Editor:

As we creep closer to both the Republican primary and the general election for Orleans County Sheriff, voters should be determining in their minds who is the best candidate to be the next Sheriff.

As they contemplate this thought, voters can gain valuable insight into a candidate’s decision-making ability early on in the election process Or at least they should be able to.

Aside from deciding to run for Sheriff, a candidate’s first major decision is who to select as Undersheriff. Only one candidate, Randy Bower, has named who will serve as his Undersheriff. Not only did Bower have the courage to make such an important decision early on in the process, he knocked it out of the park with his selection of Lieutenant Christopher Bourke to be his right-hand man.

Bower could not have made a better choice; Lt. Bourke has over 31 years of outstanding service as a deputy sheriff with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. During his distinguished career, Lt. Bourke has functioned in a variety of roles that include working as a correctional officer in the jail, serving as K-9 handler, and leading personnel as a road patrol Lieutenant for the last 18 years.

Lt. Bourke has seen duty on all shifts and has been involved with everything from active shooter situations to performing demonstrations in Orleans County’s five school districts. In the simplest of terms he has seen it all, done it all, and is respected by everyone inside and outside the law enforcement community.

Why would a candidate not want to name an Undersheriff? Perhaps it is because they are hard-pressed to find an individual who could rival Lt. Bourke’s impeccable resume, experience, and leadership ability.

Voters should want to know who a candidate’s Undersheriff is going to be. As a voter, I want to know what the whole package is when I fill in the bubbles at my polling place. The Undersheriff not only plays a vital role in the administration of the Sheriff’s Department, but God forbid if something unforeseen happens to the Sheriff, I want to know who is going to take the reins and lead the department, and I don’t think that is too much to ask for.

It is not common practice to leave voters in the dark when it comes to naming a running mate. In state gubernatorial elections the public is made aware of who will serve as Lieutenant Governor, and in presidential elections the public is aware of who will serve as Vice President, and the election for Sheriff is no different.

One candidate, Tom Drennan, made his intentions to run for sheriff public via Facebook on New Year’s Day and has had about 8 months since to figure out who his Undersheriff will be, but has chosen to punt when given the opportunity to name an individual.

He has gone on record that he wants to wait until after the election to name his Undersheriff, which to educated voters like myself, is a either a convenient “cop” out or a politically-motivated maneuver to avoid naming an individual who pales in comparison to Bower’s selection of Lt. Bourke.

Whatever his reasoning may be, it is unfair to leave the voting public in the dark, and it certainly does not foster a good relationship with the community. While Drennan proclaims “experience matters,” so too does transparency; and no candidate offers more experience and transparency than does the team Randy Bower has put together.

The combination of Bower and Bourke bring over 60 years of expansive law enforcement experience, and Bower has not left voters in the dark when it comes to his intentions and important decisions such as selecting an Undersheriff. His initiatives and agenda have appeared on the Orleans Hub, are published weekly in the Lake Country Pennysaver, and on his Facebook page “Randy Bower for Sheriff.”

Call me crazy, but in the end I want to know what our community is getting when I make my decision on our next Sheriff. The “we’ll figure it out when we get there” attitude is not acceptable, as it is imperative that the public knows what a candidate’s plan is.

Slogans are nifty, but if you do not offer a plan that includes an undersheriff, no amount of experience matters. The tandem of Bower and Bourke brings an unparalleled amount of experience and knowledge, with a plan laid out for the future of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, and they are not afraid to share it with the public.

So when you cast your vote for our next Sheriff in the Republican Primary on Sept. 10 and/or in the General Election on Nov. 3, consider choosing Randy Bower the candidate who has a comprehensive plan, an Undersheriff, and the foresight to share his vision with you.

Chris Caufield
Holley

Editor:

The voters in Orleans County are about to take a step toward selecting their next Sheriff during the Republican Party primary on Sept. 10. I thought I would take a moment to share some information with you and your readers about how important that decision really is.

The Office of the Sheriff is an historical one. The office dates to the middle ages in Great Britain, where the Sheriff was responsible for keeping the peace throughout a shire, or county, on behalf of the King.

The role of the Sheriff spread throughout areas influenced by the English, including the United States. In New York State, the Sheriff’s Offices in each county have been in existence since shortly after each county was formed, and in our case, that dates back to around 1824!

