Editor:

This is in response to the retraction that the American Legion Post #204 posted yesterday in the Letters to the Editor. While leafing through the Lake Country Pennysaver on Sunday I noticed that there was a large ad urging the people of Orleans County to vote for current Undersheriff Chris Bourke in the upcoming primary for Orleans County Sheriff.

I thought it was odd that the American Legion Post # 204 was attached to the ad. It was paid for by David Wells / Legionnaires for Bourke. While I’m not a member of the American Legion and knowing what a great organization it is, I decided to do a little research and found their Constitution, Article 2, Section II clearly states that the American Legion shall be absolutely non-political and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment.

It went on to say that the American Legion as an organization is never to help or endorse a candidate. I was able to contact Post # 204 and they had no knowledge of this ad and didn’t authorize the heading with their post number or the Paid for by David Wells with Legionnaires attached to his name at the bottom of the ad.

While Mr. Wells has every right endorse Undersheriff Bourke (who are both Ridgeway Republican committeemen I might add), Wells did the American Legion a grave disservice by going against their Constitution and he owes them a public apology.

Ironically, Mr. Wells posted a letter in response to current Ridgeway Town Supervisor Brian Napoli’s letter just before the retraction letter from the American Legion. He stated that the Ridgeway Republican Committee followed correct procedures in the handling of individuals whom Mr. Napoli stated advanced themselves and others to manipulate this year’s elections.

I find it ironic and both hypocritical of Mr. Wells stating that Mr. Napoli made inaccurate statements while he himself so blatantly went against the American Legion’s Constitution. Maybe it was an oversight on his part or maybe he thought attaching the American Legion name to the ad would add more clout. I suspect the latter.

If this is what the Ridgeway Republican Committee stands for, I’d want no part of it or anyone they’d endorse. I’d also like to hear more of Mr. Napoli’s statement in his letter about the illegitimate advancements and attempts to manipulate the elections.

Thank you,

Tim Jurhs

Kendall

Editor:

On Jan. 1, 1986, I began my first day as Orleans County District Attorney, and Christopher Bourke began his first day on road patrol as an Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputy. In the ensuing years, I watched Chris rise through the ranks of the department up to his current position as undersheriff.

I worked with him during my 5 years as district attorney, as well as my 28 years as county judge.  He proved himself, time after time, to be a dedicated, honest and reliable officer. He demonstrated great integrity and consistent professionalism. I don’t think anyone knows this county and law enforcement here better than Chris does. I was extremely happy to see that he is running for sheriff.

Some people run for office to boost their ego or status. Chris simply wants to serve the people of this county. Arrogance tends to inhibit the learning process. Chris has proceeded though his career without arrogance, and with his eyes wide open. As a result, he has learned and developed every step of the way. He has a rare combination of humility and reliable competence.

I have nothing negative to say about his opponent because I don’t know him. In fact, despite my having been involved in the Orleans County criminal justice system since 1981, I have never heard his name until he announced he was running for sheriff here.

We are fortunate to have Christopher Bourke, who has dedicated his entire career to our county, and who is so well qualified to serve as our sheriff. It makes good sense to support a known quantity, especially when the individual is more than capable.

Chris has a personal decency and civility that make me proud to call him a friend. He has been a great asset to this county his whole life, and he will continue to be as your sheriff.

James Punch

Medina

Editor:

The American Legion Medina Post #204 is retracting an unauthorized political advertisement in the June 2, 2019 Lake Country Pennysaver.  The American Legion does not endorse this or any political candidate.

While The American Legion is pleased to see candidates address issues of concern to America’s veterans, it is a nonpartisan organization. The American Legion Constitution prohibits the organization from endorsing any candidate for political office.

Glenn Whitmore

Post #204 Commander

Stephen Johnson

Orleans County American Legion Commander

Editor:

This is in response to Brian Napoli’s letter posted on May 29, “Ridgeway’s Town Supervisor says he has a record of accomplishment leading the Town.” I am a former Orleans County Deputy Sheriff, former Town of Ridgeway councilman, and a current Ridgeway Republican Party committeeman, who needs to correct Mr. Napoli’s inaccurate statements.

In my many years of serving on the Ridgeway Republican Party Committee there has never been to the best of my knowledge a breach of New York Election Law or New York Civil Law. The committee’s interview and nomination process was the same on Feb. 9 as any other time and was fair and voted on by the majority of our committee the same as past years when Supervisor Napoli asked for our endorsement.

The candidates we chose to endorse for the Town of Ridgeway are legitimate and the committeemen have never, “illegitimately advanced themselves and others to manipulate our elections,” as was stated by Mr. Napoli.

