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)

Editor:

I would like to respond to a letter submitted on September 15th, 2020. First I would like to say; YES I went to college and received an undergraduate degree, YES I am currently in a MBA program, NO I have not undergone “progressive indoctrination” and NO I do not have a “fawning love for government,” as the writer claims.

I will not resort to defamation, personal attacks, and baseless claims in response. The writer and I agree on many political issues, this happens to be one we do not agree on.

I am fully aware of what the $0.01 increase in sales tax would amount to on larger purchases. I do not like it. I do not want to pay it. However, it is necessary given the current economic circumstances.

This increase will significantly reduce a county budget deficit. Additionally, revenue generated from this increase will not be “footed” by only Orleans County residents and taxpayers. People travel from out of the county to make purchases within the county, including large purchases, such as vehicles. This would reduce the fiscal impact county property owners could see because of a larger increase in property taxes. I am not arguing this is the perfect solution. There is no perfect solution. Instead, I am arguing this is the most practical and reasonable solution.

In an earlier letter I submitted, I acknowledged some employment cuts are inevitable and necessary.

Some county employees are already seeking employment in other industries and the private sector to avoid potential job loss. The principal argument of broad cuts to county government sounds good in terms of cutting government spending. However, it is impractical and inefficient.

The overwhelming majority of county positions are related to state mandated programs and public safety. Additionally, broad cuts to county government would be detrimental to the local economy during an already fragile economy.

The economy functions on supply and demand. Cutting hundreds of county jobs and transitioning to a part-time labor force would significantly affect the demand side of the economy. People would be out of work and unable to spend at the levels they typically do, causing a decrease in demand.

This impact would then result in negative implications for businesses within the county that rely on consumer spending to stay afloat. A reduction in consumer spending would result in reductions in revenue for local businesses, worsening the economic conditions and putting more jobs and businesses at risk.

Unfortunately, when the state requires programs, the county must provide them, whether the county wants to or not. The alternative is to tie hundreds of thousands of dollars up in litigation that could continue for many years, costing county taxpayers more money. The continuous fiscal failures are at the state level, under the failed leadership of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. New York State continues to mandate programs, cut funding to counties, and spend more at the state level. Unfortunately, the county is burdened with the added costs.

I do believe county leadership has handled this unprecedented time in a professional and effective manner. From my perspective, CAO Welch and other county leaders have been transparent with county employees and the public about the economic circumstances and potential solutions to the problems posed.

Covid has been a true test of leadership, and county leaders have stepped up, from the CAO to the legislature, Sheriff, department heads and other elected officials. This will be my last letter about this topic. I do not believe I am all-knowing. I simply wanted to provide my opinion. I hope we can all come together for the greater good of our community.

Respectfully,

James C. White

Village of Medina

Editor:

As a concerned alumnus, I have been diligently watching all of the Albion Central School District’s Board of Education (BoE) meetings in their entireties since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And, I am disheartened to write that from my experience the Albion BoE is entirely dysfunctional. BoE members routinely talk over one another and over presenters, snide comments are made, and members are verbally “bullied” by other members. Don’t believe me? Just watch the tape for yourselves – ACSD YouTube Link.

Additionally, the BoE had a highly contentious relationship with former Superintendent Michael Bonnewell, which resulted in his early removal and the appointment of an interim replacement. Think about the costs associated with this – Mr. Bonnewell is still on the payroll.

Did you know that the District had $2.2 million of unused technology grant money that had been just sitting there until August 29, 2020? The Hub wrote an article about this in September 2019. Where were the Chromebooks last Spring when Medina and Lyndonville made them available to every student in grades 7-12? The pandemic requires our school leaders to act quickly in the best interest of the children they serve.

So, it has come as no surprise that on August 22, 2020, a now-unnamed BoE member called 911 to report three boys of color sitting on the entry wall to Hazard Parkway in the Village Albion. The Albion Police responded without incident, but these three young boys were undoubtedly racially profiled. To make matters worse, it has been alleged that the Board member referred to the three boys as “little punks” in their 911 call.

Let me be clear, the BoE member who profiled the three boys and who made the 911 call should resign from the BoE effective immediately. In our America, there should be no seat on the School Board for this member.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew “Drew” Remley

Oakland, CA, formerly of Albion, NY

Editor:

Chris Jacobs held a press conference on Monday 9/14/20 to announce his plan to eliminate the Scaffold Law on federally funded projects, H.R. 8222 (Orleans Hub 9/15/20).

This sounds just like John Faso’s proposal on 9/21/17 H.R. 3808 to eliminate the Scaffold Law on federal projects. With Republican control of the House, the bill was defeated; Republicans would not support the legislation.

