I am posting this here for reasons being I want to get into my fed-up mode. I searched a database that puts the Cazenovia Street bridge in 4 “Satisfactory” conditions.

Here are the findings:

County—- Erie
City or Town—- Buffalo
Route Type—- City Street
Feature—- Cazenovia Creek
Street—- Cazenovia Street
Location—- Nw Quad Of Cazenovia Park
Year Built—- 1953
Average Daily Traffic—- 11,029
Year of Average Daily Traffic—- 1993
Deck Condition—- Satisfactory
Superstructure Condition—- Satisfactory
Substructure Condition—- Satisfactory
Channel—- Satisfactory
Status Bridge—- Not Deficient
Rating—- 88.4
Inspection Year—- 04

*A score of 80 or less means the bridge probably needs some work.
*A score of 50 or less means the bridge may need to be replaced
*”Deck” refers to the overall condition rating of the top surface of the bridge.
Insert currect picture:

*”Superstructure” refers to the physical conditions of all structural members
Insert current picture:

*”Substructure” refers to the physical condition of piers, abutments, footings and other components.
Insert current picture:

The fine print says: “This is 2006 data from the Federal Highway Administration. Some repairs may have been made since then.”

Thus meaning deterioration may have also been made since its last inspection year in 2004.

I have to be very honest…. “Back to school” is always back to being broke for my family.

Between supply lists and clothes, sneakers and shoes. We have no choice but the bring out the credit card at some point.

One thing we have learned… shop early & shop often. By that, it means if we’re at Kmart and see 10¢ folders, we pick them up and put them aside until it’s back to school time. It’s not much, but it helps. Sometimes we get lucky, a few months ago my man was at Kmart were they had back packs 90% off. A once $18.99 price was reduced to $1.89 - deals like this saves us a lot of money.

The biggest problem we’ve had to go through is a “color-coded” junior high last year. Our kids had to have a green, red, blue, white binders for subjects… they had to have certain color folders for certain classes as well. After not finding everything shopping at 3 different stores we sent the kids in with what we bought. We said: “If the school wants our children to have anything more, they can pay for it themselves.” Parents are sent on scavenger hunts because teachers/schools make the preparing materials for learning too particular.

My son is not going to learn honors math no different if he has a green folder of notes or a blue one. Anyways, on channel 2 there was a news story this evening about a woman challenging what parents are required to purchase for back to schoolers.

Mom Takes On High Cost Of School Supplies
Posted by: Lynne Dixon, Reporter

Created: 8/23/2007 4:29:13 PM
Updated: 8/23/2007 5:12:32 PM

A Depew mother is taking on the high cost of school supplies. Gabrielle Miller says “groceries had to be cut. That’s the only place I could see could be cut.” So she’s offering solutions to the school board.

Gabrielle Miller says she sees the cost of school supplies increasing over the past few years. She says there is more and more expected, the lists are getting longer, and the the bills higher. “It’s really getting out of hand, and I’m hoping the school board, administrators or principals take a look overall throughout their schools and regroup.”

Gabrielle is like many parents across Western New York, trying to find a way to pay for all the school supplies this time of year. But she says she’s trying to come up with answers that might help.

She says she would like the schools to take a look at allowing the students to re-use binders from one year to the next. She’s also recommending school organizations buy supplies in bulk, at a reduced rate, where parents could then purchase those supplies at a lower cost. Gabrielle would also like to see teachers try to consolidate or streamline the lists. “I’ve always tried to not just tell people a problem, but give them a solution, as well.”

“I commend her for her efforts,” said Depew school board member Diane Benczkowski. “She’s willing to speak up and stand up for what she believes in and I think a lot of the parents are behind her.”

Donna says school officials are willing to look at alternative ways of purchasing school supplies to alleviate some of the financial burden on the parent. The district also says no student will go without. If the family cannot afford some of the supplies, arrangements can be made. But the new superintendent says she will be meeting with teachers to see if there is a way to consolidate some of the lists.

Many districts also include calculators as a required purchase. That can be a pricey item, costing upwards of one-hundred dollars. Miller produced a letter to the board that she found on the New York State Education Dept. web site. It was dated December, 2006 in which district superintendents were told that “under no circumstances should students be charged for a calculator or otherwise required to purchase one in order to participate in an educational program.”

Miller says something needs to be done to ease the rising cost of school supplies. She’s just doing her part to try and come up with an answer.

Talk about back to school shopping on the wnymoms.com website.

Tomorrow there’s one for Alan Bedenko in the 4th Legislative District

On September 11th, Rus Thompson of the 10th Legislative District is also having one.

Please refer to their blogs for more information.