Island Dispatch, 2001-01-19

              Island DISPATCH j JANUARY 19, 2001 24 pages 650 V01.56 No. 38 <716) 773-7676 ;! Scouts page 9 Vikings Pluck Falcons page 15 Photo Contest page 5 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  Founded 1944 * Complete Community Coverage Contentious appointment brings resignations by Christopher Marquis The Grand Island Zoning Board* of Appeals lost a total of 46 years of experience on Tuesday when Elwood Hausler and Shirley Martin publicly offered their resignations to the Town Board. Hausler, reading a prepared statement, announced that the action was in regards to the appointment of Ted Bates to the ZB A in place of then-Chairman Douglas Scheid. Bates was appointed two weeks ago by a 3-2 vote, with Supervisor Peter McMahon and Councilmen Michael Heftka and Kevin Rustowicz voting for and Councilmen Richard Crawford and Mary Cooke voting against the motion. "The selected appointee Ted Bates is a viable business person, but not as a superior, replacement for the best qualified candidate," Hausler stated. He also drew attention to comments Councilmen Heftka had made to the Dispatch, implying that Bates would move the zoning board in a direction that "reflects the philosophy of the town." Hausler said that he felt "the focus of unbiased objectivity is no longer desired or required to serve as members of the ZBA." Hausler has been a member ofthe ZBA for 26 years, and Mrs. Martin 20 years. Their resignations, combined with the eight years of Scheid's membership, brings a total of 54 years of experience on the ZBA lost in three weeks. After their comments, Ms. Cooke said that she was "deeply troubled" to Zoning Board of Appeals member Etwood Hausler (at microphone) announces his and Mrs. Shirley Martin's resignations from the board at Tuesday's Town meeting. Citizen of the Year nominees sought The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the 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. The Citizen of the Year Committee is seeking nominations for those individuals and businesses Rotary Chili Dinner approaches The Grand Island .Rotary's Annual Chili Dinner is set for Saturday, January 27, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lunch and dinner will be held in the Grand Island High School Cafeteria. Mild, medium, and vegetarian chili will be available, with coleslaw, roll, beverage, and dessert rounding out the meal. Tickets are $6, the purchase of each includes the dinner, as well as coupon savings and entry into a Grandopoly returns to St. Stephen's by Christopher Marquis This Sunday, middle and high school students will purchase property, buy houses, charge rent; and chance it all on a roll of the dice. St. Stephen's Youth Group will host its second annual Grandopoly fundraiser at 12:30-3 p.m. in the St. Stephen's School cafeteria. About 30 members of the Youth Group will compete in teams of five on a life-sized board modeled after the famous Monopoly game. But in place of Park Place and Boardwalk panels, local businesses CASHING IN - Middle and high school students will raise money for the"St. Stephen's Youth' Group and have fun doing it. Community residents are invited to Watch this life-sized board game, Grandopoly. Buffalo Launch Club installs officers On Sunday, January 14, the Buffalo Launch Club held its annual Installation of Officers and Directors. Members and their families enjoyed a complimentary Hors' D'oeuvres Buffet and a Cash Bar. The ciub has recently held a successful New Year's Eve ball and currently has members attending the Toronto Boat Show. On January 28, the club will throw a Super Bowl Party for members, spouses, and guests. Pictured here are the 2001 Board and its Officers: (l-r) George Schlemmer, Fleet Captain Jon Holler, Past Commodore Richard Sander, Treasurer John Bruno, Commodore Mark Hoey, Herb Miller, Past Commodore Peter Schwabl, Vice Commodore Weston Hoddick Jr., Quinn Wright, Michael Englert, Rear Commodore Dr. Carlos Santos, and Dennis Daniels. continued on page 11 continued on page 2 continued on page 7 continued on page 7 Weekend at a Glance Friday FAMILY FUN NIGHT, Sidway School, 2451 Baseline Rd., 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday AWANA WINTER PICNIC, Bible Presbyterian Church, 1650 Love . Rd., 773-7303, 6 p.m. Sunday GRAND-OPOLY 2001, St. Stephen's School, cafeteria, 2080 Baseline Rd., 773-4274, 12:30 p.m.