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Editor:

With each new post of Colon and Lauricella, I feel sad that there are people who are so misguided that are running for public office.  And I would feel worse for the Town of Lyndonville if they are elected.

Likewise, after reading John Riggi’s responses to their blather, I see balanced, intelligent remarks that espouse the type of character that I would want to see in an elected town official. In his last Letter to the Editor, John Riggi logically refuted all of Colon’s inaccurate and slanderous comments.  Fortunately, our Democracy gives us all a choice on who we trust to guide our towns, county, states, and our country.

The people of Lyndonville deserve good governance, not conspiracy theorists who spew falsehoods.

John Fredericks

Albion

Editor:

One of the things I value most about living in a small town is the sense of “community,” the knowledge that I have neighbors who support and watch out for me and my family, and are always willing to lend a hand with no questions asked and without expecting anything in return.

I have lived in the Town of Barre my entire life, and chose to raise my children there as well because I wanted them to have that same feeling of community and to learn about small town values. Kirk Mathes is one of my closest friends, and I consider Sean Pogue and Margaret Swan good friends as well. It is people like them who make Barre a great place to live.

Several years ago I wrote my first letter to the editor regarding the proposed windmill project in the Town of Barre. My concern with the project at the time was the impact it might have on our rural community’s culture and the potential for neighbors turning against neighbors.   Unfortunately that fear has become reality.

Earlier this week a letter was sent to select Barre residents by Dr. George McKenna in support of Kerri Richardson for town council. Rather than identifying himself as Ms. Richardson’s father, Dr. McKenna began his letter by noting his position as a member of the town council, and proceeded to mischaracterize and attack the  character of fellow council members and a town planning board member.

While this type of campaign strategy would not surprise me at the national level, I’m extremely disappointed that it’s happening in our small town. I have always believed that political candidates should focus on their own positive attributes rather than attacking their opponents and attempting to “scare” their constituents into voting for them.

My parents always taught me to look for the best in people and to value our neighbors and treat them with respect. I learned by example, watching them support and be there for neighbors and community members, no matter what the need.

My father actually helped Dr. McKenna pursue a career in veterinary medicine and hired him after graduation, mentoring and supporting him along the way. After working for my dad for several years, Dr. McKenna used the knowledge he had gained first-hand of how a successful vet practice was run to set up shop right around the corner. While this was very upsetting at the time to myself and a number of my siblings, my father reminded us to “take the high road.”  He never publicly attacked or spoke poorly of Dr. McKenna, reminding us that he was our neighbor.  It’s disheartening that the same respect is not being given to my personal friends and neighbors, Sean, Kirk and Margaret.

While the windmill project certainly deserves careful consideration, it is not the only issue in Barre. If voters want candidates who were involved in the town long before this project came about, and who are willing to focus on ALL issues for the benefit of the majority, the choice to me is clear.  Sean, Kirk and Margaret have dedicated countless hours to this community, carefully considering the issues that have come before them and doing what they felt would best serve the community as a whole.

As far as I’m concerned, the only “agenda” they bring to the table is the desire to see the Town of Barre move forward in a positive direction. They are good people who understand the importance of “community” and don’t let personal feelings interfere with their decisions on behalf of the town.

There is nothing wrong with having a difference of opinion. Some of my best friends and neighbors have wildly different views on life, but we respect each other’s rights to have these opinions and don’t let them interfere with how we feel about one another.

When we start to attack our neighbors for not thinking the same way, our community breaks down and we are left with an environment that no one wants to be part of, much less live in.  Please don’t support this type of negative campaigning in our small town. We need to appreciate and respect those who live here and recognize that each and every person serves an important purpose and has value, even when their views don’t align with ours.

While Dr. McKenna identified himself as a Barre Town Council member in his letter, please do not take this to mean that he speaks for the Town Council as a whole. The views he expressed on behalf of his daughter were his alone, and should not be construed as a public endorsement of Ms. Richardson by the Town Council.

I would also encourage you to fully exercise your right to vote rather than casting one vote for two open positions as Dr. McKenna recommends. I’m not sure how promotion of this personal agenda and manipulation of the vote is in the best interest of our town.

I also don’t understand how it could be publicly encouraged by someone who identifies himself in the same letter as a council member, who by implication is sworn to serve the Town of Barre in its entirety.

You find what you want to find and you see what you want to see.  As I said before, I choose to see the good in people. I believe Kirk Mathes, Sean Pogue and Margaret Swan are good people.  I appreciate their long-term service and dedication to this community and hope Barre voters will join me in supporting them at Tuesday’s vote.

Sincerely,

Steve Harling

Barre

Editor:

I have spent a lot of time examining which candidates will best serve Shelby. Here are the conclusions I’ve reached:

People who have not earned their position or held it responsibly will not get my vote, even if they run unopposed. An absence of votes is a statement in itself.

Linda Limina has my vote. She is not afraid to speak up. And she knows numbers. Considering the NYS Comptroller’s scathing audit in 2021, this is a critical need. I am very confident she will be taking a fine tooth comb to the bookkeeping, especially the missing past reports.

