Editor:

Congressman Chris Jacobs, where is the honor in spreading misinformation? In a press release about our southern border on March 7, Mr. Jacobs wrote: “When I was here in April, it was estimated that cartels were making $11 million a week from smuggling activities – that number has essentially doubled now to $24 million a week.”

However, news station KENS in San Antonio Texas on May 19, 2021 (nearly one year ago), reported from the Del Rio region: “Border Patrol officials said the cartels are bringing in $24 million in weekly revenue from human smuggling.”

President Biden had been in office for only four months at this point and still trying to get his administration established. Mr. Jacobs’ report shows that border security has stabilized after four years of chaos and that should be cause of celebration. This administration is doing a great job. Not only securing the border but doing so in an ethical and humane manner.

Congressman Chris Jacobs is also spreading misinformation about Keystone XL pipeline. In a March 9th speech on the floor of the House of Representatives Mr. Jacobs criticized the President for cancelling the Keystone XL pipeline. Mr. Jacobs also proposed legislation calling on the President to re-establish the Keystone XL pipeline as if that would help lower gas prices.

A study by the State Department of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2017 found that the pipeline, even if operating at full capacity, would have minimal effect on the price of gasoline. Furthermore, there is no indication that the oil from the pipeline would not be exported to other countries.

Two final points. First, the Biden administration has approved more permits for oil and gas drilling on federal lands in its first year than the previous administration did in its last year. Second, Exxon, BP, Shell, and Chevron posted record profits last year. However, they have so far refused to increase production which increases the price you pay at the pump.

In a district as solidly Republican as the 27th and the new 24th district, why do you feel the need to spread misinformation? Is spreading misinformation your political strategy to manipulate voters because you have no rational policies?

Do you realize that spreading misinformation does not solve problems affecting the citizens in your district? Please explain to us why you’re are spreading misinformation. Thank you.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

The Town of Barre has a very large park with no electricity. We have ARPA (Covid dollars) that need to be used for the town.

The Town Supervisor was looking at using the dollars to expand public water, but because of price increases, it would mean pennies on the dollar. Town Supervisor Sean Pogue also looked at culverts, bridges and road repairs. If we used it for that, we may lose money from NYS funding programs.

Next two items: Internet and/or electric at the park. Both are great options. I do not know where we are at with Spectrum, but electricity at the park would be useful for family and neighbor events.

Go to Barre website to see the park coordinator’s email and book a date.

Barre is where our heart is.

Cyndy Van Lieshout

Barre

Editor:

For most towns in Orleans County property assessments are being reviewed and soon new assessments will be hitting your mailbox. This may be an eye opener to many as the housing market has been in an upswing.

Currently it’s a sellers’ market, which has caused a frenzy on sale prices in the area. This is important as your assessment is based on current sales, regardless of what improvements or lack of improvements you have made to your property. Therefore, your assessment will most likely adjust.

What does all of this mean?  Typically houses that had been assessed at less than $50,000 are now selling for $75,000 or more. This does not mean your taxes will double, it means your property is now worth more.

Keep in mind assessors must follow state guidelines when valuing your property. There are three acceptable methods to value a property in NYS: sales comparison approach, cost approach, and income approach.

Most assessors use the sales comparison approach. Assessors do not make up the market; people buying and selling homes dictate the market. The assessor’s job is to track the sales and make the necessary adjustments to the assessment roll.

If a town performs a reassessment every three years, then an assessment is not adjusted until the year of the reassessment (unless a property owner requests a review of their assessment or a physical change to the property has been made.) If a town follows an annual reassessment plan, then assessments can change each year.

Helpful Tips:

1. Verify the information on file, with the assessor, regarding your property. Make sure it is accurate.
2. Escrow Account: If you have a mortgage, you probably have an escrow account set up by the bank. (This pays your taxes and insurance.) However, it is only reviewed annually on the anniversary of your mortgage. You can increase the amount that is set aside so that you are not left with a large balance owed.
3. If you are going to dispute the value, have the proper proof that is required. Making less money or being on a fixed income will not prove the market value of your property nor will the amount of taxes you pay.The assessor’s job is to determine the market value of your property.
4. Current sales prices, from the last 3 years, are used to arrive at the market value. Property is compared to other like properties that have sold.

