Editor:

Our correctional facilities are in need of a wholesale examination. The problem is systemic and endemic, and requires measures to bring more safety and security to both inmates and correction officers.

While some have chosen to focus solely on the recent court hearing involving three former corrections officers at Attica, there is a broader challenge at hand that requires a deeper and more committed solution.

The overwhelmingly majority of our correction officers go to work every day in an increasingly dangerous environment and do their job with professionalism, integrity and honesty. Under the toughest conditions, they put their lives on the line to protect the public and the inmates.

We owe them and the public more than just Band-Aids and hysterical pronouncements. While glib remarks are more likely to win the headline of the day, they won’t fix the problem. What we really need is an honest conversation among workers, policy makers at the Department of Corrections, and elected officials to solve the problems plaguing our prisons.

That requires an investment in training, technology, resources, and tools commensurate with the high-risk environment in which correction officers work. It means identifying new ways to improve the safety of everyone at our facilities. And it demands an honest assessment of the increasing dangers in our prisons.

Despite the decline in prison population the climate inside the facilities has grown more dangerous. Since 2010, the offender population has decreased by over 4,000 inmates, while the number of reported assaults on corrections officers increased by 30 percent. And the numbers of assaults are on record pace to reach nearly 900 by the end of the year, while the workforce tasked with keeping our prisons safe has been reduced by almost 10 percent.

Common sense dictates that if the assaults on staff have increased, the last thing that should occur is staffing reductions. Unfortunately, the dangerous reality we face is just the opposite – more assaults and a smaller workforce to keep our prisons safe.

Every statistic shows violence in prisons is at a five-year high. In addition to the increased assaults on staff, there were also more inmate-on-inmate assaults, and a greater likelihood that those assaults resulted in injuries. This is a prime example of a policy that is not working and needs to be addressed for the safety of inmates and corrections officers.

Adequate staffing all of the facilities would be a good start to address the increased violence. Greater resources for training, new technology and equipment should also be part of the conversation about how we can better protect officers and inmates.

The job our corrections officers perform is hard and dangerous, and essential. So instead of focusing on a single unfortunate incident, we must find common ground and work toward common sense solutions to reshape our prisons into a safer environment for everyone.

Michael B. Powers
President, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc.

Editor:

As we dive deeper into this year’s budget negotiations, I remain troubled by the early information regarding the Assembly’s one-house budget. There appears to be little focus on the needs of upstate. Early indications are that the Assembly Majority will focus on minimum wage hikes and a large increase in school aid from Gov. Cuomo’s proposed Executive Budget. While these initiatives may help certain groups, they are not the solution for upstate New York.

Downstate politicians are continuing pass laws that place costs on local governments without the state contributing a dime. These are called unfunded mandates and they are the driving force behind rising property, school and local taxes.

What Albany doesn’t understand is that when municipalities can’t afford mandates, they must raise taxes on their residents to cover the costs. This process happens almost every year and is something I have been fighting for years. I sponsor several bills, including the New York state property taxpayers protection act, that would suspend or permanently end this fiscal assault on our school districts and local governments.

The upstate economy has not fully recovered and our businesses are still hindered by the plethora of regulation and taxes placed on them by our government over the years. As a longtime small-business owner, I know the daily struggles of competing in New York’s suffocating economic climate.

If New York is truly to be “Open for Business” we need to cut taxes, fees and regulations to allow our businesses to hire more employees, reinvest profits and remain in New York State. Our enacted budget has routinely ignored small business development and I will continue to work with the governor and legislative leaders to prevent that from happening again.

My district, as well as many areas in upstate New York, contains a multitude of farms and agriculture producers. Most legislators do not grasp the importance of farms because they are from downstate and lack firsthand experience.

I grew up on a family-owned farm and can tell you that farmers are some of the most genuine hardworking people on the planet. Their determination and skill feeds the rest of the state. I have fought to include funding for aspiring farmers and crop production in previous budgets and I pledge to continue my unwavering support this budget cycle.

