Editor:

“They have no money. They have nothing,” Trump said this week. “They’re fighting so hard to survive.”

And for a second I thought he was describing Americans—either the million federal employees furloughed or working without pay, or the soybean farmers and cattle ranchers whose industries have been decimated by tariffs, or the millions whose health insurance will become so unaffordable next year they’ll lose coverage—but he wasn’t talking about Americans.

“They are dying,” Trump said of Argentina. “We’re going to help them survive in a free world.”

Nearly 6.6 million New Yorkers rely on marketplace insurance, with almost a third of them enrolled in the Essential Plan or a subsidized ACA plan. Republicans and Democrats knew in January that ACA subsidies would run out this year, but in March, when they passed a continuing resolution on the budget, they did nothing.

Then, the “Big Beautiful Bill” passage in July not only again ignored ACA subsidies, but enacted cuts that would strip millions more Americans of their health insurance. Democrats were right to realize that what shred of respect their voters still had for them would be lost if they didn’t stand up for underinsured Americans just trying to survive, so they said no, Mike Johnson: fix this problem, or we’re not voting for your budget.

And yes, the ACA is broken. Even at its current prices, I still spend well over 10% of my income on a premium for coverage and can’t use. But even though I won’t lose the subsidy because I don’t qualify for it, my insurance premium will rise next year by 14%. If the ACA subsidies are not revived, every one of the 6.6 million citizens living in NY will see record high increases in their premiums next year.

The only good thing Republicans have done this year was stop telling the American people the lie that this budget fight was about “giving illegal aliens healthcare,” but their new talking point makes no more sense. Paying for ACA subsidies is too expensive? Americans’ lives are too expensive?

If Trump took Argentina’s $20 billion (which offers zero benefit for Americans, for no reason other than to prop up the craven and dying philosophy of libertarianism) and added one year of new spending on his private militia (ICE – $18.7 billion), he’d have more than enough to pay for a year of ACA subsidies. At least that would get him through the midterms.

But Mike Johnson and the other weasels propping up the dying philosophy of “America First” don’t need popular support for the midterms. All they need to do to keep power is redraw states’ district lines, strip out the Civil Rights Act, and terrorize poor and working class Americans into silence with these military occupation “practice” runs.

To Mike Johnson, John Thune, and Claudia Tenney—what is your answer on our broken healthcare system? You whine that the ACA should have never been passed, because the only salience you ever have with your low-information base is playing the victim.

You control every branch of government. You have all the power you need to deliver solutions on Americans’ access to quality, affordable healthcare. You have no ideas, except that the poor should die because they didn’t work hard enough. When that begins to happen, you won’t even hear Trump admit, “They are dying.” He’ll say, just like he did when asked about Charlie Kirk’s death, “Have you seen my new ballroom?”

Sincerely,

Tyler Barton

Hamlin

Editor:

The Orleans County Democrats are proud this year to be able to give you some choices for the November elections.

We have Fred Miller, Legislator for District 3, towns of Albion and Gaines; Cecelia Pacheco Stevens who will represent the Clarendon Town Council well; Marlene Seielstad who will be an outstanding member on the Carlton Town Board; and a well motivated Jeremy Ross who is a write-in candidate for Legislator District 4, towns of Carlton, Kendall, and Murrary (all but District 5).

Check out their resumes. They are all well qualified and ready to make some needed improvements in Orleans County.

Please exercise your right to Vote.

Jeanne Crane

Carlton

Editor:

Orleans County voter, do you want an end to “business as usual” on the Orleans County Legislature?

Jeremy Ross is a Town of Murray resident with a job, a wife and two young children—as well as a sound mind—who would be up to the challenge of serving as county legislator for District 4 (Carlton, Kendall and Murray). He and his family have a home just east of the Village of Holley.

A George Bower/Rich Bennett-type candidate doesn’t come around that often. Want a legislator who thinks for himself and bucks the party line when conscience dictates?

Perhaps it’s time for an infusion of fresh ideas on our Legislature. We believe giving Jeremy Ross serious consideration for District 4 county legislator when you vote in November would be a good idea.

Sincerely yours,

Aggie Recco of Lyndonville

Gary Kent of Albion

Richard Della Costa of Kendall

Editor:

My name is Ryan Woolston, and I am proud to be running for the Carlton Town Board. Carlton has always been my home—I was born and raised here, built my home here, and now my wife and I are raising our family in this community that means so much to us.

I believe Carlton has incredible potential, and I want to help guide us toward a stronger future. That means:

Supporting Local Business – Our small businesses are the backbone of Carlton. From Point Breeze to Oak Orchard Creek, we have unique assets that bring in visitors. Let’s make sure those tourism dollars stay here and strengthen our economy.

Enhancing Our Town Park – The park is the heart of our community. Coaches, families, and kids already spend countless hours there. With the right improvements, it can become an even greater place for recreation, connection, and pride.

Creating a Future Where Families Can Thrive – By investing in our infrastructure, supporting growth, and keeping Carlton safe and welcoming, we can ensure that future generations will be proud to call this town home.

I would be honored to earn your support this November. Please follow my campaign on Facebook to stay connected!

Together, we can build a Carlton that works for all of us.

God Bless, go Bills!

Ryan Woolston

Carlton

Editor:

This is a message for my Carlton friends and neighbors. I am a candidate for our Town Board. I firmly believe that this election is about you!

This election isn’t just about who’s on the ballot—it’s about you, your family, your future, and the community we’re building together.

I am running for the Carlton Town Board not to gain power, but to serve with a purpose.  I will listen, act, and be the leader who’s always believed that progress starts with people. It begins with transparency and common sense. It begins with educated decision making.  It begins with listening to you.

Historically I have served on the Albion CSD Board of Education, the BOCES Board of Education, the Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension Board of Directors and numerous other boards and committees. I have decades of leadership experience. I completed Leadership Orleans in 2022 with a new outlook on Orleans County and the need for us to step up.

Integrity. Empathy. Vision. These aren’t just words—they’re the principles that guide me.

Want a local government that listens and acts?

Want leaders who are truly accessible and transparent?

Want a future built on collaboration, not division?

Then let’s talk. Let’s ask questions. Let’s get involved.

Stop by 13399 Callard Drive on October 25th anytime between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. for a Meet and Greet. Let’s talk about what is important to us. I want to earn your vote!

Not registered? You can do that today!

Regards-

Marlene Seielstad

Carlton candidate for Town Board

Editor:

The statement “youth have seen enough tobacco” is the slogan for Seen Enough Tobacco Day, an annual day of action held on October 13 in New York and led by youth members of Reality Check.

It highlights the billions of dollars the tobacco industry spends on marketing, which studies show increases the likelihood of young people starting to use tobacco products.

Despite federal regulations on tobacco advertising and sales to people under 21, the tobacco industry continues to use sophisticated and targeted marketing tactics to attract young people.

One deceitful tactic involves using appealing flavors in their products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, to attract new, young users. The vast majority of underage e-cigarette users report using flavored products. You can’t miss the huge window ads and counter displays in convenience stores in our area, bombarding young people who shop there with an ever-increasing number of enticing flavored tobacco products.

The tobacco industry also heavily promotes e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where age restrictions aren’t closely monitored. Studies show frequent social media use is linked to a higher risk of youth starting to use tobacco products.

In stores, tobacco products are often placed in highly visible areas, like near candy displays, or promoted with price discounts that appeal to younger people. The industry uses bright, colorful imagery on packaging and has historically used branded promotional materials and sponsorships of social events to appeal to youth.

The Seen Enough Tobacco movement is part of broader anti-tobacco efforts that have been successful in reducing cigarette smoking among youth. However, the rise of new products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches presents a new challenge. Join the voices who have seen enough tobacco marketing and are saying something  about it – on October 13 and beyond.

Brittany Bozzer

Reality Check Coordinator for Tobacco-Free GOW

Editor:

As a lifelong resident of Clarendon, I have been an active member of this community since I was 10 years old. I have raised my family here and my grandchildren are also being raised here.

Being a member of Boy Scout Troop 59 and doing community service projects to helping my father mow the town properties and pioneer cemeteries from the age of fourteen has only increased my devotion to the town.

I am a member of the Clarendon Fire Company and have my own landscaping business which serves many members of the community and local area for the last 30 years which gives me the perspective of the residents in Clarendon as I know my customers and talk to them.  I volunteer at the Clarendon Historical Society, Orleans County Historical Association, local parades and cemetery clean up events to name a few.

I have been serving on the Clarendon Town Board since June and have become well versed in the issues and concerns facing the town and the challenges it brings, from the budget process to being aware of the resident’s needs, wellbeing and safety.

I would appreciate your support in the upcoming November election so I can continue to serve the town I’ve called home all of my life.

Sincerely,

Fred Seeman

Clarendon Town Board candidate

Editor:

My name is LeeAnn Mullen, owner of Tahoe Pines Wellness Center, LLC & Tahoe Pines Custom Sewing & Designs. I’m a resident of Basom, with STAMP located in the field behind my home/business.

I’m writing to express the many environmental and health concerns with a data center. The GCEDC (Genesee County Economic Development Center) approved a data center in March 2025, then recently revoked the approvals. They claim the developer, stream data center, is going to submit a proposal for a larger data center at the STAMP site!

After 35 years of medical management and wellness, I purchased property online in 2009, specifically for Tahoe Pines Wellness Center, LLC. The aesthetic beauty of pine trees, the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the naturistic beauty was the attraction! It appeared to be the perfect location for an entrepreneur originally from Lake Tahoe to open a wellness center!

There’s numerous reasons why the datacenter is a horrible idea for our community and surrounding areas! By attending the Tonawanda Seneca Nation community meetings, I have learned much of the following information, along with these additional resources; frontiergroup.org, ceds.org and hivenet.com.

GCEDC intends on giving $272 million of our taxpayer dollars to a multinational company (Stream) to build a massive data center! They must not be allowed to force a dangerous monstrosity on our community! I encourage our politicians, GCEDC, Stream Data Center, their corporate owner, Apollo Global Management and community residents to take a look at the negative impact the data center is going to have on our community members and surrounding areas!

It is because of the following health and environmental impacts that I adamantly oppose this data center, not in any order of importance!

1. Noise and disruption – Data centers run massive cooling systems and backup generators 24/7 creating constant humming! They emit noise exceeding 100 dB (an average concert is 80 dB). The noise can travel up to 8 mile and will cause extreme anxiety to people & animals, domestic and wild alike!

2. Power grid strain – these facilities consume enormous amounts of electricity, sometimes as much as small cities! This can stress local power infrastructure and potentially affect reliability or cost for residents. Will residents be in a blackout when we need our electricity the most?

3. Water usage – Data centers use a significant amount of water for cooling, which will strain local water supplies. According to local newscasters, we’re officially in a “drought” in our region! Residents may need to compete with the data center for this essential resource!

4. Increased traffic – during the construction phase, traffic on local roads will increase, which are not designed for heavy commercial vehicles.

5. Property values and community character – with the development of large industrial buildings, the community will not have the feel of our Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge with wild animals roaming in our backyard. Our friends on the reservation, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation will be stripped of available wildlife and medicinal plant land that they have had in their families for years and would like to keep for years to come.

6. Limited local benefits – data centers create relatively few permanent jobs once built, so our community will fuel their costs bearing without seeing proportional economic benefits!

7. Risk of Fire – the industrial machines run so hot, the chance of fire is significantly high! The fires are rated as class D and are only extinguishable with a specific dry powder. It is unclear if we have the substance available to our local fire stations, nor trained staff to utilize the powder substance, or a place to store the powder substance?

8. Most importantly, health and environmental concerns – The massive energy consumption contributes to carbon emissions, with electromagnetic fields and other environmental impacts! Primary health risk from air pollution include harmful air pollutants such as fine, particle matter and nitrogen oxide (NOx). These pollutants take an immediate toll on human, plantand animal health, triggering asthma symptoms in humans, heart attack and even cognitive decline!

9. Particular matter concerns – The biggest Challenger tiny particles, 2.5 CM or less in diameter, which can travel deep into the respiratory tract and lungs. They’re considered a “non-threshold” pollutant, meaning there’s no safe level of exposure.

10. Diesel generator emissions – data centers rely on backup diesel generators that produce significantly higher emission rates and other power sources. A typical diesel generator can release 200 to 600 times more NOx then a natural gas power plant producing the same amount of electricity!

11. Sale of impact – in 2003, air pollution from US data centers was attributed to being responsible for an estimated $6 billion in public health damages, with projections reaching $10 to $ 20 billion annually by 2030. While the specific carcinogenic risk requires more research, the documented respiratory and cardiovascular health impacts from data center emissions are already significant concerns for nearby communities!

It is with sincere compassion that you are all encouraged to take a deeper look at the risk versus benefit of Stream Data Center that the GCEDC is trying to force upon us for monetary gain! Is it going to result in your loved one’s health being compromised from the known carcinogen risk?

Please write to your politician, sign the petition at the Tonawanda Seneca Nation office, get involved, say no to stream data center and GCEDC! Thank you for your consideration!

 Respectfully submitted,

 LeeAnn Mullen

Basom

Editor:

Republicans claim that Democrats are shutting down the government because they want to give free healthcare to immigrants in the country illegally.  That is a lie.  It has no basis in reality.

Republicans are lying because they want to take away your healthcare, and they know that is unpopular. The major legislation Republicans passed this year, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” is designed to take healthcare away from millions of citizens and vastly increase the cost of health care for millions more.

At the same time, it will give tax breaks to their millionaire and billionaire donors and balloon our national debt. According to the non-profit health policy research organization, KFF, healthcare plans could, on average, more than double next year – from $888 this year to $1,906 next year.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that 22 million people, including about 5 million small businesses and self-employed workers, will have their healthcare cost will skyrocket, or lose their coverage.  Democrats are not asking to give healthcare to those in the country illegally.

Since January, when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House they have cut healthcare, healthcare research and healthcare workers. They have terminated grants, even those that were approved by Congress, in violation of the Impoundment Act. They have fired hundreds if not thousands of researchers.

The CDC and NIH are now prioritizing political agendas over scientific research. Allie Sinclair, a scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, mapped out how research cuts affect communities.

For example, according to her research, Claudia Tenney’s district would lose $64 million annually and lose 275 jobs. Nicholas Langworth’s district would suffer even more with a loss of 317 jobs and $74 million loss annually.

Ms. Tenney and Mr. Langworthy could represent their constituents, but they chose to represent their wealthy donors. Remember, these cuts to healthcare, healthcare research and your healthcare policies are so that Republicans can give tax breaks to their millionaire and billionaire donors.

Democrats’ only leverage is to force Republicans to negotiate some concessions.  Democrats are not asking to give healthcare to those in the country illegally. That claim is outrageous and an obvious distraction from Republican healthcare cuts.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

On September 1st, I officially started the process of applying online for Social Security benefits at the age of 65 ½. After hearing nothing for weeks, I was shocked to learn (after waiting on-hold for over an hour) that I could not likely expect to have my application reviewed by the Social Security Administration until after the 1st of next year!

If I had I been applying for disability benefits, I would easily expect to wait 250 days to a full year just to be considered. Sickening.

But not to worry folks, benefits are retroactive to the date when you first apply regardless of how long it takes the government to “get around to it” and thankfully, we’ve all got Donald Trump and the Republicans putting us first for a change right? Oops, my bad, sorry … I forgot that the fourth Republican government shut down in history is imminent – if so, who knows how long we can expect to wait. Death?

Which makes me wonder, considering the record numbers of Americans now reaching retirement age (boomers), how much $$$ does the government expect to save if people happen to die while waiting an exorbitant length of time for their earned benefits? In short, why risk the wrath of voters by formally cutting social security benefits if you can get away with gaslighting and denying them access and accomplish the same thing? I know, I know … it’s only a conspiracy theory until we hear it on Fox News.

In reality, the truth is even more disgusting. When Trump was inaugurated last January, the Social Security Administration (SSA) was already facing a record-breaking backlog of 5.2 million pending cases.

To address the crises head-on, the moment Trump’s hand left the Bible his second administration immediately began eliminating staff at the SSA with a 2025 target of cutting the workforce by about 7,000 employees. This represents a 12% reduction from the approximately 57,000 employees at the start of the year. Now, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has already taken steps to streamline and consolidate regional & local SSA offices across America for even deeper staff cuts and longer delays in 2026!!! Gee … thanks Republicans! Put us any farther “first” and we’ll be chasing the bus right after it rolls over us.

Fortunately, on a happier note, thanks to RFK Jr. (secret service code: “wormhole1”) we now know that Tylenol causes autism – despite the lack of causal clinical evidence as definitive proof.  See: Trump links autism and Tylenol: is there any truth to it? But, so what? Who needs all those so-called scientists gettin’ all sciency and stuff with their buffoon, PhD wokery (Republicans, not the Chinese fry pan) when we already have the eminent Dr. Oz on board right?

All kidding aside, he does deserve some credit for the amazing discovery that, like Viagra (originally developed for high blood pressure), Tylenol has now been shown to be efficacious in doing the exact opposite. Meaning, the softening of the Epstein files. Too bad Donald didn’t take a little extra along with him on all those “getting down to risky business” meetings with Jeffrey and Ghislaine on that island.

So, is it time to consider adding thievery and sexual abuse to that esteemed list of RCV (Republican core values) or, should we just wait to see those files first?

Who knows, maybe Hillary’s emails and Barack Obama’s Kenyan birth certificate might finally show up in there, too. Worth a look don’t you think?

Next up: Is using the “F” word constantly in public and in front of children an up & coming new RCV?

Tom Graham

Rochester

Mr. Graham is an Albion graduate.

Editor:

The situation regarding a data center at the STAMP site in Genesee County has reached new levels of complexity. GCEDC claims that Stream Data Centers approached them to withdraw their plans for the large data center known as Project Double Reed in order to propose an even larger data center.

GCEDC then revoked the approvals for Double Reed, even though this was not necessary in order for Stream to submit a new application. Whether the revocation was a response to pending litigation is unknown, but the fact is that GCEDC did the right thing, and deserves credit for it.

A new, larger data center is madness. It makes even less sense than the original proposal, which itself was opposed by a large number of local citizens. Supporters of data centers, notably Stream itself, are claiming  billions in investments, well-paying jobs, and tax relief for local schools.

The truth is far more sobering:  1) not enough jobs, especially considering the gigantic tax breaks for Data Stream; 2) enormous strain on the supply of electricity, which will drive up everybody’s rates, and; 3) no net financial benefit for local schools.

Stream Data would be the big winner here, with (probable) access to unfathomably large amounts of low-cost hydroelectricity as well as roughly a half billion dollars in tax breaks.  We the people are the losers. The effect of this project would be a net transfer of wealth from ordinary people to trillion-dollar corporations.

Also consider the lands immediately surrounding the STAMP data center – protected lands such as the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. A huge industrial development right next to them poses obvious risks.

The wilderness has no voice – we must speak and defend it. The voices of the Tonawanda Seneca citizens are largely unheard. They seek to protect their nation for the sake of their children, grandchildren, and future generations. We need to hear their voices.

