Island Dispatch, 2003-03-07

              Island DISPATCH 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 1-Mail: NFPNcwsfcj elmail.com An Impressive Hoops Season Page 12 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Cold Mainly Dry r ■ ■ /•■!*;;•:":. ( r;< (t. l!tC ,\ yd i •li- I.l | "■■■,- Supporting Those Who Defend Us Page 7 Vol. 59 No. 2  March 7.2003 20 Pa^es 85, Town board gathers after month layoff by Jon Sandino The Grand Island Town Board gathered in front of a sparse crowd Monday night, as they hosted their first board meeting since Feb. 3, a result of the President's Day holiday.In what could have shaped up to be an excruciatingly long meeting, due to the abundance of items on the agenda, Town Supervisor Peter McMahon and board members managed to tackle all of the issues at hand in approximately one hour. Following the pledge to the flag, focus shifted to Gregory Voyzez Jr., an eighth grade student at St. Stephen's School, as he was hon: ored by the board for the Eagle Scout Award he received in early February. Voyzez Jr. spent time building shelves for the St. Gerard's Food Pantry in Buffalo, which was in great need of storage space. Voyzez Jr. worked on the project for seven months. McMahon read a proclamtion to Voyzez Jr. and his family and then presented the youth with a certifcate. As the board members returned to their respective seats, attendees readied themselves with agenda in hand, and the meeting was soon underway. . With no public hearings slated, McMahon moved onto the "Consent Agenda" portion of.the meeting, which consisted of 25 items, many of which involved the approval of minutes from various meetings, including the Jan. 13 Planning Board, Jan. 14 Traffic Safety Advisory Board and Jan. 28 Recreation Advisory Board meetings to name a few. Another item approved in a sweeping motion was the attendance report for Reality Cafe. A total of 117 students frequented the cafe during the six nights it was opened. Seventy-six boys attended while 41rt'girte»Hsed«thefaei lity. Communications - Town Board Next up was the "Communications - Town Board" portion of the meeting, where all board members, except Councilman Dan Robillard, submitted items for approval or review. Scouts receive awards Scout Sunday Mass was neici at Sain* Stephen's Church on Per-. 2, sponsored oy Cub Pack 630 and Boy Scout Tiooj.- 630 Piuii'ed arc Cub Scouts from Pack G3<) who received religious awards. 'I he Light or Christ recipients are Paul Aiida. Alec Buffamonio. Gregory DeNormand. and Matthew Seaman. The Parvuii Dei recipients are Brian DeNormand. Robert Dickinson, Scan Donovan, Ernsl Michael Seaman, and "Thomas Sofimer. Swanick announces 'Lifesaver' campaign Earlier this week, Erie County Legislature Chairman, Charles M. Swanick (Tonawanda/Grand Island) announced the initiation of a countywide smoke detector Lifesaver campaign. "In recognition of the tragic fire involving the Kelleher Family of Kenmore, I felt strongly that something needed to be done to encourage all Erie County residents to install smoke detectors in their homes and in their businesses," Swanick stated. "As a result, I have contracted with Shanor Electric for low cost smoke detectors to be sold in every Majority Legislator's district office." Shanor Representative, Paul Summer, detailed the smoke detector information. "Through this cooperative venture between Legislator Swanick and Shanor Electric, we can provide high quality smoke detectors, including batteries, for the very affordable cost of $6 which represents an approximate fifty percent savings." According to Swanick, the smoke detectors will be on sale at all Majority Legislator's district offices beginning today. "Thanks to the community minded people at Shanor Electric, all Erie County Legislator Chuck Swanick demonstrates the use of smoke detectors, now available in his District Office for the greatly-reduced cost of $6. Legislator Steve McCarville and Erie County Assistant Coordinator of Fire Safety Tiger Schmittendorf look on. continued on page 20 _f continued on page 20 _F ADDITIONS-REMODELING 773-4161 Serving Grand Island's Building Needs Since 1976 Weekend at a Glance Friday Parent/Teacher Conferences Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Rd., noon to 2:30 p.m. Appointments are not necessary World Day of Prayer Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Rd:, .10 a.m. in the Sanctuary Many Island churches involved Childcare and refreshments will be provided - All are welcome Friday & Saturday Zonta Club Antique Show & Sale River Oaks Golf Club, 201 Whitehaven Rd. .Saturday Jack & Jill Community Preschool Open Registration Jack & Jill Community Preschool, 2587 Baseline Rd., 9 a.m. to noon For more 773^^2T MAHTY'S TOWING, INC T" I Ft IE €> NYS INSPECTION • AUTO RIWURS • BRAND NAM! TIRES • BATTERIES  _*4 hr. Emergency F**..?- Road Service & Recovery m.^jm,» ■—**,  I jf*jf I wCISGbIii© ICQ* •s MMWHnw_- mm j_ymmms>Gm Mnwtfutgg^ Z73-35 15 - . "TP|f^_fE^>