Failure to collect taxes sends wrong message
So let me get this straight. The governor of New York, because of admitted fear, is not going to continue the process of taxing products sold on the reservations throughout the state. Each and every time non-Indians purchase tobacco products and fuel on a reservation, they are engaging in tax evasion. I know that sounds harsh, but that is what is going on. Every other citizen is forced into paying more than his or her fair share because of the countless friends and neighbors who refuse to pay theirs. Enough is enough! (Updated: 11/08/09 8:29 AM )
Don’t attack whole town for comments by board
I am writing in response to the unfair bashing of Orchard Park. I am not defending the actions of the Town Board, which turned down a proposal for affordable senior housing. However, I am defending my town. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:29 AM )
Are officials listening to their constituents?
Both my husband and I recently sent e-mails to Sen. Charles Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins expressing our concerns about the proposed health care bill and what it might mean for senior citizens on Medicare. We stated in very plain English that we are not in favor of this bill. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:29 AM )
Stop catering to Senecas and start enforcing law
When does it end? Our governor is contemplating collecting taxes from the Indians. How many times have we heard this story? There is a law on the books—if they neglect to pay, then enforce the law. If they protest, arrest them. Our governor’s legal counsel claims it would cost $2 million a day to control any protesting by the Indians. So be it, there is a principle involved here. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:29 AM )
Keep harmful rhetoric out of complex issue
Nearly every Western country has a government component in its health care, most of them much more extensive than anything that is likely to be included in the current congressional legislation. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:29 AM )
Center helps people in their time of need
I am so glad that my God is bigger than the one painted by a Seneca Street resident about the happenings at Harvest House. Harvest House is God’s love in the flesh for those less fortunate in the city. Linda and Gary Tatu share their heart and soul with all those in need. They do not judge. They live as Jesus taught. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:29 AM )
State could make life difficult for Senecas
I have just about had it with the Seneca Nation. My solution: No American traveling the New York State Thruway or Routes 5 or 20 will be permitted to cross sovereign territory. There are other routes to take. They may be longer, but are safer (penalty of arrest). (Updated: 11/08/09 8:29 AM )
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 )
Don’t reduce funding for cancer screening
New York’s Cancer Services Program provides breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings to the state’s uninsured and under-insured. Earlier this year the program was effectively cut from $29 million to $21 million, denying mammograms, Pap tests and colon tests to thousands of eligible New Yorkers. Now comes word that Gov. David Paterson wants to hack the effort even more, further reducing the ability of clinics and hospitals around the state to provide life-saving cancer screenings to women in need. (Updated: 11/05/09 7:23 AM )
Why can’t Catholics use vacant church?
It is troubling to find that Bishop Edward Kmiec once again refuses to provide a vacated church for the Traditional Catholic organization Una Voce. According to Article Seven of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 Summorum Pontificum, a bishop or local ordinary is strongly suggested to satisfy the wishes of a group of faithful wishing to celebrate according to the pre-1962 liturgy, should current provisions be unsatisfactory. (Updated: 11/05/09 7:23 AM )
Buffalo parks will suffer if we turn back the clock
May I offer my support to have the City of Buffalo take over the responsibility of caring for the parks currently under the control of the Olmsted Conservancy? (Updated: 11/05/09 7:23 AM )
Uproar over vaccine is really ridiculous
People all over the country are whining about being “forced” into taking the “marginally” tested H1N1 flu vaccination. So the Obama daughters “boldly go where no man has gone before” to get the H1N1 flu vaccination, and they are being singled-out for getting preferential treatment. Take a chill pill. (Updated: 11/05/09 7:23 AM )
License plate plan is highway robbery
My license plates work just fine. I do not need new ones, therefore, I should not be forced to buy new ones. I already did that. If I have the option to keep my old ones, I do not need new ones to begin with, therefore, I am being robbed— again—by the people who are supposedly looking out for me. (Updated: 11/05/09 7:23 AM )
Waste dump in Porter is costing us millions
The CWM toxic waste dump in Porter is an economic albatross, not an “engine.” Waste Management is the owner but not operator of this facility, which regularly creates spills, leaks and fires. (Updated: 11/04/09 7:14 AM )
Lee should consider what constituents want
Congressman Chris Lee was quoted in The News as saying, “In my district, it is still broadly opposed.” The “it” he was referring to was a public health care option. He further stated he opposed a public health care option because “I’ve yet to see the government run anything efficiently or effectively.” (Updated: 11/04/09 2:04 PM )
Let’s hope people learn from dog’s death in park
I was saddened to read about the death of the 8-month-old Yorkie at the Barkyard. I was there that day, although not when the poor doggie died. My sympathies are with Minika Hall. (Updated: 11/04/09 7:14 AM )
