Editor:

Look! The apocalypse did not happen! The drag queens came, they provided entertainment to over 175 adults over the age of 21 at The Lockstone in Albion for a few hours, and they left.

No children were harmed in the event, no clergy were harmed either. The general public was not harmed either and a local business was able to host a great event.

I kept thinking that this was going to turn out like the movie “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar,” starring Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes. I was waiting for something like “Strawberries are Red,” and dancing on a set of picnic tables….if you know you know.

I am happy that all went off without a hitch and the village of Albion is better for it! Albion can hold a progressive event that focuses on fun, entertainment, and most of all some fabulous wigs! I know that all that attended had fun and some fantastic food!

Thank you to The Lockstone, Ms. Darienne Lake, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Ms. Aggy Dune and Ms. Ambrosia Salad! Brava! Come back soon to where so many people need you to spread the word of love and kindness. It will always dispel the darkness!

As Mrs. Kasha Davis would say, “There’s always room for kindness!”

Jason Helsdon

Brooklyn, formerly of Lyndonville

Editor:

Hello again fellow Shelby voters, my wife Margaret and I, former owners of Lakewood Village, are fully endorsing Bill Wolter for Town of Shelby Highway Superintendent

In our view, Bill’s years of hands-on experience, forward-thinking approach and qualified background position him as the ideal candidate to guide Shelby’s Highway Department toward improved safety and operational excellence.

When casting your vote, we invite you to support someone wholly dedicated to elevating the quality of life in Shelby. Bill Wolter is hard-working, honest and highly qualified for the position. We can always depend on him, and you can too.

Sincerely,

Jim & Margaret Lustumbo

Medina

Editor:

I continue to stand as a candidate for Shelby’s Highway Superintendent, fully committed to our community’s well-being.

With 12 years of experience as a Motor Equipment Operator (MEO) within the department and 20 years as a local business owner, I’ve gained valuable insights into the workings and challenges that face us. It’s clear to me that there’s room for improvement in a few key areas that affect the well-being of our residents.

From water issues to road work and equipment maintenance, there are areas where I know that I can make a difference:

Water Quality and Safety: A clean and safe water supply is crucial. I will ensure that we don’t compromise the health and safety of our residents under the guise of “saving money.”

Road Safety: Improving road safety is a priority for me, from tackling potholes and overgrowth to enhancing snowplowing. There’s more we can do to make our roads safer. I am committed to a proactive approach for regular maintenance and improvements.

Equipment Maintenance: Proper maintenance isn’t just about the longevity of our machines; it’s about ensuring that our team can work safely and efficiently. I propose a more structured approach to equipment care that protects both our budget and our employees.

My experience is backed by a strong list of credentials, including a NY Class A Commercial Driver’s License, NY Right-of-Way Pesticide License, and NY Grade D Water License, among others. I am the only member of the department with NY U-Dig Excavator certification. These are not just pieces of paper; they represent a commitment to ongoing education and adherence to regulatory standards that benefit us all.

Thank you for considering my viewpoint. If residents have questions, they can contact me at wgw112023@gmail.com and read more on: Facebook.com/wgw2023.

I look forward to the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to serve the community better.

Sincerely,

William G. Wolter

Candidate for Shelby Highway Superintendent

Editor:

I’ve had the privilege of serving as town clerk in Shelby for the past 16 years. This year, I am running for re-election, and I would be honored to continue serving our community.

As a lifelong resident of Shelby, I’m fully vested in our town’s well-being. Together with my husband of 50 years, Mike, we’ve raised four children here and now have four grown grandchildren. This community is dear to my heart, and my commitment to serving you as town clerk stems from that deep-rooted connection.

In my role, I’ve taken great pride in ensuring that all administrative tasks are carried out efficiently. This includes managing marriage, dog, hunting, and fishing licenses, as well as building permits and handicap permits. I also serve as a tax collector, handling significant sums every year. My dedication to transparency and accountability is evidenced by the clean audits I’ve received, both from our town’s financial auditors and the New York State Comptrollers.

The clerk’s office operates independently of other town departments and experience really does matter. Besides these routine duties, I work diligently to keep my skills and knowledge current. I consistently attend educational events and have earned multiple credentials, including Registered Municipal Clerk, Certified Municipal Clerk, and Master Municipal Clerk. I’m one of only 23 individuals statewide to hold the Master Municipal Clerk designation and the only one in Orleans County. These aren’t just titles; they signify my commitment to being the most qualified person to serve you.

