Editor:

It is time Congressman Jacobs to start the drum beat for the impeachment of illegitimate President Joe Biden. He has violated his oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic by opening our boarders to a million-plus untested illegal invaders stricken with the Covid-19 virus and the Delta variant.

Tell me what American president would not go to the border for 6 months to see what is going on? Maybe one that created the problem on purpose? It is quite obvious. Our borders were secure now they are not.

He is using our military to secretly distribute illegal invaders throughout the entire country with no forewarning or openness to the American people and spreading this pandemic that was under control. Just where are these invaders being placed?

The taxpayers that are paying for this invasion deserve to know. He and Kamala Harris must both be removed from office not only for this but for the too numerous constitutional impeachable offenses in just 6 short months. The totalitarian communist Democratic Party has proven that it is not up to running the country. Only bad things will come from this administration and its purposeful destruction.

Paul Lauricella

Yates

Mr. Lauricella is chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party

Editor:

August 7th is National Purple Heart Day. The Purple Heart is the oldest medal given to those who have been wounded or killed in combat defending the honor of the U.S. government and its constitution.

This is a solemn distinction of honor. On this day towns and cities pause in recognition of the service and sacrifice of their local sons and daughters. I encourage everyone to listen to soldiers and veterans.

The sacrifices made on the battlefield don’t disappear when the battle is over. The trauma is now part of the person. Many suffer from PTSD and the suicide rate is up to seven times that of civilian population. I know from my own experiences the difficulty of returning to civilian life. (I was awarded the Purple Heart in 1969).

Please take some time this Aug. 7th to remember and honor those who gave their blood for our government.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

In regard to the proposed platform overlooking the Medina waterfalls:

Has anyone answered or addressed the possible ramifications brought about by building such a structure? It sounds great on paper, but here are some questions which could either erase or reaffirm my cynical perspective.

How many different people would utilize it, in its intended way? The same fifty people stopping by 50 times a year does not equate to 2,500 users. And the operative words “in its intended way” is meant to exclude – among other things – the inevitable jungle-gym-climbing enthusiasts who will love the challenge.

Who will clean the bottles, cans and garbage that will undoubtedly litter the once semi-pristine, hard-to-access shoreline below? All generated from the irresponsible whim of degenerates whose lack of self-control will find it obligatory to toss anything not tied down, over the rail simply because they think they are getting away with something. Or am I to assume a security guard will be posted on-duty to prevent such delinquency? I doubt it.

Furthermore, who and where will the paint come from to erase the vulgar graffiti which will surely surface on the structure immediately after completion?

Who will protect canoe and kayak adventurers from debris-throwing vandals? And as an actual victim who was once rolled and robbed while walking the canal path one evening, don’t color me as a pessimistic alarmist.

Who will protect the splendor of the Falls’ solitude in all its natural wonder? Do we really want to lose the appeal of traveling Glenwood Lake up to a remote, isolated waterfalls to a trash-filled chasm with a voyeuristic gawkers looking down from overhead?

What’s next after the balcony scenario? Maybe a McDonald’s alongside of it? Those who come up with ideas like this have good intentions but naivete is often the soul-mate of the idealist – and that narrow vision can quickly manifest into a bitter pill when reality sets in. In essence, I’m not afraid of change, I’m afraid of losing something that’s too good to change. Nature seldom gets an upgrade when mankind attempts to improve it.

Here’s an idea: How about simply clearing a tree or two, if possible, so that the Falls can be better seen from the canal-path?! I’m sure it would cost less, but, better yet, it just might save the Medina Falls from becoming another dumping ground with a creek running through it … with a spectator … or two.

Opposing views welcome. And expected.

Tom Valley

Medina

Editor:

Now that it’s here, the CDC has established that the new Covid variant spreads rapidly and vaccinated people can spread it and it more lethal.

What we now know is that the failure to vaccinate increases the odds of the development of vaccine resistant strains.

If you look at maps of the country about Covid, Orleans stands out in Western New York as a danger zone due to a lower vaccination rate.

Friends, it is time to mask up again.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

The Lyndonville Lions Club held its 46th Annual Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, July 4th. The fireworks display, which culminated the festivities, has become one of the largest shows in all of Western New York.

