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Editor:

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the current political climate in the Town of Shelby. As a taxpayer of this town, I have noticed a disturbing pattern of accusations that seem to surface conveniently close to the time of elections, rather than during the term served by our elected officials.

There appears to be a deliberate attempt by certain individuals or groups to market these accusations in a vague and untimely manner to fuel mistrust and confusion among the residents.

While it is crucial to address any potential misconduct or wrongdoing by our public servants, it is disheartening to witness the timing of these accusations. It raises questions about the motives behind such actions and the extent to which they are fueled by political expedience rather than genuine concern for our community’s well-being.

When accusations are brought up just before an election, voters are left with limited time to fully investigate and verify the validity of the claims. This lack of transparency could potentially misguide voters and undermine the democratic process.

The timing of these allegations seem to be intentionally lacking details and specifics. This prevents residents from gaining a clear understanding of the issues at hand and makes it difficult to make informed decisions when casting their votes.

We need to foster an environment where accusations are made promptly allowing for thorough investigation and response, regardless of the election cycle.

As the Town of Shelby’s election approaches, I urge my fellow residents to critically evaluate the timing and nature of these complaints made against the town officials and its candidates as well as who these allegations support politically. Let us not be swayed by unsubstantiated claims that may only serve as distractions from genuine policy discussions and proper evaluations of our potential elected representatives.

It is high time we demand integrity in our local elections, ensuring that issues are addressed in a timely manner, regardless of the political climate or self-serving agendas. Our town deserves committed leaders who will represent us sincerely and responsibly, without the threat of a smear campaign.

Jennifer Hill-Young

Holley resident, business owner in Shelby

Editor:

I just saw an ad in the Hub for a community Q&A event this Saturday, October 21st, sponsored by the Shelby Republican Committee and featuring “All Shelby Candidates.”

While I always appreciate community events, I was only recently invited a few days ago and already have commitments on Saturday. I don’t want anyone to think I declined the opportunity to attend.

During my campaign, I’ve taken to the streets, walking door-to-door, meeting residents, and engaging with community members. The joy of this process has been reconnecting with so many of you who I’ve had the privilege to serve as your Town Clerk for 16 years.

My office has been and will continue to be a neutral space. The services my department provides are conducted fairly, accurately, and efficiently. My commitment is to you—the people of Shelby—and not to a political party or agenda.

I hope I have demonstrated my dedication to serving this community, and I humbly ask for your vote to continue as your Town Clerk for another four years.

Sincerely,

Darlene Rich

Shelby Town Clerk

Editor:

I just wanted to make a public thank you to the ambulance service and Barre Fire Department that responded to our home in the middle of the night on Tuesday for an emergency with our precious 3-year-old girl.

The men were absolutely wonderful with our daughter. My husband and I were so worried about our daughter at the time that I cannot recall if we thanked them. I’m not sure whom they were, but their quick response and kindness did not go unnoticed.

Thank you, thank you, thank you and God Bless you!

Jennifer Leverenz

Barre

Editor:

I am writing this letter to the editor to wish all the candidates the best in all their future endeavors – win or lose.

It’s a great thing when multiple people care enough about their community and want what is best for it. That being said I’d like to express that the last few years I have noticed the Shelby Highway Department has been doing a nice job on getting the failing ash trees along the roads taken care of. The roads are overall in nice shape while the highway’s budget seems to be in good order from what I hear from the meetings I watch.

I think a lot of us have already forgot how good of a job all the members of Highway Department did during the blizzard last Christmas. Being someone who has worked for Dale Root on his farm in the past, I always found him to be pleasant and caring. If something didn’t work or I made a mistake, all he cared was I was OK and after always being honest with him it was a “well we can repair that! just glad you’re good!”

Elections in small towns can be difficult. Everyone knows each other and some are friends with all the candidates. Vote for who you will as long as you go vote. Many brave men and women died to give us this sacred right. God Bless Shelby and all its candidates and their families and God Bless America.

