Island Dispatch, 2001-07-27

              Island DISPATCH JULY 27.2001 - 20 Pages Wildcats Win Soccer Tournament page; 12 Friday / . \ Partly Cloudy Hi 76 l« 54 Local Leaders Speak Out page 3 Entgrtamnient Calmider iMtomMM JBSESSBN^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 Mr. McMahon goes to Washington by Paul Lane and Jon Sandino Town Supervisor Peter McMahon recently made a trip to Washington, D.C. to move forward efforts to have the United States government clarify its position in the pending Seneca Indian : Nation land claim. Last Thursday, McMahon met with Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer and Representative' John LaFalce to finalize a letter to be sent to Attorney General, John Ashcroft. The letter called for the Department of Justice to formally drop the claim against private landowners in Grand Island. According to the letter, which is signed by all three members of Congress, the Department of Justice issued a statement on Jan. 19 promising to drop the suit against homeowners in Grand Island. * McMahon and the other authors, are seeking formal court papers that clarify the United States's position that it would not act upon homeowners in the region, and would only file a claim against New York State. He said support has also been expressed by members of the Grand Island Town Board, Erie County official Carl Calabrese and State Assembly Speaker, of the House Sheldon Silver. McMahon said that Ashcroft was not present to receive the letter when it was taken to the Department of Justice last Friday, but that'Clint'on was to check on the progress of the request today, •.' •' McMahon further said, that a second letter, to be authored by himself, County Legislative Chairman Charles Swanick and Governor George Pataki, is being worked on currently. He said the governor, due to a stilj-pending state budget and other official matters, has not been able to finalize the letter. He said the final letter will be sent to President George W. Bush in hopes that the chief executive will act on the town's behalf. "This is an opportune time...to get our elected representatives...to get the White House to .do what they promised," McMahon told the Dispatch. "Hopefully, the Department of Justice will act when they get some pressure from Congress and from the White House." McMahon said he hopes for the matter to be finalized before the end Sandy Beach children's soiree a success The Sandy Beach Yacht Club at 1851 Winter Rd. hosted its' 57th annual Kid's Costume Parade and Party this past Saturday. All those in attendance were encouraged to come costumed as their favorite animal or fictional character. Over the 57 years that this event has taken place,. each new generation of Grand island children, like some of the neighborhood children that are pictured here, participated in the event. A,family picnic followed the festivities, which were heavily attended by Grand Island youths and their families, (photos by Lisa Mrkall) Governor Pataki: No tax rebate checks for deadbeats State to seize $16 million in federal tax rebate checks, give to children Governor George E. Pataki announced the state, over the next two months, will seize approximately $16 million in federal tax rebate checks from deadbeat parents, ensuring that more than 125,000 children get the benefits from this historic tax cut. "By cracking down on deadbeats, we can make sure that custodial parents have the money they need to pay bills, do their back-to-school shopping or treat their children to a trip to an amusement park this sumjrner," JPataki said. "Every child deserves to grow up in a loving home with the chance to learn and grow in a healthy, happy environment," Pataki said. "Unfortunately/all too often deadbeat parents willfully ignore their financial obligations to their children and that's something we won't tolerate in New York State." "We've increased child support collections by 93 percent by garnishing deadbeats' wages, suspending their driver's licenses and seizing everything from a tank to a Jaguar to an auto repair shop," the governor added. "By taking their tax cut checks, these deadbeats will know we are not about to stop now." Working in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, the state will intercept at least $16 million in tax rebates from individuals delinquent on child support payments for more than three months. Checks to more than 90,000 New York households - covering more than 125,000 children - will be intercepted as part of this effort. Last year, the state garnered over $60 million in IRS income tax return refunds, with the average intercept totaling $863. Since 1995, $354.7 million has been intercepted through federal returns and an additional $111.8 million has been recovered from New York State tax returns. Starting July 20, and continuing through September, federal tax rebate checks resulting from the 10-year, $1.35 trillion tax cut will be mailed to taxpayers. Single taxpayers may receive up to $300, while married couples will be eligible for refunds of up to $600. In 2000, a record $1,19 billion was collected. Of that total, more than $450 million was collected on behalf of 227,274 former welfare families. The governor's child support enforcement initiatives include- continued on page 2 BW continued on page 2 CSP 'Week at a G-laece ] . Friday, July 27 ■ ■ j American Red Cross ' j Biood Drive I St. Stephen Church, - j Hospitality Room, . 1 2100 Baseline Rd. . ' j 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, j This'is a change from the original j August date . \ Reality Cafe Closed j : Tuesday, July 31 j Home Bureau II Annual Picnic j Island Presbyterian Church, j 1822 Huth.Rd.. noon i i Bring a dish to pass. I I New members are invited to attend, j