Island Dispatch, 2002-12-06

              Island Dispatch #plonial Day Celebration PageS The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Cold, Lake Snow It U right? Chtd the weather on:pg2 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Ph0ne:(716)773-7676 • "Fax: (716).773-7190 ♦ E-Mail: NrPNe^clmaJi^ 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 Vol. 58 No. 41 December 6, 2002 20 Pages 85c r Island Residents J£t Visit New Orleans Page 5 Peace Bridge vote tomorrow by Jon Sandino by Brian L. Garman and Jon Sandino Much did not have to be said on the topic, but the issue at hand was clearly evident by the fliers that were handed out before the Monday gathering. Prior to the Grand Island Town Board meeting that night at town hall, attendees were handed not only an agenda for the meeting, but also a flier that pertains to tomorrow's crucial public vote at WNED, 140 Lower Terrace in downtown Buffalo, for Peace Bridge alternative sites. As many residents know by now, this voting session is open to all and will allow those who do participate to choose five out of the 30 alternate sites to move forward for further consideration. Of the proposed 30 sites, there are five that would affect Grand Island. Three of them would go directly across the Island while the other two would be nearby the Island - in the Strawberry Island vicinity. It is important that Grand Island residents participate in this vote, or one of the Island alternatives may end up on the list of finalists. Those who do attend are asked to arrive before 8 a.m. and vote for the following five sites: EBNP-1, EPEP-1, EBEP-2, EBNP-2, and EBXP-1. Anybody who has any questions can contact town Supervisor Pete McMahon at 773-9600 Ext. 616. Those who need transportation to this meeting also are asked to contact McMahon at the aforementioned number. For more information on the Peace Bridge project log onto www.grand-island.ny.us or www.peacebridgex.com. Also see today's accompanying cover story for further information. Board Meeting Begins The regular portion of the board meeting began with a public comment session. The only attendee to speak was Tracey Lane resident Dolly D'Orazio. D'Orazio had a question with the one item under the Reality Cafe portion of the agenda. "We are advertising for a replacement for a leave of absence, now what happens if she (Phyllis Martin) comes back?" D'Orazio asked." "~"*-—"*•*--"We are not going to accept the leave of absence," McMahon responded. "What we propose to do is let her go and re-hire her back when she is ready." Later in evening, the board unanimously voted to not accept the leave of absence. According to McMahon, Martin will remain as a town employee but would not have any hours. "When she is ready to come back, we ask that she calls us and tells us she is ready," McMahon said. Consent Agenda The consent agenda contained a total of 10 items including the November attendance report for Reality Cafe and a thank you letter from Grand Island High School Athletic Director Jon Roth. The following are the statistics for Reality Cafe, which was opened a total of 11 nights during the month and saw 378 students attend: A total of 21 eighth grade boys and four eighth grade girls; 109 ninth grade boys and 54 ninth grade girls; 82 tenth grade boys and 23 tenth grade girls; 33 eleventh grade boys and 22 eleventh grade girls; and 26 twelfth grade boys and four twelfth grade girls attended. Moving on, Roth sent a letter on behalf of the girls Varsity soccer team and school officials, thanking Grand Island for all the efforts the town put into making the team's send-off to states a success. A portion of the letter read, "Thanks so much for all your efforts with the exciting motorcade departure for our girls soccer team... It was very exciting to see you (McMahon), Chuck Swanick, Mary (Councilwoman Cooke), and Dan (Councilman Robillard) show an interest in our athletic program. All four of the above mentioned individuals were in attendance for the send-off in mid-November. Other News •Town Clerk Nancy Samrany was excused from the meeting, as was Councilman Kevin Rustowicz. Rustowicz phoned in and informed the board he was stuck in snow on the Thruway. •There was one public hearing on the agenda. It pertained to the Grand Island Fire Company Contract. Nobody spoke in favor or in opposition of the contract. The board unanimously approved the authorization of the supervisor to sign the contract. •The board approved a motion by McMahon to appoint Dan Moran as senior water treatment plant operator.•The board appointed Debbie Mondoux of Pin Oak Circle as fulltime recreation attendant at a starting salary of $10.80 effective Dec. On Nov. 26 (The Tuesday before last), Grand Island Town Board members held a special Peace Bridge meeting at town hall. This get-together, which attracted over 100 Island residents, was not an official public hearing, however it very much resembled one. The week prior to this gathering, town Supervisor Pete McMahon repeatedly told the Dispatch the purpose of the meeting is to inform residents of the Saturday, Dec. 7 public vote at WNED, 140 Lower Terrace Road in downtown Buffalo, and answer questions. It was evident McMahon was all business as the meeting began, as he addressed the attendees by stating "If someone in the audience is an opponent of this, they might as well leave now... This is not going to be a debate... this meeting is going to be to organize the efforts to stop the proposed Grand Island bridge sites." Erie County Legislator Charles Swanick was one of six politicians that represent Grand Island that spoke during the Nov. 26 special Peace Bridge meeting at town hall. Councilman Dan Robillard and Councilwoman Mary Cooke (both in background), Supervisor Pete McMahon and Councilmen Dick Crawford Jr. and Kevin Rustowicz were also in attendance, (photo by Brians L. Garman) continued on page 3 c 3° continued on page 3 US' j Weekend at a Glance j Sing Noel! A Carol Service I Trinity United Methodist Church, J 2100 Whitehaven Rd„ 10:30 a.m. I Presented by Trinity Chancel Choir j with organ, string quartet, handbells, I and percussion 1 Saturday . I 1 Annua! Holiday Pancake Breakfast and Ticket Auction St. Timothy Lutheran Child Care Center, corner of Staley and Stony Point Rds., 11 a.m. I For more information call 773-9249 Sunday Grand Island Historical Society :■ Open House at River Lea | Beaver Island State Park, 1 to 4 p.m. Free and open to the public Refreshments will be served " Out Shopping -InA Hurry "^{|}|i^^}|{|^|^^j^^ Stop by for a quick bite or a full meal yißMWiaßMßtawal Cathlj $ ]im's Dd § HCfft 1270 Baseline Road (Corner of Love Rd.)  Restaurant • Bar • Banquets 773-4565  Classified Ads Get Results  Our Classified Section 3[ IrEIP $as°° & under ads FREE 31 gfiEP rFyfiZ