Editor:

This letter is addressed to the Medina Village Board. It is time to let the people of Medina vote on the question of dissolution.

Much research has been collected and analyzed. A committee made up of community leaders was named to study the question and make a recommendation. The committee studied and recommended.

The question to dissolve the village government has been discussed ad nauseam. It’s time to let the people of Medina decide. Those opposing the dissolution need to do just one thing: delay the vote. The longer the vote is delayed, the longer the status quo remains, and the longer the people of Medina have no voice.

There is no need for more study or more debate. It is time for a vote. After the vote is counted, local officials from the towns and the village must live with the results of that vote, work together, develop a plan, and do what they are elected to do: provide the best possible services at an equitable cost to both town and village residents.

The Medina area has much to offer and is a great place to live. There is a great school system that has shown it can adapt to change. In the surrounding towns the family-owned agribusinesses carry on a rich agricultural tradition. There are recreational and tourist destinations like Oak Orchard Creek and the canal. The village has a beautiful downtown that is beginning to revitalize. There are neighborhoods with beautiful new and older homes.

But the community’s future is in jeopardy. Blight is spreading in areas you would least expect. Just drive down West Avenue to see once beautiful homes, with architectural features that will never again be duplicated, deteriorating more and more each day.

Eliminating a level of government or two, centralizing services that can be centralized and spreading the tax burden evenly isn’t going to cure all of the area’s ills, but it is a step in the right direction.

Edwin Weider
Medina

Editor:

I live on Route 18 and for the 15 years I’ve been here the state DOT has blacktopped at least twice and painted the lines five times – once about two weeks before paving.

I asked about this and was told it was just a mistake. What did that cost? The state started paving again from Niagara-Orleans line to Kuckville, beginning last Monday on June 9.

We can’t get a water line out here or the Parkway taken care of but we can sure get a speedway for the motorcycles. If we can’t fix the roads, we can just shut them down for the winter. Our candidate for govenor will never see the waste or what is truly needed.

Doug Jordan
Carlton

Writer also sees benefits to proposed quarry

Editor:

The past few months have been, for lack of a better term, enlightening. I am a person that likes to keep in touch with what is happening in our Orleans County region. In order to do that I have tried to make sure that I pull my information from more than one source, review, and come to my own conclusions.

Two issues of late have come to the forefront, urging me to put my thoughts to paper. The first is that of the dissolution of Medina into the local townships. I agree there is nothing clean about this process.

How often do you have a village established on top of a township border? From what I am reading I see that people thought it a good idea at first. Why not? It reduces redundancies in the local infrastructure that tax dollar is paying for.

The problem is that there is no clean way of “sharing services.” Reading the editorials and reports, it reminds me of two siblings arguing over who got the biggest piece of cake.

Instead of being Negative Nancy’s maybe the local leadership should think outside the box so that everyone come out ahead. What if instead of trying to dissolve Medina into two townships the two townships first merged and then absorbed the Village? After all a local Country Club (Shelridge) has already paved the way by supplying a name that captures the essence of both communities.

Quite possibly this has already been explored and there is a plethora of reasons why this would not work. However, on the chance that it has not, I would challenge the local leadership to explore this option, with an open mind.

The second issue that I see cropping up is that of the new stone quarry that is proposed on the Fletcher Chapel Road. “Saturday Night Live” did a skit that the key word was “REALLY” and I think that this is very fitting in this scenario.

So you want to drive down taxes and have more local employment but you want to complain about a business expanding in your community? REALLY? You complain about the unemployment figures and yet you don’t want a business expanding in your neighborhood. REALLY?

You complain about the number of people on welfare but you don’t want a business to expand, allowing the potential of taking people off welfare? REALLY?

I understand that there is the STAMP project that may, or may not, be affected by the ground tremors. The only thing is building a business park does not mean realized business and jobs.

In both cases listed I think that George Carlin said it best. “People suffer from NIMBY.” He went on to say that “people want things to happen but ‘NOT IN MY BACK YARD.'”
How is it that as a society we have taken on this greedy, self-centered arrogance? Think about this: Had the soldiers taken on that fore-mentioned attitude in fighting for our freedom, our surroundings would be much different than they are today.

