Editor:

Government is about the people. Making a difference in the everyday lives of individuals should be the central role to which we aspire as legislators. Society flourishes when personal freedom and liberty rule the day, not directives and penalties handed down in the form of taxes and mandates.

Unfortunately for New Yorkers, Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State Address last week was filled with the latter. Lofty expansion of programs and more state spending is what many witnessed but few desire.

According to the Tax Foundation, New York ranks 49th in the country in tax climate for businesses for the fourth year in a row. In addition, our state ranks 49th in terms of tax levies on personal income, 47th in property taxes and 43rd in sales taxes – all of which have contributed to more than one million residents who have left the state since 2010.

We have the power to change these embarrassing statistics and rewrite New York’s mantra of tax, fine and harass.

The solutions start with reducing fraud and waste in our Medicaid system, which spends more than Florida and Texas combined, and mitigating the over 140,000 pages of regulations Albany elites impose on our job creators – not bloating government as Gov. Cuomo proclaims.

Mandates like these, which counties and local governments cannot afford, are eventually paid by individuals in the form of higher property and state taxes.

We need to build on the success of the Charitable Gaming Act that was signed into law last year and further empower the thousands of fire departments, Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, non-profits, churches and charitable organizations that provide tremendous community services through their raffles.

Lake Ontario flood victims are still hurting and this year’s budget should include more funding to help these struggling individuals and business owners return to normalcy.

State government should hinge on allowing people to flourish and that cannot happen if disconnected elites like Gov. Cuomo continue to use their tax dollars to tax, penalize and restrict them.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

139^th District

Editor:

Not to worry that Thomas Jefferson said, “If I had to choose between a government without newspapers and newspapers without a government, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose the latter.”

Ignore the fact that the Orleans economy has essentially depended on “chain migration” for many decades. Imagine railing against those who feel “entitled” to disability while you “reform” the tax code and give yourself and your fat cat pals tens of millions in tax breaks.  In the President’s words, “My accountant tells me I will get killed by this bill.” Of course, we won’t know until we see his tax returns. Don’t hold your breath.

The seriously naïve among us should consider the grave risks implicit in restricting their television news viewing to what I often refer to as DNN, the Disinformation News Network. Of course, keeping the blinders on will permit them to feign surprise when everything hits the fan. Much of the American electorate appears to have an elementary concept of citizenship in a republic.

Why does the President persist in efforts to undermine public confidence in the judiciary? Why does he often question unfavorable election outcomes? Why does he often attack the media and label fact-based truth “fake news”?  How does it help the American people to undermine the professionalism of the Federal Bureau of Investigation? Does ignorance alone explain why a President would act to sabotage public faith in so many of the institutions vital to the very existence of our republic?

Why do our intelligence agencies agree Russia sought to influence our 2016 Presidential election in favor of Donald Trump? Does Vladimir Putin have something on his “friend”? What does it mean to be “played”? Why has Russia/the Soviet Union been committed to the use of “disinformation” for decades? What is the Constitutional definition of treason? What did presidential historian Douglas Brinkley mean when he noted eight, or nine, months ago that, “The smell of treason is in the air”? Why did conservative republican U.S. Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona say Donald Trump reminded him of the “Biblical Flood”? Is “fake news” a euphemism for inconvenient truth? Was President Clinton’s relationship with Monica Lewinsky consistent with “other high crimes and misdemeanors” under Article 2, Section 4, of the Constitution?

Do you think the Constitution’s author(s) would view at least some of what is going on today as consistent with language included in Article 3, section 3, of the Constitution? Or, are you for “loose construction” only when it suits you and applies to Democrats? Are you patriotic?

We had all better hope Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a George W. Bush appointee and life-long Republican, succeeds before the President, his Machiavellian allies, and DNN does him in. Finding God soon might make it more likely any desperate prayers get answered before the greatest nation on earth gets taken down. Or did teaching American History and the Constitution for 34 years just make me hopelessly alarmist?

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

The staff of Community Action, the Board of Directors, and the hundreds of families, who received a holiday basket, wish to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to all the wonderful and caring individuals who assisted the efforts of our agency this holiday season.

The joy of helping less fortunate families receive a holiday basket filled with food and toys for their children, or giving a single individual food and personal items, is a feeling everyone should experience. The smiles, the tears, the hugs, the thanks, were all made possible because of the generosity of businesses, civic groups, churches, Girl and Boy scout troops, service organizations, schools, private individuals, individuals who donated through the angel trees , FFA Albion (who donated over 35,000 pounds of food), people who sent money donations, those who adopted families, businesses who participated in our Annual Adopt a Child that donated  toys, the Albion School system who helped pack baskets, Andrew Szatkowski for his Festival of Lights donation of 1,000 toys and money donation, Albion Baptist Church for use of their church for sorting toys, and the many volunteers who sorted toys and food to give less fortunate families the joy of the holiday season.