Fast forward to modern times in the United States. The Sheriff’s Office, and the duties and responsibilities of that office, vary widely from state to state and county to county. Those duties range from a limited set of responsibilities relating to warrants, civil process, and court security, to being full service law enforcement agencies for their respective counties.

In New York State counties outside New York City, the state constitution requires an elected Sheriff in each county. Further, the County Law of New York State delineates the duties of the Sheriff as “an officer of the court and conservator of the peace within the county”. This, along with the numerous other laws and regulations at the state and county level clearly establish the Sheriff as the head law enforcement officer in each county.

Modern sheriffs across the United States, with duties such as our Sheriff’s Office has, have become some of the premier law enforcement agencies in the country. They are, for all intents and purposes, police agencies with even more responsibilities and duties.

Most people don’t realize that beyond the typical police duties we see the Sheriff and the deputies undertake, the Sheriff is responsible for many more functions. Operating the County Jail in a safe and responsible manner; Providing public safety services such as the County 9-1-1 Center; Providing for the patrol of our waterways with a marine patrol; Providing security at court facilities and public events; And, as an officer of the court, managing civil process for judgments, claims, and other orders issued by our courts.

When we elect a Sheriff of our County, it is an experience unique to the Office of the Sheriff. In essence, all of the voters in a county get to do the equivalent of hiring their next Chief of Police. Imagine for a moment that you are a member of a village board or a city council member, and had the duty of hiring your next Chief Law Enforcement Officer.

You would carefully review the applicant’s resumes, qualifications, and references. You would dig into their experience, both as an officer and as a leader within the law enforcement field. You would want to ensure that the person you choose was the absolute best person for the job, based on all of this information.

The campaign portion of an election for the office of Sheriff is the time when the voters get to truly perform all of the tasks you would undertake if you were hiring someone for the job. So, check the candidate’ resumes. Look at their experience. Make sure they have the best qualifications.

I have done all of these things, and as a retired law enforcement officer with 25 years of experience, I can tell you there is only one real choice for the Sheriff of Orleans County. That choice is Tom Drennan.

Joseph Grube
Gaines

Editor:

My name is Glenn Maid, and I am a candidate for Yates Town Board in the November 2015 general election, on the Conservative Line.

Like most people, my views are broader than one particular political party or only one set of ideals. There are many facets to life in a small town; any town for that matter.

I have built my life, and 32-year law enforcement career, on some very basic principles taught to me by my parents. Take responsibility for your actions, have care, compassion, respect for others, and make the right decision. Not the one that just “makes you look good.” Leave something better than you found it.

In that vein, helping Yates advance in many areas is very important to me. Carefully planned and executed residential, commercial, and economic growth is vital to the town’s future.

The protection and promotion of our agricultural assets is also important to me. I have always believed in the phrase, “No farmers, no food.” Whether it’s cattle or produce, it needs to continue in Yates.

I base decisions on the law with careful review of all available information. I will listen to your input and use common sense to make decision for the Town of Yates. Doing what’s best for the community has to be in the forefront of any deliberation, plan and action.

I have the desire and dedication to help our town thrive, while maintaining the hometown feel we all know and love.

It’s time for something new; clear, concise, effective leadership.

Join me. You can follow my platform on at “Glenn Maid for Yates Town Board.” I hope to earn your vote on November 3rd.

Glenn Maid
Candidate for Yates Town Board – Councilman

Editor:

After years of consideration and current Sheriff Hess announcing his retirement, I announced my intentions of running for the position of Sheriff of Orleans County in December 2014. Since then it has been a whirlwind of activity around our house.

Being a cop and not a politician, I have become a student of the political process. There have been many meetings, interviews, public appearances and community events that I have attended. This has been refreshing, rewarding and educational.

In my 23-year career in law enforcement, I have seen how easy it can be to become cynical dealing with all the evil and sadness that is out there today, but in reality there are so many more good things in our community than there are bad.

I have had many people pose similar questions to me and I wanted to take this opportunity to answer a few of them. A lot of people are concerned what the new Sheriff’s position will be on the SAFE ACT and their Second Amendment Rights.

I can assure you that I have no intentions of taking guns out of the hands of honest, hardworking members of our community. We will not be knocking on your doors to check your guns and ammo. The SAFE ACT needs to be repealed.

