Editor:

First, allow me these three asides:

This summer might be the perfect one for getting into providing water for “your” birds.  Once begun, changing the water in a bird bath should be a daily ritual.

Representative Trey Gowdy of South Carolina may not know the Constitution as well as he thinks he does. During the farcical interrogation of Peter Strzok, Gowdy spoke of impeachment as though he was confusing “indictment” by the House of Representatives with conviction by the United States Senate.

Wouldn’t it be special if the Orleans County Legislature helped the Towns of Barre and Yates with the costs of their efforts to navigate the specter of 600-foot-high wind turbines being erected in otherwise pristine wooded areas of each as Niagara County Legislators have done for Somerset?

When Iowa governor Robert Ray died earlier this week at age 89, the nation gave up another shining example of the decency that defines who we are as a people. As governor, Ray welcomed Southeast Asian refugees at a time when many others refused.

Governor Ray had much in common with politicians such as John McCain (the guy the Trumpster thought was only a hero because he got captured), Jeff Flake, Bob Corker, Charley Dent and our 16th President.

Among other noteworthy red staters was Senator Bob Dole. Dole nagged Mr. Clinton until he took a stand against the thugs who often hid behind a veil of sanctimonious religion to systematically subject Bosnian Muslim families to the unspeakable (make Hitler proud) horrors visited upon them by “don’t confuse me with the facts” nitwits like Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. At his trial at The Hague, one of them insisted he was innocent of war crimes because he didn’t actually execute anyone. He just gave the orders that resulted in the slaughter of thousands.

But choreographed executions were major improvements over the far more imaginative, depraved acts of horrific barbarity done in the interests of the ethnic /religious purity some seem to so prize.

Ray and Dole had an arguably better understanding of what the United States of America is all about than many of their contemporaries.

While it is safe to say that this writer will never have an (R) beside his name, the people alluded to above (unlike many of today’s enablers) would help make it possible for me to be proud to call myself one.

Regards,

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

Some unwarranted criticism has been levelled against Somerset Supervisor Dan Engert for his claim that 70 percent of residents oppose the installation of industrial wind turbines in our community and are thus opposed to Lighthouse Wind.

Supervisor Engert is entirely correct, as not one, but three independent surveys have shown this to be the case. The high response rate to these surveys, over 60 percent participation, is the justification. If you care to ignore the statistical justification for this, as some are doing, there is other irrefutable evidence that supports the claim.

Consider the NYSDPS Lighthouse Wind website where over 1,000 entries oppose the project.

Consider the 30 organizations that are on record with significant concerns about the project or totally oppose it.

Consider the Save Ontario Shores organization and their hundreds of active supporters.

Consider the Power Coalition group of 12 organizations in opposition to the project.

Consider the numerous ordnances written in the Townships of Yates and Somerset with overwhelming public support that protect our Towns against the industrialization that project will bring.

Consider the numerous Town Board meetings over the past four years, most recently in the past week where those opposing the project have vastly outnumbered supporters.

Consider the political landscape, where through two election cycles, town board candidates in opposition to Lighthouse Wind in both Yates and Somerset have run unopposed or handily won. Supervisor Simon of Yates, a solid opponent of Lighthouse Wind, was elected to his original position on a write-in ballot. Quite a feat!

Those who question the overwhelming public opposition to Lighthouse Wind are in deep denial. There may be 10,000 or more acres under lease but acres do not vote, people vote, and they have spoken loudly and clearly that Lighthouse Wind is the wrong project in the wrong place. We do not want our quiet lakeshore community industrialized. The risks are too great. The benefits are nil.

The project must be cancelled.

James C. Hoffman

Somerset

Editor:

This is one of the most despicable moments in our history. The President of the United States has publically chosen to side with a foreign government over the work of the men and women of our intelligence agencies.

I grew up in the era of Ronald Reagan. I remember Reagan standing up to Gorbachev and demanding, “tear down this wall!” He did this with strength, not weakness. He fought for American values on the world stage because they were also human values. Humane values. We have seen nothing but weakness from this president.

It’s clear now that the pre-eminence of Western Democracy is in jeopardy. The threat is coming from inside our country. Every citizen has a responsibility to stand up and say that this is wrong. The alarm bell has to be rung: we have to defend Democracy. We have to be outspoken today. We have to vote in November.

Nate McMurray

Grand Island

(McMurray is the Democratic Party candidate for Congress in the 27^th District.)

Editor:

We urge you to read the July 2018 Western New York Catholic with four articles on immigration: Bishop Malone’s “Let’s Build Bridges, Not Walls,” “Catholic Leaders Condemn Zero Tolerance” and two columns.

When President Trump first took office, he said, regarding the “undocumented,” it doesn’t make sense to deport successful, productive people.

Regarding refugees, thanks to President Trump for stopping his administration’s odious process of separating, even infant children from their parents and siblings and imprisoning them without contact.

But that’s just the beginning of needs that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops have asked our government to address:

We’re still faced with these unjust and/or inhumane actions:

1. Imprisoning refugee children and parents “indefinitely.” According to Time magazine, they secured a memo that the Attorney General and HHS are considering using a Super Fund toxic-contaminated former army base, with “austere” conditions.

2. Denying asylum to women fleeing domestic violence.

3. The attorney general is still calling for “zero tolerance” regarding the “undocumented.” That creates the prospect of separating a million-plus children and families.

4. Deporting persons (DACA eligible), who came here as children through no fault of their own, and have prospered and contributed, many now with wives and children.

5. Deporting anyone who came to the US to work since 1986 until recently (and we allowed employers to hire “undocumented,” although it was against the law), and did work and contribute, who’ve educated themselves, who’ve served in the US Military, who are caretakers for children and elderly, who are victims of and witnesses to crime, and not serious criminals nor discernible security threats. (Protected up till recently by Prosecutorial Discretion.)

6. Depriving farmers of productive, non-criminal workers. (Being “undocumented” is not a crime, where hiring them is.) We’ve allowed this for so long, particularly from 1986 to 2003, to enforce the law harshly now would be both unjust and economically foolish.

It seems the President has taken some poor advice or appointed the wrong people.

As Catholics we should urge the President to allow more refugees (as we’ve done in the past) and follow his initial thoughts on “undocumented” farmworkers and other such workers. We should likewise urge Congress to finally approve a bi-partisan bill, that takes into consideration the justice and Christian principles that the Bishops and other religious and civic leaders and organizations have advised since 2003.

We realize the President has expressed concern over criminality of the “undocumented.” The reality is that immigrants are no more likely to commit crime that any other population group, and victim studies verify that.  Even with respect to “street crime,” they’re likely less prone, than American citizens, who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

Bob Golden and the Holy Family Social Justice Committee

Albion

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Editor:

This letter is for Mr. Capurso and any other left wing extremist who I gladly offend. Mr. Capurso’s uneducated response to my recent letter on July 2 was a result of his exposure to fake news from CBS, NBC, CNBC, CNN, late night talk show hosts, the entire Democrat Party and many others foaming at the mouth with vitriol and hatred for Conservatives, the Supreme Court and President Trump that happens to be beating the pants off of this twisted ideology. Leftists are losing at every turn and are about to be swept away with a big “Red Wave” this November.

Mr. Capurso, those that are sneaking across our border with children, they are coming here with lots of money? They are paying their own way? Or are the taxpayers now responsible for their welfare? I’m am sure for a fact that your grandfather worked very hard and that your grandmother stayed home, kept the house and raised the children, but doesn’t that conflict with the radical feminist views of woman in your party today?

Mr. Capurso, you mention morality. You are a member of a party that demands the taking of human unborn life by mere choice at all trimesters. You also by supporting illegal entry to this country condone human trafficking, rape, child sex, murder, drug smuggling, gang violence and all the degradation that come with it.

