Editor:

I will be retiring officially the end of year after four decades with Community Action. During my employment I have met many wonderful people and made many wonderful friends.

I thank everyone who has helped me deliver services that meets the mission of the agency, this could not have been possible without the kind and giving people of Orleans County and the communities we serve.

My retirement is bittersweet but the friends I have made will always be with me. I will miss my dedicated staff that through the years have shown me respect and all the staff at Community Action who are very dedicated to the agency.

I wish everyone a safe and healthy 2022.

Annette Grillo Finch

Albion

Editor:

With the election counting behind us now and the Yates incumbents narrow victory of 11 votes (from absentees that don’t live here year round), I want to thank everyone that helped and voted for me.

I will say a win is a win if by one vote. I accept it. No, we did not win but I had more fun doing this than I have had in a long time. I really enjoyed it. They were very worried and deservedly so.

One thing that is for sure we have started a grass roots movement and there are enough people that know what’s going on to have made me and you the voter a serious force.

There are many people in our town that are not happy with the course this board has been on. Will they learn anything from their narrow victory? I hope so but my faith in politicians is nil.

So we may be back next election cycle with a lot more backing. Maybe with a full ticket posse. I will continue to attend meetings and pass the information on to you.

Again thank you to the smart, informed voters in Yates that voted for me and those that didn’t in the next 2 years you may change your mind.

Paul Lauricella

Town of Yates

Editor:

The insurrection on Jan 6th was an attempt, at the least to prevent Congress from performing an Constitutional duty, and worse, perhaps overthrow the government.

Dozens of police officers were injured and one was killed before order was restored. So why are Republicans like Chris Jacobs defending these insurrectionists?

Republicans have bought into the Big Lie, that there was fraud in the last election, despite over 60 court cases where they were asked for evidence and could produce none. Outside of court they have freedom of speech and they make all kinds of accusations but when asked to produce evidence they cannot and they do not.

This is their strategy, lie to their base to keep them angry. Republicans are not interested in policies that improve the lives of their constituents. That is why Mr. Jacobs and all Republicans voted against the American Rescue Plan in March which reduced childhood poverty nearly in half, and it is why Mr. Jacobs and his cohorts voted against the infrastructure bill.

Keeping their voters angry will keep their voters engaged they believe and if that doesn’t work they want to take control of election procedures, pass laws to suppress opposition voters, control who counts election results and have laws and procedures to reject votes they don’t like even without evidence of impropriety.

This is why Mr. Jacobs supports Paul Gosar, (R-Az), (who is supported by white nationalist and anti-Semite Nick Fuentes), even though he posted a cartoon of himself killing fellow Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-NY).

Mr. Jacobs does not represent the citizens of his district. He is representing the Republican Party ideology to keep voters angry with lies. Western New York needs someone to represent the citizens, not a Republican puppet.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

The Yates Town Board wants to thank all the residents of the Town of Yates for participating in this year’s election.

We are very grateful to those of you who voted for the incumbents, and we vow to continue to serve all the residents of Yates regardless of how you voted.

We look forward to 2022 – our town’s 200th anniversary year – and the opportunity to celebrate our heritage and to strengthen our resolve to work toward a brighter future.

With Thanks,

Jim Simon, John Riggi, Harold Suhr, Susan Hrovat, Terry Chaffee, Jr.

Yates

Editor:

The Orleans County Treasurer has started a foreclosure on the property at 89 Public Square in Holley known as Odd Fellows Hall. The property is owned by the Village of Holley Development Corporation which was asked by the village to take ownership of this previously abandoned property in order to find a way to preserve it, rehabilitate it and revitalize at as an integral part of the historic Public Square.

As owner of the property, the VHDC has secured the building, obtained a grant to repair the roof and is currently working on a second grant to repair the exterior brick walls of the structure in hope of finding an investor to assume the property.

This building was once previously foreclosed on by the County and sold to an out-of-state buyer in an online auction. This buyer neglected the building and abandoned it with code violations and back taxes once again.

The building requires extensive repairs which are too cost prohibitive for any buyer or investor. Any private owner will most likely abandon or neglect it again until it is beyond repair and must be destroyed. Now, the County of Orleans will once again foreclose on the building for back taxes.

The VHDC is an LDC that operates as a non-profit organization. We have previously negotiated with the Environmental Protection Agency to accept ownership of 8 abandoned homes in the Village of Holley which we successfully put into the hands of private buyers. The homes were not on the County tax rolls at the time of the acquisition but now are thanks to our endeavors.  As we attempt to do the same thing with this abandoned, historic property, the County is now going to stand in our way.

The LDC has approached County officials asking that back taxes be forgiven over a year ago in light of the circumstances but we were ignored. The Village of Holley Development Corporation is all volunteer and non-profit. We operate on a slim budget and can not pay the back taxes on this property.

At the end of the day, it’s sad how much obstruction we get from own community leaders while we try to make Holley a better place.

Dr. Daniel Schiavone

President

Village of Holley Development Corporation

Editor:

Just a comment on a recent event held at Tillman’s Village Inn. Orleans County Democrats hosted a fundraiser on October 30th.

Mark Tillman and his staff were awesome. Food was delicious and service was exceptional.  Thank You Tillman’s. Job well done.

Agnes Recco, a member of the Orleans County Democratic Committee

Lyndonville

Editor:

There is much to celebrate and be thankful for.

The 2021 historic bipartisan largest infrastructure bill in nearly a century will provide: 2 million new, good jobs per year, repair of hundreds of thousands of miles of roads and bridges, investment in climate change mitigation, transportation and highway safety for all users, including trucks, hazardous materials, cyclists and pedestrians, a modernized public transit system, upgraded airports, ports and waterways, a rebuilt electric grid, with thousands of miles of new power lines, expanded renewable energy, low-cost affordable internet for everyone, access to clean drinking water for everyone, protection from drought, floods, cyberattacks, and environmental pollution remediation.

In WNY a major thank-you to representative Tom Reed (R) for having the courage to the right thing. Thanks to Charles Schumer (D), Kirsten Gillibrand (D), and Brian Higgins (D) for serving in our best interests.

According to the Buffalo News predictions we are likely to see impact locally starting in spring: help in our homes for weatherization and lead pipe removal, and our community with the airport runway, ramps and train terminal renovation.

Chris Jacobs (R) delivered a no vote for prosperity in Western New York. In a statement on his infrastructure vote, Jacobs blathered and driveled, actually blamed Nancy Pelosi. “She has held the infrastructure hostage and politicized an issue where I believe there is broad bipartisan agreement. Because of these circumstances I cannot support any bill that supports the Democrats’ reckless plot to burden small businesses and families with higher taxes and stick our grandchildren with the tab.”

We are not fools. Remember Jacobs’ support for the former president with the third-biggest deficit increase of any president (even before the pandemic), a profoundly damaging legacy, saddling the next generations with debt?

Chris Jacobs, stay home, no photo ops for your no vote for prosperity in WNY. Do not have the audacity to show your face at the ribbon cutting ceremonies of these future projects. We will remember your no vote … or maybe it was another “mistaken vote” and you will say that you actually meant yes, when it suits you.

Carol Nochajski

Wilson

Editor:

First off, I want to thank everyone who exercised their right to vote. It’s one of the many great privileges we have in the United States.

Even though the outcome in the Town of Barre was not in our favor, it was a fantastic experience. Looking back, I would not do anything differently. My running mate, Tom Decker, and myself went out door to door and had many great conversations.

We were optimistic that we could discuss numerous ideas that could benefit the community, however that was not the case. The conversation largely centered around windmills. The encouraging part was that these conversations were not as divided as some would like you to believe. Regardless of their opinion of the wind farm, everyone was friendly and respectful.

Tom and I were able to gather great input from the residents and discuss future ideas. I informed the residents that should the project come up for another vote, I would abstain due to my “good neighbor” lease agreement. Some residents were told that I was running to protect the lease holder’s interest. While a majority of the leaseholders are good friends and/or former clients of my father, they were not my primary motivation for running.

