Editor:

Being a former NYS resident, it’s been great to be informed by the Hub of local and state news. As I write, NYS has 35 states under its “quarantine” list issued by Governor Cuomo.

My state, Florida, is on his list. He says he has done a great job with his discipline that he has conducted of his control with the virus prevention. Death toll in NYS from the virus is 32,708. With a population of 1,000,000-plus more people in Florida, coronavirus deaths here are 13,961. With 900 people moving here per day to make Florida their permanent residences, Governor DeSantis gave up the “quarantine” but has kept virus death toll down.

It has propped up the TV and radio stations with receiving Michael Bloomberg’s $100 million to enhance the Biden campaign here in Florida. Another shot in the arm was Tom Golisano’s (left NY to be Fl resident) contribution of three Golisano Children’s Hospitals here in Southwest Florida.

As Gov. Cuomo says, we’re “New York Tough.” Maybe spend more time in preventing New Yorkers from leaving than “quarantine” those entering.

Charles Woodworth

Englewood, Florida

Editor:

I am a U.S. Army veteran having served my country in Germany. I have seen the ravages of war. I go to the VA for my health care. The VA has become a great place for veterans to get care. Veterans receive of the types of help from the government.

Many of these benefits have come about by the efforts of veterans’ organizations through the years. Now these organizations are facing a decline of membership. They need the veterans to become members. The membership of American Legion posts of Orleans County is falling to a point that some may not be able to survive. Sad, but true.

They need new members to become energized as their membership is getting older and becoming unable to keep their programs helping veterans and civilians.

“Veterans helping veterans.” Become a member and fight to keep your benefits and continue to help others.

Carl Boyle

Medina

Editor:

Congressman Chris Jacobs once again shows his totally grotesque subservience to President Trump. In a vote on the House Resolution, (H.R. 908), that condemns all forms of anti-Asian racism, Mr. Jacobs voted no.

The bill reads: “The resolution recommits U.S. leadership to (1) prioritize language access and inclusivity in communication practices and (2) combat misinformation and discrimination that puts Asian-Americans at risk.”

This is what our Congressman voted against. Our congressman favors treating Asian-Americans as second class citizens. I am reminded of a poem by Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller: “First they came for…”.

But in this case you could substitute migrant farm workers for the first one attacked by Mr. Jacobs and now Asian-Americans. Chris Jacobs’ blatant racism needs to be called out and he needs to be voted out of the House of Representatives. I strongly urge voting for Nate McMurray this November. Thank you.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

A writer in the Letters to the Editor shocked me when I saw he wrote that he claimed to have checked to see if FOX had verified that Trump had called our veterans “suckers” and been unable to find it! Part of my shock is that I know that if President Trump does not say it, this writer believes it’s fake news.

Well every search I did confirmed Fox’s News Division’s verification! But since a picture is worth a thousand words, readers can click here to see it.

Joe Apatow recently said – more pointedly than I – that every Trump supporter thinks cruelly about someone or something. It’s a surprisingly wise observation when you think of all the disinformation and attacks that characterize his rallies.

But in this case write about one of them – to say “Our Vets deserve better.”  Lies should never betray the truth and democracy for all they fought for.

Note though this letter of appreciation of our Vets could be like writing to the choir if Trump’s statements today about setting the vote aside play out. Their sacrifice means nothing if Red State Legislatures set aside the vote and reappoint members of the electoral college to elect Trump. ( See 1st: Bush v. Gore, Scalia opinion and 2nd Gelman “The Atlantic” The Election that could break America on Trump strategy. )

Vets sacrifice for democracy could be for naught in the future if the house burns down but they gave me a good life. Thank you.

Conrad Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

I was invited to debate my opponent for the position of Orleans County Clerk. The letter received from my opponent offered the opportunity to debate my experience and values.

Although our campaigning has been greatly hindered by Covid-19, I do not believe that my experience and values are something that can be debated. I have shared my education and experience with the voters through multiple ads and social media postings to allow them the opportunity to get to know me better.

Even though I am unable to shake hands and share hugs during parades, fundraisers, and other public events, I have faith that through my community service and active participation within Orleans County that the residents understand how much I value our community.

