Editor:

In response to Mr. Chamberlain, Town of Barre Supervisor’s 7-12-2017 posting.

I fully understood that the CHIP money has to be spent on Highways.

The point is that the town officials appropriated money last year for the roads in the Town of Barre’s budget. Withdraw $64,450 of this money you appropriated, replace it with the CHIP money. The amount of work your Highway Department was going to perform would still have been accomplished. The more money government gets, the more incumbents spend on every level of government!

Why can’t Barre start setting an example for the rest of government and give back to its taxpayers?

Remember that grant money is taxpayer money.

Robin Nacca

Barre

Editor:

My name is Ed Houseknecht and I am the Republican candidate running for Shelby Town Supervisor, endorsed by the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party lines.

I am a lifelong resident of the community and currently reside on Salt Works Road in Shelby with my wife Vicky. My two adult children, Peter and Katie, are both employed in public service. Our family shares a commitment to serving the community in which we live.

My experience in Orleans County spans 40 years. I consider myself a problem-solver who likes to make things happen. For 30 years, I was employed by the Village of Medina. As the Superintendent of Public Works, I was involved in 36 capital projects over 26 years to improve the business climate and quality of life for residents. The development of the Medina Business Park was one of those projects.

As Town Supervisor, I will continue to make infrastructure expansion in the business park a priority so that it remains a regional asset to attract more businesses that will generate tax revenue and jobs.

During that time, we also made significant improvements to the canal, bridges, storm sewer and sanitary sewer systems, reconstructed many of Medina’s streets, initiated sidewalk programs throughout the village and added the tennis courts to Butts Memorial Park.

From 2001 – 2004, I was employed by Sergi Construction. I was later appointed Orleans County Highway Superintendent where I was involved in numerous bridge, infrastructure and public improvement projects through 2010 including but not limited to the Villages of Orleans.

Through my own company, Ed Houseknecht LLC., I have worked on Habitat for Humanity projects in both Albion and Medina. I was an active member of the Decorate Medina Committee responsible for Medina’s downtown Christmas decorations, which have become a highlight of our annual holiday season.

I have served on the Shelby Town Board in the past and have also been involved with the installation of new water districts in the town. The neighborhood near the refuge, where the quarry is proposed, is one of several neighborhoods in Shelby. I am committed to tackling this issue as well as all the issues in every neighborhood in town.

As your Supervisor, I will be your representative. I will be accessible to Shelby residents, committed to understanding your concerns, answering your questions and keeping you informed.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Ed Houseknecht,

Candidate for Shelby Town Supervisor

Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Foundation

National Association of County Engineers

Orleans County Employee of the Year

NYS Assembly Recognition

Orleans County Cooperative Extension Certificate of Appreciation

Editor:

Joe Sidonio, my husband, has a wonderful vision for a healthy community that works together – residents, governance and public servants. He hopes to make this vision a reality in our very own Town of Murray.

His ideal is one that we all should reach for – a community where each citizen belongs, where each citizen is valued, and each is served by both the elected officials and the rules designed by and for those citizens.

His vision is for a community that is beautiful, a community where the conservation of resources – streams and woodland, open fertile farmland and ancient trees, as well as the stately homes and barns of our history – are loved and preserved.

The community of his vision is one where businesses are allowed to flourish and jobs are created, and in addition a community where creative expression and the arts are supported fully. This innovative community is managed as efficiently as possible with fiscal prudence and conservatism, and with clarity, inclusiveness and openness.

These are Joe’s hopes. These are the reasons that he runs for the position of Supervisor of the Town of Murray.

Joe’s financial background, including his accounting degree, serve him well and would serve our town well, too. His solid understanding of finance and his probing and insightful grasp of both the detail and the big picture of financial management are necessary and sharp. His scrupulous honesty is more than admirable. Together these assets mean that he is fit and trustworthy for governance.

Joe Sidonio is a remarkable and wonderful person.  His willingness to give and his caring are routinely expressed in significant and sensitive ways. He notices when there is a need – and is there to help fill it – perhaps a donation needed for a specific special cause, perhaps an inspirational program to be created and put in place,  perhaps an older citizen needing special attention or a boost or a smile or a friend while in a nursing home, perhaps a helping hand extended to a neighbor, perhaps bringing people together who have common purpose and interests. There are dozens of examples of each of these special qualities throughout his life and all around us within our town.

I am very proud of Joe to have had the courage, the energy and the commitment to run for this office.  In discussions that we have had over many, many years we have often said that the one way to shape a positive future is to be actively involved in the shaping process. The one way to solve problems is to step up to the job, volunteer, be responsible and care enough to put the time into the solution. Joe has done all of this.