Should you have any questions, I’m always here to help! Feel free to contact me by phone (585-520-4201), email (darnmike1@yahoo.com) or Facebook.com/shelbytownclerk.

I am eager to continue my service as Shelby Town Clerk and respectfully request your support and vote in the upcoming election.

Sincerely,

Darlene Rich

Shelby Town Clerk

Editor:

In response to Mr. Colon’s post about the U.S. providing aid to the Ukraine, I need to correct some of his factual inaccuracies. His statement that, “Congress wants to borrow $25 billion from China, give that $25 billion to Ukraine and have the American taxpayer repay China,” is totally inaccurate.

Of the nearly $30 trillion of debt that the federal government has, China holds just over 3% of it.  American people and corporations hold over 70% of the debt, so the fact is that we are mainly repaying ourselves.

Sam Bankman Fried is in jail for fraud charges for bilking customers out of money, but there is no credible information that he laundered money to Congressmen. Also, isn’t Congress’s job to audit Federal spending, that is done by the General Accounting Office which is a branch of the Federal Government.

Furthermore, Colon posted previously on the Hub that he was a part of the attempted coup of our government on January 6th, 2021 and he has made numerous false statements about the validity of the 2020 elections. Those comments are not only egregiously harmful, but they also have been refuted numerous times.

Those who went to the Capitol that day with the intent to overthrow our freely elected government are not good Americans, and being proud of such actions is truly traitorous and endangers our democracy.

John Fredericks

Albion

Editor:

My inclination to write this stemmed largely from years of working together with others in the pursuit of common interests, goals, and things bigger than what I individually cared about.

Working with people who shared similar objectives gave me many opportunities to experience the satisfaction of accomplishing things I would have otherwise found impossible. Where their families came from and what they looked like mattered not at all. We put aside any differences we may have had in the interests of achieving together what we otherwise could not.

What I have been hearing and observing lately suggests younger people are keeping increasingly to themselves. If that is the case, they are depriving themselves of opportunities to revel in the pleasures of teamwork and celebrating the contributions of every member of a like-minded group to that group’s success. Teaming up also presents us with unique challenges and chances to enjoy what others bring to the “table.” And there is still is much truth to the adage, “The more the merrier.”

We often cannot get much of anything done working alone.

So, should we not be encouraging people to band together in the interests of getting more accomplished? The idea that a school cannot field a soccer team for lack of participants is truly sad in my estimation. Someone recently told me that a local baseball team only had 12 players. Those of us who know what there is to gain from working together can contribute by promoting involvement in group activities.

There really is much that we can add to our lives by working with people who share our values and interests. The benefits of setting aside individual aspirations in hopes of securing a common objective are significant and produce a lifetime of memories.

Furthermore, when we gain happiness by setting others up for success, we all win.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

I would like to suggest a Biblical response to drag queens: 2 Samuel 6 tells how King David welcomed the Ten Commandments:

“14  And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

“15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.”

Surely, a local pastor can slaughter a bull and go “Leaping and dancing before the Lord” in a loin cloth to welcome the Ten Commandments to Albion. I think this Biblical reenactment would outdraw the drag queens.

Gerard M. Morrisey

Albion

Editor:

The moving of the treasurer’s office to the former Bank of America in Albion is a wonderful idea. It’s so hard to get in there for disabled and older people. The parking there is inadequate, there is really nowhere to park that is convenient without crossing the street.

I think that the Bank of America is going to be a perfect location for the treasurer’s office, but with that being said, I really hope that they consider leaving the county historian’s office there and perhaps adding a Santa museum. I am sure there are many artifacts from the old Santa School, and many collections of Santas that could be displayed there.

With our village’s history of the Santa school it would be a wonderful addition to Albion’s Historic Courthouse Square.

Lori Laine

Kent

Editor:

The pastors and community leaders have every right to express their views as does every other person outlined in the first amendment in the constitution.

I don’t think any of those pastors and named individuals who signed the letter to the editor on Sept. 15 intended to infringe on the freedoms of assembly or expression as outlined in the first amendment of the constitution. To do that would be of course… un-American. However, as the old proverb goes… “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what they did. They used their pulpits and community positions to publicly pressure The Lockstone from holding “Drag Me to Brunch,” a 21-plus event because it does not align with their own version of Christian worldview.