Thank you to all who donated money to our Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, the businesses where we had kettles, the bell ringers, our wonderful coordinators, and the ladies who counted the money. These donations and volunteer efforts made it possible to raise over $25,000.

Through all of you, we were able to assist 815 families in Orleans County.

Community Action could not have done what we did without the wonderful caring people who stepped up and assisted us in making the holidays brighter.

We wish you all a wonderful and safe 2018

Annette Grillo Finch

Director of Community Services

Salvation Army Treasurer

Michelle Figueroa

Case Manager

Community Action of Orleans

Editor:

On December 29th as I was pulling out of the parking lot at 34 E. Park Street for the final time, I looked up at the holiday decorated Courthouse dome. I love that dome.

I drove home feeling a great sense of loss. I didn’t cry, but my eyes felt kind of misty. When I say I grew up on the Courthouse Square, I’m not joking. I really did.

Starting on Flag Day in 1977, I came to know the people, the place, the offices, the boardroom, the court room, the spiral staircase in the Courthouse, the swinging saloon door bathroom stalls, the Coke machine with glass bottles, the marble and brick. I knew them all. I once ventured up to the top of the dome on a rickety walk way and I remember looking out over the village I grew up in.

I remember Kathryn Monacelli (my boss in the Village Clerk’s office) telling me to do whatever Mrs. (Mary) Basinait says, because she might be hard to work for. My interview with Mary Basinait started a career I didn’t see coming. The only rules she gave me were “no wearing jeans” and “no chewing gum.” I followed the rules.

The days, months and years went by. I owe a debt of gratitude to Kathryn Monacelli (and Jim Hancock, of the Summer Youth program), who sent me off to the County to work that summer. A great debt to Mary Basinait and Lois Klatt for teaching me the job, being my mentors and dear friends for life. My co-workers and staff. The Republican Committee, starting with George Herring to Ed Morgan, for their overwhelming support these past 24 years.

My drive home was filled with so many flashbacks…so many people crossed my mind. I will have wonderful memories in my old age, and stories to tell.

I have had many people ask me, “Why on earth did you run for Town Clerk?” On my way home Friday night, I knew why. I have to stay busy, I want to keep helping people, I have budgets to fix, accounts to straighten out, taxpayers to greet and knowledge to share.

Thank you, Orleans County voters. Thank you for allowing me 40 years on the Square.

With gratitude and love,

Susan M. Heard

Gaines

Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the taxpayers of the town of Gaines, the Board members, elected officials, staff and all the many people I met and worked with. Our attorney, Andrew Meier, was my right-hand man and our accountant, Tim Hungerford, also did a great job.

The Town Board members – Richard DeCarlo Sr., Dave Kast, Jim Kirby, Dr. Mary Neilans, Susan Smith, Doug Syck, and I – accomplished a great deal in the six years we worked together.

• First independent audit in 7 years

• 60 million-gallon water loss discovered

• Discovered the over levying of Water Districts by $205,000 – changed the practice and applied the extra money to the loans on affected districts.

• Paid off water districts 4 and 5 with the surplus

• Lowered tax rate from $4.19 to current rate $3.27

The management of your tax dollars was our focus and making sure we researched for the best opportunity for the least cost. We maintained conservative spending and pared down the size of our government. As time passed, we realized it can be done and we were the proof.

Working with the other town supervisors as mentors, and the mayors and the legislators, we had resources for any and all problems or concerns.  The collective experience in each facet of government provided answers whenever we had a question.  A debt of gratitude to each and every one.

I feel upon leaving office, I learned a great deal about the day to day workings of government and the hard work it takes to accomplish all the Board and myself were able to complete.  I am humbled and honored by the experience.

Thanks so much,

Carol E. Culhane

Gaines

Editor:

On December 19, the Town of Murray held a second public hearing for a property maintenance law that was proposed in November of 2016. This proposal was reviewed by the Town Planning Board and the Town Board along with Murray residents. Careful consideration was assessed by all involved. Enacting this maintenance law at a town level is better for all town residents.

Over the year State laws were changing that did indeed affect all property owners in the state of NY. With the changes being made it did take time to finalize at the town level.

Murray is fortunate to have a code enforcement officer that understands the law and can interpret benefiting our local town.

The Orleans Hub covered the story and when I read it I felt the story only conveyed the negative and opposing views that were discussed. All questions were answered and explained at the meeting. The Hub failed to report all the positive aspects and the commendations that the code enforcement officer received along with the board.

There were a few that opposed the property maintenance law at a local level, but they were unable to pinpoint why they opposed. The law would still be there at a State level only with a stiffer penalty. It was ultimately unanimously voted on and accepted by the Town Board at a local level – the right thing to do. Bravo to the town and the CEO for looking out for us!