This display each year is by far the greatest expense for the Lions Club on this day.  It is only due to the response and support of area businesses, organizations and the general public that a show of this magnitude is possible.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to each of the over 40 businesses and organizations that made donations toward this year’s show. In addition, thanks to all those people who gave donations, who placed money in our Independence Day Firecracker Cans and who dropped money in the firecracker barrels on the school grounds.

After having to cancel last year’s celebration, this year’s celebration/display was a huge step in returning to “normal.”

Again, without the tremendous community-minded support of each and every one of you, a display such as this would not be possible. With your continued support, I hope that displays like this may continue for many years to come.

Wes Bradley

Lyndonville Lions Club

4th of July Fireworks Fundraising Chairman

Editor:

On May 19th after working a 15-hour day we were woken up at 3:30 in the morning by our security system which observed a person with a flashlight in the farm market.

My husband and son were able to restrain the criminal until the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office could respond. They responded in record time (many thanks to them!). The criminal was taken to Brockport Police Department, fingerprinted and then was released. This is the second time since August 2020 that we have been broken into by career criminals and this time it was a face-to-face encounter. In this situation we were fortunate that no one was harmed. It could have very easily turned out much differently.

It is very disheartening after working 36 years, 7 long days a week, to have someone try to take what you have worked so hard for. We employ people and give back to the community. We have also spent a lot of money for security.

The repeat offender does not go to jail, but keeps committing crimes, which cost everyone. We have had to spend thousands of dollars on security, many sleepless nights, and the police respond to the same criminals instead of being able to help other people. The crimes these criminals are committing are getting worse and worse because there are no consequences. Bail reform enacted by New York State is a failure. All it is doing is promoting criminal behavior.

Now there is talk of our elected state legislators voting to release convicted murderers and rapists.

Something needs to be done! If you do not agree with the current system of bail reform contact your state representatives. If you do agree with the current system, let the criminals come to your home at 3:30 am.

Lora Partyka

Partyka Farms in Kendall

Editor:

“Are you on the side of truth or lies; fact or fiction; justice or injustice; democracy or autocracy?” asked Joe Biden recently, encouraging people to stand to defend the right to vote in America. Biden’s questions also apply to another important test of our time, the coronavirus pandemic.

Covid cases are up in all 50 states, a 125% increase and deaths are up 23%. It is now a pandemic of the unvaccinated, those who believe the lies, the fiction.

Notice how what we search for online keeps popping up afterwards. Mathematical programs, algorithms are designed to feed us more of what we searched online. Just 12 people, a new dirty dozen have been identified as responsible for 65% of vaccine hoaxes, disinformation not fact checked by social media. Propaganda is believed as truth. Algorithms should be regulated.

Experts have been disregarded; politics is trumping science. Public health no longer has meaning. Everyone should root for public health. Local elected officials do photo ops saying they are working to get the border to Canada open but they fail to promote vaccination. Vaccination is key in mitigation of the pandemic.

My congressman, Chris Jacobs, voted against H.R.1 and on March 3^rd. Jacobs deceives, wants us to believe that campaign finance would come from taxpayers. The money would actually come from a “Freedom from Influence Fund” under the U.S. Treasury through collected funds from a fee assessed on criminal and civil fines with banks or corporations that commit corporate malfeasance.

Who is Jacobs representing? His voting record shows a lack of ethical, moral code. Jacobs sided with the insurrectionists. That people die doesn’t matter to Jacobs.

Our democracy and people are dying of disinformation. Our unvaccinated children are the most vulnerable.

Carol Nochajski

Wilson

Editor:

Republicans are lying about voter fraud to suppress voters, especially voters of color. The voter suppression laws passed in states like Georgia and Texas limit polling places, hours of voting, and restrict mail-in voting.

But most sinister of all is these laws give control of election boards to party partisans. In Georgia, prior to the new law county election boards were selected by both parties. Now Republicans are removing Democrats and people of color from election boards.

In Texas the new law prohibits poll watchers from being removed even for violating election laws, (NPR reported 7/12/21). Furthermore, with the rush to pass these bill you would think that voter fraud is prevalent, you would be wrong.

In Atlanta, WDEF reported on 2/18/21 “ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) – After a day of hearing evidence of election fraud in 63 cases, Georgia officials have decided to pass 24 of them on to prosecutors.” The report also stated that: “But more of the cases go back to the 2017-19 local and state elections.”

The Texas Attorney General’s web page on election integrity states that they have prosecuted 155 people for election fraud since 2005 and 43 cases pending. That is in 15 years with tens of millions of votes casts they have less than 200 cases of voter fraud. Everyone wants only those eligible to vote, to do so in safe, secure, free and fair elections.

But Republicans are trying to make voting more difficult, especially for people of color, by creating long lines where people have to wait for hours. Republicans are not pushing voter suppression laws out of concern for fraud, they are pushing these laws because more people voted and they don’t like the results.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Upon her passing on February 18th of this year, Betsy Hoffman was one of the longer (if not longest) tenured historians in Orleans County.

As county historian, my colleagues never ran out of stories to share about their work with Betsy over the years. Her expansive knowledge of Carlton was second-to-none and without question, she was a dedicated public servant. That’s why I was not surprised to hear that she had amassed a large collection of Carlton-related historical materials and was relieved to hear that those caring for her estate offered that collection to the Town.

I was, however, incensed when I was informed that Betsy’s successor made quick work of filing parts of that collection in the dumpster. It brought to mind a series of unfortunate misunderstandings about the role of the local historian, the qualifications that are required to serve the community with the utmost integrity and ethical standards, and perhaps some of my own experiences as county historian.

New York State has the unique distinction of requiring each village, town, and county government to appoint a local historian (NYS Arts & Cultural Affairs Law – Section 57.07). That law does not mandate compensation, recommend qualifications, or specify municipal support of that position through space and resources. As such, New York has a hodgepodge of full-time and part-time historians, professionals and amateurs, and an overwhelming majority of public servants who attempt to engage with their communities on a miniscule budget, using limited technology, and with no office space.

Over the last five years, Orleans County invested significant resources into the Department of History thanks to the tireless support of Ken DeRoller, John DeFilipps and Lynne Johnson. The Historian’s office went from a damp, cold closet-sized space in the basement to an upper-level “suite” of rooms to house some of our community’s most precious resources. Yet other historians are not as fortunate. The lack of investment in the position often means that local governments struggle to find qualified and passionate candidates. Even worse, without financial resources and space, historians end up storing public collections in their home where they remain inaccessible.

In 2017, the New York State Historian conducted a survey of county and borough historians in the state. That spurred me to gather similar information from town and village historians in Orleans County in 2018. Considering the circumstances, I thought it would be worth sharing some of those findings.

Of the nine historians who responded, only one received a job description when appointed, compensation ran anywhere from $206 to $2,000 annually, and no municipality (except the County), required a minimum number of hours from the historian. Those who provided responses said they worked anywhere from 3 hours to 20 hours in a given week, which means no historian in Orleans County (except the County Historian) earns minimum wage for their work.

Moving to municipal support, only 1/3 of local governments provided office space, seven historians did not have access to a government-provided email address, and only one historian had a separate web page for historical information. In a digital world, historians are expected to operate in the 20th century.

As portions of the population continue to cry out against the “destruction” of history, we should turn inward and look to our own support of documentation, preservation, and interpretation in our communities. In my experience as both a librarian and a historian, I can tell you that a budget provides the clearest picture of what a community values. With practically no pay, minimal resources, and no space, we should not be surprised by what happened in Carlton.

So, my advice to the “stop erasing history” crowd: march down to your town hall, hold your elected officials accountable, and tell them to put their money where their mouths are. Support our historians, give them the resources necessary to be effective, and ensure that we do not lose important historical collections to uninvested, unqualified appointees put in place to simply fill a vacancy.

Matt Ballard

Statesville, NC (formerly Clarendon, NY, former Orleans County Historian)

Editor:

It can’t just be me that keeps seeing comments on social media and articles in the news about erasing our history. I am saddened by the fact that people have put all of our country’s history in one silo. That silo is one of shame. Things happened throughout history and history was recorded. How would we know what happened before us if it had not?

