Editor:

I live downwind from the shuttered coal-fired power plant located in the Town of Somerset, Niagara County. For more than a generation, Somerset residents benefitted tremendously from the taxes generated by the plant. It was a major step in the industrialization of the town.

It now is an eyesore. Beneath the artificial grassy mountain near the smokestack lies a huge deposit of unusable hazardous ash. The power lines that connect the relic to the NY power grid sit unused, a natural, open invitation for a clean alternative to the pollution spewed from that 600-foot smokestack.

The hypocrisy of the town’s leaders of all stripes is what turned me off to Somerset’s crocodile tears about the windmills. It was like delayed outrage over the vast harm caused by their smoky  benefactor.

I think they were just trying to hustle the developer for a sweetheart deal that never came. All they did was blaze the path for the State of New York to correct the shortcomings of the original Article 10 process. In the new tweaks, the developer does not have to fight wearing a blindfold or one arm tied behind its back.

While the Barre project does not have to incur the wrath of the nouveaux riche crowd huddled along the lakeshore, it does attract the occasional otherwise well-concealed elite of a principally agrarian landscape. This tiny minority’s bold-faced attempt to sway Barre’s political leaders with a  fatally flawed “survey” needs to be rightfully turned aside. It was not created to be impartial and it clearly isn’t. It has no value.

If the leadership of Barre stays focused, they will greatly benefit the environment and the town’s taxpayers and residents. And no pollution downwind.

Ralph E. Smith

Lyndonville

Editor:

This letter is in response to the misleading article published in the Orleans Hub regarding George McKenna’s so-called “survey” about bringing a wind farm to Barre.

The survey was confusing, contained too many choices, and the response options were blatantly biased. Most people I know just disregarded it and threw it in the trash. A legitimate survey should be conducted by an independent, unbiased source, not a resident who is historically and vocally opposed to turbines. On top of that, interpreting the results as showing 70% of the town are opposed to the turbines is very deceptive.

I submitted the following letter to be read at the August 12 Barre Town Board Meeting: “Of the 730 households surveyed, only 254 were returned; that means only 35% of the households responded. Of the 254 households, 176 households were against the wind turbines; that means 24% of the 730 households are against them. It goes to show that one can manipulate the data to say what you want that data to say!

“I was the sole lease holder that helped open and count the surveys. In my opinion, 65% of Barre households that did not return the survey are either in favor of them, did not get a survey or do not care. So, my conclusion of the data shows that 24% of Barre households are opposed, 76% are in favor of, did not receive a survey or do not care about industrial wind turbines.” Alas, Mr. Pogue started to read my letter to the Town Board but was unable to finish reading it.  Dr. McKenna’s purpose for his survey was to obtain the opinion of the majority of the Barre household; nonresident land owners were not included to receive or respond to this survey.

In addition, at Wednesday’s board meeting, a letter in support of the wind project and common-sense updates to the town’s wind ordinance was presented. This letter was signed by over 200 Barre residents and taxpayers. By my math that is more than responded to this slanted survey in opposition to the project.

There are two sides to every story. I respect the opinions of those who oppose the turbines, but these survey results clearly leave out the majority who want to see the benefits of a wind farm brought to our community.

Respectfully,

Ruth C. Miller

Barre

Editor:

Good Lord, doesn’t anyone realize what they are saying anymore? I just read a letter in this forum from a person whom I won’t identify. A little research further down these posts and you’ll find out who it is. (Go get ’em, Columbo.

He bemoans the status of our country because of the uncontrolled spread of the Coronavirus. He throws in the social unrest in the form of “rioting” and “looting” and the fact that “criminal activity has become the (new) norm.” He pretty much checked off all the boxes under “bedlam and turmoil.” I agree 100 percent. The great American way ain’t what it used to be; not even close.

But, unbelievably, his logic doesn’t attribute any blame on the person in charge of the country, the man sitting in the White House. He indicates (by not explaining Trump’s inability to lead) that it’s the opposing political party for the president’s devastating failure. That’s an absolutely astonishing thought process.

Let me ask this: Why, Mr. Smith (oops), is Donald Trump not held accountable for the mess you just described? Not by any stretch did you even question the actions of the person who was elected – a full term ago – to fix problems like this (not create them) and the person who the country looks to, to right the good ship America when it goes off course. Ridiculously, you blamed your go-to scapegoats, namely … the “liberals.”