The Orleans County Clerk’s office is governed by state and local directives as well as statutes and regulations. My goal, if elected County Clerk, is to create an office that offers quality customer service, updated technology to enhance customer service, and easier access to information.

I have strived to maintain a civil campaign and still intend to do so with great integrity. With both of us being current County employees, I believe that it is our duty to those residing within the County to maintain a professional and respectful work relationship to ensure that tasks do not become hindered due to tension over a political campaign.

Given the circumstances that have arose this year, I still believe that the residents of Orleans County are capable of respectfully choosing a candidate to fill the seat of Orleans County Clerk come November.

Nadine P. Hanlon

Kendall

Republican-endorsed candidate for Orleans County Clerk

Editor:

Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance (COVA) has been providing community based Emergency Medical Services to the towns of Albion, Barre, Carlton, Gaines and the Village of Albion for over 40 years.

As our name states – Central Orleans – we have provided the central portion of Orleans County with the highest standard of pre-hospital care. COVA currently staffs Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers as well as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).

As of today, we have two active volunteers and 24 paid employees. Today the average family requires a two-income household, therefore it is difficult for an individual to commit to the required time and training to volunteer. Currently there is a national shortage of all levels of EMS providers.

Not only are we experiencing a shortage of providers but also we continue to have a steady decline of revenue from insurance contract adjustments as well as default payments. Operational expenses have also continued to drastically increase for ambulance agencies. These factors have directly impacted our agencies ability to operate. We need the support of this community in order for us to continue to provide ambulance services to Central Orleans County.

In the past year over 1,600 community-based ambulances in New York State alone have closed.

We need your help. Please call your local town or village office to express your support – Town of Albion, 585-589-7048; Village of Albion, 585-589-9176; Town of Barre, 585-589-5100; Town of Carlton, 585-682-4358; and Town of Gaines, 585-589-4592.

COVA Community Relations Committee

Brandi Fisher, COVA Finance Manager

Laurie Schwab, COVA COO

Anna Tower, COVA CFO

Jennifer Stilwell, Member of COVA Board of Directors

Editor:

I write first to thank and commend Mr. Bill Fine for his service to our country while in Vietnam. Second to clarify my stance.

I, and most conservatives, are well used to the left’s very personal attacks when we ask simple questions that they will not – or can not – answer. I have asked liberals in general, and Mr. Fine in particular, how Governor Cuomo and the Democrats that control our state government are not accountable for New York’s long known problems, yet a US Representative in office for two months and a first term U.S President are.

I honestly do not understand that the party that has long dominated New York’s dysfunctional government continues to get a pass on their constituents’ sufferings. It’s all Republicans’ fault all the time. That is not just unfair. It is ludicrous, ridiculous, and extremely far from the truth.

I have asked Mr. Fine this question directly and more than once. “Why is Cuomo not accountable for the ills of ‘his’ state?” Simple question. Yet unanswered.

Mr. Fine wrote on 9/8 that Trump “shows contempt for U.S. Military.” He quotes an article in The Atlantic and “verified” by the NYT, Washington Post, and he included Fox News. This allegation has long been proven false and laughable. I never did find verification on Fox News.

He then blames Trump for an American’s death during an operation in Yemen. If Trump is responsible for that person’s death, how many are Obama/Biden responsible for during their 8 years in office? Thousands? None? Are the standards different for Republicans? One has to wonder if any Democrat has ever made any mistake if that is the case.

Then on 9/17 Mr. Fine wrote that newly elected Chris Jacobs was more concerned with “photo ops” than results in the Glow region’s problems of unemployment and food lines. Again, no mention of the Democrats that actually control this state and are the ones that are ultimately responsible. (Or the Trump induced record-low unemployment rates we enjoyed pre-covid).

Naming a rookie US Representative in office for two months and the President of the United States as the villains in our small community is incomprehensible to me. I again asked Mr. Fine why he chooses to blame these two and not the Democrats. His only response was the personal attack on me published earlier, and to change his previous unrealistic blaming of Jacobs to an overall  bashing of Jacobs’ backing of our president.

