Island Dispatch, 2001-06-22

              Island DISPATCH Lacrosse League Begins page 12 Class of 2001 page 20 Friday T-Storms in 73 i.<> 57 1944• Complete Community Coverage 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 pXol. 58 No. 17 Jl'iMK 22,2001 « 20 Pages 65(f Town board meeting mellow, uneventful by Jon Sandino The Grand Island Town Board met in front of a much smaller and less controversial crowd for the first time in over a month, as the Wilson Farms issue did not again dominate the agenda. Despite low public attendance, a few residents expressed their opinions during the public comment and from the floor portions of the meeting.Joan Arki, a member of the Concerned Citizens of Grand Island, was vocal on the SEIS pertaining to the possible construction of Wilson Farms on Stony Point and Ransom Roads. . "There's a public scoping meeting set for.June 27, but will there be a public hearing meeting after that to address" the litigation measures and the findings of the public scoping," Arki asked. "That's a question I don't know. At the very least you'd have an opportunity, at a town meeting to comment on what we have advanced," Town Supervisor Peter McMahon said. Arki was referring to the scoping meeting that was set after the town board voted 4-1 in favor of SEQR/SEIS at the last board meeting held on June 4. In addition.' to Arki, Eileen Cobello commented on the traffic study that is currently being conducted by the group hired by Tops Markets. "We have a group here that said they reviewed the accident history at Stony Point and Ransom Roads, and they've found there's been no accidents in the last three- years there, hello, and were listening to these people," Cobello said Town hall has seen busier Monday night's over the past few months. This past Monday's board meeting was mellow and drew a small crowd. Despite the low turnout, numerous residents were heard and other key agenda items were resolved, (photo by Jon Sandino) - ■ ' . Senecas reach pact on Buffalo, Niagara Falls casinos Facilities to provide major boost to Western New York economy As part of his continuing effort to create jobs and opportunities in Western New York, Governor George E. Pataki recently announced an agreement with the Seneca Nation .for the opening of two Class 111 casinos, one in Buffalo and a second at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. The casinos would boost economic activity in Western New- York by providing real competition with similar facilities in Niagara Falls, Ont, which has seen tremendous redevelopment spurred by the construction of casinos. "These casinos will provide a major boost to the economy of Western New York by allowing us to compete with our Canadian neighbors, bringing thousands of new jobs to the region while encouraging private-sector investment from around the world," Pataki said. The Niagara Falls casino is expected to be opened by April 2001, pending approval of authorizing legislation by the state legislature and the signing of a compact agreement between the state and the Senecas. The Buffalo casino, at a location to be determined by the Senecas, is expected-to open by the end of 2002. In addition to action by the state legislature, the Senecas must complete a three-step approval process culminating with a national referendum that is expected to be completed by the end of July. They took the first step in the process by giving preliminary approval to the agreement. The second step, author-izing the referendum, is expected to be completed within a week. SEND THEM THIS WAY - The Rotary Club Hot Dog Sale located outside of Tops on Grand Island was a success last Friday. Temperatures in the low 90's didn't even stop several local politicians from coming out and lending a hand. Pictured above are State Senator Byron W. Brown, Hot Dog Sale Chairman John Bruno, Tops on Grand Island Store Manager Mike Suchan, Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, County Legislator Charles Swanick and Rotarian Hank Kammerer. (photo by Jon Sandino) Fantastic fathers honored on Father's Day Every third Sunday in June fathers get their one day of glory. For two Grand Island fathers this past Father's Day was one they'll never forget. The Holiday Day Inn on Grand Island sponsored a Father's Daywriting contest and breakfast this past Sunday. The intent was to encourage Grand Island school children up to the age of 18 years to write in and explain why their dad is the best. The amount of letters that poured in this year was more than initially expected. "We had over 100 letters sent in from children across Grand Island," Holiday Inn Catering Coordinator Andrea Hoffman said. According to Hoffman, there were plenty of deserving letters,' but two of them really stood out. The two letters Hoffman is referring to belong to Aren Shanor's and Julia Manu§zewski's. "We had it narrowed down to five, then from there we choose two winners," she said. When asked what made Shanor's and Manuszewski's stand out, Hoffman told the Dispatch it was because of the children's awareness of what Father's- Day should be about. "We received a lot.of letters that said my dad should win because he. buys me toys or takes me places." That's great, but the two winners realized the multiple roles that a father plays. Those two individuals recognized their fathers for those roles and that stood out," said Hoffman. As an award for sending in the two best letters, Sttanor and her father, Richard, and Manuszewski continued on page 2 ew continued on page 2 jzgp continued on page 15cS" .Week at a Glance - June 25 to July 6 (excluding July 4) Bible Presbyterian Church Vacation Bible School 1650 Love Rd., 773-7303 June 26 Sesquential Meeting Town Library 7 p.m. June 27 Public Scoping Meeting Wilson Farms Convenience Store Senior Citizens Center, 3278 Whitehaven Rd., 7 p.m. For all involved agencies and interested parties