Island Dispatch, 2000-05-05

              Island DISPATCH Hot Stuff page 5 On The Top page 8 ■ Toes of Steal I page 12 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District 56 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers 65 c may 5 2000 20 pages Vol. 56 No. 2 (716) 773-7676 Safety patrol created for Veteran's Park Recent summer-like weather has brought out bats, roller blades and many other things associated with summer activities. It also has many Island resident's looking toward Veteran's Park as a fun place to play. Noting that fun and safety go hand in hand, Recreation Director Linda Tufillaro and Councilman Mike Heftka announced a new safety patrol of recreation department employees designed to make the park safer during the summer months. Starting this weekend, according toTufillaro, safety patrol members will move throughout the park to "keep an eye on things and quickly report problems to the police." The patrol is comprised of two recreation employees, either on foot or bicyacle, who will circulate the park constantly throughout the day. They will be equipped with cell phones and be instructed to call police at any sign of trouble. "We do not expect these kids to intervene in any way that would put them at risk," Heftka said. "But by having eyes and ears in the park we believe that we will reduce the opportunities for vandals, drugs and other detriments to the park." During the past two years, many new and expensive amenities were added to Veteran's Park. "We've added new soccer and football fields, a new skating area, sand volleyball courts and of course the new Veteran's Memorial Wall which will be dedicated in a few weeks," Tufillaro said. "It's a shame when something is vandalized days or weeks after it's installed." According to Councilman Heftka, last year the town incurred unnecessary expenses as a result of park vandals. "Windows were broken in the library, the football goal posts were twisted and there were numerous ruts in the fields caused by cars or ATV's," Heftka said. "We have one of the best parks in the county and we won't stand idle and watch it be destroyed." Councilman Heftka also expressed concern about alleged drug use at the park. "This past weekend I heard a report that some teenagers were trying to sell drugs to kids during spring break," he said. "These kinds,of things happen when someone feels that there is no one watching and there is nor chance of getting caught. Let's put everyone on notice, we're watching!"The safety patrol concept is a project that Tufillaro and Heftka worked on throughout the winter. "It started as an idea to reorganize the recreation department's handling of Veteran's Park," Tufillaro said. "With the new activities we added to the park, we needed a different approach to accomplishing all the things that need to be done. Our maintenance chief Ray Billica has been encouraging a fresh look at Veteran's Park for some time. And he was right." When I approached Councilman Heftka for help on a staffing plan, our discussions led to concerns Veterans Memorial Wall update Sam Long's Excavation recently completed the trenching and excavation work for the Veteran's Park Memorial Wall. Van Dusen Concrete completed the foundation work and special forming of the Memorial Pedestal. Marcus Crage of Spectralume Inc. indicated that Lithonia has donated three light fixtures to illuminate the wall. Brickwork and special curb work are expected for the first and second weeks of May per John Trippi, Jr. of J.R. Building and Remodeling. Stone Art Memorial expects delivery and installation ofthe granite artwork panels by the second week of May. CANNON PARTICIPATES IN "TAKE OUR CHILDREN TO WORK" DAY - Children of Cannon Design employees joined an estimated 35 million nationwide to learn firsthand what goes on in the American workplace on April 27. Cannon Design, a nationally ranked architectural firm located on Whitehaven Road welcomed 28 children to the office. Activities began in with a welcome breakfast and address from the firm's Senior Officer Mr. Wally Whetham (of Grand island) and an introduction by the Associate Principal and Director of Human Resources Kathleen Cartus. Facilities manager and coordinator of the "Take Your Children to Work" program Cheryl Bailey (of Grand Island) planned a nametag game, comprehensive tour of the facility, shadowing, and interviewing activities. The children were given the opportunity to have a character drawing of themselves depicting their career aspirations, provided by local artist, Mr. Frank Oiiolano, Jr. After lunch, the children built a model city named Cannoville. Each child was asked to create a model building representing a job within the community. The highlight of the day was the construction of the model city. Mr. Harry Warren, principal, assisted in critiquing the children's designs, similar to the process a designer must follow. CHECK PRESENTATION • The Grand Island Lions and Rotary Glubs recently presented two $1000 check contributions to the Veterans Memorial Wait fund. Pictured from left are: John White, Rotary vice president; Steve Kaplan, Rotary president; Nancy Sandford from the Veterans Memorial Wall committee and Paul Bassette, Lions president. Correct!OTl:ln last week's Bridge in the Island Dispatch, Proposition 111 was incorect. It should have read: Proposition 111 Elect three candidates for three year terms to the Board of Education continued on page 2