FROM THE EDITOR Every year, as I go over our festival and summer event calendars (hoping against hope that we have sufficiently double-checked the dates), I marvel at the sheer amount and diversity. Surely other communities could not be nearly so blessed with such a multitude of entertainment—and much of it free? When I see these calendars and consider all the businesses, organizations, people, and events that are honored in our yearly “Best of WNY,” my belief that I live in one of the most beautiful, exciting areas in the U.S. is always strengthened. And I make a resolve to finally attend such events as the Eden Corn Festival or the Lancaster Garden Walk—a resolve that is sadly almost always broken. There are just too many other equally fantastic competing events to enjoy. So I get puzzled when I read, as we have all read recently, about what a difficult place Western New York is to live in, with taxes offered as the culprit that drives our citizens to Florida and North Carolina. I’ve been to both of these states many times—they’re nice—but it seems that there are plenty of other costs down South that are equally as high or higher (housing comes to mind) than what we pay here. Putting the tax debate to one side, the major thing I have to wonder about is that such stories totally leave out every other factor that affects our quality of life. Is the reason we live where we do based solely on taxes? I think not. Try getting a decent slice of pizza in St. Petersburg. Find the equivalent to the Albright-Knox in Charlotte. See a free concert of a nationally-touring band almost every day of the summer in Raleigh. Or buy a period-perfect Victorian filled with architectural detail (which is only a fifteen minute commute from your workplace) for under $150k in Atlanta. The fact is that everyone hates taxes, with the richest among us hating them the most. But there’s more to life than taxes. So much more. I hope you’ll find plenty to distract you from your tax bill in the following pages. Enjoy another beautiful Western New York summer! SUBSCRIBE NOW Back to the Table of Contents Back to Top