Historic tax credits are having a positive impact
As noted in The News, some have expressed concerns about the legislation creating state historic tax credits that took effect Jan. 1. Make no mistake about it, the legislation works as written. Already, progressive redevelopers and neighborhood planners are setting the stage for historic investments. As they learn how to use the full potential of the new state historic tax credits, commercial and residential historic building owners will reinvigorate our heritage houses, buildings and communities. (Updated: 03/12/10 6:40 AM )
Soaring federal debt is cause for alarm
I am not aware of an economic textbook that contains a chapter titled “Creating the Illusion of Prosperity.” This illusion occurs when an individual or business incurs excessive debt and eventually declares bankruptcy. In other words, the debt bubble became swollen to the point where it had to burst. (Updated: 03/12/10 6:40 AM )
Both parties share blame for meltdown
In response to the Feb. 28 letter, “Stop blaming Obama for mess made by Bush,” there is little doubt that President George (Updated: 03/12/10 6:40 AM )
Mega-churches don’t pose a threat to true Catholics
Mega-churches are nothing new on the landscape. Having lived in the Southtowns all my life, I have seen their growth, excitement and have seen Catholics, including family members, leave the church. I attended services at one since my curiosity got me and I wanted to see firsthand what all the “buzz” was about. I was impressed with the orchestration, beautiful music, articulate preaching and everyone embracing. It was most uplifting. The service was a great enhancement to my worship. Upon my departure, I then stated, now I have to go to church. (Updated: 03/12/10 6:40 AM )
Warming waters have drastic effect on weather
After hearing too many silly comments like “how can we have global warming with all the snow that we’re getting?” I thought I’d write. Global warming means that there is less of an ozone layer to keep out some of the harmful rays from the sun, and that there is a greenhouse effect happening because of the emissions in the air. What that does is raise the temperature of the oceans by a degree or two. (Updated: 03/12/10 6:40 AM )
Cut postal management before reducing service
The Office of Inspector General concluded that the U. S. Postal Service has been overcharged by $75 billion for payments into the retirement system. This is for the service of employees since 1971. That money must be paid back before anyone even thinks about cutting mail delivery service from six to five days per week. And there are still far too many managers who never touch a piece of mail. Deep cuts should be made in the bloated management bureaucracy before cutting service to the public. (Updated: 03/11/10 7:08 AM )
Opponents of bridge must not be ignored
The recent display of various signature bridge designs likely renewed the interest of early advocates who grew disenchanted with the conflicts, confusions and delays that have plagued the project from its very beginning. The display, however, did not change the mind-set of those who opposed the plan for reasons they believe demand serious attention. (Updated: 03/11/10 7:08 AM )
Time to stop calling bottle deposit a tax
For Pete’s sake, the bottle bill is not a tax, as it was again referred to in the letter, “No stone left unturned in state’s search for cash.” (Updated: 03/11/10 7:08 AM )
Writer wrong to judge all in North Collins
I am a 53-year resident of the Village of North Collins. Up until a few weeks ago, I never even knew Eva Cummings— who is charged with second-degree murder in her daughter’s death—existed. I took offense to a recent letter writer singling out the residents of North Collins, as if this was the first case of this nature in our area. (Updated: 03/11/10 7:08 AM )
NFTA ought to expand service to the suburbs
I would like the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to explain why it wants to cut the Route 65 bus. It is the only bus that travels on North Forest Road. If a family does not have a car or only one car and both individuals have to work, the Route 65 bus is needed for the commute to downtown. (Updated: 03/11/10 7:08 AM )
Loss of Whirlpool jobs is a real slap in the face
Whirlpool Corp., in spite of receiving $19 million in federal economic funds, will close its plant in the United States and ship the jobs to Mexico. This will cost 1,100 American jobs. Whirlpool’s decision is a slap in the face to the working people and taxpayers in this country. This is another example of a company that pretends it is all about America, but the bottom line is money and profits and American workers be damned. (Updated: 03/11/10 7:08 AM )
Enacting commuter tax is ridiculous suggestion
A commuter tax? It sure sounds like a good idea. To those who support it, I say be careful what you wish for. Every municipality provides services for entities enjoyed by people who don’t live there— the Galleria Mall, Ralph Wilson Stadium, Darien Lake. And while the people who work in one town while residing in another may not pay taxes in the town they work in, the companies they work for do. (Updated: 03/11/10 7:08 AM )
Amanda’s Law will reduce carbon monoxide deaths
You can’t see it or smell it, but it can quietly sneak into your home without you knowing it. It’s called carbon monoxide, otherwise known as the silent killer. On Feb. 22, a new law took effect that establishes stricter guidelines for homeowners when it comes to carbon monoxide detectors. As a firm believer in safety and prevention in the home, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York applauds this much-needed legislation called Amanda’s Law. (Updated: 03/10/10 6:58 AM )
International students aren’t being segregated
Two years ago, my husband and I decided to place our children into School 45, also known as the International School, despite my son having placed into the gifted and talented program at Olmsted. Our children are not simply learning about the rich diversity of our world, they are living it every day. (Updated: 03/10/10 6:58 AM )
Domestic violence must be taken more seriously