We should be more positive! Start reflecting on the good, do the right thing and applaud our public servants that are doing a wonderful job!

In addition, enforcement of the code protects all our property values. If ever you plan to sell your property and things are kept tidy you will be thanking the Town Board all the way to the bank.

Naysayers you wanted change and you are getting change that benefits all who own property in this town. I will never understand the naivety and negativity that reigns in this community. Happy Holidays and let’s BELIEVE!

And by the way the residents that live here do trust in our local government! We elected them!

Neil Valentine

Murray

Editor:

The storefront decorations in Medina are fantastic. They bring back a lot of great memories from my childhood and growing up in Medina.

I’ve been showing the pictures posted on the Orleans Hub to friends and relatives in Virginia and Pennsylvania and everyone is very impressed. Great job Medina. Merry Christmas.

Joe Grabowski

Medina

Editor:

I attended the Murray public hearing on Dec. 19 to support the people in opposition to the property maintenance law. Not being from Murray, I didn’t feel the pressure to speak so I was able to listen and observe.

Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti gave a question and answer session that I though was completely out of his character. He was calm, although a few times he almost lost his act when questions from unhappy residents struck a nerve. I don’t know Mr. Vendetti personally but have seen him in action at the board of elections and he struck me as an aggressive attack dog fitting his reputation as to how he performs his job.

Over and over again he told the people that he would be coming after them for any code violations that are on the books. He would be driving the roads looking for them. That’s what he was hired for. He was critical of other code officers that only respond to complaints. He had the mayor of Holley speak in his support, then it was pointed out by a citizen that Mr. Vendetti and the Holley mayor were both out of compliance with their own properties.

It was now the Town Board’s turn to receive comments from the public. The town supervisor and the town attorney both went into stories about how they had received a notice from Mr. Vendetti about violations on their property.

That was followed up by a member of the public stating that there are sitting board members and their families that are in gross violation of codes that are not being served any notices.

My opinion of this Town Board is a combination of those old Westerns you watch and characters from “South Park” where the town is controlled by a corrupt land baron and the towns people are waiting for a hero like Gary Cooper (Joe Sidonio) to ride in and clean things up. Only this time the outlaws won round one. Seventy absentee ballots in one town when I think there were only 45 in the whole county for the sheriff’s election. The story will not end here.

There will be a sequel. The outgoing supervisor and incoming supervisor’s final remarks in the Hub article were worth 1,000 words. The public did not want this law and the Town Board defied them. The people are engaged in their town simply for the fact that they do not trust and they fear their government.

Slipping this in just before Christmas and the unanimous passing of this law by the board solidifies that the new year will bring more attention and mistrust to a board that has issues from head to toe.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Editor:

The Arkwright-Summit wind project is currently under construction in Chautauqua County. It’s eye opening to see the destruction of wildlife habitat and farmland, and the dust and mud these citizens will have to endure for the coming years until construction is completed.

However, to the credit of the developers there, the Executive Summary submitted as part of their project documents makes an interesting point. One of the sections of that Executive Summary is titled “Alternatives” and deals with reasons for selecting particular wind turbines and that particular location. Quoting from that section, “The Applicant has investigated several alternative locations across Western New York and rejected many locations due to … migratory bird issues … and lack of likely community acceptance.”

It is unfortunate that Apex Clean Energy is not to showing the same concern for wildlife and respect for the will of the people in our area, and abandon their Lighthouse Wind project in Yates and Somerset.

Steve Royce

Appleton

Editor:

Must be there isn’t enough to get us “wound up” coming from Washington.

The tree stumps pictured on Orleans Hub recently are almost certainly black locust. Hey, if you have seen one tree, you have seen them all, right? Wrong! Earlier, there were black cherry logs pictured lying on the north bank of the Canal in Orleans County – the County that seems to count for so little in the minds of most politicians, state and local. One friend told me he figured the wood was going downstate to be sold as $250/face cord firewood. Another said the log load he saw may well have been headed to a saw mill to be cut into boards. Terry and Chad were probably just too suspicious.

I had a “hunch” things would be rockier once the cutting made it into Monroe County. “Clairvoyance” is something. Theories abound about what is really going on, but I had always understood that trees stabilize stream banks. Maybe canals are different. I am decidedly not a hydrogeological engineer.

I can tell you that the century-old black maple that, until a few years ago, stood four feet from our house had not penetrated the masonry and fieldstone cellar walls of our 186-year-old house. I can also tell you that some trees are very shallow rooted. And oh, by the way, poplars are not the same as black locust and Osage orange.

Just sayin’.

Mostly sincere,

Gary Kent

Albion