Editor:

As discussed in an earlier piece, Orleans County has a great many assets.  Among those that remain are many caring people participating in numerous volunteer endeavors and worthy causes. Their sheer numbers are unknown, but—when combined—the amount of effort being expended by such people is staggering.

This reflects—as Ulster County OFA Director Ann Cardinale once told me—“a very caring community”.

The County’s diverse environmental assets are unlikely fully understood and appreciated by most residents. When unbiased Nature Conservancy researchers found migrating warblers “dripping from the trees” in Lakeside Park a few years ago, it was indicative of our wildlife assets.

Another noteworthy aspect of our richly endowed County is its history.  The more one learns about—and reflects upon—our area’s past, the more striking our historical legacy appears.

Assets are things which have value. For them to continue benefitting us they may, at times, require maintenance. Of course there are times when we have to decide whether something is an asset in need of attention, or merely a liability not worth bothering with. Should we get rid of it or invest in it?

Will providing new leadership for the County Legislature change the way that body views what are arguably County assets? Might the fresh perspective of someone who has certainly heard plenty about what a new quarry in Shelby might mean to one of the area’s signature environmental assets make a difference? Might a new Legislature Chair, working with Ken DeRoller, John DeFilipps and Fred Miller bring greater appreciation for what makes Orleans County special? (We may not have to wait, as DeFilipps has been named Chairperson.)

Under the previous regime, assets such as public libraries were once disdained, though that has changed for the better. The County’s only hospital was treated with indifference. The Continuing Day Treatment Program, the County’s poor, its elderly, our history, and a federally-rated Four Star County Nursing Home were treated as something other than assets.

At one point during budget deliberations in 2009, the “old guard” considered supporting public libraries with $150 each. A proposal to sell our visiting nurse certification to Medina Hospital met with 10 seconds of total silence in a room filled with ten people, five of whom were from the County’s west end. Making the Cobblestone Society Museum into the de facto County museum was evidently not worthy of a response.

Meeting after meeting, the old leadership repeatedly stonewalled Gene Outtersson as he implored us to end the County tax on home heating fuel at a time when fuel oil was $4.89 a gallon.

Marcia Tuohey, Legislature Chair in my first term (2004-2005), was belittled and resented by some, but sliding scale senior property tax relief passed unanimously under her leadership. It meant a lot to an Albion widow living on a $730 social security benefit.  It was based on the premise that such a consideration was well-deserved.

As Chair, Ms. Tuohey—and CAO Stan Dudek—sought to capitalize on another asset, The Villages of Orleans County Nursing Home. Under her leadership, a multi-million dollar capital improvement project to upgrade that asset was undertaken beginning in 2005.

As my second term ended in 2009, Ms. Tuohey’s successor set in motion the sale of the Visiting Nurse Certification to HCR.  Not selling it to Medina Hospital suggested to me that the only hospital left in the County was not considered an asset. Permitting Medina Hospital to buy the visiting nurse certification would have increased its viability and improved its long-term prospects.

About the same time, incoming State Commissioner of Corrections Beilein was made aware that building a new County Jail would bankrupt (my word) the County. Not long after he took over, the new jail issue went away. Yet, Marcia’s successors blamed the State for virtually all our problems.

Under the “old guard”, Orleans County’s history appeared relatively inconsequential as well. It remains a key to a better future and is, unquestionably, of enormous potential value to the people who live here and their sense of who they are.

Once I was defeated in 2009, the still sitting (today) Legislators who have been around the longest got to work changing public perception of the County Nursing Home from that of a jewel of an asset to a liability in need of being dumped. Of course, it may not be coincidental that Stan Dudek was no longer the CAO. Nonetheless, the “buck” stops with the legislators themselves.

But the prospect of a new face, or two, on the County Legislature is encouraging. It may be that someone with Town Supervisor experience—in a Town where history and the environment evidently count for something—may make a difference. Those who apparently covet change might want to consider taking a hard look at someone who, as President of the Orleans County Historical Association, obviously appreciates the County’s history.

But do not hold your breath. Our track record is one which shows the status quo is just fine with most voters most of the time.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

Now is the time for sportsmen and women to prepare for the upcoming hunting season. In our family, the tradition starts with purchasing our licenses, checking the opening dates, buying ammunition, cleaning and siting in the guns and making sure we have enough of the proper clothing.

I would like to recommend another very important preparation, often overlooked but essential, nevertheless. That is securing the permission of the landowner if you plan to hunt on someone else property. I have heard many say, “I have always hunted there.” That may be true, but property changes hands, or circumstances change. It’s best to talk to the landowner every season, way in advance and get a letter of permission to carry into the field. It is the courteous thing to do.

It’s important to know who else may be hunting the area, too. The landowner may be able to tell you. In my family, we coordinate the days we plan to be afield based on who else may have permission to be out there. The dangerous hunter is one who did not secure permission.  Don’t be one of those. Have a safe and successful hunting season.

Al Capurso

Gaines

Editor:

In today’s world, more and more people are being diagnosed with cancer. It affects more families every day. Recently a citizen of Orleans County has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Operable Small Cell Cancer.

The national standard for life expectancy for this stage cancer is 1 year. Sheldon “Shelly” DeHollander is a Medina School Bus Driver, a lifelong member of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department and has played Santa in the Village of Medina for 30 years.

Shelly plans on fighting this with all he has got and has recently started chemotherapy. He has willingly given all he can to his family, his community and the countless number of children he has touched both by driving bus and by listening to their Christmas wishes.

This extraordinary man would never ask for help so I am asking for him. His health insurance will cover some expenses but not everything and his life insurance was unexpectedly cancelled recently. Right now, he needs a lot of help and I have setup a Go Fund Me page for Shelly.  If you would like to donate, please go to  https://www.gofundme.com/shelly-dehollanders-cancer-fight.

Thank you to all those who have already donated. Your generosity is very much appreciated and will help him with his current medical bills. Shelly and his wife Jackie appreciate anything you can do. If you are unable to donate anything, please keep him in your prayers.

Cards can be sent to: Sheldon DeHollander, 230 Erin Dr., Medina, NY  14103.

Sincerely,

Kathi Hutchison

Winder, Ga.

Sister-in-law to Sheldon DeHollander

Editor:

This letter is directed to the Mainstream Media.

I am nobody, but everybody. I live in NY, only not in a city. I live in the suburbs, but not a trailer park. I’m not poor, but not rich, either.

I am an American who cannot afford a home, but can put clothes on my child and food in his mouth. I am a single mother. And I’m not rich enough to afford cable… Indeed, I’m stuck with NBC, CBS and ABC as my primary source of news; and if I didn’t have a smartphone with Wi-Fi, would be stuck believing everything you report, morning and night.

We, my neighbors and I, voted for Donald Trump. And we’re proud of him and our choice in 2016. The problem is, you don’t understand why we did what we did last year. You are still operating as if Hillary got a raw deal, or we ignorant “hicks” out here, made an uninformed mistake.

You filled us all year long with negative coverage of Trump and pro-Clinton propaganda. We saw through that. And that’s why we voted for Donald Trump.

And instead of acknowledging you made a mistake propping her up and him down, you continue your biased coverage of the Trump Presidency as illegitimate, illegal, suspicious and “bad for America”.

I’ve got news for you, MSM, we don’t believe a word you say anymore, be it legitimate or illegitimate… In fact, you might as well be tabloid news: That’s how much we don’t trust you anymore.

NBC morning shows include “Political Hacks” like John Harwood, the snake who was communicating with John Podesta before and during your presidential debates… Really?

CBS has Norah O’Donnell discussing anything having to do with our new President with CONTEMPT. She conjures up past tweets, statements etc. from our president to discredit what he is doing NOW. And Pelley acts as if the world is going to end every damn night.

ABC still has Stephanopolis on every day? Really?!?  He contributed to the Clintons for years. And we are supposed to take him as an “honest” journalist?

I’m not wealthy enough to enjoy expanded cable, and I, like many others, am stuck in this position. And the older folks who have relied on you for years for honest reporting are turning you off, as I am; I’m choosing Sponge Bob movies at 6:30 with my son instead of watching you degrade, insult and condemn who we voted for in droves.  And if you don’t get on the same page with the voting American public, you will be dinosaurs of TV.

Wait, I take that back… You already are.

Kimberly Kennedy

Medina

“A Proud Deplorable in Western New York”

Editor:

With the Republican Primary now just a month away, I feel it is time to speak the truth. That has been in short supply from my opponent lately, particularly when it comes to his letter posted in this forum, dated August 11.

Yes, I was “hand-picked” as he says by the Town of Murray Republican Committee to be appointed to the Town Council in January. As a life-long Republican, I have not had to change my party affiliation from the “Green Party” for the sole purpose of personal advancement.

As a former Republican Committeeman and Chairman, my credentials, I believe, stand on their own. However, this is not the sole reason I was chosen for that position. I was interviewed, along with my opponent and others, and was informed that my selection was based on my sense of personal ethics and integrity, exceeding that exhibited by my opponent. He also questions my qualifications by stating I have never been to a Town Board meeting. This, like so much else of what he says, is totally false.

One last thing, on the subject of the Republican Committee, this is not the first primary in more than three decades, to paraphrase my opponent. He forced a primary last year for the sole purpose of getting on the Republican Committee, at considerable cost to the taxpayer. Afterwards, when he determined he could not force his will on the Town Board from the committee, he has been a regular no-show at the Committee meetings. He did not assist at the fundraiser, despite getting emails. He pursued endorsements outside the party, and did not carry the petitions prepared by the party for the endorsed candidates, but rather distributed his own petitions. As a real Republican, I would be disappointed in his representing my interests on the committee. Seems he just represents his own.

Water seems to be a huge issue with my opponent, which seems strange, in that he does not pay a dime to the Town of Murray for water. He champions the cause of the common man, in trying to keep expenses down, or so he says. Yet, when the water districts were being installed, only two families in the entire Town of Murray demanded the Town pay an easement to cross their property – my opponent’s family, and that of another vocal critic of the Town of Murray water system. Just so I am clear, and to reiterate, only those two families required payment of your tax money for an easement. Furthermore, because he derives his water from the Village of Holley, he refused to sign the required petitions to bring water services down his road, thereby depriving his neighbors of water for two years longer than it should have taken. He works for you? This is yet another example of him caring solely for himself.

There has been an unacceptable loss of water in the water districts north of the Erie Canal in the Town. This issue has been discussed at Town Board meetings in the past. Continually, steps are being taken to identify the issues involved. New equipment has been obtained to listen for leaks, particular to the types of water lines in the area. Meters are being tested, and there is an ongoing effort to isolate portions of the systems involved to better narrow the focus of remedial actions.

However, to be clear, this is always an ongoing situation with any water system. There will be leaks, breaks, and loss in any water system. I have personal knowledge of a leak in front of my own residence that was brought to my attention by the Water Superintendent, Ed Morgan, who found it as he was driving by. These issues are never ignored, and are promptly repaired when located. I am proud to say that I have been actively involved with Mr. Morgan and his staff in seeking answers to these concerns, rather than being a “rubber stamp.”

The numbers for water loss stated by my opponent, in his letter to the editor, represent an accumulated loss over an extended period. These are intentionally inflated to make the situation appear worse than it is. Much like his claim (since proven false) of “double-digit” tax increases, his “statements” always require a qualification by my opponent. Mine do not. I stand by what I say without qualification.

As for raising the water rates, that was a decision not entered into lightly, but after careful consideration, and with an eye toward making our rates more equitable for all involved. Simultaneously, the Town Board initiated new rules to guarantee the safety of the water system. Steps taken include purchasing new equipment as needed, and making it mandatory that hydrant meters be installed by a Town employee. This was in response to publically voiced concerns over past practices.

So much for being unresponsive, in fact, in this Orleans Hub article dated April 12 of this year, Editor Tom Rivers wrote “Morgan and the Town Board were praised by resident (my opponent) for the revised procedures. ‘I think it is admirable,’ my opponent said about the changes, ‘Thanks for hearing our voice.’.” This is why I find his most recent comments about accountability rather curious. Perhaps like everything he says, this is just disingenuous and designed to create confusion among the voters.

Tough policy decisions do need to be made. The Planning Board makes them also. My opponent’s not being re-appointed to the Planning Board stemmed from his antagonism towards new businesses that desired to establish themselves in the Town of Murray. Because they did not fit his personal vision of what the town should look like, either they were turned away, or their application process was met with resistance. The inability to work with others is a hallmark of my opponent, and yet another reason he should not be your Town Supervisor.

From the outset of my campaign, I have attempted to be positive and honest in my dealings with the people of the Town of Murray. They should expect this from their representatives. However, since, unlike Pinocchio, my opponent’s nose does not grow for every “statement” he makes, someone needs to challenge him. The people need to know, and deserve, the truth.

He would rather manipulate emotions, while willfully bending or breaking the rules at every turn, crying that he is a victim. I can assure you, I am nobody’s victim. I refuse to be. I believe that truth, ethics, and accountability are the key to making a difference for the Town of Murray.

Paul Hendel, Mike Mele, and I, adhere to these principles. That is why I am proud to have them on my team! Team Murray is going to work for you! We look forward to your support on Primary Day, September 12, 2017!

Respectfully,

Robert G. Miller

Murray

(Miller is a candidate for Murray town supervisor.)

Editor:

This is a reminder to all candidates running for office in Orleans County. Your signs need to have your respective emblem on them. Stars denote Democrats and Eagles represent Republicans.

Please exercise care. There have been printed signs with the wrong emblem and I have been contacted.

