Editor:

People in our area tend to respond to need when they are aware of it. Many just do it without wringing their hands about how much they might be inconvenienced in the process.

On Monday, Nov. 11, the Medina Fire Department responded to a fire at 228 Park Ave. Forgive me if there were volunteer companies that responded as well. Had the MFD failed to respond, there is no telling how much of Medina might have burned to the ground.

Fortunately the Orleans County Legislature doesn’t decide whether or not fires should be fought. You see, you cannot make money fighting fires either.Is taking care of those who have taken care of us any less important than doing what needs to be done when it comes to fighting a fire?

That is crazy one might say.Obviously we have to fight fires.How much more obvious is the need to fight fires than the need to take care of our responsibilities where our elderly are concerned?

According to 2014 budget reporting, the cost of garbage disposal is rising to $190 next year.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent
Albion

Editor:

I have always believed that words mean things. At this point in our civilization, we have not yet arrived at the Orwellian projection of Doublespeak, Newspeak or governmental manipulation of recorded reality, be it past, present or future.

Therefore, I believe the campaign literature I have read. In light of this belief and reviewing all the information presented in relation to the county nursing home, I offer the following suggestion.

A group of citizens, published to be “thousands,” have the unique opportunity to exercise their expressed desire to “save” the county nursing in a uniquely American way. They can buy it!

I have read editorial after editorial, pamphlet after pamphlet and even viewed a professionally produced DVD telling me that the county is inept in their approach to selling the nursing home to a “for profit” or “ not for profit” organization. They simply cannot be trusted.

I have been told that these companies are “not concerned” for the residents of the nursing home and that their business practices will create a toxic (my word) scenario for county tax payers, residents and their families.

I have also been informed that following some simple steps, as outlined by the group of concerned citizens, the nursing home will not become the huge tax consuming burden projected by the present legislative body in Orleans County, but could become profitable. I do not personally believe this, but this argument points to a Capitalistic approach to solving this dilemma.

A rough business plan could go as follows. I will use the number 2,000 because of the published estimate of “thousands “of concerned citizens. If every concerned citizen could invest $1,000 in this plan, that would produce two thousand, thousand dollars or $2 million.

I know that $1,000 is a lot of money, but according to money saving suggestions proposed during the campaign, it could be reimbursed in a timely manner. These initial investors would form a corporation and the $2 million could be borrowed against, in conjunction with the money saving suggestions, into enough money to compete in the bidding process proposed by the LDC.

The proposed bid would include all the suggestions outlined in the campaign. Those, which I recall, include the renovation of the empty wings, greater scrutiny of governmental payments and better utilization of governmental transfers of money. How much can asbestos abatement, code enhancement and forensic accounting cost?  I am sure I am leaving out dozens of campaign-fueled money saving suggestions, which would absolutely save millions of dollars! I have not forgotten the rosy projections of reduced future costs associated with running the home.  It cannot lose!

After the nursing home ceases to lose money, I’m sure a short period of time, the corporation could sell stock. The profit generated could be cleansed of its evil nature by being redistributed to community in the form of grants for worthy projects. This plan cannot miss!

I humbly offer this idea free of charge. I consider it win/ win/win in the sense that the future of the nursing home will be secured, the residents will be protected by the same governmental regulations that are now in force and, with a little luck, the concerned citizens will be successful in the bidding process and be able to implement all the changes upon which they based their campaign.

Paul J. Blajszczak
Medina

Editor:

The Orleans County Conservative Party would like to say thank you to all our endorsed candidates that participated in the 2013 local elections. I believe we have made an impact on the political scene. I believe that our party gave people a choice and is one of the reasons why those four elections came down to the absentee ballots.

The people now have on their team two proven Conservative town supervisors: Carol Culhane of Gaines who just produced a budget that cuts the tax rate for 2014 and Matt Passarell who voted in a budget that cut taxes 9 percent in one year as a councilman.

Sue Smith, a councilwoman for Gaines, along with the Town Board voted against pictometry, protecting their constituents’ 4th amendment rights. Fred Miller voted against a tax-increasing budget as trustee for village of Albion. Fred is an independent thinker, now legislator elect.

Don Allport voted no on the tax cap override, supporting the wishes of thousands of county residents.

To those of you who lost, myself included, my advice to you is never give up. Lick your wounds and get ready for the next election. For those of you who have never run but have been inspired by the fight, I say jump in – fresh blood and ideas are sorely needed.

I want to thank all of you voters that voted on Row C. You made an impact and it will only get bigger as time goes on and you put in place more fiscally responsible elected officials.

Here’s to a 2014 Conservative Revolution.