Mr. Fine, I guess I too am at fault for Covid, food shortages, unemployment, the bad weather Cuomo blames for the state’s population loss, as well as any and all bad things in life. I say this because I too support our duly elected president in no uncertain terms.

I say that knowing that he is human and makes mistakes – unlike Cuomo who apparently does not make mistakes and is therefore never accountable for NY’s numerous failings.

I will close in again thanking Mr. Fine for his service. I have a unique perspective on that. You see Mr. Fine, as I was “puffing out my chest and waving a flag” as you state, at home sat my DD-214 that reflects service in Vietnam as well. Attack Squadron VA-122 W/C 220 attached to CVN 65, The USS Enterprise.

Yes, I’ve heard screams of agony and fear – albeit on the flight deck and not in the jungle. No, Mr. Fine I have not held dying friends – not there. All I did was escort two of my pilots home to their families and felt their loved ones’ indescribable grief while trying to comfort them. I served voluntarily and simply did as my commanders instructed.   If that makes me less of a patriot than you in your eyes, so be it.

I will not be responding further. Your personal attacks in lieu of answering direct questions goes with the left’s playbook and is not just unproductive – it used to annoy me – now I just find them boring.

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

The power of the vote is the single most important tool in the kit provided by our founding fathers to preserve this fine democracy in which we live.

The voice of each citizen cast boldly in an effort to inject momentum in a direction that may ensure their own benefit and well-being, to voice their concerns, and remind those among us who have assumed (or wish to assume) control of the many positions of power that effect all of our lives, that the primary goal is to serve the people of the township, county, state, or country as a whole for those who believed them worthy of their position of authority.

In effort to provide what is truly required to make an informed decision on November 3rd, Diane L. Shampine crafted an invitation for public debate to Nadine Hanlon, a candidate for the elected  position of County Clerk. This was verified to have been received on August 28th.

Although the invitation was delivered, we have received no response to date, and as a consequence many voters may be asked to make an important decision while lacking fundamental information. One of the candidates in a two-person race appears to believe this a trivial ritualistic formality, and in doing so has deprived the voters of Orleans County the opportunity to study the strengths and  weaknesses of each candidate presented. One can base their candidacy upon the power of social connections and “glad-handing” or they can stand up and prove themselves knowledgeable and worthy.

One of the people vying for this position has served the public in the County Clerk’s Office for 18 years in varying positions ranging from Index Clerk, to Deputy County Clerk, and now Acting County Clerk (successfully during the most difficult time in modern history).

And one of these candidates isn’t quite certain what the duties of County Clerk actually are, or even what will be required to maintain functionality at the Clerk’s office. This isn’t intended as a hurtful dig but rather a simple statement of fact, which unfortunately must now be made given the lack of opportunity to illustrate facts through debate.

I urge you to show up on November 3rd and exercise your will for the benefit of not only yourself, but for the good of all of Orleans County. Vote for experience, vote for knowledge, vote to ensure the continuity of essential government services utilized by all county residents, provided by the offices of County Clerk – The Office of County Clerk, Pistol Permits, and Department of Motor Vehicles .

Sincerely,

Randy Klossner

Clarendon

Campaign Manager for Diane Shampine

Editor:

I echo Carol Tibbits’ recognition of the fantastic job of our Home Town Heroes banners. It is with so much pride that my Dad’s banner was displayed in the Orleans Hub.

We are so proud of the generation that made Albion great, and am thankful that this Village has recognized our Veterans’ service and dedication to our community.

A heartfelt thanks to all that made this project a reality. This banner recognizes so much pride in our father, family, and the years he dedicated his life to service in this Village and community.

Steve Kast

Churchville

Editor:

Five years ago I signed up for what I thought was a Basic CPR class. I figured a few weeks and I would be certified and could ride on the ambulance and “help out”.  In actuality I had signed up for an EMT certification class which would span 5 months of intense study and signed a contract stating that I would owe $800 to COVA if I failed the class as they were sponsoring me.

This should give you an idea about how clueless I was about the EMS world and how removed my life had always been from what goes on behind the scenes of your local ambulance company, fire department and police department.