Darlene Rich has my vote. When I went to the town this summer to ask for help regarding the STAMP wastewater pipeline going through my yard, my emails to the current supervisor went unanswered, even when I gave him a print copy asking many questions. At the end of meetings, he is the first one to leave; he never stays long enough for people to speak with him.

Saying you are transparent and being transparent and available are two different things. But Darlene has been transparent and has helped me as often as she’s able, or pointed me in the right direction to people who offered help. She has always had a friendly word for everyone and responds to questions even at night on her own time. She sees the good in everyone. I’m certain that’s why she was so defensive when her former deputy endorsed someone else, though I am saddened that the conflict arose between them.

Maybe things are difficult for employees in Shelby because they regularly endure a power structure that seems insurmountable. Maybe it is more peaceful to just go along with things. But sometimes a person should challenge such structures, and they should question an impropriety when they see it. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, they say.

I will be writing in candidate John Pratt, directly under the name of Jeff Schiffer, not because I hold any personal animosity towards Mr. Schiffer, but because his silence and acquiescence to the current supervisor speaks loudly enough.

I was also put off by his most recent letter to the editor, in which he argued that all claims of harassment were “lies” – How does he know? I thought the investigation had not yet begun. A better official statement would be that you yourself did not know of harassment, but welcome any investigation. Also telling was Mr. Schiffer’s comment to, “Watch and see the progress in the near future,” as though that is our role as citizens: to sit back and watch things unfold; in other words…more of the same; it is like saying, We know best. You just don’t understand. It is up to us to decide these matters.

Such a tone is paternalistic and patronizing.

A lot of us have been doing more than just watching. We’ve tried to speak up and say, Please stop pushing through pet projects without the input of your constituents.

My other reason for writing in John Pratt is that he and Ed Zelazny are the ones on the board to most frequently ask hard questions and propose solutions promoting transparency and ethics. The Republican Committee decided not to endorse John this go around, leaving him to pay out of pocket for his own campaign. Maybe that is because John Pratt is not a yes man who will just go along with whatever proposal comes down the pipe. So to speak. That is the number one reason why I will write in his name on the ballot–write-ins are allowed at the bottom of the ballot under any open position.

And lastly, I’ll be voting for William Wolter. He’s a man of integrity, character, and hard work, and he knows his field, from how to run and maintain the equipment, to his know-how, to his depth in understanding the town’s varied needs.

While I can readily acknowledge Dale Root’s love of the community and certainly respect his large family’s standing in it, I do not believe he is the best person to be highway superintendent. Nor do I share Mr. Root’s philosophy regarding landowners’ rights.

Sometimes, the people in a town and their rights must be considered too, in my estimation. Billy Wolter’s background, training, experience, work ethic, and think-of-everyone philosophy make him an excellent candidate, and very well-suited for the job.

Whomever you choose on the ballot– or purposely leave blank– I hope you will join me in expressing one of our most jealously guarded rights: On Tuesday, November 7, please vote.

Karen Jones

Shelby

Editor:

I would like to thank everyone in Shelby who have welcomed me and spent time talking to me.  I have learned a lot about your concerns and priorities. If you have any further questions or just want to talk, I am here and ready to listen.

Our town has had some ups and downs but I have tried to work with everyone. I have always kept the best interest of the residents of Shelby in mind and will continue to do so.

This year my name won’t be printed on the ballot. If you would like to see me continue working for our town, please write in “John Pratt” in the write in section, under the council member column, at the bottom of the ballot. It would be greatly appreciated.

It has been my pleasure and an honor to work for you the past four years. With your help and support, by writing my name in, I hope to continue working for you another four years. Thank you.

John Pratt

Write-in candidate for Shelby Town Board

Editor:

Greetings, I would like to respond to letters to the editor of Orleans Hub. First, I publicly announce my sympathy for John Fredericks of Albion I want to inform him that the Bible warns of the different types of fools. I pray that he would read the U.S. Constitution and the first 15 pages of the US Congressional Record of January 6^th, 2021. Then may God open his eyes to his folly.

Next I would like to address a response to the incumbent Town of Yates Councilpersons’ letter to the editor boasting of their accomplishments. It reads like a word salad. Lots of vague words with no numbers which are the meat and potatoes.

As for the bio-digester, did not the first study show that there are not enough cows to be profitable? I believe it did. To the Town of Yates voters, why spend tax dollars on a fool’s errand? $3,750 was not enough for the current Town of Yates Board who wants to continue to spend contradicting the NY Republican mission of common sense and trying to end NY’s status as the highest taxed in the nation.

Not enough cows to be profitable obviously will not deter the current incumbents who want the Town of Yates taxpayers to pay for grants to see if we add organic garbage to the bio-digester numbers if that would be profitable.

Here is the non-Republican policy: It not only would cost the Town of Yates taxpayers but every other American taxpayer. The grant writers to be paid for by the Town of Yates & the Town of Somerset taxpayer and the $1 million research money they seek would be provided by every other American taxpayer. How does that fit into the Republican mission?