That’s pretty much what Donald Trump did when he said “If you elect Joe Biden, you’ll see rioting in the streets … just like you’re seeing now!” Say what? Wouldn’t a stable genius realize he just threw himself under the bus by his own indictment of what’s going on during his own watch? “Sure, I screwed up big time, but my opponent will probably be almost as bad, so why not just let me stay?”

Mr. Smith, you need to reevaluate exactly how you evaluate things. Ask those who are elected to hold responsible positions, why they don’t accept that responsibility. Ask yourself why you won’t find them culpable. Finger pointing, such as you and Trump do, is an indication of failed leadership and accountability. Man up and take a look at the hard cold facts. And then don’t tell me you “don’t believe it.” Speak the truth: “you don’t want to believe it.” Big difference.

If this is what America looks like when it’s “great, again” … then I’m not so sure I can take it getting any better.

Tom Valley

Medina

Editor:

This is a response to George McKenna’s survey about the proposed wind turbine project in Barre.

Please check only one response:

• I do not want a hamburger no matter how hungry I am
• I would like my hamburger with pickles but no mustard
• I would like my hamburger with one slice of onion and two squirts of ketchup
• I would like my hamburger with mustard and one half of the bun toasted
• I would like my hamburger with an egg over easy with mayonnaise, but I don’t want to pay for my hamburger
• I would like my hamburger cooked over an open flame of 10-year-old seasoned apple wood obtained ethically from a forest where happy people live
• I would like my hamburger with one slice of cheddar, one tomato, and no relish
• I would like my hamburger with no hamburger, but with lettuce
• I do want a hamburger, I’m hungry, the consequences be damned

Does this survey look familiar? It reminds me a lot of Dr. George McKenna’s survey regarding wind turbines in the town of Barre.

I don’t know about you, but I thought the choices given were very confusing. I chose to not check any boxes because none of the options reflected my opinion. Many of my friends and neighbors shared the same sentiment.

Several comments on the Orleans Hub article revealing the survey results indicated many residents did not fill out the survey, and many did not even receive it. Surveys should come from an unbiased third party.

Dr. McKenna included a cover letter with the survey, which described all the reasons why he is opposed to the turbines. If someone did not do proper research on the subject and took the claims in that letter as fact, they were more likely to side with Dr. McKenna.

Dr. McKenna claims that with 176 respondents checking “we don’t want the turbines,” the survey shows that 70% of the town is opposed to the wind project. I am not sure how he arrives at that conclusion.

The survey was sent to all 735 households in the town of Barre. By my calculation, 176 out of 735 is about 24%. That is just simple math. Numbers can be made to fit whatever they need to fit; one needs to look at the total picture, not just a person’s interpretation of the statistics.

Dr. McKenna also claims that his survey is fair and reflects the true feelings of Barre residents. I don’t see how this is true, when Alice Mathes shared a letter at the August 12 town board meeting, signed by 203 Barre residents and taxpayers, stating they support the wind project and do not believe George’s survey should be used to reflect the residents’ opinions.

This survey was extremely biased. I don’t believe Dr. McKenna’s intention was to obtain an accurate survey, but to further his anti-wind agenda.

Christine Loss and Alice Mathes

Barre

Editor:

The results of a recent survey of Barre households relating to Heritage Wind conducted by George McKenna are very revealing. They track very closely those of three similar surveys relating to Apex Project Light House Wind.

I refer to independent surveys done by the Townships of Somerset and Yates and Save Ontario Shores (SOS). All show a significant response from the public (35-40%) and a grass roots opposition to the siting of industrial wind turbines of more than two to one (2:1).

We that are most affected by the Industrialization of our communities are not being fooled. We understand the hazards and detrimental effects of industrialization and what it will do long term, to a rural community.

Despite this, rural communities comprising approximately 30% of the New York State population are being forced to bear the brunt of Governor Cuomo’s misguided energy policies as dictated by his radical environmental base .

It is time to recognize that the rural community is already contributing much to improving the environment by promoting policies that protect forests, grasslands, wetlands and foster sustainable farming.

Preservation of open space contributes greatly to the protection of our environment. Studies show clean country air is no joke, it is a fact of life. No need to clutter the countryside with grotesque inefficient structures that our grandchildren will be forced to dispose of. Let us keep up the fight to protect and preserve our countryside. Stewardship of the land matters.