Some have asked if I would be out in the community more. Absolutely! Members of the sheriff’s office and myself will be at community meetings and events discussing the issues and ways to make the quality of life better for everyone. We will have an open door policy that will make us accessible to the public.

People have brought up budget concerns. While our department has done well over the past five years securing nearly $2.7 million in grants, I believe we need to be more aggressive pursuing additional grants, surplus programs and looking at shared services with other agencies.

It makes no sense for me to make promises or propose unattainable goals that will put a bigger burden on the taxpayers of the county. I see public safety is priority No. 1. We can take care of our employees while meeting our obligations of state mandates and be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.

Some people are wondering why I didn’t get the support of the two unions that represent the employees of the sheriff’s office. I can tell you I did not ask for their support. Personally I believe asking unions to get involved in departmental politics drives an unnecessary wedge into a group of individuals whose lives depend on each other on a daily basis.

Some have asked about the Undersheriff’s position. This election is for the Sheriff’s position. The Sheriff is known as the “Top Cop,” the leader and protector of our community. The Undersheriff works at the discretion of the Sheriff and due to any number of circumstances could be here today/gone tomorrow.

You would still have and need to depend on your elected Sheriff. I have had people express interest in the job and can assure you the Undersheriff will be an individual that holds the department and community’s best interest at heart.

What is going to change? The identity of the sheriff’s office currently is not my identity. My vision and style will be different than those currently in place. I know there are issues at the sheriff’s office and I intend to examine every aspect of the department and improve those areas that need improving. No stone will be left unturned.

Change is very hard for some and we do not need to make change just for the sake of making it. We need to work internally at the department to have standardization across the board so each employee knows exactly what is expected of them. Our response to your complaints will be professional, respectful and consistent from all our employees. This will be your department and I want a department that everyone in Orleans County can be proud of.

I want our voters to be as well informed and as educated as possible when it comes time to vote in the Primary Election on Sept. 10 or the General Election on Nov. 3. I am trying to get my message out to as many of you as possible about my training, education and experience.

I want you to be able to choose the most qualified candidate for Sheriff. You can follow me on Facebook at Drennan for Sheriff and pose your questions to an email link there. I look forward to meeting with each and every one of you.

Thank you!

Tom Drennan
Kendall

Editor:

I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and the entire Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting and everything to do us being able to overthrow a tyrannical government.

As I travel through Orleans County and throughout parts of Western New York I can’t help but notice that the Repeal the SAFE Act signs have dwindled in number. As I attend the SCOPE meetings since the re-election of the dictator Cuomo, the attendance has dropped off.

I understand the feelings of defeat. I understand the sting of betrayal from our newly elected officials in Albany that lied to us. They continue to lie to us touting a defeat of the ammunition database. We all know that the database simply was not ready or equipped to be implemented. Please do not be fooled. They will be coming back with this. This was an appeasement.

Our Second Amendment rights are still in as much jeopardy as when the SAFE Act was passed in the dark of the night. We are here because those before us did nothing when the first gun laws were past many decades ago. They did nothing when a progressive Republican governor, George Pataki, did as much as Coumo and passed the toughest anti-second amendment laws in the country at that time. George now thinks he has a chance at being our next president. Makes me ill.

With the passage of the SAFE Act, we the people finally stood up and peacefully fought back for two years only to be betrayed by the very people who could have put an end to the unconstitutional SAFE Act – the gun owners. They sat back, many of them, while many of us in various degrees were out on the front lines. They sat back and didn’t vote for what ever reason. So here we are.

Fighting a battle, especially political. is full of many defeats and setbacks and terrible disappointments. We you, all of us who cared, must reunite. This is going to take years. You have to recommit for the long term.

What do the progressives and the gun grabbers do? What do progressives do in general that we don’t? When they suffer a loss they don’t go away. They keep chipping away and chipping away, putting in political positions people of their same minds until they achieve the destructive results that they set out for – even if it takes them 10, 20, 30, 50 years.

Look at this country today. Pretty much transformed by the progressives of both parties. That’s what we have to do. We have to look way down the road and keep chipping away.

The state representatives that we elected betrayed us. Now we must target them and remove them from office through primary challenges and run constitution-minded candidates.

The fight has just begun. Get your signs back up. Attend your local second amendment group meetings, continue to put the same pressure on your elected officials and if they are not receptive vote them out.

