Island Dispatch, 1997-11-21

              Island Dispatch £;«4years "As the voice of Grand Island" Monday Nite Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4.95 VE\X (ftzßit SUBS) Official Newspaper for the Town of Grand Island & the Grand Island School District November 21,1997 24 Pages 650 Vol. 54* No. 31 (716) 773-7676 Light up Grand Island by Deanne Bartha Grand Island businesses and residents: Get ready to flip that switch for the 2nd Annual "Reflections of Light" Christmas Lighting Contest. Sponsored by the Town of Grand Island, Niagara Frontier Publications, the Chamber of Commerce, Western New York Auctions, John Lexo, John Simon, and Andy Chambers, applications are coming out soon for the event that promises cash prizes to the best lit locations. Last year over 40 entrants sought the grand prize, heavily those in the residential category. This year, Michael Sendlbeck of WNY Auctions, chairman for the event, hopes to raise more money for the winners. He's been busy talking to sponsors and sees the second annual light show as a positive step toward community awareness and neighborly co-existence of residents and businesses. "Last year's contest was great," Sendlbeck said, chuckling on the good time had by the judges. "This year we want to make it even bigger and better - get more people involved." Sendlbeck, well known for his own display on Grand Island Boulevard that boasts more than 15,000 lights and draws virtually all the media's attention each year, has graciously taken himself out of die race. "I'd like to see others get the credit for what they do each year," he said, noting that his yearly display is one of his gifts to his grandchildren. "There's some beautiful displays out there. It's really tough being a judge, but it's a lot of fun and it's worth it" As an added bonus this year, The Dispatch will publish the Top Ten List of "Must Drive-bys." They may not have made first, second, or third in the residential and business categories, or Honorable Mention, but rest assured, they're probably worth a look-see. Applications for "Reflections of Light" will be available at Town Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, and Niagara Frontier Publications. They're due no later than Dec. 19. Judging by Sendlbeck, NFP, Linda Sobieski, Betty Harris, and Andrea Moreau will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 20. Island youth survives violent MVA by Ray Pauley Public Info Officer Sixteen year old Eric Haines of Long Rd. lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree at 79 Havenwood shortly before 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10. When GIFC rescue personnel arrived within three minutes after dispatch, the youth had already exited the vehicle, which was badly damaged after knocking down a large tree. Haines was then treated by paramedics for shoulder and chest injuries, immobilized and transported to Erie County Medical Center trauma unit for medical follow-up. GEFC Deputy Chief Skip Mrkall indicated that an airbag probably saved the victim from a more severe, disabling injury. A Town Highway Department crew was called to remove the tree which partially blocked the roadway. Erie County Sheriffs Department deputies have initiated an investigation into the circumstances of this incident. All GIFC units were returned in service at 4:11 p.m. In This Issue Discover Pine Avenue pg.9  Festival of Lights pg.lo  Holiday Gift Guide pgs.UJW  Lasalle Business Section pg.il  NU announces $22 million capital campaign A $22 million capital campaign that will permit modernization and renovation of two major buildings on campus was announced Thursday by the Rev. Paul Golden, CM., president of Niagara University. Solicitations in advance of the public phase of the campaign have already raised $12 million, Father Golden said. Included in that amount is a $2 million donation from a member of the class of 1939, the largest gift money in the history of the 141-year-old Vincentian university. Details of the campaign, which will also support academic enhancements and scholarship initiatives for students, were announce at a campaign kickoff attended by local community leaders, university benefactors, and members of the university community. The two-year campaign, called "Together, Tomorrow: Niagara," is designed to ensure Niagara's position as a recognized leader in higher education in Western New York in the next century, Father Golden said. "To bring this vision to reality, Niagara dare not rest on yesterday's accomplishments. We must build on our existing strengths and advance with enthusiasm," he added. Now in his third year as president, Father Golden said the campaign will enable the university to "accomplish the physical improvements, academic enhancements and scholarship initiatives which will help us reach our goals. In the spirit of this vision for Niagara, 1 invite all of our alumni and friends to join together to ensure that Niagara's distinctive Vincentian education will endure for tomorrow's generations of students." Thomas E. Taylor of Tampa, Ha., a 1956 graduate of Niagara and a member of its board of trustees, is general chairman of the campaign. Another trustee, James Y. Glynn of Lewiston, a 1957 graduate who is president of the Maid of the Mist Corp., will serve as honorary chairman. NU - Niagara University Campus fund raising campaign underway. MVA DAMAGE-Car meets tree. Union, school to work with Fact finder SRP plans informational picket by Carla Dueck The School Related Personnel (SRP) Union of Grand Island has recently requested to bring a fact finder from the Public Employee Relations Board into ongoing negotiations with the School District. The decision was made based on unsuccessful negotiations for the past year and a half between the two groups. All 200 members of the Union, 90 percent of whom are Grand Island residents, have been without a contract for the past 18 months. The union includes bus drivers, bus monitors, maintenance employees, cleaners, custodians, hall monitors, teacher aides, cafeteria monitors, clerical personnel, cafeteria workers and nurses. "This could have been settled within a month," said Nancy Scarafia, President of the SRP Union. Superintendent Dr. Paul Fields responded that in accordance with the Triborough Doctrine, the Union 1 workers have always been working under contract, but they are not happy with its terms. SRP Union representatives explained that before the formal negotiating process began, the Union informally requested a modest increase in line with what other districts were offering. According to Scarafia, the District offered an increase that was unacceptable to the Union, and the District offer was rejected. SRP reported that when formal negotiations began 18 months ago, the District suggested changes in the language of the contract that would negatively affect what many Union members would earn. The negotiating team has unanimously rejected these changes. According to Dr. Fields, however, a negotiating team representing the Union and Dr. Fields, as acting representative of continued on page 16 continued on page 16