Jeanne Crane

Orleans County Democratic Party Chairwoman

Editor:

Recently I received a disturbing rumor questioning Carol Culhane’s reputation. This rumor questioning her character is groundless and everyone I have spoken with agrees, because they know of Carol’s high integrity and work ethic.

I am deeply honored to write a letter of support for Carol Culhane as Town Supervisor of Town of Gaines. It is not only because we have the same surname, because I am related to her husband Jerry (my second cousin), an honorably discharged two-time Vietnam Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, but also because I have known Carol for more than 30 years to be a true professional who practices service above self.

She has done more as a civilian to support veterans than anyone I know. She has utilized her self-taught artistic talent, sensitivity, and compassion to support veterans consistently. She uses her leadership skills to promote enhancement of all veterans of all eras and citizens of Gaines.

Carol has done all of the artwork related to several committees and boards I have chaired including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester and the Gold Star Families Memorial in White Haven while I was serving as Executive Assistant to the President at RIT.

Carol has donated her talents, time, and treasure to veterans and all fellow citizens. I encourage you to affirm Carol’s hard work and integrity for Gaines by voting for her as your Town Supervisor. She is your best choice.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barry R. Culhane

Rochester

Editor:

The following comments were read into the record at the August 10, 2017 Yates Town Board meeting.

Since December 2014, the Town of Yates has been embroiled in a battle with Apex Clean Energy regarding the Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project. Fully 84% of residents have been and remain steadfastly opposed to this project as exhibited in both surveys and in public comments on the Lighthouse Wind Project made to the New York State Department of Public Service.

The reason for publishing my Board meeting comments in this forum is to ensure that the reader understands the business practices of Apex Clean Energy.

This is a cautionary tale that could be titled:

“NIMBY – Next It Might Be You”

“This evening we continue the Public Hearing on the Austin MET tower Special Use Application. While the Board may or may not decide to close the hearing, there are a few things my fellow Yates residents need to know.

At the close of the July Town Board meeting, I presented a list of questions relating to the Austin MET Tower Application to the Apex representative in attendance.  My stated expectation was that Apex would diligently and meaningfully respond to the questions presented, as per the public outreach and informational requirements of Article 10. I believed that my expectation was well founded as Apex has many times stated their desire for the constituency to have all of the information needed to make decisions.

On Monday, August 7^th I received a letter from our Special Counsel Dan Spitzer.  The letter was sent electronically to Mr. Spitzer from a Mr. Robert A. Panasci of Young / Sommer LLC – Counselors at Law. You may remember Young / Sommer as the Albany-based legal representatives of Apex in regards to the Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project. I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Spitzer for his efforts to forward the letter on Monday, August 7^th, as letter was sent via Postal Service to the Town Board and received only this morning.

The important issue here is the content of the Apex letter. Apex, through counsel, flatly refused to answer any of the questions posed to them regarding the Austin MET tower Special Use Application and associated documents. Of course, they stated at the end of their letter:

“In sum, Lighthouse submits that its application documents accord with the requirements set forth in the applicable laws and regulations and provide sufficient information for the Town Board to issue a final determination of the application.”

So, I guess that the constituents are allowed to have questions, but Apex believes that, by law, they are under no obligation to provide meaningful answers. Let me put a finer point on the summary statement I just read to you from Apex’s counsel to Mr. Spitzer. In essence, Apex has total disregard for these public hearings proceedings and they will be providing no answers to any questions raised herein.  Evidently APEX sees these proceedings as pointless and meaningless – a waste of their time.

I would respectfully submit that the Article 10 regulation requires Apex to provide the opportunity for clear, ongoing and meaningful dialog on the Lighthouse Wind Project. I also submit that Apex is in breach of Article 10 Public information/input requirements by its flat out refusal to provide meaningful responses to a constituent’s questions regarding this disruptive and unwanted project.

Remember also that Apex has, as yet, not answered any of the questions posed by the constituency at last month’s initial public hearing session. So, we are all being ignored by this company, as it seems to be their belief that the “juice isn’t worth the squeeze” in expending the effort answer our questions, requests and concerns in a meaningful way.

Simple questions and requests like:

• We would like to see the data Apex has generated from the first MET tower and wind results calculated by algorithms.
• How many MET towers are you planning and what MET tower phase are we currently within?
• If Apex’s meteorological tower and wind measurement expert, as per their sworn affidavit, clearly states that indirect wind measurements are not as accurate as direct measurements, how much more accurate is wind measurement at actual wind turbine height?

They have flatly refused to answer even these simple questions and requests!!

