Island Dispatch, 2001-10-26

              Island DISPATCH _ .„£ JJ-- --««.*s • Residents Reach Out, Clean Community Page 3 Vikings Advance to the Playoffs Page 12 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Showers & Cool Is it right? Check the weather on pg 20 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District 57 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers Years later, Island residents still waiting for Public Access to water by Jon Sandino What will come of the 206.5 acres, of wetlands and hardwood forest behind Ransom.Road? The land the town purchased two years ago, and still currently owns? When the town spent $103,000 out of recreation fund, Island residents assumed that some of that land would be used for recreation. "If the town is going to spend $103,000 out of the recreation fund, then we want some form of recreation," said Town Council Candidate Russ Thompson. "A total of $750,000 has been spent on wetlands and greenspace in just the past three years and virtually nothing on recreation." According to Thompson, locating space to build should not be a issue. "Approximately 22,217 individuals will reside on Grand Island in 2002," Thompson said. "When you figure in the 20 acres of land from the Hennigar property, 18 from Kiwanis and include the 181 from South Pointe, it adds up to 425.5 acres of land. That is 342.5 acres ahead of the projected need." He added, "there is 2,000 feet of water frontage, which is ample space to have a public boat launch, riverwalk and picnic area," Thompson said. "It's always hard to find a site, .and money could also be an issue," said County Legislator Chuck Swanick. However, Swanick believes if an honest effort is made, the project can finally take off. "About 15 years ago, the town board was wondering if I would be supportive of this topic, I agreed to be helpful," Swanick said. "It had merit 15 years ago, today it still has merit." Both Swanick and Thompson agree the people of Grand Island should have free water ability. Thompson told the Dispatch, people that were visiting for the Sept. 8 Antique Boat Show found it usual there was no place to launch their boats. "It is pretty incredible for an island not to have any public access to the water," Thompson said. ' Thompson compared what Grand Island.could be experience to what the Tonawandas are experiencing."This would ;be a great place to go and watch the July 4th fireworks, boat races or just to stroll along the shoreline with family," Thompson said. The possibilities could be endless. It is safe to say Grand Island would prosper from a project of this magnitude. But what are the odds this project will get done? "I've talked to Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and the town, and as long as we can meet the environmental standards of the EPA and Army Core of Engineers, I'm fully prepared to join with them," Swanick said. The champions of chili cook up a storm The Grand island VFW Post 9249 recently held their annual chili cook off. Once again, the contestants spiced up the competition by cooking up some of the best chili in town. This year's judges included Town Councilwoman Mary Cooke, Erie County Legislator Chuck Swanick, Dan Mcßride and Buffalo Sabre Rob Ray. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Kathy Lommer, first place winner Glen Martin, second place winner B.J. Chapman, third place -winner, Keith Jolenbrowski a spectator at the event, and Mcßride. Pictured in the back from left to right are Ray, Cooke, fourth place winner Mike Linenfelser. fifth place winner Joyce Goodwin and Swanick. Board meeting provides presentations And acknowledgments by Jon Sandino Monday's Board of Education meeting agenda was not packed with earth-shattering news, but it consisted of plenty of little items that were feel-good stories. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Superintendent of Grand Island Schools Dr. Paul Fields asked for a minute of silence in remembrance of the late Coach Gene Masters. During the meeting, Fields made a point to recognize all the members of the student council that raised money shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks. After learning of the brutal attack, Ingrid Dahlberg and Kali Mordaunt immediately organized a collection fund for the Red Cross. Their efforts led not only to student council members participating, but the majority of the Grand Island High -School student body made it a point to donate money. A few months back, Kathy Scarafia, an advisor for the student council, told the Dispatch "The student response had been outstanding, and students had been putting 10 and 20 dollar bills into the jar instead of just change." Resignation Accepted, Positions Granted The only resignation that was submitted to the board for Grand Island High School senior Adam Mazenauer gave a 15-minute presentation to board of education members on the school's weather station before Monday's Grand Island Board of Education meeting. Mazenauer and retired earth science teacher Thomas Hoolihan have been working on this project since its installation last September. The system is such a huge success, Channel 4 news is linked to the system, and retrieves is weather information from it. continued on page 2 ugp I re-elect !7%~i\ riARTY'STOWING INC  AY 111 I I t( iK I \SK I * '•■ f NYS INSPECTION • AUTO REPAIRS ♦ BRAND NAMETIRES«BAnERIES - ' *-*-'. „ • . ; -~- ;.k i74l Baseline ico. • J HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT U S^-JS^gl^ PAID FOR BY THE FRIENDS TO ELECT RAY DLUGOKINSK! SSLMJtLt I ZZ J--45 I £> gStii? yIHWS -*>|t* " J