Editor:

This is my second letter on one of the many issues that plague this county. The sharing and distribution of the sales tax to towns and villages.

As a county I consider each town and village as a unique entity but when it comes to sales tax we are all as one. The sales tax that is collected comes from ALL of Orleans County. The county’s take on sales tax for 2015 may be in the 15-million-dollar range.

The county will only part with about 1 million of that for our towns and villages. Are they kidding? The formula the county uses by assessed value is a joke. The collected sales tax money comes from and belongs to all of us.

Every town and every village is cash strapped and passes that on to us in the form of higher taxes. This miniscule amount that the Legislature reluctantly doles out has been frozen since 2001. That’s 14 years.

In the mean time the beautiful Village of Medina is facing tax increases and flight of residents hurting property values. The Village of Albion has had to borrow money to put new roofs on village buildings. They can’t even afford to demolish blight abandoned houses in the neighborhoods.

I talked with a Village of Lyndonville trustee, who says the village doesn’t know where it will get the money to demolish an abandoned house in our village.

This story that I’m telling you goes on in all our towns and villages throughout our county.

We can not rely on the state for this kind of taxpayer funding. The money is right here in our county. Our establishment Republican legislators won’t give up one dime more to help the people they represent, including the current legislator who I am running against who represents Yates, Ridgeway and part of Shelby.

If we can’t depend on our local leaders to help us, then who? They are the closest representation that we have – the people that we can reach out to. Albany is distant and far.

I stand with the towns and villages on this issue. Above all I stand with the residents of Orleans County that are burdened with outrageous property taxes.

I would like to see a half and half share of this sales tax to all towns and villages. If it’s $15 million, the county gets $7.5 million and the other $7.5 million goes to the towns and villages. This would give the all towns and the very cash-starved villages the shot that they need to get caught up and reduce taxes.

Reducing taxes would bring in more sales tax, grow business, bring in young families with children to grow our declining school population and fill the empty houses. Maybe even spur some growth of new houses.

Our selfish leadership at the Legislature can’t see this and none we elected will stand up for us. You want to talk about cooperation? This would be a great start to a renewed Orleans County.

The County Legislature would have to make some changes but I know there is much fat and redundant programs that could be trimmed.

This is what I would like to see be done with this sales tax inequity. It will not be easy to get this done, but you have to put in place people who will work for you instead of against you .

We have to reduce the property taxes throughout this county if we are to succeed and thrive. It is a must.

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Yates

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Lyndonville Lions Club put on its biggest fireworks show on July 4, the 41st annual Fourth of July celebration put on by the Lions in Lyndonville.

Editor:

The Lyndonville Lions Club held its 41st Annual Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4th. The fireworks display, which culminated the festivities and was our largest show ever, was by far the greatest expense for the Lions Club on this day. It is only with the response and support of area businesses, organizations and the general public that these fireworks are possible.

I would like to thank each of the over 50 businesses and organizations that contributed to this year’s show. In addition, thanks to all those individuals who bought raffle tickets, placed money in the Lyndonville Lions Club Independence Day Firecracker Cans and who donated money in the firecracker barrels being pulled along the parade route.

Again, without the tremendous community-minded support of each and every one of you, a display such as this would not be possible. With your continued support, I hope for an even bigger show next year.

Sincerely,

Wes Bradley
Lyndonville Lions Club
Fireworks Fundraising Chairman

Editor:

I am Jim Simon, and I am running for the Town of Yates Supervisor position in the upcoming Republican Party primary nomination scheduled for Sept. 10.

I have lived in the Town of Yates for over 10 years, and for me and my wife and 8 children, it was love at first sight. I love everything from the Christmas holiday parties at the Yates Community Library and picking apples, blueberries and strawberries at local farms, to dipping a fishing line and taking in the sunset at Shadigee.

I am an Air Force veteran and I work in local higher education as an administrator. I have grown to appreciate the hard-working and friendly people of our community.

Alas, this community is now being bitterly divided by Apex Clean Energy.

I am adamantly opposed to the Apex Lighthouse Wind Project. I am for transparent, collaborative and inclusive economic development for the betterment of our entire community – including green energy – yet that is precisely the opposite of what is happening in Yates. Let me explain.