They misrepresented the danger to children in a time when there is already loads of misinformation and disinformation involving the LGBTQ+ community, who are constantly targeted, harassed and threatened as being predators and pedophiles. If you look at the math (numbers don’t lie), you would see that children are in far more danger with pastors and clergy than with a drag queen.

Even more concerning is that we live in an era of prolific gun violence with mass shootings occurring almost every day, of every week, of every month in this country. If these pastors are concerned for the safety of the children who will not be in attendance of the event, then what about the safety of the patrons and performers?

Is not all life sacred or does that only serve its purpose when it comes to those they deem acceptable in their worldview? Why would they now misrepresent the danger and rile up the community calling even more attention to something they disagree with when there’s been a strip club operating in Bergen, NY for the past how many years?

I’d like to know where their outrage was when the ReAwaken Tour was invited to Batavia by the Cornerstone Church earlier this year whose speakers include election deniers, conspiracy theorists, and white supremacists who are “recruiting an ‘Army of God’” according to retired Gen. Michael Flynn, one of the tour’s speakers. A few of us did ask for that event to be canceled out of legitimate concern that the speakers regurgitate dangerous conspiracy theories like the “Great Replacement Theory” which was a motivator during the 2022 Buffalo Massacre. Let us remember that ten of our Black brothers and sisters were murdered in cold-blood by a young white-supremacist that was radicalized by hate speech and conspiracy theories.

If these pastors and individuals who are still named on the letter are so concerned about the children then I ask every one of them to consider canceling the remainder of their fall services to call attention and hold discussions about legitimate concerns of child abuse and molestation. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have a fair and open conversation about something that wasn’t so self serving?

We all unfortunately run the risk of falling into an echo chamber where our beliefs are shaped by the constant reinforcement of like-minded individuals, especially online. The real danger may be that of social media and the warped left vs. right algorithms that shape the content we are exposed to that does not necessarily reflect reality. I’ve noticed at least one person has revoked their name from the letter and for that I applaud you. It may be a small step but isn’t that all it takes? May your coffee cup ever be full.

Sincerely,

Dylan Miller

Albion

Editor:

Fact: Congress wants to borrow $25 billion from China, give that 25 billion to Ukraine and have the American taxpayer repay China. How is that in the best interest of the United States taxpayers?

There is no oversight of how the Ukrainian aid is being spent and no oversight of the war supplies being sent there to Ukraine. How is that fair to the US taxpayers?

Sam Bankman Fried (FTX ) was allegedly laundering money back to US politicians and is indicted for that but no audits or oversight being done by US Congress. Fact: all request for audits and oversight gets voted down. How is that in the best interest of the US taxpayers? Why would the US Congress not found oversight or audits of US money and military supplies unless they are benefiting from no audits and oversight of US resources.

The American taxpayers had better start demanding to know how and where their money and military supplies are going and who is benefiting from American foreign aid.

Steve Colon

Lyndonville

Editor:

On Sept. 17, Mr. Falkenburgh complained about the “extremely hateful and harmful view of Catholics and our priests,” referencing a letter by Mr. Fredericks. In rebuttal, Mr. Fredericks was correct in suggesting that Mr. Falkenburgh do some research and check out the facts.

When Mr. Falkenburgh does check he facts, he will discover that in response to public pressure, in 2002 the US Catholic Church asked the John Jay College of Criminology (City College of New York) to investigate its own priests to determine the severity of the sexual abuse problem.

The report stated from 1950-2002: 10,667 cases of abuse by 4,392 Catholic clergy, or 4% of the 109,694 serving priests. Of that total 252 were convicted and 100 sent to jail.

In 2018 the State of Pennsylvania received a Grand Jury Report that stated over 1,000 children had been abused in Pennsylvania by 600 priests over a 70-year period. In November 2022, the Attorney General of Maryland issued a report that in the Archdiocese of Baltimore 600 victims had been abused by 158 priests over an 80 year period.

I recommend Mr. Falkenburgh read the three reports and contact the US Conference of Bishops for details. The Bishops will have what he needs because they helped start the whole investigation in the first place. They can be reached at phone number 202 541 3000.

Jack Capurso

Albion High School graduate in 1960

Ashburn, Va.