Let’s be clear this was a photo-op to make it look like Mr. Jacobs is doing something for infrastructure while knowing it will go nowhere. This is not a serious proposal. Meanwhile, unemployment in GLOW region is climbing (Orleans Hub 8/27/20) and there are long lines at food banks (Orleans Hub 9/11/20).

While the misery index climbs, Republicans refuse to act on massive unemployment and food insecurity. We need a leader in Washington not a subordinate sloganeer showboat.

Nate McMurray is the leader we need.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

We would like to thank all those who came out to support us in the Village of Medina election.

As you can see, Medina has grown over the past several years. We have seen growth in commerce, industry, and housing. Not one person did this, not one Board, and not one group. It was accomplished  by everyone working together as one.

As your Mayor and Board of Trustees we will continue to work hard for the betterment of our Village and continue to bring a quality of life to Medina that we all can be proud of.

We encourage everyone to participate in your government. Come see what is happening at a Village, Planning or Zoning Board Meeting. E-mail us your concerns and comments. We cannot solve problems that we do not know about.

Thank you again,

Mike Sidari, Mayor

Marguerite Sherman and Tim Elliott, Trustees

Medina

Editor:

Charles Hartway and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful residents in the Village of Medina who turned out to vote in Tuesday’s election.

We would especially like to thank those who supported us in our bids for Mayor and Trustee. Due to Covid-19 safety restrictions, we were not able to effectively campaign as we had hoped. In view of this, and the fact that we were write-in candidates running against three incumbents, we are extremely pleased with the outcome. This proves that, in spite of many obstacles, voters are eager to participate in the election process. Medina is a great place to live!

Thank you all very much,

Mary Hare

Medina

Editor:

In a recent letter about the proposal from the NYS Association of Counties for extra penny in the sales tax, the young man’s progressive indoctrination he got in college clearly shows in his fawning love for government.

So you’re saying that government should never have to change its spending practices while the citizens it fleeces have to tighten their belts and be forced to pay that extra penny? It’s not just one penny.

When you buy something for $100, it’s an extra 100 pennies. You buy a new car or truck for say $40,000 instead of $3,200 in tax you would be paying $3,600 in tax.

They can rob us by force and we are supposed to adjust our living standards so they can run their governments at full gold card status? I am well aware of the 50-50 split on the sales tax and the unfunded mandates. If the spineless bureaucrats at the Association of Counties and county leaders would all pan together and refuse to send Cuomo any money, they might be able to get a better deal on those unfunded mandates. Isn’t that what an association is supposed to be there for? If not, why belong to it?

That won’t happen because then they afraid the flow of money for projects and grants might not keep coming in. It would disrupt the status quo and the easy thing to do is steal a penny or threaten to raise taxes. So what is new there?

Our County Legislature raises taxes every year. Every year. When the people are struggling to live and put away money for taxes one has to always anticipate that the taxes will be more because the taxing entities never let you down when you get the tax bill. If they get that penny you realize it will never go away till they come for the next one. They are using the Democrat play book of never let a good crisis go to waste. This is the perfect time to do the money grab. Don’t think that they haven’t been thinking about this for years.

You would be surprised at how much government you would not even miss if it was gone. You really think this legislature has done a good job during this pandemic? Tell that to the businesses they allowed their health department to harass and eat out their substance. Complaints or not. It’s not knee jerk when someone is stealing from you to call it out. Taxation is theft. They work for us. They forget that and ignore it. They have to constantly be reminded. It’s bad enough we work 5 months out of the year to pay government to be incompetent. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing or should I say Democrats in Republican clothing. So I have to disagree.

Working for the government is no guarantee of a lifelong job. When the private sector has to make cuts to keep going the government should as well. The taxpayers should not be responsible for the ever growing governmental complex that this Legislature created over the  years.

I say you never let this door to be opened. Ordinary citizens will pay more at the grocery store, the department store, at the car dealer, everywhere you spend. You JQ citizen will have less of your hard-earned dollars. I say no penny. We can’t afford it. You at the government, you do with less. People are leaving the state because of high taxes and regulations and the geniuses come up with stealing and raising taxing as the solution. What’s insane is there are actually people who think it is a good idea. The whole world is upside down.

Paul Lauricella

Yates

Editor:

I would like to respond to the letter written by Ann McElwee who is in support of write-in candidates for Village of Medina Mayor and Trustee.

