Editor:

What makes Boxwood Cemetery a must see spot for out-of-town visitors? What makes it a pleasant place to walk? What gives it that special ambiance that other Medina cemeteries don’t have? The answer is the mature trees.

I recently acquired two plots in the older section of the cemetery. Being eco-friendly I had decided to plant an oak tree instead of a gravemarker on my final resting place. To my dismay, I was informed that it was not allowed due to the cost of upkeep.

I fully understand the cost factor, but what about the cemetery being a “Medina Gem” for future generations? Do the people of Medina want it to look like the other treeless cemeteries in Medina? If so, the people responsible for this terrible decision have sealed Boxwood’s fate.

Your great grandchildren will never experience the beauty that we all have enjoyed for years without an aggressive tree planting campaign or once again allow plot owners to plant saplings at NO COST to the taxpayers.

The people of Medina need to stand up and voice their opinion on this matter. Too many terrible decisions have been made by the Medina government in the 55 years that I have been alive. The destruction of the Medina sandstone buildings on northern Main Street in the late 1960’s to the present day unimaginative building sprawl on Maple Ridge Road are two terrible mistakes that come to mind. To the government of Medina – Shame.

This is a no brainer. Reverse this policy now. Don’t lose another asset to Medina that your forefathers created.

Timothy D. R. Watson
Buffalo

Editor:

Because Dr. Stahl was limited to 500 words in his letter (he was wise to listen to his wife, she’s a smart lady), I would like to elaborate on the topic of Medina Hospital’s out-sourced billing.

I’d like to start by saying that if you have a problem with waiting in the Emergency Room at Medina Hospital, thank your lucky stars because this means that your emergency was probably not a life or death situation. During my last trip to the Medina ER I was not quite as lucky and I would choose a long wait time any day over the life or death emergency that I had.

That being said, the staff in the ER, and throughout the hospital treated me with dignity and respect, and my care was adequate. The out-sourced billing that Dr. Stahl spoke of in his letter is quite another story.

My billing was initially done incorrectly because five days after my June 25 visit to the ER I got new insurance. On my follow-up visit to the hospital, I gave my new insurance information knowing of the change. However when my ER visit finally got billed, it was billed to the new insurance instead of the old, which had been active during my initial visit.

This was an obvious mistake and luckily I was able to work through my insurance company to have this mistake (seemingly) fixed. However, the bills from Medina Hospital continued to come. I called my insurance company to question why I continued to get bills and they confirmed that they had paid this claim already.

Together we were able to determine that even though insurance was billed and paid, this billing company had left the charges as if I was a cash patient and were charging me the balance of what was left after the insurance was paid. (Because insurance companies have contracts with health care providers the charges are different if you are a cash patient vs. a patient with insurance.)

This billing company can’t legally bill to insurance yet charge me the cash price and make me pay this difference, but they did. This should’ve been an easy fix with one phone call to the billing company. However I soon discovered that by calling the number on my bill I not only could not get through to a person, but the messages that I left over and over never got returned.

After calling and leaving messages for weeks that turned into months, I was finally sent to collections because of my lack of payment. I was sent to collections without ever having the opportunity to speak to an actual person at this company and explain to them the mistakes that THEY made.

It finally took a pointed message detailing our situation by my husband to get a call back from these people. The excuse they gave for their lack of response was that they had been too busy to get back to us; too busy to get back to us and too inept to avoid these mistakes, yet readily able to send me to collections. The service that I received from this company is despicable.

To make matters worse because the ER doctors are from a contracted company, their service is billed separately. Of course that billing has been done incorrectly also and we have been sent to collections through that billing company as well. As of Feb. 24 we are still getting collections calls for thousands of dollars that we do not rightly owe. If something is not done to remedy the gross ineptitude of this system, it will be a great disservice to this hospital, its staff, its patients, and this community.

In closing I would like to say that we have tried to reach out to Medina Hospital, as their recent Hub article suggested, for assistance in getting these errors fixed, to no avail.

Sincerely,

Julia Goheen
Medina

Editor:

Driving down Route 104 in the Town of Murray a large number of mailboxes have been greatly compromised if not smashed by the snow plows this winter. The NYSDOT is responsible for clearing this section of Route 104.