You have a voice. Make sure it’s heard. Tell Stream that we the people don’t want them! I urge you to contact your local elected officials and let them know how you feel. Thanks in advance for doing so.

Dave Giacherio

Kent

Editor:

For too long, primary care parents in Orleans County have been railroaded by a family court system that claims to serve justice, yet routinely operates in secrecy, without medical expertise, and with little regard for the real impacts on children and families.

Until COVID, Judge Sandy Church held family court proceedings in the large, public courtroom upstairs—where the community could witness the decisions that shape lives. Today, those cases are pushed into a smaller, first-floor courtroom, out of sight, away from the eyes and accountability of the public. Why hide, if there’s nothing to hide?

Even more alarming: prior to the pandemic, Judge Church had the benefit of a mental health advocate who sat in on court sessions. That advocate would meet with him in chambers after hearings to provide context, education, and a professional perspective on mental health and addiction.

This safeguard helped ensure that families weren’t dismantled by a lack of understanding. Now, that safeguard is gone. Families are being judged—and too often punished—based solely on one man’s opinion, without medical guidance, without professional input, and without accountability.

We cannot allow a system that decides the fate of children and parents to operate in darkness. Family court should not be a place where stigma outweighs science, or where ignorance of mental health is allowed to destroy lives. It should be transparent, informed, and accountable to the public it serves.

Our community deserves better. Orleans County deserves a family court that prioritizes the well-being of children, respects the rights of parents, and seeks professional expertise before issuing life-altering decisions.

Until then, every parent who enters that courtroom is at risk of being failed—not because of their ability to parent, but because of a system designed to silence and control rather than support and understand.

It’s time for change. And it starts with us demanding it.

Sincerely,

Courtney Henderson

Albion

Editor:

On September 14, 2025 during a speech at his Bedminster, NJ golf club, Donald Trump publicly said: “smart people don’t like me.” It’s taken nearly 80 years but Donald Trump has finally said something that he and Democrats can fully agree.

Even after years of characterizing his supporters as “the very poorly educated,” this man continues to openly insult you to your faces and you still just don’t get it.

Is he right as he apparently is about everything? If it’s not the smart people who like him, then who does? At least Hillary didn’t call you stupid.

Anything and everything about Donald Trump sinks to the lowest common denominator of humanity. The only creatures in the entire biosphere beneath him are those who secretly know it’s true and in like-minded circles celebrate it.

Oh, by the way, how about those MAGA farmers down in Brookland, Arkansas last week pleading for a government bailout on TV?

It seems Trump’s tariffs have made Brazil’s soybeans and corn cheaper in China so it’s up to the American taxpayer to make up the difference. Now that’s rich … sounds a little “wokey” if you ask me.

These are the same people who cried blood about giving a hungry kid a sandwich in school but down on the farm, as they say, socialism is quite the new “Republican core value.”  Remember those?

Me neither.

“As you have treated the poor, so have you treated Me.”

Tom Graham

Rochester, NY

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

Editor:

As a proud resident of Clarendon, I’m raising my four children here and have seen firsthand both the strengths and the challenges our town faces. That is why I’m running for a seat on the Clarendon Town Council.

I’ve been out in the community knocking on doors and talking with neighbors. Over and over, I hear the same themes: people want local government that listens, communicates openly, and focuses on practical solutions. Those are exactly the values I bring with me as a hard-working mom and the wife of a veteran who knows what service and dedication mean.

If elected, I’ll work to strengthen the services families rely on, keep Clarendon safe and welcoming, and make sure every resident feels heard in decisions that affect them. I believe that, regardless of background or political label, we can build a stronger future for everyone in our town when we work together.

Thank you for the opportunity to earn your trust and your vote. I look forward to continuing the conversation with my neighbors here in Clarendon.

Sincerely,

Cecelia Pacheco Stevens

Clarendon Town Council candidate