The Sun and the Erie County Independent from Hamburg, New York • Page 17

Thursday. June R. 2006 The Sun Page 17 LO -110KS li'O inilli! 1LP1111W Frontier School District very fiscally responsible Editor, The On behalf of the Frontier School Board, I would like to express appreciation to the community for iU support of the 2006-07 budget The board worked carefully with the district administration to develop a budget that enable us to continue providing a strong educational program while demonstrating fiscal responsibility Frontier Central takes tremendous pride in its outstanding faculty, administration and support staff. Collectively, they are instrumental to the academic success of our student. The School Board is estremely pleased that the 2006-07 budget includes all current faculty and support staff, as well as existing programs.

While approving measures to reduce 2006 07 administrative mat by $231,000, the board also recognizes the need to maintain a strong administrative team in In praise trash' Editor, Th Sun: As a former Hamburg resident, this is in response to the recent letter to the editor from the local business owner who had someone leave an anonymous sign on her property that used the term "trailer trash." Yes, I too was offended by the label of "trailer trash." I had hoped that these thoughtless labels had been dismissed as ignorant by this generation. I am proud to aay that I Lived in a trailer park my entire childhood and in fact until I graduated from college. I was raised by working class parents who taught me the value of hard work and the value of a dollar. Both lessons have served me well in my adult life. Village park looks great Editor.

The Sun: My hat goes off to the Village of Hamburg for the beautiful job done on the park at Lake and Union streets. I don't get over to that part of the village that often so when I did see it I could not believe my eyes. What a nice job. The new clock fits in beautifully. Say, now that Memorial Park is all spruced up, would it be possible to have a Wednesday evening dance-style concert? Just asking.

Bill Villepigue Hamburg We're About You mmm the district. Good management is critical to the effective operation of any organization, particularly one that is responsible for the education of our youth. We believe the superintendent's central office reorganization plan, which goes into effect July 1, will enable Frontier to remain a high performing school district. Finally, I would like to clarify a statement made in a recent letter published in The Sun regarding a $15,000 allocation approved by the School Board in this year's contingency budget. This amount is used for the board's professional association dues and is in no way any farm of compensation.

The School Board is comprised of volunteer community members who donate their time to the Frontier Central School District. Janet MacGregor Plarr President, Frontier School Board 1 have often thought how lucky I was to be raised without ail the trappings of wealth. I have no problem living within my means, which has kept rue out of the credit card trap and debt problems others seem to be having I take pnde in my home, property and community, all values that were aLo taught by my parents. My father was a volunteer fireman and even chief of the department for many years. My mother served as deputy town clerk.

They were living examples of community involvement no matter what your financial status may be. Maybe more people should be raised in trailers so that when they achieve things later in life they can be grateful for what they have. Then when trash blows into their yard they will do the neighborly thing and ust pick it up, proud to do a small thing to keep their neighborhood looking nice. Lorraine Isler Cattaraugus Jl Frontier School Board member responds to one critic of district's administration Editor, The Sun: I'm writing in response to Mr. Peter Blain's letter to the editor, which appeared in The Sun in the May 1 1,2006 issue.

There are a number of facta that have been skewed by Mr. Blain that need to be explained. First of all, if Mr. Blain had attended any of Frontier's budget informational meetings, he would have known that the board is not just shuffling administrative job title. To be specific, at the May 21 board meeting, the School Board eliminated an assistant superintendent, a supervisor of mathematics and science, and a coordinator of community education, resulting in a district savings of approximately $217,000 in the 2006-07 budget.

Frontier Central employs 465 full time teachers. 403 support staff employees, 13 managerial confidential employees and 22 administrator positions. 1 dont know of any butmnu with a payroll of that size that dues not have a personnel administrator, nor do I know of any business with a $62 million budget that doe not have a business administrator overseeing its financial operations. And most importantly. 1 don't know of any school district Frontier's size that doesnt require the services of a curriculum adminis FATHER'S DAY CELEBRATION On the evening before Father's Day, Lakeside Cemetery will present a free musical tribute of barbershop harmony in memory of Dear Old Dad.

