Island Dispatch, 2002-02-08

              Island DISPATCH The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Windy/en®; h il riglu'; Ck'(k the -ncathc'' m pc 2 ; _ Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage 57 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers Vol. 57 No. 50 February 8,2002 * 20 I'aues $5t The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District The Falls In Ice Page 5 Look At The New Cook Page 7 Phone: Hl6) 773-7676 • Fax: (716)773-71% * K-Mail; NR'Ne\\s(»aol.eom Ice Storm 2002: Island firefighters handle non-stop emergencies by Ray Pauley Public Info Officer Ice Storm 2002 wreaked havoc all across Western New York last Friday. However, it* was the aftermath that caused difficulties for many. More than 100,000 houses in Erie and Niagara Counties were without power anywhere from two to 75 hours. - ■ Unfortunately, the storm did not do any favors for the residents of Grand Island. Forty-one Grand Island firefighters responded to 137 emergency calls on Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. I, according to Grand Island Fire Company Deputy Chief Greg Butcher, who maintained operational control through a 'Storm Command Center' at fire headquarters. The vast majority of these incidents involved storm-related problems, such as motor vehicle accidents, wires down, tree branches on arcing wires or trees blocking roadways, transformers on fire or shorting out, traffic signals out of commission or related power outages. Niagara Mohawk Power supervisors were notified of electrical hazards "on a priority basis" as soon as they were identified, he fIPDEPjI indicated. At the height Mr TB of storm conditions, W aTM 911 calls were being  received "at the rate  about five per hour," he added. Because of this onslaught of calls, two additional dispatchers were placed on duty by Communications Supervisor Dan McMahon. "Hazardous conditions proved equally treacherous for GJPC rescuerescue personnel," stressed numerous fire officials. In one such instance, three firefighters were injured when they lost control of their vehicles on an icy overpass while responding to a multi-car motor vehicle accident on thesfeWO. One was -treated-at*-the scene for lacerations and abrasions before transport to the Erie County Medical Center for follow-up medical attention. The other two sustained minor injuries that did not require hospitalization, and they remained on duty. Board Chairman Gail Lazenby also indicated that GIFC emergency operations were coordinated with Town Supervisor Peter McMahon and various town departments to insure maximum utilization of available resources. Mutual Aid Assistance from Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Department further helped to alleviate the extraordinary manpower and equipment demands. These 'readiness' strategies proved indispensable when firefighters were faced with a structure fire at 22 Riverdale Drive at Niagara Mohawk Power crews work on (primary) power lines in the West Oakfield area. A large downed tree blocks a Bush Road driveway. Normally this is an | unusual sight, but not on the morning of Feb. 1. . Allen appointed to planning board, next meeting Not until March 4 by Jon Sandino Gi and Island Town Board members voted 3-1 to appoint Grand r Island businessman | ,! Nolan Allen to the plan-1 i ning board for a seven. year term over interim I planning board-member• Frank Burkhart Monday •: night. The majority of the ! board, Councilwoman '' Mary Cooke ' and I Councilmen Richard | Crawford Jr. and Daniel 1 I Robillard, all Republicans, felt the i planning board needed to be diver-1 sified. Councilman Kevin j Rustowicz, a Democrat, disagreed. J Town Supervisor Peter McMahon I was out of town and unavailable for j comment. I Allen, 57, has lived on the Island j since 1974, and started his own I business, Northeastern Leasing and I Finance Corp. in 1977. j "There were two qualified candi- I dates, but an eclectic board makes | it work," Robillard said. "Mr. Allen 1 is a Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner, he knows business." According to Crawford, the decision was based upon qualifications and experiences. Cooke did thank Burkhart for helping serve on the board the past four months, but she too felt Allen was better suited for the position. However,, Rustowicz, the lone "no" vote believes that Burkhart was better qualified for the position.According to Rustowicz, Burkhart has experience and knowledge of the state Department | of Environmental Conversation and | state Environmental Quality Review laws, which makes him a more qualified individual. Burkhart was appointed in September to replace the late David Ebeii. Burkhart was seeking reappointment. "We need people who can look past the political agenda," Burkhart | said. "I just hope the person who goes in there to replace me has | the best interests of the 1 town in mind and reads the code. I hope they are not swayed by the predisposition of the town board to meet other agendas." Consent Agenda The consent agenda was on the lighter side, as it only contained 10 items. Four of,the 10 items were minutes of meetings. The minutes were for the following: continued on page 2 ISP j continued on page 20 C3= FWE&ffifTGlaace j j Friday ' j | ' • General Meeting j I Grand island Jr. Vikine Football. I I Cheerleading .Board J I Nike Base, 3278 Whitehaven Rd. j 1 7:30 p.m. ' ! I ■ 'Saturday j 1 Open Registration ' | I- Jack & Jill Community Preschool, | |-2587 Baseline Rd., 910 10:30 a.m. f | St. Stephen's School Carnival 1 I St. Stephen's School. | i 2030 Baseiine-Rd i MARTY'S TOWING, INC. T1 RL EE SS 1 WVM^^^^S^^^^^^^^^^^M NYS INSPECTION • AUTO REPAIRS • BRAND NAME TIRES • BATTERIES . §§fl||jggjjaßaW|»aF^ 24 hr. Emergency. "T~f X* W_i*_* FJF'nligil 1 rTTOTI MWM Cimm'tnMnnTPM.^^Lg Road Service & Recovery ™ • * "" mmmmm py« lIP l'T^Pffl''y 1741 Baseline Rd. wyVi 18i,.-^b 4E3K Bi^^"SWlwfT?TP^Hm^