Diagnosis is key for ovarian cancer

First, I would like to thank The Bee Newspapers for the article on ovarian cancer to commemorate Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Since this is the deadliest of female cancers, it is crucial that the signs and symptoms are publicized.

I would like to clarify a couple of things. The article stated: "'They used to say that ovarian cancer was a silent disease,' Tedeschi said. 'It's not true. Obviously, the doctors are just not educated about it.'" I certainly do not want to imply that doctors are not knowledgeable, but the fact remains that according to the American Cancer Society Web site, "Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, one of the most lethal women's cancers, might have a better prognosis if they and their doctors were more familiar with its symptoms and if appropriate tests were done sooner. These study results were published in the Nov. 15 journal "Cancer" (Vol. 89, No. 10: 2068-2075).

My quote, "It's much more curable," refers to the positive impact of early diagnosis of ovarian cancer on survivability. The need for early detection is paramount and hence, my emphasis on recognition of its signs and symptoms.

Finally, I would like to add that anyone who would like more information on ovarian cancer or support for yourself or a loved one with the disease can call Share's National Ovarian Cancer Hotline, toll-free at 866-537-4273. All hotline volunteers receive extensive training and are ovarian cancer survivors.

Chrystine Tedeschi

Williamsville Sept. 11 committee seeks members

On Sept. 11, 2007, the Town of Amherst held its annual ceremony at Memorial Hill Grove, located off the Ellicott Creek Bike Path near North Forest Road, to commemorate the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in the skies over rural Pennsylvania. Upon the request of Supervisor Satish Mohan, I was honored to coordinate the event on behalf of the Town of Amherst. I write to thank everyone who made this year's commemoration possible:

• the Town of Amherst department heads and their employees, who readied the Grove before the ceremony and helped transport attendees to the site;

• the veterans, clergy, first responders and school children who participated in honoring the memories of the victims who perished;

• the victims' family members who spoke at the commemoration, and who also assisted in its planning; and

• all those citizens who attended the ceremony, in spite of the ominous weather.

At its meeting on Sept. 17, 2007, the Amherst Town Board unanimously adopted a resolution to form a permanent committee to plan and conduct the Town's annual commemoration of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Membership on this committee is open to any interested citizen. For further information or to join the committee, please call the Amherst Council Members' office at 631-7013.

Deborah Bruch Bucki

Amherst Council Member

Plan to save land wastes money

Realtors not only want green space but also need green space. The quality and value of housing are dependent on the trees and parks that are an identifying signature of every neighborhood. But Bill Kindel's resolution is not a plan to improve the areas where people live. It is a tax increase to purchase land where people will neither live nor visit. To make matters worse, he is supporting it with incomplete data and false suppositions. Once allocated, the money cannot be diverted, and residents will end up financing land that is not zoned for development - meaning more taxes yet again.

So what should be done to improve life in Amherst? First and foremost, the concern should focus on existing residents, ensuring that they can afford to live here. There is not a bottomless coffer of money that can be doled out without consequences. Every dollar spent comes directly out of taxpayer pockets. If we must spend, let's do so with definite plans and visions, and let's consider the taxing repercussions. Next, if $12 million plus interest is to be allocated, let's focus on needs that currently exist: a facelift to Eggertsville and Snyder, supporting homeowners who face financial ruin due to cracked foundations, ensuring police force and fire companies are fully equipped, and bestowing on our school systems the most up-to-date technology and safest surroundings. And lest we forget, citizens successfully stopped Wal-Mart from being developed without spending $12 million.

Realtors love green, and we want to conserve the ecology and economy because once they are gone, it takes a lifetime to bring them back. Let's not go into the "red" over "green" when we should be striving to be in the "black," and lift the burden off our collective tax-paying backs.

Pat Taylor

President

Buffalo Niagara

Association of Realtors

Landscape work in Village looks great

What a sensational success the planting and care of the Village gardens has been this year. The triangle at Main Street and Evans Street was a particular success. Congratulations to all those on the beautification committee for all your work. You have made a difference in the appearance of the Village.

Jean Duffy Williamsville Weinstein thanks voters for support

I wanted to thank Amherst Republicans for their support in the recent primary. Most of Primary Day, I stood outside the Jurek Post, and the message I received from both Democrats and Republicans was loud and clear: "We want a new Town Board that will work cooperatively."

As a resident for more than 30 years, I share in their frustration. My vision is to bring common sense ideas and implement them in a smaller government closer to the people. I continue to welcome your thoughts and ideas.

Dr. Barry A. Weinstein

Culpepper Road

Williamsville

Trees should be used for lumber

There has been much moaning and groaning about the cost and trouble with respect to last October's surprise damage to trees in Amherst. In all the discussions I have not yet heard a single suggestion that the cleanup could be a windfall for the lumber industry. Here is a natural crop of easily accessible trees that, when processed, would yield thousands of feet of product.

The industry eyes local forested areas for mature trees. It would be a shame to find these gifts from nature in local landfills.

Let's think outside the box for a change and find a smart solution.

Cliff Csont

Amherst

Assessor deserves new contract

As a 26-year resident of Amherst, I consider myself fortunate to have been able to work and raise my family in this safe and vibrant community. However, as a maturing community, Amherst faces many challenges which will require action by Supervisor Satish Mohan and the Town Board.

Included are the aging infrastructure systems in older neighborhoods, determining the role of the town in assuring open land is reserved for future generations, developing a comprehensive plan to support our neighborhoods that border Buffalo, and making a commitment to acting in a manner that will restore respect to the Town Board.

With such a full plate, I am disappointed that Dr. Mohan has chosen to direct so much time and energy toward Harry Williams and the assessor's office.

During his campaign for supervisor, Dr. Mohan promised to work toward fair and equitable assessments. His unwarranted interference with the assessor's office and budget cut of approximately $400,000 has produced the opposite result.

Mr. Williams and his staff have received seven consecutive Excellence in Equity Assessment awards from the New York State Office of Real Property Services. They are experts on the proper methods of assessing properties. Based on these awards, it is clear to me that Mr. Williams was overseeing an assessment process that was fair and equitable.

The budget cut imposed by the supervisor made it impossible for Mr. Williams to continue to maintain assessment at 100 percent of market value. It also caused the loss of $212,000 of state aid that the assessor's office had received in each of the prior seven years.

Based on my experience of dealing with Mr. Williams during my 21 years of employment with the Sweet Home School District, I believe town property owners have received outstanding performance from Mr. Williams.

The assessor's office is a function of town government that does not need fixing.

James P. Sheehan Retired Superintendent Sweet Home Central Schools