Editor:

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of the Orleans County Economic Development Agency, we wish our former director, Jim Whipple, best of luck as he enters a new phase of his life called “retirement”!

Our entire county is indebted to Jim for his hard work and innovative thinking in bringing economic development to the forefront of our county’s initiatives. Jim’s ability to solve complex issues with creative solutions has been the driving engine behind the success in attracting new business to our area as well supporting our existing county businesses.

In addition, his support for the hard work of the agency staff (Gabrielle Barone and Diane Blanchard) has contributed to their ability to successfully meet the goals of supporting all businesses in our county.

We often say that Jim has put Orleans County on the map when it comes to attracting economic opportunities for the region and, for that, we all are deeply appreciative of his efforts.

Best wishes Jim and thanks for all you have done for us!

Paul Hendel

Chairman of Board of Directors

Orleans County Economic Development Agency

Editor:

It is alarming to witness the electrical grid collapse that occurred recently in Texas due to extreme, but not unprecedented weather conditions. Bad energy policy and short sightedness and lack of leadership led to this.

Our most energy rich state could not supply reliable, uninterrupted power to its citizens when it was needed most. All forms of energy – natural gas, coal, wind and solar – fell victim to the cold. Residents were subjected to third-world conditions as they attempted to cope with this disaster. Many lives were lost.

Maintaining and improving reliable forms of energy were neglected and gave way to investing in hopelessly unreliable forms. Texas has the most installed industrial wind capacity in the country and this investment was clearly misguided. Warren Buffet has proposed a very practical solution, i.e. back up with natural gas fired power plants.

This is a wakeup call to climate activists and their extreme, emotional, politically motivated devotion to “renewables” and their war on all forms of fossil fuels. Our future is being gambled on the fickleness of the weather and continued heavy government subsidies. More of the same is not a solution.

According to Governor Cuomo, “New York leads the way” with heavy promotion of industrial solar and wind projects while at the same time sacrificing home rule and the reliability of our electrical grid. The 70 by 30 goal stipulated in the State Community Benefit Act is an unrealistic political goal. Where is the science that backs this objective?

Making matters worse, the current New York State budget negotiations include RPTL 575b that will strip local taxing authority for renewable energy projects and give it to Albany Bureaucrats. The assault on the citizens of New York State and their freedom continues unabated by big government in conjunction with big business.

The future holds more “Texas Tragedies” unless politics takes a back seat to science. As an example, carbon dioxide is an integral part of a scientific process that supports life and should not be viewed as harmful.

Green growing organisms ingest carbon dioxide, sequester the carbon and spew out oxygen to the atmosphere. An activity that destroys grasslands, wetlands and forests is counterproductive to “saving our planet.” Witness the tens of thousands of acres being impacted by Industrial solar and wind projects.

The Nature Conservancy has done much scientific research on this subject and this research should be heeded. Other approaches to cleaning up our planet such as conservation of resources, use of clean burning natural gas, sustainable forestry practices, and carbon capture, must be in our energy mix to insure its cleanliness and reliability.

Further, the Climate Change Movements’ collateral damage is immeasurable. In the process of “saving the planet” industries are being disrupted and destroyed involving tens of thousands of jobs.

The petroleum and automotive industries are excellent example of this carnage. Where is organized labor when we face such a frightful disruption in the labor market? E-cars anyone? Without government subsidies there is no market for them. Further where will the funds come from to repair our transportation infrastructure when all the expensive, subsidized e-cars pay no fuel tax?

Climate Activism is leading us to an economic and social catastrophe. The” Texas Tragedy” is an excellent example of where we are headed. Solar and wind power are not a solution. A policy that includes a mix of our most reliable forms of energy must prevail. Our grandchildren deserve no less.

James C Hoffman

Somerset

Editor:

Congressman Chris Jacobs, in letters to constituents, stated his opposition to H.R. 1 was partially due to it not helping restore faith in fair elections.