Fast forward 5 years. I did not fail the class and as of today I am one of only two active volunteers at COVA and learn something new every time I work. I still consider myself semi-clueless when compared to the people who have devoted their lives to EMS.

Working alongside paramedics and other EMTs with years and countless hours in the field, I have a different comfort level than I do in my normal life. I am grateful for their knowledge, professionalism and willingness to teach as well as their love of the community they live and serve in. I also now have a profound appreciation and gratitude for this community-based ambulance service that I once took for granted would always be here to serve us.

COVA is a non-profit organization and we are not government funded, which means we rely exclusively on donations, patient billing and insurance reimbursements. I always assumed that it was our right to have an ambulance in our town, just like it was our right to have police and fire protection. This is not true. If the funding isn’t there, it is a real possibility that we could lose our community based service.

This means that our families would be served by an ambulance that is not in our town. Instead of COVA’s average 911 response time of under three minutes, and average on-scene time of less than 10 minutes we could be waiting for an out-of-town rig to travel 30-40 minutes. This is the difference between life and death. I cannot imagine the helplessness of making a 911 call for a loved one and having to wait that long for arrival.

Did you know COVA serves the Village of Albion, and Towns of Albion, Barre, Carlton and Gaines including the Villages Rehab Center and both correctional facilities.

With our expenses, it is estimated that it costs COVA about $400 every time the crew and rig go on a call. Our monitors cost almost $36,000, our stretchers are about $17,000 and with other essential lifesaving items on the rig, we are carrying an estimated $125,000 worth of equipment and supplies to serve our patients.

COVA must also budget for almost $700,000 in payroll for our paramedics (average wage is $18/hr, EMTs (average wage is $13/hr) and staff. Our EMS crew and staff is currently some of the lowest paid in the state and some of our office staff have chosen to go volunteer instead of taking from the much needed income. We also pay over $70,000 for insurance, $10,000 for utilities as well as numerous other expenses.

Our average call for an ALS(Advanced Life Support) patient charges $1,000 plus mileage and a BLS (Basic Life Support) patient charges $700 plus mileage. Medicare will only pay about 30% of that charge and Medicaid will only pay 19%. Regular health insurance only allows a certain percentage of that as well. Going back to the $400 cost to get the rig to the call….you can see that it is not easy to stay afloat.

We need your help.  We are planning to meet with the boards at the Village of Albion, and the Towns we serve and ask for financial help by entering into a service contract that would alleviate some of our expenses.

We have been given a formula that is used by other nearby ambulance companies who receive financial backing from their communities. We are hopeful that our community leaders will agree that COVA Ambulance is as important as our fire department and police department wich already receive financial backing.

Please join us in our efforts to keep your families serviced by our local COVA Ambulance. Write, email or phone your town and village board members voicing your support.

Donations may also be sent to COVA Ambulance, 239 South Main St., Albion NY 14411.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Stilwell

Albion

Editor:

Mr. Harker questioned my patriotism stating: “If only all Americans could feel the patriotism exhibited that day. Including you.”

I want to respond. I am a combat Vietnam veteran, I put my life on the line for my country. Has Mr. Harker ever heard the screaming of dying buddies on the battlefield, because I have? Has Mr. Harker ever held his dying lieutenant while the medic tries to save his life, because I have?

I’ll gladly compare my DD-214 with Mr. Harker’s any day of the week. Patriotism is much more than puffing out your chest and waving a flag parading down Main Street. It entails serving your country.

In terms of traditional American values. President Trump has lied about the coronavirus putting millions of American at risk. Lying is not a traditional American value. Congressman Chris Jacobs supports those lies. I support traditional American values like telling the truth. I urge voting against Chris Jacobs and President Trump. Thank you.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

My long overdue thanks to Albion Village Mayor Eileen Banker, staff, the Albion DPW and to anyone else who was involved in the glorious display of banners for our veterans.

I purchased a banner in the first group to be displayed, and when I travel past my father’s it not only gives me a jolt of pride for him but for the other veterans proudly on display.

These people gave so much and asked so little. Congratulations, Albion, we have done something positive!!

