‘My focus will be to kill the project.’ – State Sen. Robert Ortt

Photos by Tom Rivers – State Sen. Robert Ortt told a crowd of about 200 people on Tuesday night that he opposes the Lighthouse Wind Project and will work to defeat it. He thanked the volunteers in Save Ontario Shores for their efforts to educate the community about the project.

BARKER – Residents in Yates and Somerset, where as many as 71 towering wind turbines are proposed by Apex Clean Energy, shouldn’t expect the two towns and local state officials to quietly step aside and allow the controversial project, 200 residents were told during a public meeting on Tuesday at the Barker Fire Hall.

“My focus will be to kill the project,” said State Sen. Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, “and that’s because I represent you.”

Ortt said residents have overwhelmingly shown opposition to the project, from survey results to their attendance at public meetings.

Dan Engert is the Somerset town supervisor who has come out strongly against the proposed Lighthouse Wind.

“We will defeat this project, there is no question about it in my mind,” Engert told the crowd in Barker.

Somerset Town Supervisor Dan Engert, right, tells residents Somerset will keep up the fight against Lighthouse Wind.

Engert said residents have been “very clear” in opposition to the project.

“I have received very few comments from the community in support of the project,” he said.

Ortt said he worries the project, with about 70 turbines within 3 to 4 miles of the lakeshore, would jeopardize the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. The turbines, at about 600 feet, could interfere with flights and radar for the Reserve Station, Ortt said.

“This is about an energy agenda that is being forced on all of us,” Ortt said.

Apex Clean Energy on Nov. 23 submitted the Preliminary Scoping Document that presents Apex studies and responses for environmental issues with noise and vibration; geology, seismology and soils; terrestrial ecology and wetlands; visual impacts; socioeconomic effects; and other issues.

About 200 residents, some wearing T-shirts opposing the wind turbine project, attended the meeting at Barker Fire Hall.

Town officials and residents were initially given until mid-December to respond to document, but that deadline was moved back to Jan. 6.

Dennis Vacco, the former state attorney general, has been hired to the Town of Somerset to fight the turbine plan. Vacco is a partner in the Buffalo law firm of Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman.

Vacco said he sees the project as a threat to Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, a site that the community has twice rallied to save from being closed.

Vacco told residents on Tuesday he has internal records from state officials expressing concern about Lighthouse Wind on birds because the project is targeted for a major migratory bird path, a critical corridor for raptors and eagles.

Dennis Vacco, a former state attorney general hired by Somerset to fight Lighthouse Wind, holds internal emails from state officials, where he said they express concerns about the turbines on the bird population.

Vacco said he wants to avoid litigation in the fight against the project. However, he said litigation is a “tool” that can be used. Right now, he is “developing ammunition to hold them accountable.” He already has thousands of records from the state using the Freedom of Information Act.

He urged residents to post comments on the Public Service Commission website about the proposal (click here). Vacco said some residents should consider stepping forward in a lawsuit, filing a “nuisance claim” about the turbines, which would be about 600 feet high from the top tip of the blade.

“We’re going to do everything we can to bring this to a halt as cost effective as possible,” Vacco said.

He and Somerset Town Supervisor Dan Engert were critical of Apex for not detailing the turbine locations and how many are planned for the two towns. In its PSC filing, Apex says Lighthouse Wind will be a 201 megawatt project. It will have up to 71 turbines if they are 2.85 MW each or 61 turbines if they are 3.3 MWs, the company said.

Engert said the lack of specifics makes it difficult for the town to prepare a response and rebuttal to the Apex preliminary scoping document. Somerset has asked for 90 days to submit comments and requests for more information about the project, rather than the 45-day window provided by the PSC.

“This is a very significant document that takes time, that takes a coordination of consultants,” Engert said.

Jim Simon, newly elected Yates town supervisor, said the state Siting Board for reviewing the Lighthouse Wind project is stacked with too many state officials and not enough local residents.

Engert said a committee reviewing the Somerset law for wind turbines, enacted in 2006, could make recommendations as soon as Wednesday (Dec. 9) for the town to adopt. The revised Somerset law is the ordinance Apex will need to comply with for the turbine proposal, Engert said.

Save Ontario Shores President John Riggi also addressed the group. He announced he is no longer going to be president of SOS because he is joining the Yates Town Board on Jan. 1. Pamela Atwater will be the new Save Ontario Shores president.