“Unfortunately, this legislation would not improve elections or help restore public trust in the election process,” Mr. Jacobs wrote. If Mr. Jacobs was interested in restoring trust in our elections he would admit his part in creating that mistrust. On Jan. 6th Mr. Jacobs objected to certifying Joe Biden’s election because he objected to a different state certifying their election. Playing to the mythology, (the big lie), that the election was fraudulent. Even former President Trump’s lawyer Sidney Powell, recently stated in court that: “No reasonable person would conclude that the statements [made about election fraud] were truly statements of fact.”

It is a politically motivated lie, by Mr. Jacobs, that another state’s election was fraudulent that creates mistrust. It is politically motivated lies over prolonged time that has created mistrust in elections and government.

It’s interesting to note that in other objections to H.R. 1 by Mr. Jacobs, such as causing delays in voting, limit voter verification, or violate First Amendment rights have all been declared either misleading or false by fact checking organizations like FactCheck, PolitiFact and Newsweek Fact Checkers.

The Buffalo News in its Jan. 7th editorial wrote: “So, in addition to being chicken-hearted, Jacobs is also a liar.”

It is painfully obvious that Mr. Jacobs is not being honest with his constituents and he is not representing his district. He is instead using politically motivated lies to destroy faith in government.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Leigh and I have been on a grief journey since June 1, 2019, the day our son Mark passed from a substance use overdose. There have been times when we were angry, sad, frustrated, and depressed – sometimes separately, sometimes all at once.

There are so many others who have shared this experience, and too many who are, and sadly will. This madness of the opioid epidemic has to stop!

Orleans Recovery – Hope Begins Here, Suite 190, 243 South Main Street in Albion, offers Missing Angels, a program to help those coping with grief from substance use passing. Orleans Recovery offers this program as an outreach to the citizens of Orleans County, Genesee County, Western Monroe County, and Eastern Niagara County in Western New York.

Leigh and I are happy to do this, to be A Voice For Mark, in this continuing struggle.

Missing Angels meets twice a month, once in an online meeting, and then in-person. We welcome any and all who have gone through this horrible experience of living with, and losing, a loved one who has suffered with, and died from a substance use disorder.

Please contact Orleans Recovery, 585-210-8750, or email orleansrecoveryhope@gmail.com for details on where and when we hold the meetings.

You are not alone in your grief.

Sincerely,

Chuck & Leigh Kinsey

Clarendon

Editor:

Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward is quoted in the Orleans Hub on March 30, 2021 saying, “marijuana can have lethal fentanyl mixed in” and “people will still buy it on the street.”

I’d like to ask the Police Chief what good came from alcohol prohibition, job security?

“The drug war has never done anything good. It cost a lot of money, it was an excuse to violate the civil liberties of a lot of Americans, and it challenges the notion that people get to make their private choices. Even when there’s risk involved, government is not meant to protect us from ourselves, government is meant to protect our liberties. When people have the right to make their own decisions, they should be responsible for all the actions they take. The drug war is a typical example of how the government is intending to make people better and once they do that they are getting into the business of removing personal liberty.” – Ron Paul

Prohibition doesn’t work.

Greg McCarthy

Medina

Editor:

It’s funny how things come in unrelated streaks. I just wrote you about the unclassified intelligence assessment detailing how Russia has been feeding ultra conservative commentators and politicians’ talking points and misinformation since 2014. I think it reflects on our society which feeds on sensationalism.

Now, Sidney Powell, one of Trump’s attorneys, is defending a defamation suit regarding her claims that the election results were not accurate. Her responding papers said “no reasonable person would believe her.” She is saying no harm, no foul. What I claimed was over the top and  no one was supposed to believe her or the President!

Similarly  Trucker Carlson’s attorney said: “The ‘general tenor’ of the show should then inform a viewer that [Carlson] is not ‘stating actual facts’ about the topics he discusses and is instead engaging in ‘exaggeration’ and ‘non-literal commentary.’” His lawyers are saying all should know he is lying and no one was supposed to believe him. After all he makes his money by being outrageous.