Carol Tibbits

Albion

Editor:

To Barre and surrounding community residents, as an elected Barre Town Board member, I believe that it is vital that you know about the proposed wind ordinance that is being proposed by our Town Board. Below are listed some, but not all, of the changes and lack of changes that impact residents’ health, safety and enjoyment of property:

• Setback distance remains as 1.5 times the tip height from any residential or commercial structure. The town law does not protect resident safety from increased noise, increased length of blades, increased turbine height and increased speed of rotation in new turbines.   Because this setback is not from the property line – like most setback requirements – it does not protect the property rights of neighboring properties.

• If a resident wants to subdivide their property or build another residential or commercial building on their property, they may not be allowed to due to the setback requirement set upon them because of this ordinance.

• This is one of the least restrictive setbacks in NY State. Many towns are establishing setbacks at a minimum of a half mile and many are adding restrictions of one mile or more from schools, churches and parks.

• The noise regulations do not meet the suggested standards of the New York State Department of Health in its letter to the Siting Board on March 2020. The noise standards do not use the most current World Health Organization standards released in 2018. The proposed town law will not protect the public from industrial turbine noise.

• There is no property value guarantee.

I proposed the following, which the rest of the Town Board chose not to include in the proposed wind ordinance changes:

• WECS Real Property Value Protection Plan: The WECS applicant shall assure the Town that there will be no loss in real property value within 2 miles of each wind turbine within their WEC units. To legally support this claim, the applicant shall consent in writing to a Real Property Value Protection Agreement as a condition of approval for the WEC unit. This agreement shall provide assurance to non-participating real property owners (i.e. those with no turbines on their property) near the WEC unit, that they have some protection from WEC-related real property values losses.

• Property value is high on the list of concerns of the residents in the Town survey, and has been brought up to the Town Board on several occasions.

• Local professionals in the real-estate business have expressed grave concerns about property value and previous residents have shared that they have moved out of the area due to the current proposed project.

• Property value has been deemed by the Siting Board to be outside the scope of Article 10, and so it is up to the Town Board to establish law to protect the property value.

• Increased maximum height 40% from 500 feet to 700 feet!

• Currently the tallest wind turbine on land in the US stands by itself and is 655 feet at the UL Advanced Wind Turbine Test Facility at West Texas A&M University.

• High Sheldon wind turbines in Wyoming County, NY are 389 feet tall.

If any or all of these issues are concerning to you, or if you have other concerns, please attend the public hearing on Sept. 30th at 6:30 p.m. in the Barre Highway Garage and express your concerns. Or write letters, emails, or make phone calls to your elected officials and share your concerns.

Kerri Richardson

Barre

Editor:

Again, the left finds Andrew Cuomo devoid of any responsibility for the ills of this state.

Bill Fine takes newly elected US Representative Chris Jacobs to task for food lines and infrastructure. Long food lines in our county have been the norm since Covid, and existed long before that. No mention of Cuomo. Chris Jacobs took his current office in July 2020 – two months ago. Prior to that he was a member of the Democrat-dominated and controlled (and dysfunctional) State Senate since late 2016.

Cuomo has been governor since 2011 – nine years and in state or federal government since 1993! This includes his “Cover Up Andy” years as NY Attorney General. Yet again, it’s the rookie representative’s and first term Trump’s fault that NY has been a quagmire of over taxation, over regulation, population loss, crime, and financial distress for decades.

Mr. Fine, I hope you looked out your window last Saturday as so many supporters of law enforcement and conservative-leaning patriots rode or drove by. I know you heard us!

That show of support for traditional American values caused great pride in those involved and all those supporters on the country roads and village streets. If only all Americans could feel the patriotism exhibited that day. Including you.

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

I just wanted to drop a line congratulating everyone involved with the ongoing renovation of the Bent’s Opera House in Medina.

The outside looks beautiful with the new paint job and the repairs done to the building. I am sure that the interior will be a thing of beauty and a source of pride to the community.

It is great to see the historical buildings undergoing renovations rather than be neglected, or worse yet, torn down.

Can’t wait to visit it after it is completed!

James Comden

Oak Brook, Illinois (former Orleans County resident)