Please keep in mind these are some of the points of comparison:

• Type of Property (multi unit, ranch, row building, cottage, etc.)
• Lot Size
• Bedrooms/Bathrooms and Square Footage

This is the perfect time to educate yourself on the assessment process in NYS. If you disagree with the process and taxes you pay, reach out to your state representatives. If you disagree with the market value of your property, then contact your assessor.

Tim Elliott

Medina

(Elliott is a member of the Medina Village Board.)

Editor:

Congressman Jacobs is to rich and to doctrinaire. I have watched and it’s time to speak out. Every President since Nixon (Trump excepted) has said we have to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

In Jacobs recent congressional speech quoted by the Orleans Hub, Jacob criticized Biden trying to stop the Keystone Pipeline but he left out that tar sands sludge cost per barrel is very high and it is as dirty and expensive to produce as it gets. Canada does not know what to do with it and still meet its emissions targets except to ship some here for us refine and dirty our air.

In the interim our fracking production is cheaper. Even pumping the tax sands pitch like substance in a pipeline long distances has never been tried. It would be a mess to clean up.

Jacobs forgets the Suez was blocked last year. He forgets that transportation (supply lines) has been a worldwide problem prior to Covid-19. He forgets our growth and job expansion in the US is outstripping any increase in production.

He forgets that alternative production here is cheaper and that Biden has given out more public land drilling licenses than Trump – to environmentalists’ dismay. He forgets that alternate energy production cuts out the single biggest cost – crude.

Jacobs plays politics as he voted against Biden’s BBB which would have created jobs (particularly in areas that would have lost few jobs left like West Virginia), and cut the cost of energy – the very thing he complains about.

Jacobs is pretty early in his career to buy into political showmanship rather than governing if he excepts to tear in and out earn our trust to get reelected. Negotiating with other governments with whom we have less immediate problems with during this transition period while Russia must be cut off and alternate streams developed is called “Realpolitik.”

That is what Jacobs was elected to figure out and implement when needed. Unfortunately it seems increasingly like facts in, garbage out.

Stop playing games sir.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

For whatever reasons, Albion has fallen upon tough times recently, especially compared to Medina and even Holley.

I remember when Albion had three fine Italian restaurants, locally owned pizza parlors and delis,  several other full-service and small restaurants, and thriving local hardware, drugstores and clothing  businesses. We’ve had live music venues. 39 Problems Restaurant, with some excellent performers and unique food, had given us a respite, but also succumbed.

Joyce Riley has the energy, ideas, experience and contacts to help restore Albion.

Even though we are no longer residents of Albion, we’ve worshiped there for 57 years, worked all Margaret’s and most of Bob’s careers there, both been and continue to be active in numerous Albion-based organizations,  and we’re very invested in Albion’s future.

If you are a resident of Albion, for the sake of Albion, please vote for our very good friend Joyce Riley.

Bob and Margaret Golden

Waterport

Editor:

One day while searching on the internet for one thing, I got distracted by a news story about something. That happens a lot. One minute I’m looking for something specific and another minute I’m diving in to find information on something else.

The internet is full of information, right? Some information is useful, some not, and some makes you scratch your head. Anyway, I’m getting distracted again.

While I was being distracted that time, I did find some interesting data on taxes. I’ll call them “Tax Facts.” I mean, I got this information from the internet so they must be facts.  Did you know that Orleans County made the top ten list? Yes! Awesome! Not.

We made the top ten for highest tax rates in our state. Out of the 57 counties in New York for 2021, according to New York State Comptroller, Orleans comes in at the 8th highest rate at $9.63 per $1,000 of assessed property. Right behind is Genesee at $9.80 and two ahead of Monroe which is $8.87.

Now, let’s take a look at the towns within our county. This information is available on the Orleans County website. I am only looking at the town tax rates here. We have the town of Barre as the clear winner, with the highest tax rate of $8.87. Barre’s tax rate is about 110% higher than the average of all the rest of the towns in Orleans County. 110%!