We learn from it and hope that we don’t repeat some of it. Laws are made to avoid some of it happening again and to help the people who were wronged. Women can vote, slaves were freed, countries went to war to defend a certain way of life which allowed people to exist as human beings – not Jews or slaves for example.

I feel like this is trickling down to our little Orleans County in some ways. I am a local town historian and have been for 15 years. In the beginning, when I asked people to share pictures or stories, they often didn’t bother. I just kept right on asking. Why you say? Because it is our history and after a generation has died off then how will we ever know?

I am fortunate enough to say that many people in the county know that I am a historian. I get invited to speak at schools and other historical societies frequently. I am always sharing what I have or what I learn with others because that is what I am supposed to do.

Every now and again people will send me items through the mail or bring me boxes of items that they don’t know what to do with but could not bring themselves to throw away. I TAKE IT ALL! I look at everything and make piles for other historians in other towns if it pertains to them. It sometimes takes a lot of work but let’s face it, we are not in it for the pay!

I was made aware of a situation where a decades-long historian passed away and her records were in her home. The town did the right thing and went and collected an entire room of historical items. Books, pictures you name it.

What happened after that makes me angry. Someone spent a good portion of their lifetime collecting these items and saving them. An individual was appointed to the job and then proceeded to throw away books, photos and newspapers in the dumpster.

Thank God for the town clerk who went into the dumpster and retrieved as much as she could from underneath garbage and maggots. The town should be so lucky to have an individual who cares this much. It is now being dried out and hopefully saved for future generations.

This town clerk like my own is the records officer for the town and totally understands the significance of some records. While some records are not nearly as important as others historically, she knows to ask me (the historian) before she gets rid of anything due to its future historical value.

The gratitude of a high school student doing research or a distant family member being shown an old photograph or story about their ancestor is priceless!

Melissa Ierlan

Town of Clarendon Historian

Editor:

My representative is Congressman Chris Jacobs. In January, Mr. Jacobs voted to overturn the election in Pennsylvania and Arizona, even after both states certified their election for Joe Biden as free and fair.

Neither Mr. Jacobs nor has anyone else ever shown any evidence to the contrary. Before the vote Mitch McConnell told lawmakers: “The voters, the courts and the states have spoken. If we overrule them, it would damage our Republic forever.”

My congressman does not care if he damages our Republic forever, all he cares about is himself. For example, Mr. Jacobs traveled to the Southern border with other Republicans and Mr. Anthony Aguero who was hired as a guide and translator. (CNN reported on 7/2/21 that Mr. Aguero was one of the insurrectionist on Jan. 6th and a known criminal, with several arrests, the last for vehicular assault.)

The trip to the Southern border was a staged political event to demonize and dehumanize migrants coming this country for a better life. My congressman wants to blame President Biden for these people coming to America. Never mind that migrants from Central America and Mexico pick our fruits and vegetables and milk our dairy cows.

Mr. Jacobs wants to block their entrance, which financially hurts local farmers. My congressman would rather pal around with insurrectionist and criminals than work on real problems like immigration reform.

Instead of running on a policy platform, my congressman wants to run on fearmongering and scapegoating. We deserve better.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

I wish to take a moment to thank the residents of Murray for their support in this Primary Election.

For it is they who choose the governance of our community and I am grateful for their confidence in electing me as the Republican nominee for Murray Town Supervisor.

Now that the Primary Election is over it’s time to set aside our political differences, end the infighting and get back to work. We are public servants. Every Councilman, Justice, Clerk, Highway worker, Assessor, Code Officer, Planning and Zoning Board member work for the people of Murray. Everything we do is for the community. Remember that.

Our “Team” extends beyond the Town Hall to every corner of Murray. What can we do better? Every voice deserves to be heard with mutual respect both inside and outside of the Town Hall.

The things that are worth doing are never easy. We have great opportunities in Murray. Unlimited possibilities to be had if we work hard together and respect one another.

I promise to do my best for you.

Sincerely,

Joseph Sidonio

Murray

Editor:

It is with great honor that I can officially say that I received the voters of Shelby full support! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for electing me during the Republican Primary and giving me an opportunity to be your voice in Town Hall.