Powell has an additional problem because she told courts the same frivolous claims. Therefore she will be subject to fines.

Carlson has a different problem. Lou Dobbs was simply taken off the air when he was sued for the same lies. Therefore Carlson will go unless Fox figures it will make more by keeping him on the air serve up an outrageous side show. Paying millions for lawsuits involving his lies would be a cost in their entertainment business.

Getting in bed with Russia is bad – so bad they have to defend themselves by saying NO reasonably intelligent person should believe them. But, it’s fair to ask, “Was any Republican laughing?” I think not.

Of course Congress has exempted itself and Trump from such suits so they will just keep on gaslighting us. Shame. So much harm. It’s just what political entertainment shows want. And it’s exactly what our enemies want.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

Photo by Tom Rivers: The four-sided Fancher clock is a memorial to 10 soldiers from the Fancher area who died in World War II.

In May of 2020 I received a phone call from Dr. Frederick Fiorito of Mount Vernon NY. Dr. Fiorito grew up in Fancher on a farm at the intersection of Fancher & Telegraph roads. Over the years he would return to the homestead visiting family and friends. In doing so he took note of the deteriorating condition the Fancher Clock has endured in the more than 70 years since its dedication.

In conversations with Fred and his brother, life-long fireman Ted Fiorito, I received a personal history lesson in the significance and purpose of the “Fancher Clock”. The monument is a memorial for the 10 sons from the Hamlets of Fancher, Brockville and Hulberton who went off to WWII and didn’t return.

John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, Floyd Valentine, John Kettle Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Camille Nenni, Richard Merritt, Richard Vendetta. It is the amazing story of a community coming together to honor their memory and sacrifice.

The Fioritos vividly remember the Gold Star Mothers each dressed in black in the back seat of black vehicles with gold stars on the windows. That vivid experience remains to this day and the failing condition of the memorial troubles them.

It is my honor to announce that Dr. Fiorito has generously donated funding for its restoration to memorialize the men for future generations.

Without hesitation, I have enlisted Holley/Murray Historical President Danny Mawn and Murray Town Historian Marsha DeFilipps to research and develop our implementation plan. As expected, they have produced historical documents and photos to help us determine what necessary actions to take. Danny has already spent countless hours on site, with contractors and researching as only he can do.

I’m proud to say we are beginning the first phase of its restoration this Spring and hope to move to competition for a rededication ceremony on August 14, 2021 the day it was dedicated some 72 years ago.

This gift is an expression of the Fioritos love of their hometown and the importance of memorializing those sons we lost in that war. This gift is gratefully accepted with profound appreciation.

Their belief in community and willingness to give will make our Town of Murray a better place for all of us to live and will keep the memory of our soldiers alive.

With Fond Sincerity,

Joe Sidonio

Town of Murray Supervisor

Editor:

Mr. Harker said something in a recent LTE that I have found resonating through me like an electrical charge. I simply must respond.

The generalization that anyone who is homeless is so purely by choice speaks volumes as to the writer’s closed mindedness and lack of world exposure. I made choices in my life that led me to places that probably can’t even be imagined from the farmland of Clarendon NY.

People, myself included, struggle daily from closer to the “bottom” than most reading this will ever see. We reach for that “hand up” that was mentioned (without example might I add), only to see it turn into a fist to knock you right back down.

Some of you reading this and know me as whatever person I was in my past, won’t care about all the progress I’ve made.

When I made the decision to quit working because of Covid, I started putting all my energy into my eBay store. I feel my work ethic is top notch and my sales show it. We are not lazy down here at the bottom. I live in a poor section of Syracuse and I see people trying every single day. Many, myself again included, face daily struggles like unresponsive landlords who say nothing more than “We will see what happens when all this is over.” All on top of problems like circuit breakers in need of replacement and black mold.

