Island Dispatch, 1998-07-24

              Island DISPATCH Vol. 55* No. 16 (716) 773-7676 650 24 Pages July 24, 1998 I a Monday ~| Nile Madne§§ i LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4-95 In Today's Issue: I "Thunder on the Niagara" j Over Years Taiwanese Exchange Students honored at meeting by Rick Forgione Several interesting topics and issues came out of Monday's Grand Island Town Board Meeting. A few of them were a sense of pride, accomplishment and generosity. During a proclamation read by Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, it was announced that July 15 to August 6, 1998 would be known as "Taiwanese Student Cultural Visitation Month" on the Island. The exchange program, conducted by the EF Intercultural Foundation, Inc., helps to foster better communications and understanding among people of different nations. Seventeen Grand Island families are generously hosting the twentyseven students. One of the main goals of the program is for participants to utilize their newly acquired knowledge, skills and language abilities in their native country. After the proclamation was made the town board was presented witli several gifts including a Taiwanese Flag, which will remain on display at Town Hall for the remainder of the students' stay. EF Educational Homestay Programs, a division of EF Intercultural Foundation, Inc., has brought over 30,000 students to the USA since 1979. Firefighters Free Injured Tree Trimmer by Ray Pauley Public Info Officer Fifty nine year old Louis Flores was treated by Grand Island Fire Co. Paramedics for neck, shoulder, and possible internal injuries sustained in a fall from a tree at 1563 Whitehaven Rd., shortly after 11 a.m. on Monday, July 20. Flores, a Buffalo gardener/handyman, fell about 12 feet from a ladder, while trimming a large branch which landed on top of him. After Firefighters removed the 7 inch thick limb, the victim received ALS treatment, was stabilized, and spinal immobilization was effected. Mercy Flight was dispatched due to the nature of injury priorities and ambulance delays caused by massive daytime traffic jams on the NYS Thruway. He was then transported to ECMC Trauma Unit for further medical evaluation. All GIFC Units returned in service at 11:52 a.m. according to GIFC Captain Dave Amato. Victim being placed on Mercy Right Rescue Copter prior to takeoff. GIFC Rescue Personnel render treatment while victim placed on backboard for removal to safe area. Final Contract Approval for Development at Beaver Island State Park Governor George E. Pataki announced a license agreement between NYS Parks and Inn Vest Lodging Services for a $5.2 million public-private partnership development at Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island. "The Casino was a distinguished building that can never be replaced, but this new structure will express the feeling of the Casino and, in time, I'm sure it will become just as important to the people of WNY," said Governor Pataki. "We are optimistic that this development will provide both economic and tourist benefits on Grand Island and throu£nomtl_e regTOn." The project includes the development of a new inn and conference center on the site of the former Beaver Island Casino, which was destroyed by fire in Oct. 1992. The new structure will be designed to accommodate a variety of banquet and conference facilities, as well as guest rooms. The next step for the project will be the initiation of formal field research and data gathering needed to support the environmental impact statement required in the contract. "We will be seeking public input so we can provide a description of the concepts for improvements to be made under this contract and to identify the areas of concern and alternatives we believe need to be addressed," said State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro. Commissioner Castro said the project will also include the development of a bed and breakfast facility at the former "Commission House." Consumer alert It has been brought to the Dispatch's attention that as of Wednesday there is solicitation going on In line commvmYt-y regarding plastic covers for the Grand Island Telephone Directory. Please be aware that this cover is in no way endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce. It is in direct conflict with the Chamber's efforts this month and next to include all interested advertisers in the new directory which is the Chamber's Commemorative issue for its 50th Anniversary. < "The Chamber of Commerce is not in support of the plastic cover for the Grand Island phone book," Chris Learman, Chamber of Commerce president said. "The only salesperson for our directory is Ed McCaffery." Chamber members should be aware that they may receive a sales call from a representative of Classified Yellow Page One, a company based in Cookville, Tennessee, Learman added. McCaffery advised that it would be wise to "avoid participation." For more information on the Chamber directory call McCaffery at 773-5850. Public Hearings to be held Aug. 3 by Vincent Little A number of Public Hearing have been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 3 as a result of the Town Board meeting held last Monday. Local Law Intro. Number 6 regards increasing the Town Supervisor's term of office from two years to four years. This Local Law is subject to a mandatory referendum, should it be adopted and will be submitted for approval by the Grand Island voters at the General Election to held in November of this year. This matter will be discussed during an Aug. 3 Public Hearing. Several other Public Hearings continued on page 5