The leaseholders, myself included, have our own contracts. They don’t need a representative on the Board to protect their interests. Their contracts are independent of the town’s negotiations. Others were told that the project can still be stopped.

Even though Tom and I believe in global warming and support green energy, our understanding was that the application was already in Albany and no further actions were required by the town. If the state does approve the project, (as is highly likely given NYS’s commitment to green power) we both believe you get more with sugar than salt.

We wanted to have a civil relationship with a business that was going to be in our backyard for years to come and to ensure the town got the best deal possible. This is the main reason Tom and I decided to run a write-in campaign. We wanted to protect the interests of everyone in the town regardless of the project. We believe there is more to Barre than windmills and lots of other areas need attention.

One thing is for sure though, along with good planning, all projects require revenue! Whether it be a new firehall, improved town park, affordable internet access, or improved infrastructure, they all require funds to pay for them. Tom and I were focused on ensuring that whatever the new project was, the revenue that came in was handled in a prudent manner to benefit all residents through capital improvements and/or lower taxes.

I realize some may view this letter as bitter grapes, and truthfully I was disappointed with the outcome. However, as I always tell my family, don’t give me a problem, give me a solution, and if you want to see change, you have to get involved. Tom and I did our best to run solely on our merits. We wanted to personally tell our story to as many residents as possible.

One thing I learned from entering the political arena, well two things, never let someone else tell your story (hence this letter) and never call into a radio station thinking it’s not political. I still believe that the best thing about Barre, NY is the neighbors. A good neighbor is priceless, and I am blessed to have many.

I truly hope that young adults like my running mate Tom Decker continue to get involved. They are the ones whose kids are going to inherit this world. I realize that change is intimidating, but as my boss used to tell me, “get on the train or get left behind because it is leaving the station with or without you.”

I have seen firsthand while campaigning how welcoming the residents of Barre can be. My hope is that this attitude can be maintained going forward. Green energy projects are not going away. While not perfect, they are necessary to make up for the continued depletion of natural resources. These green energy initiatives will continue to increase and improve over time, and we will all need to decide whether to get onboard or be left behind.

Thank you again to all those who voted and to all of those who continuously get involved to make the world a better place.

Respectfully,

Steve Harling

Barre

Editor:

On Thursday, November 11^th, we commemorate all Veterans and their service in defense of the United States.

For those active with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League, Navy Club, and so many other organizations our service does not end there. In fact, most of the public does not see the hard work and commitment to serve that local Veterans frequently exhibit. This includes our valued Auxiliary members.

For example, a group of Orleans County Veterans have served as the Honor Guard at nearly 100 military funerals this year, including a weekly presence at the new National Cemetery in Pembroke.

Local Veterans raise funds to purchase flags and markers for the graves of our deceased Veterans. We support scholarships for local high school students and financially assist numerous other non-profits.

Yet, membership in Veteran focused organizations is decreasing and with it the capability to serve. If you are a Veteran, please consider joining an organization such as those listed above.  Your service is still necessary and helps ensure Veterans are recognized in the coming years.

Sincerely,

Matt Passarell

Commander

VFW Strickland Post 4635

Kevin Christy

Commander

American Legion Sheret Post 35

Editor:

The results of last Tuesday’s elections in our state and throughout the nation reflect a rejection of overreaching, burdensome policies that stifle economic growth and jeopardize public safety, and a desire for a return to kitchen-table governance.

America is a nation of opportunity, and the anti-growth, tax-and-spend policies of the Majority are antithetical to the spirit of entrepreneurship that has made our nation the greatest on this planet. This year, Americans rejected socialism and voted for leaders who believe in hard work and the pursuit of the American Dream, in what I hope is just the beginning of a reclamation of our government by people who believe in our constitution, in our way of life and in our free markets.

Seeing voters soundly reject ballot measures 1, 3 and 4 was incredibly heartening, and an indication that the public has grown tired of political gamesmanship and one-party rule in state government.