James C. Hoffman

Somerset

Editor:

The Medina Business Park is reportedly under consideration for an Amazon distribution center. This would be a $300 million project set to create 1,000 permanent jobs and approximately 300 initial construction jobs, according to news reports.

I commend our local leaders for actively pursuing the project and doing their best to appeal to Amazon. At a time when our local economy is so fragile (as a result of Gov. Cuomo’s overreach by mandating COVID lockdowns), a large-scale project that creates a total of approximately 1,300 jobs could be a key component in revitalizing our local economy.

According to glassdoor.com, Amazon Fulfillment Associates earn an average of $32,000 per year, plus profit sharing, cash bonuses and benefits. This salary level is more than many local employers provide for entry-level jobs.

This project would provide many local residents an opportunity to earn more than they currently do. An increase in pay for so many residents would increase their disposable income, leading to more money being pumped into the local economy by consumers, boosting sales tax revenue and as a result, keeping property taxes down. In addition, as Legislature Chairman Johnson stated, Orleans County is Pro-Business, in close proximity to many urban areas and the thruway. This project could be mutually beneficial for both Amazon and Orleans County.

This is a project I hope local residents and taxpayers show support for and understand the positive economic impact it would have. Again, I commend our local elected county leaders, village leaders and the Orleans County Economic Development Agency for pursuing this project and appealing to Amazon.

Sincerely,

James C. White

Village of Medina

Editor:

In our calling out the greed of health insurance CEO’s earning $102 million per year (that’s not a million, but 100+ times as much), department chain owners making $34 billion annually between 6 of them, and paying most of their 1.1 million workers so little that they need food stamps and Medicaid, and watching the rich not pay their share of taxes, nor paying their bills, cheating and endangering small businesses that sub-contract with them, we don’t like being dismissed as being jealous.

Nope, we are not jealous at all of their often corrupting riches and power.

How corrupt are they? According to noted criminologists, Sutherland, Cressy and Luckenbill, who wrote about crime and “White Collar Crime” as late as the 1990’s, over 70% of large firms had committed at least 5 felonies.

So, how many have committed three? One drug company has been fined hundreds of thousands 9 times and over, a billion another time. What happened to “three strikes and you’re out” – life-time imprisonment? Oh that’s for us common men, not for the rich.

Again, we’re not jealous. We’re most thankful to God for what we have.

Instead, as Christ said, it’s a matter of “Hungering and thirsting for Justice.”

As a family, we’re very thankful for what we have and have had: three wonderful children and their wives, 6 wonderful grandchildren, great families and friends, to have 61 years of delightful marriage and God’s nature with glens and groves and crystal lakes to delight in.

We’re thankful for the chances to do work we believed in. Margaret taught and counseled in the prisons, and in public health and mental health nursing, working with chronically mentally ill.

Bob worked in Probation, working with many struggling and abused people, poor and minorities, with the interrelated problems of alcoholism, mental illness, chronic health, domestic violence and racism and sexism in the fields of health and criminal justice.

We were involved together in our church and the community, diocese and state, dealing with many of these same issues. In our professional work and involvement in the church and the community, we had the blessings of many colleagues, who shared the same concerns and zeal.

We had many adventures with extended family and friends, trips, holiday get-togethers, wonderful conversation and the food, fantastic food, and most of all warm companionship. We’ve had and still have wonderful adventures in music and Jazz, seeing nearly all the greats, including Satchmo, Ellington, Miles,  Benny Goodman, Nat “King” Cole, McCoy Tyner and Dave Brubeck many times and now the young lions.

We’ve had the pleasure of bringing such thrilling music to others through the Genesee-Orleans Jazz Festival and weekly radio shows on Rochester’s Jazz 90.1 FM.

That our criticisms of the greedy would be dismissed as jealousy, is proof that they don’t understand “Justice”, don’t understand Christ, don’t understand loving their neighbor, can’t imagine anyone being  eternally thankful with what we have and do.

They only understand their own pursuit of more and more and more at the frequently cruel and sometimes deadly expense of others.

Lord, thank you for all that we have. Help others (and us) to be thankful and do their part to achieve justice. As Pope Paul VI, considered a conservative, said, “We can’t have peace without justice,” and further observed, “We wouldn’t need charity, if we had justice.”

Bob and Margaret Golden

Waterport

Editor:

The Coronavirus Pandemic has evolved into a political football that keeps getting kicked up & down the field with neither goal line in sight.

