Island Dispatch, 1989-12-22

              ISLAND DISPATCH With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY • 77H-7fi7(i VOL. 46 NO. 41 • Dec. 22, 1989 28 PAGES 35« Season's Greetings Photo by Barbi Lare Weather THE OLD Farmer's Almanac says: Dec. 22-28: intermittent sun and snow, unseasonably cold. Dec. 29: snowstorm, milder. Isle Homeowners To Conduct Adopt-A-Highway Program PERSISTENCE and determination have paid off for Grand Island's West River Homeowners Association. The association, representing over 300 homeowners, will soon sign a two-year agreement with the NYS Department of Transportation, creating the first Adopt-A-Highway project in the state, Assemblyman William B. Hoyt, who strongly supported the effort, announced at the town forum he conducted Tuesday, December 12 in the GI Memorial Library. The West River Homeowners, a five year old organization, has continually asked for an increased maintenance effort along the 8.2 mile stretch of state-owned parkway. The group's successful lobbying has resulted in the Adopt-A-Highway program that allows and encourages citizens' groups to help in maintenance efforts such as litter pick-up and some landscaping. This designation does not limit the DOT's maintenance responsibilities. Adopt-A-Highway is modeled after a program begun in Texas in 1985 under the successful Don't Mess With Texas campaign. "It makes good sense to involveinvolve citizens directly in the care of state property near their homes. I congratulate the West River Homeowners, especially its president Don Oetinger, and the DOT, especially Lee Calkins in the regional office, for their hard work on this program that benefits everyone," said Assemblyman Hoyt. "I hope that the diligent efforts of this group will be an example for other civic groups to get involved in their areas." Hoyt said the program, which still needs sign-off from the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation as well as final review and acceptance by the West River Homeowners, will allow the association to contribute to the maintenance and appearance of the West River Parkway. The agreement will permit, but not limit their efforts to, litter pick-up, mowing, brush control and cutting and tree trimming. The DOT will require at least two safety meetings each year and will publicize the activity with promotional signs. The DOT will provide trash bags and arrange for the collection of the litter, Hoyt said. Chamber Of Commerce To Aid GIEDC THE BOARD of Directors of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Tuesday agreed to come to the rescue of the Grand Island Economic Development Corporation by contributing $1500 to assist the company in a dilemma caused by town board action which reduced by $5000 the original amount included in the 1990 town budget for its operation.The Chamber previously had agreed to contribute $4000 to the Company of which $2500 has already been forwarded. Payment of the remaining $1500 at this time is expected to ease the organization's present financial standing. The Chamber's Citizens of the Year Awards dinner chairman, Floyd Doring, announced the annual event has now been scheduled for March 15 in the Buffalo Launch Club. Committee members are scheduled to meet January 11 to begin selecting possible awardees to be approved later by the gener.i membership. In other business the directors heard reports on the new telephone directory, a Buy on the Island campaign, logo CONTINUED ON PA(JK 6