Apex Clean Energy, a Virginia-based company, has yet to sign the New York State Wind Ethics Code and has demonstrably failed to conduct itself in an open and honest manner. Why should any of us accept industrial zone planning of 60-70 massive 570-foot wind turbines through secret negotiations with select landowners, even before our town officials are aware of the proposal? If given the opportunity, I would immediately cease all discussions with Apex until it signs and proves it is abiding by the NYS Wind Ethics Code.

The 2011 Article X state law covering large-scale energy production proposals is controlled by a 7-member state “siting board” that will only have two representatives from the affected towns or counties. This law all but takes away local home rule and places the final decision in Albany. If elected, I would immediately partner with the Town Board of Somerset and support their July 7, 2015, resolution against the Apex proposal and the Article X law.

This proposal is not economically feasible. It involves payments to a handful of land owners and it promises a payment in-lieu of taxes to the town, the school district and the county. However, this limited funding does nothing to offset the proven negative impact on property values.

Recent peer-reviewed medical research increasingly points to significant health concerns- including sleep disturbance and vertigo caused by sound, infra-sound and flicker effects – for citizens who live too close to industrial wind turbines (see July-August 2010 Audiology Today journal).

This “green” proposal threatens to degrade our environment and wildlife – from the impact on our migratory bird population to the attractiveness of our rural landscape.

I will be a voice for the citizens of the Town of Yates who are not being heard regarding the Apex industrial wind turbine proposal.

I am for seeking the advice and ideas of all residents, strengthening our small farms and businesses, preserving our natural resources and leveraging county and state support for improving our infrastructure. I look forward to the opportunity to serve my neighbors to make our town better than it already is.

Jim Simon
Town of Yates

Editor:

In late June, the state Legislature finished up a lengthy and unpredictable session in Albany with a broad overall agreement on many legislative issues. With such a diverse state, regionally and politically, it was challenging to get all parties to reach an agreement. I’m encouraged that we were able to come to a settlement with the Governor and Assembly, while still fighting for Western New York.

There’s good news on issues so important to Western New Yorkers, such as tax relief, education, and job creation.

Despite efforts to dramatically scale back the property tax cap, not only were we able to keep it intact, but we extended it for four years. Just this year, the property tax cap will save New York taxpayers over a billion dollars.

I believe the state should lead by example. That’s why I fought to keep state spending under the same two percent growth that applies to local governments and school districts under the property tax cap. This fiscal restraint will save state taxpayers over 1.5 billion dollars this year alone.

These savings will result in larger property tax relief checks and record funding for STAR and Enhanced Star. Together, these measures deliver major tax relief and provide stability to hard-working families, small businesses, and seniors who – for so many years – have been burdened by runaway government spending.

We also secured a key victory for Western New York children, parents, and teachers through record investments in our schools, libraries, and museums. We delivered an additional 25 million dollars in state education aid to schools in my district. We also eliminated nearly all of the anti-Upstate, Gap Elimination Adjustment, which will save taxpayers in my district 18 million dollars. Not only did we push back on some of the Governor’s extreme education policies, we introduced our own measures to comprehensively review Common Core, release tests to help students and teachers, and ensure tests are age appropriate.

Job creation and economic development is another critical matter for Western New York and has been my top priority. We’ve taken important steps to strengthen agriculture, redevelop brownfields, reduce energy rates, fund infrastructure, and expand green technology. These are important first steps to rebuilding the Western New York economy.

In other areas, we increased critical services to veterans returning from combat, children without adequate health care, women subjected to rape and domestic violence, victims of mental illness, and individuals and families affected by disabilities. Stricter measures against drug dealers and sex offenders will keep our families and communities safe. For example, years after the Amanda Lynn Wienckowski tragedy – years after intense negotiations – I’m pleased to report that Amanda Lynn’s law passed the Senate and Assembly.

But I’m also extremely disappointed in the actions – or inaction – taken by the New York City-dominated Assembly and a downstate liberal Governor on key issues. The Governor and Assembly walked away from most of our common sense reforms to the unconstitutional SAFE Act. The Governor threatened to shut down government unless legislators accepted his divisive education proposals. He has also vowed to proceed unilaterally on controversial issues like mandating a minimum wage that’s unacceptable to our small businesses and non-profits, and appointing a special prosecutor to investigate our police officers.

