Island Dispatch, 1998-12-24

              Island Dispatch Monday NiteMadneee LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4-95 In This Issue: Auto Section... page 10 & 11 Vol. 54 No. 37 (716)773-7676 "As the voice of Grand Island" 650 December 24, 1998 20 Pages Complete community coverage* A GIVING COMMUNITY - Students from Grand Island High School were at Fire Hall #2 Monday to help sort out all the food and other items donated by Grand Island residents, students, churches, and service groups for the Neighbors Foundation. Fifty-six families totaling more than 210 people were aided by the yearly event. Over at Tops Market, the Snowflake promotion netted a $1 donation for each one purchased, which will also benefit the Neighbors Foundation. DIGGING INTO THE FUTURE - The crew from Sam Longs Construction was busy this week working on the culvert in front of Grand Island Plaza. The job is vital to the extension of sidewalks that are planned for that area. Dr. Long to retire from Zoning by Rick Forgione Dr. Samuel D. Long, zoning officer for the last 12 years, has announced his retirement. The announcement was made in the form of a brief letter to the Grand Island Town Board, which was read at Monday's meeting. "For the past 12 years I have enjoyed serving the Town in the capacity of Zoning Officer," Long wrote in the letter dated Dec. 16. "However, the time has come for me personally to now consider retirement." Long, 81, who is expected to officially retire from his part-time position on May 31, 1999, told Town Board members that from now until May he would like to assist the Town in selecting and training his successor. At the meeting, Supervisor Peter McMahon said the board will now attempt to focus on consolidating the town's enforcement offices - zoning, fire, building and plumbing -- and will meet sometime in January to discuss code enforcement and government reorganization. Despite several complaints in recent months against Long that he has been misusing his position power by selectively prosecuting and not following regulations pertaining to the use of Town vehicles, Long wrote highly of his years serving Grand Island. "Prior to taking this position (Zoning Officer), I served on the Zoning Board of Appeals in the 60's, served 12 years as Councilman in the 70's and early 80's, and played an active role in designing and drafting our zoning ordinances." Long is a chiropractor and has operated a private practice on the Island for several years. Board members clash over salary increase by Rick Forgione In November, the citizens of Grand Island voted 3-1 to consolidate the offices of Town Clerk and Receiver of Taxes. On Monday, Town Board members clashed over the salary for the combined position. The consolidation will take effect Jan. 1,2000. A motion by Supervisor Peter McMahon to increase the position's salary by $5,000 (12 percent of the current salary) was shot down 3-2 by the Republican members of the board: Mary Cooke, Dick Crawford and Andrea Moreau. Angered by the rejection, Councilman Michael Heftka, a Democrat, defended the pay hike by saying that an almost $40,000 job would be eliminated and that the Town Clerk position, which would take on 100 percent of the extra duties, should be compensated with a pay increase. However, Crawford defended the actions of his party and stated that he personally would like to see any extra money be spread out through the entire department, since all the employees will have extra work after the consolidation. In a motion by Mary Cooke, the board voted 3-2, once again led by the Republicans, to keep the Town Clerk's salary the same as it is this year, which is $48,994, and allow any incremental raises in the next two years to act as the increase in pay. Cooke stated that the figure could reach $50,000 by the time the consolidation takes place. The decision to keep the salary the same outraged several residents in the crowd including Independence Party Chairman Michael Sendlbeck. Advisory positions available Supervisor Peter McMahon announced during Monday's Town board meeting that there are still positions available on several Town Advisory Boards. As a result of the vacancies, the board extended the deadline for residents interested in applying for a position on a specific board until Monday, Dec. 28. Positions to fill terms that expire in December are available on the following boards:. Architectural Review Board, Cable TV Committee, Drug Abuse Prevention Council, Human Rights Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Board, Traffic Safety Advisory Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Those interested are encouraged to immediately submit a letter to Supervisor Peter McMahon, Town Hall, 2255 Baseline Rd. In the letter should be the desired board opening the applicant is seeking and some relevant experience relating to that given advisory board. For more information call McMahon at 773-9600. continued on page 6