Editor:

I am writing in response to the recent letter published by Tim Elliott regarding the potential for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the Village of Medina. His thoughtful proposal illustrates exactly the kind of community-driven, flexible thinking that will be required to solve the housing crisis here in Orleans County.

At the United Way of Orleans County, we have been working to elevate housing as a critical priority through collaborative, inclusive, and data-informed strategies. On May 15, we hosted the county’s first-ever Affordable Housing Summit—Building Pathways: Collaborative Solutions for Housing Development in Orleans County—bringing together over 70 stakeholders, including local officials, developers, nonprofit leaders, staff from three area charitable foundations, and interested residents.

Our keynote speaker,  David A. Smith of the Affordable Housing Institute, shared some simple principles for successful development of real estate in a rural community.  Starting with a slide of the old county Poor House in Albion, he encouraged the audience to think about what the community needs and has to offer, not about what the government could provide.

“What you need is: Land, Money, and Helpful Friends,” he said. “They’re the ingredients of successful real estate developments. If you have enough of any one of them, you can turn it into the other two.”

He pointed out that rural churches often have land and helpful friends (both congregants and the extended community of local elected officials). They also have a natural community of trust in each other, which can turn into effective demand, in-kind contribution of services that reduce total development cost, and access to credit that lowers the cost of capital.

We also welcomed the Assistant Commissioner at the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Leonard Skrill, who emphasized the opportunities available to “Pro-Housing Communities” through state support—opportunities Medina and other communities in Orleans County could explore with modest zoning reforms like those Mr. Elliott proposes. He encouraged anyone with questions to contact him, and he would make an appointment with them to review their project and offer suggestions for obtaining funding.

Our Housing Action Strategy, presented by former Legislator Ken DeRoller and housing consultant Nick Coulter, identified key challenges such as aging housing stock, affordability gaps, and declining population trends. Their presentation culminated in five core priority interventions that United Way and our partners see as a feasible step forward to begin to address the shortage of affordable housing in our communities:

1. Launching a Landlord/Property Owner Upkeep Incentive Program
2. Expanding senior and workforce housing opportunities
3. Supporting housing models that address homelessness
4. Promoting the development of multi-household housing
5. Assisting local municipalities in achieving Pro-Housing Community certification

Mr. Elliott’s call to action aligns perfectly with these priorities. ADUs, when properly regulated, are one practical step toward building housing diversity that benefits seniors, caregivers, and young families alike.

Now is the time for all of us—government, nonprofits, developers, and citizens—to work together toward practical, community-centered solutions to meet the growing need for multiple types of housing.

We believe we can secure support from charitable foundations to assist in this effort.  If you are interested in learning more, or being involved in our Housing Action Task Force, please reach out to us.

  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Sincerely,

Nyla Gaylord

Executive Director of United Way of Orleans County

Editor:

Chad Kroening is a mainstay at Medina games, taking photos of students and coaches.

Photography has the incredible ability to freeze moments in time, transforming them into treasured memories.

Medina Mustang Sports Boosters is fortunate to have an instrumental volunteer, Chad Kroening, to capture these moments. Chad is a father of four with a full-time job and still finds time to donate numerous hours to the organization.

Rain, shine, wind or snow, he travels around the campus to attend home games of all of the sports throughout the year as well as multiple away games. Mr. Kroening spends countless hours capturing, editing and sharing photographs. He ensures that families get the best possible images of their children and posts on the Mustang Sports Boosters social media for all families to enjoy, free of charge.

In addition to his photography skills, Chad creates a sense of belonging in the Medina community. His work helps highlight the dedication of not only the athletes but also the coaches and supporters behind the scenes. The impact of his work goes far beyond the photographs themselves; it strengthens bonds among families and friends.

Chad’s impact on the Medina Mustang sports programs is truly invaluable. He embodies the spirit of community and youth sports. The board of directors of the Medina Mustang Sports Boosters are incredibly grateful for his time, energy and unwavering support and appreciate his Mustang Pride.

Board of Directors for Medina Sports Boosters

Editor:

We are three Albion High School students who want to make a difference in our community. We are trying to reach out to as many people who have the same goal as us as possible.

We have set up a meeting at Dubby’s Tailgate on June 4 at 7 p.m. in order to discuss how we can do that. There will be food and drinks available for purchase.

We will bring statistical data to show how the students at Albion feel about their community. We are trying to have an open and honest conversation with anyone willing to help about how we can fix problems in our community.