Is there any way residences of this town can be reimbursed by the DOT for this negligence? Our mailbox was very clear of snow and was still smashed, the wooden post sheared off and thrown down the road. That was not caused by just snow hitting it.

My kids enjoy driving down the road and counting the obliterated mailboxes. Just from the blinking light in Murray to 3 miles west there are 13-plus mailboxes out of commission, mostly on the south side.

What are we supposed to do now that there is a huge pile of snow on the shoulder and no way to put up a new post and box? Does the DOT have a clue what is going on or are they turning a blind eye since it’s been a “bad” winter? I’m just aggravated.

Kellie Gregoire
Murray

Photos courtesy of Joe and Joyce Gehl – A cardinal visits the feeder outside Joe and Joyce Gehl’s home in Carlton.

Editor:

Survival is a tenuous proposition for those who do not hibernate or head south for a winter such as this. Among “these” are the feathered residents of Orleans County. The winter of ’14-’15 is taking its toll on them.

But it is also giving us an opportunity to develop interaction with them that would be more difficult otherwise. Their independence is being compromised by the harsh reality of unusually forbidding weather.

We have had many more avian visitors in many of our 43 years feeding at this location. Our numbers this year are decidedly down. From highs of three dozen goldfinches and as many male cardinals, we are down to, perhaps, a dozen goldfinches and sixteen male cardinals at one time. Numbers of chickadees are down to perhaps four.

A single song sparrow appeared in late January, and white-throated sparrows stand at no more than four (from as many as two dozen). We have single pairs of tufted titmice and white-breasted nuthatches, with the usual three to four pairs of downy woodpeckers. A solitary female hairy has been around all winter, along with just two red-bellied woodpeckers. Doves, loads of juncos, a few house finches and about a dozen tree sparrows (contrasted to approximately three dozen normally) are regulars.

Photos from Baker Road in Carlton confirm three bluebirds feeding on hulled black oil sunflower seeds through our single digit days. The fruits and seeds they normally depend on to survive our winters are in short supply.

Around us, there are virtually no sumac seed heads left. Sumac is often a food of last resort, sustaining a long list of birds in colder Aprils and Mays. Relieving the stress bluebirds are facing will depend on a mild spring. Adults could get by feeding on sumac if it were available, but their young are unable to do so.

Another Carlton resident reported a half-dozen evening grosbeaks earlier this month. If confirmed, this would be an extraordinary development (perhaps related to the harshness of this winter), as many New York birders haven’t reported them in at least twenty years.

We have had 5-6 blue jays all winter. While many people consider them bullies known for raiding nests, they are nature’s early warning system. Pinpointing the locations of owls and sounding the Cooper’s hawk and sharp-shinned hawk alarms make them useful to other songbirds, though they certainly are not the only ones that will “hound” such raptors unmercifully. They also help scatter seed from feeders allowing ground feeders easier access to it. If you want to attract them and cardinals field corn on the cob might do the trick.

Many of us have been disappointed this winter about the absence of redpolls. In weather such as we have had, their unmistakable tinkling vocalization expresses their excitement, if not appreciation, for a handout. They seem especially fond of Nyjer thistle and other expensive smaller seeds.

Enjoy them all, and think spring for them and us.

Gary Kent
Albion
Orleans Bluebird Society

Editor:

I have to express my concern over the local medical billing issues that we have recently been made aware of.

I am concerned, because in the words of the writer of the press release from Medina Memorial Hospital, “medical billing is a very complicated process with multiple payors and numerous rules and regulation.” Yet they suggest that the patient contact them with any past or present concerns.

Medical insurance bills have been nothing short of mass confusion for doctor’s offices and patients alike for several years. All of us look at our invoices, shake our heads, and ultimately write the check. It is not as if there is a menu that lists the fees for each procedure so that I, as the consumer actually know how much I should be billed. So, I ask, “HOW do I know if there is an error in my bill?”

Double billing, such as the experience of Dr. Stahl, seems pretty obvious, but how would a typical consumer know if they were billed $200 for a $20 procedure?

It makes me wonder… Do ALL patients of Medina Memorial Hospital need to request a review of our billing just to be safe? How about our seniors that have Medicare to add to the mix?

Looking at my most recent statement now … what do I really owe?

