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.

.Amherst Supervisor Satish Mohan should establish a hot line for residents to call so that they can be told exactly how many dollars it is going to cost them for their school taxes this year, because Mohan didn't keep up with the required rule of keeping properties assessed in the town at 100 percent of value. All doubts should be removed for each resident as to exactly how much this mistake is costing them. It is a far cry from the 15 percent tax reduction that Mohan promised.

.I have been working in the Town of Amherst these last few weeks. The October storm has destroyed many beautiful, tree-lined streets, and I know it is difficult to see the trees come down. The majority of the community has been very understanding and has made us feel welcome under these terrible circumstances. You have a very caring community. In the future, when the trees are replanted, your children and children's children will be able to appreciate the beauty of the tree-lined streets once again.

.I want to commend The Amherst Bee for the Aug. 22's editorial concerning the school tax increases and the failure of Supervisor Mohan's leadership in our overall assessment program. I originally was a supporter of the supervisor and the claims he made concerning town government, but I see now that his lack of understanding in many areas has cost the taxpayers of Amherst millions of dollars in higher taxes. His continued attacks on our assessor and the assessment process has got to stop.

.I think this plan to buy green space is all wet. Why pay for land that is already protected wetlands? I don't have $12 million to spare. Do you? Amherst, don't vote for this.

.I need information before $12 million checks are written for the wetlands. It isn't like Amherst would be able to put in a park for all of us to share. They are protected by law from buildings, pavilions and walkways.

.Concerning the rules and regulations for the new garbage totes, I am a senior citizen and I live alone. I've arranged to have the smaller tote, but in the winter it is dark by 6 p.m. and if we have snow, it will be really tough. It's tough for me to wheel the tote now, without snow. No way will I be able to wait until 6 p.m. to put out the tote, even if you issue me a ticket. I think you will get a lot of complaints about this, and you may have to change it. We want to be able to put our garbage out in the daylight.

.There is a very easy way to figure out who to vote for in the coming election. Simply keep track by your telephone of which candidates are continually calling you and seeking your vote. I've had three and four calls already for one particular candidate, and I'm keeping track. I will definitely vote for his opponent. This is an infringement upon my privacy, and I strongly resent it. I thought elections were secret ballot. Why then are these people calling me to ask me if I am voting for a particular candidate? Is it any of their business? I think this practice should be stopped.

.I find it very interesting that Bill Kindel's green space idea is being attacked mostly by people who are in the building industry, commercial real estate industry or realty industry itself. I also find it very interesting they all say the land that Kindel wants to protect are wetlands, so builders wouldn't be interested in it anyway. Well, if that's the case, why are they building multi-million-dollar houses as we speak running all the way up Campbell Boulevard, and why are they trying to purchase more land along Tonawanda Creek as well as in the Schoelles Road area? If it's all wetlands and can't be used, why do they care if it's preserved as green space? Something is fishy here, and I don't think it's Bill Kindel's plan. I think it's those who wish to see the town paved over so they can make more profits. Interesting.

.This is a wake-up call for the Williamsville School District residents who are angered by the tax increase. The town supervisors, current and past, have had nothing to do with school taxes. The current superintendent and board members are responsible for a budget going from $100 million to almost $150 million in the last six years. Please get your facts straight before you criticize anyone.