Editor:

As a parent of 3 children in the Albion School District, I find it disheartening the way these children are being forced to learn. The struggle for the parents and students has increased the anxiety and depression levels, not only for the students but the parents that are trying to “teach” our children.

As mentioned, I have 3 children, each one is in a different school (2nd, 7th & 10th grade), and I find my 7th grader having many of the struggles between the three of them. Last year my child was on the high honor roll, and this year he is barely passing.

Now, I do understand that the older these children get, the harder the material gets. However, this is not the case. Most of the material the first 2-3 weeks was review from the amount of school they missed last year. Again, coming from 6th grade on the high honor roll, there’s no excuse for him to be struggling. I’ve found that his struggles come from the lack of structure. These children (all children) need structure and unfortunately, New York State has deeply failed them.

Now let’s talk about my 2nd grader. He’s a typical 7-year-old boy. His attention span can become non-existent in the drop of a hat. The best way to describe his parents teaching him is “like nailing Jell-O to the wall.”

Putting him or any other elementary student in front of a Chromebook on Schoology (which is an absolute horrid platform when it works) for hours on end is ridiculous. What do you think these children are obtaining from staring at a screen? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I find myself feeling like a failure as a “teacher” and a parent. Why? Because or routine is frequently interrupted due to the high volume of students on Schoology at the same time. When we had Google Classroom while in quarantine, we very rarely had any issues. Though, I am grateful that the school has provided the built in MiFi, that also is a nightmare to work most days.

The bottom line is, our children need structure. They need school 5 days a week. They need regular teachers teaching them full time. They need their old routine back. I do understand that parents are nervous about the spread of Covid-19 and their children contracting it, but cold and flu season is also upon us.

Do we, or have we, deprived our children from a solid learning environment during cold and flu season? No. We have not. Five to 20 percent of New Yorkers will contract the cold or flu virus as 2.42% of New Yorkers to date have contracted Covid-19.

New York needs to open the schools back up. These children need to learn full time from educators in person, and not their parents/grown-ups that struggle just as much as they do. We as parents are not equipped to “teach”. That is why we pay school taxes, for educators to teach our child.

As a full-time working mom, and having to “teach” my children, I find it nothing less than a struggle. New York needs to get it together and give these children a chance to learn adequately.

Marene Donnelly

Albion

Editor:

Bullard Park on Route 31 in Albion has been closed since the beginning of the Covid pandemic crisis.

That means the amphitheater that many people worked very hard to raise the monies needed to build it cannot be used, nor could the water park, something that would have been a welcome relief for families in the warm summer months but was the entire season just sitting there with no one to enjoy it.

At the same time all the other parks opened up but sadly Bullard did not. If it is the water park that is causing concern and delaying of the opening of the park then put a fence around it.

Bullard is a very large park. It is beautiful place for being outdoors, which right now is very important when we are trying to social distance and trying to get some exercise and fresh air.  Not everyone has a space to get out and enjoy nature.

Lori Laine

Kent

Editor:

Remote learning is not effective and is detrimental to our youth. The children have been putting in more hours and learning far less.

The frustration level is at an all-time high and there are many tears flowing because of it. According to the NYS COVID-19 reopening plan, schools can open as long as they “ensure that social distancing (of at least 6 ft. or a physical barrier) is maintained between individuals while in school facilities and on school grounds, including in the cafeteria, unless safety or the core

activity (e.g. moving equipment, using an elevator, traveling in common areas) requires a shorter distance or individuals are of the same household.

“If social distancing is not possible, individuals must wear acceptable face coverings; excluding students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering.”

I want the schools to open 5 days a week and follow the state guidelines. It’s time that the Albion Central School District started to put our children’s education at the forefront.

Click here for the link to the change.org petition to have Albion Central School open for in school instruction five days per week.

Ryan Woolston

Carlton

Editor:

Once again the local left places blame on national Republicans and ignores any responsibility on NYS Democrats.

