Island Dispatch, 2003-08-29

              Island DISPATCH  The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Sunny/ Cooler j"i ii ru>hl'.' ' lark the wither '■■'•7'A'- - 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 A Day of Caring Page 8 Island Artist Wins Big Page 2 I'homr: t716) 773-767 ft * I ti\: (716) 773-7190 • K-Mail: M PNcwsO 'tflmail.com Vol. 59 No. 26 August 29, 2003 24 Pages 85c Construction will not delay the opening of school by Jon Sandino The halls of the Grand Island High/Middle School and Huth Road facilities may have been sans students for the majority of summer, but crews have spent the past several months working on numerous projects at the aforementioned sites. Despite a rainy summer that has delayed progress on the construction, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ramming announced during Monday's Grand Island School District Board of Education meeting that school will start on time. "The first day of student attendanceattendance will be Sept. 3, and while we expect some inconveniences, school will be ready for students on that day," Ramming informed the Dispatch. According to Ramming, construction will continue throughout the fall, weather permitting. Several of the renovations made or being made to the high/middle school complex include the relocation of the sign in front of the high school, tree removals, expanded parking lots, lavatory renovations, the installation of a new fire alarm system, and pool repairs. Huth Road work includes the installation of new windows, a fire alarm system, improvements to the roofing, and the remodeling of the main office to name a few projects. For a closer look at the construction process, please look inside of today's Dispatch for in-depth coverage.Additional News Out Of Huth Following up on the suggestion of Trustee Lee Cohen, the board unanimously agreed to send a letter of congratulations to Deborah Beis, a fourth grade teacher at Huth. Beis was honored by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce for Extending a helping hand for American Red Cross The American Red Cross Grand Isiand Chapter held a biood drive at the Knights of Columbus on Tuesday, and once again Grand island residents came through in a big way Accoidmg Jo Vienna Haak. Rerj Cross volunteer, the bloou drive was a success and tney met their goal o! 50 donorb Another blood drive will take place at said location on Tuesday, Oct. 28 fiom t to 6 p.m. Isiand residents are urged to donate. Pictuted above. Lisa Otto takes it easy during the blood drawing process Standing in the background, from loft. Jenn Long, Caren Qartos7, Haak. Liz Smith Burme Ca'iahan, and Signd M.ier? look on (photo by Bnon Garman) Chamber well-represented by younger generation by Jon Sandino The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce is currently searching for a youth ambassador for 2003--04. But whoever is selected this fall will likely have some big shoes to fill. Robert Kujawa, a 2003 graduate of Grand Island High school and a incoming freshman at SUNY Fredonia, won the honor last summer based upon his exceptional essay and faceto-face interview. For Kujawa, it all hap- pened so fast. One day he was informed of the position; shortly thereafter he applied and the rest is history. "My business teacher Miss [Bobbi] Frisoni introduced that the youth ambassador search was open... Sparked with interest and curiosity I applied," said Kujawa. When asked what he thought would be the most appealing aspect of the honor, Kujawa told the Dispatch "just the idea that I was going to be representing the entire Grand Island (community)... and being able to represent the business associations and the chamber of commerce." Though Kujawa could envision himself as a youth leader, he told the Dispatch he was not overly optimistic at first that he would be selected. "I heard that there was over 20 applicants... I kept thinking I was probably going to be number six out of the top five," said Kujawa. "To my surprise when [chamber 2nd vice president] Joanne [KudJ called me... I was like 'oh boy... I was really shocked. I was speechless.speechless. She had to keep saying 'are you there.'" Shortly after the call, the oneyear tenure as youth ambassador commenced for Kujawa, and with it came the numerous community events he was responsible for attending, all of which Kujawa enjoyed. "I was told that I would be representing the youth at various functions that the chamber put 0n... It was great, it was being able to get into the community and I was able to learn about the businesses on Grand Island and what actually makes Grand Island function," Kujawa said. And Kujawa did just that, attending events such, as the annual Fourth of July parade, the Citizen of the Year Dinner and the chamber continued on page 15 US'- continued on page 15 cs= See" Your WeSlirerjQ \&rffi Fweeas* m T&dayffs Paper'x V* Lewiston • Porter • Town of Niagara • Wheatfield • Grand Island &ysr> Bay fr*mast>Bewliedßepo?i-3aJiy Average* & Records aitcf mm«. Weekend at a Glance SiUUrdjiX GIHS Varsity Women's Tennis Team Fund-raiser Car Wash Grand Island Town Hall, 2255 Baseline Rd., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds help the team afford uniforms McMahon's Family Restaurant Customer Appreciation Day 1849 Grand Island Blvd. i 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. Receive a free hot dog with a donation of school supplies for Hearts for the Homeless For more information call 773-9707 Sunday Flagpole/Flag Dedication Ceremony Hosted by Town Cafe and performed by VFW Post 9249 Color Guard on Town Cafe"s recently refurbished landscaped area For a complete listing of area events, visit NFP's Web site at www.wnypapers.com air conpitioninq special nowtm^b #S«v>v New York StaSe Home Performance f%ffim\wWm fmnSA With ENERGY STASHs helping homeowners! ■ mWmIM ilfflra *MR CONDITIONING *MR SEALING * APPLIANCES * VENTILATION * BaBJla»l UNSMyg'QN * USHTING » FURNACE » WINDOW « HBltwi <]«(»»!> II 11 fn i "L*!til 11 i H llsSrlPttftitl