You support taking away the self worth and dignity of a human by training today’s youth that the government trough is where you feed – by destroying generations of humans with Johnson’s new deal. Please Mr. Capurso don’t talk to me about morality when you are a proud Democrat.

So when you’re confronted with the truth and that brick wall comes up over common sense – and the words Christian values, charity, benevolence, children, mercy and compassion – start to remember you belong to a party that fights for, condones and is its number 1 issue since Roe vs. Wade is the murder by choice of 60,069,971 Americans and non-Americans on our soil in the womb. That’s more than Hitler, Stalin and Mao combined.

Trump will appoint another Antonin Scalia to the Supreme Court very soon. Trump equals America winning! Build the wall. No watered down weak bills. Congressman Collins, are you listening? I hope so.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Editor:

We, the undersigned Municipal Historians of Orleans County, are profoundly disappointed with the disregard the Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals has shown for the only National Historic Landmark in Orleans County by entertaining the possibility of building a Dollar General across the road from the Gaines District No. 5 Cobblestone Schoolhouse in Childs.

The Cobblestone Society stands as a stalwart supporter of historic preservation and derives much of its authenticity from the nature of the surrounding community. The three buildings that constitute this significant landmark demonstrate a unique method of construction developed and perfected between 1825 and 1860.

In 1993, the Secretary of the Interior designated the Cobblestone Historic District as one of just over 2,500 National Historic Landmarks in the United States. It is imperative that the integrity of this district and designation remain intact. Regardless of what type of faux finish is used for the facade, the new structure will be inauthentic, and will destroy the tenor of the neighborhood.

We respectfully request that the Town of Gaines protect what is both a local and national treasure and reject the proposal.

Thank You,

Matthew R. Ballard, Orleans County Historian

Adrienne Kirby, Gaines Town Historian

Adrienne Daniels, Barre Town Historian

Lysbeth Hoffman, Carlton Town Historian

Melissa Ierlan, Clarendon Town Historian

Marsha DeFilipps, Holley Village Historian, Murray Town Historian

Alice Zacher, Shelby Town Historian

Dawn Metty, Yates Town Historian

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Editor:

The Lyndonville Lions Club held its 44th Annual Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 4th. The fireworks display, which culminated the festivities, has become one of the largest shows in all of Western New York.

This fireworks display is by far the greatest expense for the Lions Club on this day. It is only due to the response and support of area businesses, organizations and the general public that a show of this magnitude is possible. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to each of the over 50 businesses and organizations that made donations toward this year’s show.

In addition, thanks to all those people who gave donations, who bought raffle tickets, who placed money in our Independence Day Firecracker Cans and who dropped money in the firecracker barrels 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 that displays like this may continue for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Wes Bradley

Lyndonville Lions Club

Fireworks Fundraising Chairman

Editor:

A recent writer to the Letters to the Editor in the Orleans Hub suggested we might learn more about the proposed Lighthouse Wind project if we “Attend Meetings.” All I can say in reply is “I’d love to!”

If Lighthouse Wind were to be so kind as to tell me where and when they were holding public meetings, I would be standing in line to be the first one in the door so I could get a front row seat. The truth, however, is that Lighthouse Wind holds meetings for their leaseholders and, except for one or two public meetings early in the process three to four years ago, has been unavailable to the public at large.

The Town Boards of Yates and Somerset have invited Mr. Mark Goodwin, CEO of Lighthouse Wind’s parent company, Apex Clean Energy of Virginia, to meet with them; Mr. Goodwin has not even shown the common courtesy to have acknowledged receipt to their letters of invitation.

The new project manager for Lighthouse Wind, Mr. Paul Williamson, has thus far not shown his face in public since becoming involved in the project. The truth appears to be that Lighthouse Wind does not want public discussion, does not want to hear the voices of opposition to the project, and wants to force this project down the throats of these unwilling towns through the Article 10 process which has stripped home rule from the people.

