(Editor's note: Call The Bee at 632-0390 and record a one-minute comment on our Bee Heard line. It gives readers an opportunity to comment quickly and candidly on items of local or regional interest. Callers do not have to identify themselves and no callers' names will be used. In the interest of fairness and good taste, The Bee will not publish derogatory or insulting comments. All comments are by our readers and are subject to editing.

.I wish the people in this town who keep complaining about town employees would clean up their own backyard first. We negotiated contracts for our breaks and lunches; maybe they need to go back to their jobs and see what they can get away with or what their contract calls for. Do they get an hour lunch? Are they allowed to go to a restaurant that serves alcohol, with a client perhaps? They need to look at themselves first. Town employees do not get a high salary, as these other people who keep complaining.

.As parents of Sweet Home High School students, why are we paying $70 for a yearbook? If you have more than one student, the price is prohibitive. What do you tell your children? Share the book and their friends' autographs? What happened to the $35 yearbook?

.Are you guilty of flying a faded, torn and tattered flag from your home? Compare your lifestyle with those in war-torn countries. Some live in basements because that's all that remains of their homes. You take a hot shower; they have no water. You plug in the coffeepot and enjoy a cup; they have no electricity. You send your children off to school; their school was destroyed. Say a prayer of thanks to all those men and women who fought for your freedom. If you can't afford a new flag, have the decency to remove the one you have and turn it into the nearest veterans' post where a respectful flag-burning ceremony is held.

.With all the controversy over Wal-Mart relocating to Sheridan Drive and Bailey Avenue, has anyone given any thought to having Wal-Mart take over the Bon-Ton store?

.I am pleased to see that, although the fiscal malfeasance in town is large, there is no town fiscal officer who is responsible. Perhaps it may be the Town Board member who claims to have such financial acumen and experience, such that he is now running for county clerk. We should all be reassured that this level of financial

management and oversight is solving all of our town problems.

.When will officials in Amherst start working for the people of Amherst and not the developers? Anyone living on or driving down Bailey Avenue or Sweet Home Road knows what a nightmare it can be now. To allow a 24-hour Super Wal-Mart on Sheridan Drive is just reckless and dangerous.