Island Dispatch, 1999-05-14

              Island DISPATCH Launch Club Waves Flag P.-1-JL 5. _ . . Art Show Opens Page 9 . Soccer Champs Page 12 .Complete Community Coverage 55 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 MAY 14,1999 20 Pages 65c V01.55 No. 5 (716) 773-7676~] Grand Island student hangs with First Lady by Larry Austin Though she had an opportunity to hobnob with political big shots, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton instead took time out recently to meet a Grand Island High School student. Danni Quider, a junior at Grand Island High School, met Mrs. Clinton and Congressman John J. La Falce at the Delaware Park Casino on- May 7 during a visit the First Lady made to speak in Western New York. Quider estimates there were 150 top public officials from around New York State in attendance lo hear Mrs. Clinton. Quider, who went with her father, was the only student at the gathering, however. "We didn't know that 'til I got there," Quider said. "And then I'm like, 000-kaaay." But youth has its own advantages, and her age in relation to the other spectators helped Danni gain a face-to-face meeting with the First Lady. "I kind of felt special because I guess the First Lady noticed it," Quider said. "She spent a lot of time talking to me." Quider had an opportunity after Mrs. Clinton's speech to meet the First Lady along with others present. Quider said the people running the event told her to just turn and smile for a photograph with Mrs. Clinton and move, along because Mrs. Clinton was running late for an event at Buffalo State. Mrs. Clinton had other ideas. "We talked for 10 minutes," Quider said. "And people kept telling her to hurry up and she was like, 'No, I'm talking.'" Danni's father, Daniel Quider, headed Rep. LaFalce's most-recent re-election campaign. The visit from Mrs. Clinton was hosted by Rep. LaFalce, from whom the Quider's received their invititations. Danni has served as a volunteer with Rep. LaFalce's re-election campaign and with Grand Island Councilman Michael Heftka's campaign as well. Mrs. Clinton spoke about hospitals and medical care issues during her address to the local dignitaries, Danni said, but did not address a possible run for the United States Senate seat held by New York Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Moynihan has announced his retirement and will not seek re-election in 2000. Pundits have speculated in some media circles that the First Lady is making speeches around the Empire State to test the political waters for a possible campaign. One rival for the Senate seat could be Republican New York City Mayor Rudolph Guiliani. "If I could vote, I'd vote for her," said Quider, a 17-year-old. "I'd probably vote for her just because she's an outspoken woman, to be honest with you." Danni's age piqued Mrs. Clinton interest, Quider said, and the First Lady began to ask Quider about Grand Island High School. The pair made small talk about school-related topics, Quider said. "I was never really familiar with her before last Friday, but she just seemed genuinely concerned in the community and-all age groups, not just the voters," Quider said. Quider said the Hillary Clinton she met was different from the Hillary Clinton she expected. "The media kind of portrays her as something different than she really is," Quider said. Instead of a "firm" personality with "an FAST FRIENDS - Danni Quider, middle, of Grand Island had an opportunity May 7 to meet and greet First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, and Congressman John J. LaFalce, right. Mrs. Clinton stopped in Buffalo recently during a speaking tour through Western New York. Quider was the guest of Rep. LaFalce at Mrs. Clinton's address at the Delaware Park Casino. School Board puts 18.4 million capital bond project out to voters Approximately 75 percent of total cost to he state aided if project approved by Rick Forgione Next Tuesday, Grand Island voters will have the opportunity to approve a capital project for the school district that will: update all of its facilities; make necessary improvements; and take advantage of a "one time offer" in state aid that would pay 75 percent of the total project cost. If approved by Island residents, only 25 percent of the project (about $3.4 million) will be paid in taxes. However that amount will be paid over a period of either 15 or 20 years (depending on the bond issued) and will reflect .about a .$50,. a year increase in taxes for the average homeowner. The bottom line — the Grand Island School District is getting $18.4 million worth of much needed improvements for the cost of about $3.4 million. Superintendent Dr. Paul Fields, who gave a final presentation on the project last Monday, urged residents to vote "yes" for the project and take advantage of an extra 10 percent in state aid that is only being offered this year. Fields also reminded that if such a project were pushed in the future, the district would lose that extra 10 percent in aid and the same project would cost., the average taxpayer about .87 cents per thousand ($7O per year). The following is a few of the renovations, updates and improvements that the district will address if the capital project bond is addressed: ♦Programs: With higher expectationsexpectations than ever before, the school district must update several programs and add additional facilities. Some of these include: Renovation/Expansion of High School Science labs; refurbishing high school-locker rooms; computer workstations; building computer and math labs at. Huth Road Elementary; renovate high school music area; renovate district Nurse/Special Education/Art areas; and renovate high school library/guidance area. ♦Electrical: Due to the age of most of the district's schools, internal electrical components have become outdated and in need of replacement. Some of these include: High School Auditorium, Stage and Lighting Dimmer Board (original equipment from 1963); High School Auditorium Switch Board Light; Kaegebein, Stage Lighting Equipment (original equipment from 1952); and Huth Road, Stage Lighting Equipment. ♦Flooring: Like the. electrical problems, several safety hazards have arisen in the flooring of several of the schools due to aging. Some of the improvements proposed are: Kaegebein, rug in library, deteriorating slate flooring in entrance and 1982 rugs which have exceeded their 10 year life maximum; Connor Middle School, gym floor, which is up heaving and warped needs to be replaced. •Roofs: All five public schools in the district, with the exception of the new Sidway addition, are in need of roof repairs. Some of the improvements discussed are: water damage to the High School Cafeteria roof; leaking sections in Ross Wilson & Associates chosen for GI Project Co-operators Development Corp. Limited of Guelph, Ontario, is pleased to announce that Ross Wilson & Associates Inc. (RWA) has been selected to provide Real Estate Development ' and Construction Management Services for their Grand Island Adult Lifestyle Community Development Property previously called Southpointe. The development project has been renamed "Island's Edge." RWA, headquartered in Buffalo, with affiliate offices in Avon and Syracuse, will manage all aspects of the $55 million project and provide professional development and construction services for the residential, institutional, infrastructure, and commercial components of the development. GAR Associates of Amherst, Real Estate Appraisers and Consultants, has been retained to prepare specific market studies for each component of the development.Co-operators Development Corp. Limited purchased the 284-acre property over eight years ago and received approval for a planned continued on page 14 continued on page 6 continued on page *>14