Island Dispatch, 2003-01-24

              Island DISPATCH The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Snow/Coid hit rk • • Cheikike'. .'' ■ oh pg.' 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 ■ L-Mail: ISTl'Ncwsd'clmail.com Choose Chili This Saturday Page 2 Chamber Announces New Officers, Directors Page 3 Vol. 58 No. 48 January 24. 2003 20 Pages 85? Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Resident rescued by Island firefighter by Public information Officer Ray Pauley Shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, Grand Island firefighters responded to an alarm of fire at 70 Carol Road. The call was received from a cell phone user who notified the Erie County Sheriffs Department. Grand Island Fire Company Chief Greg. Rutcher, one of the first to arrive on location, reported that an occupant, 25-year-old Matt Schroeder, was discovered hanging precariously from a second floor rear window. Firefighter Scott Duscher quickly.borrowed a neighbor's ladder and brought him down to safety. Schroeder, who was nude and appeared to be intoxicated, was treated at the scene and transported to the Erie County Medical Center for further evaluation and medical attention. Another individual, 43-year-old Gary Watts, was treated by GIFC paramedics for smoke inhalation and superficial burns. Mutual aid assistance was rendered by Sheridan Park, Kenrnore, Ellwood, and Kenilworth Volunteer Fire Departments, due to manpower and equipment demands as well as adverse weather conditions which hampered operations. Ellicott Creek VFD was also placed on standby at GIFC Headquarters to handle any other fire or EMS emergencies. They did cover a request for assistance with an unruly prisoner at the Erie County Sheriff's Department lockup on Grand Island. The fire was reported out at 2:38 p.m. with total damage amounting to approximately $90,000, according to Butcher. Upon releascfrom the hospital? 'Erie County Sheriffs Fire Investigator, Detective Vincent Pupo Jr. and Deputy Michael Hilliker of the Grand Island Substation, charged Schroeder with Open house held for Ramming The PTA Gounsel held an open house at the Sandy Beach Yacht Club on Wednesday evening in honor of Dr. Thomas Ramming, the new Grand island Central School District superintendent. Ramming, who joined the district on Nov. 25, told the Dispatch he has enjoyed working with district officials, including the board of education members. Ramming noted he is particularly impressed with the amount of teamwork that has been displayed by all of the district employees. "They are very kind, responsible people... they provide outstanding educational opportunities for the students," Ramming said. As for Ramming, the feeling is mutual. "He is known state-wide... he is the best superintendent in Western New York," said Jeri Schopp, board president. Pictured from left are Myma Blair, board member; Schopp; Ramming; town Supervisor Peto McMahon; and David Goris, board vice president, (photo by Jon Sandino) Approval of environmental analysis does not outrage residents by Jon Sandino Conveniently, the Grand Island Town Board's approval of an environmental analysis submitted by Parkland Enterprises for a convenient store at Ransom and Stony Point Roads, near Grand Island High School, did not stir up any bitter feelings between residents and town board members during Monday night's Grand Island Town Boardmeeting. Prior to the meeting, numerous attendees could be heard uttering "this could be a long one tonight" and "sparks could fly," however, that could not be further from the truth. Despite all of the controversy that has surrounded this issue since day one, attendees seemed comfortable with the direction this pro- . ject could be headed in. That is a far cry from a year ago, when residents threatened to sue the town board had they approved what was then a Tops/Wilson Farms based project. Certain "new additions'" to the project are undoubtedly more community-friendly, a big reason why residents were not as heated as in the past. The additions include the possibilities of a no-gas alternative on site and the installation of sidewalks. These two issues were at the forefront of many highly-debated public hearings when Tops was attempting to construct a Wilson Farms with gas pumps. One issue that did irk some, including Concerned Citizens Group member Kirn Tetreault, was the town allowing the town attorney to prepare the environmental analysis, because the law firm of Hodgson Russ represents both Tops and Grand Island. However, with Tops dropping out of the picture recently, there should be no conflict of interest. Friday Night Gym Canceled Until Further Notice Due to recent problems at Friday Night Open Gym at Kaegebein School, the board decided to cancel the program until further notice, and refer the problem to the Youth Advisory Board. According to a memo sent to the town board from Recreation Director Linda Tufillaro, youths who are attending the program are at a discipline level that staff members are not able to properly control.Tufillaro continued, "the youth attending need supervision with a higher degree of social behavior control skills that she or any of the recreation attendants have at this time." Tufillaro has been in close contact with the GIFTS/Connections workers, but the assistance and onhand supervision they provided still continued on page 2 i&" continued on page 2 US* Weekend, at a Glance Saturday Soup Night V.F.W. Post 9249, j 2121 Grand Island Blvd., 4 to 7 p.m. For more information call 773-6343 Vegas Night Grand Island Knights of Columbus, 1841 Whitehaven Rd., 8 p.m. For more information call 773-5541 16th Annual Rotary Club Chili Sale Grand Island High School Cafeteria, 1100 Ransom Rd. 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. One quart take-out containers will be available for bulk purchase Tickets available al the door For delivery arrangements call 773-8579 :feH'f! 1!"fr-|;'i';J!SM'i!ij^!!!>'J 1 R£(we§@ Pma - fmmr Rm far ig#iL~"~~ ADDITIONS.REMODELING -eVOeV JUST $6.9S w!*SXS jflßfia. 7 J"4 IHi Qthß § liffl'j Del Cf ttefO J1270 Baseline Road (Corner of Love Rd.) ««,«,« ■■^■■--■-m^i---—»i--Mw--.--.--»- —™ » ii- -i ' i.—ii.,.-,!.—■ -■■■.- m.ii.i in ..I ™.« *j ' »-_,_«___-«, -w__ Historu RisuiumtuStning Serving Grand Island's Building Needs Since 1976 | Restaurant • Bar • Banquets 773-4585 &"*•"' «»■"'»