Dennis Warriner
Lyndonville

Editor:

Medina may benefit from a history lesson, regarding the debate over dissolution.

In 1959 Medina bonded a nearly $1 million waterline project to connect with the Niagara County Water District. A 30-year debt was paid for BY VILLAGE OF MEDINA RESIDENTS. A new sewage treatment facility was needed to service homes, schools and businesses. Village residents paid this bill.

These projects allowed existing businesses to provide jobs, and taxes benefited both the village and towns. The Maple Ridge Corridor, Medina Business Park, Brunner, etc. all benefited.  But this boom also caused infrastructure issues, including flooding, sewer problems (Towne School required reconstruction of North, Elizabeth and State streets).

Infrastructure work was needed for the new high school, Church Street, East Oak Orchard street, and Gwinn  Street and it was all paid for BY VILLAGE RESIDENTS.

These costs made necessary a “sewage tax” (compare my neighbor’s water bill, $145 for one person versus my town friend’s $16). Again, the village residents take one for the team.

The town continued its great need for water in the 1980s and early ’90s. Medina is paying for it all. It is insulting to watch the smug attitude of the towns toward our mayor, who’s trying to ease the burden on village residents.

What ideas do THEY have regarding this great disparity of tax burden?  Oh, guess the PR person from NYC and the attorney speaking for the cowardly town representatives don’t have that on their agenda.

We are neighbors and friends with Shelby and Ridgeway, but this lack of concern for our burden in the village is disturbing, especially if our underpaid, over-extended village reps are willing to try and remediate it.

One Medina now.

Jim Hobbs
Village of Medina

Editor:

Although it is well and good to compare a fire protection tax to your garbage tax, I feel it is unfair for Ms. Babcock not to mention the majority tax base of Barre consists of open farmland. (Click here to see “Writer urges support for new Barre Fire Hall.”)

Farmland is also taxed on fire service. Unless there is a major grass fire, it pretty much takes care of itself.

The statement made of a minimal increase to the average home may be correct but it is not completely accurate in the overall equation. A taxpayer foots the bill no matter where the money comes from.

A new roof and a handicapped accessible entrance do not seem like insurmountable challenges for the current hall.

Will someone just please be honest and say they just WANT a new fire hall?

Martin Bruning
Barre

Editor:

Your editorial on the closing of the Journal-Register was very well put!  (Click here to see “A community newspaper will be missed.”)

I am so sad to see it go. I applaud that your Orleans Hub is available and hope that you will be able to fill some of the void that will be left behind! I am particularly concerned about the Towns of Shelby and Ridgeway and their very interesting behavior in regard to Dissolution of Medina.

I am particularly appalled that they chose to wait out the demise of Journal-Register rather than comply with a FOI request! I hope some journalist will take up this cause!

Thank you for your continued efforts to report on Orleans County!

Sincerely,

Dayton Hausman
Medina

Editor:

We assume we elect adults to office. We assume they do what they say, and do what they mean.

After reading that our town officials are not providing the information they are legally obliged to by the freedom of information act is more than disappointing. (Click here to see “Towns miss deadline on FOI request” in the May 28, 2014 Journal-Register.)

It seems that the Ridgeway and Shelby town boards are waiting for our paper to close and for the voices that may question or critique their actions are silent.

We really only have one of our three governments presenting options for our collective benefit. That benefit is lower taxes for most, and similar taxes for the rest. These statements are based on the combination of us all into one Medina.

I am personally disappointed in the lack of communication from the town governments. Personally I do not know the people, so I’m not sure if it is a lack of commitment, courage or fear of being elected again.

But it does seem like hide and seek.

Either way, when all three governments agreed that consolidation was the best option in 2011, it would be best for them to work toward that option.

Dean Bellack
Medina

Editor:

First of all I would like to thank the Barre Fire District Commissioners and all those involved in the development and planning for a new fire hall for the Barre Fire District. You have shown a lot of dignity at this time.

For the last two weeks we have read ads put in the Pennysaver that are against the new proposed fire hall. The people putting in these ads were not at the informational meeting nor have the correct facts and information. They are listening to people who think they have all the answers.

Although I don’t have all the answers, I do know this:

1. Will my taxes go up because of this building? No. You pay more garbage pickup than you do for fire protection. If you don’t believe that, check your recent tax statement.