And…as you may already know, New York is consistently one of the highest taxed, if not the highest taxed states in the country.

So as a review we have: New York, the highest or close to the highest taxed state, Orleans County one of the highest in the state, and Barre the highest in the county.

This isn’t really a competition that I want to be placing at the top in. How about you?

Kelly Dudley

Barre

Editor:

Seeing an entire Ukrainian family laying in a huddle, dead after being wiped out by the concussion of a mortar, is a reminder of what freedom really is. And is not a throw away argument about “I wanna” …

Not listening to Mitt Romney’s and Hillary Clinton’s warnings that Putin was already on a war path to rebuild the Russian Empire was hubris. It puts minor conceits like vaccines, taxes, coal vs. wind, noise in your backyard, in prospective. They are not the true freedom our ancestors understood and died for.

When prices go up just remember we are paying for our selfishness and failure to listen to real experts rather than venile politicians telling us what we want to hear on daily preferences.

It’s not going be quick, easy, or cheap to protect freedom. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

Republicans, like Elise Stefanik, the third-ranked Republican in the House of Representative, are complaining that President Joe Biden was weak and that weakness contributed to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Let’s review what we know.

We know that Republicans eliminated references to arming Ukraine in their 2016 GOP platform, giving solace to the Russian government’s takeover of Crimea. We know that former President Trump gave Russia highly classified Israel secrets. We know that former President Trump held secret meetings with Russian leaders. We know that former President Trump, in Helsinki, sided with Russia over U.S. intelligence reports.

We know that former President Trump abandoned the Kurds, giving intelligence and propaganda to Russia. We know that former President Trump pressed the G-7 leaders, at their meeting in Aug. 2019, to rescind sanctions imposed on Russia because of its annexation on Crimea. We know that former President Trump withheld needed military aid to Ukraine for Mr. Trump’s personal benefit, in violation of U.S. laws.

We know that former President Trump was repeatedly told in person and in written intelligence reports that U.S. intelligence believed that Russia paid Afghans to kill American soldiers, which he ignored.

Republicans like, Elise Stefanik, were enablers and acquiesced if not outright cheered and applauded this appeasement to Russia. Meanwhile, President Biden has rebuilt NATO alliances and imposed stiff sanctions to cripple Russia’s ability to wage war and make further incursions.

I would say the facts and evidence show that President Biden is a strong leader who will not give in to dictators.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

State Sen. Tim Kennedy’s OTB proposal may have some merit. The present makeup of the board should probably remain the same so that all counties involved carry the same weight regardless of population.

The changes that need to be made are the benefits the board members receive such as pay, insurance and tickets to events held in their suites.

Investigative Post checked into these benefits prior to Covid and nothing was resolved, (I was interviewed).  A few years ago I was the recipient of Sabres and Bills tickets in their suite along with Disney on Ice and other events.

Suddenly all these benefits were gone for Batavia Downs patrons and apparently given to board members and their families. This is an unfair practice and should be made available again to people who frequent the casinos.

And, why only Republicans appointed to the Board from Orleans County? That definitely is an unfair practice so, yes, changes do need to be made.

Jeanne Crane

Carlton

Editor:

The NY State Conservative Party gave its nominations on Friday. They nominated Michael Henry for Attorney General. Nominated Paul Rodriguez For State Comptroller. Nominated Allison Esposito for Lieutenant Governor. Nominated Lee Zeldin for Governor and nominated Joe Pinion for US Senate. Remember these names as the 2022 campaign is now in full force.

Conservatives, Republicans and sane Democrats need to understand that this is the last hope for NY State. One-party, progressive-Democrat insane rule has given us high taxes, rampant corruption, totalitarian rules, high crime, anti-police rhetoric, high energy costs, green stupidity, woke policies, a rotted culture and total incompetence in every Democrat-controlled office in the state. The current un-elected Governor fits all these categories and more. It’s do or die for NY State.

The Conservative Party is backing pro-law enforcement candidates that will take it to the dangerous criminal coddling Democrats and will bring NY back to the power house it was long ago before disastrous Democrats completely ruined this state.