Gov. David Paterson’s trivialization of intimidation tactics and apparent attempt to cover up an act of domestic violence credited to one of his staffers has become a public disgrace. His clandestine misuse of political power, granted to him by the people of New York, makes this an incomprehensibly abhorrent act. (Updated: 03/10/10 6:58 AM )
Roundabouts reduce accidents, congestion
A recent letter writer criticized New York State for budgeting a proposed roundabout on South Park Avenue at Big Tree Road. The writer claims that the state should not be wasting its scarce funds on such unnecessary projects. I disagree with the notion that roundabouts are unnecessary. (Updated: 03/10/10 6:58 AM )
Toyota had several significant recalls
It’s refreshing to finally see Toyota Corp. being reported as it actually is, and not as it usually gets reported as the “utopia” company that can do no wrong. What didn’t make the news, though, were several other significant recalls prior to the accelerator issue, including the spare tire of some Tundra trucks falling off the undercarriage as it cruises down the highway. (Updated: 03/10/10 6:58 AM )
Many people would benefit from vitamins, supplements
The recent “Be Well in WNY” article addressing whether to take vitaminD during the winter is another great example of how prevalent vitamins and supplements are becoming in society. I commend The News for writing about this important topic. (Updated: 03/09/10 6:44 AM )
All should share cost of providing education
In response to the letter, “Schools have reserve, yet keep hiking taxes,” sorry, but the Williamsville writer does not provide valid support for his position. (Updated: 03/09/10 6:44 AM )
Let’s do what it takes to reduce smoking rate
The American Lung Association in New York supports Gov. David Paterson’s newly proposed regulation that would finally result in taxes being collected on cigarettes sold to non-Indians at the state’s Native American reservations. (Updated: 03/09/10 6:44 AM )
Local theater groups are doing great work
Recently my wife and I saw the Niagara Regional Theater Guild production of the two-person play “Love Letters” at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda. It was excellent. We had previously seen several members of the ensemble singing Broadway show tunes and they were excellent as well. (Updated: 03/09/10 6:44 AM )
Parallels seen in fight for rural electrification
A group of my students has been researching the topic of “rural electrification” or the coming of electricity to rural areas. It’s been rather spooky to read about the fuss kicked up at that time by private power companies. “No government interference,” they shouted. Sound familiar? To draw one parallel to the fight over health insurance today, people with pre-existing conditions are like the people living in rural areas then: too expensive for private companies. (Updated: 03/09/10 6:44 AM )
Don’t police have to see drivers run a red light?
Once again we are hearing about the cameras that will take pictures of red light violators. A red light ticket is a violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, section 1111 d-1. As a retired police officer, I know that the police cannot charge someone with a violation unless the officer witnesses the infraction himself. That officer might have to testify in court, at a later date, as to the specifics of the violation. Who testifies against a citizen in court when the camera is the cop? Think about it. (Updated: 03/09/10 6:44 AM )
Village governments are doing a great job
Village government is the oldest form of government in the United States and the easiest to attack. Our Williamsville mayor and trustees represent village taxpayers in regard to how our taxes are spent. If the village is dissolved, we lose this representation and will have to rely on decisions of the Town of Amherst supervisor and its five (probably) council members for the fate of the village. (Updated: 03/08/10 6:49 AM )
Church wise to address Vatican II distortions
Claims made in the letter, “Catholic Church retreating to its pre-Vatican II ways,” are baseless. It’s naive to believe everything prior to Vatican II was somehow wrong. In the last century, the Church and secular society experienced an enormous shift in culture, economy and technology. These “shifts,” occurring regularly throughout history, are traumatic in nature, leading many to think that the Church and civilization are collapsing. (Updated: 03/08/10 6:49 AM )
We have learned little from the horrors of war
Feb. 10 marked the 70th anniversary of the expulsion of 15 million people in Eastern Poland by the USSR, which uprooted them from their homes, put them in cattle wagons and sent them by rail to forced labor camps in Siberia. My family was amongst them. I was 15 years old. (Updated: 03/08/10 6:49 AM )
King Tut exhibit was a big disappointment
I had high expectations of the King Tut exhibit in Toronto. For the past few months, my anticipation kept building every time I drove past one of the many billboards that stated “See the King.” Little did I know I was in for an unpleasant surprise. (Updated: 03/08/10 6:49 AM )
State desperately needs constitutional convention
I read in The News that more than 200 people showed up to a town hall forum put on by Assembly Republicans to push for a constitutional convention in New York State. I was pleasantly surprised that such a large crowd would show up for a reform event. (Updated: 03/08/10 6:49 AM )
Plan to reduce deficit is an empty gesture
Thomas Jefferson wrote: “. . . the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.” While President Obama’s commission to reduce the deficit looks good on paper, in reality it’s nothing but an empty gesture. We already have a commission to confront the deficit; it’s called Congress. If these people are unable (or more to the point unwilling) to do their job, we don’t need a new commission, we need a new Congress. (Updated: 03/08/10 6:49 AM )
Alcohol is a poor way to honor fallen heroes
Very few stories printed in The Buffalo News have affected me enough to write a letter expressing my opinion, until I read the article concerning the liquor bill dispute for the funerals of two firefighters in August 2009. (Updated: 03/07/10 6:35 AM )