Island Dispatch, 2001-11-23

              Island DISPATCH  Winner Treated to a Turkey Page 3 Preppingfor the Holidays Page 5 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Cloudy & Cool Ay it right? Check the weather on pg 2 — Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Vol. 57 No. 39 57 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers November 2001 20 Pages  The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District 65c Homeowner alert from Grand Island Fire Company by Public Information Officer Ray Pauley Thanksgiving is not only an opportunity to count our many blessings, it is also a signal for many to prepare for their annual trek to southern climes. Chief Dispatcher Dan McMahon points out that this annual "snowbird" migration can create problems for the Grand Island Fire Company unless the homeowner in question takes certain precautions. "Most residents do not think twice about disconnecting electric appli-ances, turning down thermostats or stopping mail deliver. But even though friends or relatives may be checking your property, the GIFC should be able to contact a reliable keyholder in the event of a sudden emergency such as fire, gas leak, etc." Mc.Mahon said. If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, please contact the GIFC Dispatch Center at 773-4334 to provide this information. GIFC Emergency Personnel will then be able to extract it from a confidential data base, if necessary, and travelers will have that much less to worry about. Meanwhile, have a safe and happy holiday season. GiFC Dispatcher Rose Krause checks display screen for emergency call information to relay to responding firefighters. HADDOW RECEIVES ROTARY STYLE WELCOME - On Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Grand Island Rotary Club welcomed District 7090 Governor David Haddow to the Buffalo Launch Club. Haddow appeared for his annual visit, in which he reviews the rotary's ongoing programs with the Grand Island Board. Haddow also presided over the installation over three new members. After dinner, he addressed the club and talked about their successful projects on both local and international levels. Rotary International is an organization with 1,200,000 ■members in 160 countries. Haddow presides over 75 clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario. Pictured above from left to right are Gerry Kelly, assistant district governor; Kent Webb, vice president; Pat Johnson, new inductee; Rob Belue, new inductee; Haddow; Ted Bates, Grand Island Rotary president; Connie Haddow; John Drake, new inductee; and Randy Osvath, secretary, (photo by Liz Zilbauer) Town board involved in heated debate over budget That will see a 4.8 percent tax hike by Jon Sandino The formal adoption of the Grand Island Town Board's comprehensive 2002 town budget was accompanied by last minute alterations and at times, highly heated debates. When all was said and done, seven separate town budgets were adopted. They resulted in a net reduction of $4,401 to the Supervisor Peter McMahon's proposed spending plan, and a penny per $1,000 of assessed valuation was eliminated from taxpayers' 2002 bills. The adopted budgets sets a com.-; bined tax rate for the highway and general funds at $4.77 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Ultimately resulting in a 4.8 percent increase from the 2001 total of a $4.55 rate. Also eliminated ■ from McMahon's original spending plan were proposed 3.5 percent raises for the town board members and the supervisor. It passed on a 3-0 vote. Councilmen Mike Heftka and Kevin Rustowicz abstained. In addition, the board members and the supervisor will be responsible for paying 25 percent of the cost for their health care benefits. In the past, the town covered the whole cost. However, the 25 percent approval did not occur until a heated exchange of words took place between Rustowicz, Councilman Richard Crawford Jr. and Councilwoman Mary Cooke. Rustowicz suggested that the board members give up 100 percent of its health insurance benefits, instead of 25 percent. Cooke and Crawford defended the boards action and the budget, and criticized Rustowicz for not using the town board workshop meetings to discuss his proposal. "The discussion shouldn't- be downstairs (in the work session) where there's only one person," Rustowicz said. This is where things should be discussed, where the public can hear," Rustowicz countered. In the end, the fire protection, lighting district(s) and refuse and garbage district passed unanimously 5-0. The water fund, waste water and highway fund were approved 4-1, with Rustowicz voting no in all three. According to Rustowicz, he could not vote in favor of the three aforementioned budgets because he did not feel it was the best for the residents of Grand Island. Soluri Will Have to Wait Shortly after the great budget debate concluded, the board ran into another minor road block. continued on page 16 <SP B*trBme Advertising Spot Available Call 7 73-7676  Week at a Glance  MARTY'S TOWING, iNC T" 1 Ft EE €> NYS INSPECTION • AUTO REIWRS • BRAND NAME TIRES • BATTERIES . ' »»-«-■■■ 24 hr. Emergency Irir" »•■■=£ KST «£ Road Service & Recovery .--v.m. m m )»...i.«.». -"&M.3P 1741 Baseline Rd. mjngg'n mm id '',' immnirri „j ij_