Watch this video of the Conservative Party nominations and fast forward to the candidates laying out what they will do to return NY to its long lost glory. Get to know them. We have one shot and this is the time. Stand and fight. Democrats and their policies have to be stopped wherever they run.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Mr. Lauricella is the chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party

Editor:

After years of taking a hard look at workforce development in New York state and how that landscape has changed in light of the global Covid-19 pandemic, I am pleased to share that the task force I convened on this topic has now put out its report.

Our report is filled with comprehensive solutions to make our state economy more competitive, enable businesses to better partner with schools and institutions of higher learning and— most importantly—prepare students to pursue meaningful pathways for professional careers they will enjoy and give them the financial independence they need to pursue the American Dream in close to the communities they call home.

Here in Western New York, people work hard and I wanted to showcase our determination and innovative spirit to inspire the future of workforce development. After creating the Assembly Minority Conference’s Task Force on Learning for Work, I made sure we kicked it off right here at the Orleans County BOCES’ Niagara Career and Technical Education Center.

This event was held on Oct. 15, 2019 to shine a light on the wide array of technical skills students can acquire through the BOCES program. Part of our goal is to change the typecast that some may still have when it comes to BOCES. This is a state-of-the-art apprenticeship program that prepares young people for trained, professional skills careers. These jobs are in demand right now and rewarding.

Our task force brought together students, lawmakers, educators and employers to discuss what was working and what wasn’t. After this event, I toured the entire state—all the way down to Long Island—to hold similar forums with stakeholders in each region, see other training programs, and hear what people had to say.

The pandemic was something we could not have foreseen and, as you know, it changed everything in terms of education and how people do business. We reached back out to stakeholders and revisited our findings.

The results are compiled into a 28-page report (click here to see it). Some highlights from our plan include:

• Enhancing BOCES;
• Expanding P-TECH;
• Explore changes in higher education;
• Remove bureaucratic barriers;
• Allowing for college credits for students in apprenticeship programs; and
• Ensuring students of all socioeconomic backgrounds are eligible for youth apprenticeships by providing transportation, equipment and other materials.

The plan has been shared with Gov. Hochul and all legislative leaders. I hope they will take action to make these recommendations a reality.

I am immensely proud of this work, and the patience and perseverance of the participants. This plan is stronger and will make our workforce and economy much stronger as a result.

The pandemic has reminded everyone of the importance of family. Ultimately, that’s what our plan is about. Enabling today’s students for rewarding, financially-viable careers that will allow them to stay in the communities they love, close to family, and continue to call home for generations to come.

Assemblyman Mike Norris

Lockport

Editor:

The Republican entertainment industry and Republicans in Congress find themselves on opposite sides of the fence over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It will be interesting to see how long that will last and who will win?

Ukraine is a resource-rich country and like NATO a barrier to Russian expansion and domination. Make no mistake that this is serious stuff and it’s not a time to base serious decisions based on newsy versions of Saturday Night Live.

Putin and our fifth column press calls the US, our partners, and Ukraine Nazis and says Ukraine’s Russian speakers want to live in Russia. That makes as much sense as saying Mexicans want Mexico to take over the United States or that the majority of voters which voted for Clinton and then Biden are racist.

Fortunately, there is another news station which is hosted by a former Republican: 1) Party Chairman, 2) Former press secretary to Republican Sen. John McCain, 3) Tea Party Congressman, 4) Bush administration official, and also a former chief of staff of the Senate Finance Committee, by a former Bloomberg expert, and by Dr. R. Maddow,  an acknowledged defense expert.

It’s nice to hear from qualified quests like real historians, former US prosecutors, former CIA directors, and 3-, 4- and 5-star generals and admirals.

The Republic entertainment industry churns, bringing in viewers with drivel claiming school shootings being staged, vaccines causing us to grow horns, masks are a protected personal liberty no more effective than seat belts and now reporting a fictional version of real war.

We should be very glad real news people labor on. The Hub is news. Real news does not make as much money but unbiased reporting has been fundamental since Thomas Paine and his little pamphlet called “Common Sense” were the voice of the American Revolution.