Marlene Seielstad
Albion

Editor:

We have formed a non-profit, citizens’ coalition, Save Ontario Shores Inc., to address the concerns of the health, safety and welfare of the Town of Yates and Town of Somerset taxpayers and residents regarding the issue of permitting APEX industrial wind corporation to build as many as 70 industrial wind turbines in these rural towns.

Concerns include sound and low sound frequency emitting from the turbines 24 hours a day, changes to the rural nature of the area with the addition of industrial turbines, potential health risks for those nearby, and the negative effects on wildlife, local businesses, and those who spend the majority of their time outside, including farm stand owners, farmers, and lake shore residents.

We are also very concerned about the negative effects on tourism – the Southern Shore of Lake Ontario is home to the Niagara Wine Trail and the New York Seaway Trail is a National Scenic Byway. It is a major destination for sportsmen, camping and nature lovers.

At heights of close to 600 feet, these would be the tallest wind turbines in New York State. They would exceed the height of the tallest buildings in Western New York, cities like Buffalo and Rochester, and would be visible for 15-plus miles.

APEX has been in conversation with selected landowners for over a year. However, the larger town populations have only recently become aware of this plan to bring industrial-sized wind turbines to Orleans and Niagara counties. We believe that citizen questions, concerns, insight and research are essential to a thorough and honest decision as to whether the turbines should be permitted.

APEX is an out-of-state corporation that has the potential to gain enormous profits from the placement of industrial turbines in Niagara and Orleans counties. It is not affected by changes in the quality of life or health of local citizens, or the effect on local businesses once binding contracts have been signed.

Landowners who agree to lease their land stand to benefit financially and, in addition, towns will be offered financial incentives to move forward with the development. However, ongoing payments will likely not be guaranteed and potential gains are certain to be offset by the loss of substantial rights by individual landowners, the loss of tax revenue caused by a decrease in the value of properties including lake properties, and the possible loss of revenue for local businesses as people avoid this industrial zone.

Residents in the area of these proposed industrial turbines share the land with wildlife including a large population of native and migrating birds and raptors. The South Shore of Lake Ontario is an important raptor migration corridor, has nesting bald eagles and provides habitat for migrating waterfowl and passerines.

We are concerned that these industrial turbines will be so tall and numerous as to cause irreparable harm to the birds, raptors and bats that are an essential part of the area’s ecology and so much a part of the natural beauty of Yates and Somerset.

We are concerned about the wellbeing of all the residents, including the wildlife. We want to ensure that landowners are protected and that our towns clearly understand the health risks, lifestyle changes, and transformation of the character and ecology of the entire area prior to making decisions and signing contracts. Information that is gathered without influence from APEX, and open information about who will profit, will be essential to the integrity of the decision.

APEX will provide the argument and evidence in favor of the turbines. Our organization, along with our website (click here), will provide a thorough presentation of arguments against the turbines, inform people of important dates and provide a forum for discussion. Our task is to provide balance, openness and clarity.

We are confident that when you have researched the size of the project and negative consequences mentioned above, you will agree with us that this industrial wind project should not be sited in this location. Please support us in our opposition to this project.

Sincerely,

John Riggi, President
Roger Barth, Director
Save Ontario Shores, Inc.

Editor:

I recently read about an annual “Squirrel Slam” in the Village of Holley. Wow, how cruel!

Is this squirrel massacre a family fun event? What a horrible thing to teach your children, to be cruel to animals. Please find another form of entertainment.

Hard to believe that this killing of squirrels is organized by the Holley Fire Department. There is no excuse for animal abuse.

P.S. Thank you for helping the white cat whose feet were frozen to the ground, and not “slamming” it.

Sincerely,

Mary DeCraemer
Clarkston,
Michigan

Editor:

I don’t have any desire to kill Bambie and I think that squirrels are just too cute to shoot. So, you know what? I don’t hunt.

Now not everybody shares my high ethical standards and they want to go out and massacre the little darlings. Well, that’s their choice and as long as they use the meat, I can’t think of any reason to stop them.

The argument that the hunters are harming the squirrel population is ridiculous. If that were true there would not be enough squirrels left in the greater Holley area to continue having the Squirrel Slam year after year.