2. The Fire Commissioners are responsible to the voters of the Town of Barre to make sure there is a building that the fire trucks can be in and that is safe for both the trucks and the firefighters – Not a building that has a leaking roof, no storage and, above all, is not handicapped accessible.

3. This building if built by EITHER the Fire District or Fire Company must be built according to New York State Building, Fire and Energy Codes and OSHA, State and Federal Regulations, and prevailing wages must be paid because it is a public works project and financed with the taxpayer money. If you don’t believe that check with the Town of Batavia about having the same issue or you can look up a recent lawsuit that the Bath Fire Department just went through.

To me this fire hall project is a no brainer. We either build it now with the approval of the Town of Barre voters, or we build it when we are forced to build it with no voice from the taxpayers. If you still need additional information you can visit the fire hall on Tuesday evening June 3 and there will be people that you can ask questions and get answers.

Remember to vote on Wednesday, June 4, from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Barre Fire Hall.

Cheryl Babcock
Barre

Editor:

Recently, Channel 4 investigations found that Ridgeway and Shelby hired an expensive PR firm from New York City for $6,000 to influence the media  and citizens how to report  and interpret dissolution.

Two mailers were sent to my home. Neither one was especially informative. Who paid for this skewed information? What did that cost? What about their website, phone line, all the ads, and signs?

When interviewed by Channel 4, not one of the town’s elected reps talked, only an attorney? Someone is making a lot of money on all this, and who pays? Looked at your tax bill lately? If our little Shelby and Ridgeway can’t speak honestly regarding dissolution, it is so insulting to me to have a PR person and attorney do it, with tax money.

Time to face the facts, which were laid out quite simply for FREE by Mr. Barhite in his recent letter to the editor.

Deborah Rodrigues
Ridgeway

Editor:

I felt anger and sadness on Memorial Day when I saw the no parking signs and barricades in place at the Ace Hardware store on East Center Street during the community program to honor veterans.

Medina observes this holiday in a special way and has been held for over 60 years. It is a time for young and old to honor our men and women who have served the country in the military and shows the true meaning of Memorial Day.

We see our older community members, hear our youth through the band, youth organizations and meet our Boys’ State representative. It probably takes 3 hours out of the day and the owner of the Ace store feels he has to protect his property by not allowing any parking except for his customers.

I personally spoke with the owner last year about this situation, but apparently his property is more important than giving some space to the community on one day a year.

Patricia Farman
Medina

Mother of son active US Navy
Husband – served in US Air force Vietnam
Brother – served US Army
Father – US Marine WWII
Grandfather – US Army WWI

Editor:

As a former resident of Orleans County and someone who still has many family members and friends living there, I would like to comment on the Clarendon Street bridge situation.

I agree with those who see the bridge as a vital entry into the Village of Albion. Having this street closed to through traffic would have a negative effect on both the citizens of Albion as well as visitors. It gives the impression that the village and/or county does not care about its citizens or the well being of the community.

At a time when Albion, as well as other villages, are working so hard to beautify and revitalize its business district, and the village as a whole, it would have a detrimental effect to have Clarendon Street block off.

I hope that the county and village can come to an agreement to keep the street open. I believe it is essential to a thriving community.

James Comden
Oak Brook, Illinois

Editor:

Taxes inside the Village of Medina are the highest anywhere. It stands to reason – we are taxed for services we don’t receive.

Look at the 2013 town budgets to see what villagers pay for in their Town tax:

Town Boards
Justices
Town Supervisors
Town Auditors
Assessment
Town Clerks
Town Attorney
Town Engineer
Town Elections
Buildings
Central Storeroom
Traffic Control
Control of Dogs
Town Highway Superintendents
EDA Support
State Retirement
Social Security
Medicare
Hosptial/Medical Insurance
Worker’s Compensation
Unemployment
Loan Interest
Machinery
Brush and Weeds
Snow Removal
“Services For Other Governments”

All together, we pay $2.6 million for all these services every year.

What do village residents actually get for our money?  Not much:

Assessment
Licenses (all of which we pay a fee for besides)
Courts (which is offset by fine income)
Elections

The Village is a Bank for the Towns with no pay back to the Village.  No wonder the Town Boards are spending our Tax dollars on PR agents and mass mailings to scare us  and village residents paid for those, too.