Despite the progress, I’m not ready to declare victory because we still have a lot of work ahead of us to revitalize Western New York and fight back against the destructive policies of downstate politicians and special interests.

State Sen. Rob Ortt
62nd Senate District

Editor:

I’m running for Orleans County Legislature, District 2, which includes Yates, Ridgeway, and part of Shelby. I would like to weigh in on IDAs (industrial development agencies).

With the Comptroller’s audit released on our Orleans County EDA (Economic Development Agency), it gives a great opportunity to highlight what a scam this added layer of government really is.

This audit (click here) shows that this giveaway of taxpayer money is mostly geared toward the politically connected and “Friends of the Legislature.” Something I witnessed with my own eyes not to long ago with our Legislature stepping in with our own tax dollars to make a “Friends” site shovel ready.

Now our Legislature has become a wing of the IDA pulling more money out of our pockets. It’s bad enough that our state picks our pockets to fund this corporate welfare program that is of no benefit to the local taxpayers as far as property tax relief goes. Because of the tax deferments and breaks these chosen businesses get, YOU the taxpayer have to pick up the slack in your property taxes.

Can anyone honestly say that their property taxes have gone down because of all this bribing to keep or bring business to our county? Isn’t the purpose of having larger business in your district to help bring down the property tax burden on the local residents and provide jobs?

That does not happen because of 10, 20, 30 years of tax deferments. Not to mention the millions of dollars in location bribes, in many cases.

Let’s talk about jobs. Many of these job creators overestimate the jobs that are to be created or bring in migrant workers from out of the country to fill them. Intergrow comes to mind. They laugh all the way to the bank. They also know that they have a “Friend” at the IDA that isn’t going to hold them accountable or come after them for a return of finances.

Western NY Energy gets some tax breaks. That’s our money wasted on an inefficient fuel, that creates more pollution, lowers gas mileage, provides no benefit to the environment and has raised the cost of food all over the country. Now they are seeking more tax relief for a another grain storage bin. Where is our tax relief? When is enough, enough?

Can you imagine if this money was just applied to relieve the property tax burden? Until the over-taxation of our property is addressed by our county and elected officials, nothing – no number of bribes and giveaways to micro or big business – is going to get people and business to want to move here and take roots.

I would like to see all IDAs/EDAs ended. That is not going to happen with the current weak Republican leadership. Please take into consideration when you go to vote that I will be a watchdog of the IDA/EDA, holding them and the businesses accountable.

When a business takes the charity of our hard-earned money, they need to be held to their job creation predictions. If they pull out for any reason, they need to be made to pay back all of the money with interest.

We do this with any welfare recipient that defrauds us. Just because someone is wearing a suit does not make them above the law. I wonder if anyone at the EDA will get reprimanded or terminated for this? My guess is they will get a raise and a night out at the Pillars.

We must reduce property taxes in this county or nothing will change.There needs to be a change in all the bodies of government in this county. Progressive Republican ideology has failed us. Vote on the conservative line.

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Lyndonville

Mr. Lauricella is a candidate for County Legislature on the Conservative Party line.

Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

Jeff Holler
Albion

Editor:

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

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

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

Robert VanWuyckhuyse
Kent

Editor:

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

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

James Recco
Albion

Editor:

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

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

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

Glenn Maid
Lyndonville

Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

Mark Doty
Kendall

Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Wendy Jacobson MS RN GNP
Interim CEO
Orleans Community Health

Editor:

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

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

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

Kathy Ludwick serves as treasurer and coordinator of vendors.

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

Brad London and Don Bishop manage the food court.

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

Brad London coordinates advertising and media coverage.

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

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

Ron LaGamba coordinates the newly added fishing component.

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

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

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

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

The Community Amateur Radio Club coordinates communication throughout the Festival.

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

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

Joe DiBella coordinates the Farmers’ Market.

Leon Zak of Zak Software provides and manages the website.

Community Action provides shuttle service.

The Catholic Daughters tirelessly staff the information booth.

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

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

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

Michael Bonafede
Albion

Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best regards,

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

Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew Passarell
Supervisor
Town of Albion

Editor:

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

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

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

Respectfully,

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