Although it seems like the 2012 presidential election campaign has been dragging on since Halloween, another important race is not getting nearly enough attention.It is the duel for the U.S. Senate slowly simmering between incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand and a troika of Republican challengers: attorney Wendy Long, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos and U.S. Rep. Bob Turner.They will await the results of a primary being held June 26, the same day that David Bellavia and Chris Collins will face each other in a Republican primary for the right to challenge Kathy Hochul for re-election to the House of Representatives in the fall. In a Siena poll conducted in early May for the Senate... more

Dear Readers, There is a certain comfort in the traditions and routines that form the fabric of our lives. Whether it be a daily stop at a coffee shop or a practiced prayer before slipping off to sleep, a regularly scheduled dinner with family and friends or the marked celebration of a special anniversary, consistent life patterns define and embellish the years as they go by.One such routine in my life is the writing of this column. Every two weeks I luxuriate in the pattern of deciding what humorous, interesting, or controversial topic should become my latest, Heart and Soul musing. In 15 years that routine has lead to over 400 columns which, thanks to my loving daughter, are preserved... more

Hamburg First Democrats favor ‘rightsizing’ ideaEditor, The SunIt was with great pleasure that I read your recent editorial on “Right-Sizing” the Hamburg Town Board. As you know and recently reported, the Hamburg First Democrats Political Action Committee was formed in January with our primary focus of returning good and fair representation back to the town board. High on our agenda is “right sizing” the town board to five members.The committee was very disappointed when the town’s influential political leaders began the initial process to downsize the residents’ representation in our community. It soon became very clear to residents and Hamburg’s taxpayer’s organizations that it was truly about... more

Throughout the month of April, there have been a number of times when resolutions by the Hamburg Town Board have been approved by a 2-0 count. Councilman Joseph Collins missed the April 9 meeting because he was out of town for Easter, and during an emergency meeting of the board on April 26, abstained from a vote on matching grant funding for a energy related initiative for the town.We certainly are not saying that Town Supervisor Steven Walters or Councilwoman Amy Ziegler were wrong to vote in favor of this item. In the grand scheme of things, it was really more of a formality to see that the project started on time.But in the big picture, two people’s “yes” votes represented a town that has... more

Registered voters across New York State will have the opportunity to vote on suburban district school budgets and school board members next Tuesday, May 15. In many cases, it is the sole opportunity for citizens to approve or reject a budget of any kind in the Empire State.Despite this ability to make a direct decision on how their tax dollars will be spent, only a small percentage of voters in each district will take the time to vote. Whether it is a feeling of inevitability that the budget will pass, or pure and simple apathy, this springtime tradition gets about as much attention in Western New York as Bastille Day.One American who saw the value of public education was Frederick Douglass,... more

Thank-you offered for assistance saving my dogsEditor, The SunI wanted to take a moment to thank the “Good Samaritans” of Hamburg that rescued my dogs this morning from disaster. As I was getting my children ready for school, I realized my three little dogs had escaped from our back yard. I completely panicked (as they are valued members of our family) and I live very close to Route 5. I went to the end of the driveway and a wonderful Hamburg resident pulled into my driveway with my dogs in her car.As she explained, she had been out on Route 5 during rush hour trying to rescue my dogs. This could have been a tragic incident, and I am so grateful for the thoughtfulness of a fellow Hamburg resident.... more

I love to travel, or rather I love visiting places. I just don’t always love the mode of transportation.Air travel is uptight, stressful and takes a physical toll on me for many different reasons. I’m a nervous flyer just being up in the air, so all the other stresses, like security checks, time differences and altitude changes, just add to my misery.The last time I flew, I was minding my own business, waiting my turn at the security checkpoint, and the woman ahead of me turned around and began a very long conversation. It was more of a monologue, really.She was eccentric by anyone’s definition, talking loudly about her holistic massage business in Costa Rica, and gesturing as she talked, in... more

No matter where you turn these days, there seems to be a dose of positive vibes in the news.If you are a Buffalo Bills fan, the team just drafted its (hopefully) next batch of future stars, many of whom we hope will end a long playoff drought. If you are running for a school board in a couple of weeks, you are hopeful that you will be able to make an impact on the lives of students and teachers that are positive and help provide the best education possible.If you are a candidate for Congress, you are hopeful that as you gear toward a primary at the end of June, it will vault you in a path that will lead you to victory in the general election in November.All around these days, everywhere you turn,... more

As the first anniversary of the death of Osama bin Laden approached last week, members of the House of Representatives were debating the impact of the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act in Washington.The bipartisan proposal passed, 248-168, on Thursday, despite the predictable threat of a White House veto if it is passed in the Senate. The House bill allows for the exchange of potentially threatening data between private companies and the National Security Agency, as well as other government departments. A separate Senate bill would focus cybersecurity efforts in the Department of Homeland Security and require companies to increase their security for critical infrastructure, such... more

Legislator thankful for prom dress supportEditor, The SunI wish to thank everyone who helped make my third annual Prom Dress Drive a success. Donors generously donated gorgeous dresses, more than 400 in total. Thank you to Hamburg High School for hosting this year’s Shopping Event and for the volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly. I am grateful to the students who attended and reminded us what a great event this is. The girls shared their excitement for prom as they selected their dress for the big dance. Once again, Urban Valet donated its resources and cleaned every single dress and delivered them to the high school. I also want to acknowledge the donation sites that helped collect... more

