Island Dispatch, 2001-07-13

              Island DISPATCH JULY 13,2001 « 16 Pages Vol. 58 No. 19 Fantastic Floats ■ page 5:. ■'■;•".-:■■ •..-'■ Soccer Stars page 10 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage 56 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers 65e The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District - Friday Scattered Showers Hi 75 i.ll 60 _i 't tU,'\ l'!i "V id Entertainment page 9_, Senator Brown calls for details in casino pact by Jon Sandino On Monday. State Senator Byron W. Brown (D-Buffalo/Niagara Falls/Grand Island) called for there to be a dedicated revenue stream to the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls from three proposed casinos in Western New York. Brown said Buffalo should receive $20 million per year, 35 percent of the state's projected $800 million share, while Niagara Falls would receive $15 million per year, which equals out to slightly more than 26 percent of the state's share, as dedicated revenue from the casinos."The three percent mentioned by the state, in my opinion, is just not enough money to address the problems associated with casino gaming both of these cities will face... A dedicated revenue stream can be relied on by both cities to fund domestic violence and gambling addition programs," said Brown. Brown also said he looked at Detroit's deal as a model and noted that if the three percent deal turns out to be the case, Buffalo and Niagara Falls could share as little as $1.7 million a year. Detroit is expected to take in $93 million yearly from its three casinos. Currently, revenue talk is irrevelant until a deal is approved. Since three weeks ago when the casino plans were announced, talks have slowed down. Brown said that there must be a plan that ensures a diverse workforce both in building casinos and later staffing the facilities. In addition to Brown, other local politicians including Niagara Falls Mayor-Irene J. Elia, State Senator George D. Maziarz, Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte and Seneca Nation Councillor Rick Jemison, addressed the crowd and. encouraged them to continue to pressure the Assembly into passing the casino bill. "The entire community has to be able to paitieipate and reap the benefits of these casinos," said Brown. Even more important to Grand island residents is Brown calling on Governor George E. Pataki to lift the clouds over the heads of Grand Island property owners. Recently, town residents have been concerned they will pay heavily if New York State or the Seneca Nation runs into financial problems with the casinos. Brown supports an indemnification bill that states-if New York State suffered a loss in Keith's Classic Memorial Golf Tournament a success by Jon Sandino On Monday, under beautiful blue skies, the 14th annual Keith's Classic Memorial Golf Tournament; sponsored by Sahlen's Packing Co. Inc., was held at River Oaks Golf Club. The longstanding Keith's Classic is a memorial tribute to Keith Brewer, a six-year-old who lost his battle with cancer in 1987. Brewer's parents, Jacqueline and Timothy Mordaunt of Grand Island, have chaired the event ever since. This year, the tournament, teamed up with co-chairs Carly's Club to officially surpass the one million dollar mark in funds raised for pediatric cancer research at Roswell. Carly's Club is named after the now 10-year-old Carly Collard- Cottone, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at -the age of two in 1993. This year's event was considered a huge success. The tournament, combined with a June 15 auction, raised approximately $180,000,f0r pediatric cancer research. Over 300 individuals participated in the Keith's Classic Memorial Golf Tournament, and another 100 volunteered. Pictured here from left to right are individuals that helped make the day possible: Buffalo Sabre Rob Ray; cofounder of Roswell Park Alliance Anne Gioia; tournament chairperson Jacqueline Mordaunt; tournament chairperson Timothy Mordaunt, a Sahlen's representative; Joe Sahlen; Anita Sahlen; Buffalo Sabre Rhett Warrener; Carly's mother, Carole Ann Collard; Carly Collard-Cottone and Carly's father, Chuck Collard (photo by Jon Sandino) School board introduces two new officials The school year may be over for the students, but the Grand Island Board of Education members were busy preparing for the 2001-2002 school year on Monday night at the Middle School Little Theater. Before embarking on issues for next year, the finalizatiorv of the 2001-2002 board members was settled during a reorganizational meeting. Richard McCowan took the oath for his fifth term as president of the board, and Susan Gill will serve as the vice president. Two other individuals were elected as new board members. Jeri Schopp and Myrna Blair were added to the board for the 2001-02 school year. The Superintendent of schools Paul Fields, the district treasurer, the alternate treasurer and the district clerk were all took their oath of office for their respective titles. The board also reviewed also resolutions on the reorganizational agenda and started to solidify other areas of concern for the 2001 -2002 school year. After the conclusion of the aforementioned, the board shifted gears and concentrated on other items . listed on the agenda pertaining to the reorganization process. The board designated seven banks'-as their official bank depositories. They include JP Morgan Chase, Citibank New York St-ate- N.A., Key Bank of New York- A.A., First Niagara Bank, Manufactures and Trades Trust Company, HSBC and Fleet Bank- N.A. They also designated Manufactures and Traders Trust Company and HSBC as their official bank depository for accounts (information). The authorization to establish - petty cash funds was granted to 11 school-orientated groups or organizations.The following received,sloo: The district office, the high school, the middle school, Huth Road Elementary School, Kaegebein Elementary School, Sidway Elementary School, the Continuing Education program and buildings and grants. The other two, interscholastic athletics and the school lunch office, received $200. After the conclusion of the reorganizational portion of the meeting, the regular school ,board agenda was examined. Some agenda items approved during that portion of the meeting were the treasurer's report, the payroll and budget transfers. Also approved under the personal portion of the agenda were the status report and appointments. The board also delved into seven issues pertaining to the BOCES cooperative bids. The seven BOCES issues that passed,' which would benefit students and improve the educational learning process, included the paper and duplicating supplies, office and art supplies, bread and bread products, software, classroom furniture, calculators and microcomputer supplies. The board also announced their -meeting schedule for the remainder of summer. Monday, July 23. Monday, August 13 and Monday. -Augusts? will close out the summer meeting sessions. continued on page 2 US' continued on page 2 est Weekend at a Glance - Saturday, July 14 Grand Island High School Soccer Booster Club Car Wash/Hot Dog Sale Ciffa's Automotive, Grand Island Boulevard and Whitehaven Road . 10 a.m. Friends of Lynnette Bth Annual Bike Tour 10 and 18.5 mile courses around Grand Island Registration at Nike Base 8:15 a.m. Start Time 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit Friends of Children with Cancer