Another thing: Republicans are to be business-friendly. Isn’t the Town of Yates in a court case with a local agricultural business over the use of that business’s property? Isn’t that litigation costing the Town of Yates Taxpayers tax dollars? How can you boast of being friendly to the local businesses such as those in agricultural when your actions are hindering a local agricultural business that other local agricultural businesses depend on? This fact also shows that the current Town of Yates board has abandoned the Republican mission.

I am overtaxed. I am sick and tired of the government spending my money on foreigners and follies of a few. I am tired of the government getting into the private lives of citizens. I want more savings and less spending in government.

I want the government out of private affairs. I ask every voter to exercise the right to vote, but vote wisely. Don’t vote for picked winners. Do not be tricked into giving your consent for constant spending.

Now some facts about DC, and Jan. 6. Yes some DC officers died but not because of protestors. Some of the Capitol police that died did so by suicide – I allege maybe because they attacked peaceful protestors. Also one Capitol policeman died from a stroke, an unseen health problem.

There is proof that the 2020 elections were unconstitutional, my argument. President Trump recently submitted a motion to a GA court to present evidence of alleged voter fraud in the 2020 elections. To say that policemen were killed by peaceful patriotic protesters is misinformation. WI Sheriff of Racine County Christopher Schmaling found election fraud proving that there was election fraud. To say there was no election fraud is misinformation.

As for me, I will continue to inform the public that the 2020 elections were unconstitutional in several states and the entire US Government had an obligation to investigate but did not. If the de facto government is what I have to deal with then I will deal with it with the rule of law. Given an opportunity I can prove my prima facie case. The truth is the truth. I give public notice that I am not in prison, jail or under indictment because I did nothing wrong. I am a registered Republican who would use the party’s mission statement to govern.

I never claimed to be the endorsed Republican candidate. I stated I am a registered Republican and Mr. Lauricella is a registered Conservative. The endorsed Republican candidates in my opinion do not act like Republicans. They use the Republican name as a disguise, camouflage.

Words without works are dead. That’s why Paul Lauricella and I are running for Town of Yates Councilman seats because we want accountability. We are business-friendly, we have common sense, we are for limited government, lowering taxes, priorities first spending, and putting the taxpayers first.

Town of Yates voters. On November 7th, vote for your wallet and for limited, common sense town government. As for myself and Paul Lauricella, we need your vote. We need you to hire us. Give us the job of benefiting you the taxpayer.

Steven A. Colon

Lyndonville

Editor:

I wanted to reintroduce myself to Shelby voters and give you facts from the Highway Department in Shelby.

In the last 4 years our department has made vast improvements around town despite Covid and cost escalation with inflation. Even though municipalities get decreased rates we are still up against unfriendly budget expenses.

In the 4 years of my term I have endured many price increases. Diesel prices have ranged from $0.90 – $4 a gallon, salt is up $10 per ton (we use on average 1,800 tons in a season), replacement parts are up 1.5-2 times in price. Black top and emulsion oil all up.

The department’s focus is always to fix roads. We have accomplished many miles with the helpful hands of shared services. The town’s equipment has a few years on it, we are in the process of updating. These machines are still very much useful, safe and ready to be used. The salt barn is currently two-thirds full, diesel tanks will be filled in the next few weeks as prices continue to drop.

At this time, I’d like to take you on a “drive around” the town. As we drive around, take a look at the road improvements. Minimal to no potholes, even widths, great water drainage, and shoulders maintained. Smooth ride, huh?!

Our first stop is the town building. Oh, look! A resident is utilizing the electronic waste program. Many pallets of E-waste get sent out monthly from our building. Take a look at our parking lot as we pull in, it has been repaved – a much needed facelift.

The town was able to save thousands in tax dollars by repaving the parking lot while the local construction company was in Medina milling and paving village roads, less time moving machinery around.

Let’s head inside to the court room. Ahh the aromas of fresh paint and carpet. Many thanks to the Job Core students who came to scrape, prime and repaint the walls! It is wonderful to meet new people and use more town resources available to us.

As we leave the building, let’s give a friendly wave to the men of my department. Without their skills life would be a little more hectic. They just returned from a water main break on East Shelby Road, our “problem child” if you will. This will be break #12 on the same line. They did a great job out in the cold. The pipe was laying on a large rock which caused the hole.

As we drive around I am constantly looking at possible safety issues and ways to make the town better. Trees needing removal, culverts, roads and roadside maintenance, and out-of-place water. We are always looking for water leaks that are going undetected, but we know they are there.

This year we found one large masked leak near a creek. The water storage tank on Route 31A was refilling daily, after the fix the tank is refilling 1.5 to 2 times a week. The weather conditions this spring/summer gave us the ability to find this leak we had been searching for. After the repair, we were back in business.

December 2022 to March 2023 we bought from the Village of Medina 18.5 million gallons of water, March – June 2023 we bought 20 million gallons, June – September 2023 we bought 15 million gallons (this number was after the leak repair). So a savings of 5 million gallons at close to $6 per thousand. One billable quarter savings about $30,000 to the taxpayer. Let’s see what next quarter does.

I will continue to seek and repair leaks as they come. I will also continue to find a way to stop flushing roughly 2 million gallons on a dead-end line.