Furthermore, a congratulations is needed for Councilman Seitz and Supervisor Smith for their re-election. Additionally, even though Bill Bacon came up short, he deserves a debt of gratitude for his years of service. It takes a lot of courage to even decide to run, let alone serve, as one can imagine.

I do not take this challenge lightly nor will I let you down. I will fight for transparency every step of the way, bring a strong fiscally conservative voice to curb spending, and make sure the Town of Shelby residents have a voice front and center.

Even if you did not vote for me, you still deserve to be heard. This campaign was all about bringing a fresh perspective to the status quo while emphasizing the rights of the entire community. I am sure there will be disagreements along the way, but I look forward to working with everyone for the betterment of Shelby.

If you see me around town do not hesitate to stop and talk or ask questions. I want to be the best councilman I can be so that we can make Shelby great again, together!

Thank you again for your trust, support, and encouragement.

Eddie Zelazny

Councilman-elect

Town of Shelby

Editor,

A quick clarification and comment regarding the July 2, 2021 industrial, renewable energy siting letter submitted by Ms. Joanne Scanlon of Rush, New York.

Ms. Scanlon states the following in her letter:

“The approval of Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center is a victory for us here in the community, and for the new Office of Renewable Energy Siting that provides an efficient process to get shovels in the ground for large-scale renewable projects while preserving local community involvement. ORES was created under climate-forward legislation signed by Governor Cuomo, and replaces an arcane, unworkable predecessor.”

Ms. Scanlon, in her letter, is making comment that the Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center (Mount Morris, New York (Livingston County) is a victory for “us here in the community.” To clarify, Mount Morris, New York (Livingston County) is approximately 28 miles distant from the Town of Rush, New York (Monroe County).

Webster’s definition of the term community states the following:  ”A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.”

Clearly, Mount Morris, New York (Livingston County) is not the same place as Rush, NY (Monroe County). Additionally, if Ms. Scanlon is indicating that the people of Rush, NY and Mount Morris, NY are in any way homogenous regarding support/opposition of renewable energy projects or even anthropogenic climate change, her comments ring as highly disingenuous.

Lastly, her comment that the Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center is a victory for the new Office of Renewable Energy Siting is also disingenuous. The new “efficient process” she references is now under legal challenge.

This legal challenge/lawsuit from numerous, statewide town and environmental groups, has been filed because the new siting law (94c) eliminates all meaningful local zoning laws and constituent inputs from the siting process. 94c eliminated Home Rule. In fact, the lawsuit was filed after ORES ignored each of the thousands of public comments that were submitted as a part of the new 94c regulation development process and as a result, left the regulations unchanged. To be clear, the unchanged 94c regulations were written by a pro-wind/pro-solar lobbying group hired by ORES. Smelling fishy yet?

Ms. Scanlon clearly seems to have either forgotten or ignored Article IX of the New York State Constitution which protects the Right of Home Rule for New York State municipalities. New York State, with the passing of 94c has actually usurped the Right of Home Rule from every village, town, city and county in New York State.

My understanding, from 8th grade Civics class, is that our government was enacted to protect The People’s rights not bestow or usurp them. 94c is a clear usurpation of the rights of every municipality and citizen of the State of New York and if unchecked, is a sword that will cut all that is near and dear to The People.

It is clear to me that Ms. Scanlon either needs additional education on 94c and the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act or may actually fully support of 94c and the thinly veiled eminent domain process that it represents.

Ms. Scanlon should, at a minimum, review the definition of the term “community.”

Thank you.

John B. Riggi

Councilman, Town of Yates

Editor:

A compromise infrastructure bill for roads and the like was hailed as a success. This young Nobel Prize nominee puts the success in prospective:

“People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” – Greta Thunberg

The thermometer and fires in Lakes in the Artic prove the magnitude of the problem. Some sacrifice is required of anyone who puts their family and children first. There are no easy answers. No cheat sheet.

We funded the transcontinental railroad. (It created new jobs.) We again have to come up with the seed money for climate change even if that means “wealth taxes” on those who have benefitted disproportionately as they convinced us to shove the problem down the road.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion