Editor:

I would like to congratulate the four Conservative Party-endorsed candidates on their powerful message sending wins to the establishment and the status quo.

In Shelby, Jim Heminway for Supervisor, Larry Waters and Ed Zelazny for councilman. In Yates, Bill Jurinich – all were overwhelmingly chosen. The people have had enough. These candidates worked their tails off during the campaign. The Conservative Party played a small role, it was the quality of these candidates that the people voted for.

 #1. They all were for many years attendees of town board meetings and workshops. When you do that it’s like being a fly on the wall. When you attend you may see some good, but you also see the absolute worst in the people that represent you. They do not see it because it’s usually a circle of people with their nose in each other’s back sides playing out an episode of the twilight zone with your money and without your say. You come away in disbelief, disgusted and feeling helpless.

#2. None of these candidates ran for election because they wanted to. They would have never been picked or slid in the back door. They saw what was going on with their own eyes and knew that no matter what they said, what they did, they had no voice, no recourse, no one that was representing them or the common man. They had to step up, and if they are the type of men I think they are they will hate every minute of it not wanting to be there forever.

#3. My advice to the candidates-elect. You have not been given power or control. You are now beneath those that elected you. You are a servant. You have been given a responsibly to the people of your town. Not to the government body to which you have been elected. Not to a committee to bow to if you want their endorsement. You have the free will given to you by God almighty and to God almighty and the residents, all of them, are the only people you are accountable to.

If you are going to go along to get along you do not belong in a public office. You are now a public servant, you serve, and you work for us. We the people. Never forget that. Always take the time to look in the mirror. The reflection you see should always be you, not the monster you replaced. So, on the lighter side always carry with you at all times wolfsbane and a crucifix to ward of the werewolf changes (the controlling monster within) and to not become a blood sucker (“a vampire” raising taxes).

To our Conservative-endorsed candidates. On to November 4th, with both lines. Then on January 1st, 2026. Show them how it’s done. Others just may step up and follow. Lord knows Orleans County needs it at all levels.

Paul Lauricella

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman

Editor:

Barre residents: First of all, thank you for your support and I encourage you to read the entire length of my letter.

Now that the dust has settled, I believe I have the right to respond to Pogue’s outlandish 1,378-word letter. He, as the Barre Town Supervisor, chose to maliciously attack and try to defame my name with lies. And, he may very well have caused harm to my primary election.

His letter was almost 3 times the requested length and since it attacked me in part, I believe my letter should be allowed even though it is about 777 words.

Pogue Claimed: that I wrote a letter to the State in order to stop wind turbines.

False: I have not written any letters to the State telling them that I should be allowed to single handedly stop wind turbines.

Pogue Claimed: that I said I would sue the Town over wind turbines.

False: I addressed his ridiculous claim before. I have never threatened to sue anyone using your money, my money, or anyone else’s money to do so. That comment came from someone else, who I believe has moved away, and was during an election, years ago of which I was not even involved!

Pogue Claimed: “…you might get sued…” “…if these three get in…” “…be careful what you wish for…”.

False: These words were craftily placed in the letter, but there appears to be a threatening message which seems to have been meant to scare voters from voting for me, George McKenna and Iva McKenna.

Pogue Claimed: that I stuck signs up and may not have visited residents.

False: Rubbish. Some people actually picked up signs to place in their own yards. Of course I visited residents. I didn’t just go around sticking signs up without talking to people and listening to them. But now I am wondering if me or my wife have been followed around…otherwise, why in the world would Pogue make that claim?

Pogue Claimed: I am not involved with the town.

False: He must not have seen me all those months at the Comprehensive Plan Committee Meetings which I attended and was part of.

Pogue Claimed: I have not attended town meetings.

False: I used to attend the town board meetings quite regularly in-person. The truth is, even though I also addressed this before, I feel I can now write candidly as to the reason I, along with many other residents, stopped going “in-person” to town board meetings. I just could not stomach observing the public, verbal abuse by Pogue on one particular board member.

The clincher for me was this: Imagine sitting next to a family member who is visibly shaken-up due to the town supervisor’s appearance of being on the brink of losing self-control by yelling at a board member, shoving themselves away from the bench with fists clenched.

Imagine this family member asking the board to stop this out-of-control behavior because it is causing an amount of anxiety and panic. Imagine the town supervisor, who is supposed to be a leader, after just showing a bout of sheer rage, looking at her and out-right laugh at her! Imagine being a man of excellent self-control having to sit on your hands for the rest of the meeting. That is the truth of why I will not grace the town supervisor with my presence “in-person” at town board meetings.

I am not sure why Pogue turned the Barre Primary Election into a fight about the wind energy…again…he wasn’t even running. But, for the future, here are a few things that Pogue did not claim, so I will add them for you:

I am not in agreement with wind energy – The town supervisor’s Republican nominee is in agreement with wind energy.

I do not have a monetary interest in any wind companies – The town supervisor’s Republican nominee has a monetary interest in Heritage Wind, LLC.

I support the ideals of the not-for-profit group, Clear Skies Above Barre – The town supervisor’s Republican nominee supports the ideals of Heritage Wind, LLC.

My hope is that the next town supervisor, whomever it may be, refuses to follow in Pogue’s footsteps of malicious fashion. I also have to wonder what will happen now that I have written this letter.

I do know that there is one citizen who would like to write a letter to the editor, but is too afraid. Why? Because each time they have written their point of view in the past, retaliation has been bestowed upon them.

I neither support nor condone malicious behavior nor abusive behavior…by anyone…for any reason.

Respectfully submitted,

Scott Burnside

Town of Barre

Editor:

Isn’t it time we demand that our commander in chief exercise  some self-discipline, rein in this tongue, and set an example for our young people?

When I  heard that our chief executive  used  an “f” bomb in referring to Iranian and Israeli conduct, I  thought surely that could not be. But, then, what that he does—or says—should shock us at this point?

Yes, the original  Constitution stipulates that Congress shall have the power to decide when war is justified. And yes, the person we elect President could be impeached for ordering the United States military to strike Iran without the approval of Congress.

A case might be made that he could be charged by the House of Representatives—and if convicted in the United States  Senate—removed from office for crossing yet another point of no return.

Gary Kent

Albion

Editor:

We would like to thank all who voted in the Town of Barre primary. Every vote matters!

We look forward to hearing the concerns of our fellow citizens in the future as we work together to make Barre a more wonderful place to live.

Thank you.

Stephen Coville, Dave Allen and Wesley Miller

Barre

Editor:

A quick thought regarding Paul Lauricella’s very well written and informative letter endorsing his “friend” Bill Jurinich for Yates town councilman. As comprehensive as his letter is, one paramount vetting question that should be required answering for every single candidate was erroneously omitted.

As follows please …

“Bill, in order to be effective, do you actually understand what ‘communism,’ ‘socialism’ and ‘fascism’ are and how they differ from one another as well as other forms of government?”

I include this question because it is agonizingly clear that some in conservative leadership seek to mislead the public by their ignorant and careless misappropriation of these words as though they’re peeing in the wind.

Again, thank you Mr. Lauricella for a thoughtful, well written, and meaningful letter.

Tom Graham

Rochester

Graham is a member of Albion High School’s Class of 1978.

Editor:

Jim Heminway is an ideal candidate for the Shelby Town Supervisor. I have known Jim since grade school and know him to be very bright, personable and hardworking.

He was hired by Monroe Electronics in 1998. In the early 2000’s he recognized an opportunity to enter the “Emergency Alert” (EAS) market. He successfully negotiated the acquisition of various products to enter the EAS market. The negotiations were very tricky and involved negotiating with and satisfying multiple parties with very limited resources to do so.

In his time at Monroe Electronics, Jim negotiated the sale of the Electrostatics product line to Trek and oversaw the change of our name to Digital Alert Systems. He further directed the market and product development which has made Digital Alert Systems the market leader for emergency alert systems nationally. None of this would have happened without Jim’s hard work and dedication.

Jim is ideally suited to work through the types of issues the Town of Shelby is encountering. He is excellent at identifying and defining areas of concern and weighing alternatives and setting priorities.

Jim has worked very well over the years with difficult situations and people.  I don’t know why Jim would want the thankless job of Shelby Town Supervisor, but he is an ideal candidate for the position and has my highest recommendation.