Editor:

We do not often think about our clothing containing plastic, but synthetic materials do. Every time they are laundered plastic particles are released.

To minimize the detrimental effects on the environment, launder synthetic materials in cold water and either line dry or dry on a cooler setting.

Purchasing secondhand synthetics as opposed to new helps as well. Of course, purchasing clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton is even better. Each one of us, working together, can help preserve the environment that sustains us.

Green Orleans

Tom Robinson

Gary Kent

Anne Downey

Dennis Seekins

Rosanne Leach

Brady Ferguson

Sister Dolores O’Dowd

Editor:

I am embarrassed and deeply disappointed that Albion has chosen to offer such a low form of “so called entertainment” next month. Is our town so starved for entertainment, for there  to be a sold out venue with men parading around as women.

Is this really entertainment? I may be a senior citizen but I feel such a venue should not be offered in a small town but stay in Rochester.

Sandra Shingleton

Albion

Editor:

As many of us are aware, American culture has changed dramatically since the “old days” when soda shops and family-run hardware stores were the norm on every main street in small town America. It is true, as well, that “Santa Claus” doesn’t walk the sidewalks of our village year-round, and our historic mansions are no longer homes of millionaires.

The old idea of “main street” can’t be duplicated. In today’s culture, people rely on big box stores and online marketplaces for many of the items they used to make the trip to town to gather. For many small towns, through innovation, an entrepreneurial spirit, and cooperation within the community, a new “main street” has emerged.

Those of us who are operating businesses in Albion have a vision of a bustling Main Street corridor. We have poured our time and funds into unique shops and eateries in the village, and we see great potential for growth of the local economy through small, family-owned businesses.

Every summer, tourists visit Albion, either passing through on the canal, or driving in from local campgrounds or cottages. We want to offer them an experience they will want to return to, and tell their friends about.

For several years, there have been a number of buildings within the village that are left vacant and in various stages of deterioration. There are entrepreneurs who are seeking space in which to conduct their business either through purchase, or renting, and are willing to make the investment in the community. Albion’s downtown has the structure and appeal of a thriving, quaint village, but our development is stalled because storefronts sit vacant and unused instead of opening their doors to new businesses.

Last year, the Village Planning Board submitted a proposal to the Village Board of Trustees that would change the local ordinances, which when enforced would encourage vacant building owners to make changes.

We would like to see an improved proposal submitted at this time. There are many similar municipalities who have created ordinances that inspire the kind of change we would like to see, many of these are available as a matter of public record. We would like to see our local leaders follow their lead, and implement codes that have been proven to work.

On behalf of the Albion Betterment Committee, we submit this letter to the editor seeking support from the community to work together toward this vision.

Albion Betterment Committee directors

Gary Derwick

Gary Kent

Joe Gehl

Editor:

It has come to our attention that there has been some concern regarding a planned drag show at The Lockstone in Albion on Sunday Oct 1. As a faith organization with deep roots in the Orleans County community for the last 129 years, we, the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, would like to address this.

We acknowledge the right of others to believe and worship differently than we do, but we feel this discrimination and narrow mindedness is detrimental to our community.  We are happy to represent those who feel as we do.

Freedom of expression and freedom to love are foundational to the pursuit of happiness.  Allowing space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to express themselves and serve as role models for young people learning about themselves and their way of loving is essential to reducing stigma and increasing safety, especially in an area where many may feel isolated and even unsafe.

According to the Trevor Project, LGBTQIA+ youth are more than four times as likely than their counterparts to attempt suicide.  If we are concerned about our youth, certainly making a community safe for them to express themselves and their identity is a much more helpful way to do so than to call for the cancellation of an adults-only drag show at a private venue.

As Susan B. Anthony once said, “I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.”

At Pullman, we trust individuals to find their own paths through life and seek to provide loving fellowship and community as we seek truth together, in love.  We applaud those that have begun this journey and continue on it in love, as well as those that seek to be beacons and advocates for others who may be struggling.

The previous “local faith leaders” do not speak for us. We support the venue, the performers, and the show.

May the show go on.

Respectfully,

The Board of Pullman Memorial Universalist Church,

Jessica George

Dylan Miller

Chris Loss

Alan Nugent

Carol Taillie

Sylvia Goodstine

Reverend Susan Frawley