On October 8, Mr. Joseph Gehl wrote to try to compare the President of the United States to Hitler. I don’t know where he came up with such trash. The party of “diversity and inclusion” is anything but.

I recently asked a writer 3 times the following question and never got a reply – just personal attacks and insults. Let me try again with Mr. Gehl. Mr. Gehl, why is it that Governor Andrew Cuomo is above reproach?

Why is it that NY’s deaths are double that of other states – even California? Of course it couldn’t be because “King Andy” forced nursing homes to accept Covid patients resulting in thousands of lives lost.

Who in NY has been “given full law-making and financial powers and anyone who was suspected of opposing him was shot or jailed by the Gestapo”? As a “Bible-thumping, gun-toting conservative,” Mr. Cuomo has said I do not belong in his state. What is next? What is his intention after he tries to take our weapons?

No reasonable person could argue that Cuomo does not have this state under his thumb. He completely controls the most dysfunctional state government in our nation’s history. (Yep, we beat out California on that one too).

We suffer from the highest tax burdens, We have the greatest over regulation. Cuomo’s power means that he controls what businesses can open, and which ones must remain closed. He controls where we can go and where we cannot for fear of quarantine – a list of states that seem to change daily. The list of what he now controls in our personal and professional lives is lengthy and continues to grow to the point that our freedom is very questionable.

And no, I will not be taking his personally approved vaccination. He implies that because Trump is President that any vaccine coming from the federal government is not to be trusted, and I should trust him instead.

The 6,661 nursing home patients who died had no choice but to trust him. And to be clear –  that order was 100% state government’s (spelled A.N.D.Y.’S). A state directive sent thousands of Covid-19 patients into nursing homes, but the Cuomo administration has given other reasons for the virus’s spread.

You know, those leftist “leaders” that never make mistakes. The NY Times recently published an article based on a report by the NYSDOH stating the inordinate amount of deaths in NY nursing was not government decisions (of course). It instead blames 37,500 nursing home workers.

Even the leftist NY Times adds that NY’s numbers are actually much higher because it does not include nursing home patients that contracted the virus, were transferred to hospitals and subsequently died there.

Mr. Gehl, if there were a realistic comparison to be made of current government officials to the Hitler gestapo, these nursing homes would be Cuomo’s gas chambers, would they not?

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Editor:

Nate McMurray will change directions towards a more civil society. A study by Georgia State University Professor Jennifer Lynn McCoy found that polarization of politics is stimulated by the rhetoric of political leaders. She wrote: “Since launching his campaign, President Donald Trump has vilified so-called external enemies such as ‘criminal and rapist’ Mexican immigrants, terrorist Muslims and foreign allies out to drain America’s coffers through ‘unfair trade deficits.’ Now, the president is targeting internal enemies.”

We need to stop vilifying and demonizing people of different ethnic or religious backgrounds. This has the effect of dividing and isolating people, instead of solving problems.

To overcome this polarization of politics the study states: “With a spirit of inquiry, generosity and openness, rather than blame and vilification, the U.S. can move past the bitter divisions that threaten the democratic foundations of the country.”

Chris Jacobs is emulating Mr. Trump’s rhetoric of blaming peaceful protestors on ANTIFA, and demonizing Asians and migrants.

Nate McMurray has visited everywhere in the 27th district, listened to everyone’s concerns and will bring people together.

We all want clean water, nutritious food, good schools and safe neighborhoods and good jobs. Working together, Nate McMurray, will change direction from vilifying people to solving problems for N.Y. 27th district. Let’s elect a leader, Nate McMurray.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Chris Collins did the crime, it’s time, do the time. Our ex-congressman was convicted of fraud, insider trading and lying to law enforcement.

Collins needs to go to jail, no matter who he is, no matter how much money he has, even with “connections” in high places, a Trump loyalist.

Lawyers’ excuses to further delay or eliminate his 26-week prison sentence for Collins include his age – 70, ill health – asthma and hypertension, as well as health risks.

