Island Dispatch, 1999-08-27

              Island Dispatch The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District 55 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers AUGUST 27, 1999 32 Pages + Special 4 page Bridge Section V01.55 No. 19 (716)773-7676 Complete Community Coverage Fit For a King page 5 Football's Back page 18 G.L Rocks! page 9 Veterans Memorial model unveiled during historic ceremony by Rick Forgione The wind was blowing softly as Nancy Sandford slowly walked up to the podium. She immediately introduced herself to over 50 people in attendance and began what will go down as a defining moment in Grand Island's history. The unveiling of the Veterans Memorial model last Thursday at Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Post 9249, Veterans of Foreign Wars, was more than just a newsworthy press conference. It was the culmination of a dream and a vision of the late LaVerne C. Luther, known Islandwide as "Bunny." Bunny initiated the design and fund drive in an attempt to create something that would recognize those who fought during times of war in the various branches of the military. After his passing, two people made it their responsibility to make sure his dream lived on: Sandford, Bunny's daughter, and his wife Shirley Luther. Sandford and Mrs. Luther are cochairs of the Veterans Memorial Committee, whose hard work and dedication has made it possible for Bunny's and hundreds of other Grand Island soldiers memories to live on. Committee members are: Treasurer Harvey Long, Mary Cooke, Mike Cutini, Mike Dlugosz, Kester Bleich, and Earl DeGlopper. in addition, Liz Reimann, Dick Planavsky and Jim Sharpe have joined in on the cause to help with fundraising. Fighting back tears, Sandford told those in attendance about her CANNON'S DESIGN - The Veterans Park Memorial Wall model was unveiled last Thursday in front of over 50 people at the Charles N. DeGlopper VFW Post. The model, constructed by Cannon Design, on Whitehaven Road, was covered with the American Flag before the unveiling took place. The actual wall will stand 28 feet long and five feet high and be located at Veterans Park. Pictured are Cannon Designers, from left, Bill DeGlopper, Tom Kelley and Michael Dlugosz. Final Town Center plans not final yet by Kelly Gast Time is running out for the Long Range Planning Committee to wrap up final plans regarding the future vision for the Grand Island Town Center. At last week's Long Range Planning Committee Meeting held Aug. 19, there was still debate and discussion when at this time, a final drawing should be nearly complete. The committee did reach the conclusion that they must finish the plan in the upcoming week. A final product must be ready to submit to the Town Board as soon as possible.There are still obstacles to overcome in the planning, however. In order for the plans for a functional and aesthetic town center to take place, clarifications of several matters must be settled such as Town development themes and connecting roads. A Town Center Concept Plan was revealed to the LRPC by URS Greiner, the planning consultants. Incorporated into the plan were the ideas from the LRPC Town Center report and ideas from two community brainstorming sessions. However, the plan has yet to be approto by «„ ™mtos of fte committee. There are still a number of details to work out. The committee discussed designating a commercial theme for the Town for all future buildings, offices and landscaping. The commercial area designated would be located behind the Baseline/Grand Island Blvd. parcel and stretch up to the Bedell Road intersection. This space would consist of high density residential, apartment complexes, community centers and a loop road that would connect Baseline to Whitehaven Road. Single family housing would be restricted from this area. Medium and high density residential areas are necessary here in order to make the center self-sufficient. In order for the Town Center to function, it is essential to have people living in the area to support it. Instead of designating official recreational areas and pigeonholing them, the LRPC agreed that instead all areas must leave some green space creating parklike settings with regulations to keep it that way. Most agreed that a theme is important in drawing people to the Chamber begins boulevard improvements funding drive lln- Cir.-inil Nl.siii! I'h.iiii'n-i sil » Commerce has launched a major drive to seek funding for several needed improvements to Grand Island Boulevard. Meeting last Thursday with representatives and leaders from the federal, county and town governments, Chamber President Jack Hugill called for them to jointly seek government monies to finance the major project. The Chamber sees the improvements as a springboard to needed retail development on the Island. "Grand Island Boulevard is the key," Hugill said. "It is the base of our Town Center and also the first thing visitors see when getting off either of the two bridges." Charles Swanick, Erie County Legislature Chairman, who attended the meeting, agreed about the needed retail development. "In talking with Island residents, the first thing almost everyone mentions is the lack of retail stores, especially chain outlets." While the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) is ready to begin some improvements on the boulevard, other work is needed, especially sewers. Supervisor Peter McMahon said the DOT' seemed ready to start work in the next few years. 'The problem is that even if the DOT went ahead with those improvements, we still need the sewers. We would hate to have a nice, new boulevard in place and then go back in a year or two and have to tear it all up to lay the sewers." "Currently, Grand Island Boulevard has sewers in place only between Bedell and Whitehaven Roads, which is the only part of the Island's major thoroughfare that has seen significant development," McMahon said. "On other stretches of the boulevard, it is difficult to obtain new development without having the sewers already in place." Hugill agreed. "What, the Chamber wants to see happen is a coordinated project starting with the sewers and then continuing with the widening and improving of the boulevard." Following two recent charettes, SEEKING FUNDING - Road work to Grand Island Boulevard was the topic for civic leaders during a Chamber of Commerce parley last week. From left, Granson Geis, Me! Rupp Jr., Town Supervisor Pete McMahon, John Bruno, Peter Jehrio, Chris Learman, Ted Bates, Congressman John LaFalce, and Jack Hugill, president of the Gl Chamber. Erie County Legislator Charles Swanick also attended the meeting. continued on page 2 continued on page 2 continued on page 6 Be in the Know every week! Subscribe to the Island Dispatch!