So, if my taking the “handout” of a stimulus payment and UI payments is an offense to your political views, and before you spew your narrow-visioned opinions, I suggest you come to terms with the fact that there is a much, much bigger world than Clarendon and broaden your perspective. Just a bit.

Charlie Hunt

Syracuse, former Albion resident

Editor:

On March 25 the Georgia governor made it legal for Republicans to steal Georgia elections. This law states the Georgia legislature can remove and replace any local election official.

Our ex-president (thank heaven for the ex) Trump made two phone calls to Georgia officials asking them to steal votes for him. The most well known was the hour-long call to the Georgia secretary of state. What’s lesser known is the call he made to a local election head. Neither of these, being honorable Republicans, bowed to Trump.

If the law that was just passed had been in effect back then that Georgia local official would have been replaced by the Georgia legislature with a Trump toady. That toady would have found the votes Trump was asking for.

The right to vote is sacred and the forces that want to steal that right are forces for evil.

Dennis Seekins

Lyndonville

Editor:

A recent letter writer to the Hub made several assertions. I would like to respond to a couple of them. The writer stated: “She’ [a previous writer]’ then bashes those of us that believe in order to have a country, you must have a defined border.”

No one disputes that you have to have defined borders to have a country and no one is arguing for an open border; no one, period. That argument is a gross exaggeration of what is being stated and prevents people from listening to what is actually being said.

Everyone wants secure borders. The question is how to secure the border while allowing migrant farm workers the ability to move across the border. Without migrant farm workers we would not have food or milk on the grocery shelves. The New York Farm Bureau issued the following press release: “New York Farm Bureau is pleased to see President Biden’s immigration plan, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.” It seems to me that while Democrats are working to solve problems, Republicans like Congressman Chris Jacobs spew slogans and mis-information to confuse and obfuscate.

The second assertion the writer made that I want to address is: “I am NOT bashing public assistance recipients when I say that most people living ‘in poverty’ in the U.S. have flat screens, cars, and smartphones. They have a roof, warmth, and food unless they choose to live on the streets. Those are facts. Unfortunately today, people put more emphasis on feelings than facts.”

I couldn’t find any evidence to substantiate these claims. I did find evidence to refute them. Studies by economists Abhijit Banerjee et. al. (2015); by Levy, S. (2006); by Gentler, P. J.et. al. (2012); and many other studies refute his claims.

Locally the Orleans Hub reported (3/14/21) that the Community Kitchen in Albion was now serving about 380 meals a week up from 150 meals per week before the pandemic. Food insecurity is real and it is real in Orleans County.

It sounds to me that the writer is relying on anecdotal evidence and his feelings for his facts. When will Republicans, like Mr. Jacobs, start using actual facts not anecdotal evidence, their feelings and slogans to help solve problems?

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

My wife and I had our house built in 1973 in the Town of Barre. Because we have lived here such a long time, I believe we should have a right to vote on allowing wind turbines here in Barre.

As far as I know only Barre Town Board members have voted on behalf of Barre residents. In my opinion this is not  proper because ___ . You fill in the blanks yourself.

I know at this point in time, you may say you’re too late. I am saying let’s finally have a town vote. Then will we know  if the board members voted correctly in representing the voters in Barre. What is your opinion?

Robert G Barnard

Barre

Editor:

I can’t speak for any other towns or villages but only as a tax paying resident of the town of Yates. I do not think that rural broadband is the highest priority to be spending money on especially with all the options that are available and the cell phone technology and capabilities.

Our town raised taxes some say 11.5 to 15.5 percent depending on who you talk to. The tax hike I was told was in part of an $84,000 gap in our A account now for about 4 years that was caused by a book keeping error and other unclear forces.

I know for a fact that our cash-strapped town and over-taxed citizenry can not give up one dime at this time. I am and will always be 100 percent against the “Incompetent politician and union rescue act.”  A Democrat bailout of the failed blue states that was not voted on by one of the House and Senate Republicans, but if some of that money is coming to the town of Yates it better darn well stay in our town, for our people, for what citizens decide to spend it on.