Equal equals equal. Shall we release all 70-year old prisoners with asthma and hypertension due to health risk? The pandemic is a fact of life we all must deal with.

I have not committed any crimes, am in the same age group with the same illnesses; I quarantine at home due to the pandemic. Collins is a criminal deserving greater punishment than I. Collins is old news; the public is tired of his face, hearing his woes. Time to do the time, like anyone else.

Fast forward to the present. Who will fill that N-27 seat? We deserve better than the series of wealthy ex-congressmen named Chris who have embarrassed us, cheated or confused easily.

Chris Jacobs claims he was confused when he failed to support the USPS. Jacobs must be confused again, when he lies in his ad, claiming he fights to protect pre-existing conditions and jobs for us. Jacobs is a Trump loyalist; Trump fights to eliminate The Affordable Care Act during a pandemic.

We are desperate for leadership with integrity, someone who refuses corporate money, whose “connections” are us, supporters, met while visiting towns in N-27. That is Nate McMurray.

Carol Nochajski

Wilson

Editor:

Over the past several weeks I have been lucky enough to walk beside (often behind) Diane Shampine as she boldly knocks upon the doors of complete strangers.

Quiet and reserved by nature, Diane has managed to muster the inner strength to enter an arena of which she had previously disavowed, and even truly dreaded – the world of politics. I stand in awe at the strength required to do so.

If you have a fear of public speaking, multiply that by a factor of ten, and then you have half an appreciation for what this actually requires.

I have witnessed first-hand how this overtly polite lady (afraid to knock too loudly, step on someone’s grass where no sidewalk was present, or interrupt a Buffalo Bill’s game on Sunday) became a confident, assertive individual on the campaign trail for the position of Orleans County Clerk.

Each encounter resolved clearly in her favor yet accompanied by a small cloud of confusion as to how a citizen may clearly cast a vote intended as approval for her effort to meet, greet and present.

Her shirt is red, her sign has stars, she’s a life-long Republican, and it would seem logical that if one were to vote straight down the Republican line, she will receive your vote. No! Not correct. Diane has supported the Republican Party her entire life, but even though she was clearly the most qualified, I dare say the only qualified candidate for the position, she didn’t receive their support. The people we meet fully intend to vote for Diane, but many also intend to vote the Republican line from top to bottom. Unfortunately, that is going to end with unintended consequences, and the wrong person may inadvertently win this race.

However, from the very beginning of this campaign Diane understood the value of the Conservative Party endorsement. At the very heart of every true Republican, and deep down within every thinking person is a conservative leaning voter. Someone who honestly believes the hand of government upon the throats of the citizen must be restrained, and the coffers accrued via collected taxes should be spent as a parent balancing a limited household budget.

I witnessed Diane reviewing a multi-page questionnaire from the Conservative Party Committee as if she were taking a midterm exam, beginning at 7 a.m. and finally concluding sometime after 11:30 p.m. on a Sunday night because she was determined to submit her honest and heartfelt answers on time. Upon doing so, she not only received the Conservative Party endorsement, but also received high praise as having provided “some of the most impressive answers they had ever seen.” Because of that cherished endorsement, she is now allowed to continue on in the general election as the Conservative Party candidate.

It would seem Diane Shampine is not simply running against another candidate, but rather she finds herself in contention with a very powerful letter. The letter “R” for Republican.

A letter can be a powerful thing, one cannot debate with a letter, only a candidate. When one candidate refuses to present their competency in a public forum, the other is catapulted into a position where they must somehow convey that an “R” is not always an “R”, and quite often a “C” is truly the best option.

James Schwenzer

Ontario, New York and part-time Holley resident

Editor:

An article in the World Book Encyclopedia which was contributed to by William A. Jenks, a professor of history at Washington and Lee University, reads “Adolph Hitler was one of the most evil men in world history. He spread death as no man had ever done before and ordered anyone who opposed him to be executed or thrown into prison.”