Continuing on our ride, let’s head past the cemeteries. Looking pretty good. The town contracts out this job to save time and money. The highway team can now focus on other town jobs and projects throughout the sunny days of summer. Many residents do not know the town has 21 acres over 11 cemeteries needing timely mowing and gravestone maintenance.

As we finish this small tour I would like to thank you for riding along. I have enjoyed the 4 years you elected me to bring much needed change to the town. The residents of the town have made a large impact in what we do daily to progress the highway department forward. Please continue to wave and say hi as you see us out working.

I would like to thank the residents of Shelby for letting me place a sign in there yard, answer the door as I go door to door, and for the kind words of support for my second term. I am always available to answer questions and/or concerns.

There has been so much misinformation or ½ truths strewn about in the last few weeks. It disheartens me. The facts listed above (and on my website root4shelby.com) are some of the many accomplishments from my team and me in the last 4 years (2-plus if you remove the time for Covid shutdown). We are in the groove working together and I ask for your support November 7th for 4 more years to “finish what we have started.”

Thank you,

Dale S. Root

Shelby Highway Superintendent

Editor:

I have read Mr. Lauricella’s and Mr. Colon’s latest missive about what the current Town Board of Yates is doing wrong and found it quite amusing.

They seem to provide documented examples of bio-digester project failures, but have not referenced any of this information on failures in any way that someone could follow up to determine the accuracy of their assertions.

Frankly, I’m curious as to why Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon did not work with the Board on these “research” results. It would have been easy enough during privilege of the floor opportunities at any town board meeting. We would have been happy to accept this information and research further.

Instead, Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon decided to “stir the pot” in the Hub.  “Stirring the pot” just to “Stir the pot” is not becoming of persons running to represent the constituency.

Interestingly, they did not provide any examples of successful bio-digester projects globally.

In any case, yes, the Board is investigating the possibility of a bio-digester project for the Town (along with the Town of Somerset).  Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon would know, if they were more than just spotty attendants at Town Board meetings (only 8 appearances over the last 20 months) that we have made no decision and in fact are only researching the possibility right now.

I’m sure it will disappoint Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon to know that we are only interested in generating renewable energy with the bio-digester project. Clearly, anyone moving to a rural area understands that our neighbors, as a part of their operations, generate the smell of manure.

Having grown up in a farming community and worked on farms as a young man, I consider those smells to be fresh country air. It’s about renewable energy Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon, and as we’ve stated many times, if there is not a benefit to every constituent then we will not move forward with the project.

Which brings up another point: The Board has been very clear that the project cost estimate is approximately $20 million. In 2022, Mr. Lauricella heard this number at one of the few board meetings he attended and promptly posted another “stir the pot” editorial that stated the project would cost $200 million!!! I was the person who contacted the Hub to have the number corrected. Mr. Lauricella did not correct his own “mistake.”

Which brings up the final point regarding the bio-digester project: There has been no stated opposition from our dairy farmers regarding the bio-digester project. In fact, they have all been very cooperative in supporting our research work.

The farmers, the Board and in fact all constituents should have a “let’s wait and see what the data tells us”-view of the project.  As far as I know, this is where we all stand on this project so far… except for Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon.

This “pot-stirring” by Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon was exposed for all to see at the April 2023 Town Board Meeting (Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon in attendance) where they finally said it out-loud (Reference:  Town Board Meeting Minutes, Privilege of the Floor, April 13, 2023) and I quote from the minutes:

“Paul Lauricella, Town of Yates”…”He doesn’t believe that he said anything wrong at the last meeting to lead up to what happened; especially over campaign rhetoric from 2 years ago. Not everything that is said is true, it may be believed to be true, but after the election you move on and forget about it.”..

I restate:

“Not everything that is said is true, it may be believed to be true, but after the election you move on and forget about it.”…

In this statement, Mr. Lauricella and Mr. Colon finally stated their truth. I, for one, have not forgotten.

I can tell you this with certainty: the Yates Town Board has striven, at every juncture, to be honest and transparent with the constituency and we will continue this tradition into the future.

You have a choice on Tuesday, November 7th.  Jim Simon, Susan Hrovat and myself respectfully ask for your vote so that we can continue the good work we have begun.

Thank you.

John Riggi

Councilman/Deputy Supervisor for Town of Yates

Editor:

Fiction is the art of crafting narratives, weaving tales of individuals and events in imaginative, fabricated, or even storybook-like fashion. I have no intention of descending to the level of the McKenna family. However, when stories are spun, it becomes imperative for someone to champion the truth.

Our opponents may attempt to persuade you that we lack the best interests of Barre’s residents at heart. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Both Mr. Mathes and Ms. Swan have deep roots in our county and town. Their families have been dedicated contributors to school projects and 4-H initiatives for years, always ready to extend a helping hand to their neighbors.

Growing up in a close-knit community, I cherished the idea of rekindling that sense of “home.” With over four decades of experience in the Rochester City School District, predominantly in an administrative role, where I collaborated with community groups, agencies, youth, and adults, my aspiration was to continue serving my community. This motivation guided me to pursue the position of your Supervisor, with the aim of making a positive impact.