Joe has put hours of work into this community – far beyond the hours and resources spent on this campaign. For years Joe has taken the time to become educated about rural governance. He has read, asked, attended, researched, questioned, reflected, written, and worked hard to be involved, and to search for answers from local to state to national authorities to the difficult questions facing our community – and all rural communities.  It is quite amazing that he has done this work for us all.

His displayed leadership has now inspired citizens to follow in his footsteps and be more aware of the world around them, to be interested in the future of their community, to believe in the positive and in possibility, and to care! What a gift Joe has given us all.

Thank you, Joe Sidonio.

Amy Machamer, his spouse

Murray

Editor:

To the Gaines voters, do you really want a change?

I have known Carol Culhane, the Town Supervisor, for over 10 years and it did not take long to realize there is nothing selfish about her. From all the time, she gives to the Veterans and servicemen and women, her friends and family and especially our town.  She is honest, dedicated, has integrity serving our community.

Carol is responsible for finding the 60 million gallons of water loss that cost us, the tax payers, $170,000. The discovery of the over-levy had a huge impact on the cost of the water districts again to us taxpayers.

As the person responsible for the finances and the budget, she keeps taxes in check while keeping the high standard of services we expect. Carol has assisted and written grants for the town hall upgrades and working tirelessly to get the most advantages for our town.

Do you really want a change?

Sue Smith has been a board member for 8 years working for the greater good. She is always participating and eager to address the concerns of the town. She does research to make sure she continuously makes an informed decision.  She is at all times prepared and constantly looking out for the constituents.

Do you really want a change?

If Joe Grube, Carol’s opponent, was ever should be elected Supervisor, would he be for the Town and the taxpayers or for the fire department, like he was at the last negotiation? He has not involved himself in the town government by attending meetings or learning about our town and its constituents.

Do you really want a change?

Susan Heard, the soon-to-be-retired county treasurer, believes in double dipping, which is legal but not approved by most voters/taxpayers.

A letter in this forum dated 12 September 2016, Ms. Heard stated the Supervisor was trying to pick cronies for committee members.  It looks to me that a lot of the cronies are on the Republican Committee presently endorsing themselves for candidates vs. looking among our community for applicants. It appears they got elected to endorse themselves.

Do you really want a change?

Respectfully,

Ray Burke

Gaines Planning/Zoning member for 20 years

Editor:

I would like to correct some misinformation in a letter written by Gaines Republican Committee member Lorienda J. Smith supporting Gaines Republican Committee Chair Joe Grube for Supervisor.

1. I HAVE answered questions at Town Board meetings. The Town Attorney answers contracts, litigation and other legal questions; you can find that information on line in our minutes.
2. “Executive Sessions” discussions are protected by law and are not open for public. S 3-16 Executive Sessions page 40. Town Law Manual. Please consult to confirm. It is used by past & present Supervisors/Boards. Our Attorney is the go to person for any legal questions. No action can be taken in Executive Session please refer to board minutes.”
3. “The Committee on Open Government has opined that the town board may designate any resident other than a member of the town board to take minutes in the absence of the town clerk and the deputy town clerk. (O.4728). The Comptroller’s Office has opined that where the village clerk is unable to attend a board meeting the village board of trustees may assign someone to take the minutes, including a member of the board (O.79-166); similar reasoning could be applied to the town board.” – Association of Towns Attorney Clarification.
4. The security windows in both the Town Clerk and Justice Clerk’s Offices were dictated by the Department of Labor for employee safety.
5. Confidential personnel issues are discussed in Executive Session protected by law. Personnel issues are personal depending on the employee. All personnel changes have benefited the taxpayers in the Town of Gaines.
6. No outside political group should have influence on our Town Board except the people it represents. That is why I decided to go in the direction of seeking the people’s endorsement rather than approaching those who have endorsed themselves.

Carol Culhane

Town of Gaines Supervisor

Editor:

I have been attending the Gaines Town Board meetings under Supervisors Radzinski, Vagg, Harding, Lattin, and DeCarlo. I always had questions answered, and did not have to FOIL and then pay for those answers. I wasn’t referred to the Town Attorney who seldom knew the answer, or answered with legalese. I was never invited to come in for “a one on one” question and answer session by those supervisors because they answered me directly at the meeting, in public.

Former supervisors did not regularly go into executive session, leaving the residents sitting there, wondering what was going on. They didn’t vote without a clerk being present. The supervisors did not write up and sign the minutes. A member of the Town Board cannot take minutes. This has been done nine times since 2012, and is in direct violation of section 30((10)(b) of the Town Law of NYS.

The Supervisors never had a security guard, nor felt the need for the installation of a security window because of “being afraid of the Town residents.” We knew where our dollars were spent. The staff were treated with dignity and respect, and there was not an overturn in staff like we see now.