Jenks goes on to say that Hitler hated Christianity which he said was a religion for weaklings. Many believed he was their friend and protector. He had a sick mind – but it was the mind of a genius who had a clear vision of what he wanted and had the daring to pursue it and the talent to succeed.

He had no respect for experts in any field and repeatedly ignored the advice of his generals and followed his own judgment. People who knew him described him as odd, moody and easily angered. He thought that no form of government could last if it treated persons of different nationalities equally.

Hitler was a skillful schemer, politician and organizer. He became leader of the Nazi Party and built up membership quickly – partly by his ability to stir street crowds with his speeches. He attacked the government and declared that only the Nazi party could assure jobs and greatness for Germany.

He believed that democracy could only lead to Communism and a dictatorship was the only way to save the country from Communists. He had laws enacted which wiped out individual rights in Germany and allowed the Nazis to jail anyone without a trial, outlawed freedom of the press, all labor unions and all political parties except the Nazis.

He was given full law-making and financial powers and anyone who was suspected of opposing him was shot or jailed by the Gestapo.

Do any of those character traits remind you of anyone you might know who “leads” a country?   Think long and hard before you cast your ballot.

Joseph A. Gehl

Kent

Editor:

Thank you Tom Rivers for the Orleans Hub article. Yes, it has been quite a ride but I didn’t do it alone.

During my tenure I was fortunate to have Sandra Walter as a dedicated treasurer who reported to the State in a timely manner, Agnes Recco who recorded all the minutes and motions. We were a team and I will miss our interactions but we will remain forever friends.

The vice chairs – Jeff Lewis and Darlene Rich, Pat Cammaratta and Jim Renfrew – are deserving of thanks as well and all the committee members who chaired or helped with our many projects and fund raisers.

Jan Grabowski and Eileen Aina at the Board of Elections will make sure we follow the State Guidelines.

I will miss the challenges of being the chair but Jeff and his team will lead us on.

Yes, the challenges are great in Orleans County but the Democrats are not going away.

Thank you,

Jeanne Crane

Waterport

Former Orleans County Democratic Party chairwoman

Editor:

As someone who taught U.S. History and Government and International Relations for thirty-four years and knows the Constitution and American History better than most, it is my considered opinion that the fate of this wonderful nation and our republican form of government are highly dependent on the outcome of our November presidential election.

My son was superintendent at Atlantic City Country Club when our president was having his Taj Mahal built by multi-millionaire Club members. That son personally knows Club members who were told after completing millions of dollars’ worth of work that they should get a lawyer if they wished to be paid.

American troops who fought the Kaiser’s men at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood in WW I and are buried in France were called “suckers” and “losers” by the guy who got out of serving in Vietnam by citing a bone spur. In fact, our president called people who died in Vietnam “stupid” for not avoiding the draft.

George Fischer, one of my best friends growing up, stepped on a land mine in Vietnam and came back to Holley “closed casket”.  I have always thought of George as a patriot who died for his country.

If you value the republic so many have fought to defend, please think long and hard about this election and why Vladimir Putin, a man who kills with impunity, wants so badly for our president to be re-elected.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Editor:

For a strong economy and job growth, vote for Nate McMurray. Under Mr. Trump’s leadership, which Chris Jacobs supports, the economy in Western New York has been sluggish at best. David Robinson of the Buffalo News reported (3/13/20): “The January slump (in the jobs market), combined with major revisions to last year’s numbers that showed the local jobs market fell into decline last July, (2019), paints a picture of a sluggish employment market during a time when the national economy was still going strong.”

The State Department of Labor reported that the Buffalo area lost about 3,000 jobs from January 2019 to January 2020. This was before the Covid-19 pandemic that further weakened our economy. Non-partisan analysis of Mr. Trump’s economic plans vs Mr. Biden’s, overwhelming favor Mr. Biden’s proposals. Moody’s Analytics reported (9/23/20), that: “We conclude that Biden’s economic proposals would result in a stronger U.S. economy than Trump’s.”

