Island Dispatch, 1997-10-03

              Island DISPATCH  "As the voice of Grand Island" SHOWCASE FAMILY RESTAURANTS 2352 Grand Island Blvd. • DINE IN TAKE OUT • NEW MENU • NEW HOURS OPEN EVERY DAY 7A.M.-MIDNIGHT 775-3211 Official Newspaper for the Town of Grand Island & the Grand Island School District October 3,1997 20 Pages 650 Vol. 54•N0. 24 (716) 773-7676 Candidates to speak on environment by Christopher Caile On October 16 there will be a "Meet the Candidates" night sponsored by Quality Quest, Zonta Club and the Grand Island Conservation Committee at 7 p.m. at the Trinity Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. The first part of the program will a presentation by Art Klein of the Western New York Bicycle Advocacy Group who will present a program entitled "Bikes, Birds and Business" which will address how to make Grand Island bicyclefriendly.The second part of the program is reserved for candidate's responses to two environmental questions: (1) According ia the Grand Island 1994 Comprehensive Plan, three quarters of Grand Island residents wish to preserve the natural rural setting of streams and woodlands as they now exist. What methods would you recommend to achieve these goals? (2) Environmentally related tourism is an $8 billion dollar industry in the U.S. and the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry. How would you envision Grand Island participating m this economic bonanza? Crossing guard wages double area norm by Christopher Caile Grand Island's part-time school crossing guards are being paid at a rate that averages two to four times that of other area communities and some guards may also be abusing the system. Comparitively, Clarence pays school crossing guards $6.40 an hour, the City of Buffalo pays $6.09 to $7.25, Lancaster $7, City of Tonawanda $6.45 and Amherst from $8.13 to $8.66. But Grand Island doesn't pay by the hour. Instead it pays $13 "per crossing." The "crossing" in the morning, said Councilman Dick Crawford, who is liaison to the Traffic Safety Advisory Board, is from 7:50 am. to 8:44 a.m. This is 56 minutes or approximately an hour which translates into an hourly pay of $13. The afternoon "crossing" is from 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., or one half hour which translates into an hourly pay of $26 per hour. These rates are approved by the town board. Councilwoman Andrea Moreau said that these wages were not part of the recent compensation study which compared Grand QUIET-School crossing guards average 11/2 hours of work per school day. Budget reflects zero tax increase Town of Grand Island Supervisor, James H. Pax submitted tentative 1998 budgets for the Town's General Fund, Highway Fund, and the Fire Protection District on Tuesday, Sept. 30,1997. The General Fund and Highway Fund show no increase in tax rates. Rates hold or decrease for most special districts. The total General Fund budget is proposed to be $4,535,952 of which $1,394,883 will be generated from town taxpayers. The general town tax rate will be $2.49 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, same as in 1997. Despite holding the line on taxes, the Town will be able to Jcontinue its commitment to improving recreation facilities, with various improvements to Veterans Park and other sites. The Town will also be able to maintain fundings for its drainage program, and will be funding the addition to the highway garage. The total Highway Fund budget is $1,515,706 and raises taxes totaling $1,163,338. The tax rate will be $2.08 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 1998, which Saturday set for Community Happening by Christopher Caile The preparations have been going on for months, the plaza has been decked out in banners and decorations and the whole community has joined in for this Saturday's gala Community Happening at the Grand Island Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is something for everyone, kids and grownups. All day there will be free pony rides, balloons, clowns, fire engines, classic cars, a U K'N Bounce and tables featuring students selling their wares in a business education program called Kid Biz. "Tooki," Grand Island's only professional clown portrayed by Ted Kumlander will also be doing magic and making balloon animals. Reality Cafe will do face painting as their fund-raiser. Ted's Hot Dogs will be there serving their famous "dogs" and pop. There will also be wine tasting and prizes. Entertainment includes 1950's music, the Grand Island High School Pep Band and the Grand Island High School Cheerleaders from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. and the Barroom Buzzards from noon to 2 p.m. If you want to put your political candidates to work there will be Candidates Car Wash from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $5. Proceeds go to Reality Cafe and the Neighbors Foundation. Conservative Party candidates will wash from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Independence from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m., Democratic from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Republican from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Co-sponsors of the event are the Grand Island Merchants Association and the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. All profits from the refreshment stand and Candidates Car Wash will be i donated to Island causes. On Tuesday Ted Bates of Red Jacket Travel had a 2 p.m. rap-up meeting at the Buffalo Launch Club to fine tune preparations and inform people about new additions to the event. GETTING READY-Tom Cecere and Rich Dworak of the Grand Island Recreation Dept. assist Grand Island Plaza Community Happening with preparations for Sat. A BANNER DAY-Local students prepare a banner for the 40th anniversary celebration of Grand Island Plaza to be held this Saturday. Pictured (1 to r) are Bill Reiter, Josh Wilson, Bobby Galeza, Jackie Mangus and Jessica Mao. Missing from the photo are Audrey Fuerle and Villa Maria student Danielle Northrup. Prizes still needed If you, your company or organization wants to contribute to this great event it's not too late. Prizes are needed. Call Ted Bates at 773-7573 by the end of Friday. Prizes donated to date include a powered weed trimmer from Good Enterprizes, Grand Island ties and Cinderella Island history book both from the Chamber of Commerce, antique maps of Grand Island and special Dispatch subscription discounts and classified certificates from NFP Dispatch/PennySaver. Rain date for the event is Sunday, Oct 5. continued on page 9 continued on page 9 continued on page 3