The death of George Floyd has made “rioting” synonymous with “peaceful protest” and “looting” synonymous with “reparations.” Criminal activity has become the norm while the Police are scorned and ridiculed.

In a little less than three months, we’ll all have a choice to make. And in my mind it’s really quite simple: Constitutionality and Law & Order vs. Government Corruption and Liberal Chaos.

Don’t cry if you choose the latter and your life doesn’t turn out all “peaches & cream”… like you were promised.

Steve Smith

Churchville

Greetings,

COVA EMS was established in 1979 for the sole purpose of treating and transporting the sick and critically injured patients in the Orleans County Community. This includes the Village of Albion, Towns of Albion, Barre, Carlton and Gaines. COVA has always been there not only for our community but for the surrounding communities in their times of need. Over the years COVA has continued to change with the times to meet and exceed this demand. The transformation of COVA has progressed from an all-volunteer agency to a blend of both paid & volunteer staff.

Due to the declining insurance reimbursements, default payments, as well as our increased operational expenses our ability to continue to operate and serve the community is in jeopardy. COVA wants to remain a community based ambulance and would like to secure ambulance services for the residents. We need you to contact your municipality to show your support. COVA EMS wants to continue to serve the people of this community to the best of our ability and the only way we can continue to do so is with your help.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT,

Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance, Inc.

Sincerely,

Laurie J Schwab, Paramedic
Chief Operating Officer

Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance
239 South Main Street
Albion, NY 14411

Office: 585-589-4163 x205
Cell: 585-322-4058
Fax: 585-589-0263

www.covaems.com

Editor:

August 7th was designated “Purple Heart Day,” a time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

I received my Purple Heart in Vietnam in 1969. The Purple Heart is a symbol of the brave men and women who have put their live on the line to protect this nation’s founding values. Included in those values is the right to protest since this nation was born out of the act of protest.

While President Trump and his Republican sycophants storm the streets of Portland, Oregon and other cities, (unwanted and unwelcomed by local authorities) with officers, in unmarked and unaccountable uniforms, ostensibly to protect federal buildings, thousands of Americans die because of President Trump’s and Republicans’ failed leadership on the Covid-19 crisis.

Another founding value is the right of citizens of this country to vote in safe, secure and honest elections. Republicans have refused to take any measures to secure our elections from foreign interference.

The President has welcomed assistance from Russia, and tried to get the governments of Ukraine and China to assist in his re-election. When asked about foreign help for re-election, Mr. Trump stated: “I think I’d take it.”

While Democrats in the House have passed several bills strengthening our election laws the Republicans have failed to take any action on them. As a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient I would like to ask newly elected Congressman Chris Jacobs does he support sending in unaccountable federal troops against the wishes of local officials and does he support foreign interference in our elections?

Does Mr. Jacobs support President Trump’s canoodling with President Putin while Russia puts a bounty on American troops?

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

On August 10, the Orleans Hub reported on the results of the survey compiled by George McKenna regarding acceptance or opposition to the proposed Heritage Wind project in Barre.

In summary, 735 surveys were sent out, with 258 returned (35 percent) and 176 of those 258 returned (68 percent) offering a resounding NO to the project.

A previous letter to the editor suggested that those results indicate only a 20 percent objection to the project (176 of 735). Sorry, but that math is completely invalid.

Using elementary statistics, one can calculate the “95 percent confidence interval” of the result.  In other words, what is the possible range of NO votes that would have been recorded had everyone responded to the survey?

The calculation yields a result of 63.4 percent to 72.6 percent would oppose the project. There is a 2.5 percent chance the actual result would be lower than 63.4 percent, and a 2.5 percent chance the actual result would be higher than 72.6 percent.

Proper mathematical methods are needed to produce accurate results.

Steve Royce

Appleton

Editor:

Sen. Kamala Harris is a magnificently qualified VP choice. She first came to my attention several years ago with a successful initiative to help children. She knows good communities start there.

She got top marks as an executive running a huge law enforcement department. She quickly rose to prominence as a respected leader of both Republican and Democratic Attorney Generals.

Harris  is additionally ready from legislative service on foreign “Intelligence” protecting us and “Judiciary” protecting The Rule of Law.

Nothing was handed Senator Harris and she overcome obstacles anyone born with a silver spoon in their mouth cannot fathom. She cares but is no one to trifle with. She is no nonsense about getting consensus and the job at hand done.