Now, let’s shift our focus to my opponent. While he has served our government and country in various capacities over the years, we should appreciate his dedication. However, my commitment to understanding the town’s affairs was evident as I attended nearly every town board meeting for over two years before announcing my candidacy for Supervisor.

In contrast, my opponent attended only two meetings per year, except for this year, where he increased his attendance to 4-5 meetings. He claims to find ways to cut spending, but we have been responsible stewards of our finances, especially in the wake of the economic challenges posed by Covid.

Regarding increasing revenue, we have diligently invested your tax dollars in New York State-approved depositories for many years. He makes a misleading statement, suggesting that I intended to use $50,000 of your tax dollars for town park improvements.

This is incorrect; my proposal was to use the funds received from Heritage Wind upon signing the agreement with them. Regrettably, the board members rejected this idea, leaving us with the need to use your tax dollars to bring electricity into the park. I proposed an alternative solution – utilizing the American Relief Funds (ARPA) to spare the use of tax dollars.

In a recent letter to the editor, Mr. Lauricella claimed that my opponent welcomes new businesses to our town. I, too, have passionately supported this cause for years, attending numerous County Industrial Development meetings to seek assistance. I’ve worked closely with the town and county Planning Boards to expand our business district in Barre.

Mr. Lauricella also stressed the importance of a Supervisor having no personal agenda. However, Mr. Burnside has made it unequivocal that he will stop wind turbines from coming to Barre at any cost. Who will bear the financial burden of this legal battle? Your tax dollars! To me, this sounds like a personal agenda.

Mr. Burnside asserts that he will treat residents with respect and politeness. However, his campaign signs have been placed without regard for landowners’ permissions during the primary and even now. In one instance, a landowner requested the removal of his sign from their property but was denied and even threatened with a lawsuit if they dared to touch it. Does this align with your definition of respect and politeness?

Mr. Burnside has distributed handouts claiming he is honest and transparent, listing five bullet points below that assert he is endorsed by the Republican & Conservative Parties. While he is partially correct since he lost the Republican Primary but is still backed by the Conservative Party, it is important to clarify that Mr. Burnside is not endorsed by either the County or the Town of Barre Republican Parties.

It is evident that he lacks the understanding and willingness to learn what it takes to be a Town Supervisor. It appears he has only one true agenda – to halt the installation of wind turbines in Barre.

For a promising future, choose Sean Pogue for Town Supervisor of Barre.

Sean Pogue

Barre

Editor:

This is in response to the letter to the editor that was published on October 26th by the Shelby Town Clerk, Darlene Rich.

One thing that I want to make perfectly clear, is that I in no way intentionally or knowingly “failed to report” water usage to the Village of Medina.

The other statement she made in regards to nepotism was in reference to myself having a family member on the planning board. Yes, that’s my husband. We have both been with the town for 25-plus years and over those years there has never been any nepotistic related issues.

In my deputy clerk position, if need be, any public hearings that the planning board scheduled, I typed, mailed and publicized for them and I charged my time to that department. The Town Clerk and Councilman Pratt are related as brother- and sister-in-law. By Councilman Pratt making resolutions and voting in favor of the Town Clerk’s raises, that is nepotism.

Years ago the Town of Shelby was the town to work for. Other towns couldn’t believe how well we all worked together. Everyone got along and everyone pretty much knew each other’s jobs (at least to the point that we could get an answer for a resident) and if you can have fun at work.

We got our work done but enjoyed our time being there. There was nowhere near the stress in the clerk’s office like what myself and other clerks went through. That is one of the reasons there has been so much turn over in the deputy clerk positions.

Vote for change with Pask as Town Clerk. It’s time to get the Town of Shelby back to what it used to be.

Thank you.

Lori Myhill

Retired Deputy Clerk/Water Clerk

Shelby

Editor:

We have been through a national tragedy with millions dead and all people do is fight. It’s right and just to fight back against fighting but first you have to figure out the New GOP.

I’ve heard that MAGA voters don’t know how things work in either Washington or their lives; to them everything is Reality TV. Some mention that so many of the core are short on advanced education and do not respect hard-earned expertise. Also, I’ve heard that they think they are a minority that’s being preyed upon by unseen forces. (That’s the boogeyman theory.)

I follow Fox News and understand why its stockholders are suing over billions in losses due to suits for false reporting. It’s clear to all pondering the crisis that Fox is part of the illusion causing the fighting.

Fox’s reporting ignores that $8 trillion of the $33 trillion US debt is due to Trump tax cuts. It ignores Biden’s all-nighters, his new trade deals creating US jobs that he got through a infrastructure bill that eluded four prior presidents, that incomes are rising faster than inflation and we have the lowest inflation rate in the western world. It ignores the impact of how many of our Nobel prize winners are immigrants, first or second generation, or how controlled generous immigration boosts the economy. It ignores how the world needs us with two crises that could drag us into war and a third brewing.

I would expect that bias of a single delusional politician or a fringe political party but to have both the news and a major political party in lockstep? That smacks of a conspiracy.

Then yesterday Sen. Hawley was on Fox bragging how he had trashed Secretary Mayorkas. Mayorkas would not comment on a disciplinary personnel matter in progress regarding a suspended anti-Semite. Hawley called Mayorkas a racist for not having fired him immediately.  Fox and Hawley showed one side with the questions and bragged on how well Hawley did.

In fact Mayorkas’ testimony was left out as it embarrassed Hawley. Hawley did not know that Mayorkas’ mother was a concentration camp survivor who lost most of her family to Hitler. He is no anti-Semite; he simply could not legally comment yet. Hawley intentionally insulted Mayorkas simply so he could air his insulting comments.

The entire episode was a case of losers attracting losers. That’s the sine qua non of propaganda – pure and simple.

It seems the start to understanding the New GOP starts with understanding that fools listen to fools, criminals believe other criminal’s excuses, and attack dog instincts need no refined application of knowledge and logic to real facts. Crooks and idiots are equally warped!

The sad fact is that people who do not break out of the Fox-GOP cycle  of nonsense will end up leading the unhappy,  frustrated, and delusional lives that the New GOP and Fox are serving up for them. They are stooges living in a dangerous soap opera. A story of a once mighty democracy slipping away.

Nobel Laureate Thomas Friedman simply sums up how they tick as “Shameful, Shameless, and Dangerous.”

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

I moved to the Town of Yates 18 years ago with my family after having served 21 years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force which included tours as a helicopter pilot, at the U.S.A.F. Academy as a history teacher, and as a squadron commander responsible for hundreds of people and a multi-million-dollar budget.

Additionally, I taught history at GCC where I was also an associate dean overseeing first the Medina campus and then both the Medina and Albion campus centers.

I was elected Yates Town Supervisor on a write-in campaign in 2016. It has been a great privilege to serve the town in this capacity.

It was love at first sight when my wife and I first drove through the Town of Yates and the Village of Lyndonville. The friendly people, the beautiful rural landscape, and the majestic shoreline held our attention then, and still do today – we have great blessings in Yates!

As supervisor, working with the town departments and the town board to decide what gets funded (or not) in a $2 million annual budget is not something I’ve ever taken lightly. When forming committees and task forces these past eight years, this town board has made a conscious effort to include people from across the political spectrum and with diametrically opposed viewpoints; the recommendations from these groups to the town board have helped us make good decisions.

From the $2.5 million upgrade to our town park and the establishment of the town’s first 5-year fiscal plan, to the expansion of the public water system and the celebration of the town’s 200th anniversary – I am proud of what this town board has accomplished.

Going forward, if given the opportunity, the town board would like to explore the possibility of a biodigester for dairy farmers, to consider expanding the town park, to establish a town-wide Water District Geographic Information System to improve water management and emergency response, and to complete a comprehensive review and deconfliction of all town local laws by creating a completely digitized and searchable zoning regulation called eCode360.

As this election cycle comes to an end, I invite all Yates residents to vote. To learn more about what your town board is doing you might want to check out our revamped Yates town website. It would be great if you were able to come to our next town board workshop on Monday night, November 6th, 5:30 p.m., and to our Public Hearing at 6 p.m. that night to discuss our preliminary budget for 2024.

For the record, our proposed budget for next year estimates that the total amount to be raised by taxes is approximately $13,000 more than last year. This would be a 1.2% increase overall.  This will amount to about 5 cents more per $1,000 of assessed value. So, if your home is assessed at $200,000, then your total town taxes will go up around $10 in 2024.

As always, you can give me a call if you have any questions about the town board’s goals for the next few years (716-946-2075).

The Air Force core values are integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. John Riggi, Susan Hrovat and I have tried to live up to this high calling.  If given the opportunity, we would be honored to continue to do our best.

Jim Simon

Yates Town Supervisor

Editor:

There are Town of Yates residents who are concerned that the biodigester project in Yates is a huge failure waiting to happen. John Riggi and the Town Board should stop pursuing the project before anymore taxpayer funds are wasted.

1. NY State comptroller Thomas DiNapoli did an extensive audit of the Village of Walton when they were pursuing a biodigester project. The audit found that if that village were to continue to pursue the biodigester project, it would be considered a misuse of taxpayer funds, as it exposes the village to significant risk well beyond the normal services provided by a local government. The Walton Village Board wisely voted unanimously to abandon the project even though Walton has a Kraft Foods plant, a much larger facility to contribute waste to the biodigester than anything in the Town of Yates.

2. A biodigester in Waunakee Wisconsin had numerous malfunctions causing 400,000 gallons of manure to leak into the local watershed. In 2014 an explosion in the biodigester tank destroyed the tank roof. The Wisconsin Dept. of Natural resources reported the operator had lost $2.8 million in the 4 years the biodigester operated.

3. On April 17th 2011 Noblehurst Farms in Genesee County lost their biodigester in a fire.

4. On June 8th 2021 a worker in Stockton Iowa, died trying to make a repair on a biodigester.

5. The town of Grimsby Ontario, a town like ours on Lake Ontario, broke ground for a biodigester in 2015. The town officials boasted it was a breakthrough and it was the first of its kind in Canada. By 2019 the town was $18 million in debt due to the biodigester and filed a lawsuit against the former mayor for mismanagement of funds. When the town was finally able to sell the facility to a private company, the new mayor said it was outstanding news for Grimsby to be out of the biodigester business.

