Editor:

Despite profound public resistance reaching all of the way to Governor Hochul, the massive STREAM Data Center Project in the Town of Alabama continues to inch forward.

While on the state level, both the senate and legislature have introduced a bill that would enact a three-year moratorium on data center permitting (Senate Bill S-9144, Assembly Bill A-10141), state reps continue to take a “not my circus, not my monkeys” approach when asked by so many of their constituents for help. Some take even less of a stance in that they take no stance at all – refusing to publicly promote or condemn the project.

The latest example of this is State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R), representing Assembly District 139 which includes all of Orleans and Genesee counties, and portions of Monroe and Erie counties. Just last week Mr. Hawley mailed out postcards warning of impending energy crises, rising utility bills, an unstable utility grid, and his great plan to save us all. And yet, no mention of the STREAM Data Center project.

What could be more dangerous to an already unstable grid than adding a massive Data Center that requires 500 megawatts to operate? What could cause already rising utility costs to increase even further? (cough, a 500 megawatt data center).

One way or another, we deserve to know where he stands. If he really means all that he claims on this latest postcard it would only make sense that he would also be against this project.

We’re waiting.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Thompson

Batavia

Editor:

“We’re proud of the positive impact our projects have on our communities.”

This statement comes from the website of STREAM US Data Centers, which is trying to build a massive data center complex at STAMP in the Town of Alabama. But on a recent weekend, local residents experienced the opposite from STREAM – even though the project has not been approved and STREAM does not yet own any land at STAMP.

At 9 a.m. on April 18, the peace and quiet of our local area was abruptly disrupted by the start of intensely loud industrial noise. The noise lasted all day and began again the next day.

Here are some testimonials from residents:

• “It was so incredibly loud. I drove over there because the pounding was driving me crazy and was so loud.”
• “[It was] a booming noise. It was awful.”
• “I had to listen to that anxiety-producing pounding all weekend long… My nerves were shot.”
• “We have listened to that for 2 solid days… constant banging & pounding noise.”
• “We had windows open & ended up closing them because of the dust. The dust moved over us like a cloud. We saw it coming.”
• “There was so much noise from this you could hear it over on Casey Road at the Iroquois Headquarters.”

In fact, residents reported hearing the noise up to 7 miles away from the source. And what was the source? STREAM starting to demolish the Plug Power hydrogen spheres.

Residents received no prior notification that this was going to happen – from STREAM, from Plug, from the Town, or from GCEDC. We do not know if it is legal, if the Town permitted it, what safety measures are being taken. We do not know if the dust is toxic or how long the noise will go on.

We want the hydrogen spheres removed. They are an eyesore and a constant reminder of STAMP’s failures and broken promises. But we want this done in the right way. We want it done safely and with prior notification to residents, including the chance to ask questions.

We see what STREAM is trying to do. They have cut a deal with Plug to take down the spheres so they can make it look like this project is a done deal.

Well, it’s not. And their actions are only making us more committed to stopping them.

STREAM: You have already violated our trust and caused us harm. Before your project has even been approved, you have had only a negative impact on our community. Go away. You are not welcome here.

Local residents: call and email the Town of Alabama to express your concerns about the demolition. Then stay tuned for the rescheduled Town of Alabama Planning Board Site Plan Application Hearing. See STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center on Facebook for more info.

Signed,

Ariel Cieszki, Alabama

Cheryl Cordes, Alabama

Mark Cordes, Alabama

Lee Ann Mullen, Alabama

Sharon Larmon, Alabama

Gaye Drock, Alabama

Amanda Johnson, Alabama

Jim Joyner, Alabama

Amy Joyner, Alabama

Hillery Dennies, Alabama

Victoria Guite, Alabama

Judith Schilling, Alabama

Editor:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s attempt to blame the poor economic conditions for farmers on Canadian policies shows Ms. Tenney’s incompetence.

This administration came into office and scrapped the trade agreement they had negotiated between Mexico and Canada, and arbitrarily and capriciously established tariffs, transforming a stable partnership into a contentious one.

Businesses cannot operate in an environment where one side discards the rules of trade on a whim. Canada, like any business, looks to do business with stable partners. As a Congresswoman, Ms. Tenney has the responsibility to oversee the use of tariffs and represent her constituents’ economic interests, including those of farmers in her district.