Good luck hunters and may the best woman or man win and remember, if it’s more than 4 feet tall it’s probably not a squirrel so please don’t shoot it.

John S. Grimes
Medina

Editor:

Friends of Animals is disgusted that the Holley Fire Department is again holding their violent “Squirrel Slam” fundraising event which encourages children and adults to shoot mass amounts of squirrels in order to win prizes.

We strongly support passage of the pending NY state bill that would ban these kind of regressive, destructive killing contests throughout New York.

We’ve held protests the past two years in Holley and I’ve seen first-hand the horrifying results of a culture and community that fetishizes guns and a contest based on killing wildlife as something to celebrate. Our message to the Holley Fire Department and all those taking part in the “Squirrel Slam” is: It’s 2015it’s time to evolve.

Edita Birnkrant
Campaigns Director
Friends of Animals
New York, NY

Editor:

To the patrons of Orleans Community Health, formerly Medina Medina Hospital, I am writing to make you aware of billing irregularities going on at the Medina hospital.

I recently had a colonoscopy at the facility. Seven weeks later I received a bill for $4,700 – the full hospital charge. I have Community Blue insurance and my full deductible had been met. Yet, I received the bill. It was billed wrong to the insurance and instead of rebilling, they sent the bill to me, the patient. Since they have a contract with the insurance this was illegal.

You see, Ms. Horvath out-sourced the billing to a company in Texas. She “had worked with before and they were excellent” was what she told the staff. I have never had so many complaints from patients of mine regarding billing errors.

Most people are not insurance savvy and merely paid the bill, when actually if billed properly would have been paid in full by the insurance. My daughter had a co-pay for emergency room care which she paid, then was turned over to collections because of incompetence. Do you get the picture? So, buyer beware, and if you have any questions regarding your hospital bill please call the hospital to clarify before you pay anything.

I would also like to take this opportunity to respond to a letter by Dawn Meland praising Ms. Horvath. I have been at the hospital for 33 years. I have supported the hospital and defended the hospital to patients that have complaints about the hospital – our hospital.

Ms.Horvath has set our hospital back by outsourcing our billing to an inept company. I brought this to her attention six months ago. My complaints were ignored. She never took them to the person in charge of billing.

Patients came to me in the office asking for an explanation of their bills. $300 for a doctor fee in the emergency room for a sore throat and $936.00 for an emergency doctor charge for COPD-Pneumonia. It was hard to give an answer to those bills.

Ms. Horvath also replaced our long-standing group of emergency physicians with a different group that she had previously worked with and were “excellent.” This was without any input by the medical staff. The hospital was paying her consulting company $20,000 per month for this kind of poor advice.

The hospital board needs to look at itself for allowing these travesties to occur. After two months, at a medical staff meeting, I brought to her attention the shortcomings of the emergency room situation. I was told to shut up and mind my own business by Ms. Horvath.

Now, one year later, she is gone and the emergency room fiasco is admitted and a new group will replace them by the end of March. My wife tells me that I have to keep this under 500 words so I will leave it at these two examples of poor decision-making by Ms. Horvath and ultimately the board of directors.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Stahl
Medina

Editor:

This letter was sent to the Yates Town Board on Jan. 28, 2015.

My family owns property on Lakeshore Rd. Our mother grew up on the Ridge and we have been vacationing on Lake Ontario since 1941. We originally rented a cottage on Haight’s farm in Barker.

In the 1970s our mother (Mary Kerr Dudley) purchased Fire lane 1 from her aunt, Gladys Eggleston. This property became a haven for her extended family, a place where children, stepchildren, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren gather to enjoy the peaceful beauty of Lake Ontario.

Her children invested in additional lake property to accommodate the expanding number of family members. Cousins purchased property on Peter’s Lane. Our grandparents, great aunts and uncles are buried in the Bates Road Cemetery. Our mother will be laid to rest there as well. This is “home” to grandchildren whose childhood involved a lot of moving. The “Lake” is a constant in our family.

We are a family of environmentally conscious members. We recycle. We conserve energy. We conserve water. Two of us have Master’s degrees in Environmental Education and make our living teaching children to be environmentally conscious.

We support alternative energy sources with the caveat that they are environmentally and economically responsible, that they will not destroy natural resources or natural habitats, or cause economic, mental, or physical harm to surrounding populations.