Another top priority of mine remains ethics reform. The arrest and demise of former Speaker Silver has left a sour taste in the mouths of many legislators and citizens of the state. If ethics reform is ever going to pass, this year is the best chance we have. I have been calling for the forfeiture of pensions from corrupt politicians and tougher campaign finance requirements for years.

Gov. Cuomo has made a point to emphasize ethics reforms as part of his Executive Budget proposal and I would support his reforms and an even more comprehensive package should they be included in this year’s budget. We owe it to ourselves and the citizens of New York to hold our government to a higher standard.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Batavia

Editor:

My name is Todd Bensley and I am running for trustee in the Village of Medina. To give you my background, I grew up in Medina and graduated from Medina High School. After going to college, starting a career in teaching, and getting married, my wife and I decided to purchase our first home in Medina. We chose Medina because it has great schools and is a wonderful community to raise our children.

While helping to raise our children, and teaching in the Medina School district, I have served the community in many capacities over the years. In the past I served as a youth baseball and softball coach, a board member and president of the Medina Historical Society, and board member of Lee-Whedon Library. I am currently serving on the Medina Planning Board and the Boxwood Cemetery Commission, and I am also the village historian.

What I have learned through serving the community in these various ways is that Medina truly is a great place to live, work, and play. There are many people who are dedicated to seeing Medina grow and thrive in the future. I count myself among them.

The community is well aware that although Medina is great community, it is not a perfect community. The recent push for dissolution showed just how divided a community can become. It is my hope that we can begin the healing process and focus our attention and energy on moving Medina forward, instead of consigning it to the dustbin of history.

To accomplish this, we must all come together for the greater good. There were over 900 people who came out on January 20 to say that the village of Medina matters. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that over 500 people also expressed on that day that change needs to happen. People who live, work, and play in the village need to come forward to not only express their ideas, but also to lend a helping hand in moving Medina forward.

An era of cooperation needs to begin. I have faith that the people of the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby, and their leadership, will support the continued efforts to share services where possible and economically feasible. I know that the workers employed by the village, and the village board, will continue to look for efficiencies and opportunities to generate revenue to make sure village taxpayers are getting the full value for their tax dollars.

Our efforts, however, cannot end with looking for ways to save money. We must also look to increase the tax base and raise more revenue. We must work with the Orleans County EDA to attract businesses to the Medina Industrial Park and other business-ready facilities. We need to maximize the use of retail space downtown and along Maple Ridge Road.

It is also necessary to bolster the value of our homes through filling vacancies, cleaning up the neighborhoods and re-building infrastructure, and providing recreational opportunities that help to increase home values. In addition, we must press the state to give the village its fair share of AIM funding and press the county to re-formulate its distribution of sales tax to ensure that the money is going to the areas responsible for generating sales tax revenue.

The first step to Medina’s future is for you to come out to vote on March 18 to express your love and commitment to the village of Medina. I would be honored if you would vote for me for village trustee. Then, please get actively involved in making the community an even better place to live, work, and play.

Todd Bensley
Medina

Editor:

APEX Clean Energy, a Virginia-based Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), is seeking to install an industrial wind factory they’ve dubbed “Lighthouse Wind LLC” in the Towns of Somerset and Yates, along the beautiful shorelines of Lake Ontario in Niagara and Orleans counties.

According to APEX, these massive, bird-and-bat-chopping, oil-filled behemoths are slated to be as high as 570 feet-tall. Tip-to-tip, the 11-plus TON blades will span over 320-plus feet across (longer than a football field).

A question to the Somerset Supervisor, Dan Engert, regarding his comment “local residents largely support the proposed wind farm,” is: Would these people be $igned lea$eholers with Apex? On the contrary, hundreds of people who have contacted Save Ontario Shores – S.O.S., DO NOT SUPPORT this life-altering project! (Click here to see Save Ontario Shores Facebook page.)

Among our many concerns is the fact that “Mechanic Liens,” now totaling $2.1 Million as of Feb. 15, have been filed against property owned by landowners in Vermillion, Illinois, who signed lease contracts for the wind factory that APEX built there.