It is because of her actions as a Congresswoman that farmers in her district are suffering economically.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

I have not written waiting as the inevitable revealed itself.

Today I was in Canada. I felt embarrassed – dirty. The best thing I can say is that they’re pivoting  to ensure that economically, socially and geopolitically they don’t get sucked down the same sewer.

They voted for talent. We voted for a gangster and a braggart.

The coming question is what to do about those leaders who intentionally participated in this frightful absurdity for their own benefit or were so feckless they could not spot a forked tongue sales pitch.

Clearly one choice is to follow the road to autocracy and impoverishment of the majority.

The other lies with the free world which promotes modern capitalism so all can share based on their will to excel and skill.

The inevitable is to either keep sinking or put petty, old divisive ideas behind us and join the modern world.

That time is now. Throw the bums out. Start the rebuild. New and better.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Barre

Editor:

This is in response to Mr. Schmidt’s letter about the county legislators at the SCOPE meeting. Thank you legislators for coming to the meeting.

The meeting was going fine until a man in attendance spoke up and came off as rude, arrogant, condescending and the smartest man in the room. A cheerleader for the Legislature.

He went on to lecture and make all kinds of suggestions of what we should do, even donate money to the legislators. People were asking after the meeting who was that jerk. What were the legislators expecting? Adulation? Softball questions? Love letters?

They are in a room full of people that are rabid constitutionalists applying first amendment rights. Who believe that document is the law of the land. That do not trust government and apparently them. That have paid attention to what they are doing and not doing.

They want pushback from our local leaders against Albany. They are disgusted by the land that was purchased. They are appalled by the surveillance, taxes and a government that is more concerned with not laying people off than funding the DA’s office to prosecute criminals, and one question that was not asked was why is the CAO not an elected position?

One legislator blew off the very valid comments of one member as “we all know Terry” like what he says is some kind of joke. Then the question of dividing NY was pushed off on Steve Hawley. Dividing NY has to come from all the counties all getting together and refuse to enforce, pay, or obey the dictates of Albany. Never going to happen.

Our government does not have the rebellious fortitude anywhere of the founding fathers, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. So, what is expected of frustrated constituents? This is why people don’t vote.

Term limits would help but why would the wolves vote to relinquish their power? You can watch the meeting in full on YouTube then you can decide if the room was negative or hostile. Click here to see the video.

Paul Lauricella

Lyndonville

Editor:

I am writing regarding the most recent SCOPE meeting. The opportunity for the community to come together, share concerns and seek solutions can only have positive results.

It was appreciated that our county-elected Legislators Lynne Johnson, Ed Morgan and Don Allport attended to give input and rationale to many issues presented.

However, while disagreement is often natural and necessary, practical solutions resulting in a change of mind, and or, a change of a course of action, come about when dialogue is respectful and not hostile.

While a few in the audience appeared hostile and negative, it was encouraging that most were respectful and offered constructive suggestions for many issues raised.

Hopefully future meetings will continue to emphasize transparency, civility and open discourse.

Public engagement in various issues presented are best received where people know that their input is valued and appreciated.

Thank you to all who organized and participated in last week’s SCOPE meeting.

Bruce R. Schmidt

Gaines

Editor:

To the many volunteers who took the time to brave the cold and knock on doors, thank you for your efforts in gathering petition signatures for me to get on the ballot. That was a lot of precious time and energy.

I needed 500 signatures to earn my name on the ballot this November. Together we collected over 1,000! Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer their phones to talk with me about what issues matter to you. Thank you to those who believe in me and have, in some capacity, already contributed to my campaign.

For those of you who have doubts, I would like to share some information. The only qualifications to run for state assembly are being a US citizen, 18 years old, a resident of the state for 5 years, and a resident of the district for 12 months preceding election.

My qualifications: Born in USA, 43 years old, NY resident my entire life, district resident my entire life minus a few years in my 20s in neighboring counties. If they are willing to potentially let 18 years hold the same office, I think I am more than capable of learning the job.

From the start of my activism I have always been clear that I’m not hiding. There’s resources that tell people where I am and when I’ll be there. I encourage you to come talk to me in person. You might be surprised how much we have in common.

The very first article ever written about me was last year for the April 5th Hands off protest. In the article there was a picture of me holding a sign that said “hands off our bodies.” There were definitely hundreds of other topics I could have picked instead but it was no accident choosing this one.