This year marks the town of Eden’s 200th birthday and like anyone celebrating a special occasion, Eden residents are preparing to get all gussied up for their big party. The town wide makeover is happening in the form of a, “red, white and blue” garden competition open to all Eden residents, businesses and institutions. The Eden Garden Club and the Eden Bicentennial Committee are partnering as event organizers and have announced that they will award prizes to three winners in both contest divisions. Entries will be accepted until July 1, with judging July 16 through 19. All in all, a creative way to encourage a town-wide fix up/clean-up in honor of Eden’s big birthday. Hearing about this... more

Since the mid 1960s, the Hamburg Public Library has been a vital part of the community and a destination for many who use the resources to take out books or find information.Other than some maintenance projects, including a new roof, the building has not changed in nearly five decades and as technology evolves and what happens in the future with several libraries in the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System remaining murky, upgrading the facility is important to make sure it continues to thrive for many years to come.The idea began late in 2010, when members of the Hamburg Public Library Board of Directors as well as Hamburg Public Library Director Jack Edson, came before the Hamburg... more

When my sister-in-law and her husband bought a home in the Carolinas a few years ago, they noticed a stack of plywood and a coffee can full of nails in one corner of the garage.“What’s that for?” they wondered, thinking that perhaps part of the home was not yet finished or that the builder was donating unused materials to them out of the kindness of his heart.“That’s to cover your doors and windows during hurricane warnings,” advised the real estate agent.We seldom have weather threats as serious as that, but the near-panic that surfaced earlier this week for a “spring snowstorm” failed to move the needle on the reality scale.The winter storm warning served up Sunday night came with a thick dose... more

Allan Wittmeyer touched many livesEditor, The SunAfter reading David Sherman’s April 12th article in The Sun about padding your obituary, and having recently lost a loved one, I wanted to share more about Allan Wittmeyer who passed away suddenly on April 3, 2012. Anyone who knew Al, had the privilege of knowing a kind, loving, happy and gentle soul. He tried to fool us with his gruff exterior, but if you spent any time with Al it wasn’t long before his heart of gold shined through and he left you feeling happy to have been in his presence. He had a great Big Al smile and hearty laugh that could light up a room. I loved Al as did so many others. He had many friends, was very loyal and kept... more

A few days ago, I was getting my lawn rolled, raking out gardens, and gazing fondly at lilac buds ready to burst into a full blown spring riot. This week, I’m wondering if snow and wind will rip the poor buds off the bushes and blow them to Ontario.Oh, Buffalo weather. You make us crazy, and yet you’re so predictable at times. Yes, we had a mild winter and the earliest spring I’ve ever had the pleasure of welcoming. But, I didn’t trust it completely. The threat of snow, traditionally, is not over until May.I was talking to a friend from Costa Rica the other day about our strange warm weather pattern this year.In Costa Rica, there are 12 micro-climates, all of them warm and lovely, that vary in... more

After several months of crunching numbers, negotiating with unions, discussing what programs that may get cut and trying to not burden residents with overwhelming tax increases area school districts are adopting budgets and preparing to place it in the hands of voters during the May 15 budget and trustee vote.As we sort through the numbers, we will also be reporting on the referendums that are up for adoption at various school districts.The Frontier Central School District has two that are interesting, that voters will need to consider.One being a vote to downsize the board from nine to seven members. This is a curious vote, especially since the board – while comprised of voted in members – is... more

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1933, changed the beginning of a presidential term from March 4 to Jan. 20. It took effect for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second term in 1937.Next year, after the dust has settled from a marathon presidential campaign, Jan. 20 falls on a Sunday. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced late last month that it has voted to push the ceremony back one day to Monday, Jan. 21 “since January 20, 2013 is a Sunday.”What happened to tradition?This is the seventh time in U.S. history that the constitutionally mandated inauguration date has fallen on a Sunday, according to the committee’s website. The last time was for... more

Thanks to those who helped make banners realityEditor, The SunI want to express my sincere appreciation to all our generous contributors of Hamburg Hometown Heos Banner Project who made a dream for our village, a realty. After seeing this project displayed in Rochester last summer and being so impressed by it, I knew i just had to do the same in Hamburg on our new lightpoles on Buffalo St. What an impression it would be as you drive into our village. It was especially sentimental to me as a military Mom, knowing what a sacrifice it is having a child as a soldier and what a sacrifice it is as a parent, loved one or friend.By displaying these Heroes its a way to remember them, and all past, present... more

No, I’m not trapped in a fa-la-la-la-la time warp. Rather, I’m referring to a tradition that we have all come to know as political campaign season. However, like many of today’s professional sports leagues, the season for electing candidates seems to be extending longer and longer with each new slate of contenders.Not long ago, candidates decided to run for office in late spring, knocked on doors and made public appearances summer through fall, threw in a few radio and TV ads in the waning weeks of October and then we the people voted. Today however, political campaigning has become much more than a year round pursuit, the most blatant example being the current presidential campaign that... more

[photo1]With warmer weather comes many things, including door-to-door salespersons tramping through the neighborhoods.All peddlers and solicitors in the towns of Hamburg and Eden will be required to supply valid photo identification and submit to a criminal background check completed prior to any permit being issued.All the applicants must be fingerprinted, which is not done at either town.Applicants must schedule an appointment for fingerprinting through the L-1Enrollment Process at www.L1enrollment.com or by calling (877) 472-6915. Currently the fingerprinting fee is $85.75, but is subject to change.Once the fingerprints are completed, the criminal background checks are done and then forwarded... more