Letters to the Editor
Candidate claim was within rights

I am writing to point out a glaring error made by Town Clerk Susan Jaros in the article published in the Dec. 5 Amherst Bee regarding the allegations she has made against me. Ms. Jaros' statement that her application for absentee ballot is a private document is wrong. Considering that the town clerk is the Freedom of Information Law officer for the Town of Amherst, she should know this.

A few weeks before the election, I learned from a fellow candidate that Ms. Jaros had filed an application for an absentee ballot. When I learned of this, I had my campaign manager file a request to obtain that application from the Erie County Board of Elections, pursuant to New York State's Freedom of Information Law. The Board of Elections granted his request and provided him with a copy of her application (after he paid 25 cents for the copy).

Readers (and Ms. Jaros) should be aware that a completed application for absentee ballot is a public record. Ms. Jaros is completely wrong to say that her application is protected from publication by New York's privacy laws. I was within my rights to make its contents public. Ms. Jaros' actions are completely politically motivated. I am considering taking legal action against Ms. Jaros for slander and abuse of process.

Jeffrey E. Marion

Stevenson Boulevard

Amherst

Malfunction has resident alarmed

My husband, two grandsons and I attended the 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 performance of "The Nutcracker" at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts. During the seating of the audience, the fire alarm went off. A voice over the speakers told us there was no emergency and to remain seated. The audio stopped, but the strobe lights continued. Again the audio alarm came on and we were told to remain seated. Audio went off, but the strobe lights continued. The third time this happened, we headed for the box office. We asked for a refund, were denied one, and were told it was a malfunction and they were fixing it or the alarm would be turned off. I said that would be even worse, to be unprotected during the performance, if it was turned off. We left with the strobe lights still blinking.

I worked in a public high school for 15 years and know this is not the proper procedure where children are involved. Why was the fire department not called to verify the malfunction, and why was the building not cleared? It could have been treated as a fire drill, and everyone involved would have been reassured that this was a place that was more concerned about safety and instilling confidence in its patrons than the poor judgment call of trying not to inconvenience the people.

Had this been handled properly, we would have returned to enjoy the play, reassured that we were safe. Instead, our grandsons were greatly disappointed, and it was a $104 hit to the pocketbook. Unfortunately, I have no confidence in attending anything there again.

Judith Rybarczyk

North French Road

Amherst

No Walgreens at Hopkins-Klein

I am writing to make sure people know that when they don't like what is happening in the Town of Amherst, they can do something about it. When Arista Development decided they wanted to buy and demolish the Mobil Station, Say Cheese Pizza, Clearfield Liquor and Vinsans hair salon in order to make room for a giant 24-hour Walgreens, we, the residents of Amherst, decided to do something about it. Arista wants to change the zoning on the site from neighborhood commercial to commercial. They want to take the neighborhood out of our community.

You may have seen our signs or fliers around the Hopkins and Klein area; you may have even signed a petition against this action. What we need is for every resident who is against a giant, 24-hour Walgreens at Hopkins and Klein to plan to attend the public hearing at Town Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22. We are close to first on the agenda, and you should be out by 8 p.m. Show the Town Board members that residents do have a say - attend the public hearing. For more information on how you can help, contact Karen Coia at 688-2621.

Karen Coia

Chestnut Hill Lane

Williamsville

Fire company's singers appreciated

The Hutchinson Hose choral group is really on the ball. This combination of men and gals singing together with members of Pilgrim's Landing brought joy, gladness and comedy too. Also Christmas bells and costumes.

These people are very good, robust, happy and jovial.

Please come again to our house! Thank you.

Resident

Pilgrim's Landing

Girl Scouts' efforts show compassion

Girl Scout Junior Troop 1189 from Heritage Heights Elementary School would like to say thank you to their neighbors for the overwhelming support they received during a recent food drive. The Juniors went door to door and collected food, toiletry items and paper products for a hardworking, Girl Scout family who has fallen into some tough times. Our neighbors on North French Road, Sweet Home Road, Sweet Haven Court, West Wind Lane, Rachel Court, Christine Drive, October Lane, Brittany Drive, Ayrault Drive, Lawnwood Drive, Cree-Ton Drive, Larkspur Lane and Jeffrey Drive made a big difference in making a Christmas season a little bit easier for this needy family.

We are very proud of the Girl Scouts, Courtney Dobson, Melissa Goodman, Jade Januchowski, Jordann Luce, Nicole Merrifield, Mariah Reinard, Alexandra Thompson, Taylor White and the families of the girls who took time out of their busy Saturdays to help out with the food drive. We are very proud to be Girl Scout leaders of such a wonderful group of caring girls.

Kim Goodman and

Jean Brundage