Island Dispatch, 2001-09-11

              Island Dispatch Lady Vikings Soar to States Page 12 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Cool hit np'dl Check the neather <mpg2Q 57 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers The Official Niewspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District Proud to Be An American Page 3 Ph0ne:(716)773-7676 • Fax:(716)773-7190 • E-Mail: NFPNcwsfc'aol.com_ Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Vol. 57  No. 37 No\ ember 9. 2001 *  20 Pages 65c Town board members again vote against councilman's Plan to cut 2002 budget by Jon Sandino For the second time in three weeks, Grand Island Town Board members voted against Councilman Kevin Rustowicz's plan to require department heads to reduce their 2002 budgets by 10 percent Monday night. During the previous meeting, Rustowicz and Councilman Mike Heftka, who amended a similar plan, voted in favor of the 10 percent cut. On Monday, Rustowicz cast the lone vote in favor of the resolution, which fell to defeat 4-1. Rustowicz was firm in his belief that if a resolution was made and each respective person reviewed it (the town budget), something could get accomplished. At the last meeting, Rustowicz issued a challenge to the board to step up and make some changes. During Monday's meeting, he called on the board again. "I think this board needs to step outside the b0x..." Rustowicz said. "I really feel in my heart that this town board needs to step up and basically walk the walk." He added, "it's tough to ask the tough questions. You don't become a liked guy in town hall, you know you want to drink coffee with them... but when you're up here representing the people, you have to ask the tough questions." "1 don't think that we're doing the right thing. This town hasn't changed in eight, 10, or 12 years," Rustowicz said to applause from attendees in the crowd. However, the other board members did not share the same view as Rustowicz, or the majority of the attendees. Opponents claim Rustowicz has not shown enough concrete suggestions for applying the reduction within the department heads. Heftka told the Dispatch he agreed with 80 percent of Rustowicz's resolution, but that was not enough. "I believe the sentiment is good, and setting a 10 percent goal is great, but it (Rustowicz's budget) had a couple of points I didn't and couldn't agree with," Heftka said. He added, "The first time it was introduced I amended it. Kevin reintroduced it, and it was the same as the original." Councilwoman Mary Cooke reiterated her statements from the previous meeting. "It's not the department head's job to cut the budget, that is our job," she said. Cooke also agrees with Heftka, "he has not brought anything to the table besides department heads making cuts," she said. Cooke did agree with Rustowicz that the facts must be looked at, however, she feels an overall layout must be in place before making cuts. "It is our obligation as town officials to review the budget that is prepared by the supervisor (Peter McMahon) and then make recommendations for either increases or decreases," Councilman Richard Crawford Jr. said. He added, "we as a board have to meet as a group to discuss additional cuts... that has not happened yet." In a gesture of support to reduce town spending, Crawford and Cooke pledged to return a 3 1/2 percent raise to the town included Kids Vote a huge success once again Grand island has traditionally had trie highest turnout on Election Day for Kids Votinjj ol participating Western New York towns. This year was not .my different. Pictured are Lr/ Wilbert, captain of the Baseline Fire Hall: shown with volunteer Pattio f-ront/e! during Kids Voting activities. ! cc lelkowski, not shown, has also worked hard once again to ensure trir? success of the project. The vote is in, Election Day 2002 results by Jon Sandino Polls were open on Tuesday for Election Day and Grand Island residents were out in full swing to exercise their right to vote. Some of the day's highlights included a Republican sweep on the town board seats, as incumbent Mary S. Cooke and challenger Daniel F. Robillard were victorious.Cooke captured 2,871 total votes while Robillard received 2,649 votes. Democrat incumbent Michael E. Heftka received 2,310 votes, Democrat Eileen M. Torrance had 2,085 votes and Conservative challenger John "Rus" Thompson received 792 votes. In the closely contested battle for town justice, Democrat Randall D. White used the Independence and Conservative lines he won by a single vote on Primary Day, to defeat Republican Timothy J. Mordaunt. In the town justice race, White out gained Mordaunt in votes 3,090-2,471. Incumbent Republican Highway Superintendent Raymond F. Dlugokinski defeated challenger Kenneth W. Carter by a 3,138--2,606 vote margin. In other pertinent Erie County races, incumbent County Legislator Charles M. Swanick defeated Grand Island's Kevin R. Hardwick, incumbent Patrick M. Gallivan defeated Barbara Miller- Williams 151,097-45,039 in the Erie County Sheriff race and in the race for Erie County Comptroller, Nancy A. Naples defeated Jeff Swiatek by a 106,782-90,748 vote margin. The State Proposal #1 was voted down by a vote count of 1,787--1,445 and the County Proposition was also voted down 2,048-1,287. As of press time, here is the most recent results of how the voting shaped up. All counts are unofficial and write-in ballots are not included.Town Council Republican Daniel F. Robillard: 2,649 Mary S. Cooke: 2,444 Democrat Eileen M. Torrance: 1,951 Michael E. Heftka: 1,929 Independence Michael E. Heftka: 275 Mary S. Cooke: 197 Conservative John "Rus" Thompson: 633 Mary S. Cooke: 230 Working Families Eileen M. Torrance: 134 continued on page 2 BW continued on page 2 US' Week at a Glance Sunday Veteran's Day Service Veteran's Park, Bedell Road , 1 i a.m. Tuesday Home Bureau II Meeting ' Island Presbyterian Church, 1822Huth'Rd. 10 a.m. Wednesday . Grand Island Women's Club Chinese Auction/Christmas Party Fanny's Restaurant, 3500 Sheridan Dr. Contact Sheila at 775-0305 for information AdvertisTno-1 FORTY'STOWING, INC. % |SS2^SSES^ m-mamma—m NYSlsrccT!oN^^^ SHAf 174,1 Baseline Rd.  frj %£ % #■% VCIIICi KM 1%5 {between Staiey Rd. & Thruway) gS^B^WTrlilnr^Tlß^BT