Island Dispatch, 1989-10-20

              ISLAND DISPATCH With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND. NY • 773-7676 VOL. 46 NO. 32 • Oct. 20,1989 28 PAGES 35« Hands On Experiences At The Fire Co. Open House The Grand Island Fire Co. Open House, held last Saturday, featured a variety of demonstrations on fire extinguishing techniques and fire prevention safety rules were stressed. Many children got a taste of what it would be like to be a fireman. Matthew Dziwulski, 9, learned how to operate a fire extinguisher from firemen Michael DeMartin (left) and Chuck BerUnger. Jr. Photo by !_W L_ i Weather THE OLD Farmer's Almanac says: Oct. 20: rain, cool. Oct. 21-23: rain, cold. Oct. 24-27: clear, mild. Garbage Trucks To Keep Off Isle Road Shoulders ERIE County Legislator Chuck Swanick met Monday with representatives from Modern Disposal Services, Inc. to discuss the problem of heavy garbage trucks driving on the shoulders of Grand Island roads. According to Swanick, officials from the County Highway Dept., the Sheriff's Dept. and the County Executive's office, the trucks are responsible for a substantial amount of damage on recently paved county roads. In particular, Love Road was singled out as a trouble spot. Explaining that the shoulders were never designed to support truck loads, the Commissioner of Public Works told the group that shoulders consist of approximately three inches of pavement whereas normal highway depth is closer to 24" of crushed stone, concrete and pavement. He said they were designed with recreational needs of the residents in mind so that bicyclists and joggers could enjoy a safer route along Grand Island roads. Highway Dept. officials and Sheriff's deputies concurred that they have monitored garbage trucks in the area and consistently witnessed them driving on the shoulders. Modern Disposal Services agreed to instruct their drivers to stay off the shoulders and forward a written policy statement on this issue to Legislator Swanick. They also said they planned to place notices in each truck assigned to Grand Island so, in the event of substitute personnel, there would be no confusion about what the acceptable driving practices are. In turn, they asked that residents help in monitoring the trucks so drivers violating the mandate can be identified. "We need the residents to act as policemen. I have no way of chasing the garbage trucks around Grand Island to make sure they stay off the shoulders. It's the residents who suffer if this policy is not enforced because the shoulders will become inaccessible and we'll be right back to where we started four years ago," Swanick said. Residents are being asked to write down the date, location, time and vehicle number if any garbage truck is seen riding on the shoulders of county roads. "I'd even go so far as to provide postcards for people to jot the info down if there are repeated instances of violations," Swanick added. All comments should be forwarded to Legislator Swanick's office at 2451 Baseline Rd. and he will contact Modern Disposal personally. Weekend At A Glance FRIDAY GI JR. FOOTBALL GET TOGETHER/DANCE. St. Stephen's Church Hall, 8:30 P.M. to 1 A.M. FOUR SEASONS FESTIVAL, St. Martin's Church. 2587 Baseline Road. 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. SATURDAY VIKINGS VS. MARYVALE, High School, 1100 Ransom Rd., 2 P.M. FIRE AUXILIARY CHOWDER/BAKED GOOD SALE. 2275 Baseline Rd. THIRD ANNUAL LAST PRESBYTERIAN DINNER, Island Presbyterian Church, Huth Road. 5 and 7 P.M. VFW NO. 9249 HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY, (adults) VFW Post. 6 P.M SUNDAY TRINITY SR. CHOIR APPLE FESTIVAL, Trinity UM Church, 2100 Whitehaven Rd.. noon Mail To: