Island Dispatch, 2001-02-16

              Island DISPATCH Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Valentines For Vets page 9 Going Ape page 10 I •Front' Yard Face-Off 13 56 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers FEBRUARY 16.2001 20 pages 65c The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District V01.56 No. 42 (716)773-7676 Planning board recommends reopening environmental review for Wilson Farms by Christopher Marquis At an extended and well-attended meeting at Town Hall on Monday, the planning board recommended that the town board reopen the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process for the proposed Wilson Farms store at Stony Point and Ransom Road. The recommendation came after the board heard reports from lawyers of Wilson Farms and comments from Island residents. While the lawyers insisted that the site plan was in line with the requests of the town and accounted for safety and environmental concerns, the planning board concluded that enough changes stUl had to be made to warrant a new review. "Since this would be totally the SEQR process should be reopened," announced board member BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD - lan Williams of Wilson Farms describes the latest site plan for the new store to the planning board. The board responded with a laundry list of recommended changes. different from the original SEQR, JohnTrianda. Meeting Tasapio The Grade 2 class of Mrs. Wosilait, Huth Road School, went on a class trip to the Aquarium on Feb. 9, where they met their adopted penguin, Tasapio (Take A Smile And Pass It On). Nicholas Waliinder presented a check to Michelle Long of the Aquarium staff, for $37.69. The money represents coins the children collected this year so that educational toys could be bought for 'their* penguins. The children were fully prepared to meet the birds as they had been studying their life cycle and habitats. The trip was made most meaningful as 21 children were accompanied by 19 parents and grandparents. Parents voice math concerns at board meeting by Paul Lane Several concerned parents made themselves heard to the Grand Island School Board about the newly-instituted math standards at the board's meeting last Monday at Conner Middle School. The school's Little Theater was near-capacity, as many residents were hi attendance to find out more about the new Math Al curriculum, which 80 of 284 students (28.17%) failed last semester. Several parents shared their childrens' stories of frustration with the school board. One parent told of her daughter, who was receiving B's last semester, but got a 48 on her first test this semester with a new teacher. Another mother told of her child's problems with receiving tutorial help. She said her child received wrong answers to her math homework when she went for help and that none of the tutors knew how to do the math that is now required. She added that she and her husband are college-educated and could not do the math, and expressed concern that most parents were in a similar situation throughout the district. Grand Island High School Principal Dr. James Dempsey told the Dispatch that under the new state guidelines, all students are required to complete Math A for a regents diploma. He said it was instituted this past September, and Island MVAs on Rise by Ray Pauley Public Info Officer Starting with a South Bridge motor vehicle accident on February 11, Grand Island Firefighters have responded to two additional incidents which occurred within a three-day period. Shortly before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, Grand Island iFire Company Rescue Personnel i responded to a two-car collision at Baseline and Whitehaven Roads. > Twenty-four-year-old Sue Riordan of Youngstown, N.Y. was evaluated at the scene but claimed j no injuries. The other driver also sustained no injuries. i Less than one-half hour later, firefighters responded to another ; two-car motor vehicle accident at j Baseline and Bedell Roads. I Assistant Chief Greg Butcher stated I that thirty-three-year-old Susan Conway of Grand Island was treated by paramedics for head and back injuries and then transported to Kenmore Mercy Hospital for additional medical attention. The other driver, forty-four-year-old Maria Accardo, also of Grand Island, was treated for neck pain and transported to Sisters Hospital as a precautionary measure. Her eightyear-old daughter was uninjured. All Grand Island Fire Company Units returned in service at 9:39 a.m. A fourth motor vehicle accident occurred at 12:44 p.m. on Feb. 13, when a vehicle left the roadway near 1685 Grand Island Blvd., and came to rest in a ditch. The driver had already departed the scene before the arrival of Grand Island Fire Company Rescue Units. A fifth motor vehicle accident occurred at 7:28 a.m. on Feb. 14, continued on page 2 continued on page 6 continued on page 2 Weekend at a Glance Friday STORYTELLING AT THE AQUARIUM OF NIAGARA 701 Whirlpool St., Niagara Falls, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ALL YOU CAN EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER V.F.W. Post, 2121 Grand Island Blvd., 5 to 7 pin. BUFFALO AUDUBON SOCIETY FIELD TRIP 1 p.m. Saturday DAVID FUND BENEFIT Elks Lodge #346,1805 Third Aye., Niagara Falls, 1 to 8 p.m. PREMIER SATURDAY The Alps Chalet, 1555 Military Rd., Niagara Falls, 10 p.m. WINE TASTING AND ART AUCTION Niagara Club, 24 Buffalo Aye., Niagara Falls, 7 p.m. THE POWER OF &»K "The Keys To Your Satisfaction."  t>J4~4JLtIfJ 4130 Sheridan Dr. Wiliiamsville, NY 14221 Your Advertising Message can j he Placed Hen:! \