The problems caused to the state economy and schools were caused by the failed Governor following politicized science and the partisan teachers unions. Not Covid. Most of our country’s states are now fully open that have been properly managed, also the need for fresh blood in our county’s political system is self evident There are many offices with no challenges in Orleans County for this election cycle with career politicians sitting in them. There is still time for common sense citizens to get an independent petition and carry it yourself.

Don’t be part of the problem be part of the solution. Do your civic duty. If elected set your term limits then go back to your life. As the founders intended. April 13th is the first day to start circulating that petition. Don’t let another election cycle pass with the same tax-and-spend politicians cake walking right back in to put it to you again for 2 more years. What’s that sound you hear? People moving out of the state. Stay and fight.

Paul Lauricella

Yates

Editor:

I am compelled to write in response to Nicole Zelazny’s letter.

Ms. Zelazny regards our military as “predators” of America’s youth. Apparently she believes that we do not need a military – there are no threats to the US. We play nice – everybody plays nice, right? 9/11, Pearl Harbor, Iraq’s invasion of the oil fields and other such historical facts have been “cancelled” to better fit her naive concept of national security.

Iran is not building nuclear weapons. N. Korea does not have nukes designed to kill us. There are no folks out there that would sever an American’s head without a second thought just to create terror.

She also fails to note that we have an all-volunteer military. Is she saying that 18-year-olds can decide who to vote for, choose a college, get married and have a family, but are not smart enough to make the decision to join the military, get an education, and quite possibly a career? By 2024, 16-year-olds will most likely be voting as a result of partisan HR1. I’m thinking that proponents of this never had a 16-year-old living with them.

She then bashes those of us that believe in order to have a country, you must have a defined border. The over 7 percent covid positive people illegally (by definition) crossing our southern “border” do not have to quarantine like an American citizen returning to their own country. There is no contact tracing. No shots. No restrictions. They are allowed to just join the general public. Smart.

Four known anti-American terrorists have been stopped from entering the US in the last few months. We should have let them join the others that were NOT caught? The deepening crisis at our southern “border” is going to be a problem as long as we don’t enforce our laws. I am a strong supporter of LEGAL immigration that includes background checks. Why is it so wrong for us to know who is coming in, where they are going, and how they will support themselves?

Ms. Zelany goes on to bash the US banking industry and gives no better alternative. Have the past abject failures of other forms of government/monetary systems been canceled as well? We enjoy the most generous, giving, and open economy in the history of our planet. She seems to disdain personal wealth. Without wealth there is no charity. Without wealth there are no social programs. Again, those types of governments and monetary systems are available, just not here – yet.

I am NOT bashing public assistance recipients when I say that most people living “in poverty” in the US have flat screens, cars, and smartphones. They have a roof, warmth, and food unless they choose to live on the streets. Those are facts. Unfortunately today, people  put more emphasis on feelings than facts.

I’ve seen firsthand the difference in being personally responsible for one’s lot in life as opposed to folks that have been taken care of by “the nanny state.” It’s very unfortunate that we do have generational welfare. What motivates people to earn a living and be self dependent when all they’ve known is oppressive “welfare”?

Of course there are people in need. Am I wrong for offering a hand up instead of a hand out? She favors people who have never worked receiving the stimulus, though they have suffered no loss, and in the next breath faults me for claiming charitable contributions on my taxes. I give my time or money to causes I believe in. I resent being forced to give to causes I oppose through forced charity – AKA taxes and wasteful government programs.

She singles out Walmart and faults them for lobbyist activity – just like every industry does. Our own county uses lobbyists! She either does not realize or ignores the fact that Amazon wields its power through not only having over 2000 paid lobbyists, they use their web services to squash political discourse by denying an internet platform to those they don’t “like”. (Parler and other examples).

