Everybody's Column
State is just bleeding students for money
Students are not here to fix a botched government and supplement the state’s income.Gov. David Paterson is on the verge of slashing educational spending. In addition, Assemblyman Sam Hoyt suggests annual tuition increases for the State University of New York. It is disgusting that our government is proposing spending less on education while charging students more for it. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Tragic death of teens in crash calls for stricter enforcement
The tragic death of four teenagers needlessly killed by reckless driving remains heavy on all of our hearts. We won-der once again if this kind of event can be prevented or is it completely out of our hands? I would like to think that it was preventable. The driver, with a litany of traffic violations (including speeding and running a stop sign), has to make us wonder how such an individual was able to continue to hold a driver’s license. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Moon expeditions elicit very little earthly benefit
A recent article in The News stated that NASA had conducted a test of the Aries I-X rocket, the first step in the back-to-the- moon program. According to the article, this test cost $445 million. NASA claims that space exploration benefits the entire planet and future generations. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Investor offers hope for a city revitalization
The column by Donn Esmonde, “L. A. guy brings green to Buffalo,” introduced a new beginning for Buffalo. The fact that Mike Hananel purchased properties in the city and is fixing them up is a great endorsement for our city. I hope others will take the lead from him. So many good things are able to come from this. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Politicians live well, while the public toils
It’s time for politicians to take a cut in pay and benefits. They have great pay, great benefits and perks galore. And we pay for it. They never have to give up a thing. They seem to live well and always seem to be well rested. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Sugar reduction effort turns ironic in war time
The recent article outlining some dentists’ plan to buy Halloween candy from their little patients explains that children get $1 a pound and a flashing toothbrush, maybe a chance to win tickets to a Sabres game and possible other little goodies. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Festival provides value for out of town visitors
Having lived in Western New York for 37 years, I always looked forward to November for the Viva Vivaldi Festival. I had an opportunity to visit family and friends in the Buffalo area. This visit coincided with the first of the four concerts in the Viva Vivaldi series. What a pleasure it was to attend the concert, performed by world-class musicians, in the spiritual setting of the Buffalo Religious Arts Center. As always, Mary Louise Nana and the Ars Nova Musicians were superb. What a great way to culminate my visit to the area! (Updated: 11/07/09 8:38 AM )
Energy bills include financial aid for poor
Douglas Turner’s Nov. 2 column, “Energy bill exemplifies Washington elitism,” could give readers the wrong impression about our findings with regard to congressional energy legislation. We find that such legislation need not burden low-income families. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
Proposed budget cuts will hurt many children
Gov. David Paterson has proposed new budget cuts that, if enacted, will have a significant, detrimental effect on children and families in Buffalo, many of whom are living in poverty. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
Figures cited in op-ed do not bear scrutiny
Waste Management’s district manager, Michael D. Mahar, offers some interesting arguments in his Oct. 26 Another Voice, but the numbers he cites do not bear scrutiny. Mahar enumerates payments made by Waste Management in three categories: wages, salary and benefits paid to Niagara County residents; payments to subcontractors and suppliers; and school taxes—$5 million, $22 million and $750,000 respectively. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
Public option is needed to rein in health costs
I read with interest the article stating Independent Health is raising its rates 10.5 percent next year. I found it amusing that we should be grateful that it is only a 10 percent increase because it initiated some cost savings and forced its members to use generic drugs. However, if you follow health care, one can’t help but notice that the year Hillary Clinton was going to fix health care was the only time health care costs decreased. Once her proposal was defeated, prices went right back up and have stayed that way. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
Works at Albright-Knox are not ‘pornographic’
I am a docent at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and would like to comment on an Oct. 26 letter. A local Catholic school canceled a tour at the gallery for 90 of its sixth-through eighth-grade students. Two parents influenced this decision. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
Those looking for insult will certainly find one
To all those at The Buffalo News and others writing about Orchard Park, I suggest consideration of an old saying, “If you are looking for an insult, you will surely find one.” (Updated: 11/06/09 6:58 AM )
City demanded casino, then put up roadblocks
In response to the letter, “When will Senecas finish stalled casino?”—where was this guy when the Senecas were looking for a place to build a new beautiful casino? If he was paying attention, he would know that the Senecas wanted to build a casino near the airport in Cheektowaga— a prime location on a main route in a safe area where there is a Thruway exchange and hotels. (Updated: 11/05/09 7:23 AM )
State education chief is right to rethink testing
I applaud State Education Commissioner David M. Steiner. He would be horrified to know that those opposed to standardized assessment have been disciplined for teaching thinking skills and collaborative learning. Taxpayers’ money can be put to better use reducing class size and providing aides in every classroom. (Updated: 11/05/09 7:23 AM )