“Mechanic’s Liens” are claims filed on the property of another by those who performed work, or furnished materials for a project on that property, for the value of the services and/or materials rendered, when the project owner has NOT PAID the just debt to those who did the work or provided the materials.

When liens are placed on a contracted property, landowners should take note that the property will have a record of having this “lien” filed until the lien is settled and released. A lien on a property renders the property owner unable to obtain clear title to the property. Liens can damage the property owner’s credit scores, negatively affecting their ability to obtain loans and lines of credit.

The enforcement of a mechanic’s lien can be accomplished by filing a lawsuit to foreclose the lien – ultimately having the property on which the project occurred SOLD in order to pay off the lien.

In other words, if APEX abandons the project (for any number of reasons), those who signed leases with them could be left holding the bag, and forced to sell their properties to pay APEX’s unpaid bills. Invenergy Attorney, Daniel Spitzer, summed it up years ago at a Local Government workshop in Mt.Morris, when he candidly admitted, “The landowner will be liable.”

Further research on “Mechanics Liens” reveals there have been Hundreds of Millions of Dollars worth of Liens filed in County Clerk’s offices across the United States and Canada since 2007 against properties under contract with various Big Wind LLCs (ie: 66 liens filed against property owners involved in Wyoming County in 2009). Also noteworthy is the fact that the vast majority of these “liens” were filed by out-of state contractors – more proof that all of Big Wind’s claims of “local” jobs they create are NOT true. (For more info on wind-related liens, check www.WindAction.org)

An environmental lawyer experienced in preserving the health, safety, and welfare of citizens across New York State commented, “These stories detail the risk landowners face who grant easements to financially insecure wind developers. Contractors who were not fully paid can file liens on the property and ultimately foreclose on those properties to get their money, despite the fact that the property owner never contracted with the unpaid debtor.”

Why would anyone in their right mind want to enter into a business contract with shady corporations who have a history of not paying their bills (and much more), for a product that has NO NET BENEFIT to the taxpayers and ratepayers who are being forced to foot the bill?

As they say, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

Cathi Orr
Somerset, N.Y.
Save Ontario Shores – S.O.S.

Editor:

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on March 8, 2015, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Selma march for equal voting rights:

“Today we honor the 50th anniversary of a monumental event in American history. On that Sunday in Selma, Alabama, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the forces of racism and progress met in a bloody clash that jolted our country forward.

“In 2013, I had the honor and privilege to walk hand-in-hand with Congressman John Lewis, one of America’s most respected civil rights icons, over that same bridge, to retrace with him the steps of the Bloody Sunday March. When we walked, I thought about the men and women who cared so deeply about freedom and equality in this country that they were willing to risk their lives for them, and I reflected on how far our nation has come in its pursuit of civil rights and equal justice.

“One of the most sacred rights we have as Americans, and one of the marchers’ primary motivations that day in Selma, is the right to vote. Two years ago, the United States Supreme Court gutted a major provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which had for decades determined which states and localities must get federal approval, or preclearance, before they change their local voting laws. Within hours of the Supreme Court decision to dismantle this provision, Texas went forward with a discriminatory voter ID law. New local election procedures in the future could disenfranchise voters in New York and all across the nation.

“Congress must act quickly to restore the Voting Rights Act. I urge my colleagues to pass a bipartisan, legislative solution that would give every American complete, unobstructed, and equal access to the ballot box. And in addition to protecting the basic right to vote, we urgently need to modernize our voting system. Last Congress, I joined with my friend Congressman John Lewis to introduce legislation that would bring our voter registration system into the 21st century and end voter suppression.

“As we honor the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday March in Selma, it’s time to put political differences aside and ensure that all New Yorkers, and all Americans, have their voices heard in the political process, regardless of who they are or where they live, and have the right to vote without intimidation or obstruction.”

Editor:

I just read about the squirrel contest and I am deeply horrified that this is an acceptable contest within your town. What an awful example to your children as well, to kill an animal for a contest, then what? Throw it in the trash.

Thank God we moved out of Webster when I was a young child. I am embarrassed to say I even lived in New York. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. Something needs to be done to stop this!

Becky Pesko
Norwell, Massachusetts

Editor:

I am curious, as a long-time resident of Medina, I notice peoples’ cars and other habits. I am concerned about the number of business owners in Medina who use street-side parking, especially in front of their own business, or in any space on the street.

There is ample off-street parking in Medina. And to my knowledge there is still a two-hour parking limit downtown! Street side parking should be limited to customers!

Recent Village Board comments reflect this, when discussing the parking in front of NAPA. Perhaps we need a parking enforcement officer? Just my opinion. What is yours?

Dayton Hausman
Medina

Editor:

There is no plant on Earth more condemned than marijuana. We’re talking about a living organism which governments have taken upon themselves to designate as an illegal substance. Despite no existing evidence of anyone ever dying of a marijuana overdose, possession of this plant is still illegal in many parts.

Marijuana has been found to suppress cancer, reduce blood pressure, treat glaucoma, alleviate pain and even inhibit HIV. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective.

Cannabis is one of the most powerful healing plants on the planet. It contains Cannabinoids, the active components of marijuana, inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals and also kill cancer cells. It is a muscle relaxant and has “antispasmodic” qualities that have proven to be a very effective treatment for seizures.

It also is used to treat minor to serve migraines. Marijuana’s treatment of glaucoma has been one of the best documented. There isn’t a single valid study that exists that disproves marijuana’s very powerful and popular effects on glaucoma patients.

Marijuana works to stop the neurological effects and muscle spasms that come from a fatal disease, Multiple Sclerosis. For ADD/ADHD marijuana is not only a perfect alternative for Ritalin, but treats the disorder without any of the negative side effects of the pharmaceutical.

Marijuana has shown that it can help with symptoms of the chronic diseases as it stops nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Marijuana works to prevent Alzheimer’s by blocking the deposits in the brain that cause the disease. Long-term use of opiate pain killers is 10 time more dangerous then long-term use of marijuana .

Why should anyone be denied the right to help relieve the pain or prevent it? Do you understand why it is illegal for those people that really need it?

Kenneth Capurso
Albion

Editor:

Every morning I drive from Albion to Medina for work. And it is amazing how many people don’t use their headlights while driving!

Right now especially in this blustery, winter weather, we ALL need to turn on our lights! Even if it’s daylight out. With the squalls and wind blowing the way it is, it may help someone see where the road is when following someone with their lights on or may help them avoid collision when seeing the other driving coming at them!

I was hoping if enough people read this it would help spread the word to turn on your lights!

Thank you kindly,

Apryl Fox
Kent

Editor:

What makes Boxwood Cemetery a must see spot for out-of-town visitors? What makes it a pleasant place to walk? What gives it that special ambiance that other Medina cemeteries don’t have? The answer is the mature trees.

I recently acquired two plots in the older section of the cemetery. Being eco-friendly I had decided to plant an oak tree instead of a gravemarker on my final resting place. To my dismay, I was informed that it was not allowed due to the cost of upkeep.

I fully understand the cost factor, but what about the cemetery being a “Medina Gem” for future generations? Do the people of Medina want it to look like the other treeless cemeteries in Medina? If so, the people responsible for this terrible decision have sealed Boxwood’s fate.

Your great grandchildren will never experience the beauty that we all have enjoyed for years without an aggressive tree planting campaign or once again allow plot owners to plant saplings at NO COST to the taxpayers.

The people of Medina need to stand up and voice their opinion on this matter. Too many terrible decisions have been made by the Medina government in the 55 years that I have been alive. The destruction of the Medina sandstone buildings on northern Main Street in the late 1960’s to the present day unimaginative building sprawl on Maple Ridge Road are two terrible mistakes that come to mind. To the government of Medina – Shame.

This is a no brainer. Reverse this policy now. Don’t lose another asset to Medina that your forefathers created.

Timothy D. R. Watson
Buffalo