We need relief NOW! The Towns are unwilling to give any tax relief, so dissolving the Village government looks like our only hope.

Let the people vote on it.

David Barhite
Concerned Taxpayer in Medina

Editor:

The voters of the Medina Central School District (MCSD) have the opportunity to elect a new person to the board on Tuesday, May 20.  In the recent two elections, the community has selected three new members in the persons of Ann Webster-Bunch, Lori Draper and David Sevenski.

I am certain they provided new ideas, a vigilance and attention to detail, and a desire to serve the educational community selflessly. Board of Education service is demanding and requires a commitment to represent the entire community; students, staff and the tax payers. Hence the need for vigilance and attention to detail.

Renee Paser-Paull is running for a seat on the MCSD Board of Education. She is a very accomplished individual and I would encourage you to read her profile in the district budget insert in the May 11 Lake Country Pennysaver. This document should also be available at any Medina school office or business office.

I met Renee on several occasions when she attended board meetings during my tenure as a board member. She also was a faithfully attending member of the Medina PTSA.

I found her to be keenly interested in student achievement, available programming and how to best guide the district to its former place of excellence among WNY schools. While many schools struggle in our current economy, I believe Renee would bring a wealth of experience to the table and continue the efforts of many to reclaim MCSD’s reputation of excellence.

Renee, along with the other three newer members, brings a wide range of experience to the board. As I recall the district I grew up in, was employed by and served as a board member, I know that spirit of excellence still exists. We have an excellent new superintendent. Any organization is only as good as its CEO, in this case the board of education’s leadership and vision. Voters, select a brighter future for our district. BOE service is hard work and your vote counts. I welcome any questions you may have regarding Renee’s qualifications.

Maureen Blackburn
Medina

Blackburn is a former president of the Medina Board of Education.

Editor:

I wish to add my voice to the opposition of the Frontier Stone Company’s proposal to mine limestone next to the Iroquois Wildlife Management Area. The possible harm to the habitat and ground water within miles of the quarry will no doubt reverberate for the 75 or more years of the mine’s operation.

Make no mistake, there is big money involved here. One hundred seventy-two acres wide and 175 feet deep is a lot of limestone. They will have to pump out over half a million gallons of water a day, every day. That muddy discharge will go in a “drainage ditch” which will eventually find its way into the Oak Orchard River.

The harm to the river is incalculable and will be irreversible. The vibrations from blasting, drilling, front end loaders, crushers will resonate over this once peaceful farmland.

The resulting lowering of the water table will rob the neighboring Wildlife Refuge of its essential water. A tremendous amount of dust will pervade the atmosphere for miles around.

The time for public comment has been extended by the New York State DEC to June 9. You can mail your comments to:  Scott Sheeley, regional permit administrator, DEC Region 8, 6274 Avon-Lima Rd., Avon, NY 14414-9519. You can also email him at: frontierstone@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

This is important. We stand to gain only 15 jobs with this needless quarry and run the risk of endangering a very important wildlife area. Unfortunately, money talks and nature walks, unless we stop them.

Al Capurso
Albion

Editor:

This week the beginning of the emotions of our town and village residents came out at the dissolution meeting at the middle school. This is understandable and predictable.

This process is also necessary to let our thoughts be heard, and to let out our fears and frustrations.

What is occurring is the only step that could present itself at this time. In 2011 there was agreement between the two towns and the village representatives that moving toward one entity was in the best interest of all. Now in 2014 the political reality is if you are elected in Shelby or Ridgeway you have no motivation to do anything other than keep things the same.

The only way anything could move along is with the Village starting the change.

If there is one entity, one merged unit the taxes for many will go down, and the rest will be close to equalized with a merger of all.

The hardest thing to realize and see is that one entity over time is simpler, less costly, and better able to accommodate growth than three. Three governments always will create more long-term cost than one. Three governments will always be more restrictive than one. Three governments will always create more duplication than one.

The benefits we will gain can be hard for some to grasp. The benefits come after we are one. So look at where we are, and understand … One Medina is stronger than Three!

Dean Bellack
Medina