Island Dispatch, 1998-01-09

              Island DISPATCH  _f_;«4 years "As the voice of Grand Island" 650 January 9,1998 20 Pages Monday- Nile Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4-95 (________) Official Newspaper for the Town of Grand Island & the Grand Island School District  (716) 773-7676 Vol. 54 • No. 38 McMahon's first day proves productive by Deanne Bartha In between unpacking boxes of personal mementos and office necessities, and answering numerous phone calls, newlyelected Town of Grand Island Supervisor Peter A. McMahon met with various department heads, formulated the next town agenda, and spent hours gathering information one day after his official Inauguration which took place on January 1. McMahon wasted no time in changing the locks at Town Hall, nor did he hesitate to appoint his Democrat colleague, Councilman Michael Heftka, as Deputy Supervisor. Also appointed with her first day scheduled for last Monday was secretary Diane Nesbitt of East Park. Several other appointments took place during the first Reorganization meeting held Monday evening. Notably evident that Friday was McMahon's drive to keep his campaign promises which included jump-starting the Business Community by enacting an Economic Development committee charged with making recommendations on Economic Development in the town within one year. Appointed members must report back to advise what format to follow regarding years of appointments and monthly meetings. McMahon is striving for an "open government." That includes a reorganization in town government encompassing "all elected officials" who will look at consolidation. McMahon is focusing on combining the Receiver of Taxes position with the Town Clerk and other Supervisor's office positions, with reports expected by June of this year. "We plan if we're going to do that to have a referendum this year and in 1999 elect both jobs," McMahon said. "The timing is right." Although not up and running on Friday due to several separate telephone lines concocted over the years, a 24-hour access phone line to the Supervisor's office is planned. McMahon found that it seemed it was easier for previous administrations to "just add lines" rather than conform to one phone system and "bite the bullet" of the cost of consolidating all of it. As a result of this, he will add another line. LAKE GRAND ISLAND - In front of Town Hall Thursday the creek running through the Town Park overflowed to create this scenic view. Water overflowed on to the edges of the parking lot. (by Christopher Caile) Town responds quickly to Kaegebein evacuation by Christopher Caile It started in several classrooms at Kaegebein School on Love Road when students starting complaining about strong odors of natural gas. At 1:07 p.m. Grand Island firefighters responded to a call from the school. Emergency evacuation procedures were already under way. Teachers and the school's 436 students were met by school buses at the side of the building as firefighters assisted in the evacuation. They were kept in the busses until it was determined that there was no hazard and the school was re-opened. But by the time the incident was over some children were shaken. Several students were calmed or treated in the school's nursing office. Others were treated in the town's Emergency Rescue vehicle behind the school. Five students between the ages of eight and ten and two teachers were treated for breathing problems, headaches and nausea. Three students were transported to Children's Hospital by ambulance for further medical evaluation. Most students seemed calm and collected as they were first directed out of the school onto busses and later back into the school. They walked in groups led by their teachers. One student walking with classmates back into the school took the whole incident lightly. "Never saw this before! Whoa." At the scene in charge for Grand Island firefighters was Assistant Chief Peter McMahon, also town Supervisor, who directed incident assessment pending arrival of Chief Gorman. National Fuel Gas personnel were also involved. Dale Halvarson a Supervisor of National Fuel Gas said the situation was never dangerous. Halvarson said they had been doing some maintenance on the odorent system at their site at the corner of Stony Point and Staley Road when there was release of the ordorent, called Merchaptin, used to give smell to gas so it could be detected. Prevailing winds carried the gas about a mile to the area around Kaegebein where the gas was pulled into the ventilating system. Kaegebein School Principal John Wiertel said he was very pleased about how everyone reacted, the teachers, staff and children. They were calm, cooperative and cohesive. He said he also wanted to mention the school system's transportation department who responded so quickly. As to the fire company, not only did they respond immediately but they were helpful and informative on the scene. The gas company also deserves high marks, Wiertel said. One representative tested the quality of air in the school. Another representative kept them informed about what was happening. Was there also natural gas involved? McMahon said that gas meter readings indicated low levels of gas within the lower explosive limits. But it is not known if meters function by measuring natural gas or the odorent combined with it. Ken Thomas, who lives just behind the school with his wife Monica, was out walking his dog on LaSalle at the time of the incident. "It scared me because I could smell the strong odor of gas. Then I saw the fire trucks and all the people and busses pulling up." EMERGENCY VEHICLES BEHIND KAEGEBEIN - Students were evacuated and several treated Wednesday following a nearby gas leak. STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER EVACUATION - Students at Kaegebein School return inside after a short evacuation Wednesday prompted by the smell of gas in the school. continued on page 9 r_ r—*-v r_ Pages 148 c 15