Island Dispatch, 1998-04-24

              Island DISPATCH  Q"*r * years ■J "As the voice of Grand Island»^Hft Monday Nile Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4.95 i (PJzzftsUßs) In Today's Issue: m "Let's Get Growing" (716) 773-7676 Vol. 54 • No. 1 650 20 Pages April 24, 1998 Funding for Jr. Vikings Football field put on hold by Christopher Caile Emotions ran high Monday night at the Grand Island town board meeting over the issue of using up to $100,000 from the town's Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Fund to fund construction in Veterans Park for a Junior Vikings home football field. The fund, which was set up in the mid-1970* s, has largely remained dormant since it is not part of the yearly budget The Junior Viking football organization has sought construction of a home field for many years. It would serve their 150 members as well as soccer players. As a substitute the organization has been using Island school fields. An arrangement for 1998 allows them use of a field at Kaegebein. Controversy over the proposal to use the fund's money set forth by Councilman Mike Heftka began in the earlier workshop meeting and continued into the town meeting. Heftka noted the construction of a football field was part of the Veterans Park Plan. Supervisor Peter McMahon supported the proposal, but all three Republican Council members, Dick Crawford, Mary Cooke and Andrea Moreau while stating they support the proposal asked for a delay. They advised further investigation to learn if football field construction was proper use of the fund's money. It was decided to hold a hearing on the proposal on Monday, May 4, at 8 p.m. at the start of the regular town board meeting. VETERANS PARK SPACE RESERVED FOR FOOTBALL - The area remains undeveloped but could soon become the new home football field for the Junior Vikings. Fujisawa gets $32.4 million ECIDA expansion bonding by Christopher Caile It was a good week for Grand Island based Fujisawa, USA. On Monday the town board approved its site plan for the company's proposed expansion. On Wednesday the Erie County Industrial Development Agency Board approved $32.4 million in bond sales to help the company finance a major four building, 94,000 square foot expansion on the Island. Fujisawa Operations Director Scott Aladeen had indicated several weeks ago that while they planned to build a new administration building on Staley Raod, ECIDA funding was an important consideration influencing his company's decision to relocate a pharmaceutical manufacturing operation to the Island. The agency provides low cost bond funding such as tax breaks to stimulate industrial development within the county. Fujisawa's application for the ECIDA loan followed the town's approval of the rezoning of three parcels of land adjacent to its current operation. Aladeen said the Grand Island location could be selected to produce a capsulated form of its transplant drug Prograph currently manufactured by the company in Ireland. New building construction would account for approximately $18.8 million, $9.35 million for machinery and equipment, $480,000 for other equipment, $3.7 million in soft costs such as engineering, architectural and administration costs and legal fees, plus additional fees to the ECIDA. Construction would include a new administration building, THEY'RE BACK! - Seen on East River Road this week was one of the first boats to be put in the River. Three injured during late night accidents by Ray Pauley Public Info Officer Thirty five Grand Island Firefighters responded to two separate motor vehicle accidents on Grand Island Blvd., late Wednesday evening on April 22, according to Chief Paul Gorman. Forty four year old Halina Butski of Niagara Falls, N.Y. and her three year old grandson were treated for non critical injuries which occurred during a two car MVA in front of the Fun Center, at 2660 Grand Island Blvd. at 10:11 p.m. Both victims were transported to St. Mary's Hospital for further medical evaluation. Twenty minutes later, another collision at Whitehaven and Grand Island Blvd., resulted in serious neck, back and arm injuries to driver Janice Wardour of Colonial Dr., Grand Island. The force of the impact caused her vehicle to roll over several times, until it landed in an upright position in T.C.s Tavern parking lot. She was extricated, immobilized and transported to Erie County Medical Center for Trauma Unit follow-up. Brandon Drews of Cheektowaga, driver of the second vehicle, refused treatment at the scene, according to Chief Paul Gorman who coordinated all rescue efforts. One GIFC Paramedic commented that Wardour was "very lucky" that she was wearing her seatbelt which probably prevented more critical, life threatening injuries. All GIFC units returned in service at 10:57 pjn. FIREFIGHTERS TO THE RESCUE - Rescuers, pictured at the scene of the crash, work hard to free a victim from her vehicle as quickly and cautiously as possible. ENVIRUN 5K race to close entrance to State Park The Robert Moses Parkway from Quay Street inbound to the State Park entrance will be closed at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25 for the Bth Annual ENVIRUN 5K race. Runners will enter Goat Island by way of the pedestrian bridge at approximately 10:15 a.m. The vehicular bridge to Goat Island will be closed at Buffalo Avenue from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. while the runners leave Goat Island. Over 250 runners are expected to take part in the 5K race cosponsored by the New York State Parks to celebrate Earth Day. continued on page 5 continued on page 5 *W3 jQ^n HomebiprovßßM t7|\N  &GardenimSection /**