The committee decided to endorse Mr. Dave Stalker, current Town Board councilman. This was a majority vote, not a select few. Perhaps it is time for a change of town supervisor in the Town of Ridgeway and maybe there should be term limits on this position. God Bless American Democracy!

Respectfully,

Dave Wells

Ridgeway Republican committeeman

Editor,

As I near the end of my nine years serving on the Lyndonville Central School District’s Board of Education, I would like to thank the community of Lyndonville for their support over the years.

It has been an honor to serve as a community liaison and be a voice not only for the taxpayers, but also their children. Our district continues to remain fiscally strong and responsible. We have made great strides in the areas of safety, discipline, attendance, graduation rates and budgeting. We are developing a plan to strengthen our academic achievements, and we continue to look to our neighbors for sharing opportunities.

The dedication of our school administration, teachers, and other team members should be a point of pride. I encourage the community to attend athletic events, concerts, and any special event that is offered, as you will not be disappointed.

I also encourage you to attend school board meetings, visit the website, read your newsletters, download the LCSD Tigers app, and use the Let’s Talk app frequently. Keep yourselves informed, ask your questions, make your suggestions…that is what will make us stronger.

Lyndonville is a wonderful place to raise a family, and I have been truly blessed to have served this community over the years.

Thank you all!

Terry Stinson

Lyndonville

Editor:

We often hear claims that the opposition to Apex’s Lighthouse Wind industrial wind turbine project has come “largely from vacation-home-owners.” However, Save Ontario Shores, Inc. (SOS), the local grassroots organization opposed to this project, includes a majority of supporters who live year-round in the villages of Barker and Lyndonville, the towns of Somerset and Yates, and surrounding towns.

The inaccurate characterization above fails to recognize the substantive and successful hard work by these property owners who share a belief that the 47 proposed six-hundred-foot-tall industrial wind turbines, flashing lights, 24/7 operation and noise is not in the long-term best interest of the towns. SOS supporters, both year-round and seasonal residents, have a tangible, heartfelt and economic connection to the towns and the region.

Anyone who lives locally understands that the opposition to the project runs deep among residents, with yard signs throughout the towns, election votes in the hundreds for candidates who oppose the project, regular letters to the editor and consistent overwhelming representation at events, public hearings and town board meetings by year-round residents.

This does not diminish the contributions of seasonal residents who support SOS.  Distance does not separate us with many ways to work together even during the winter months.  We are a greater force with a multitude of supporters who provide research, connections and input.

Seasonal residents do not pay taxes based on the number of months they live in the area; they contribute fully in funding the town, county, and school districts.  It is important to note that 35 percent* of lease signers receiving turbines do not live within the project area and will therefore not be living amidst the negative impacts of the proposed turbines in any season.  (*using information from proposed turbine layout given by Apex in Oct. 2018)

SOS supporters are a diverse group made up of Republicans, Democrats, Independents and non-affiliated individuals who respect and care for each other.  We are working together with a common goal of fighting our “Goliath” – Apex’s Lighthouse Wind project and that is what small-town community is all about.

We look forward to a formal end to the Apex Lighthouse Wind project so we can turn more of our attention to supporting the projects and grant opportunities that our hard-working town officials have been developing. We continue to demand that Apex withdraw from the New York Independent System Operators electrical generation queue, free landowners from leases and withdraw from the DPS Article 10 process. Until this happens SOS will continue the fight.

Pamela Atwater, President

Kate Kremer, Vice President

Save Ontario Shores, Inc.

Editor:

I write to stand in strong support of Chris Bourke in the upcoming Republican primary for Orleans County Sheriff. Although Sheriff Bower will be sorely missed, Chris is the perfect successor to this vital position.

Chris has spent his entire life and his 35-year law enforcement career in our county. He knows us, the county’s law enforcement needs, and has many years of leadership experience within the Sheriff’s Office.

I respect his opponent’s law enforcement experience. I would point out, however, that it has all been in urban environments – Rochester and Lockport.

This June 25th primary is important to our county’s future. I encourage all eligible voters to do their duty – get out and vote!

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

I would like to thank Ridgeway and Orleans County residents for their support over the past 14 years. The feedback, encouragement and even challenges on various issues facing our community continue to motivate me to serve as Ridgeway Town Supervisor.

I do face challenges for re-election this year, but I will not stop fighting to protect our local government so that it remains in the Ridgeway tradition of “by the people and for the people,” as long as I represent the citizens of Ridgeway.

For the convenience of the public, I have regularly-scheduled office hours at Ridgeway Town Hall in Medina (410 West Avenue): Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To ensure the smooth operation of town business, I am also available to citizens, other officials, vendors and service providers weekdays during non-scheduled hours, weekends and holidays.

Ridgeway has often been referred to as the “most business-friendly town” in the county, a designation we should be proud of and must uphold. I will always encourage local business expansions and new business development here. During my 14 years as Town Supervisor, I initiated the county’s first rural broadband expansion project and assisted with the county’s first court consolidation. In 14 years, Ridgeway has never exceeded the tax cap and we have expanded water lines to 90 percent of town. We are currently working on Water District #14, with #15 to follow.

This year we celebrated the establishment of the first solar farm in Ridgeway. I believe in promoting economic growth, not restricting commerce, technology and emerging industries. It is equally important to reinforce our existing business community.

As supervisor, I have worked with the Orleans Economic Development Agency to further the expansion and development projects for Helena Chemical, Brunner International (2 expansions), Miller’s Store, Dollar General and Sierra Biological. I welcomed any opportunity to sponsor Office of Community Renewal (OCR) grants for Ridgeway businesses.

To date, Ridgeway has sponsored grants totaling over $1 million for equipment purchases tied to the local expansions of Sierra Biological, Brunner and Sigma International. It should be attractive for businesses to stay in town and also move here so we can diversify our tax base and reduce taxes more.

I will continue to preserve Ridgeway’s zoning laws that allow property owners to decide how their property is used. The town and our residents have always been my priority, not advancing myself at their expense or the business of other towns. The last thing I want to see is residential property rights infringed upon and your municipal tax dollars spent on specialized legal fees or costly litigation.

It is challenging for rural communities like ours across New York State. Depending on the year, we contend with more overregulation, unfunded mandates and new burdensome State and Federal laws – we have to constantly adjust. I am dedicated to continuing to do so no matter what the future holds.

I believe I have proven myself to be a reliable and accessible Town Supervisor with an even temperament, capable of navigating the ups and downs of the economy without creating unnecessary risk for the town, its budget or public departments.

This June 25th is the Republican Primary, and I am a registered Republican. As many of you know, there has been a breech with the Ridgeway Republican Committee over violations to multiple sections of New York Election Law and New York Civil Service Law §107 during the committee’s interview and nomination process on February 9th. Regardless of my political affiliation, I will readily go without the Republican endorsement this year if it means not being endorsed by individuals who illegitimately advanced themselves and others to manipulate our elections.

I am dedicated only to my wife, God and this county. As a public servant it is my duty to work in your best interests, not to serve my own.  My re-election site and record of service to Ridgeway can be found online: RidgewaySupervisor.com. Thank you for your support Tuesday, June 25th.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Napoli

Ridgeway Town Supervisor

Editor:

This is in response to John Metzler’s letter posted on May 23. How do you expect farmers to feed millions of people with antiquated methods? Should we be farming with horses in five-acre fields?

The removal of hedgerows allows farmers to utilize more land for increased production.  Farmers employ many conservation methods such as tiling, rotational planting, etc.

Our economy is based on an abundance of cheap food. Also, the greatest advantage in this country is that you have choices – organic, herbicide-free, etc. What would happen if you went to the grocery store and the shelves were empty ?

Farmers have a right to use their land as they see fit! We live in a Right to Farm community! They are the backbone of this country! They are held to the highest standards of the Soil and Water Conservation program. Soil and Water’s permission is needed  to remove trees, tile, etc., and a request will be extensively investigated before it is granted.

In response to the loss of habitat and wildlife, how many dead animals do you see on the side of the road? In our area we have a large population of deer and geese. During early goose season you are allowed 15 per day and  during deer season you are allowed 4 doe permits and nuisance permits are given out quite liberally. Quite frankly there has never been more game than there is now.

Leave farming to farmers!

Kirk and Alice Mathes

Barre

Editor:

Today, I join millions of Americans who honor the sacrifice paid by fallen soldiers and their families. Generation after generation, beginning with the American Revolution, soldiers have stood ready to defend their country, freedoms and civil liberties with their lives. As a result of that sacrifice, our nation has been free, prosperous and the envy of the world throughout its history.

Americans owe a special debt of gratitude to our fallen soldiers and gold star families. I am especially grateful that my colleagues in the state Assembly finally joined an effort I have long championed to grant the dependents of fallen soldiers free college tuition. I am also proud to continue the tradition of Patriot trips to Washington D.C., the annual trip I take with veterans and their families to visit the Capitol of our country, which they fought so hard to protect.

As the son of a World War II veteran and a veteran of the military myself, standing up for veterans is a duty I will never overlook. That is why I cherish my position on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the Assembly. In the coming weeks, I look forward to continuing my fight for legislation to exempt honorably-discharged veterans from thruway tolls, veterans over 85 years old from paying state income tax and extending state benefits to promote veteran-owned businesses.

Nevertheless, on this Memorial Day I want to extend a special salute to our fallen soldiers and all of our nation’s gold star families. As a nation, we must never forget their extraordinary service and patriotism.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia