Island Dispatch, 2001-10-19

              Island DISPATCH Sisters to Perform at Starry Night Theatre Pase 11 Super Spikers Dominating Division Page 12 .The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Showers /•. v.-; ■ (■,.;;'.■.. ■'. 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 Vol. 57 No. 34 October 19,2001 20 Pages 65c Phone: 773-7676 • Fax: 773-7190 • E-Mail: NFPNews(gaol.com Proposal to cut taxes by 10 percent fails by Jon Sandino A controversial proposal that would cut Grand Island's property taxes by 10 percent in the 2002 budget was rejected by a 3-2 vote at Monday's Town Board meeting. Two week's ago Supervisor Peter A. McMahon released the recommended budget for 2002, and two da\> aftei the board gathered for their first budget workshop, Councilman Kevin M. Rustowicz submitted an amended version of the original proposal Monday night.- Rustowicz's proposal called for town department heads to submit revised spending requests to cut the town's general fund and highway budgets by 10 percent. •»*. Rustowicz and Councilman Michael E. Heftka, who moved to amend the plan, voted in favor of the resolution. Councilman "Richard W. Crawford Jr., Councilwoman Mary S. Cooke and McMahon voted against it. Both Cooke and Crawford feel it is the town board's responsibility to talk to the department heads and find a solution. {- "Putting together a plan to say department heads cut 10 percent - that's not their job, it's our job," Cooke said, "That's why we're here to deal with this budget process." However, Rustowicz feels spending is too high and the high property taxes are forcing, businesses away from Grand Island. "We need to change the way we are doing business. Let's look at the big picture. here for the good of Grand Island... We're bleeding ourselves to death and we're putting bandages on open heart surgery," Rustowicz said. "We're not here everyday, that's why we should put the onus on the department heads," Rustowicz added. After the meeting, Crawford told the Dispatch everyone of us would love to sit down and cut 10 percent, but it's not their (department heads) job to do that, it is ours. Cooke told the Dispatch it looks like the people that voted against this resolution voted against 10 percent, and its not like that. "I'm all for reducing the supervisor's budget. There is no plan in ,here (Rustowicz's proposal)." "I didn't say my plan was perfect, but it was a start. We can easily talk the talk, but it's tougher to walk the walk," he added. "If people can up with a plan and tell me about it, I'd listen and vote yes for it." Consent Agenda All 11 items on the consent agenda were recognized and were adopted for the minutes. Some of the more notable amendments on the agenda included Superintendent Dr. Paul Fields reply letter to the tovyn board concerning the "No Parking" Signs request within the New England Subdivision, the submittal deadline for the 2002 town budget and concern over lack of patrolling at Beaver Island/Buckhorn Park. Both resolutions pertaining to the "No Parking" resolution were voted in favor of and the town board will look further into the issue. Cooke addressed the attendees and noted that before a.decision was made, the town board wanted Making it a done deal The release of the 2002 Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Phone book is right around the corner. Once again, local businesses pitched in and made the directory possible. Through the generosity of Fuceillo Chevrolet.they again have purchased a portion of the front page-of, the telephone directory. This year's directory will include 28 new advertisers, many of which are new Island Entrepreneurs. The directory will also have a complete schedule for the "Sesqui" events planned throughout 2002. Pictured above from left to right are: Christine Ryshkus, chairperson of the telephone book committee; Tom Kanaiey, general manager of Fuceillo Chevrolet and Jim Sharpe, president of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. Young hero meets fire chief photos by George Wenner and Fred Claus story by Ray Pauley When four-year-old Ricky Stawarz called 911 to summon help for his unconscious mother, Amanda Stawarz, late last December, he never expected that his life-savings action would lead to a personal invitation to meet with Grand Island Fire Chief Skip Mrkall. Nevertheless, Ricky was the center of attention when Mrkall presented him with a special commendation and gift certificate during the fire company's fire prevention open house on Oct. 13. Eight year old Emily DePronio was also recognized for her "quick thinking actions," when she called 911 and then helped to evacuate family members following a furnace explosion in her home last December. , . Valuable lessons learned at a prior Grand Island Fire Company Fire Prevention School presentationpresentation helped prepare her for this sudden emergency, she confided. "Both youngsters demonstrated outstanding ability to take on grown up responsibilities, in service for others," Mrkall said. Four-year-old Ricky Stawarz, now known as the "young hero", was honored during the Grand Island Fire Company Fire Prevention Open House last weekend. Ricky called 911 after realizing his mother was unconscious. Pictured with Ricky are Fire Chief Skip Mrkall and his mother, Amanda Stawarz. continued on page 2 HW continued on page 2 jzSP Weekend- at a Glance ] Saturday Baked- Goods Sale Grand Island Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary Fire Headquarters, 2275 Baseline Rd. Chowder begins at approx. II a.m. Married Couple's Sweetheart Dinner- Bible Presbyterian Church Family Life Center, 1780 Love Rcl. . For'more information call 773-365 1 Sunday Open House at River Lea Grand Island Historical Society Beaver Island State Park, 2 to 4 p.m. Golden Agers Sunday Brunch . Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Rd. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. RE-ELECT I 1 RAY DLUGOKINSKI # HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT d '/i - PAID FOR BY THE FRIENDS TO ELECT RAY DLUGOKINSKI HI '" W Tartts towing, \ncr~W^^^^^i NYS INSPECTION • AUTO REPAIRS • BRAND NAMETIRES • BAHERIES ' ™ <^^qI?V i 1741 Baseline Rd. --\r ' m "" * ! (between Staiey Rd. & Thruway) . .. i - . - 773-35 15 *" r-T-: '