James Pethokoukis, economist at Goldman Sachs, also expressed more favorable views of Mr. Biden’s economic proposals over those of Mr. Trump’s.

Western New York’s economy was bad and getting worse under Mr. Trump and Mr. Jacobs. Expert nonpartisan analysis by Moody’s and Goldman Sachs shows that our economy will improve faster and longer under Mr. Biden with Nate McMurray’s help.

Western New York needs a leader with a strong voice for economic development. We need Nate McMurray in Congress

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Sadly, I must report that the “it is a hoax and therefore never happened” pandemic has had a severe symptomatic impact on the United States Senate; specifically, it has affected a group of eight Republican Senators.

It appears that Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Joni Ernst, Cory Gardner, Ted Cruz, John Cornyn, Chuck Grassley and Marco Rubio have come down with a very serious case of Trump Mandated Dissociative Amnesia (TMDA). This form of Psychogenic Amnesia occurs when a person blocks out certain previous information or events and is therefore unable to remember important personal events and\or actions from their past.

Case in Point – In 2016 these eight Senators, led by Mitch McConnell, refused to consider President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court following the death of Antonin Scalia. As directed by then Chairman Chuck Grassley, the Senate Judiciary Committee never considered the Garland nomination and simply allowed it to expire following a delay of 293 days.

In defense of the Senate’s failure to act, Mitch McConnell stated that any appointment by a sitting President this close to a pending Presidential election is “null and void.” Thus, the Garland nomination died a dishonorable death leaving the Scalia seat vacant until Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation April 7, 2017.

Now these same Fascist Eight Trumpster Minions (FETM) have had an epiphany and claim that indeed they do have the constitutional obligation to act with all deliberate speed to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Contrary to how they intentionally neglected their responsibility in 2016, they are now committed to abide by this pseudo-constitutional timeline requirement even though four years ago they had declared it to be “null and void”. Of a greater concern, it seems that our nation has become impervious to lies and falsehoods which has very sadly become the new normal. Worse even is the realization that this model of behavior is emanating from our nation’s leaders.

We are left to ask how could there be such a drastic historic change in the United States such that what was once declared “null and void” in 2016 by McConnell is now the law of “his” land? How is it that in this case such hypocritical actions by the leaders of the Senate could be tolerated and emboldened when the United States Senate was once the most highly regarded political institution in the world?

Why is it that in the eyes of the world we are no longer seen as the standard bearer of the democratic principles which had been envisioned by our Founding Fathers and fostered by American leadership for centuries?

Since when have we preferred an Autocratic Kakistocracy to Lincoln’s moral and political commitment to a unified nation? I know exactly when; it was when we chose Fascism over a government of the people, by the people, and for the people on November 8, 2016.

RBG ut vos RIP.

Doug Miller,

Albion

Editor:

I voted for Donald Trump in 2016. At the time I truly felt that he posed the best hope of breaking through the government gridlock we have endured for far too long.

Since then I’ve had my share of “what on earth was I thinking” moments but nothing made it more appallingly clear than this week’s anything-but-presidential debate.

Donald Trump (self-promoting liar, prolific serial adulterer, thief, cheater, draft-dodger, race-baiter, proud self-admitted sexual molester, negligent murderer and now tax fraud) is nothing more than a broken man’s idea of a successful man, an unlettered man’s idea of an intelligent man, a coward’s idea of a strong man, the evangelicals idea of a righteous man, republicans idea of a moral man, and most dangerously – a fool’s idea of a leader. These are “conservative values”? No thanks, I won’t be duped this time around.

For those with a modest sensibility and a propensity for honor, truth and basic human decency … Donald Trump has shown the entire world he’s just a rude, vulgar, ill-mannered, crass, immature, classless schoolyard bully.