We were stunned to find that Apex Clean Energy has progressed so far in approaching our neighbors regarding installing an unspecified number of 570-foot wind turbines to provide a small amount of electricity into the NY state grid (originally estimated to provide electricity to 53,000 average homes. In NY state this about 0.7 percent of all homes). This electricity will go into the NY state grid and is not necessarily used for homes (only 1/3 of all generated electricity is consumed residentially) or used locally.

Many of the lakeshore property owners are seasonal. We pay high taxes for the privilege of owning our lake property. We are proud of our contribution to Lyndonville’s excellent school system. We shop locally; we hire local people to help maintain our property. We enjoy the rural atmosphere, the benefits of a smaller town, and the summer activities including our famous 4th of July celebration.

We extoll the virtues of Lake Ontario and are rarely without visitors. Anything that might threaten this sanctuary concerns us and we want to make educated decisions regarding the options we have.

Advertised as the largest wind turbines to be installed in NY State, do we really know the risks involved to our land, our health, and our wildlife resources? What will we be sacrificing now and for future generations?

Section 102 of the Yates Zoning Local Law states:

Purpose:

To protect the open, rural, and natural character of the land.
To preserve the town’s natural resources and habitats.
To guide and regulate the orderly growth, development and redevelopment of the Town of Yates in accordance with a well-considered plan with long-term objectives, principles and standards deemed beneficial to the interest and the welfare of the people.
To encourage the use of alternative energy systems and protect solar and wind access.

I respectfully submit at this point in time we cannot forget, ignore, or bypass items 1-3 in order to appear to accomplish number 4. This project is not an alternative energy solution for Lyndonville and Yates.

We need a Board dedicated to researching and analyzing the pros and cons of a huge wind farm partially located within our boundaries. We need to protect the asset we have in the Lake Ontario shoreline and it’s natural beauty. We need a solution that protects the rights of all residents, human and otherwise, to a safe and healthy environment, a solution that allows our town to continue to attract and keep residents, sportsmen, and visitors year round. We need a Board that stands up for the right of Yates to determine it’s own future.

You took the time to add an extensive section on wind turbine zoning in 2008. Please take the same care evaluating the Apex proposal and the documentation supporting arguments against such a development in our town.

As summer residents whose hearts are always “at the Lake” we put our trust in the board to defend the rights of our citizens, our wildlife, and our lakeshore to exist in a healthy environment unpolluted by the noise, shadow flicker, and unsightliness of enormous wind turbines that are not providing “clean” energy in a significant or cost effective manner.

Sincerely,

Susan E. Dudley
Lyndonville

Editor:

I am writing in response to the question posed to the public concerning school tax reductions for military combat veterans. On its face, it is a noble and respectful suggestion. Actually, it is divisive and unfair to all who pay some of the highest educational taxes in the United States of America.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a combat veteran. I served in Vietnam and would be affected by this policy. I think it is important to point out that this is my opinion and I do not speak for any other individuals or organizations.

An article in The Hub outlined the potential reductions and, more importantly, mentioned that the lower costs for vets would be offset by higher rates for non-vets and a reduction in the percentages available in the STAR program.

I would like to go on record as opposing this entire concept and if it is enacted, I will not participate. I have to wonder who thought this was a good idea in the first place. I cannot, in good conscience, place myself above, and place a higher tax burden upon young families with children, farmers, fixed income seniors and business and property owners in the school district.

I do have, what I think, is a better idea.

We pay some of the highest school taxes in the nation. Please Google any database comparing various tax rates across the nation. An example would be www.syracuse.com/data/property-tax-rates. In conversations with individuals knowledgeable in school budget procedures, I found out that approximately 90 percent of local school budgets are comprised of state mandated costs.

I would like to propose a new program. It would acknowledge all who struggle to pay their school tax every year. It could be called the Military Mandate Minimization Model or M4. The state would cut mandates 50 percent this year and 10 percent every year going forward.

I think this would accomplish at least three things:

Cut everyone’s school taxes
Increase local control of school policies, costs and academic programs
Accomplish the thoughtful and noble goal of the original plan

I will not hold my breath waiting for M4 to become law. I would, however, like to ask my fellow VFW members, whether you belong to the organization or not, to weigh in on this veterans school tax exemption plan.

