Island Dispatch, 1989-02-10

              ISLAHD DISPATCH Weather THE OLD Farmer's Almanac says: Feb. 10-11: snow moderate. Feb. 12-16: partly cloudy, flurries. Feb. 17: light rain. With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS 35« GRAND ISLAND, NY 14072 • 773-7676 24 PAGES VOL. 45 NO. 48 • Feb. 10, 1989 Bertha Hillman To Receive Special Award From Chamber BERTHA Hillman will turn 103 this March and, as the Island's oldest citizen, will be the recipient of a special award by the Chamber of Commerce Feb. 16, as it honors its citizens of the year. Bertha marked her centennial birthday in 1986 at a family celebration featuring her favorite foods, pizza and wings. Her longevity was recognized by a county legislative resolution introduced by Erie Co. Legislator Chuck Swanick and a hand embroidered Grand Island seal presented to her by Supervisor LaVerne Luther. For the past 12 years, Bertha has resided with her only son Gordon and daughter-inlaw Marjorie on Wallace Drive. She and her husband Basil, who died in 1977, came to America from England in 1915. Originally ticketed on the Titanic, plans were changed in favor of an earlier boarding date because of a job waiting for Basil in the states. For many years he worked for the Niagara Gazette and was state secretary of the typographical union. Bertha worked for just a short time, but was primarily a homemaker. As an early 1989 Christmas present, Bertha became a great great grandmother. She has two granddaughters, Karen Lloyd and Roxanne Johnson, and four great grandchildren. Last year Ms. Hillman fell and broke her hip limiting her activity. Though she will not be in attendance at the Chamber dinner, she and her family are quite honored by the award recognition. Prast Reports On State Of The Island GRAND Island, financially as well as from a growth standpoint, is in excellent condition, according to Supervisor Martin T. Prast. Speaking to members of the Grand Island Taxpayers Association at their February meeting, Prast said the Island in 1988 was "in the black" for the first time in three years. The construction of new homes and increased business development continue to add to the town's tax base, he said. A $5 million addition to the Grand Island Biological Company and the River Oaks multimillion dollar marina were cited as examples of what is happening to further increase Grand Island's income. The moratorium on soil remains in place after several projects to remove thousands of cubic yards of fill from several sites, he said. "We are also working on a permanent ordinance," he added. Among other Island happenings, Prast noted the 1017-613 vote which put building the new library into motion, rejection of plans for a mobile home park, and the closing of the Staley Road bridge and the Thruway's subsequent announcement that it would be replaced. "And all of you, I'm sure, remember the south bridge reconstruction in the fall o 1988 and now its continuatio in spring this year," he said. About fire protection, th supervisor said "We on Grant Island have one of thebes trained and equipped group o volunteers in the state. If the town had a paid department, it would cost well in excess of $i million (annually) compared to the $380,000 we now spend." "We get a real bargain from these civic minded in dividuals," he said. Noting that some people have asked why the town doesn't have its own police force, Prast estimated that to have a minimum of two officers per shift plus suppori systems," we are talkinj $600,000 to $1 million in new taxes per year. At present, we can't afford it." His remark that the town proposes to conduct a green space study to determine what areas should be obtained for either passive or active use was questioned by three tax payers at the meeting in the Buffalo Launch Club. It was their contention that money received from developers in lieu of land for recreation is usct for other purposes than pruchasing property for future CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 WELCOME WAGON CABIN FEVER WNY SOAP BOX DERBY CUNIC. Nike NIGHT, 36 Royal Oak Circle. 8 P.M. Baae, 8278 Whitehaven Road, 2 P.M.