Kamala has demonstrated detailed knowledge of the matters before her as a Senator. She knows the legislative process first hand and how to work with others. Even Lindsey Graham has voiced deep respect. (Let’s see if he is now forced to flip.) Calling her socialist or radical left does not square with her career.

If you have watched, anyone, left or right, trying to feed her a scripted or evasive answer will find her ability to strip them bare devastating. With her mastery of the actuals facts and reliance on very forthright questions, even brazen liars crumble. AG Sessions ended up mumbling. AG Barr stopped answering to avoid perjury.

Vote for her or not. But check her record yourself no matter what gets made up and thrown about in this election season. You will find she can listen, analyze, organize, communicate and lead.

Kamala Harris is an exceptional, historically talented and capable candidate.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:
Big kudos to Dr. McKenna (“well-to-do-radical”) for fighting with more than his own opinion. Any “real pollster” would understand that a 35% response rate is at the very top of the norm.
I’m not in this fight but I recognize good, righteous effort, which is hard to find in these dark times.
I also appreciate the recent letters from intellectuals and want for more. It gives me hope.
Sincerely,
Kenneth B. Gminski
Holley

Editor:

Sounds like the phony baloney “survey” in Barre was a bust. Less than 25% of households are opposed to the project. The opponents will spread the falsehood that 70% are opposed.

That’s a bold-faced lie. A similar lie was spread by SOS in the Town of Yates, where I live. Real pollsters are laughing at your 35% response rate on a “hot button” issue. Anyone appearing before the Barre Town Board meeting this week and saying “survey says 70%” will have the same nose as Pinocchio.

Barre residents, don’t be swayed by a handful of well-to-do radicals who don’t care how much you pay in taxes.

Ralph E. Smith

Lyndonville

Editor:

I read recently your published letters from Mr. Thaine and Mr. Lauricella and felt compelled to answer Mr. Lauricella’s characterization of K-12 education. Seeing as I have been in school for a while (RIT Microelectronics B.S. 2010, University of Rochester Biomedical Engineering M.S. 2013, Ph.D. 2018, Current Post-Doctoral Associate), I feel well placed to comment here.

Throughout my schooling, I have always placed a very high value on my education from Albion High School (valedictorian, 2006), where I learned many things about our republic (and others, see: Rome), in addition to the many Arts and Sciences I enjoy professionally.

I am not persuaded that I was taught “political correctness, multiculturalism, that they are global citizens, anti-bullying, I need a friend benches, common core, to embrace the homosexual LGBTQ agenda, handed out condoms and birth control, that racism is hiding in every corner, and this year the completely revisionist history of the 1619 project and white fragility. To hate and guilt themselves for the way they were born and the white color of their skin.”

I seem to remember primarily learning about the challenges (sometimes life-or-death) that many different groups of people faced getting to our country, and staying here. Parts of my family immigrated here after WWII, and my father’s teacher (and long-time family friend) escaped the Soviets in Hungary after destroying their secret files, knowing no English. Learning about these struggles and different perspectives is part of the richness of our country.

“What makes us superior to all other countries and a nationalist model is our constitution and bill of rights. Our genuine American culture. We can go anywhere in the world and as soon as we open our mouth you hear Ahh an American. Being American means you are best.”

I do not agree. Having traveled a bit in my studies (University of Nottingham, U.K. 2013, 2015-2016) and worked with many brilliant minds from all over the world, I would say the advantages of any researcher (or American) are to work diligently, admit our mistakes plainly, try again, and fix them. That is how we can be the “best”; it’s simple to say, but hard to do (see: Constitutional Amendments). Many of the items in the previous list are attempts to do just that, though it is clear Mr. Lauricella and I would disagree on some of their effectiveness. Only time will tell if they fix the issues that led to their elevation in the first place. If not, we’ll try something else.

My own observations over the last 6 years from discussions with many international visitors and students coming from Iran, China, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, India, Sudan, Libya, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Mexico indicate that we are rapidly losing any perception as being a shining city on a hill, or the “best”.

It is a mistake to believe that we live isolated lives anywhere on this planet, no matter how much we may wish for it at times. There may be 10 billion people on this planet in 30 years, somehow we will have to manage on our pale blue dot. I believe that if we are to lead spaceship Earth into the future, we will do it through “Achievement, Character, and Success for Life” – the mission statement at Albion Central School.

Greg Madejski

Gaines