The partial list of goals are very similar as mine:

• Fiscal responsibility – I have worked very hard with the Board to keep taxes to a minimum. One was to purchase quality used vehicles for department heads. This saved tens of thousands of dollars.
• Participation in village government – I encourage anyone to seek a position on the Village Board and to come to any and all village meetings. To my knowledge neither one of the candidates have been at many meeting or served on any committees, if at all.
• Assist village residents – It is my goal to contact any village resident within 48 hours with any concerns they have. I will then address that concern with the proper Department Head to see if the concern can be rectified. I will then attempt to follow up with the resident.
• Support all departments – I meet several times a week with Department Heads to see if there is anything myself and the Board can help them with the performance of their duties.
• Leaf and brush pick-up – As of right now any resident who has brush to be picked up can call the Village Office and leave their address. Usually if there are no major problems in the Village, one or two trucks go around and pick up the brush. As far as the leaves, that is mostly up to Mother Nature. It’s kind of hard to pick up leaves when it snows.
• Support local merchants – The Village Board has toured the business district and spoken to every business owner that was in their store to see what their needs were. Due to COVID we were not able to do that this year. Many store owners have heard me say, “They are our local heroes, they put their blood, sweat and tears into their business to make downtown Medina what it is today.”
• Support Medina Memorial Hospital – Board members and I have had several meetings a year with the CEO of Orleans Community Health (Medina Hospital). In order for our Village to grow we must have a reliable health care system.
• WI-Fi connection – There are several areas in the Village where free WI-Fi is available, including the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, and on the grounds of the Medina School District for students.

There are several ways of communication to the Village Board with or without COVID-19 health restrictions. A voice mail can be left at the Village office, Email at mayor@villagemedina.org or any one of the individual members emails that are on the village website. I can also be contacted on Facebook at the “Medina, This Village Matters” page.

We are all part of Medina, the board works together as one for a great quality of life for all of our residents and visitors.

Please vote for Mike Sidari – Mayor, Marguerite Sherman and Tim Elliott – Trustee.

Thank you,

Mike Sidari

Mayor

Editor:

To be transparent, I am a trustee and deputy mayor in the Village of Medina. I have served with Mayor Sidari, Trustee Sherman and Trustee Elliott for many, many years. My opinion, witnessing their work and dedication to the village, they are excellent public servants.

All three are up for re-election on Tuesday, September 15. They have a list of accomplishments for each year they have been in office. Those accomplishments have improved the quality of life for our residents.

In a letter posted on Orleans Hub it was announced that there are write-in candidates for the position of mayor and trustee.  Along with the announcement, which strangely comes from a neighbor of a candidate and not from a candidate, comes a set of goals. I think there needs to be some clarification regarding those goals.

Initially these write-in candidates want fiscal responsibility. Rather nebulous but I can assure you that the village is audited every year and I have never seen nor heard of an issue regarding responsibility. Frankly I do not know what they mean by that.

The list of goals next goes on encouraging residents to participate in village government knowing that their input will be valued and assessed. What I find rather bizarre with this goal is that, while encouraging others to participate, neither one of them ever attends board meetings. Frankly I would not recognize one of the write-in candidates as I do not believe I have ever seen them in or around town. How can you encourage others to participate when you yourself do not do it?

The goals go on saying that they will lend support to all departments, local merchants and the Medina Memorial Hospital. Had either one of these write-in candidates taken the time to attend even one board meeting over the past few years they would recognize that support of each department and to locals is discussed and given where appropriate.

Look at some of what has been accomplished by citizens of Medina over the past few years.  There is a dog park, a splash park and playground, soon to be a new skateboard park and more initiatives taken by private citizens that have had the full support, advice and encouragement of the mayor and trustees. All of the people involved in these endeavors have also met with the mayor and have appeared before the full board to get advice and approval. Write-in candidates who never attend board meetings do not know this.

I have nothing against write-in candidates, I have been one myself. What I take issue with are people that do not do their homework when deciding to run for office. This isn’t a game. This is the management of a village for 6,000 people with a budget of almost 6 million dollars. You better know what you are doing when you take office.

Mayor Sidari, Trustee Sherman and Trustee Elliott have proven, many times over, that they have the ability to manage this village. They have earned and deserve your vote.

Please vote on Tuesday, September 15, and please vote for Sidari, Sherman and Elliott for knowledgeable and responsible government for Medina

Owen Toale

Trustee

Village of Medina

Editor:

The Village of Medina elections will be held on Tuesday at the Senior Citizens Center on West Avenue from noon until 9 p.m. As your current Mayor and Trustees, we would appreciate your vote so we can continue with our vision for the Village of Medina – Mike Sidari for Mayor, and Marguerite Sherman and Tim Elliott for Trustees.

