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JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

+ REAL NEWS - There has been a lot of talk about the Feb. 26 Town Board meeting in which Supervisor Satish Mohan said the word "foolish" would no longer be tolerated during the public comment period. The second the words left his mouth he was criticized for suggesting a limit on free speech. This wasn't the first time. There have been numerous times during board meetings when Mohan would attempt to limit public speakers - either because of the content of their speech or because too many people were repeating what was said by speakers ahead of them. And each time he is told, "You can't do that." He then says, "OK," and the meeting moves on.

On Monday, Mohan again attempted to make his point, which is simply that he would like speakers and board members to be respectful during meetings.

"This is not a place for personal attacks or abusive comments or mockery at the board," Mohan said before Monday's comment period.

And once again he was called "foolish" by resident George E. Richmond - this time for a suspected illegal transfer of funds from the open-space fund.

We all have our "foolish" moments and we all need to be called out when we aren't on task. I believe Richmond was not attacking anyone when he chose his comments but instead was not agreeing with a motion from Mohan. The two often butt heads - that was nothing new to those of us who attend every meeting.

+ HEAT WAVE - As I made my way down a hallway in Williamsville South High School last week I was very aware of the temperature in the school. It was excessively warm in my opinion. I could feel the heat on my face and wondered if it was like that every day. While interviewing some students I made a comment about the temperature and learned that it wasn't just me. One said students can never tell what the day will bring. Some days are extremely hot, and others are frigid. She said it's impossible to know how to dress because without fail, it's cold the day she wears short sleeves and hot the days she wears sweaters.

Maybe someone from the school can explain this, but until then, I guess students will have to plan on bringing an extra sweater. When I went to school we had "A" through "E" days, I guess at South it's more like hot or cold days.

+ SPRING FORWARD - Daylight saving time will begin earlier this year, thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Residents are reminded to turn their clocks ahead one hour before retiring on Saturday night, March 10. Daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 11 and end at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4.

+ KIDS HELPING KIDS - Students from SS. Peter and Paul in Williamsville have donated the proceeds from a beverage can drive at the 45th annual Variety Kids Telethon. The two third-grade classes and their parents were involved in the Nov. 4 can drive under the direction of Jeff Miodonski. The school presented the $885 during the live telethon at the Millennium Airport Hotel in Cheektowaga on March 4. Students Jessica Mancino, Emma Shabala, Alex Ulrich, and Ian Cherico, along with Miodonski, were selected to appear on the telethon and present the money. The school thanks all those who helped make the drive a success.