I am INCENSED by the injustice that Apex visits on my fellow Yates residents by their continuing refusal to cooperate and answer substantive questions regarding the Austin Met Tower Special Use Application and related documents.

I urge my fellow Board members to join with me and require full and substantive responses to all questions posed by the public, prior to any vote on the MET Tower.  The importance of this decision requires the Board be fully informed and satisfied that all required information is received for review. An uninformed decision is a decision we will all regret.

APEX….ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!!”

The results are clear.  The residents of the Town of Yates categorically reject the Lighthouse Wind Project and will continue the battle until APEX goes elsewhere to peddle their destructive wares.

Governor Cuomo, ARE YOU LISTENING?

Thank you,

John Riggi

Councilman, Town of Yates

(Editor’s Note: This letter was originally shared during a public hearing Aug. 10 in Yates for a proposed meteorological tower.)

Editor:

First, I’d like to thank the board for providing an open hearing so that we have the opportunity to share our thoughts with you.

I encourage the board to deny this application from APEX for an additional MET Tower. The basic fact here is that they want MET Towers to help them better place industrial turbines in excess of 600′ in our beautiful community. What APEX is clearly ignoring is that this project is not wanted by the great majority of our community! Why would we willingly do anything to help them with an unwanted project?

We were told a few years ago at a public meeting in Somerset by project manager Dan Fitzgerald that APEX would not place a project where it was not wanted. That was clearly a lie. How else do you explain the fact that APEX has ignored five different surveys, two town elections, and the resolutions passed by three counties, and two town boards?

I’d also like to point out the following organizations that have come out in opposition or expressed concerns regarding the siting of this project in Yates and Somerset: The American Bird Conservancy, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, the Hawk Migration Association of North America, the Niagara County Board of Health, the Genesee-Orleans Board of Health, the Rochester Birding Association, the Genesee Valley Audubon Society, the Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists, Save the River, the Nature Conservancy, The Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and the WNY delegation of the NYS Senate and House.

It’s time for APEX to acknowledge their mistake; they chose an area that is too populated; an area rich in wildlife, natural scenic beauty, and tourism. A place too close to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and a place in the middle of one of the largest migratory bird flyways in North America.

It is time to heed the concerns expressed by so many. It is not time to build a second MET Tower. It is time to leave.

Donn Riggi

Lyndonville

Editor:

I am pleased to announce that on July 11th, I submitted my petitions to seek the Republican endorsement for Murray Town Supervisor.

My journey to this decision has taken at least twelve years, when I joined the Murray Planning Board and witnessed first-hand predatory code enforcement practices and selective enforcement. Consequently, the Town of Murray has gained a reputation as a punitive and oppressive government hostile to its businesses and residents.

Since that time, I began to question how Murray does business, and became concerned. At a Murray Town Board meeting several years back, I asked a simple question: why are our town taxes going up again? With no credible explanation from the town board, I began to look at our financial operations.

I studied our local laws, policies, Comptrollers Audit Report and several years of budgets. My work revealed:

• Our water department is losing money

• We have significant water loss

• The Town is not following Local Finance Law

• Residents are over-taxed for bond repayments

• The Town is not adhering to its own local laws

• Public officers are Double-Dipping

• Murray is the 3rd highest taxed town in Orleans County, yet once the lowest-taxed.

I am no longer able to stand by and accept the Status Quo. The primary on September 12, the first in more than 3 decades, will allow the voters to select the endorsed candidate, rather than an out-of-touch GOP committee. I am proud to challenge the Status Quo on your behalf.

My opponent has been a gentleman in our interactions and I appreciate that. However, he has had several opportunities since being appointed to the Town Board to weigh in on serious issues. On the $50,000, 15-million-gallon alleged water leak on Ridge Road, he simply rubber-stamped the highway superintendent’s explanation that heavy truck traffic, vibrating pipes, and pin holes were to blame. So, he voted to raise the water rates instead of solving the problem.

On the issue of double-dipping health care stipends, my opponent had ample opportunity to contact the Comptroller to obtain a free legal opinion on the matter but declined.  This needless spending continues on his watch.

My opponent, hand-picked by GOP leaders to fill a vacancy without having ever been to a Town meeting, now seeks the office of Supervisor to further the Status Quo. In our environment of failed policy, over-taxation and oppressive code enforcement, this is unacceptable.

While I respect my opponent’s professionalism, he is not the right person for the job. Tough policy decisions need to be made. Financial reforms must be implemented. The water department needs to be rebooted. I highly doubt he will be able to separate his GOP loyalty from the pressing issues at hand.

It’s time to end the tax and spend, and I’d appreciate your support on September 12th!

Joseph Sidonio

Murray