Putin is a despot whose recent and unhinged comments demonstrate clearly he is our mortal enemy. Sadly political entertainment which supports Russia is an enemy of freedom to. At times like this find a new channel and watch the news.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

President Biden will only offer economic sanctions – President Trump would have been right on the hotline to Putin, telling him he was going to send in U.S. troops.

At which point, Putin would thank him for the offer, but tell Trump he had more than enough Russian soldiers to take care of things without our help!

Tom Taber

Albion

Editor:

The Orleans County Conservative Party has endorsed Chris Jacobs for Congress. Chris reached out to us for our endorsement and we feel he has done a good job representing us here in Orleans County.

He endorsed President Trump in the last election and voted against the sham impeachments. He has voted against all the reckless spending of the Biden administration. Is a strong supporter of the second amendment and voted against the Democrats’ gun control bills, H.R.8 and H.R.1446 .

He has been given an A rating by Gun Owners of America. He’s been a strong supporter against vaccine mandates and removing CRT from our government and our schools. He supports parents’ rights. He is a strong supporter of our law enforcement and is against Biden’s reckless open border policies and a strong supporter of the Hyde Amendment. He is apologetically pro-life and protects the rights of the unborn in the womb. There are many other key votes that he has been on the right side of for the working class in this country.

I believe Mr. Jacobs has earned our endorsement. Senator Rob Ortt has not once ever reached and sought our endorsement. We look very hard at voting records maybe that’s why. I will leave it at that.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley has reached out to us in the last two election cycles. We support him and we are glad for most of the things he does for us. Unfortunately we can not endorse. Our committee adopted in our Rules and Regulations some years back that we “Term Limit” all politicians to 12 years in any one position. Those 12 years in most cases is way more than the public can stand of any politician. There are some rare cases but not many.

The politicians talk of term limits but are not serious. We are.

Paul Lauricella

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman

Editor:

I feel that it is important to outline some of the goals I would like to accomplish if I am elected Mayor of Albion on March 15, 2022.

I intend to make all Village operations and finances as transparent as possible. Community members should be able to look at the Village budget and understand where their money is spent. The Village website should clearly and concisely explain how your tax dollars are allocated. If more specific information is needed, the tools to retrieve that information should be provided there as well.

The Village website will be a resource with not only fiscal information, but as a way to showcase all our Village has to offer. All aspects of Village operations will be easily accessible and easy to understand. This includes the budget, upcoming community events and being used as a resource for a new potential business.

I support the Police. Public safety is the most important responsibility of the government.. The result of the misguided efforts of those not supporting law enforcement is chaos. Effective and accountable law enforcement has been a hallmark of our Village and I will continue to support our Police Department. Defunding the Police is not an option.

If elected, I will not take a salary from the community. I believe if people work together and put the public good before anything else, we can make our Village a better place for ourselves and our children. Albion has all the ingredients needed to make a vibrant community. We need a long-term vision and perseverance, and that’s what I will bring to the table. My plans for the Village are proactive and positive.

I have visited the various departments in the Village of Albion, and have spoken with the Department Heads. These are hard-working individuals with a wealth of knowledge. Working in the private sector has exposed me to other ways of approaching a problem. I think that offering more effective options to the departments will improve the results. While it is important to be fiscally responsible, there are certainly areas where there needs to be investment.

My family and I have invested in Albion. It is an important commitment. I believe the Mayor and the Board need to lead and promote our community revitalization. I understand what it takes to build a business, and work is what it will take to make Albion a thriving community. That leadership has to be Village wide with both the business community and the residential neighborhoods being addressed.

I, like many others, care deeply about our community. I intend to spend the rest of my life here. That is the reason I am stepping up to serve the community and help the Village prosper. I have prepared myself for this responsibility by attending Board Meetings for months and getting the perspective of a variety of stakeholders in the community. I will continue to listen, this is our Village.

Please consider voting for me on March 15, 2022. I am on the ballot on the Republican and the Better Together/Albion Strong lines. I am here to serve everyone and would appreciate your support.

Thank you

Angel Javier Jr.

Albion