“She will do a fantastic job shepherding us through a successful conclusion,” Riggi said.

Jim Simon was elected the new Yates town supervisor following a write-in campaign. He thanked the supporters and voters in the community.

He praised Engert and the Somerset officials for being aggressive in fighting the turbine plan, through a survey, resolutions, updated laws and hiring Vacco’s law firm.

“We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Town of Somerset,” Simon said.

John Riggi, the president of Save Ontario Shores in the gorup’s first year, addresses the crowd in the Barker Fire Hall.

The state is changing the process for siting large-scale wind turbines, projects with 25-plus megawatts. The state will have a Siting Board with five state officials and two representatives from the local community where a project is planned.

That change, giving the state the majority of the say in the project over local officials, irked all of the speakers during Tuesday’s meeting. Ortt said he will work with local State Assembly members Jane Corwin, R-Clarence, and Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, to have the Siting Board be expanded to at least four local representatives. The state legislators will take up the issue in Albany in January, Ortt said.

The state changed the process for reviewing the projects in legislation known as Article 10.

“It will result in more projects like this being shoved down communities’ throats,” Ortt said.

Simon said the Article 10 changes run against the country’s principles.

“We ought to have a say as residents of the two towns for our future,” Simon said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The third annual holiday celebration in Lyndonville has grown to 54 trees decorated by the community at Veterans Park.

Santa Claus arrived in a sleigh and flipped a switch to turn on the lights for the trees at about 5 p.m. today.

Santa waves to the crowd gathered along Main Street as he makes his way to the park.

There were activities throughout the day to celebrate the Christmas season.

Santa arrives and is met by many happy children. After turning on the lights by flipping a switch at the “North Pole,” Santa met with children and their families until 7 p.m. at the Village Hall.

Santa is the center of attention at the park.

This is the third year Lyndonville has organized the holiday celebration.

The number of decorated trees has grown from 26 in 2013 to 43 last year and now 54 for 2015.

The trees are expected to stay at Veterans Park until early January.

YATES – The Town of Yates sent 2,608 surveys to residents last week, asking 10 questions about issues related to a proposed wind turbine project in Yates and Somerset.

Yates residents have been asked to send in the self-addressed, stamped envelopes with surveys, postmarked by Dec. 11.

“We wanted something we can submit to the Siting Board that is legitimate, that can be taken seriously,” said Town Supervisor John Belson.

The town formed a three-person committee to compile the questions on the survey and also give residents two pages of background on the “Lighthouse Wind” project. Town Councilman Wes Bradley was on the committee along with Save Ontario Shores member Richard Pucher and Taylor Quarles, the project manager for Apex Clean Energy.

Apex has submitted a scoping document to the Public Service Commission. The company may build up to 71 wind turbines in the two towns, generating 200 megawatts of electricity.

In a letter to residents that went out with the survey, the Yates Town Board says the town doesn’t have an official vote on the project, but town officials can influence the decision-making with the project through its laws and regulations as well as with a presentation to the Siting Board.

The state passed a law in 2011 giving a Siting Board authority to approve electric generating projects 25 megawatts or bigger, according to the letter from the town to residents.

The letter also says a host community agreement with Apex could be part of the process with Apex paying annual payments to the town, the company agreeing to repair roads as part of the construction, and also to have a plan for decommissioning the turbines in the future.

The letter also outlines the state’s plan for 50 percent of the power to come from renewable sources by 2030. State leaders want to significantly reduce greenhouse emissions, according to the letter.

Bradley said the data from the survey could be part of the town’s presentation to the Siting Board if Apex can move the application past the preliminary scoping document.

“If there is a final application, there will be a comment period and I would expect that the Town Board would make a presentation to the Siting Board,” Bradley said. “The survey will give us information we can use in the presentation.”

The town has committee in place to tabulate the data and do a final report for the Town Board.

Here are the 10 questions residents are asked to answer on the survey:

1) Many topics are currently being studied regarding Lighthouse Wind. These proposed wind turbines would change the appearance of the landscape within the town. Do you have a concern about this?

Yes, No, No Opinion

2) As currently proposed, the electricity from this project would be delivered into the New York State electrical grid. Should the Town of Yates attempt to negotiate a separate agreement with electric suppliers for more favorable rates?

