Island Dispatch, 1999-04-16

              Island DISPATCH -Complete Community Coverage Black Ice Ballet Pages _ _ _ Caught for a Cause Page 5 And They're Off! Page 15 54 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District Vol. 54 No. 52 (716)773-7676^ APRIL 9, 1999 20 Pages 65C OPENING THE DOORS - Fujisawa Executive President Dr. Ted Odlaug, left, is congratulated by General Manager A. Scott Aladeen during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Fujisawa's Healthcare's new Administration Building. The Staley Road corporation opened the building Tuesday. Board decides to begin school after Labor Day by Rick Forgione The Grand Island School Board received a loud applause during Monday's meeting. However it was not in recognition of high achievement or stellar leadership, but rather for their decision to begin the 1999-2000 school year after Labor Day. The decision to start school September 7 came after almost a dozen Island residents expressed their concerns on the impact of starting school before Labor Day. One of the concerns came from Town Deputy Supervisor Michael Heftka. Speaking on behalf of the Town's Economic Development Committee, Heftka told the board that several Island businesses, which employ high school students, would be discouraged if the school board decided to begin school before the Labor Day weekend.He used as an example, Martin's Fantasy Island, which employs hundreds of students during the summertime. Since the amusement park's season doesn't end until Labor Day, Heftka said that owner Martin DiPietro was contemplating that he would be better served going off Island to hire employees. FROM 55 TO 35 - The drive to lower speed limits on the Island got a jump start Tuesday at the intersection of International and Ransom Roads. Town personnel were on hand to see the first in a series of new.speed limit signs installed. From left, Charlie McDonough, Supervisor Peter McMahon, Town Highway Superintendent Ray Dlugokinski, Traffic Advisory Boardmember Jack Gorman, and Town Councilman Mike Heftka. See story on page 3. (by Gregg Schnitzer) Fujisawa on brink of marketing wonder drug by Deanne Bartha The reception area of Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. was packed with visitors and employees on Tuesday for two very special reasons: The international corporation on Staley Road, Grand Island was about to open its doors with an official ribbon-cutting for its new administration and manufacturing facility and officials would share the news on a topical dermatologic ointment produced at the site that promises to ease arid cure sufferers of eczema. "Today we will celebrate the completion and opening of the beautiful building we are standing in, namely, the Fujisawa Healthcare Administration building," General Manager A. Scott Aladeen said: "For those of us who work for Fujisawa here on Grand Island, we might also consider this the start of the home stretch — the last stages of preparation before we commence the manufacture of commercial product on May 10." "...For those of us involved in the Administration Building project, we are extremely proud of this building, not only because of the beauty and functionality of the building itself, but also because it represents a vision for this site to become a premier pharmaceutical manufacturing location for Fujisawa worldwide. We are poised to. play a significant role in the global growth of Fujisawa through the production of meaningful new drug products that actually improve the quality of people's lives. It is a unique opportunity, and one that we are honored to be involved in." Fujisawa's new building is designed to be "both appealing and functional," Aladeen stated. All materials and details — the glass front, unique shape, interior trim and furnishings — were carefully selected to provide a pleasant and attractive facility that "properly reflects the world-class nature of our operations here." Aladeen pointed out the equally important, functional design of the building. Careful attention was given to the working environment "to assure that the building would provide both a pleasing and productive work setting." Every employee has a window view; workstations are designed to provide adequate space and balance the need for privacy with an open feel. Work groups were located to Democratic committee endorses candidates The Grand Island Democratic committee made their candidate choices this week for the November election. According to Chairman Jeff Stone, endorsing two incumbents — Supervisor Peter McMahon and Town Clerk Nancy Samrany — was an easy choice for the Democratic party. "We look forward this year to running a slate of excellent candidates from top to bottom, and we are particularly excited to have our ticket anchored by two people as thoughtful, as well-respected and as popular as Peter and Nancy," Stone said. In seeking endorsement, McMahon stated his belief that "in the past 15 months this administration has made significant progress toward makinj Grand Island great" and indicated he would like the opportunity to continue that work. McMahon has emphasized appropriate economic development, a satisfactory solution of the Seneca suit and a streamlining of Grand Island's town government. McMahon has been supervisor since 1997. Samrany emphasized that the person elected Town Clerk this year also will be asked to carry out all of the duties previously performed by the Receiver of Taxes, since that office was eliminated by voter action last fall. Pointing to her 14 years of experience in the Town Clerk's office, she stated that she has "every confidence that if given the opportunity I can make the consolidation of these two offices work and save taxpayer dollars." Samrany was a strong supporter of McMahon and Councilman Mike Heftka's efforts to consolidate the two offices to achieve more efficient service and significant tax savings. Peter McMahon continued on page 3 continued on page 16 continued on page 11