Island Dispatch, 2002-02-22

              Island DISPATCH Madrigals To Perform At Banquet Page 3 Try Your Hand At These Games Pagelo The Farmer's Almanac predicts: ■ Snow  Is it right. \ Check the weather on pg 2 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 ,„ February 22,2002 I • 20 Pages 85¢ * <ki'ffiflt 'J^*yYJM^.^ff'iM»ii-Si«rs?^^^n^F^f^^irft^SiMiS^^ £*y^fgf^«Wlf^S^tB|j^^ VFW Post 9249 honors essay contest winners, presents check to High school wind ensemble photos and story by Jon Sandino Members of the , Charles DeGlopper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9249 were busy recognizing Island youths, and assisting in making one group's dream come a step closer Tuesday night. Members of the post kicked off the evening by honoring the two winners of their annual essay contest, and followed it up by presenting a $1,000 check, $500 from the Lady Auxiliary members and $500 from the post members, to the Grand Island Wind Ensemble. Each year, Post 9249 affords seventh and eighth-graders the opportunity to take part in the annual essay contest. A theme is chosen by the essay contest committee members, and students can develop their opinions in a 300-400 word.essay. This year, the theme was "Is Freedom Really Free?" After debating long and hard over the entries, Marilyn Burak, essay contest judge, selected the essays submitted by Connor Middle School students Justina Potenzo and Jennifer Freiermath. Potenzo won first place, Freiermath placed second.According to numereousous contesteommittee both stujdents were complete V'in answering the question. "They both stuck to the subject very well," Burak said. "They developed their essays and their ideas were developed well throughout the essay." Various Lady Auxiliary and VFW members presented Potenzo with a $100 US Savings Bond and Freiermath a $50 US Savings Bond during Tuesday night's ceremony. Here is Potenzo's first place essay. "What is freedom? The dictionary defines freedom as the right to do what you please, independence or simply put, freewill. Is our country free? Do we as Americans have the right to do what we please all the time? If I wanted to, could I as a 12 year old decide that I no longer wanteds©. att#nd»sehoolr©r"fiould T decide to carry a gun around without a penalty? I doubt it. This brings up the question, 'Is Freedom Really Free?' "The answer to this question depends on a person's point of view. In my opinion freedom is not free wither way. Dealing with cost or independence, many men and women gave their life .to protect our country's freedom yet we are not truly free. Yes our country is somewhat free. Some of the freedoms that we take for granted would be Members of the Charles DeGlopper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9249 honored their annual essay contest winners during a ceremony Tuesday night. Pictured in the front row from left are essay contest Chairperson Kathie Mehltretter, Ladies Auxiliary Vice President Sam Woodfine, second-place winner Jennifer Freiermath, first-place winner Justina Potenzo and Rockel Potenzo. Back row from left includes VFW Post 9249 Junior Vice President Tom Roberts, VFW Post Commander Ralph Lommar, Kathy Freiermath, Ladies Auxiliary President Kathy Lommar and Ladies Auxiliary Treasurer Pat Kratz. New IsleChem owners seeking a brighter future by Jon Sandino . A little over one year ago, Occidental Chemical Corporation, which operated for more than four decades at its Love Road Grand Island location, announced its plans to phase out jobs, and eventually shut down the plant. At that time, 40 jobs were initially eliminated, and others would be lost until the plant closed its doors for the final time. In January of 2001, Dr. Charles Radar, a Grand Island resident and employee of the Grand Island Center, told the Dispatch that the decision was made when the chemical branch of Occidental suffered a loss in the last quarter of 2000. Town Supervisor Peter McMahon commented at the time how he regretted that the community would be losing jobs. But in September of 2001, a major turn of eyents occurred, a turn which could have a positive impact on the growth of business on Grand Island. Three former employees of Occidental Chemical Corporation's Grand Island Research and Technology Center stepped up and purchased the business and the facility. Rader, Edward Rowe and Dale Kunze combined efforts and formed two new companies, IsleChem LLC and IsleChem Business Center LLC. Charles Rader, Edward Rowe and Dale Kunze, who purchased the former OxyGhem Technology Center on Grand Island and formed two new companies, IsleChem LLC and IsleChem Business Center LLC, estimate 75--100 people will be employed at the facility by June 1. continued on page 2 jgp. continued on page 14 BS*. MARTY'S TOWING, INc7^rl^^"^E^S~™l NYS. INSPECTION • AUTO REPAIRS • BRAND NAME TIRES • BATTERIES "—■«■» -WW". ( 24jLrsJS?fJaS T ■ Fsfc IE S - I^^^^^^^El^^^^^^^^L^&^L^bbbVl RV Show - By Mantelli & Trailer Land Feb. 21-24 featuring over 50+ RV's FREE Admission Open Mall Hours 297-0206 or 773-7638