Joe Biden called “a terrible man” in the same sentence as Trump? Not even close. Tuesday, November 3rd is trash day for the entire United States of America. Send this heaping refuse pile to the White House curb and put “PRESIDENT” back in POTUS.

I’m not judging, I’m just passing along the verdict.

Tom Graham, AHS ’78

Rochester

Editor:

President Donald Trump has recently appointed a successor to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who has recently passed away.

Our duly elected President has the constitutional authority along with the Senate to appoint qualified justices to the Supreme Court and further has the obligation to accomplish this task as rapidly as possible. This happens to be the third appointment to the Supreme Court by President Trump, and it is not “stacking,” as some have suggested, but responsible discharge of presidential duty.

Despite the fact that President Trump did not carry a majority of the popular vote in the 2016 election, his authority is in no way diminished. The Electoral College elected our President and it did so with a substantial majority of 304 vs 227. Those who criticize the election process and push for election by popular vote want to deprive the minority of any voice in the process. Without the Electoral College candidates would merely need to engage the large population centers of our country and neglect the remaining regions. Imagine if the politicians of our largest cities had control of our government. “Summer of Love,” “Peaceful” Riots, Defund the Police etc., etc., etc. would rule the day.

The Senate should not delay in appointing a justice to the court and it should not be left to the next elected president. We need a fully staffed and functional Supreme Court, i.e. no 4 to 4 hang-ups. This is particularly critical under the current situation, where the huge, unprecedented volume of mail-in ballots and the controversy on counting them in the swing states exists.

A final judgement on the outcome of the 2020 election may therefore reside with the Supreme Court. Some claim this is “not fair.” I submit fairness is in the eyes of the beholder. I am confident that if the situation were reversed the opposition would be taking an identical approach and consider it fair.

Our President has nominated Amy Coney Barrett to fill the current vacancy on our nation’s High Court. Judge Barrett is highly qualified to serve and is on President Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees.

Candidate Biden has refused to supply such a list expecting us to fly blind on the subject through the election and hope for the best. The Senate confirmation process should be straight forward as Judge Barrett’s qualifications have been previously vetted when she was appointed to the 7th district Court where she currently resides.

The High Court needs her expertise as one who follows the law as written and does not legislate from the bench. Legislation is the responsibility of Congress and the president. Hopefully, the hearings will not degenerate to character assassination as the opposition did in the Judge Kavanaugh hearings and those of some time ago involving Judges Clarence Thomas and Robert Bork.

A speedy confirmation of Judge Barrett to the United States Supreme Court will allow a return to the more pressing issues of this current presidential campaign such as defeating the Covid-19 pandemic and returning our economy to its previous excellent shape.

James C. Hoffman

Barker

Editor:

A recent Orleans Hub article highlighted the community’s frustration to get COVID-19 testing. Many of our health centers including Albion, Brockport, and Hornell provide testing for people with and without symptoms. At the Corfu, Batavia, and Alexander locations we are testing people with symptoms only.

COVID-19 swab tests are available at our health centers outdoors to ensure safety for patients and staff. However, if you have symptoms, please call in advance for arrival instructions. Test results are typically back in 3-5 days but in some cases can take up to seven business days.

Regarding payment, we start by billing the insurance companies (co-pays may apply), and should it not be covered, we also offer a sliding fee scale discount based on family size and annual income. For questions or more information, please call (585) 637-3905 ext. 221.

And we have another alternative, free LetsGetChecked COVID-19 Self Collection Kits that patients can take home with them but are in limited supply. The kits can be used when appropriate based on current testing guidelines. The test kit comes with a UPS next day air return shipping label to send your sample back to the lab. They aim to deliver your results within 24-72 hours of your sample being received in their laboratory.

We invite everyone to explore the COVID-19 testing options available at Oak Orchard Health. For more information, please call (585) 637-3905.

Mary Obear, MD, PhD,

Chief Clinical Officer

Oak Orchard Health

Corfu