Yes, No, No Opinion

3) If Apex eventually seeks a PILOT (Payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) from COIDA (County of Orleans Industrial Development Agency), should this be granted?

Yes, No, No Opinion

4) In 2015, the Town of Yates tax levy was $852,205. What percentage of decrease in the Town of Yates tax levy would you like to see come from this project? Circle one answer.
0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, No Opinion

5) What effect do you feel wind turbines would have on property values in the Town of Yates?

Increase, Decrease, No Change

6) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of health issues is important?

Yes, No, No Opinion

7) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of wildlife issues is important?

Yes, No, No Opinion

8) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of possible effects on the operations at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is important?

Yes, No, No Opinion

9) Do you feel New York State’s “Reforming Energy Vision” is an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Yes, No, No Opinion

10) Based on your knowledge of Lighthouse Wind, are you in favor or opposed to this project at this time?
Favor, Oppose, No Opinion

YATES – The Public Service Commission has extended the public comment time for a proposed wind-energy project in the lakeshore towns of Yates and Somerset. Town and state officials pushed for more time to review and comment on the project.

Kathleen H. Burgess, secretary of the Public Service Commission, announced on Tuesday the deadline for comments has been moved from mid-December to Jan. 6.

“Having considered these requests, and in order to provide for the fair, orderly and efficient conduct of the proceeding, the comment period is extended ” Burgess wrote.

Apex Clean Energy, developer of the proposed project with up to 71 wind turbines, also will have more time to respond to the public’s comments. Normally, the developer of a large-scale wind energy project would have 21 days to comment, but Apex will have 30 days until Feb. 5.

Burgess in her letter notes that the Town of Yates sought a 42-day extension of the comment period and James Simon, town supervisor elect, requested an additional 90 days. State Sen. Robert Ortt also said the comment period should be extended.

Apex is eyeing 12 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline for the wind turbines on land approximately 3 to 4 miles south of Lake Ontario. Lighthouse anticipates that the project will consist of up to 71 wind turbines.

The company said the design and layout of the project, including all turbine locations as well as alternative locations, will be presented as the application moves along in the process.

Burgess, in her letter on Tuesday, said Lighthouse states that the design and layout of the project will be informed by a number of factors, including environmental studies, wildlife studies, electrical studies, land leasing, cultural assessments, and public input.

Comments may be submitted electronically by visiting the Public Service Commission’s website at www.dps.ny.gov. Click on the “Post Comments” button in the upper part of the screen.

The proposed project has been bitterly opposed by a citizens group, Save Ontario Shores, which will have a 7 p.m. public meeting at the Barker Fire Hall on Dec. 8.

YATES – Four residents of Yates have the town and county support to serve on a committee to determine whether a large-scale wind energy project will be approved for Yates and Somerset.

Yates Town Supervisor John Belson and David Callard, County Legislature chairman, were asked by the state Public Service Commission to nominate four residents to be considered for an ad hoc siting committee.

Somerset and Niagara County also backed four residents for the committee. The state PSC will allow two local residents to be on the seven-member committee. The state will consider the eight people – four from both Yates and Somerset – nominated for the committee and whittle that to two. Ideally, Callard said this afternoon, there would be a local representative for both Yates and Somerset.

Yates and the county were united in submitting the following names for the PSC to consider: Russ Martino (former town supervisor), Cynthia Hellert, Jeffrey Oakes and Glenn Maid (a critic of the wind energy project who was endorsed for the Town Board by the Conservative Party and Save Ontario Shores. Maid didn’t win the election last month.)

“The four are a good balance representing different points of view,” Callard said.

He isn’t sure how the state will determine who is chosen to serve on the siting committee.

Besides the two local representatives on the siting committee, the seven-member group is chaired by the state Department of Public Service and includes the leaders of four other state departments: Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), Empire State Development and the Department of Health.

Santa will light up trees at 5 p.m. on Saturday

Provided photos, Teri Woodworth

LYNDONVILLE – There are 54 trees decorated in Veteran’s Park in downtown Lyndonville. They will be light up on Saturday at 5 p.m. when Santa arrives as part of the community’s holiday celebration.

Lyndonville debuted the tree event in 2013 with 26 trees. It grew to 43 last year and added 11 more this year. The trees are decorated by residents and local organizations.

“The community is very excited about it,” said Teri Woodworth, the village clerk.

Her mother, Carla Woodworth, is the event chairwoman.

Lyndonville has turned the event into a day-long celebration beginning with a breakfast at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church from 8 to 11 a.m. The Lyndonville United Methodist Church will host a mini mall with vendors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There are horse-drawn carriage rides from 2 to 4:45 p.m., a visit from Santa from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Village Hall and choirs performing at the Presbyterian Church beginning at 7 p.m.

There are other activities at the library, school and local businesses. Click here to see a full schedule.

File photo by Tom Rivers – Here is how the trees looked last year when the lights were turned on at Veteran’s Park.

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

YATES – State Sen. Rob Ortt issued the following statement today about the proposed Lighthouse Wind Project, where Apex Clean Energy wants to build up to 71 large-scale wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.
“The process thus far has been extremely disappointing and frustrating for local residents and government officials. I’m hopeful that the next phase will address the serious concerns raised by property owners, businesses, farmers, and local representatives.

“We cannot have such a dramatic change in our community – potential risks to our environment, health, and property – with scarce details provided by developers and without community input. For this reason, I’ve been adamant in calling for a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) to study the impact that a project of this scale will have on our community.

“While federal aviation officials are studying the effect wind turbines will have on our skies and how it will impact local air traffic, the state needs to increase its diligence on this matter.

“I’ve also advocated for greater local involvement by moving siting decisions away from politicians and bureaucrats in Albany – and giving it back to local officials. I will continue working with concerned citizens as well as officials at the town, county, state, and federal level.”

Company says it will create 13 new jobs, pump $2.5M annually to local governments, leaseholders

Apex Clean Energy – This map, included in Apex Clean Energy’s Preliminary Scoping Document, shows the area where the company wants to put wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.

YATES – Apex Clean Energy has filed a preliminary scoping document with the NYS Public Service Commission for a wind turbine project along 12 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline in Yates and Somerset.

The project would extend inland by 3 to 4 miles, the company said, in a community with residential, agricultural, lakefront, and seasonal recreational land. The company has been working on the controversial project for more than a year.

Apex says Lighthouse Wind will be a 201 meagwatt project. It will have up to 71 turbines if they are 2.85 MW each or 61 turbines if they are 3.3 MWs.

The company says it will pay leaseholders $1 million annually and will direct $1.5 million annually in payments to the two towns, school districts and counties in the project area.

The Scoping Document can be viewed on the PSC website by clicking here. Apex also has links to documents on its website (click here).

The company in the scoping document  presents its studies and responses for environmental issues with noise and vibration; geology, seismology and soils; terrestrial ecology and wetlands; visual impacts; socioeconomic effects; and other issues.

The project will include temporary and permanent facilities, Apex says in the document, including wind turbines, access roads, buried electrical collection lines, a substation/point of interconnection with the NYS power grid, wind measurement towers, temporary construction staging and storage areas, and an operations and
maintenance facility.

Dan Spitzer, an attorney for the Town of Yates, has asked the Public Service Commission to extend the deadline beyond Dec. 14 for comments about the Public Scoping Document. He wrote a letter on Nov. 24 to Kathleen H. Burgess, secretary for the PSC. He asked for an additional 21 days until Jan. 6.

“It is respectfully submitted that this request for a 21-day extension is reasonable, will not delay these proceedings, nor result in prejudice to any party,” Spitzer said in his letter. “Conversely, without the extension, the Town’s ability to participate at this stage of the proceeding would be hindered.”

James Simon, who was elected Yates town supervisor earlier this month, asked that the Public Service Commission extend the comment deadline for 90 days. He sent a letter on Nov. 24 to Burgess.

“Given the results of the recent election in Yates and the very limited information being provided to the citizens of the town by Apex Clean Energy, I recommend the time period for filing PSS comments be extended to 90 days in order to allow for the newly constituted board (with two new members) to be able to consult experts and the citizens of the town as to whether the proposed studies and methodologies are adequate and exhaustive,” Simon writes in a letter to the Public Service Commission.

The state has a new way for siting large-scale wind energy projects. It gives the final say to a seven-member Siting Committee that includes two members from the local project area.

