Island Dispatch, 2002-08-16

              Island DISPATCH Chalk Walk Champs Page 9 Back in the Day Page 11 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: ftain Is it right? Check the weather onpgl 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 Phone: (716) 773-7676. Fax: (716) 773-7190 . E-Mail: NEPNews@c1mail.com  Vol. 58 «_—^•^S_^K*£^v_"l[_-t^——?lv^W August 16, 2002 20 Pages 85¢ Gov. Pataki visits Erie County to announce community and cultural enhancements Grand Island to receive funding Gov. George E. Pataki announced on Tuesday more than $4 million in federal funding for local community enhancement projects in the Buffalo area, as well as nearly $6.2 million in grants to help create and retain jobs, provide affordable housing and improve public services in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Steuben counties. The $4 million is being provided as part of the Transportation Enhancements Program which supports projects targeted toward enhancing the cultural, aesthetic, historic, and environmental aspects of the state's intermodal ffansportationffansportation networks. The $6.2 million is being provided through the Governor's Office for Small Cities Community Development Program. "These grants will enhance communities across Western New York and portions of the Southern Tier, encouraging tourism, promoting new economic growth and improving pedestrian safety," Pataki said. "Smart investments like these are helping cities, towns and villages throughout New York make important quality of life improvements, while also preserving the local traditions and character of their communities."The funding is good news for Grand Island as it will receive $481,135 for a bicycle/pedestrian path and the construction of shoulders.Town officials initially requested funds for the Bike Trail Project in November of 2000, but were turned down. The second and the most recent request was submitted in November of 2001. Despite a ninemonth wait, town officials were finally informed of the news earlier this week. "We're very pleased that the grant has been approved," town New welcome sign sure to catch the eyes of all The town of Grand Island has been in need of a new welcome sign for awhile now. The wait is almost over. On Monday, a group of local politicians, town employees and Grand Island Chamber of Commerce President Jim Sharpe unveiled the new sign to the media. The sign, which will be located a couple hundred feet past the Grand Island Boulevard exit along the Thruway, was initiated and funded by the chamber of commerce. The chamber will receive additional funding from Erie County Legislator Charles Swanick. Pictured from left are Granson Geis, Swanick, state Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, Sharpe, Grand Island Town Supervisor Peter McMahon. state Sen. Byron Brown, and Grand Island Councilman Dan Robillard. (photo by Jon Sandino) Board of education approves two policies; students who receive home instruction not entitled to high school diploma by Jon Sandino On Monday the Grand Island Board of Education approved two policies, one of which will not allow students who receive home instruction to obtain a high school diploma. According to the policy, a diploma may only be awarded to a stu- I dent enrolled in a registered sec\ ondary school who has completed I all program requirements as set by the district. Also, such students shall not be eligible to participate in interj scholastic sports, intramural sports j or other school-sponsored club | and/or other extra-curricular activij ties. Such student(s) will not be I entitled to act as class valedictorian J or salutatorian of any graduating I class. I However, the district will offer ! home instructed students with dis-1 abilities the special education services as addressed in the approved individualized education program as set by the Committee on Special Education, Such services would not be offered at the student's home unless determined otherwise by the district. Other News In other news, the board: - Approved a second policy that will help district maintain a drugfree workplace. According to the policy, the board prohibits any employee to be under the influence, consume, share and/or sell, to use, to have in his or her possession, or to distribute in any way, drugs, counterfeit and designer drugs, controlled substances and/or alcohol on school property or at school-sponsored activities off school property without a valid prescription for same, or when the effects of same may impair an employee's job performance regardless of the existence of a valid prescription. - Approved the general, cafeteria and federal fund business office and data center checks for May 7 and 21 and June 4, 18.and 27. - Approved the minutes from the May 16, 23 and 31 preschool special education committee meeting and the May 31 special education committee meeting. - Made an official announcement that the school district will publish a Bridge near the beginning of the school year in the Island Dispatch. According to interim Superintendent Dr. Vincent A. Coppola, since Lee Cohen has been elected to the board* the district has to find other options. Cohen served as a public relations figure for the district and was largely responsible for putting the Bridge together over the years. According to Coppola, District Clerk Nancy Sandford gave him the name of three teachers that would continued on page 20 «3* continued on page 20 vS* Weekend at a Glance Saturday & Sunday Lawn, Garden & Big Toy Tractor Pull This all day event will be held at Grand Island Rod & Gun Club, 1083 Whitehaven Rd., 773-3529 Monday Sandy Beach Yacht Club Women's Organization Board of Directors Meeting Home of Amy Kowzan, 6:30 p.m. A special summer picnic dinner to follow Tuesday New Student Registration Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Rd. 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. martt's towing, inc~t I JFfc lE'SEfc I | flatsifted Ads Set Result® -^^g|fc NYSINSPICTiON.AWOI-PAIRS'BRANeNAMIIIRK.BArfERIK ___"', _«_ „_»*_ __«__ „H _P__ _.A___ -_, ._____HPs_wPPn^___Mi!' 24 hr. Emergency , «~»~|<k» KS^A* Our ClasSitimd SfeciiOfi  y *3500 & mder mds mEM  ' 1-5 "-■Tlr<----iS |- j See page 12 for more deiaiis