EVERYBODY'S COLUMN

Trails deserve public support because of the many benefits

The process of rail-banking the historic Buffalo and PittsburgRail Corridor, which runs from Springville to the village ofOrchard Park, has begun. Ultimately, ownership of the corridor willtransfer from the railroad to the New York Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and will be available for use as a multiuse trail. In Erie County, the corridor runs through the Towns of Concord, Colden, Aurora and Orchard Park.

Towns must give approval for development of the trail withintheir jurisdiction before state money is released to convert thecorridor into a multiuse trail. The source of the money is the NewYork State real estate transfer tax, which by law, can only be usedfor open space protection, including the development of trails. Ifnot used here, these funds will be used for open space protectionin other parts of New York State.

Trails benefit neighboring communities. It is proven thateconomic and health benefits arise when people walk, run, bike, cross-country ski, etc., on multiuse trails. It is also proven that crime neither increases nor decreases with the presence of trails. Trails are certainly a safer place than streets or roads for seniors, kids, dog walkers and those with disabilities. Towns set the rules for trail use within their jurisdiction: who can use the trails, hours of operation, etc. Where it is not practical or reasonable for the trail to continue on the rail bed, detours and other arrangements can be made.

The rail corridor runs through one of the most scenic and historically significant areas in Erie County. A trail along this corridor would connect communities and provide recreational opportunities for all who use it. If you support the development of a trail on the Buffalo and Pittsburg Rail Corridor, then contact your town supervisor and town council and tell them.

Edward Martin

Concord

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Talk of electric cars is far too premature

After reading Sunday's article on new electric cars and possible new mileage regulations, I have a few questions for environmentalists. Where do they suppose electricity comes from? Maybe in the future we'll be able to magically pull it out of the air, but for now we'll have to generate it.

Secondly, do they really think the grid will support thousands ofpeople charging cars at the same time? We get brown-outs from too many people running their air conditioners. When you come up with a cheap, non-polluting way of producing electricity, not to mention a system that will deliver it, then talk about electric cars.

Tim Delano

Cheektowaga

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Stressing education from the start is key

The low graduation rate for young men, especially black men, is certainly not only a school or teaching problem by any means. I had the chance, for a number of years, to be around men who were studying for their General Educational Development degree wishing they, themselves, had put education higher on their list of priorities. My suggestion is the family must stress the importance of education, as soon as possible, no matter what the age of the children.

These men thought going home to study and do homework was "nerdy"or "too white" when they were in school. The street was more of a draw. The parents need to help here. Make sure school is the top priority. Take a daily interest in what your child is studying. Is there a place in the home where quality studying can happen? Or is the TV blasting, no matter where you go? Is there an area with a clear table and decent chair? After supper the kitchen table can do fine, but other activity there ends, except for doing school work.

Things like pencils, pens, paper, a dictionary and otherreference materials must be available. The Internet is good but forhomework time, no socializing, only checking references. Have thekids do their work at the same time so the effort is "catching."Even when your kid is uncooperative, keep talking up the advantagesto learning and graduating day-by-day, week-by-week.

Abe Lincoln had a burning desire to learn all he could as a youngman. He studied by candlelight in a drafty cabin. This desire to learn must be nurtured from home. If the parent or parents can promote this, then these young men will graduate no matter what the education system is providing.

David F. Baker

Buffalo

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Court system reductions are unfortunate for all

I was deeply saddened to read of the staff cuts to be suffered bythe court system in Erie County and the rest of the Eighth Judicial District.

I have practiced law daily in the courts of this district forover 30 years. From Orleans County to Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua,Wyoming and Cattaraugus counties, I have always been treated withrespect and goodwill by the hard-working staff of the court system.These public servants take their role seriously. Helpful,cooperative and well informed, they cheerfully do the people'swork.

The Eighth Judicial District has pioneered services to families with children who are going through the painful process of divorce. The social workers in Expedited Matrimonials have saved litigants much heartache and anger as they search for ways to make it work for themselves and their children.

Of lesser but still great significance are the hours and hours ofjudicial time saved by foregoing custody litigation. Not, of course, to mention the lawyers they have not had to pay.

This is but one example of what will be lost by the public due tothese cuts. Another is that all proceedings must now end at 4:30 p.m., to reduce overtime for court officers and staff. It is a sad day for New Yorkers when one place where they can see what they pay for is gutted in the name of false economy.

Kenneth A. Olena, Esq.

Buffalo

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Study doesn't lessen effect of priestly crimes

So a study, funded by the church itself, determines that thefault lies with poorly trained seminarians, bishops who focused toolittle on victims and a permissive culture as evidenced by divorce, marijuana and robbery.

Perhaps, and this is a rather simple observation from someone raised within the church, if the church more ardently screened potential seminarians, didn't simply reassign offending priests, made priests and bishops alike accountable for transgressions and treated offending priests as criminals (which they are) and bishops who looked the other way as criminals (which they are, as accomplices to the crimes) rather than deny and cover up as has been done for decades, then the church may have made inroads to improving the situation many years ago.

For this study to be hailed as anything more than putting these horrendous crimes in a softer light is despicable.

Timothy Cogan

Cheektowaga