I knew it would be controversial and get people talking. I was immediately met with an onslaught of nasty comments and character critics from total strangers. Still I persisted. I showed up on the day of the protest and made a point to talk to as many of the 300 participants that I could.

I went on to organize a handful more protests and every time I was met with the same response. Seeing other people trying to do something, anything, in a time that is discouraging and isolating gave them hope.

As I kept meeting more and more new people, something else became a common topic, that a majority of people feel misrepresented or underrepresented by their elected officials. When I would ask them who specifically I got the same response, all of them. From the community members on the town boards to the congressional representatives, and everyone in between. People are looking for change. Too many of our races for office are uncontested. Meaning candidates were/are running unopposed, which is an automatic win.

People should have a choice. Given the state of our country we are a heavily divided nation between two parties. If anyone had a chance at getting traction as an opponent I had to run as a democrat. I have always been a no party voter and even now with a D after my name on the ballot I still vote for the better candidate. I didn’t want to primary Mr. Hawley, I wanted to run against him. If I was going to win I wanted it to be earned not handed to me because I beat him in a primary. Political races should be contested. Every race, every seat, every time.

Running for office for me isn’t difficult. Burying your best friend you had had since kindergarten at age 33. That’s difficult. Knowing they died from a completely treatable condition, because they had no health insurance and were too proud to apply for Medicaid, even though they were the exact person that system was designed for. That’s difficult.

Navigating a cancer diagnosis alone, weeks after burying that friend. That’s difficult. Having cancer removal surgery a few months later and having to ask co-workers for a ride to and from the hospital, because your family couldn’t be bothered to return one day early from being snowbirds. That’s difficult. Having to support yourself, with no one else helping to pay the bills, no one to help with dishes, the laundry, the cooking. That’s difficult.

Navigating a broken healthcare system, with chronic undiagnosed medical issues and being told there’s nothing wrong with you, even though you’re living it so you know that’s not true. That’s difficult. Having to drop out of college, 12 credits from earning your bachelor’s degree, because you ran out of money and all the resources to keep going. Thus meaning having to pivot and figure something else out for your life, giving up on your hopes and dreams. That’s difficult.

Being told your whole life you aren’t good enough by the same people who are supposed to love you unconditionally. That’s difficult. Being a statistic of sexual assault by a family member and having no one believe you. That’s difficult.

So no, running for office, that’s not difficult. Dealing with internet trolls and hate speech from people who have never met me or don’t know my story. That’s not difficult. Other people’s opinions of me are none of my business.

All winter long I’ve been proving my point of not hiding by wearing my bright red coat. I’m sure you’ve seen me, I’m hard to miss, 6 feet tall bright red coat. I’m not hiding. Come talk to me. I’m sure you’ll find we have a lot more in common than you think. If I win this election I will be a representative of everyone. I want to hear from everyone, regardless of political affiliations. I want to be an advocate for the betterment of everyone. I don’t care if you have an R or D after your name. I don’t care if we don’t agree on every issue. We should work together to make a better place for everyone.

Why should people have to stay in their circumstances just because they were born into them? No one asks to be born, and no one really gets to decide where they are born. We all bleed red, we all have hearts, and lungs, and livers, and kidneys. We are all the same inside.

So why are we so divided by what’s on the outside? Hate is a learned behavior. Choose kindness, compassion and love. At the end of the day we all are going to die at some time. So why spend life making it harder for someone else? Choose kindness, compassion and love. I have worked a lot of jobs and have seen a lot of ugliness. Choose kindness, compassion and love.

I’m your Doordash driver. I know the struggles of living paycheck to paycheck, I live it every day. I also work a blue collar factory job. I  know what it means to get your hands dirty or work 60+ hour weeks to keep a roof over your head and food in your belly. I’ve sat near you in local restaurants, movie theaters, and bars.

Running for office was never about me. It’s about advocating for my friends and neighbors at a table that has the potential to make a difference. I’m not afraid, I’m not hiding, so come find me. Let’s chat.

Sarah Wolcott

Batavia

Candidate for New York State Assembly District 139

Editor:

Every community has its rays of light – people and organizations that unselfishly serve its citizens for good.

The Care Net Pregnancy Center in Albion is one such group. It has been a stalwart fixture in Orleans County for thirty-five years, providing comfort and counseling to women and families through fertility care, pregnancy confirmation, testing for sexually transmitted infections, ultrasounds, parenting classes, and pregnancy education and support.