Become a committee person and don’t vote with the party if the preferred candidate is a RINO or a player. We hold the power of change. Whatever you do, don’t give up. Fight one more round – until we the people win.

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Lyndonville

Editor:

Well my heart is in my feet as I type this to you. I had initially reached out to have some pictures and an article about Grace Bayne earlier this summer. She was the 102-year-old woman that my kindergarten class welcomed on our 100th day of school back in February.

I had her great-great grandson this year in my class and we thought how nice it would be to have someone 100 come into our room! We found out from her granddaughter, Cindy Groves, that she liked caramel turtles and peanut butter cups. I bought her flowers and the children each made their own picture for her which we stapled into a book.

I asked Thomas Follman, a student in our high school, to escort her down to my room. He dressed in a suit. They were joined by my daughter Madison Boyle who took the photographs. Grace LOVED the red carpet treatment and she was overjoyed by the kindness of the class.

Sadly she passed away on Thursday, August 13th, at the age of 102.

I guess the lesson here is to shower those people you love and “go the extra mile” to make them feel special because you just never know when that last day will be.

Thank you!

Robin Boyle
Kindergarten Teacher
Lyndonville Central School

Grace Bayne visits a kindergarten class last February where her great-grandson was a student.

Editor:

As a resident of Orleans County and the new CEO of Orleans Community Health, I want to share some exciting news about OUR hospital and what it means for our patients and community.

We recently received designation from Buffalo Business First as a Top Ranked Emergency Department for 2014! We are very proud of this accomplishment and will continue our efforts to provide high quality emergency services to residents throughout Orleans County.

Our Patient Experience Committee is working hard to improve care and service from the time patients enter our hospital to the time they leave. As a result, we have seen improvements in our patient satisfaction scores and always welcome your feedback to make us even better.

Improvements in our billing practices are another example of these efforts. After some technical issues with our billing processes, we have contracted with a new billing company and are very pleased with their business practices and their strong focus on customer service.

We are very thankful for the collaborative relationships we have had with our longstanding community physicians. In an effort to provide needed services close to home, we are continuing to recruit physicians to our hospital so patients and their families don’t have to travel outside the area to receive needed care.

To help ensure the continuation of critical medical services in our community, we recently received “Critical Access Hospital” designation from New York State. This is an important distinction for our hospital and the patients we serve. It will result in improved reimbursement to help strengthen Orleans Community Health.

To further strengthen healthcare services in Orleans County and improve access to specialty services for our patients and community, we continue to build on our affiliation with Catholic Health. Through this relationship, we have added two cardiologists to our staff offering convenient appointments, 24/7 cardiology coverage and a host of new procedures to diagnose and treat heart disease. We will continue to work with Catholic Health to provide greater access to services close to home.

We are also focusing on opportunities to improve the health in our community. We are offering the National Diabetes Prevention Program that covers classes on healthy eating and physical activity, as well as Diabetes Education Classes.

Food Link trucks are at our hospital every Wednesday from 10 to 10:30 a.m., offering an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. We offered free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings at the Orleans 4-H Fair this summer and hope to see many of you at our upcoming Teddy Bear Clinic, fall programs, and Breakfast with Santa in December.

I am thankful to be a resident of Orleans County and excited about the future of Orleans Community Health. As always, thank you for choosing Medina Memorial Hospital, the Sleep and Wellness Center, Medina and Batavia Dialysis, Medina Homecare, Lake Plains Therapy and Albion Primary/Urgent Care and Therapy for your healthcare needs. We know how important quality healthcare is to our community and are grateful that you allow us to care for you.

Sincerely,

Wendy Jacobson
Chief Executive Officer
Orleans Community Health

Editor:

I would to thank the many people and organizations who contributed to the growth and success of the Village of Albion Recreation Summer Parks Program. The following organizations visited the parks with great messages for the youths attending: GCASA, Genesee Orleans Youth Bureau, Orleans Health Department, and other volunteers.

The Recreation Department set up field trips to the following businesses who hosted a great day for the children: Fishers Eats and Treats, Oak Orchard Bowling Lanes, Albion Sportsman’s Club, and the Orleans County Fair.

Thank you to the following who contributed to the Annual Senior Citizens Picnic: Orleans Community Action, Wal-Mart of Albion, Crosby’s of Albion, Albion Fire Department and Save-A -Lot of Albion.

The 15 Park Supervisors get a wonderful job of providing a fun, safe and exciting time at the parks each day. Well over 150 park children signed up for the Summer Parks Program at the three village parks which started on June 24 and ended on July 31. This was another banner summer for the Parks Program.

Special thanks to Annette Grillo Finch and Heide Wyant from the Orleans Community Action for busing the children on the field trips and for the Annual Children’s Carnival. Thanks go out to the Albion Central School District for being the host of several sport clinics this summer. Thanks to the Batavia Daily and the Orleans Hub for their coverage of the summer program.

Thanks to the Village of Albion Trustees, Mayor, Village Office Staff, Parks Maintenance Department and the Recreation Committee all for their support throughout the summer.

Thank you,

John J. Grillo
Village of Albion
Recreation Director

Editor:

On Aug. 4, the Niagara County Legislature considered and voted on Resolution IL-083-15 – “Resolution Opposing the Siting of Commercial Wind Turbines in the Town of Somerset.”

The resolution was sponsored by Legislator John Syracuse, with motion seconded by Legislator Dave Godfrey. The Niagara County Legislature voted unanimously to oppose the Apex Lighthouse Wind Project. Apex’s project proposes to site 60-70, 600-foot-high industrial wind turbines in and around the towns of Somerset and Yates.

The vote by the Niagara County Legislature to oppose is a significant victory for the people of Niagara County and clearly signals that the Apex “Lighthouse Wind Project” is not welcome in Niagara County.

The resolution, as passed by the Niagara County Legislature calls for the following:

“RESOLVED, that this Niagara County legislative body call upon the Orleans County Legislature to join with us to oppose the placement of this Massive Industrial Wind Turbine Project in our pristine rural counties.”

Thankfully, a successful working relationship has developed between the Niagara and Orleans County Legislatures as a result of the Niagara Orleans Regional Alliance (NORA). The most recent NORA success (WNY Rural Broadband Initiative) is an excellent example of the collaborative Niagara-Orleans solidarity required to clearly communicate this region’s opposition to the Lighthouse Wind Project.

So in closing, I would like to sincerely thank the members of the Niagara County Legislature for the clear support of their constituents in opposing the Lighthouse Wind Project and hope that the working relationships between the legislatures will result in a united front against this Industrial Wind Turbine Project.

Thank you!

John Riggi
President, Save Ontario Shores, Inc.
Endorsed Republican candidate, Yates Town Council

Editor:

After living in the Town of Orangeville in Wyoming County for 22 years, I was forced to move out of our once-beautiful home and countryside because of the negative impacts of a 58-turbine, industrial wind factory that was built amongst our homes there.

Sadly, Invenergy’s Orangeville wind factory was facilitated by greed-driven, energy-illiterate Town and County government officials, and the foreign-owned, multi-billion dollar Invenergy Wind, LLC.

Whereas I watched as my former home of Orangeville became a company-owned town, and Invenergy was allowed to run slipshod over the people and Town of Orangevillle, I want to offer my sincere thanks to Supervisor Dan Engert and the Somerset Town Board for stepping up to the plate and doing their due diligence on behalf of the people of Somerset and the surrounding communities!

They have done their homework, and listened to the majority of Somerset taxpayers – as well as adjoining people from Yates, who will also be affected.

Because the Somerset Town Board is undertaking a difficult task by challenging the current ‘green’/’greed’ political agenda that our State and Federal government continue to push – despite the fact that unreliable, inefficient industrial wind has been proven to be a net loser world-wide that taxpayers and ratepayers are stuck footing the bill for – their courageous decision to navigate the higher road deserves many thanks!

Credit needs to be given our Town Board because credit is definitely due here. Since I’ve watched Governors $pitzer, Pater$on and Cuomo – along with many New York and Wyoming County official$, enabling the scam of industrial wind to exist over the past 20-plus years (via either their support, or their failure to speak out at all), I realize that this Town Board has a lot of guts – something sorely missing in most politicians these days!

They are defying the ‘green’ agenda of the State and Federal government in favor of preserving the health, safety and welfare of the people of Somerset – and the surrounding area for miles around, as the negative impacts of seventy 570-foot-tall industrial wind turbines would not be limited to Somerset!