Anyone who would like to attend is welcome to.

Zackary Baron, Sawyer Brigham and James Earl Ruiz

Albion

Editor:

A few days ago, some Mexican workers from our farm were food shopping at Save A Lot in Albion. They were approached by a very agitated man who said, “you m—– f—— should go back to Mexico where you belong, I’m calling immigration on you.”

This vulgarity is one that is especially hurtful to those of Hispanic culture. This man was also taking pictures of them, their van, and possibly doing video.

Some background on the workers, many of them have been coming to our farm for ten years or more. They come through the federal H2A program which makes it totally legal for them to be in the US and to work for up to ten months.

These are loyal, hardworking, good men. We value their dedication to our farm operation, their knowledge of what it takes to grow top-quality apples, and their willingness to work alongside us every day. These jobs are not easy, require long hours, sometimes in bad weather, and they have to leave their families for extended periods.

We could not grow apples without the high-quality work they do. In the H2A program, the farm owner has to offer these jobs to local workers and hire them if they apply and qualify.  We have had about four local people apply for jobs in the last ten years, none of them lasted more than a week.

To the man who yelled obscenities at our guys and made them be afraid of what might happen, please think before you berate good people again. Our guys took a video of you during your tirade. You appear quite well fed and had a bag of groceries.

The vital workers on our farm, and others like them across the country make sure grocery bags like yours are full of made in the USA produce.  You should be thanking them, not cursing and abusing them.

Jeff Smith

Medina

Editor:

The push for solar energy is often framed as a victory for the environment. But here in rural New York, what’s happening on the ground tells a very different story. Many solar developments are quietly stripping our farmland for profit while hiding behind a “clean energy” label.

Here’s how the process unfolds:

1. Landowners are lured with lease offers—20–30 years of “passive income.” But the fine print often includes surrendering soil rights, which most landowners don’t realize.

2. Once signed, developers strip the land of its topsoil, the living layer essential for farming. In its place, they truck in engineered sand—crushed rock that supports panel installation but kills the biology beneath.

3.  Solar developers then collect state and federal tax breaks, all funded by us, the taxpayers. Meanwhile, local resources are degraded.

4. The stripped soil isn’t just discarded—it’s sold. At $30–$50 per cubic yard, just 2,500 acres of topsoil can generate $75–$125 million in side profit for these companies. This isn’t renewable energy. It’s a resource grab.

5. Water runoff becomes a major issue. Engineered sand doesn’t absorb water like real soil. Rain now rushes off the land, causing erosion, flooding, and ecological damage across adjacent properties.

6. After 20 or 30 years, what’s left? Degraded, compacted land with no life in it. There is no guarantee of reclamation or restoration. The panels are obsolete, the companies are gone, and the land is ruined.

This is not a future we should accept. Solar, done right, can help us transition to sustainable energy. But what’s happening here in our region is nothing short of a soil heist—and it’s happening with our tax dollars.

We must demand better. That includes soil protection clauses in leases, local oversight of decommissioning plans, and transparency about what really happens to our land under solar projects.

If we lose our soil, we lose our ability to grow food, to hold water, to pass on land that’s worth something to the next generation.

Solar is a soul heist. Don’t let your legacy get stripped and sold off in the name of progress.

Gina L. Miller

Carlton, 100-acre land owner

Editor:

Since I announced my candidacy for the position of Town of Shelby Supervisor, I have had the opportunity to visit with the members of the Shelby and East Shelby Volunteer Fire Companies.

These visits have prompted me to reflect more deeply on my view of “community” as a group of people with shared values. In the case of the fire companies, it does not matter what your political party is, what your religious beliefs are, whether you live in the village or out of village.  They may not always agree with each other but when the call is made, they come together for the good of the residents.

Most in our community do not become firefighters. Some give by coaching youth sports, becoming a teacher or joining another civic organization. For me I have decided to run for this position, using my 40+ managerial experience, to make a difference.

Make no mistake, we are facing that emergency call for our community. Taxes keep going up, vital services like the ambulance are in the balance, housing has become more expensive, a scarcity of good paying jobs and unless we act it will only get worse.

I am sure many of you are wondering how much longer you can afford to live here. Instead of looking to work with our neighbors for solutions, we have a town board where the 3-to-2 majority views the 48% of Shelby residents that live in the village adversaries. Last year they spent $141,000 in legal fees, of which tens of thousands were spent pursuing other board members or town employees.