We had a recent primary against the Gaines Committee. It cost thousands of dollars to the Gaines taxpayers. In the past, candidates came before the Gaines Committee for endorsement and did not set up their own party line. Now we are having another primary against the “Endorsed” Republican Candidates, costing thousands more dollars.

Over the past few years, I have had the chance to get to know Joe Grube, who is running for Supervisor in the Town of Gaines.

I have found him to be intelligent, well spoken, and extremely focused. He listens intently and takes the time to thoughtfully reflect on what he hears before speaking or giving an opinion.

His professional experience and education are a real benefit to his candidacy. It isn’t often that someone who has so much knowledge in both the private and public sector offers to devote their time, energy, and expertise to our community by running for public office.

We’ve talked about his vision for Town Government; Being open and transparent. Embracing input from residents. Being respectful of opinions. Adhering to proper practices. Being fiscally prudent. I agree with his assessment on all fronts. I’ve come to conclude that it certainly is time for a change in the Town of Gaines.

That is why I fully support, and recommend you support Joe Grube for Supervisor in Gaines. His depth of experience and fresh ideas will be benefit to us all!

Lorienda J. Smith

Gaines

Editor:

With the utmost respect for Jim Punch who has served our county well for almost 3 decades, I must say I am very impressed with Sara Sheldon. She seems to be fair, firm, and very importantly not a big fan of plea bargains, preferring to have cases tried before a jury.

This was our founders’ intent.

I understand the backlog of cases and limited resources in our judicial system, but what can be more important than protecting the suspect’s rights to a fair and speedy trial AND protecting society from violent criminals that tend to re-offend when released early because of a “deal”. Not to say they won’t re-offend, no matter the length of their sentence, but society will be safer longer.

Thank you.

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

It appears that some clarification is necessary in the race for Kendall Town Clerk.

Amy Richardson is NOT the endorsed Republican Candidate for Kendall Town Clerk. She did not approach the Republican Committee for their endorsement or support. The first indication that she would seek re-election was when the Orleans Hub announced her endorsement by the Conservative Party. She gathered signatures to force a Primary after she was informed that she was not the endorsed Republican candidate.

Except for a technical glitch at the Board of Elections, there would have been a Primary in Kendall. This glitch gave Amy the Republican line on the ballot without her having earned it or having any Republican support.

Where unfounded rumors about health and moving come from, I have no idea and deplore them. Her attendance is one of many issues, but not because of her health.

Janet Bolton is the candidate endorsed and supported by the Town of Kendall and Orleans County Republican Committee. Repeating that not only is Janet Bolton supported by the Republican Committee, she is also strongly supported by the Town Supervisor, the Town Board, Highway Superintendent and other Town of Kendall officials and employees.

This alone should show the need for a change in the Clerk’s office, but the Independence Party and the Kendall Democratic Party also endorse Janet Bolton and her name will appear on those lines on the ballot in November.

Sincerely,

John M. Becker

Chairman,

Kendall Republican Committee

Editor:

As the Town Clerk for Tupper Lake, my Deputy Clerk and I have attended the NYS Town Clerks Association conferences and were fortunate to meet Karen Kaiser, who we can say is a friend and we look forward to seeing her at these conferences.

What we noticed about Karen Kaiser is that she is very dedicated to her job as the Deputy Town Clerk for Ridgeway, as well as the people of Ridgeway. Her motivation to learn and better herself for her town is admirable. She makes every effort to attend the classes that will benefit her town and is always making sure she is on top of all the laws and requirements.

We totally support Karen Kaiser because she is very dedicated to her town and her heart is to serve her community the best way she can.

Laurie J Fuller, Town Clerk, Town of Tupper Lake

Donna Maliszewski, Deputy Town Clerk, Town of Tupper Lake

Editor:

There have been so many positive changes in the Town of Gaines since Carol Culhane became Supervisor. She has worked tirelessly to benefit the people of the Town of Gaines.

• Town taxes have been consistently reduced, without loss of services.  This requires significant skills when planning the annual budget.

• Significant improvements, many of which are required by state regulations, have been made to the Town Hall. Further improvements to the exterior of the building are next to be undertaken. These projects have largely been paid for by grants which Carol has secured.

• The water district over-levying was discovered and ended.  People now pay only what is owed in their water district.

• Procedures have been streamlined to make Town operations more efficient and accountable.

• New businesses have been encouraged to locate in Gaines.

• All information regarding Town services, minutes, audits, and other items is always available on the Town of Gaines website.

Councilwoman Sue Smith, as a member of the Town Board, has also supported all these positive changes over the years.

• So why change what is working ?? *

Please Vote for Carol Culhane for Town Supervisor and Sue Smith for Town Councilwoman on September 12.

John and Constance Mosher

Gaines