Come hear the fabulous Friends of Harmony, 2004 winners of the Seneca Land District Chorus Contest, under the direction of Peter Hart and Jim McDonnell. Rain or shine. Tent and chairs are provided, or bring your own chairblanket. Encourage the family to celebrate the memory of fathers everywhere. trator toxesearch, coordinate and implement the vast curricular offerings needed for the 5.462 students under its charge during the 2005-06 school year.

Next year's projection for enrollment is 5.459 students. Also, Fd like to set the record straight for Mr. Blain about our sterling group who voted themselves $15,000 under a contingency budget First, let me say that all members on the Frontier Central School Board volunteer their time and talent, and do not receive any monetary stipend The funds that Mr Blain is referring to were for dues-as members of the New York State ($3,011) and Erie County School ($6,825) Board Associations which, by the way. provide mandated financial training sessions for new school board members, as well as conduct regional and state workshop and seminars on a regular basis, and supply publications on the latest in educational trends, policies and mandates These associations also prevent board members from trying to micro-manage school staff and curriculum, which is the responsibility of educational experts. If Mr Blain had attended any budget sessions, he would have been given updated information on the increases in heating, electric, fuel, worker compensation.

Why are people so reluctant to change? Editor, The Sun: Having just finished reading the anti-Wal-Mart article featuring Patricia Ahren and the letter she also submitted to the editor, I have one question for her how is it that the current condition of the Bnerwood Plaza is any better for you and your neighbors? That thing has been a rundown eyesore for the 15 years I have lived in the area, specifically in Hamburg. That part of Hamburg is zoned commercial and the four lanes of Southwestern are more than ample to accommodate the increased traffic and relieve some of the congestion out on McKin-ley Parkway and Southwestern i(t II Boulevard. Sure, some traffic will increase over the local residential roads from the Village of Hamburg to Southwestern and from Route 5 to Southwestern, but is it really enough to stop this project? No. The article and accompanying letter strike me as yet another example of people banding together to stop progress dead in its tracks. I've seen nothing but this sort of thinking during my time here.

Don't build a bridge. Don't move the zoo. Don't move Children's Hospital, and don't put a helipad on it either. Don't build a casino. Don't consolidate the libraries.

eterv Jta fV I Covered Tent At Lakeside Cemetery teacher and staff retirement benefit costs. Our enrollment has been declining, but not to the point that would suggest teacher or staff layoffs In fact, with creative retirement and resignation incentive offerings and cooperation from employee organizations, our district was able to avoid over 20 teacher layoffs this past year and has none scheduled in next year's budget Frontier Central has been fortunate in that it has not had to sustain the kisses that a neighboring district has had to for the pt few years Mr Blain quoted Howard Heal from the movie "Network" by av-ing 'I'm mad at hell and I'm no going to lake tl anymorr I. too. Mr Blain. am marl a hell and I am not gom to t.ikr it anymore, especially when someone purposely trie to miv repreent information to promote a personal at.i and tint it in the media just before the budget vote without giving the board an opportunity to "rt the recorJ straight in a timely fashion I know that this is not I'CLA This is Frontier Central, and I'm proud of it and the education it has given my family and nte Juoeph MarsWJo Lake View In fact, the only time anyone is universally for something is during the "negotiations" with the Bills and Sabres for public-money they want to stay here Then everyone goes along vuth the misguided notion that both teams bring prestige and respect to the area.

While a Wal-Mart superstore won't bring in tourists, it might make another company with good-paying, white collar professional jobs think about coming here and bring with it some more people. Bill Reese Lake View Wdfid Mausoleum The Forest Lawn "Group "A Beautiful Place to Celebrate A Life" Entrance at 4810 Camp Hamburg, NY 649-5507.