Over the past six years, some of our accomplishments include the following:

• Toured local businesses and industries to better understand the needs of the owners.
• Purchased and installed new playground equipment at Butts Park.
• Paved over 15 miles of the Village’s 24 miles of streets, with the help of the Towns and County through shared services.
• Renegotiated ambulance contracts with the Towns of Shelby, Ridgeway, and Yates to assist in the cost of new ambulances.
• Initiated several energy saving projects within the Village, saving the taxpayers thousands of dollars.
• Repaired and upgraded the water tower and the wastewater treatment facility, in order to continue services to our residents, while attracting new businesses to the area.
• Sponsored job fairs for local businesses.
• Updated the Village website for better communications with residents.
• Maintained Facebook page “Medina, This Village Matters” for open communication with the Mayor.
• Sent several surplus items to auction bringing several thousands of dollars into the Village.
• Supported and advised local residents as they took initiatives to improve the quality of life in Medina.
• Splash pad and new playground equipment at Pine Street Park completed in 2020.
• Dog park on North Gravel Road scheduled to be completed in 2020.
• New and improved skate park at Butts Park scheduled to be completed in 2021.
• Upgrades to State Street Park.

Our future plans include, but are not limited to:

• Continue with road and sidewalk improvements.
• Continue to improve signage throughout the Village.
• Continue moving forward with the Downtown Revitalization Initiatives to solidify State funds, as we continue to improve our historic business district.
• Continue to move forward with the Waterfront Redevelopment Plan, in order to improve our waterfront community.
• Continue with the Maple Ridge Road Corridor Study, which will improve the safety of pedestrians and motorists.
• Continue to work the Towns of Shelby, Ridgeway, and Yates along with the County to improve shared services that will benefit the whole area.
• Continue to work with Orleans County EDA/IDA to attract new industrial business into the Greater Medina area.

Our dedication to the community allows us to make informed, conscientious decisions in the best interest of the Village of Medina. We would greatly appreciate your support on Election Day on September 15th.

Sincerely,

Mike Sidari – Mayor

Marguerite Sherman – Trustee

Tim Elliott – Trustee

Provided photos: A group from the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club gave Michael Pozzanghera of Hamlin a chance to experience a motorcycle up close and personal on Saturday.

Editor:

Michael Pozzanghera is an 80-year-old gentleman from Hamlin. Mike grew up riding motorcycles and has loved them ever since.

On June 3, 1957, Mike was 17 and getting ready to join the Navy. While he was riding down Kings Highway in the Town of Irondequoit, he lost control of his bike. Mike suffered a fractured skull, and the accident severed his optical nerve leaving him blind for the rest of his life. Mike is also wheelchair bound.

Recently Mike and his wife Barbara were leaving a restaurant in the Town of Greece, when Mike heard someone on a motorcycle pulling into the parking lot. Mike’s wife Barbara wheeled him over to the motorcycle. He told the biker about his love for motorcycles, and was wondering if he could touch his bike.

Unfortunately, the biker was less than cordial, and told Mike to get away from his bike, and leave. It should be noted that this biker was not a member or affiliated with the Punishers LEMC.

However, when the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club heard about this, the club was shocked at the rude and callous attitude a biker would display to someone. Our International President John Boyan reached out to Mike’s family to express sadness of such treatment.

​On September 12, a group of Punishers rode out to Hamlin Beach State Park to meet Mike and his family. This visit was arranged within 24 hours of hearing about the way Mike was treated.

Punishers from Utica, Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester and parts in between rode to meet Mike, his wife, and extended family.

Many of the Chapters represented and gave Mike mementos from the club (challenge coins, key chains, T-shirts). The members of the Punishers LEMC lifted Mike onto the back of a motorcycle so he could take a little ride.

He was yelling woohoo as he rode off. Despite a horrendous encounter with a motorcyclist, the Punishers LEMC members were able to turn Mike’s experience around.

Mike’s desire to touch, feel, and ride a motorcycle came true with the caring hearts of men who have devoted their lives to protecting others. These men made Mike’s wish come true.

Tom DiFante

Clarendon

Editor:

The Medina village election is Tuesday with voting from noon until 9 p.m. at the Medina Senior Citizen Center, 615 West Avenue.

This year Medina has an opportunity to make a choice. Mary Hare is seeking the office of Mayor as a write-in candidate. Charles Hartway is seeking the office of Trustee as a write-in candidate.  These candidates share deep roots in our community.

Below is a partial list of goals:

• Fiscal responsibility is the #1 concern.
• To encourage residents to participate in village government, knowing that their input will be valued and assessed.
• To assist village residents whenever possible.
• To lend support to all departments, managing their needs along with the needs of the public in a consolidated effort to see the village through these especially difficult times.
• To fulfill the village residents’ requests for leaves and brush pickups.
• To support local merchants.
• To support the Medina Memorial Hospital.
• To explore the possibility of extending free Wi-Fi within the village.

This method of communication is a way to share their ideas due to the Covid-19 health restrictions.

“We are Medina, let’s work together as one for a better future.”

Please share and thank you for voting.

Ann McElwee

Medina