Island Dispatch, 2000-02-18

              Island DISPATCH j Bronze Sponsors ! Class Act page 10 Working Hard page 15 — Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage 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 BIRDHOUSE BUILDERS - The bluebirds of Grand Island now have a tew new homes thanks io the efforts of the Cub Scouts of Den 9, Pack 254. The boys learned about bluebird nesting habits, then built bluebird houses and placed them in pairs in Beaver Island State Park. Pictured here are Thomas McDonnell, James McDonnell, David McMichael, Joshua Kahn, and Tyler Booth next to a sample of their handiwork. Governor announces special election for vacant senate seat by Rick Forgione Governor George Pataki announced yesterday that he has issued a proclamation declaring March 28, 2000, as the date for a special election to fill the office of member of Senate in the 57th Senatorial District in Erie and Niagara Counties caused by the resignation of Anthony R. Nanula. On Wednesday, Pataki received correspondence from State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Howe to set a date for a special election in the 57th District, or she would take action and name a date herself. Pataki was given until yesterday before Howe would intervene.The seat, which became vacant Jan. 1 when Nanula resigned after being elected Buffalo city eomptrollereomptroller in November, is being sought after by Delaware Council Member Alfred T. Coppola. Coppola has accused Pataki of wanting to leave the seat vacant for as long as possible to help any Republicans who may be interested in running. According to state law, the governor is responsible for calling a special election to fill vacant legislative seats. He must give at least 30 days' notice, but no more than 40 days' in calling a special election. However, under state election law, in years with a presidential primary, no special election for any seat that cannot be filled by an appointee until the next general election can be conducted until 21 days after the presidential primary, which this year is March 7. In the press release from Pataki's office, it points out that setting the election date yesterday, Feb. 17 was the first day allowed by law. Several Grand Island residents and local officials have showed concern that Grand Island was not currently being represented with an Assembly seat because of the vacancy. During their public meeting on Feb. 7, the Grand Island Town Board voted 3-2 along party lines to send a letter to Pataki's office urging that a date be set for the special election. Copies of the written request were also sent to the Western New York State Legislative Delegation, and to the clerks in the City of Buffalo, City of Niagara Falls and City of Tonawanda. School board postpones decision on BOCES project by Rick Forgione The Grand Island Board of Education took no action during its meeting Wednesday night on a motion to provide funding for a $20 million project that is being proposed by Erie 1 BOCES. Instead, they have invited a BOCES representative to come to their meeting on Feb. 28 to further discuss the issue. The Grand Island School District, which is included in the 19 member school districts that encompass Erie 1 BOCES, consists of approximately 3,200 students. Because of its size, Grand Island has been asked to donate about $860,000 to the project, which will repair and reconstruct the three occupational skills training centers in Ken-Ton, Harkness, and Potter Road. However, Island school board members showed displeasure in being asked to donate so much money for a project for which they weren't even part of the planning process. With their decision to postpone the vote, the district joins three other school districts — Williamsville, Tonawanda City and Amherst — that have not committed to donating money for the massive project. To come up with the funding each district could bond their portion of the project cost and pay back the money over a longer period of time, according to Grand Island School Superintendent Dr. Paul Fields. All districts must vote on whether or not to donate funding by Feb. 29. Officials from Erie 1 BOCES hope to begin reconstruction in spring.