I might add that bloated government bureaucracy, a hallmark of the left, created the need for lobbyists in the first place. Walmart makes money. Is that wrong? I’m not sure where public assistance recipients go to find food that is not being sold for a profit other than charitable food cupboards (supported by working people). Walmart does not exert its political clout to silence conservative thought and discourse. They also employ more people than any other – except the bloated and wasteful US government. Ironic.

Ms. Zelazny apparently missed all the news about prison and criminal justice reform. Prison and jail populations are dropping rapidly just as she would like – in a fairly direct proportion to the increase in crimes of all nature.

Yes, I am old and “old fashioned.” Ms. Zelazny, you enjoy many benefits of living in this country today in large part because of the conservative beliefs and work ethic of us old folk. Enjoy them while you can, and you’re welcome.

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

I read the March 24th news story about Orleans County wanting to spend $4.2 million of stimulus funds to extend broadband throughout the county. The proposal seems to be using a fixed wireless system to serve 3,600+ homes.

I appreciate the difficulty that people without good internet service must be experiencing, however I would hope that the county would share a few more details before proceeding. What is the expected speed, monthly cost, data usage limits, and name of the company that customers will be dealing with?

Though the Spectrum expansion has been much delayed, the “New York State Broadband Expansion Address Lookup” website, www.bldlkup.com, indicates local expansion within 12 months – at least for the few Orleans County addresses that I entered. On December 6, 2016 a Hub article indicated that this expansion would cover all but 77 Orleans County households.

Additionally, SpaceX Starlink is ramping up service and is primarily targeting rural areas like ours. Their website is saying that our area is targeted for coverage in mid to late 2021 for $99/month plus equipment costs. People who have been beta testing it have reported speeds already faster than what I get from Spectrum.

It would be comforting to know that any local wireless system that we invest in will be able to successfully compete for customers in the coming years.

Lastly, please do not forget us village residents when the county identifies areas to spend stimulus funds on – we pay county taxes too.

Jason Dragon

Albion

Editor:

The controversies surrounding Governor Cuomo should give us all pause as we contemplate the impacts of one-person rule over the great people of New York State.

Since Mr. Cuomo’s initial election to the governorship in 2010, he has focused the power of government and the administrative state on a full frontal attack on local home rule. The right of home rule is enshrined as the jewel of Article 9 of the New York State Constitution and, while bestowed by the State, has remained sacrosanct since its promulgation… until Governor Cuomo’s administration.

In 2011, Governor Cuomo began his assault on home rule with the enactment of NYS Article 10 of the Public Service Law. This administrative law defined a new, streamlined wind and solar renewable energy project siting process, it preempted local permitting and approval procedures, but it left local land use restrictions intact, subject to a case-by-case consideration whether restrictions were unreasonably burdensome.

Last year, when faced with continued stiff opposition to Article 10 from rural NY towns statewide, Governor Cuomo went a step farther. The Governor included a last-minute amendment to his budget proposal called Executive Law Section 94-c, which replaces Article 10 and tries to make all local land use restrictions unreasonably burdensome. Still, rural municipalities across NY fought back against this potentially unconstitutional attack on home rule.

This year, unhappy with hundreds of feisty rural towns who insist on local control of land use and property tax assessments, Governor Cuomo is again attacking our right to decide for ourselves how best to contribute to a more sustainable future.

He is proposing, in yet another likely unconstitutional action, elimination of local control of taxation of industrial wind, solar and battery storage projects and a takeover of payments-in-lieu-of-taxes by Albany. This new attack is in the form of adding Section 575-b to the Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) as a budget maneuver.

The State’s carbon reduction goals must be met by working with rural municipalities, by giving them options for actions that respect community character and environment – not by creating renewable developer fiefdoms in small towns.

I call on the NY State Senate and Assembly to immediately rescind Executive Law 94-c, and to immediately remove the proposal in the 2022 New York State Budget Bill that adds RPTL 575-b.

IT’S OUR TOWN, Governor Cuomo, not your kingdom.

Jim Simon

Supervisor, Town of Yates