Our government at the state and federal levels was designed to be collaborative in its deliberations, with a minority party able to check the power of the majority, and these proposals threatened that delicate balance of power. By rejecting these proposals, voters chose a path forward for New York that preserves the voice of rural, upstate New York and maintains reasonable safeguards against our electoral and redistricting processes.

What people want and expect from their government is simple: attention toward matters that jeopardize the well-being of themselves and their loved ones, and the protection of their right to lead their lives in their own way, follow their passions and provide for their family.

By rallying against the law enforcement professionals who keep our communities safe, putting up obstacles to success in people’s careers and businesses and implementing overreaching mandates that went too far in restricting their liberties, the Majority showed their priorities were not in line with those of the average working New Yorker.

That is exactly why I will continue to do everything I can to stand up for our law enforcement, our liberties and our ability to work hard and change the world through innovation. Our liberties and maintained public safety, which allows us to freely exercise them, are what make America the greatest nation on earth. It is my hope to see that as time passes, as a state and as a nation, we become even greater, freer and safer than we’ve ever been before.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia

Hawley represents the 139th District, which consists of Genesee, most of Orleans and part of Monroe County.

Editor:

Congressman Chris Jacobs opposed the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” H.R. 3684 on three grounds. First that it would increase the national debt, second that this was part of a socialist agenda and third that this was part of a political agenda.

If the national debt was an issue for Mr. Jacobs he would not have supported former President Trump’s tax cuts. Studies by the Brookings Institute, (7/21), showed: “But TCJA, (Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017), clearly reduced federal revenues significantly and several pieces of evidence suggest that TCJA’s supply-side incentives had little effect on investment, wages, or profit-shifting.”

Indeed the previous administration added $7.8 trillion to the national debt, $3 trillion before the Covid pandemic. Forbes Magazine, (9/27/20), noted: “Even after four years Trump will generate almost as much debt as Obama did in eight, $5.7 trillion vs. $7.3 trillion, respectively. And the CBO projects that the $1.8 trillion forecast for next year will make Trump’s total $7.5 trillion, surpassing Obama’s eight years. Based on the CBO’s projections, if Trump is re-elected he will create over $11 trillion in debt.” Let’s be clear Mr. Jacobs’s worries about the national debt are just political expediency not fiscal concerns.

The second argument that the legislation is a socialist agenda. This government is “of the people and by the people,” the people are a social group so anything the government does by this definition is socialist including tax cuts for the wealthy. Things like building roads, schools national defense, even police and fire protection are socialist. Abraham Lincoln stated: “legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves—in their separate, and individual capacities.” It should also be noted that Moody’s Analytics, hardly a left leaning organization, strongly supports the legislation writing: “but failing to pass legislation would certainly diminish the economy’s prospects.” (11/4/21).

Finally the argument that this is a political ploy is false. The legislation passed with bipartisan support. Safe roads and bridges benefits everyone, that socialist thing. Furthermore, it helps create jobs supports businesses and investments. Mr. Jacobs’ thinly disguised excuses don’t cover his failure to represent the citizens of his district.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

On behalf of the Orleans County and State Conservative Party, I want to thank the voters for coming out and defeating Propositions 1, 3 and 4. All five of them went down in Orleans County. You are smart people that could see through the corrupt Albany politicians that control our state.

I want to say thank you to the Orleans County Republican Chairman and the Republican Chairman of the 10 towns for helping to get the signs put up.

Thank you to Senator Ortt and Assemblyman Hawley for getting the word out. This was a state-wide effort and I’m glad that there was support in getting the message out. Even in liberal New York the people care about voter integrity.

Thank you.

Paul Lauricella Jr.

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman

Editor:

Nothing could have prepared any of us, personally or professionally, for the challenges that we have all faced over the past 19 months – all related to the Covid pandemic.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind the community of the great work that Oak Orchard Health (OOH) has done, and continues to do. Since March of 2020, OOH has performed over 14,000 Covid tests, and has administered over 6,000 Covid vaccines to the community we serve.

We have tested and vaccinated our migrant and seasonal farmworker community. Just last week, we tested over 900 children who require Covid testing prior to returning to school. We have administered Moderna vaccines, Pfizer vaccines, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines. We have ordered the supply, inventoried it, distributed it, and vaccinated.