I know and you know, vets talk to vets. Think about it from a “school tax paying community” perspective and let the school board know what you think. The school board meeting is tonight, Feb. 10 at 6:30 at the high school or give them a call at 798-2710.

Thanks and welcome home.

Paul J Blajszczak
Medina

Editor:

According to Lindsay Graham (1/30/15 on CNN), “Without responsibility, freedom leads to chaos.” That may be overstatement, but when Eisenhower reportedly repeated that “Freedom is nothing more than the right to exercise self-discipline,” he said something that should not be easily dismissed.

According to our often irresponsible media, the popular response in France to the Charlie Hebdo killings has been to support the magazine’s freedom of expression. Certainly there is no justification for the murder of its staff members. But I am NOT Charlie Hebdo.

What we hear from our often admittedly sensationalist mass media about “The Interview” has suggested some think it a “patriotic duty” to see the movie. The thinking apparently is that we should affirm our commitment to freedomof expression, in this case. North Korean outrage notwithstanding, we need to show them that their objections are not going to intimidate us. Some would say they should learn to “get over” the potential assassination of their leader, and they just do not understand “comedy.”

“The Interview” may not rise to the level of inappropriateness that the “Borat” movies did, but, to me, such irresponsible freedom of expression is harmful to American interests. “Borat” misinformed Americans who thought “Borat” was good for some laughs. Make no mistake, it further irritated the Muslims it stereotyped.

What was the price paid for a few laughs? Such things further the same end as did the pastor in Florida who unquestionably had a right to advocate burning the Koran. But, are these the types of things that people who care about this nation should encourage? Should we prioritize profit and selfishness over the best interests of our country?

We are obviously free to spend our money to support that which is damaging to the national interest. We can hide behind our “right” of free expression. To me, it is my patriotic duty NOT to reward irresponsible, undisciplined, and selfish freedom of expression by making it any more profitable than it often is.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent
Albion

Editor:

Congratulations to Tom Rivers for his excellent coverage of Delia Robinson’s recent “Tea With Dee” discussion of abolitionism in Orleans County. (Click here to see “Orleans County favored abolition long before Civil War.”)

If her talk is any indication, there was a time when people here were more progressive than they appear to be today. The creation by government of an Alms House and the socialist notions that we should take care of those less fortunate and educate the poor in public schools (as provided by our Founders) adds credence to a growing suspicion that we may be regressing. The strength of the anti-alcohol effort (Temperance Movement) provides further confirmation of a strong social consciousness in Orleans County.

I guess the energy required to sustain such enlightenment gave way to “Progress.”

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent
Albion

Editor:

On Thursday night I had an automobile accident. It was the first major accident in my 40-plus years of driving. I encountered a very slippery road and despite reduced speed and early breaking I slid through an intersection and a ditch and landed in some trees!

The blow was significant enough to blow out the driver door window into me! I was stunned and quite upset as my car is one month shy of a year of ownership.

The very first person to help was a town of Shelby snowplow operator. He was concerned enough to inquire as to my well being and if I needed to call for help. I assured him I was OK and had a cell phone. I called 911 and was connected to Niagara County, who got Orleans on the line for me.

A wrecker from Lyons Collision in Medina was dispatched, as well as law enforcement. I called my wife and asked her to come to the scene to take me home after everything was properly settled.

Lyons arrived first with a tow and flat bed. The drivers had to wait for law enforcement before they could do anything. However, their concern about injuries and my comfort was outstanding.

Soon, a State Trooper arrived. I actually was a little afraid, as they have a reputation for toughness. Trooper Radford was extremely professional and very compassionate. He brought my wife to the vehicle and let her listen to all his instructions and questions, as well as being safe and warm. He saw no wrongdoing on my part and issued an accident report.

I went to Lyons Collision on Friday morning to clean out my car and authorize an estimate and arrange for my insurance company to deal with them. I can only say that I was treated very well. They are the best to if you need help after an accident.

Bottom line, we have great residents in Orleans County that care for others! If I had to have an accident, I am glad it was at home! Thanks to all who offered help, including some other passersby!

Sincerely,
Dayton Hausman
Medina