Island Dispatch, 2001-01-05

              Island DISPATCH  School Play page 8 Shrine \ page 11 Photo Contest page 15 56 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District _JANUAmMS, 2001 20 pages  - Founded 1944 ® Complete Community Coverage Councilman stresses need for'code of ethics' by Christopher Marquis At the conclusion of Grand Island's annual reorganization meeting, Councilman Kevin Rustowicz announced that he and Councilman Michael Heftka had been developing a Code of Ethics for the town government. "The government can make mistakes, be it must show respect," Rustowicz announced. "There's a process to be foilowed. I'm working on a Code of Ethics for Grand Island. It's very simple: you can't show disrespect." The announcement came Tuesday after --an evening of debates, split votes, and community complaints about appointments and code enforcement. Recently, several residents have complained about zoning and building regulations, and their enforcement by Building Inspector Douglas MAKING WAVES - Councilman Kevin Rustowicz surprised community members and some board members ori Tuesday by announcing that he had been developing a "Code„of Ethics-" for the town-. - Learman and Zoning Inspector John McCarthy. Rustowicz said that the complaints have caused him to work toward depolitizing the system of accountability. In the past couple of weeks, he has heard complaints from residents about disrespect shown to them by public servants. "I received several calls over Christmas break. This issue has come to a head. Many different scenarios have played out," he stated.He calls his project SPAR «— Service, Philosophy of Professionalism, Accountability, and Responsibility. "We're looking for accountability of officials. We're looking for a philosophy from the Town Board, which is lacking. We're looking for service and respect," he_stated. Rustowicz told the Dispatch that he is using codes from Amherst, Buffalo, and Saratoga Springs as models for the Grand Island code. The announcement received applause from many of the 60-plus Town board nears action on historic preservation by Christopher Marquis After more than two years of planning and discussions, the Grand Island Town Board will soon act on establishing a local law concerning historic preservation. On February 5, at 8 p.m. in Town Hall, there will be a public hearing to discuss Local Law Intro #1 of Historic Preservation Ordinance. Members of the community would be able to voice their opinions on the law to the town board. There is currently no section of the Town Code that provides for historic preservation. Several community members, including the Historic Preservation Society, are working to set up a system of regulations whereby historically important buildings and settings receive a certain level of protection. In November 1998, the Town Board established the Historic Preservation Committee to serve as a source of information and communication between the town and various organizations on the Island. The committee has met with severalseveral organizations, and presented them with slide.shows and other materials to make the case for historic preservation laws. According to Councilwoman Mary Cooke, liaison to the committee, it has completed its presentations to Island organizations without any significant changes to the rough draft of the ordinance. "What has been put on the agenda is the same as it was two months ago," she told the Dispatch. According to Ms. Cooke, the ordinance calls for the creation of a. eight-person commission to oversee historic preservation. The group will include the town historian, two representatives from the Historic Preservation Society, and five other appointed members. Terms of service will be four years. "The commission will research property for possible protection and,determine what can be done," she said, adding that locations deemed to be historic sites may receive tax benefits. Walker to present Citizen of the Year Award The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce 35th Annual Citizen of the Year Award Banquet is being held Thursday, April 5, at the Holiday Inn Grand Island. This year's event will once again honor businesses and individuals whose contributions have made Grand Island a better place to live, work and play. The Citizen of the Year Committee is now seeking nominations of those individuals and GI youngsters help families during emergencies by Ray Pauley Twice in three days last week, Grand Island youngsters kept calm and helped alert firefighters to serious emergencies in their homes. Ricky, son of Amanda Stawarz, is not quite four years old. but knew what to do when his mother iapsed into unconsciousness early one morning a few days after Christmas. He quickly called 911 and told the Grand Island Fire Company Dispatcher that "mommy fell down'" in the dining room and needed help. When Assistant Chief Kevin Koch and the GIFC Paramedics arrived on location within two minutes, twenty-one year old Amanda Stawarz had regained consciousness, and was able to open the door to her Gram Court apartment. She was then treated for a syncopal episode, transported to Kenmore Mercy Hospital for additional medical attention, and discharged later the same day. Amanda was not surprised when told that llie GIFC HMD (Emergency Medical Dispatcher) was impressed with Ricky's "calm" handling of this stressful family emergency. She described him as her "number one helper", who had shouldered such "man-sized" responsibilities once previously in a similar situation. MAM-SIZED RESPONSIBILITY -Amanda Stawarz hugs her threo year old hero Ricky. (Photo by Ray Pauley.) TAKING CHARGE - Nine year old Emiiy is surrounded by her grateful family. She had called 911 to report a combustion explosion in her home last week. (Photo by Ray Pauley.) Continued on page 2 continued on page 2 continued on page 2 continued tiff page 3