Yates and Orleans County officials have been given 15 days to nominate four people to be considered as local members of the committee. Simon has asked that the deadline for nominating local residents be pushed back to after Jan. 1 when the new Town Board takes office.

The ad hoc committee reviewing the project will be chaired by the state Department of Public Service and includes the leaders of four other state departments: Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), Empire State Development and the Department of Health.

State officials have five of the seven votes.

Somerset and Niagara County officials also can nominate local residents to be on the committee.

Assemblyman backs 2 bills to boost local say in project

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

YATES – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) today urged constituents to voice their opinions on the Lighthouse Wind, LLC project, which recently opened a public comment period that began Nov. 18.

“The Lighthouse Wind, LLC project has the potential to have major economic and social implications for local residents,” Hawley said. “Wherever you fall on this issue, the most important thing is that your voice is heard. The 21-day comment period is now open and will close on Dec. 9. Government is responsible to the citizens, and public comment and dissent is an integral and inherent part of our democratic process. I encourage all constituents to voice their comments at Lighthouse Wind, 310 4th St. NE, Suite 200, Charlottesville, VA 22902, and file a copy with the Secretary of the Department of Public Service.”

Hawley also reiterated his sponsorship of two bills aimed at increasing public input on local projects and strong opposition to Article X in order to give the local population greater representation in decisions that affect their community.

“As a result of my strong push for public input on local issues and staunch opposition to Article X, I am vehemently supporting two bills aimed at increasing public involvement in projects such as these. A.8545 would increase membership on the siting board from 7 to 9 members, increase the number of ad hoc members from 2 to 4, and require all ad hoc members to be present for a quorum.

“Another bill, A.8564, would require a public referendum to be held by the county or district where the project is located and mandate a certificate be issued for the proposal if the majority of voters are in favor of the project. Both of these bills increase public accessibility to local projects and create avenues for citizens to voice their concerns.”

Provided photos – WXXI-TV met with Lyndonville students on Tuesday to hear about the school district’s character education program.

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School District’s character education program will be featured on WXXI-TV’s Need to Know news and public affairs program.

The district has adopted the innovative We R 3C program to help students develop positive behaviors when interacting with each other. The goal is for students to be active participants in creating caring communities – the three Cs in the We R 3C program.

WXXI-TV host Helene Biandudi-Hofer and videographer Martin Kaufman visited Lyndonville MS/HS on Tuesday to record video of students participating in program lessons and to interview students about their experiences. The segment profiling Lyndonville will air on WXXI-TV sometime in January or February.

“It was great to hear students talking about the importance of community and appreciation for self and others,” Biandudi-Hofer said. “The connections students have been able to make with their peers and teachers through a program focused on character development is a great story that should be told.”

WXXI visited Kevin Lasky and his seventh-grade students.

The WXXI television camera captured seventh-grade students in Kevin Lasky’s classroom as they broke into small groups and shared what makes each of them unique as people. The purpose of the lesson is to learn the meaning of respect by recognizing the value of others.

“We R 3C is a groundbreaking way to help our students develop good habits and reinforce the strong character traits that the Lyndonville community is known for,” said Lyndonville Superintendent Jason Smith.

“We R 3C is dedicated to building and sustaining caring communities through programs which develop and celebrate respect, kindness and compassion,” said We R 3C program founder Bart Dentino of Genesee County. “Lyndonville’s students and staff have embraced the program and seamlessly integrated the lessons to build strong relationships in the school community. It’s exciting to watch.”

Jim Simon

YATES – Persistence paid off for Jim Simon today when 86 absentee ballots were counted in the Town of Yates and Simon emerged the winner for town supervisor.

Simon has been a vocal critic for a proposed wind turbine project in town. The Town Republican Committee endorsed John Belson for another term as town supervisor in the spring.

Simon, with backing from the Save Ontario Shores citizens group, forced a GOP primary on Sept. 10, but lost to Belson, 153-146. The race was so close it went to the absentee ballots, with Belson winning.

But Simon wouldn’t go away. He announced a write-in bid for town supervisor. Those campaigns have historically been unsuccessful locally. However, two Medina residents – Mike Sidari and Marguerite Sherman – were elected to the Medina Village Board in March 2014 with write-ins.

A week ago, when the polls closed Belson was ahead by 14 votes, 352 to 338 for Simon. There were 86 absentees.

