http://disqus.com/by/van111/enSun, 27 Sep 2009 09:54:34 -0000http://spotlightnews.com/247/article.php?article_id=tJ1253795640t4abb67383f92c#comment-17635474<p>Amen to that Billy.</p>van111Sun, 27 Sep 2009 09:54:34 -0000http://www.spotlightnews.com/247/article.php?article_id=tT1250265157t4a858845a8c70#comment-14909234<p>Exactly what "little by little" has been done to spruce up this intersection? Whatever it was must have been very little indeed.</p>van111Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:10:19 -0000http://www.spotlightnews.com/247/article.php?article_id=tN1245351206t4a3a8d26c9eb6#comment-11445025<p>I am in favor of the county rail trail and consider it a worthy project. And, as a local resident, I have no problem with a portion of my taxes being allocated to the creation and maintenance of the trail. What does bother me however is the statement that no taxpayer money is funding the purchase. All government expenditures are - or eventually will be - paid by the taxpayer. I find such a "free lunch" statement by a local official to be downright scary!</p>van111Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:07:49 -0000http://spotlightnews.com/spotlightnews/article.php?article_id=tJ1242850217t4a1463a930734#comment-9853066<p>Truth_squad's most recent comment reflects substantial knowledge of the local political scene and reveals my own lack of knowledge in that arena. I'll be staying home come election day.</p>van111Sun, 24 May 2009 08:42:20 -0000http://spotlightnews.com/spotlightnews/article.php?article_id=tJ1242850217t4a1463a930734#comment-9725940<p>Why shouldn't Messina be proud of Conservative Party support? I have no knowledge of his personal beliefs but I am against abortion on demand, gay marriage and the wholesale disregard of our immigration laws. I also did not support President Obama and I believe his economic plan/multi trillion pork bonanza will prove ruinous to future generations. Guess you know which way I'll be voting.</p><p>By the way truth_squad, you forgot to mention that Messina is in favor of enhanced interrogation techniques!</p>van111Thu, 21 May 2009 09:13:14 -0000http://spotlightnews.com/spotlightnews/article.php?article_id=tM1242850038t4a1462f63b1d7#comment-9722597<p>Agree totally with both comments. This whole 20/20 thing is a bit too touchy feely for me. Why do we have professionals on the town payroll to address such issues as planning, infrastructure and the budget?</p>van111Thu, 21 May 2009 08:46:42 -0000http://spotlightnews.com/spotlightnews/article.php?article_id=tV1238010113t49ca890153864#comment-7525845<p>A tentative budget of almost $ 90M and this is what they come up with - a savings of $10,000 by eliminating night sporting activities? This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Cut back on something that will create an uproar and hope that the furor will make the tax increase more palatable. This speaks volumes about the competency of those in charge of the budget process. I suggest they let the students examine the issue. I would have much more faith in their ability to locate and trim the waste and fat which is surely hidden within the budget.</p>van111Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:52:51 -0000http://spotlightnews.com/spotlightnews/article.php?article_id=tC1238009999t49ca888f6c723#comment-7525127<p>Note to the town board, let's do away with power tools while we're at it. They are oh so noisy and consume a lot of energy. Muscle power is quiet power! For those of you worried about the sounds of increased hammering I suggest the town mandate the use of screws in all new construction.</p>van111Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:27:03 -0000http://www.spotlightnews.com/spotlightnews/article.php?article_id=tQ1230561782t4958e1f66a67a#comment-4782547<p>I strongly disagree with the previous respondent and welcome the long overdue commercial development in Bethlehem. Route 9W is a major thoroughfare and an excellent location for new business. The area containing Lowe's, Walmart, etc. was first conceived as a retail center over forty-five years ago. Development certainly did not pop up overnight. It was well thought out and underwent a lengthy review process with ample opportunity for public input. Yes traffic is heavy in that area at peak periods but it has nowhere near the congestion of other roads in Albany, Colonie or Guilderland during peak periods. As for any increase in crime I believe it is occuring on site for the most part and I do not see it negatively impacting the life of the average Bethlehem resident.. If the respondent believes there is no economic benefit she could get an estimate from the town of what her taxes would be without that development. As for me, I will continue to revel in the fact that I no longer have to drive to Colonie or Guilderland to buy items that I can now purchase here!</p>van111Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:36:39 -0000