6. Vermont Technical College got a $1.5 million grant and took out $4.2 million in debt through bonds to finance a biodigester, which was touted as a new day for energy in Vermont. By 2019, even though Vermont subsidizes the energy for biodigesters which NY state does not, Vermont Tech shut down their biodigester because they were losing money operating it.

7. Per the Owen Sound Sun Times, The Townships of Georgian Bluffs and Chatsworth in Ontario combined to install a biodigester, and it has caused each town to lose $100,000 a year. In April 2022 Chatsworth informed Georgian Bluffs of its desire to withdraw from the partnership. The towns are trying to find a private company to form a new partnership, but they have not been able to find any interest

8. A biodigester in the town of Lowell, Michigan went on line in 2015 causing horrible odors in the town for months. The town ordered the shutdown of the biodigester but prior to the shutdown, on Nov. 27, 2016, the biodigester nearly exploded due to gas build up, causing a fire and spilling thousands of gallons of waste. Despite the cost of $6.5 million, the biodigester operated for about only a year and has not been restarted.

9. Just a short time ago on Sept. 20, 2023, the Dayton Daily News reported that after years of citizens’ complaints, EPA violations, fines of $100,000, and a lawsuit filed by the Ohio Attorney General, a biodigester in Greene County Ohio will be shut down.

10. E & E News reported on July 28 2021, that despite having invested large sums on money constructing biodigesters, several NY dairy farmers are shutting them down because the income they generate can not cover the high operating costs.

11. Cornell did a study on 7 biodigesters in NY State. The average biodigester studied only ran at a 57% efficiency.

State Comptroller DiNapoli’s biodigester analysis is summarized as follows: Biodigesters subject significant risks to local governments and therefore taxpayers. If the 3rd party users discontinue operations, move operations, reduce their size, or opt not to use the biodigester, local governments will continue to incur substantial costs without significant income. Biodigester projects should not be considered unless local governments can secure firm agreements with local companies for waste disposal. Otherwise pursuing a biodigester does not warrant the significant risks and sky-high costs involved with the project.

Per information that I have received, the Town Board does not have the support of key farmers with operations in the Town of Yates. I was told by a Yates farmer that one of the largest farmers needed to supply waste to the biodigester opposes the project and has personally gave this message to the Town Supervisor in September.

Even if there are farms that will use the facility, will these farms operate in the same fashion for the next 25 years? If we go back 25 years, Crosby Whipple had their gas station and repair shop where the Dollar General is. We had a drug store in town, Bowman Apple was making apple sauce on West Avenue and the Penny Saver Market was open.

Things change over time and we don’t need our town gambling on a project that has this kind of risk. So until the Town can produce written commitments from the local farmers then not one more darn dollar should be wasted on this – $7,500 already.

This is a complete waste of taxpayer money. We think it’s time to cut the losses and get out of this entirely. Folks, it’s a bad Idea. One of the many bad ideas that Mr. Riggi and Mr. Simon have planned for this town should he get re-elected.

All of this because he does not like the smell of his neighbors, the dairy Farmers.

Elections have consequences and keeping the incumbents in power could end up being a great liability for the town. Steve and I will not support any of this crazy spending and ludicrous ideas. We will always put the taxpayers first.

Thank you for your Support.

Paul Lauricella Jr.

Steven A. Colon

Yates

Editor:

The Town of Barre residents recently received a letter from my Dad, Dr. George McKenna, endorsing myself, Kerri Richardson for Town Councilmember. I am grateful for his kind words, and expression of appreciation for the work that I have put in and continue to do for our town. Yesterday, in the mail Barre residents (and apparently Albion residents) found a rebuttal that I would like to take the time to address.

Kirk Mathes is a financially conflicted candidate in regards to the Heritage Wind project. Sean Pogue was also listed by Heritage Wind as being financially conflicted (but no longer is).

Kirk has and will continue to receive money directly from Heritage Wind LLC personally, or to his business and Sean had a direct family member who received money from Heritage Wind LLC.

Check the link to Heritage Wind’s website where they have a list of financially conflicted town officials listed as stated by their agreement with the NYS Attorney General’s Office – Updated list as of January 11, 2023.

Kirk Mathes, the first individual listed (currently serves on the Town Planning Board), receives $5,000 to under $20,000 per year during development phase. If the project goes to operation he would receive $20,000 to under $60,000 with inflation per year during operation.

Sean Pogue was removed by Heritage Wind as having a financial conflict of interest when Heritage Wind terminated a contract with his future mother-in-law. However, he was previously on this list while he served, voted and discussed in favor of the Heritage Wind Project. If you would like documentation on this I would be happy to provide it.

NYS Office of Renewable Energy Sitting (ORES) is the one making the decision for the Heritage Wind Project. However, the town has intervenor funds that are intended to be used to review and argue any concerns that the Town has with the modified project.

This process will provide opportunity for discussion, review and quite possibly voting on how to respond. We have as a Town Board voted even this past year. It is logical to me that there will still be voting, discussion and use of intervenor funds by the Town in regards to the Heritage Wind project.