Thank you all.

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Yates
Vice Chairman OC Conservative Party

Editor:

Why am I free? I can only begin to imagine the reasons, as I have never had the honor or courage to serve. But I can only begin to express my thanks for those brave men and women who have taken the ultimate sacrifice, to risk their lives, to protect my own and my children’s.

I have always had the utmost respect for those that have served and are serving, but it has grown so much in the past year as I have been fighting to preserve those freedoms.

The exact rights we are being stripped of as a state and as a country, the rights that so many across the world are not lucky enough to have, the rights that these brave heroes have done unimaginable things, spent countless hours doing, to protect these rights for us.

How dare we as a nation jeopardize any of these rights that these men and women have fought so hard to protect. We are failing our veterans, those that have served, those that are serving, and those that will serve.

It is time we the people show our gratitude, appreciation, and admiration for these people, and stand up to remain free. Thank you to all who have played a part in the freedom I experience, the freedom my children experience. I will never be able to fully express the gratitude I feel towards you and your daily sacrifices. And may I continue to fight back home to protect our freedoms as America, in your honor.

Gia Arnold
Holley

(Arnold is a state coordinator for New York Revolution.)

Editor:

The Lake Ontario State Parkway is a resource that we should not let go to waste as we have been for the last several years. While it never achieved its original goal of spanning from Rochester to Niagara Falls, it does serve residents of northern Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties as a reliable and hassle-free alternative when traveling into and around Rochester.

Commuters of this road enjoy particularly beautiful scenery, low traffic volume and travel uninterrupted by control devices (no stop signs or traffic lights). It is truly one of the few roads in WNY where you can set the cruise control and ride for nearly 40 miles.  Yet many do not choose this route. It is ill-maintained, rough-riding and now plagued by failing bridges causing detours.

DOT’s own statistics justified their seasonal closure of the Lakeside Beach portion of the Parkway. I suspect that it is also their own statistics which account for why monies are not being allocated to repair the road surface and spans. Paving completed this fall is a wonderful step in the right direction but seems senseless as it dead ends into a portion of road which has been completely closed due to the Hamlin Beach span.

Is there any timetable or plan for the reopening of the Hamlin Beach span? Can it be safely reduced to one lane like the Point Breeze span has been? Can monies spent mowing be reallocated to road surface repair?

Without an aggressive management and maintenance plan the volume on the Parkway will continue to dwindle until it is no longer feasible to maintain it at all. Or is that, in fact, the plan?

Robert Shaw
Lyndonville

Editor:

Though he was a World War II veteran of five amphibious assaults in the Pacific, Joe Licurse never asked anyone for anything, not even a pat on the back. Joe never required long term care either. Would it have been asking too much for us to provide it, had he needed it?

As Veterans’ Day approaches, the impact of the decision to sell “The Villages” seems all the more tragic. What many people may not know is that many veterans needing long term care get the best around at “The Villages of Orleans,” our County nursing home. There is very little to assure us that such excellent care will continue, once we’ve passed the responsibility on to those who are in it for a buck. For us, quality care has meant honoring and respecting our elders.It is unfortunate that we’ve lately indicated we’re willing to put a price on that.

Just as all our seniors, veterans have spent their lives paying taxes to build, maintain and staff “The Villages” what Linda Rak refers to as a kind of “insurance policy.”

Isn’t maintaining it under County control a fitting way to honor the sacrifices of our eldersincluding veterans? Might it be one of the best indications that we truly value what they have provided us?

The values we share as Americans include defense of those least able to defend themselves. The qualities of loyalty and doing the right thing are a large part of how we see ourselves. The Pledge of Allegiance ends with a commitment to “ justice for all.” Our flag symbolizes all these and more.

Deciding that we cannot afford to continue a 183-year commitment to our elders is a sad comment on where we are headed as people. Joe Licurse’s life defined loyalty. How will our lives be defined? I, for one, do not believe recent events locally should be taken as an indication that the people of Orleans County approve ending the commitment that “The Villages of Orleans” symbolizes.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent
Albion

Editor:

There is no doubt that the people of Orleans have spoken. Let’s consider for a moment what they said

Countless no, that’s not quite right “just” a couple thousand residents and voters lined up at the polls to protest the unnecessary sale of the County nursing home. That is a FACT. Thousands PLURAL came out to tell their Legislators that it wasn’t necessary, and the fact is that it isn’t.

Thousands believe that better management and responsible accounting are what’s called for. It’s just plain unfortunate that even more thousands take a more pessimistic stand on what this County is made of.

But it was “only” a mere couple hundred that dedicated literal sweat and tears to the effort and a few less who would likely have given their blood for it as well, as clearly a battle as this has been. And mark those words, thus far this has been merely a battle.

On the other side, we have Legislators who freely suggest, after the election, that voters came out for other reasons. That this was not a one-issue election. If we can be proud of this County, I would say that we can be proud of it more for the willingness of its people to come out in such numbers as to drain some polling places completely of regular ballots rather than be proud of the final outcome.

But lest you think that’s a loser crying of sour grapes, reflect that a single-party Legislature still effectively remains, and that is inarguably to everyone’s disservice in a democracy. Where dialogue fails to thrive, democracy also withers.

And lest you think the side with fewer votes are losers at all, reflect on this:

In the wake of his discouraging “loss” my father first sadly reflected that the solitary win we had in Fred Miller came at the cost of what my dad said was “the hardest working one of the bunch of them (in Henry Smith, Jr.)”

If that’s what you call a loser then I’d suggest you get your definitions sorted out. You don’t become a winner by making your decisions in spite of what people think and without performing the due diligence expected from you in a jobparticularly not when it’s a job you were elected to for the express purpose of performing that diligence so everyone else doesn’t have to.

You become a winner by going the extra mile whether you’re in office or not, by plugging away as hard as you can at every chance you get even when you’re not getting paid for it. Riding the wave of over $30,000 of campaign spending to spread misinformation is not winning, and voting for such spenders instead of voting for workers is about the most tragically losing approach that I can imagine.

In two years, you’ll have another shot at voting against taxing, spending and cutting services. Hopefully, next time around people will be less “informed” by colorful fliers bought with garbage money and more informed by paying real attention to what’s going on right under their noses.

Brian Kent
Batavia

(Kent volunteered with the Concerned Citizens of Orleans County. His father Gary Kent was a candidate for the County Legislature.)

Editor:

Orleans County legislators sure lowered the boom on the “Concerned Citizens” and “Save Our Nursing Home” supporters.

At the close of the Orleans County Legislature’s meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, Chairman David Callard, for his non-gavel-pounding finale, stated that a referendum to be held for a vote in favor of or against The Villages Nursing Home remaining under county control, is against a New York state law.

Was this law put into effect at 4 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2013? How long did the Orleans County legislators know about this? If they had been in possession of this information for the past year, without releasing it, and have allowed the “Concerned Citizens” and the “Save the Nursing Home” supporters (one and the same, I suppose) to march, carry signs, and cling to the hope that in some fashion, The Villages could remain under county taxpayer control, they should all be voted out of office taking the CAO with them. If it was a case that the county attorney had not researched this until lately, he had not done his job, and likewise should be replaced.

Also, at this meeting my friend Paul Lauricella brought up his concerns, and I might add that they should be every U.S. citizen’s concerns, about Resolution 335-1013 authorizing the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office to apply for the FY2103 Tactical Team Targeted grant “through the New York State office of Homeland Security.”

This $86,000 is to be used to fund equipment for the Orleans County SWAT team. “What!” With Homeland Security buying hundreds of thousands of rounds of hollow-point ammunition, and most police agencies assuming paramilitary characteristics, and in that respect dealing unconstitutionally with American citizens (my opinion), notwithstanding the passage of the bill H.R. 347 “Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011.”

This bill passed Feb. 27, 2012, in the U.S. House of Representatives and unanimously in the U.S. Senate on March 1, 2012. Not a single Democratic politician voted against this bill and only Ron Paul and two other Republicans, despite their posturing, voted in lockstep with the Democrats. We can thank our unrepresentative for stripping us of our First Amendment rights, and the news media for creating a blackout to keep us in the dark as to the U.S. government’s efforts to destroy the Bill of Rights.

The Orleans County legislators, with Chairman Callard in the lead, just roll their eyes, and lack the patience to listen to my friend Paul’s concerns. Without any solid U.S. representation in our area, we are on our own. Everyone should show their concerns by attending the local meetings and pay attention.

With the bill H.R. 347 in place, the individual who called President Obama a traitor twice, as Obama was speaking in Buffalo, was eligible for a fine and up to one year in prison, or both. Where is that person now? Google H.R. 347, and check the restrictions.

Have a good day.

Al Lofthouse
Kendall

(Lofthouse is chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party.)

Editor:

I am proud of our local artists who produced so much high quality art for the recent Palette Project organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. The arts are a natural resource of an area and we are rich with talented artists. The arts should be cultivated and supported by the businesses.

In this case however, the artists are supporting the businesses. Artists were asked to paint palettes that would be auctioned off for a scholarship for young artists. Yet the stated goal of the project was to promote the businesses.

The Palette Project was modeled after the successful Palette Program in Keuka. But it was not structured like it. When they auction off the palettes in Keuka, the artists get 50 percent of the sale of their art and 50 percent goes to the scholarship program.

The businesses involved each pay $150 to support overhead of the Keuka project. In the local Chamber’s case, the operating expenses are being paid from the sale of artist’s work. What is left over goes to the scholarship.

Operating expenses include salaries and mileage for those who worked on it, supplies, the reception, printing and advertising. Why are the artists are paying for that? Isn’t it the purpose of the Chamber to promote businesses?

Generally speaking, artists are generous and support causes. But when asking artists to donate to your cause, whatever it may be, please consider their value. Offering them free publicity alone is not sufficient for most artists. That doesn’t show you place a value on their work.

It’s called “artwork” for a reason. Artists aren’t magicians who wiggle their noses and a painting, a sculpture or a song suddenly appears. Many have spent a fortune on education. All have spent a significant amount of their lives training themselves. They often put their whole heart and soul into their art with no guarantee of success or financial gain. Is there any other profession where you would suggest free publicity in exchange for work?

If $1,250 was raised from the sale (that’s the amount set aside for art scholarships in Orleans) our artists’ work averages out to $18 per palette. Not much value there.

An artist may have spent many hours or days working on the palette. The artists were asked to donate art for a scholarship for young artists and I would like to see ALL sales of the art work go directly to the scholarships. Let the artists support the artists.

Arthur Barnes
Millville

(Barnes is a local artist and former Executive Director of the Orleans County Council on the Arts.)

Editor:

I am honored that the best so-called Republican attack dogs can come up with is a sour grapes response about some of our endorsed candidates supporting keeping the nursing home public. Some members of the Conservative Party support it, some don’t. I don’t.

This is a representative republic andthose candidates also support the bill of rights, lowering taxes, limiting government, defending the second amendment (the 4th for which our current Legislature has a very poor record of doing.)

Some have even voted against tax increases, others have cut taxes 9 percent in one year, showing it can be done if you’re serious. We are looking for fiscal conservatives, period. Something the Rinopubilcan party forgot about a long time ago.

We include other parties and give select candidates a chance, unlike the Rinopublican party that picks and chooses who will be the next best “yes man.”

My critique of the Legislature is long going and has nothing to do with the nursing home issue. I’m sitting here laughing as I write this, getting a lesson on conservatism from attack dogs that defend the Tax and Blame Legislature.

The very Legislature that has NOT produced a budget that hasn’t raised taxes in the 10 years I have gone there. The tax and blame county Legislature that slipped in an added amendment last year giving the county CEO a 5-year contract extension when he has never put together a budget that doesn’t raise taxes in his entire career.

Has the Legislature made some cuts? Yes. Because it has been forced to, not because it chose to. Remember this is the same group that grew and grew government when times were good. Very conservative of them wasn’t it? Very Republican?

I attend allthe county meetings with the Conservative Party chairman. We speak on spending and hiring cuts, tougher negotiations, protecting privacy, things going on in the national scope that effect us locally, slowing down the scope and power of Homeland Security, and these guys give us nothing. They grow and expand government at every meeting. Read the county minutes at the website. It’s all on record.

They are more in tuned with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi than Ted Cruz or Rand Paul. Republicans? If I was head of the Republican Party in OC, I would be so humiliated from all the tax raisers and regulators that continue to get endorsements in this county.

Whenever OC sets a record, it’s for the highest taxes, unemployment, poverty and jobs leaving. Who keeps endorsing these people? There is the problem that needs fixing.They have cheapened the brand to a laughingstock.

Republican? Chairman Callard cuts me off almost every time I speak. Pounding his gavel, pointing at his watch or even threatening to have me removed by the sheriff if my regresses strike too closely to a nerve. He changes the rules as he goes along. The first amendment only applies to those who give praise or say what the Legislature wants to hear.

It’s healthy that some of you are nervous that “your” power grab and stranglehold on this county may soon becoming to an end now that you finally have some competition in the arena of political ideas.

Some very uninformed voters are questioning the ideology ofthe Conservative Party when these Republicans don’t live up to anything they are supposed stand for: limited government, low taxes, respect for the constitution (selective), private property rights, privacy, and trust in the citizen over government.

The Conservative Party consists of former Republicans that are ashamed of what has become of that party and you better get used to us because we aren’t going away. You don’t have a monopoly anymore.

Paul Lauricella Jr.
Lyndonville
Orleans County Conservative Party Vice Chairman