I cannot thank enough our amazing staff who have graciously worked through the worst of the pandemic, and who continue to persevere through ongoing challenges and changing regulations.

When I hear people in the community make comments such as “OOH received funding to provide testing,” I want to assure you that not only have we tested, but also we have vaccinated. In addition, we have transported patients to our vaccine clinics, we have provided education, we provided translation services not only for our patients, but also for other county’s departments, and we continue to do so graciously and with servant hearts. The funding that OOH received for testing has since been depleted, but we continue to serve.

Our telephone lines are busy (yes, we know we are experiencing longer than normal wait times), but our staff continue to answer your questions and concerns.

Please take a minute to thank our amazing health care staff. Without them, we could not have come this far.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Pettibon

CEO, Oak Orchard Health

Editor:

True Fact. The Yates Town Board was just talking about needing a new 10 wheeler for highway at the last meeting and said, “Maybe we could pursue a grant.” That does not sound like there’s money enough to buy one. They couldn’t even pay outright for the mower. If there is all this money you say in the Highway account then pay off the mower and pay cash for a new truck. Now!

True Fact. You are mincing words. The bookkeeper made an $86,000 error. A lot of errors. Call it a deficit or an overdrawn account. The fact is A account is short the money and it is a fact that that the tax payers have to replace it. It’s in the comptroller’s report, I did not make it up. The $14,000 that Town is paying for software for the bookkeeper’s private firm came directly out of the town supervisor’s mouth at a town meeting a few months back when I asked him the question including “I am the supervisor I get to pick the bookkeeper” and you are not being quite truthful about Mr. Hungerford’s bid being higher. It was lower and the software was included at a cost of about $500 he pays it. You do admit that the town is paying for software for this private firm – $4,000, $3,100 if that’s true it’s still a waste of taxpayer money and do you intend to pay for software for all the private business in town now that you have set precedent?

True Fact. You had a contract agreement with the fire department. You refused to pay the agreed sum. The village even looked into taking legal action. You broke the contract for 2020 -2021. You can spin it any way you want but the truth is the truth. Ask a Fireman. To make this even worse you sign Mr. Chaffee’s name to your letter. He has only been a board member for 4 months. Has never been to a workshop or town meeting in his life before he switched from no party affiliation to Republican a couple of years back (both candidates running are party switchers to get the Republican endorsement) so he could be put on the Republican committee and thus be placed on the town board replacing the early retiring Mr. Whipple before his term was up. (See how they do that.) Nobody knows exactly what he stands for except a yes vote to everything.

I on the other hand have been at most every meeting dating back to 2007 and at workshops for years. I know what’s going on. Why would the elected officials be afraid of me being on the board? Maybe you don’t want to be held accountable. Maybe you are afraid of my bold honesty. Maybe I will be joining you soon.

Whatever happens I promise I won’t go away. Get out and vote for Paul Lauricella Jr. candidate for Yates Town Board.

Factually,

Paul Lauricella Jr.

Yates

Editor:

It’s exciting and refreshing to see the progress in the Town of Murray under the leadership of Supervisor Sidonio. He ran his campaign on fiscal responsibility and transparency and he delivered on both.

This is the first time since I have lived in Murray where I can remember my taxes actually going down! And they are going down 2 years in a row…..incredible!

Supervisor Sidonio and the water department are working hard to resolve the water loss issue for our town. A major problem for our town that many people denied and ignored for a long time, but now they are working diligently to find the issues and get this resolved once and for all.

When Joe was elected, he inherited a mess from the previous leaders and the entrenched town board. But despite being fought all the way he was able to turn things around in just 2 short years.

I’m enthusiastic about the direction our town is headed in. Murray residents deserve to have a supervisor who will work hard and fight for what is right for them and their town. Supervisor Sidonio is that person.

He works hard, he is honest, and he is transparent, which is why he is the Republican-endorsed candidate for the Town of Murray.

Please get out and vote and keep Murray moving in the right direction.

Adam Moore

Holley