Island Dispatch, 2001-09-21

              Island DISPATCH Kaegebein Students Show True Colors Page 10 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Showers Is it right? .Check the weather on pg 24 Lions Help with Learning Process, - Page 9 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage 57 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 MB, 30 September 21, 2001 24 Pages 65¢ Board passes motion to review three public hearings i by Jon Sandino The Grand Island Town Board passed motions to submit three public hearing resolutions to the planning board for review and recommendation on Monday night. Noreen Burke of Staley Road is currently seeking a special use application to keep one or more riding animals-on her property. Burke intends, on housing three horses on her 4.2 acres of land. "It is our intention and I have not heard any objections, to keep one or two horses on the property," said Tom Burke, son of Noreen, "However, I have asked permission to keep three because that is the maximum number allowed." Tom added, "What my thinking there is, sometimes when an individual's abilities progress, you bring in a new horse." There was no one at the meeting who opposed the proposal. The second public hearing pertained to a rezoning application submitted by Michael Carr of Ferry Road. Carr is seeking additional parking and a breakfast cafe. . The final public hearing drew the most interest from the attendees. Residents of the New England Subdivision are requesting the town install "Restricted Parking" signs so the high school students can not park on their streets, particularlyparticularly on Bishops Gate and Foxcroft Roads. This issue has become a growing concern over the past few months, but the problem has existed for years. "My wife and I moved to Bishops Gate because we have young kids. We paid a. lot of money so we could be in a safer neighborhood," said Will' Tompkins. "However, after school, when all the cars take off there is burning rubber and cars spinning around the corner." Tompkins added, "I was a driver at 17 and I thought I was a good driver but I was not. The experience just is not there." "The residents of the neighborhoodneighborhood have complained about this for years now, and they are deserving of some sort of relief," said Gail Lazenby, a teacher at the middle school. Laz6nby also pointed out that the parking restrictions would affect residents. "Residents are aware the restrictions would apply to them as well," Lazenby continued. "They are willing to accept those consequences to make their neighborhood a more 'pleasant place." Is store still causing a controversy? Nearly four months after a proposed Wilson Farms store and gas stop was voted down and turned over to SEQR for traffic studies, the issue is starting-to stir up controversy again. The Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council is to conduct a four-day traffic study at Stony Point and Ransom Roads, starting today. Kirn Tetreault, a member of the Concerned Citizens Group of Grand Island feels the study has a few flaws. "It appears the study will be done from Sept. 21-24," Tetreault said. "Friday is not a typical day for traffic. Therefore, I am asking if the study can be moved back a day." According to Tetreault, moving the study back a day would not involve additional cost. "The original resolution that was passed said the weekday study would take place when the high Though the future of the proposed Wilson Farms at the comer of Stony Point and Ransom Roads is still uncertain, the respectability of this weekend's traffic study has been questioned, (photo by Paul Lane) Residents who live, within the New England Subdivision on Bishops Gate Road want "Restricted Parking" signs placed in front of their homes. Careless driving by high school students, who park in that area, has struck fear into the neighborhood, (photo by Jon Sandind) Grand Island hosts candlelight vigil story by Jon Sandino and Marion J. Woods Last Friday afternoon, a resident of Grand Island approached Town Supervisor Peter" McMahon and inquired if the town planned on holding some form of an event in the wake of the attack on America. "Sunday night, Town Hall Gazebo, a candlelight ceremony, be there," McMahon informed the resident.It did not take long for the word to spread around town. Sunday evening arrived, and so did the people.According to McMahon, there were at least 125-150 people on the Town Hall lawn by 7 p.m. The ceremony was not to start until 8:45 p.m. "I arrived at 8:15 p.m., thinking it would be better to arrive early," said Town Councilwoman' Mary Cooke. "There was nowhere to park. Cars were already parked all down Grand Island Boulevard." "It was hard to find parking," McMahon said. "Cars were lined up along Baseline and Whitehaven Roads, and parked at Tops, the dentist office, Town Hall and the fire hall." "I think everybody was overwhelmedoverwhelmed with the turnout," said Paul Robinson, president of the Grand Island Ministerium. "What stood out to. me was there were people there of all ages. There was an overall sense of togetherness." By the time the event started there was approximately 1,000 individuals donning red, white and blue in attendance. As the ceremony Approximately 1,500 people showed up Sunday night at the Town Commons Gazebo outside of Town Hall for a candlelight ceremony. The ceremony was held in dedication to those who perished in the attack on New York City last week. Members from Trinity United Methodist Church and St. Stephen's Church (pictured) joined in the ceremony, (photo by Marion J. Woods, artcraftimages.com) continued on page 2 cg= continued on page 1613$ \ Week . I Tuesd&y ) j \ j Rescheduled Primary Election j ' I Polls in Erie' County will be open fro raj 6 a.in. to 9.p.m. j I EPIC Parenting Classes Begin J - Grand Island High School, ' j 1! 00 Ransom Rd.. Room 181 > 7 to 9. p.m. For more information, call 773-9600 Wednesckiv Parent Orientation ' j Kaegebein Elementary School, j 1690^Love Rd,, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. j Thursday Quality Quest Update and Who . " Does What? I Grand island Memorial Library, i I._ " i I 1715 Bedell Rd.. / p.m:- j