Island Dispatch, 2001-07-06

              Island DISPATCH Super Sluggers pjige:.l2 Friday Partly Cioudy Ilf /if J.I) *•■*? Founded 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 Reviewing Recruiters page 5 Vol. 58  No. IS JULY 6, 2001 • 20 Pages 65c Board to delay the opening of new skate park by Ryan Zernentsch On Monday, the Grand Island Town Board held a brief but productive meeting at town hall, which included the decision not to re-open the skate park this summer. The decision may leave Grand Island skateboarders without a place to go this.summer, unless privateprivate developer Paul Irving builds his park on Grand Island Boulevard. Irving received permission from the town to build his skate park last month. The major concern recognized by the board was the town's liability with users of the park who may injure themselves. Surrounding the park in fencing, along with several other conditions, would be the only way that the town would be able to gain the support of Selective Insurance, the town's insurance provider. Selective Insurance has offered to insure the park for an extra $2,500 per year. Also, there is concern with whether the town should become a competitor against Irving's private business "If we spend $15,000 on tides, this guy (living) doesn't build his skate park." Town Supervisoi Petei McMahon said. Councilman Richard Crawford didn't feel that the town park would be competition. "The town's park will not offer the same level of equipment and terrain as would most likely be provided by a private park," Crawford said. The delay in the opening of the park could be lifted if officials agree to add ice and in-line hockey to the park, .making it a versatile athletic venue. Councilman Kevin Rustowicz advised the town to seek more information from Linda Tufillaro, The Town Common Gazebo will be the place to be for the 2001 concert series. This year's series kicks off with the bluegrass sounds of Creek Bend on July 10, and will conclude with All That Jazz on August 21. (photo by Jon Sandino) Youths team up for cleanup CLEANING UP AFTER THE CHAOS - Members of the Grand Niagara Hockey Team were early-risers Thursday Morning. The kids pitched in and helped the VFW of Grand Island with their day after the July Fourth cleanup. Pictured is the hockey team standing in front of close to 20 bags of cans that were gathered during the two-hour event. Other volunteers were also on hand to help with numerous tasks. Tables were washed down and taken apart as part of cleanup effort, (photo by Jon Sandino) . . ' Assessment Pact passes first test with flying colors County Executive Joel A. Giambra, Grand Island Town Supervisor Peter McMahon and Assessor David Unmack announce the filing of the Town of Grand Island 2001 Final Assessment Roll. This is the first assessment roll completed under the Municipal Cooperation Agreement approved back in April 2001. Grand Island is the first town to contract with the Erie County Divi-sion of Real Property to provide assessment services through a Municipal Cooperation Agreement. Giambra stated, "This is proof that cooperation between the county and local government will work to produce real savings while the level of service expected by the taxpayer is maintained or in this case enhanced." McMahon said, "We have an excellent working relationship with the county and assessor Dave Unmack. There was a small backlog of field work that has been brought up to date, grievances were about the same as prior years, the arrangement is working extremely well." As a result of this contract, the Town of Grand Island will pay the county $25,000 for the 2001-02 assessment year. Grand Island will save $25,000 or a 20 percent reduction in the 2001 Town Assessment budget. The Town of Grand Island designated Unmack, who was contractedcontracted by the Erie County Office of Real Property, to act as the town's sole appointed assessor in connection with the agreement. Unmack also serves as the assessor for the Town of Tonawanda. • The savings with this agreement are real. Tfie town will save $25,000 while the county will be reimbursed dollar for dollar for the assessment services provided to the town. It's a win'win situation for both county and the town. * This may provide the springboard for other towns and cities to consider sharing one assessor with multiple municipalities. For more information, contact Joseph Maciejewski at 858-8320 or 984-7802.  continued on page 2  Week at a Glance Friday Grand Island High School Class of 1976 Icebreaker River Oaks Clubhouse, 201 Whitehaven Rd. 9 p.m. Saturday American Flag Retirement Ceremony Beaver Island State Park Marina 10:30 a.m. Thursday Connections Board Meeting Town Hall Conference Room, 2255 Baseline Rd. 7:30 a.m.