Thank you again, Somerset officials, for oing the right thing! As for myself, and quite a large number of Somerset people I have talked to, “We have your back – Thanks for having ours!”

Cathi Orr

Somerset
“Wyoming County wind refugee”

Editor:

Orleans County lost one of its more prominent citizens recently with Bob Waters’ unfortunate passing. Mr. Waters realized that Orleans County was blessed with many assets, none more noteworthy than its rich history. Any summary of everything he had accomplished, and continued to work on, would be exhaustive.

In light of our society’s emphasis on youth, Bob’s refusal to accept what so many see as the seemingly inevitable irrelevance of older age was striking. He would not be marginalized, regardless of the “terminal condition” we know as age.

He lent his talents, influence and stature to so many worthwhile causes. From Camp Rainbow to the Glenwood Lake Commission to the Orleans Renaissance Group to the Medina Historical Association to the Sandstone Trust and on and on, it appeared that there was no end to what he was willing to give to his community. Knowing him without loving what he was all about would be, to me, incomprehensible. He was the gold standard – “Mr. Community Service.”

Our society can be hard on the elderly. But, just as the 95 year old, Albion born, volunteer receptionist at the Ogden Senior Center several years ago so competently performed her duties, we would be greatly handicapping ourselves by not taking full advantage of what so many older people have to offer.

It would be fitting for us to honor the man I will remember for his vision, his ready smile, his kindness, his bow ties, and his huge heart by striving to continue on in the direction he helped chart for us. Bob Waters, even now, can be a role model. His life should inspire us all.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent
Albion

Editor:

In the wake of the news that the Batavia VA Clinic is receiving ½ million dollars to spend on signs I have this to say:

I find it reprehensible that the VA VISN 2 (which includes Buffalo, Batavia and Rochester) would hand out ½ million dollars for new signs at the Batavia Clinic. I use that VA and they have relatively new signs. I am half blind and must wear glasses and I am almost entirely deaf in my right ear from my combat service. Yet, I can still easily find my way around the Batavia VA using the existing signs without a problem.

There’s no need new signs. Besides, if a vet has problems finding their way, there are plenty of VA employees sitting or standing around to guide you.

I have more complaints against VISN 2 than I can list. Due to their inefficiency, ineffectiveness and complete disregard for my health, I was forced to seek medical attention at Strong Memorial Hospital, even though I am 100 percent service connected. Lucky for me Strong has given me Charity Care at a 60 percent discount, but that still leaves me paying many bills out of my own pocket without VA assistance.

I have been forced to put forth complaints about VA negligence, employee disrespect and downright malpractice to the VA Inspector General. I have also pursued a Congressional Inquiry into the Buffalo VAMC with Congressman Collins office. There is so much wrong with the VA that I have arranged a face-to-face meeting with the congressman later this month to discuss veteran’s issues. To toss ½ million dollars out for new signs at the Batavia VA when veterans are literally dying to get in is unacceptable. This is only one of the many topics I intend to bring up with our congressman.

Non-veterans in America now have the freedom to choose their health care due to Obama’s Health Care Reform Act. Veterans, however, do not have much choice. If a veteran is lucky enough to be working on his own or is married and somehow has private insurance to fall back on, he is lucky. Many veterans are disabled with PTSD, TBI’s or other medical issues. However, they are forced to use the VA unless we pay out of our own pocket. Why do we veterans, the very people who have answered the call to arms to preserve the freedoms of all Americans, have no freedom to choose our own health care? Why are we veterans disenfranchised? Almost discriminated against?

In my opinion, all veterans have become prisoners without freedom of choice for their health care. I also believe it is time to send VA medical centers (such as the Buffalo VA hospital) packing. Get rid of that hospital, which is ripe with politics, deplorable conditions, employee negligence and downright medical misconduct, fraud and overall mismanagement. For example, I had one doctor who had no idea that any one of the hundreds of thousands of American troops fighting the First Gulf War ever set foot on Iraqi soil — and he was the head of his department.

I found that incident so incomprehensible it left me momentarily speechless. I had the doctor pull up a map on his computer to and him where veterans have fought in the in the Middle East in the last 25+ years. Why did I have to tell a VA doctor something he should very well have known when he is supposedly responsible for caring for veterans of every era? That was nonsense. It shows that the very people charged with caring for we veterans have no clue about us at all.