The Town of Barre agreed to receive $6,750 per installed megawatt capacity as a Host Community Agreement, starting from the Commercial Operation Date (when electricity is generated and sold on the grid).

Heritage Wind Project was approved by ORES without the 6 turbines nearest the Iroquois Wildlife refuge, or if they wanted to keep any of those turbines higher environmental monitoring standards would be enforced. Heritage Wind argued that this condition made the project unfeasible.

Heritage Wind has since submitted significant modifications to ORES which have not been accepted by ORES, one of reasons that ORES listed for not accepting the modifications was that the State was not interested in overruling the local laws further than what they have already permitted (the modifications included siting turbines closer to non-participating properties than our town law allows).

The Town Board was told that the project will once again be changed to correct this, and we were provided a tentative map, but a further redesign has yet to be submitted to the state.

Reality is that this project is still changing; and there is still no guarantee as to if it will in fact be built in our community.

What we can say is that the numbers have been going down and not up.

Here is a statement that was in the postcard from Sean, Kirk and Margaret: “Kerri Richardson was not the great overseer of funds that George (father) had suggested. One of the first items she pushed through was to fire the Town Attorney and hire another one at three times the cost.”

I was elected in 2019 and I was installed at 2020, previous town attorney was voted by the board in 2022 not to be reappointed (I had been serving for 2 years).

We, as a Town Board, unanimously voted at the beginning of this year 2023, including Sean and Margaret, to continue with our current Town Attorney, at her current rate; because we felt that she does a high quality job, although her rate is higher (not 3 times higher; I am not sure where that number came from).

From February 2023 Town  Board Minutes: RESOLUTION #10 Appointment/Town Attorney Margaret Swan made a motion to authorize Supervisor Pogue to sign the 1 year Retainer Agreement for the position of Town of Barre Town Attorney, seconded by Kerri Richardson. Vote 5-0, passed.

I believe in saving the town money, and sometimes that means investing in high quality that will save the town money over time.

The postcard stated that I am not harassed at “every” Town Board meeting, and that is correct. However, that is a misrepresentation of what was written in the original letter. Here is the direct quote: “Kerri also doesn’t relent when numerous insults and harassing remarks are thrown at her by the current Barre Supervisor, Sean Pogue, in an attempt to belittle her. This can be seen time and time again during the board meetings. She holds firm. She isn’t seeking personal financial gain but rather diligently seeks to bring the truth to light. This is the kind of person Barre needs in office!”

The example that best stands out of the hostility that I have seen as a board member was our meeting February 2021 where at about 10:15 p.m. (the meeting started at 7 p.m.) I made a motion to adjourn the meeting and reconvene the following week to be better able to think clearly, and due to a personal physical condition that the rest of the Town Board was aware of. I could not get anyone on the board to even second my motion (including Margaret), and Sean shared that going above and beyond was part of being an elected official. Click here to an Orleans Hub article documenting this occurrence.

I believe that the Town of Barre has a bright future, I love the Town and the people, and I hope that you can see that I care and want what’s best for the Town as a whole. I know that Scott Burnside (Town Supervisor candidate) feels the same way, which is why I ask for you to vote the conservative line on November 7.

Please feel free to reach out to me should you have any questions or concerns at richardsonforbarre@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Kerri Richardson

Barre

Editor:

On 22 October 2023, Mr. Fredericks of Albion, in an excellent letter to The Hub, said he was shocked and dismayed to see Steven A. Colon running for Yates Town Councilman. As Mr. Fredericks noted, Mr. Colon, on 12 June 2022 stated in The Hub that “I, Steven A. Colon, declare to the people that I went and was at the Capitol Building on Jan 6, 2021.”  Mr. Colon  went on to state he was at the Capitol protesting voter fraud.

The more I read Mr. Colon’s letter, the more questions I have. He did not say he actually went into the Capitol Building itself, only that he “was at the Capitol.” The Capitol consists of 58 acres of land, on part of which sits the Capitol Building.

Mr. Colon provided no proof he entered the building, displayed no photos of him breeching the ranks of guards, provided no videos of himself in the building, nor furnished any testimony from others proving he was really there.

First, I call on Mr. Colon to provide evidence he was part of the mob that broke into the Capitol on 6 January 2021. As he noted he “was at the Capitol Building,” which could also mean he spent time walking the grounds, chatting with tourists, visiting the Smithsonian Museums and feeding the ducks in the Reflecting Pool.

Second, what was the purpose of the 12 June 2022 letter? Was he seeking forgiveness or simply bragging? Perhaps the ducks know.

Jack Capurso

Albion HS Class of 1960

Ashburn, Va.

Editor:

This letter is a recommendation for William “Bill” Wolter to be elected Town of Shelby Highway Superintendent.

We have known him since his high school years in Medina and have watched him grow his business as we continued to depend on his services.

Over the years, he has worked for us as a landscaper. He has been prompt, dependable and talented. He understands what needs to be done and he explains the job details. He has proven to be responsible, resourceful and knowledgeable.

Bill keeps costs in mind when he plans and executes his projects and clearly communicates that to us.

He has the skills and talents necessary for a Highway Superintendent.

Jack and Cynthia Kiebala

Medina