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.

.What is the relationship between Amherst and Benderson? I just saw another new Benderson sign for sale or lease. What are we going to do? Have another strip plaza empty with Benderson's name on it? I'd like to get down to the real reason he is allowed to just keep building.

.I want to know when the police are going to start ticketing the drivers who are exiting the 290 at Main and Kensington and making left-hand turns to head down Main Street. Every day I see at least three drivers doing this, and it is clearly marked, no turns.

.Regarding no parking enforcement on Lafayette Boulevard, it's March 5, it's snowing and the plows had to go around a couple of vehicles again that were parked all night long. Police never ticket these vehicles, and they are parked on the street all the time.

.What's all the nonsense going on with the Town Board? I was going to vote Democratic. Not now. I can change also.

.The population of the Williamsville Central School District has remained stagnant for the past 11 years, yet spending has increased from $97 million in 1997 to $152 million in 2008. The cost to educate the same number of students has increased $55 million in 11 years. The superintendent needs to explain to taxpayers why a public school education costs so much more than many private schools and what he will do to reduce the operating costs in a public system.

.It's unbelievable how callers keep criticizing Satish Mohan with misconceptions and half-truths. I'm sure most of these callers are town employees who have been riding the town gravy train with benefits and health care coverage that are far in excess of what people receive in the private sector. Mohan is only trying to do what is best for all residents, not just a select few. All the calls about Mohan changing from Republican to Democrat are irrelevant. When Mike McGuire changed from Democrat to Republican, nothing was said or no issue was made. People have a right to complain, but don't bash someone just because he doesn't conform to your ideas.

.What's the big deal about Dr. Mohan changing his political affiliation from Republican to Democrat? I know of several people who have done this through the years, and I'm sure there are many others whom I do not know.

.I have lost all respect for Kathy Kaminsky. If I sued my boss every time he changed my schedule or moved me to another post, I'd be a rich man - without a job.

.Regarding the comments from March 5 about cutting the police officers working at Williamsville schools, as a parent I'm very happy to see such cooperation between our schools and police officers. I'm not sure what the reader expects a hall monitor to do in a (God forbid) Virginia Tech or Cleveland-area school situation. I feel the safety of our children should be a priority in our schools, and I say kudos to Superintendent Smith and Chief Askey for working together to keep our children safe.

.I'm calling about the library mom who has been harshly criticized in The Bee. I have some sympathy for this mother, and I've often found myself unsure of when items are due. It seems strange to pay $42 for DVDs in fines that are probably valued at $5, so I wonder why everyone was so mean spirited with their comments.

.It seems to me that one's political party choice is that person's own business, not the business of the rest of the town.