Veterans should have a choice in their health care. It has been proven that the VA is no longer in touch with most veterans, especially we of the younger generation. They have also, regardless of age or military service, either not provided care at all or just simply provided substandard care. They frequently refuse payment for things like going to a non-VA emergency room or hospital which may be closer to the veterans home.

The only VA inpatient hospital or emergency services available to veterans in WNY is in Buffalo. Batavia is only a mere clinic and has no emergency services. Ergo, they don’t need new signs when that money could be used for medical care for veterans.

Is it not better to spend ½ million dollars on care for a veteran than on useless signs? This whole thing is just one more in an endless list of VA mismanagement and absolute total disregard for veterans. It’s deplorable.

Batavia needs to refuse that money and demand that it goes to the care of veterans. For anyone who disagrees, they may just go online to the Veterans Administration Office of the Inspector General and look at the endless complaints they have investigated. Nearly one in every five complaints has been found to be valid and reprimands have resulted.

The VA is antiquated, especially now with Obama’s health care reforms. Veterans should not be forced to be prisoners of the VA system and denied the very freedom of choice in health care that the rest of the American public enjoys. If you look at the VA online they portray themselves as caring and veteran oriented. Don’t believe everything you read. There are more horror stories than there are satisfied veterans.

I urge any veteran that has issues with dealing with the VA to contact me directly at stsills01@yahoo.com. I would be happy to help. We veterans are the only ones who can change the system, but we must do it together.

Many of us have fought in combat and although the fight to end VA corruption and mismanagement must be done with the power of words and not arms, we must still band together as one to fight for what we deserve. We must demand change and fight for our freedom of choice in health care. It’s obvious we cannot leave it up to the VA. We veterans should enjoy the very freedoms we fought for and not be disregarded and thrown aside, which with the VA seems to be the case.

The entire VA should be ashamed of itself and I think it’s time for a shake up and a removal of several VA employees. In the military if we did not do our jobs or did them haphazardly, we would be demoted or worse, chaptered out of the service entirely.

That should be the standard for the VA as well. Either do your jobs and respect veterans or take a hike. If VISN 2 approves or for a minute think it’s okay to spend ½ million dollars for new signs when veterans are still suffering and being ignored, then it’s time we veterans joined together and end VA negligence.

We must demand reform, remove those VA directors that allow such oversight and exercise our rights not only as American citizens, but as proud veterans.

Steven T. Sills
Proud Veteran
Medina

Editor:

I was pleased to read your tribute in the Orleans Hub on August 3, 2015. (Click here to see “Bob Waters exuded enthusiasm for Medina, Orleans County.”)

I have known of Mr. Waters since the early ’70s when The Journal-Register presses ran our Royalton-Hartland School newspaper. When we would tour, as we were learning the rudiments of Journalism, he always made an appearance, and would ask quite pointed questions for high school Juniors and Seniors.

I also ran into him at community functions and in the hospital. I am not certain he actually knew my name, yet always greeted me and inquired as to my well being.

His leadership of Medina was a gift. While we owe him nothing, I think it only reasonable to say that some lasting tribute to this gentleman (and I really mean gentleman) should be provided by the community he loved!

Once again, thank you for your efforts at providing news of quality to our communities in Orleans County!

Dayton Hausman
Medina

Editor:

The failure of the Republican Committee in the Town of Gaines to grant their party’s endorsement to Gaines Town Supervisor Carol Culhane is evidence of confusion (i.e.) lack of Republican “Principle and Ideals,” poor leadership, and certainly a “party over the people” mentality. Anyway, the Gaines Town Clerk is more important to the Republican Committee than are the Gaines taxpayers.

By initiating an audit of Gaines town business and practices, which hadn’t been done in about seven years, Supervisor Culhane’s auditors uncovered acts and misdeeds that certainly did not benefit the taxpaying citizens of Gaines.

Supervisor Culhane has definitely been working toward a better path fiscally and openly for the Town of Gaines government. I don’t believe that the lack of the Gaines Republican Committee’s endorsement will deter her from her original intent of putting Gaines back on the right track.

Supervisor Carol Culhane has support “Posse” in her community, but all of the Gaines citizens should realize that her efforts are for their benefit, with her neither asking for, or expecting, anything in return.

