerous to mention here.

I can only wonder why the Republican Committee has such an issue with taxpayers being represented fairly by a town government they can have faith in. Or maybe it’s just politics: You’re supposed to scratch our backs, so we can scratch yours.

Ray Burke
Gaines taxpayer for 47 years

Editor:

My name is Roger Kopas and I was a citizen of Gaines from 2011 to 2014. I was privileged to serve Gaines as Code/Zoning Enforcement Officer from 2012 to 2014.

I write to express my respect and support for Carol Culhane as Gaines Town Supervisor.

Not long after my wife and I bought our home in Gaines, Orleans County increased our property taxes in spectacular fashion. I telephoned Gaines Town Hall and was impressed when the Town Supervisor handled my call personally. She helped us understand how to address our situation with the county. Not only was she sympathetic; she shared the concerns of an overburdened taxpayer.

I later applied and interviewed for the part-time position of Gaines Code and Zoning Enforcement Officer. During this process, I became acquainted with Carol’s knowledge and reverence for the Constitution of the United States of America.

This respect for the Constitution is reflected in her everyday dealings with her constituents. She believes that the townspeople of Gaines have the right to an honest, open and evenhanded government. This includes independent audits and reconciliation of the Town’s “books.”

Operating in this fashion has unearthed some unsettling facts which have generated questions and controversy regarding the administration of government services in Gaines.

This was not the easy way or the politically safe way, but Carol judged it to be the only way. As a small business owner, Carol knows how hard the townspeople work to pay their taxes and their water bills, and honors their right to know how elected officials handle the people’s money.

I know from personal experience that there are those who consider themselves exempt from codes of conduct that most citizens are held to. Carol does not subscribe to that notion and has obviously garnered the enmity of those accustomed to and expecting special treatment.

Despite this enmity, Carol will continue to represent the truth and her townspeople fearlessly. She will not forsake her oath of office to maintain the “status quo.” Carol will not leave as she is a Gaines townswoman and cares deeply for her hometown.

My wife and I left Gaines because we became the owners of my old Florida home. There were many considerations but it really came down to the mortgage. We own the Florida land outright with no mortgage.

I have the honor and privilege to have served amongst some of America’s finest citizens and Carol Culhane is one of them.

Yours very truly,

Roger Kopas
Former code enforcement officer in Gaines

Editor:

Last year, I wrote a letter of complaint when the Ace Hardware store put barricades and no parking signs during the Memorial Day event in Medina.

I want to acknowledge that this year, the parking lot was open, and the Boy Scouts had a hot dog stand. I was glad to see the store seemed to be more receptive to become a part of the community by letting people use their lot to attend the program in State Street Park.

Our town continues a fine tradition of honoring our men and women who have served this country in the military and shows the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Sincerely,

Patricia Farman
Medina