Steve Royce

Appleton

Photo by Tom Rivers: Save Ontario Shores members had a float during the Lyndonville Independence Day Parade showing their opposition to the proposed Lighthouse Wind project.

Editor:

The table below shows the results of an empirical assessment of public comments made to the DPS website in relation to the Lighthouse Wind Project as proposed for the Towns of Yates and Somerset by APEX Clean Energy.  All comments made to the DPS site regarding the Lighthouse Wind Project were included in the assessment and cover the time period from January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018. All comments were read fully in order to ascertain position regarding the industrial wind turbine project. The positions were tabulated as in favor of or opposed to the project.

The results are as follows:

The overall results for the time-period January 2015 to June 30, 2018 are as follows:

Comments in favor of Lighthouse Wind Project =  233

Comments opposed to Lighthouse Wind Project = 1024

Percent of comments in favor of Lighthouse Wind Project = 19%

Percent of comments opposed to Lighthouse Wind Project = 81%

For over three years, the results continue to show overwhelming opposition to Apex Clean Energy’s Lighthouse Wind Project.

Overwhelming opposition…

Thank you,

John B. Riggi

Councilman, Town of Yates

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Editor:

Mr. Lauricella recently posted his concerns on the matter of immigration. It’s a serious subject requiring deliberative thought and actionable solutions. Our United States immigration policies unquestionably require considerable and comprehensive reform if they are to stand any chance of working. Given that, however, Mr. Lauricella merely retreads the same tired, worn and stereotypical opinions that have been entirely disproven over the past 150 years. That Mr. Lauricella also does not provide any support for his positions is personally disturbing.

I could offer to Mr. Lauricella that Republican President Ford  created the “Domestic Council Committee on Illegal Aliens” to study the effects of undocumented workers in the United States. The results of the study showed that immigrants were good for the economy and they gave more in taxes than they took in welfare or health care.

I could add that as a result, during the Reagan administration the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 was passed. It allowed legalization of status for both undocumented people who had lived in the United States before 1982 and agricultural workers.

Mr. Lauricella may care to recall that in September of 1996, the Democrats were done with liberal Reagan reforms so the Clinton administration passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. The bill intended to make deportations easier and focused on immigrants with criminal convictions. It also penalized employers who hired undocumented workers.

Mr. Lauricella is undoubtedly aware that during the Obama administration more immigrants were deported than in any other presidential administration in history. Most of those caught were within 100 miles of the border and the Obama administration required that all were finger-printed and thus had formal criminal records attached to them. This last fact may not fit neatly into Mr. Lauricella’s preconceived notion of the Leftist Democrat Socialist vote.

It’s true that immigrants use state and local resources. Quite a few native-born American’s exploit and take advantage of government programs too.  However, take a high-immigrant state, like North Carolina, and we see immigrants utilized $900-million in available state programs. On the other hand – those same immigrants paid out nearly $4-billion in state and local taxes and contributed an additional $14.2 billion in spending power.  This is data, Mr. Lauricella, not opinion.

I would add one additional and widely overlooked argument for why immigration as a whole to this country is worth keeping an open mind about.  This has to do with our national security – but not in a way you may be thinking. When national security analysis are created, the United States makes net assessments against our near-peers– specifically China and Russia – and our near-peers do the same.

When Russia and China view the United States, it is not our weapons systems, our technology or our military budget that scares them most – it is our immigrants. Russia’s population is unhealthy and declining rapidly. China’s population is aging out rapidly. When China and Russia look at the United States they see millions of mostly young people from all over the world flocking to our shores and not theirs.

Our exponential expanding manpower assisted by immigration is the one thing neither of these other countries can reproduce, reengineer or compete against and they know it. From a long-term national security viewpoint, China and Russia would consider themselves blessed to have immigration problems to concern themselves with.

Darren Wilson

Lyndonville

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