Now, Fast Track Back to the Gaines Town Board meeting, and recorded minutes thereof, on April 14, 2015, and the “Privilege of the Floor” segment, with all of the following information on the Town of Gaines website.

At this meeting, according to the minutes, there were three people who spoke negatively about the way in which Supervisor Culhane and the Town Board distributed information about the offenses of the town clerk to the Orleans County and Town of Gaines residents. Of the three people, two had been involved with town government, and one is currently in Orleans County government.

These degrading and disparaging remarks directed toward Supervisor Culhane by these three individuals were apparently brought on by the letter regarding the current Gaines Town Clerk that was “acknowledged by all of the town board members,” and appeared on the Orleans Hub, in the Batavia Daily News, and the town newsletter included in the water bills.

According to Bill Lattin, former Gaines Supervisor, said he lives or has tried to live by the Golden Rule of “Do Unto Others as You would have them Do Unto You.”

Someone should explain that to the town clerk since I don’t believe that the taxpayers of Gaines done to her what she had done to them.

Lorraine Oakley, former town of Gaines Town Board member, agreed with Mr. Lattin, and said she would also add bullying. Not to be outdone, Susan Heard, current Orleans County treasurer, chimed in with “the letter was mean spirited, and seems like bullying.”

There are many people in the county wondering how the Gaines Town Clerk can still be occupying that position after the audit brought to light her less than honest actions.

Heard wanted to know if the Town Board approves the clerk’s information for payment, and signs her checks. Supervisor Culhane stated that she signs the checks. Ever hear of trust? After a long time period, the Town Board most likely didn’t go over the clerk’s figures for payment with a “fine tooth comb.” I would have to imagine that practice has changed.

Heard also stated that the letter pertaining to the town clerk was “old news” from a couple of years ago. In my opinion, and others, the news will never get old until after the town clerk position is vacated by the current individual.

Hopefully these three individuals are not entertaining any future political aspirations, with their comments being 180 degrees out of whack. I know, I wouldn’t need their representation.

Gaines Republicans who sick and tired of your committee ought to think about circulating your own petitions and be your own person by not having to answer to the political hierarchy.

People who know the team of Carol and Jerry Culhane know how the Culhanes work for the betterment of the Gaines town people, Orleans County, Hospice, numerous churches, hospitals, veterans organizations and hospitals, and scores of other entities, with volunteering, abilities, and personal resources. How many can say that they are as commited?

These are my own opinions, and not expressed by, or for the Orleans County Conservative Party!

Allen Lofthouse
Kendall

Editor’s note: Mr. Lofthouse is chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party.

Editor:

Greetings. My name is John Riggi and I’m a candidate for Yates Town Council on the Republican ticket for the upcoming November 2015 elections, as endorsed by the Town of Yates Republican Committee.

Having grown up and worked in a farming community (Caledonia, NY), I was taught early in life about the importance of the job that we all have in ensuring our rural lands remain fertile, productive and rural.

Every issue and decision considered by the Town Board must be evaluated by the Board to ensure that all constituent’s desires are taken into account, discussed and communicated prior to any decision on the town’s direction.

This is especially important now in the Town of Yates. Given all that is currently in play right now for the town, it would be easy to focus only on the biggest issue in front of the town right now (industrial wind turbines). That would be a mistake.

We have many issues that need to be addressed and the Town Board needs to take the clear lead in ensuring that we all move forward into the future on a clear, well-defined path that values our past, present and uses that past, present and our unique resources to drive the town to a planned, successful future. Unique resources such as: Agriculture, Lakefront, The Village of Lyndonville, Wildlife, Parklands and The People of The Town of Yates are critical to that future.

Regarding leadership: It is crucial for the Town Board to ensure that the key values of crystal clear ethics, data-driven decision making and ongoing outreach into the community drive the Town Board’s leadership. We are your public servants and as such need to understand your views in order to properly govern and guide our community.

There is much work to do, but we have a tremendous set of resources at our disposal to drive Yates into a successful future. I promise the constituents of the Town of Yates that I will work diligently to make use of these resources and our town laws to guarantee an ever improving Town of Yates.

John Riggi
Candidate for Yates Town Council

Editor’s Note: Riggi is also president of Save Ontario Shores, a group opposed to a wind turbine project in Yates and Somerset.