Letters to the Editor
Baker is a hero
Editor, The Sun:
Town of Hamburg Police Officer John Baker was first on the scene of a recent house fire in Lake View. He used heroism and courage to crawl on his hands and knees through thick and heavy black smoke to rescue a 90-year-old woman out of danger.
Baker did not hesitate one minute and even put himself into jeopardy to save this woman from the intense heat and massive amounts of blindlng black smoke billowing from inside the house.
We want everyone to recognize his fortitude and what our police officers are faced with each and every day. Thank you!
Bob and Donna Mackey, Lake View
Crawford thanks the community
Editor, The Sun:
On behalf of the students, parents, staff and members of the board of education of the Hamburg Central School District, I wish to express sincere thanks to all of the community members who voted on July 1 to approve our athletic field project.
I’d also like to acknowledge the tremendous support of the Hamburg Bulldogs Alumni Group, the Hamburg coaches and our School Board, which is under the leadership of President Margaret Moses.
The margin of support for this project was reassuring and comforting. We are delighted to know that the children of our district will experience many wonderful interscholastic athletic opportunities for years to come.
We also believe the upgraded Howe Field complex will complement many of the changes occurring within the village and indicates that Hamburg is on the move!
We look forward to the opening ceremony for the Howe Field complex in September 2009. It will be a great source of pride for our community.
Dr. Mark J. Crawford
Superintendent,
Hamburg Central School District
The truth is hard to accept
Editor, The Sun:
The editorial cartoon that you published in the June 19, 2008 issue of The Sun showed the burden that government benefits are on the backs of taxpayers and one letter writer said later it was considered offensive to some employees of Erie County.
Those employees in village, town, county and federal positions who are fortunate enough to have such benefits will certainly want to defend and justify why they should continue.
However, citizens in the private sector with equivalent education and responsibilities are paying a portion of their own health care costs and the majority of their own retirement (401K plans.)
If the individual is self employed, the cost of health insurance can range from $9,000 (individual) to $16,000 (family) per year, out of pocket and not including deductibles and co-pays.
So that means the private citizen is paying their own way and the benefits of every village, county, state and federal employee.
Do we really think our taxes should be paying for summer hours and holidays like Washington’s birthday (yes some state employees are off on Feb. 22.)
Should able-bodied men and women retire at age 55 with full health care for life while their neighbors will need to work until age 65 or after to cover their own and also the benefits of government employees?
The county worker who was offended by the cartoon may be interpreting the burden on the taxpayer as laziness, but it doesn’t change the fact that those benefits are inequitable.
The difficulty of government jobs and appreciation for their service is not in question.
But aren’t other citizens also hardworking contributors to society?
No one is denying that police and firefighters put their lives on the line everyday they go to work and should be adequately compensated.
And no one is comparing government employees and welfare recipients.
Our economy can no longer afford a system that is outdated and inequitable.
The truth exposes the burden of government benefits is not a generalization, but it is hard to swallow.
Linda Stockmeyer, Hamburg
Thank you
Editor, The Sun:
We would like to give a big “thank you” to Town of Hamburg Supervisor Steve Walters.
We live across the street from Winter’s Farm Market, which burned down last Tuesday (July 8) night.
The clean up crew had to cut down a tree that was destroyed by the fire. The branches were placed along the road waiting to be picked up.
As the wind blows towards our home we had the continued smell of smoke, which was not good as we have one family member that has heart problems and the other has asthma.
My husband called Walters and asked that the branches be removed immediately.
No less than 10 minutes later there was a Town of Hamburg Highway Department truck parked across the street removing these branches.
But that is not the end of the story. Walters also made it a point to drive by to ensure that the job was taken care of.
We are thankful for his attention to this matter and for going the extra step and for the prompt response of the town’s Highway Department.
The Meyer Family, Hamburg
Mad at Meyer
Editor, The Sun:
I am writing to express my disappointment in The Sun.
I am a member of the Hamburg Village Bloom Committee, a volunteer, non-profit group. Our sole purpose has been to create an event that will enhance our village. Major road construction has seriously impacted local businesses. We hope that bringing people here to visit our garden walk will help generate some trade for them.
That being said, I recently wrote a letter to the editor that I wanted published in the July 10 issue of The Sun the Thursday before the walk.
I received a call from Editor Dan Meyer last Wednesday (July 9) stating he had many important letters to publish and obviously he had to cut our letter. He told me he felt we had a lot of publicity, including that he had willingly given us The Sun window for display. Everyone around here knows that Buffalo Street, where The Sun resides, has been a ghost town due to construction. I feel you have done our village a grave injustice. You made a very poor choice. After seeing the letters published last week, it’s apparent it was a personal decision to not publish my letter.
We paid for at least three ads in the past few months. I personally feel you disrespected our committee and showed no regard for village allegiance. You made a choice that ultimately will hurt local business revenue. I’m proud of my roots. I grew up in here, raised my daughters here, my father was a village business owner, and I work for the Town of Hamburg. I’m proud of Hamburg and my loyalty is strong.
You showed a lack of loyalty to a place that supports your livelihood.
Donna Gavin, Hamburg
Please read
Editor, The Sun:
This is directed to all of the residents of the Town of Hamburg.
I wanted to call your attention to the issue of parkland alienation that the Town Board is seeking. The board wants to enter a lease/development arrangement for the ice arena.
As I have stated in the past, I think this is a bad move, since the town’s Recreation Department already efficiently manages town owned facilities.
Unfortunately, some politicians have chosen the tactic of attacking the messenger to divert attention from the issue. I refuse to respond to their personal attacks. I will instead focus on the issues listed below:
• Should the town continue its pursuit of alienation of parkland and seek a development/lease arrangement with a private entity?
• Do we need a second ice arena in Hamburg?
• Should the town bond up to $10 million for development funds and turn it over to a private entity?
• Should the town turn over rink operations to a private entity with no proven management skills?
Since the politicians have chosen to make me the issue, I will take a side seat and allow others to express their views.
Richard Tripp, Lake View
Please help
Editor, The Sun:
I’m asking you to help brighten the day of patients at Women and Children’s Hospital by participating in my second annual “Christmas in July” toy drive.
With only one week left, I’m asking residents to donate a new or unwrapped toy. They can be dropped off at my office, located at 3812 South Park Ave. in Blasdell, or at Independent Health, located on Farber Lakes Drive in Williamsville. Anyone unable to drop the toys off can call my office at 826-1878 to arrange a pick up.
I look forward to seeing smiling faces this year when “Santa” delivers these gifts to children.
Anyone who wants to make a monetary donation can call the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation at 881-8230.
Jack Quinn
State Assemblyman,
146th District
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