Robert Vosteen

President

Digital Alert Systems

Lyndonville

Editor:

I would like to tell you about my friend Bill Jurinich. He is running for a Yates town councilman seat. Bill along with myself are always in attendance at workshops and town board meetings so I can verify what I am telling you as an attendee and taxpayer.

Bill is a conservative. I know a lot of people say that who are going into politics then when they get elected their actions become self-serving and the voting record tells you a completely different story. The voting record does not lie.

Bill is very concerned about the taxes that go up every year and the foolish spending on un-necessary projects and events that have been going on in our town. Bill is concerned about the people in our town. The seniors on fixed incomes, the families that are just scraping by. He and I both know that it’s getting harder and harder to live here anymore and that our town government has grown too big and to controlling over the people of Lyndonville.

He also knows that the town finances are stressed and that legal expenses have emptied the A account once again. The town finances according to the New York State Comptroller are stressed, not something I’m pulling out of the air. Money from the highway budget has been used to fill the town budget to keep it under the 2% tax cap or as it should be called the 2% tax increase.

Bill also knows that our highway equipment is aging and needs replacing, but the current board has put nothing away for years. Had to bond out a new tractor five or so years ago and it is finally paid for this year. The new plow truck that was purchased was paid for by CHIPS money (Consolidated Highway Improvement Program).

That money is supposed to be used for the roads such as paving, oil and stone, ditching, culverts but was used for the truck (not illegal) because of the poor use of taxpayer money, and a failure to budget accordingly every year. Now the road work will take years to catch up. Don’t forget the drastic increase in your water bill.

Bill is running on cutting your taxes, reining in foolish spending and regulations. Bill knows how to use the word they all hate, “No!” (We are Lyndonville not Orchard Park like some would like it to be.) Have you heard anything from the incumbents what their plan is? Have they told you they have a record of lowering your taxes?

Have they told you they have attended all workshops and town board meetings? Have they justified all the money that they have voted on for legal expenses? Have they told you anything about what they have done to make your life better, easier to live here? Bill knows and I know they have said nothing.

They can’t because every tax and fee and regulation increase has happened on their watch. Town of Yates government has grown out of proportion because of their voting record or lack of because they were not there to defend you. Honestly, I do not think they would have voted any different even if they were there.

Bill with all his Conservative Republican qualifications and attendance record has been repeatedly passed over by the Yates Republican Committee. Why?

So, in a nutshell, Bill is Conservative Party endorsed. Bill is a lifelong resident and will be a full-time councilman. Bill Jurinich knows how to budget money. Bill knows how much to take out for each department so when the time come the money is there.

Bill knows that our township needs to live within its means, just like you do. Bill knows that government cannot just keep reaching into your pocket every time it wants to keep up with the “Jones” from other towns with a much larger tax base for pay raises, fees, vendors, junkets and rules.

Bill is a Conservative Republican and is very much needed to bring back the old Lyndonville we love and remember. Lower taxes, business and farmer friendly, Fire Department friendly, People and Property Rights friendly. Lyndonville, just like we used to be. It starts with one good man. Please vote for Bill on Tuesday, June 24th. Don’t sit this one out.

Paul Lauricella

Yates

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman

Editor:

In light of recent letters and commentary, I feel it’s important to briefly share my perspective as a six-year member of the Shelby Republican Committee.

I joined the committee to serve my community and support a fair and functional process. While I’ve observed dynamics that others have raised concerns about, I’ve never been part of any questionable activity. Alongside two others, I’ve consistently voted in ways I believe are fair and in the best interest of the public – even when those votes are in the minority.

Unfortunately, we’re often outnumbered by individuals with close ties to the Town of Shelby through their roles as current or former officials or employees. That makes meaningful change difficult, but each year, I remain hopeful.

I encourage voters to stay involved. If you want things to be different, showing up to vote is the first step.

Jim Zelazny

Shelby

Editor:

I’m writing to endorse Jim Heminway as the next Town of Shelby Supervisor.

I’ve known Jim Heminway since 1989 when I started working with him at Sigma International in Medina. We worked together until he retired from Monroe Electronics/Digital Alert Systems just a few years ago.

Over the years I have not only worked with Jim but have also worked for him. In both scenarios he was always a guy that you could count on to be a straight shooter and a man of his word. If he says he will do something, you can count on it.

Jim has a way of working with a team that creates great results. He holds people accountable for the tasks that have been given. But he is always there to guide and teach along the way, pulling from his vast business and management experience. He is a true leader that gets results.

Jim Heminway would be a huge asset to the Town of Shelby.

Jon Rue

Medina

Editor:

One always knows that it is primary/election season in Orleans County when letters to The Hub become the best funny papers around! It’s gonna take a while to clean my morning coffee off my monitor and out of my keyboard after reading this doozy of a knee slapper:

“I thought being a Conservative or Republican meant core values of truth, honesty, respect.”

Really?

In perpetuity history will record that in 2024 America selected a twice impeached, morally bankrupt and already proven failed President as her leader. The very same ungodly man who indignantly lied about losing an election thereby inciting a riot on the U.S. Capitol; inspiring republicans to vandalize, attack police, steal property (loot), urinate and smear feces upon the desks and offices of our democratically elected leaders.

A reprehensible “Coward in Chief” (allegedly with disqualifying bone spurs)  who “likes soldiers that don’t get captured” implying he does not like those who have been captured and even subsequently tortured during their service to America as he so publicly scorned John McCain.

An implicitly vain, “p**** grabbing” (his words) confirmed sexual assaulter and defamer of women, a self-admitted stalker and sexual predator of young women, a 34-count convicted felon, a half a billion-dollar tax cheat, a Constitution defiling, democracy busting, porn star poking adulterer and blasphemer.  Just for starters.

“Truth”, “honesty”, “respect”?

What a freaking joke.

Oh, and before you start pointing fingers at Democrats (Republicans love to wallow in their “two wrongs make a right” hypocrisy), don’t even waste your time because that dog will never hunt. Republicans had every opportunity to select an ethical, moral, Christian-values candidate during the primary process but instead, you blew it.  Donald Trump makes Bill Clinton and Anthony Weiner look like they belong on jars of Gerber’s Baby Food – Special Angel’s Formula.

Well, at the very least, I suppose all Americans can find solace knowing that according to Republican leadership, Donald Trump possesses the ultimate “big d*** energy” (another republican core value?) needed to Make America Gigantic Again. Although … Stormy Daniels might beg to differ. Didn’t she say it was somewhere between page two and three of the Forbes Magazine she spanked him with during a tryst as Melania was giving birth to their son? I think I heard that on Fox so it must be true.

Finally, a while back an earlier writer stated in this forum that “Democrats need to stop hating Donald Trump.” I do not hate Donald Trump. I voted for Donald Trump in 2016.  Donald Trump is a deeply flawed and corrupt man deserving of my prayers and my pity.

However, for the multitudes of the naturally born daft, selectively uninformed, counterfeit Christian and the willfully ignorant who fallaciously unleashed Trump for a second time against this great nation … well, Jesus is still working with me on that one.

Matthew 7:16 “You shall know them by their fruits.”

(Yep, it’s even in Trump’s personally signed $1,000 “Gold Edition” bibles. Made in China for less than $3.00 each).

“Truth”, “honesty”, “respect.”

Republicans.  Funny, funny stuff.

Tom Graham

Rochester

Graham is a member of Albion High School’s Class of 1978.

Editor:

Clear Skies Above Barre (CSAB) was made aware of an anonymous postcard sent out last week to certain Republican voters in the Town of Barre.

This postcard, sent curiously on the cusp of a Town Republican primary, was libelous & malicious in nature, scathing with untruths, and certainly shows who the divisive side truly is and has been from the beginning (which was 8  years ago, not 10 as the writer indicated).

It seems that the writer would like to anonymously appeal to the Barre Republican voters in an attempt to sway their vote by, once again, using the wind turbine subject.

Our focus is about making voices heard, to make truth known through transparency, as well as be informative on the negative impacts & effects of wind turbines in our natural surroundings and on human beings. We also care deeply about the rights of all citizens.

The truth is, there is much more depth to the project. Our group, made up of very concerned citizens in Barre and beyond, have spent countless voluntary hours researching, studying, talking with professionals, with attorneys, judges, senators and assemblymen.  This project has been rubber stamped by NYS, but has undergone significant changes. As of yet, this project has not been deemed “complete” and curiously, the anonymous writer of the post card voluntarily stated, “…if the turbines are built.”

We as a group care deeply for the rights of all citizens. We have at times been successful at fighting for those rights. For example, one citizen’s residence was going to be within the radius of a turbine placed too closely to their home and outbuilding. After countless hours and appeals to ORES, the proposed placement of the turbine was moved.

Because of the libelous and malicious nature of the postcard, we will address it in length on our website at https://clearskiesabovebarre.com/.

We encourage you to visit our site and to always vote your best conscience.

Gary Palmer

Vice President Clear Skies Above Barre

Barre Center

Editor:

I don’t know if the political establishment is tone deaf or if they actually think people believe the nonsense their figure heads try to speak into existence. Shelby, it is time to drain the swamp, restore trust to Town government, and end this financial nightmare that bobblehead politicians have created for our Town.

Let me be even more pointed since many of you know me as a person who will not shy away from the truth. The current Supervisor and his hand-picked endorsed candidates are trying to run this Town into the ground. We see it in their actions. We see at every Town meeting. We see it with every opportunity they try and sweep problems under the rug.

Our finances are a mess – Fact.

Lawyer fees are astronomical compared to similar Towns like Barre, Ridgeway, Alabama – Fact.

Supervisor Wengewicz has increased our budget spending by nearly 15% since taking office – Fact.

Supervisor Wengewicz’s budgets have no forecasting or historical trends that account for them – Fact.

Supervisor Wengewicz and his majority continues to overcharge residents in water districts – Fact

Mike Moriarty first registered in the Green Party – Fact

Mike Moriarty only changed to Republican weeks before being endorsed – Fact

Mike Moriarty said in a candidate forum that he believes it’s good to raise taxes – Fact

Vassilios Bitsas said in a candidate forum that he wants to limit development – Fact

Vassilios Bitsas went on to explain that our budget needs a long-term plan but had no plan – Fact

Bitsas and Moriarty admitted they had never attended a prior Town meeting at the debate – Fact

Bitsas, Moriarty and Supervisor Wengewicz want to be your new Council majority – Fact

It’s like Mitt Romney took over the Republican Party in this Town. The people of Shelby know the truth. We can read the letters to the editor highlighting the same concerns. Enough is enough, let’s take Shelby back and end this reign of mismanagement and financial catastrophe.

Join me on June 24th and let’s vote for the candidates who actually want to move our Town forward. Drain the swamp, Shelby!

Respectfully,

Ed Zelazny

Shelby

Editor:

The June 9 letter to the editor by George McKenna once again shows how he misleads and does a disservice to everyone.

The reality of developing a town budget involves the entire Town Board. We discuss and question every part of it before we as a Town Board vote on it. Because of a small window of time prior to when we vote is offered by NY State in which we can decide to vote to go over the tax cap, we discuss that option but we haven’t voted for it and kept the budget under. George is also not the only successful business owner on the Town Board either.

Now I’m going to sound like George. When I first took office almost eight years ago, I did not like how the town’s money was sitting in a low interest bank account. We decided at that time to invest in CD’s that provided a higher interest rate.

Later when networking with other Supervisors, I learned about an investment program that we could earn higher interest. I contacted the NY State Comptroller’s Office to make sure we can invest in the program and received a “green light.” I then contacted the area representative for further information to share with the board and ask them to address the board.

After the presentation, we discussed our options and we as a whole voted to invest in the program. George was right about one thing; we do see a greater return on our investment. But George lied, it was I doing my due diligence as the Financial Officer for the Town of Barre that investigated and presented the information to the Town Board so that we could vote on it.

Water District #10 would have been in the ground in 2020 if not for COVID. As we all know the cost of everything doubled including the materials for WD#10. This resulted in a greater yearly expense to the residents of the district. Prior to COVID we had about 90% of the residents in favor of the district. Post COVID that dropped to 30-40% due to the increased cost.

We canvassed the residents and had a public hearing to get their feeling of the situation. Some of the residents believed George was discouraging them from installing the water district. We have been pursuing different and additional funding sources to find a way to lower the cost. We have not stopped trying to cut the costs. Next month we are pursuing another option to lower the cost.

A Comprehensive Plan is to lay out the plan for town development in the future. George, who was the Town Board representative to the Comp Plan Committee, became the self-appointed chairperson who then pushed his private agenda and dwelled upon the past – specifically, Heritage Wind, and not the future of the town.

As an active member of “Clear Skies Above Barre,” George uses every platform to try and cause blockage in a project that has been approved by the state and will be constructed. George’s agenda is to dwell on the past and not look to the future. George stated there was opposition to updating the Comp Plan. Again, he tells an untruth. There was no opposition to updating the plan just his private agenda. Sounds like he was the wrong person to be on the Comp Plan Committee.

George, his wife, Iva, and Scott Burnside, all members of Clear Skies Above Barre, have their own hidden agenda. They all want you to believe that there is still a chance to stop Heritage Wind. If these three get into office and try stopping a state-approved project then there will be lawsuits. Who will pay for all the legal fees and judgments? We, the residents will pay through higher taxes.

George talks about what he believes are harmful issues of having wind turbines and pushes his beliefs onto anyone that will listen as the truth. George uses non-researched, invalid, information from the internet and sells it as the truth. This is a man who, prior to being on the Town Board, stood in the back of the room during a Town Board meeting, holding a strobe light in the faces of the board members and was laughing. This is the man who up until seven years ago, believed in wind turbines.

Yes, the amount of money the town will receive from Heritage Wind will be less per year than originally planned. The payment to the town is based on the maximum number of megawatts that each turbine can produce times a set amount per Mw – not what it does produce.

The original turbines were large and would have a larger cumulative Mw capacity. Through no fault of Heritage Wind, the manufacturer stated that they could provide that model but offered the next smaller model. Smaller model, smaller amount of Mw’s per turbine but still the same agreed amount per Mw. So yes, the town will receive less money per year. A “successful businessman” would realize that issues do arise. I’m sure that he has had issues with his supplies as well.

If George did his homework he would have known that there is a decommissioning agreement in place. There is an insurance bond, made out to the Town of Barre to cover the costs in case they or their successor leave. This bond is to be revisited every five years to re-evaluate the cost of decommissioning and set the new bond amount.

With the two new major energy projects going into the town, there will be a substantial amount of money coming to the town and should be applied towards our town taxes lowering them if not eliminating them for 30 years.

Scott Burnside has written to the state saying he will do whatever he can to stop Heritage Wind. That sounds like a lawsuit to me and increased taxes. If Scott were truly interested in becoming the Supervisor, you would think he would be more involved in the job entails. He rarely even shows up for a board meeting if at all. He has signs around town but how many residents have had a chance to talk to him and hear his platform other than stop Heritage Wind?

George McKenna in his letter was all “I” as if he is the only one on the board. The Town Board consists of five members that work together as a “We.” NY State requires Planning Board members to complete at least four hours of training every year. George was on the board for three years and completed ZERO hours of training.

The state also requires Town Board members to complete at least two hours of training every year. In his 3.5 years on the board he has completed only two hours total his first year in office. Does it look like he takes his job very seriously to do his best for the Town of Barre that he says he trying to “fight for the health and safety of our residents”? A man who tells untruths and spins them to fit his beliefs.

Iva McKenna, the lady that stands on tabletops in a Town Board meeting. Sends text messages to her husband, George, during board meetings coaching him what to say.

These are the same two people that publicly claimed that we shouldn’t have brothers-in-law on the town board. They could influence the outcomes of the board. But guess what? They saw no problem with a father (George) and daughter to be on the board at the same time and now they want husband and wife to be on the board at the same time for the next four years? Sounds like a control of board outcomes to me.

If you want representation on the Town Board that have for years worked on other boards and do complete their training every year. If you want representatives that will listen and respond to your concerns, representatives that will look forward and not backward.

Then the team you want are, as Supervisor, Stephen Coville, for Town Board, David Allen and Wesley Miller.

If you want to go backwards with untruths, hidden agendas, all with a smile and a candy, then vote for the others but be careful what you wish for.

Dr. Sean P. Pogue

Supervisor for Town of Barre

Editor:

My name is Nancy (McHugh) Draper and I am a lifelong resident of the Town of Shelby. As a past Court Clerk of 25 years, having served a few of those years employed by the Town of Shelby Court. Also, many years ago my Dad, Don (Mac) McHugh worked for the Town of Shelby, driving truck, plowing snow, building roads, etc. He worked under Bud Howe and then Vic Caleb.

My past experience, of several years ago, was that the Town of Shelby supervisors and board members worked with the people of the T/Shelby. The records from audits completed by the New York State Comptroller’s office were found to be accurate and in order. They listened to the resident’s concerns.

That does not seem to be the ways things are done in the present. The taxpaying residents are either not allowed to speak or are cut off and/or argued with by the supervisor and/or board members. There are outbursts, arguments and disrespect from those we have elected to these positions. I personally find this very unnerving and inappropriate!

That is one of the many reasons why I will be voting for Jim Heminway for Supervisor for the Town of Shelby. I have known Jim since High School and I feel he would definitely lower the “temperature” at board meetings, listen to any/all concerns of the Town of Shelby residents whether at board meetings or on the street.

I believe Jim would handle any disputes with understanding and respect, for both sides of any issues, and come up with a satisfactory outcome. I believe Jim would work well with all of the town departments. I believe he would be fiscally responsible for the residents of the T/Shelby. I believe Jim has the knowledge and background to be a superb Town of Shelby Supervisor and to me, would be a “breath of fresh air!”

I am confident that Jim knows and will remember that those of us who live within the Village of Medina also pay taxes in the Town of Shelby and that we expect both municipalities to work together on any projects that benefit both the V/Medina and the T/Shelby residents. Why should we continue to pay taxes to both municipalities without receiving any type of benefits from the T/Shelby?

And  FYI, I will also be voting for Eddie Zelazny. Not because I had been Judge Zelazny’s (Eddie’s Dad) court clerk, but because I have known the Zelazny family for years. I know them to be a hardworking, caring family and have known Eddie to be a fine young man who, alongside Jim Heminway, would calmly listen and consider options and do what is best for the Town of Shelby residents.

Nancy Draper

Medina

Editor:

We, the members of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, are writing to voice our opposition to Project Double Reed, a hyperscale data center at the STAMP industrial site in Alabama, NY.

We are a group of neighbors living near Point Breeze, a beautiful, peaceful area where the Oak Orchard River flows into Lake Ontario. As a center for tourism, recreational boating, and world class fishing, our neighborhood is an important contributor to the economic health of Orleans County, generating around $30 million in annual economic activity.

The mission of our group focuses on local issues – efforts to improve and protect our community. Therefore, although a large number of strong arguments against the data center can be and have been made, we will focus only on two with the largest local implications: 1) the data center will increase the risk to the health of the river, a river that is already ecologically impaired, and 2) the data center will likely impose a financial burden on our members.

The river is a fragile ecosystem and is already considered by the NYSDEC to be impaired with phosphorus, a material that is key for the formation of the large, smelly, unsightly algae blooms. The current plan is for STAMP to pump treated sewage (which inevitably contains phosphorus) into a tributary of Oak Orchard Creek at Oakfield, where it will ultimately make its way to our community.

High phosphorus levels can lead to explosive algae blooms, and possibly to the ecological “death” of the river from oxygen depletion. Why is the data center important to this process? The data center is key to completing an electrical substation that will bring hundreds of megawatts of power to STAMP, power that is needed for a full buildout, with many companies and potentially a huge increase in wastewater (high-end estimates of perhaps millions of gallons per day) that is destined for our neighborhood.

What about the economic issues? The data center will consume unfathomably large amounts of electricity. The expectation is that the center will apply for and be granted low cost “hydropower” rates. As many reputable publications have noted, the inevitable result of this infrastructure buildout will be higher rates for ordinary ratepayers and businesses.

A second economic factor involves the astronomically high tax abatements offered to the data center, around $470 million, or about $3.9 million per job created! Less tax paid by the data center will result in an economic burden – either increased taxes or reduced services – for ordinary citizens and businesses. Please note that the corporation benefiting from the low electric rates and the tax abatements – a Fortune 50 company that has a soft commitment with STAMP – is one of the richest on the planet.

We stress that the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association is not anti-growth or anti-jobs. We enthusiastically support local businesses and sensible, smart economic growth initiatives. Our area needs more good jobs. In our view the proposed data center at STAMP is neither sensible nor smart. We do not support its construction.

The Members of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association

Point Breeze

(Submitted by Dave Giacherio, Recording Secretary of OONA)