Island Dispatch, 2003-10-03

              Island DISPATCH Republicans Invite GI Residents Page 4 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Cooler Showers I\ ii ni:ln Chci t lllf "■'. i tlihi r mi />c 2 GI Thespians Star In Play Page 3 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District 57 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers IMioiu: (716)773-7676 • ia\: (716) 773-7190 • 1.-M.iil: MTNcwsfr clmiiil.com Vol. 59 No. 31 October 3. 2003 20 Pages 85C Rotarians invite community to Autumn Water Walk Members of the Rotary Club of Grand Island invite you to participate in the Autumn Water Walk on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. The walk will begin at Beaver Island State Park, Pavilion 4B (west end of park), Grand Island. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Grand Island Golden Age Center at Nike Base for the addition of a new weather protective entrance ($14,500 needed), and a water purification system ($7,000 needed) for the Nepal Hospital Project. Nepal is a country between India and China, and home to Mt. Everest. The Nepal project is a major international initiative started by the Rotary Club of Grand Island. It has resulted in the construction of a hospital, which will directly serve 300,000 people, who were without access to medical care. What YOU get is the pleasure of a leisurely stroll (or invigorating run) along the Niagara River; a spectacular view of the enviable fall foliage; live music by the Grand Island Jazz Workshop; donuts; Gatorade®; and the joy of helping others. The event is open to everyone. Pre-registration is not necessary, however, forms are available from local Grand Island businesses. Forms are also available on the Internet ■ " at www.isledegrande.com/rotary.htm #waterwalk9-25-03. Sign up sponsors, bring your friends, and walk the 3-mile course. If inclement weather arises, alternative plans will be enacted. For more information contact David Johnson, chairman, at 773-1097. Swanick presents $1,000 grant to Grand Island Junior Football U—l——L —^_^——>ni—iwiiii»i w i inniifli 11 irnnn-n—rm— ifn—1  Ene County Legislator Chafes Swanick (H-Tonawanda'Grand Island) recently presented players, coaches and administrators o! tho Grand Island Junior Football program a SI ,000 Erie County grant. The funds will go toward the puichase of additional football equipment for tho program. "It will allow the participants to gel a feel for what the sport is like and the equipment the professionals wear on a rcgula' basis,' Swanick said. Equipment to be purchased ranges fiom different typos of parts for the players to footballs, pants for the boys and outfits for cheerleaders. The additional equipment was needed to play the sport," Coach Mark Miles said. 'Without the proper equipment, it becomes a safety issue.' Swanick expressed a similar pom! of view regarding the aspect of football and safety "These youths learning the game, and to ensure they Know the rights and wrongs of it, they aiso need to have the equipment that is requited so they can play safe but still have fun. at the same time." he said. McMahon releases 2004 budget draft by Terry Duffy Reflecting continuing financial difficulties on the state level and particularly in the stock market, Grand Island Town Supervisor Peter McMahon unveiled a preliminary 2003-04 budget draft yesterday that addresses significant cost increases to the town, both in the mandatory New York State Retirement Fund, as well as in health care costs for town employees. Expected to be reviewed in much greater detail at Monday night's Grand Island Town Board meeting, McMahon offered preliminary numbers covering the town's General and Highway funds which combined total some $7.3 million for'o3-04. . And he placed the blame on escalating costs. "Last year, the town paid a total, all funds, of $52,000 to the state retirement system," McMahon said. This year, we're going to pay $310,000 - a 600 percent increase. Next year, it's $553,000." Similar cost increases to the town are seen in its health care costs. McMahon noted that health costs which cost the town $950,000 in 2003, are projected to rise to $1,225 million for 2004. Broken down further, Mc- Mahon's recommendations for Water, Wastewater, Highway, and the General Fund find the following:•For the Water Fund, McMahon's recommendation includes a tax rate of $6.28 per thousand of assessed valuation — up from $5.53 per thousand last year. McMahon said that the most significant factors in the increases are from the mandatory New York State retirement contribution and health care costs. Combined, these total $72,000, or the estimated $100,000 increase in total fund expenditures, according to his report. •For the Wastewater Fund, Mc- Mahon's proposal calls for a decrease in the tax rate, with the 03--04 rate of $4.40 per thousand of assessed valuation, down from $4.71 per thousand last year. But it calls for an increase in user fees (sewer rents), to $4.20 per thousand gallons of water, up from $3.70 per thousand last year. He cited that total fund expenditures are up by roughly $42,000, and that the combined total impact of retirement contributions and health care costs is $76,000, which is being partially offset by other reductions.•The Highway Fund Budget for '03-04 which totals $1.8 million, per McMahon's recommendation, calls for a tax rate of $2.54 per thousand of assessed valuation, up from this year's $2.34 per assessed.. He noted that total expenditures in Highway are up by $156,000, of which $69,000 is attributed to retirement and health care cost increases. For Highway, there is continued on page 3 -eW I fester" • 1 I '/inev-- / Eea.sk Over 30,000 Homes (Over £»0,000 Readers} 1 S>-J Aft aSm9M4CA'JALAL. »9 A»jAmM»MA&*. m&MjMmm  Buy Sendee Directory k 4 local papers and receive a FREMclassified each & every meek. (With a 1 year signed contact At a Glance Saturday Autumn Water Walk Pavilion 48, Beaver Island State Park 10 a.m. The event is open to everyone For more information call 773-1097 Wednesday Grand Island High School PTSA meeting Grand Island High School library 6:30 p.m. All are invited to attend *- For a complete listing of area events, visit NFP's Web site at www.wnypapers.com #Mew York State Home Performance l_____H_Kil With ENERGY STAR is helping homeowners! WWmSk * AIR CONDITIONING * AIR SEALING * APPLIANCES * VENTILATION *  * INSULATION * LIGHTING * FURNACE * WINDOW * BMIWMJWIi i ,a__ l_LlldM^4*i»inW-kj>_-KMS¥tiWia________i II "„i i -—J__l____d___<_l_i-_->-Mfcd-b^^