Island Dispatch, 1998-04-17

              Island DISPATCH (716) 773-7676 I Monday Nile Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4-95 In Today's Issue: m "Let's Get Growing" April 17, 1998 20 Pages 01/©f Jt_a__. m/  H___r~ _■ -—..,.., .ii|—-_ , _—_ jdttrl 650 Vol. 54 • No. 52 $5 Million Beaver Isle Park Casino reconstruction approved by Christopher Caile Governor George Pataki's office announced on April 8 that a final $5 million Beaver Island Casino reconstruction project agreement had been reached with Inn Vest Lodging Services, Inc. of Buffalo. Planning would begin this summer with actual construction projected to start in October. The project had been announced by Pataki last June but a final agreement had not been completed. Inn Vest President and CEO Dennis Murphy said the plan's architectural design closely matches the former casino. The project includes an Inn and conference center including banquet and conference facilities along with improvements in the marina and golf course. Phase one will be built on the site of the former casino and will have 40 guest rooms. Another 40 units addition will open two years later. The Park's Commission House will also be turned into an eight unit bed and breakfast. The Park's marina will be upgraded to a full service facility and the 18 hole golf course will be improved. Grand Island Supervisor Peter McMahon said, "I think it's a great project and should attract tourists who may patronize other island restaurants and attractions. The old casino also attracted weddings and banquets and if the facilities are similar these types of activities will also be attracted." However, the marina situation has attracted some controversy, McMahon said. "There is a petition about the plans for management. It used to be that all the slips were reserved for transient boaters but under the management plan a lot of the slips would be allocated to summer rentals. Hoyt and I have contacted Ed Rutkowski, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation about the matter. A meeting is planned to try to work out a compromise." Since the casino burned in October 1992 prospects for its rebuilding had seemed to dwindle. Before the fire the Town of Grand Island had been told by the state that the structure was "self-insured" by the State. This meant the state assumed financial responsibility for rebuilding if the need arose. Immediately after the fire the state pledged $2.5 million for the project which was later revised to $1.5 million. Funding for rebuilding then virtually disappeared. Rutkowski announced a list of various park priorities and the casino was not even mentioned. The State Parks later invited LET THE RACE BEGIN! - The 300+ runners participating in the Grand Island Tfcilf Marathon were ready for the gun shot fired by Supervisor Peter McMahon. At the sound of the shot, the group took off to cover the 13.1 mile USAT&F Certified Course; several onlookers cheered the runners as they completed iltc race. GI Half Marathon winners The Greater Buffalo Track Club held their Fourth Annual Grand Island Half Marathon this past Saturday, with over 350 individuals registering for the event and 321 finishing. The race began with a gun shot fired by Supervisor Peter McMahon. According to Ken Hans, director of the race, the event ran smoothly, thanks to the help of the Sheriffs department and many volunteers. "We got more help than we anticipated," Hans commented. "There was a decent crowd watching at the finish. The event was well received and very successful." First Place Overall in the Men's Category was Tom Appenheimer, coming in with a time of 1:11:22. The Women's Overall went to Christine Cote, with a time of 1:19:54. Grand Island residents who placed in the race were: In the 19 and under category, First place went to Joseph Dawidowicz. In the 25-29 category, Derek Wright came in second. In the 65-69 categorjf, First place went to Gloria Brown. State funds special aid for Isle grant consultant and schools by Christopher Caile In a press conference Wednesday at Grand Island Town Hall State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt announced that the state would appropriate an emergency aid package for Grand Island. Included is a one year $30,000 funding for the town to hire a grant consultant as well as a special $150,000 line item for service and expenses of the Grand Island School District. The announcement was made in conjunction with State Senator Anthony Nanula who was unable to attend the news conference. "Last night about 7:30 p.m. the state legislature passed its 1999 budget. The good news is that this year we passed it only two weeks late," Hoyt said. "The really good news is the budget is good for Grand Island." Hoyt credited Supervisor Peter McMahon for having a constant presence in Albany. "One of the messages he sent to me was that the continuation of the Seneca Indian lawsuit to regain Grand Island was a serious issue. 'I hope you appreciate the negative impact this land claim has on the Island,' he told me. He then asked me to help mitigate the damages. In return I asked him to give me a list of a few specific items that would provide a one time shot in the arm to the Island. The grant consultant was one, an expert who can shake the trees in the federal and state governments as well as in Erie County Hall." Hoyt took both the consultant and the request for special school aid to Assembly of Representatives Speaker Sheldon Silver. "Silver said he would help with the consultant but I didn't know what would happen to the school aid until I looked at the budget that had just passed," said Hoyt The consultant is important, Hoyt emphasized, because with the State Environmental Bond Act and several others "if you are not good and don't study the opportunities you will miss the boat. The specialist will go after these type of funding opportunities," Hoyt said. State education aid to Grand Island has been increasing every year, Hoyt noted. "But this year there is a greater increase than there has been seen in a very long time. It represents about $322,000 in formula drive aid to the Island ~ twice what the Governor had originally budgeted." Also noted was $500,000 previously allocated from the Environmental Bond Act for renovations of the East River Marina. There was also a special grant for the Grand Island/Tonawanda Teacher's Center to purchase special equipment. McMahon said he wanted to recognize Hoyt for all the funding Hoyt had secured for the Island this year. This included sidewalk funding of $230,000, $500,000 for the East River Marina, School Beacon funding for $20,000 as well as the new Grant Consultant for $30,000 and the Special School line item for $150,000. "The most extraordinary thing, however, is the speed things got done," said McMahon. "I was in Albany at the end of last month and here it is 14 days later and we have received this special help." Also noted by McMahon was an additional $5,000 secured by State Senator Anthony Nanula in School Beacon funding. HOYT AND MCMAHON - At the town hall press conference. continued on page 3