My goal in running for office is to restore the element of trust in our local town government. In short, take the model of these volunteer organizations, working with others to reshape the Shelby Town Board to better serve our community.

Jim Heminway

Medina

Editor:

This letter is addressed to the Medina Mayor and Village Board: With limited housing availability and an aging population, it is increasingly important to support affordable, flexible living arrangements that help families stay close.

Current zoning regulations in our village often prohibit multiple dwellings on a single property. However, we encourage the board to explore modest zoning changes that would allow accessory dwelling units—such as in-law suites (like a converted carriage house)—under tightly controlled conditions.

Several New York communities have already adopted similar measures successfully:

• Hyde Park, NY allows attached or detached ADUs up to 35% of the primary dwelling’s floor area, with owner occupancy required and no extra parking mandates.
• Kingston, NY permits ADUs up to 650 sq ft or 50% of the main home’s size. It requires owner occupancy and replaces any lost parking within zoning limits.
• Rhinebeck, NY enables ADUs up to 750 sq ft, with owner occupancy and off-street parking requirements to maintain neighborhood balance.
• Saugerties, NY caps ADUs at 600 sq ft or 25% of the building’s habitable space, and requires additional off-street parking.
• Tarrytown, NY allows ADUs up to 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the primary home’s size, with a six-month minimum lease term and parking provisions.

These communities have implemented ADU policies with safeguards that ensure these units are not abused and fit within the residential character of their neighborhoods. Similar regulations could benefit our village by expanding housing options for seniors, caregivers, and extended families, while maintaining the integrity of our zoning framework.”

I ask respectfully request that the Village Board consider tasking the Planning Board with reviewing these possibilities and bringing forward recommendations that align with the needs and values of our community.

Tim Elliott

Medina

Editor:

What can be done to stop this?

I have written previous articles about the Butts Road railroad underpass and the many accidents that have happened over the years involving vehicles impacting the underpass or getting wedged underneath it.

In the last two weeks the underpass has been impacted three different times, a local farm owned bus, a pickup truck, and now today’s accident that shut the underpass down to traffic for almost two hours.

I witnessed multiple vehicles down here trying to get through and had to turn around and some even tried to go under just after they got the underpass cleared.

People don’t seem to pay attention to the height clarence signs of 7 feet, 2 inches or the speed down here its clearly marked 40 miles per hour.

My honest opinion is the Butts Road underpass should be sealed and turned into a dead end to avoid someone getting seriously hurt or killed.

With the way the accidents keep occurring it’s not a matter of if but when.

Aaron Vosburgh

Albion

Editor:

The Albion school budget vote May 20 includes Proposition #4 $10,000,000 “Capital Improvements Reserve Fund” and #5, a $3,000,000 reserve for “Technology Equipment.”

Reserve Funds can either be wise fiscal planning or a way to “tuck away” money that should be returned to the taxpayers.  I ask school officials to expand on the very limited explanation appearing in the Budget Newsletter.

Gerard M. Morrisey

Albion

Editor:

We demand our government and the NYSDEC stop the destruction of our protected wetlands!

How can Governor Kathy Hochul claim to be an environmentalist and allow the destruction of our wetlands in the Alabama Swamp?

The idea of a data center next to Indigenous land, next to a wildlife refuge and precious farmland is outrageous.

A mega industrial complex in the middle of nowhere!

WNY STAMP is ill-sited. They should build the WNY STAMP closer to Batavia – not in these protected vital wetlands habitat!

The noise from data centers is disruptive to wildlife and people alike. The vibration in the earth will affect wildlife.

The electricity demands from a data center will raise the consumer electric bills.

And water concerns – Genesee County has a water problem, being landlocked it depends on Monroe or Niagara County to get the water. Six million gallons of water daily from the Niagara River or Lake Ontario.

Pipelines need to be built to bring water in and send the sewer out, and we all know what happened last time they tried to build a sewer pipeline!

The habitat loss has resulted in a 50% decline in the endangered short-eared owl since 2011. The environmental impact statement was issued in 2012, coincidentally?

Governor Hochul, the STAMP project violates the New York CLCPA, Freshwater Wetlands Regulations, and the Environmental Justice Siting Act. Honor your words, “I am an environmentalist…” and protect the Iroquois NWR. Honor the Canandaigua Treaty and respect the Tonawanda Seneca People.

Stop STAMP!

Thanks,

Evelyn Wackett

Buffalo