Simon would get 56 votes when they were counted this morning, with Belson getting 27. Three other ballots weren’t counted because two people voted for “John Simon” and one person filled in the circle for Belson, and didn’t fully erase it after writing in Simon’s name.

When all the votes were counted, Simon won 393 to 379. He takes office on Jan. 1. He will be joined by John Riggi, another turbine opponent with backing from Save Ontario Shores. (Riggi is president of that group.)

“It is very humbling to have 393 people write my name in,” Simon said after the votes were counted at the Board of Elections. “John Belson is a good man and he’s served well. I look forward to working with him in the transition.”

Simon works as the dean for the GCC campus centers in Albion and Medina. He knows many of the community leaders at the local, county and state level through his position at GCC. He looks forward to engaging those leaders in building a stronger small business and residential environment for Yates.

He remains strongly opposed to the project proposed by Apex Clean Energy. He said the company secretly started negotiating with landowners for six months before going public with the project and meeting with town officials.

Apex is proposing to build 60 to 68 turbines that peak at 570 feet tall in Yates and Somerset.

Somerset did a citizen survey that showed strong town opposition to the project. The Somerset Town Board and Niagara County Legislature both formally opposed the plan.

Simon has urged Yates and county officials to be more staunch in their opposition. Both Yates and county officials have said they want to see a survey first, gauging citizen feedback.

Simon and Save Ontario Shores have criticized the town for moving too slow on the survey. Belson said today the official town survey should be out in about two weeks with results tabulated in December.

“We tried to run a nice, clean campaign,” Belson said after the absentees were counted. “We tried to stay positive and do everything correctly.”

Belson said he plans to remain active in the community. His immediate goal is finishing up the town budget for 2016. That goes to a vote at Thursday’s Town Board meeting.

The turbine project has been contentious and divisive. The town doesn’t have the final say in the project. The state created a seven-member State Siting Commission to review and vote on the project. Five of the seven members are state officials with two from the local community.

Simon said he will be pushing hard to fight the loss of “home rule” on the project. If Yates and the county can come out against the project, following Somerset and Niagara, Simon said it would be more difficult for the state to impose an unwanted project on Yates and Somerset.

“I will do everything in my power to make it a local decision,” Simon said. “We’re going to explore every option to bring back home rule.”

Provided photos/Lyndonville Central School – Victor Woods, an author and speaker, addresses Lyndonville students.

Press Release
Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community, students and teachers were able to feel the energy from a motivational speech from Victor Woods to kick off the school year.

Woods is a convicted felon who turned his life around to become an author and a speaker. He gave multiple presentations in the school district revolving around the themes of triumphing over adversity and having the ambition to achieve.

Woods touched on the fact that no one’s path in life is perfect or without problems.

“Something we all have in common is that each and every one of us will encounter a hardship,” said Woods. “It’s a matter of taking those challenges head on and becoming a better person.”

Woods shared principles from his book with the student body.

“I’m not standing here because I’m perfect, or because I have all the answers,” said Woods. “If I had all the answers, I wouldn’t have gone to jail twice.”

Woods told a story of him having conjunctivitis, or pink eye, while in prison and having to pry his eyes open to be able to see. The experience was both physically and metaphorically eye opening.

“People asked me when I began to change,” said Woods. “When you get sick and tired of being sick and tired, that’s when you change the condition of your life.”

“I was in prison and decided not to just have eyesight, but to have vision,” added Woods. “Eyesight is what you see in front of you. Vision is what you see down the road. I knew where I wanted to go.”

The vision to achieve your goals is important, said Woods. Harnessing your talents and strengths is part of that vision.

“Find out what you’re good at and don’t walk towards it, run towards it,” said Woods. “You have to see it in your mind, believe it in your heart and then have the guts to go out there and do it.”

Woods used examples of people who went from small towns to successful careers, such as Bill Clinton and Morgan Freeman, to motivate the students to achieve anything they set their sights on.

“People say ‘I’m from a small town, I can’t do it’,” said Woods. “We’re all the same. If you have an attitude of being a winner and say I’m going to make it any way, then you can. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what color you are, how much money you make, where your parents came from.”

Woods finished by saying, “Never give up on your children, never give up on your family, never give up on your friends and never ever, ever, ever give up on yourselves.”