— — If Kevin Gaughan can actually get the proposition to downsize Albany on the ballot for November so we the people have a chance to let legislators know what we think, he should be nominated for president.

On Gaughan’s website, LetPeopleDecide.org, he clearly states his mission of “reforming local government throughout Western New York by letting people, not politicians, decide the size and cost of town and village government.”

Add to that: State government.

Whether you are for or against local downsizing, you have to admit that since legislators don’t show up in Albany whether by a directive from the governor or just because they represent us, they are hardly necessary. What do they do? If, as reported, “three men in a room” make all the decisions, why are the rest of them needed?

Ah, I remember: To raise taxes, vote in more laws and rules, drive small businesses out of business or out of state, bring in “pork” money so we’ll continue to love them and, mostly, spend, spend, spend.

Go for it, Kevin, voters need a champion.

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Steve Meinzer of Tonawanda e-mailed that with another Canal Fest completed, perhaps the official Canal Fest website should be changed.

“It still says,” Steve wrote, “that the event was held exclusively within the City of North Tonawanda the first year, but grew substantially the second year and expanded to include the City of Tonawanda.

“Exclusively in NT?,” Steve questioned. “It must have been a short parade. If I recall, just about the only thing that was in NT the first year was the beer tent. Maybe that’s where the author spent the week.”

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Speaking of Canal Fest, congratulations to Paul Krause Jr. and his crew for running a very well-organized and, as always, fun, Sika Challenge Boat Race last Saturday. Each heat was run quickly with boats for each successive heat ready to start as the ones before them went into the canal. With the rain holding off — although it wouldn’t have mattered to the contestants, who love getting dunked in the final free-for-all — the event was once again a crowd-pleaser.

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Last weekend’s Garden Walk in Buffalo showed off some spectacular homes and gardens. Just when I think my own yard looks pretty good, a glance at these extraordinary front, side and back yards brings me back to reality. In addition to seeing great gardens, visitors chat with each other about certain flowers or trees and most owners were on site to answer questions or talk about their homes. I even found out where Ferry Street got its name — from the dock and ferry that ran from Buffalo to Fort Erie.

The next garden walk is in Ken-Ton next week weekend and that’ll be fun as well, including my neighbor’s beautiful garden.

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Coming home from a mini-family reunion at Bear Lake in Chautauqua County last Sunday, my sister and I drove through a tremendous rain storm. As she glanced out the car window, she commented on a dark cloud with a funnel-like cloud extending from the bottom of it.

“Looks like a tornado,” she commented. And sure enough, later we heard there were three of them, none of which hit my cousin’s home, thank goodness, although he did experience torrential rain and wind.

However, at our son’s home near Baltimore that same day, a rain and wind storm felled a tree which went through the roof of his office building.

Wild weather everywhere!

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On Wednesday, I drove a friend to the airport at 4:45 a.m., which is the reason I know it’s pitch dark at 4 a.m. Coming home just after 5, the sky started to brighten and the moon was shining in all the glory of a full moon. Not that I want to be up at that time ever again, but it was a beautiful sight. The best news: No traffic.

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Just a thought: The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.

Contact community editor Barbara Tucker at 693-1000, ext. 110, or e-mail barbara.tucker@tonawanda-news.com.