Bee Heard

(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.

.After seeing the yard debris still remaining at the curb in the Town of Amherst, I wonder if the budget cuts that the supervisor made to the highway department are really worth the tax savings. I don't think so.

.I just put another couple hundred dollar scratches in my car from the branches that are sticking out on the high-speed Sheridan Drive main thoroughfare through the Town of Amherst. These aren't branches hanging from trees; these are branches sitting on the side of the road for more than a month now - still debris from the October storm. It's a disgrace. This year, we have an opportunity to hold Bob Anderson to his job, because he's up for re-election. Unfortunately, we have another full two years before we can tell Mohan what we think of the non-job he's doing.

.What a break for Amherst residents, especially in the highway department, with the woman running for highway superintendent. Maybe now we can get all the water receivers that are sinking fixed and all the trees and limbs picked up and our streets swept.

.It has been 10 months since the October storm, and yet the Williamsville Public Works has not removed fallen trees blocking the Ellicott Creek dam, which pedestrians can easily see when walking on the Main Street bridge. The result is that water is not flowing around Island Park just as the season for public events brings crowds of people to enjoy the park. Though our storm problems are nothing compared to those of Katrina, both weather-related events highlight government's inefficiency and the lack of accountability in dealing with storm cleanup.

.I have a cost-saving idea for the town. Let's not cut down any trees unless they are an immediate danger to a structure or street. So many of the trees that have been pegged in our neighborhood to be cut down look fantastic; we've had a private arborist come through and tell us that one or two may be going next year, but to wait and see. I think the town needs a wait and see on this. If you cut down trees, you're going to ruin property values and lose the look and feel of the town, and people are going to be very upset.

.I'd like to comment on the police blotter traditionally printed in The Bee. I'd like to see an actual police blotter with what our Town of Amherst officers are really doing out there and the arrests they are making. Certainly there must be many arrests made weekly. I'd like to see a bit of reality instead of the goofy things. I'd like to see an actual police blotter. They should post the names of the people arrested in our town and what they are arrested for; maybe it would even act as a deterrent.

.I am sick and tired of all the callers complaining about the trees not being picked up. They are doing the best they can, and I think they are doing a fantastic job.

.These pictures in The Bee really kill me of all the students attending their prom. All these guys with the ties off, tuxedo coats off, shirttails hanging out, sleeves rolled up. They look like they are at a picnic, not their prom. Where are the parents of these kids? Why don't tell them that when they are dressed, they should stay dressed?

.I have a question for the village board regarding renting out the white house down by the mill. Did they let anyone else know about, or is this just a friend of theirs they are renting the place to? If the village is going to lease any space that is owned by the community, they need to offer it to other people. This worries me.

.I recently attended the Sacred Heart Academy graduation, held at the UB Center for the Arts. There were 122 gorgeous, young ladies who graduated; they were dressed in long, white gowns and carried a dozen red roses. The gentleman who presented the diplomas to these young girls asked the audience to hold their applause until all the diplomas were presented. It was disgusting to hear that a certain few had to hoot and holler and even whistle when some of the graduates were handed their diplomas. I feel this was a disgrace to have this happen at a classy, dignified, beautiful affair. Shame on those who disregarded the request.

.It's time to put some kind of tax or charge on the excessive garage sales going on, causing lots of traffic in residential areas and also leaving the debris of their signs all over. It's a complete disregard for fellow residents.