Its mission statement is clear: “The Gospel message is freely presented, human life valued, marriage and family celebrated, and every child, made in the image of God, welcomed with unconditional love.”

In our culture, life and death issues, from abortion to euthanasia, even definitions of family and gender, stir up strong feelings and societal division. Amidst these conflicting worldviews, Care Net, without hesitation, says all human life matters, from conception to death. No exceptions.

Gratefully, Care Net stands for something concrete and lasting: for ultimately our community’s well-being is not found in a politician or philanthropist or new idea, but in something perfect—God Himself. Only He can lead us to an enduring “culture of life” that values, protects, and serves us all.

With that, and our community, Care Net proudly stands.

Tim Archer

Albion

Editor:

Over the last few months, our community has united in shared opposition to the proposed STAMP data center complex from STREAM US Data Centers and Apollo Global Management.

At this point, the concerns of GLOW Region residents are well-known: air and water pollution, noise, harm to our wildlife and birds, increased electricity rates and decreased property values, a loss of the rural and peaceful way of life that we so value here, and the threat of bad corporate actors – deeply tied to the Epstein files – that do not care about us.

The propaganda and spin from STAMP developer GCEDC and STREAM are well-known too. They dismiss our fears and try to sweet talk us with promises of jobs and tax revenues. When we point out all the ways that this data center complex would clearly not be a good deal for Genesee County, they say we don’t understand what we’re talking about.

Now a third-party expert has weighed in, and what do they say? The Applied Economics Center, a non-profit consulting group that offers expert services in the areas of energy, environment, and consumer protection, reviewed the financial incentives applications from STREAM and produced a report that addresses the claimed costs and benefits for the local community. The data center would not be a good deal for Genesee County or the GLOW Region. Here are some of their key findings:

• STREAM does not provide any supporting materials for its cost-benefit analysis (CBA), which fails to meet standards expected in a public decision-making process and is insufficient to determine whether the proposed project would provide net benefits for the local community.

• STREAM failed to address potential costs associated with the project, including: effects on property values, effects on tourism and recreation, utility bill impacts, public health impacts, the cost of public infrastructure required for the project, or the local disturbances associated with project development such as placing cables and fiber optic lines.

• STREAM’s job creation estimates exceed values found in publicly available data and information, average publicly available estimates indicate that the proposed project would create about 4,100 fewer direct temporary jobs than the company claims, and 1,300 fewer indirect temporary jobs than the company claims.

• STREAM has requested a local sales tax abatement and mortgage recording tax abatement, which – taken together – are worth 25 times more than the benefits provided by the proposed PILOT/Host payments. In other words: STREAM has requested tax abatements worth 25 times more than the promised benefits.

• STREAM’s proposed data center may negatively impact local tourism and recreation, which are an integral part of the community and economy.

Mic drop. Thank you, AEC, for validating what we already knew.

Genesee County has said “No” and will continue to say “No” to this terrible deal. We’re still in a critical decision-making phase. Join me to voice your opinion: I’ll be at the Supplemental Public Hearing on April 16 at 4 p.m. and the Site Plan Hearing on April 20 at 6pm, both at the Alabama Fire Hall. (The April 20 hearing has been postponed.)

I’ve already submitted written comments to GCEDC and I will submit more before the April 17 midnight deadline. For more info, see STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center on Facebook and follow Allies of TSN on Facebook and Instagram.

Alyssa Beuler

Oakfield

Editor:

 Did you ever go to work and get harassed? Did you ever go to work  and get harassed even before you made it to the employee entrance, and right under a security camera.

Did you ever go to work and get harassed, right in front of management? Did you ever go to work and get harassed, by management right in front of a human resource representative? If you have had any of these experiences, did anything really become of it?

Perhaps you got over it and played the role of the bigger person. Maybe filed a complaint with management, HR, or the union? Documentation is important. Another possibility is that you just talked some about it to other like-minded team members?

 But, if sadly you have ever had any of this happen to you, let me ask you this: Was any of that, according to your boss, a valid excuse to get out of work, or even not report to work? My guess is probably not. And while many of us often have opinions about our bosses, maybe Mr. Hawley shouldn’t forget who his real boss is, and go to work.

James Pasnik

Medina