Karl Haist Jr.

Shelby

Editor:

My name is Christine Pask and I am the endorsed Republican candidate for Shelby Town Clerk.  My husband Jeff and I are proud to say we are both lifelong members of the community and have had the amazing opportunity to raise our three daughters in the Town of Shelby.

Through my years of coaching/co-organizing the Medina Powder Puff League and serving as secretary to the Medina Marching Band Boosters, I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you and working with your children.

I have worked at the Orleans County Department of Social Services for 14 years and at the Orleans County Board of Elections as Deputy Republican Commissioner since 2019.  I have had many wonderful experiences dealing with people and at times, have had to deescalate stressful situations. I have been a notary since 2016. From clerical and general accounting to management and administrative experience, I believe my years working for Orleans County have prepared me to take on the task of Shelby Town Clerk.

As your Town Clerk, I will work with community organizations such as the Red Cross, MAAC and local churches to better serve our community. I will have extended hours to better accommodate working individuals to pay water bills, issue hunting and fishing licenses as well as other permits needed. Serving the people of Shelby is essential.

Commitment to the community is very important to me and something I take pride in. I would like to apply my passion towards the betterment of Shelby and ask that you vote “Pask for Shelby Town Clerk” on November 7th.

Thank you.

Christine Pask

Shelby

Editor:

I stumbled upon an advertisement in The Hub regarding a Question-and-Answer session sponsored by the Shelby Republican Committee on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., “with All Shelby candidates.”

I regret to say that I won’t be in attendance at this gathering, as I was unaware of the event and did not receive an invitation.

However, I want to emphasize my commitment to being accessible to the residents of Shelby. If residents have any questions or concerns about my plans for Shelby’s highway department, please reach out to me. Your input is invaluable, and I’m happy to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our town.

I am a registered Republican who has also earned the rare endorsement of the Democratic Party, solidifying my position as a truly bipartisan candidate. I am firm that public services, including the work of Shelby’s highway department, should benefit all residents without political bias. I invite you to consider me as the candidate for highway superintendent who truly represents every voter.

Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to hearing from you: WGW112023@gmail.com, (585) 798-4356 and www.facebook.com/wgw2023.

Sincerely,

Bill Wolter

Candidate for Shelby Highway Superintendent

Editor:

My name is Kevin Sheehan and I understand that Trustee Zack Burgess has resigned because of moving. I would like to thank him for his hard work and dedication to the residents of the Village.

I would be interested in being appointed to the remainder of his term on the Village Board. In the past I have served as mayor, deputy mayor and trustee for around 9 years. (I resigned during one term to accept the position of code enforcement officer/fire marshal).

I presently work for the State of New York and have retired from Local 13 plumbers/Pipefitters and Batavia VA. I have served on the Village of Albion Planning Board and presently sit as chairman of the Town of Albion Planning Board.

Thank you for considering me for this position and I understand Tom O’Hearn and Pete Sidari are also interested and would also be a fine choice to represent the people of the Village of Albion.

Kevin Sheehan

Albion

Editor:

This is in response to John Pratt’s allegations posted in the Orleans Hub. He states “I have been deeply disturbed.” If you were deeply disturbed as you say about “instances of women being verbally harassed, degraded, and disrespected by officials, both in the office and in public settings,” why did you not act as is required by law at the time it happened?

Your failure to act to protect the victim, and report the alleged crime, makes you a co-conspirator of your alleged claims of a crime. Why wait till one month before an election?

If you have been a witness to as you claim, “There have been evident breaches of ethics by both current and former leadership, all under the less than watchful eyes of the town’s legal advisors,” why have you not made it public before now? You have been an elected official for the past 4 years. You swore an oath to people of this town, yet it is evidently apparent you failed completely beyond any doubt to do your sworn duty.

Mr. Pratt, why did you violate the town nepotism policy not just once but three separate occasions? According to Town of Shelby meeting minutes, on Feb 15, 2022, you made a motion to give the town clerk (your sister-in-law), a pay raise of $17,000. Not only did you make a motion, you voted to give her a raise.

When that motion was defeated you made another motion at that same meeting to give her a $10,673. Again you voted to give her a raise. When that motion was voted down by the board, at the next meeting on March 10, you again made a motion to introduce resolution 43-22, a proposed $3,000 raise which you again voted in favor of.

You clearly violated the town nepotism policy by not only introducing raises for a close family member, but you also voted on the matter, when protocol clearly dictates you should have excused yourself from voting, let alone not introducing legislation benefiting a close relative.

Why are you so adamantly opposed to a Code of Ethics law which holds elected officials to a higher standard? With everything you are claiming is happening in the Town of Shelby, I as a taxpayer would think you would be the number one proponent of this law (which is required by New York State). However, for some unknown reason you are its number one opponent. Why is that? Is it so you can ensure a close relative benefits from your position on the Board?

Mr. Pratt you were elected to represent the taxpayers of the Town of Shelby. If as you claim, everything happened as you say, then you completely and utterly failed to do your sworn duty as an elected official of the Town of Shelby.

Considering your past inactions, violations of Town Policy, and complete failure to live up to your oath, how can the taxpayers trust your word when you have by your own lack of integrity and actions failed to protect the people you have sworn to serve?

Scott Wengewicz

Supervisor, Town of Shelby

Editor:

My name is Thomas K. O’Hearn. I am 63 years old and have lived in the village and paid village taxes my whole adult life.

I understand that trustee Burgess has resigned his position as he has moved out of the village. I served with the Albion Police Department for 20 years. I have been retired now for over seven years.

To the mayor and village board: I am interested in filling the remainder of trustee Burgess’ term. I also know that former trustees Sidari and Sheehan may also be interested. I believe that any of the three of us have much to offer.

Please consider one of us to fill this position. You will not be disappointed.

Thomas K. O’Hearn, retired lieutenant with Albion Police Department

Albion

Editor:

I have known Darlene Rich her entire life—from her childhood to the raising of her own family with her husband Mike.

She has always been dedicated to any endeavor she has undertaken. When she became Shelby Town Clerk, she worked very diligently to obtain all the education she could to tackle the job successfully and to the best of her ability for our residents.

Darlene has been our Town Clerk for 16 years, and I encourage Shelby’s residents to re-elect her.

Dave Green

Shelby

Editor:

Thank you to the leaders involved in the local events, services, libraries, museums, churches, benevolences and fundraisers in our area.

However the Albion community, in particular, needs to unite and let the public know how they can support and get involved. The key to a more successful event seems to be advertising everywhere, asking for volunteers and joining with other organizations.

It’s disheartening to see happenings after the fact or there is overcrowding of the calendar. Be a proud team, expand together and grow our town into what it once was.

Let us as a community know what we can do.

Cynthia Clute

Albion

Editor:

In the 12 years I served on the Medina Village Board I learned how difficult a job it is and how hard it is to gain the trust of the people you serve.

John Pratt is just such man who has worked diligently for the people of Shelby as a councilman. While he first decided to step aside and not seek reelection he changed his mind for the good of Shelby and has decided on a write-in campaign for Shelby Town Council. He is honest, is fair and was a  pleasure to work with on inner municipal dealings.

In the recent past, John has brought up issues of transparency within the current board, a quick way to lose the trust of the people you serve. He also feels that consultants have ill advised the Town Board on many dealings costing the town time, money and trust.

John feels that the town’s bookkeeping has issues with inconsistencies and withholding information making correct decisions by members of the board difficult. John is also concerned about high water rates from Medina.

I can tell you that no one from Shelby has asked the village to sit down and discuss the rates in over two or three years. John is also concerned by individuals turning a blind eye to a toxic workplace for women. In today’s world, that is unacceptable. Thankfully, John has brought that to the forefront and it can be corrected.

In true transparency let me say that I am not a resident of the town as I live in village but town of Ridgeway nor am I related to anyone holding or running for office. With all the problems facing Shelby, most notably STAMP, a good qualified individual is needed to help on the board.  John is a good man, is honest, hard working and is fair and I believe can help the Town Board as it faces those issues.

I urge the residents of Shelby to write in his name for councilman.

Owen Toale

Medina

Editor:

We, the below signed Shelby Town Board members categorically deny any knowledge of any type of harassment occurring at the Shelby Town Hall.  Any occurrence of this type of activity will be dealt with immediately.

These accusations from current board members appear to be the normal political rhetoric that is usually thrown at the oscillating device to see what sticks. The usual political, watch my left hand…but don’t look at my right.

The taxpayer needs to see what is being accomplished at the town, and for the town, not listen to the political B.S. being spewed. Get involved, come to meetings, see what really is going on, ask to speak with the town supervisor – he will meet with anyone.

Signed,

Scott Wengewicz, Shelby Town Supervisor

Steve Seitz, Town Councilman

Jeffrey  Schiffer, Town Councilman

Editor:

I’m not a very political person but I’ve worked in the Town of Shelby office long enough to know who would be best for these jobs, so I’m asking you to vote Republican this November.

I worked with Dale Root and Scott Wengewicz and know first-hand that they have the town’s best interest at heart and also have a network system that benefits us as a whole.

My cousin, Christine Pask, is running for Town Clerk this year. I feel she will be great at it. She is used to working with the public and is professional, courteous, fair and friendly to everyone. She’s very good with people and is a team player. She has more experience coming into this position than our current clerk did when she started. Chris has some great ideas on how to tighten up office spending along with decreasing accounting discrepancies. Chris’ strong work ethic will be essential as she is up to the challenge!

Remember, this is not a popularity contest. I’ve seen politics bring out the worst in some people. It even divides families! Life is too short for this type of nonsense. Vote Republican!

Respectfully,

Dorothy Nolan

Former Deputy Clerk in Town of Shelby

Editor:

When considering the Shelby Town Board, the heart of the matter lies in open dialogue, informative exchanges, and unwavering respect for all voices. It’s these foundational principles that drive my candidacy.

With a BBA in accounting and over 35 years in finance, serving in key positions as financial analyst and controller across manufacturing and banking, there’s a depth of knowledge I can apply to benefit our community. I’ve picked up practical skills, from budgeting to team collaboration, that I believe will benefit Shelby. This experience translates to sound financial decisions and an eye for ensuring resources are used to their fullest potential.

The value of local government is immeasurable, and the involvement of every resident amplifies its impact. Work sessions historically have provided a platform for these crucial discussions. One of my goals is to revitalize public work sessions, making them a cornerstone of community engagement again.

Town board meetings should be more than decision-making arenas; they should be inclusive spaces where opinions, popular or not, are heard and respected. My commitment extends to fostering this environment, promoting the exchange of essential information, and ensuring the community remains at the forefront of the town board’s decisions.

Medina is more than a location to me; it’s home. My family has been a part of the community for over 100 years. My three sisters and I were born and raised in Medina, children of John and Lorraine Limina, who owned Limina’s Jewelry Store on Main Street for 46 years.

Should Shelby voters choose to support me, know that I will work thoughtfully and diligently. Even though I am a Republican-endorsed candidate I am eager for the opportunity to serve everyone in Shelby. I stand for careful spending and researched decision-making. In our rapidly changing world, staying informed and engaged in local governance is more crucial than ever. Decision-making is not merely about choices; it’s about attention to detail and ensuring these choices best represent the collective insights and needs of the people.

I realize the chance to serve Shelby’s residents as a Town Councilmember is a privilege. I kindly ask for your vote.

Linda Limina

Candidate for Town Council in Shelby