Island Dispatch, 2004-01-23

              Island DISPATCH - Founded 1944 • Complete Community. Coverage 58 Years As the Voice of Grand Island \\£sS\ft The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers an<* the Grand Island School District Vol. 59 SI.OO The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Cold, Snow Showers hit right? OmktJie weather on p§ 2 Phone?: t716) 773-7676 • I a\: (716) 773-7190 • K-Mail: MTVusC clmuil.com 24 Pa^cs January 23, 2004 No. 46 A Night To Remember Page 7 Master Chili Technician Page 9 Town Board sets 2004 water and sewer rates, receives update on coyote problem by Lisa Ariganello The Grand Island Town Board flew through a short agenda at this week's regular meeting at Town Hall. Water and Sewer Rates OK'd No one spoke at the public hearing scheduled for the purpose of setting local water and sewer rates for 2004. The board approved to set the sewer rent at $4.20 per 1,000 gallons, and the water rates at $2.65 per 1,000 gallons. Moving into other areas, Councilwoman Mary Cooke announced that the board received a progress report from Greg Butcher, the town's animal control officer, on Jan. 6, in regards to the town's new coyote control program.The town held a press conference, along with Erie County Legislator Chuck Swaniek, to announce a program in mid- December to help reduce the coyote population on the Island, and prevent any future problems with the animals. With the help of residents complaints on this issue, Butcher has been monitoring coyote behavior on the Island, and is working on new ways to manage and control their behaviors as well, as further educate residents. According to Butcher, since December there have been four coyote complaints and seven sightings. None of the four complaints have resulted in the need for the use of trappers and public education was provided instead. Regular Agenda Items As part of the regular meeting, the board discussed the following: •A request from Cooke was approved to move this year's 4th of Chamber installs this year's members judge Sybil Kennedy (lofi). installed newly elected and executive board members into the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce last week at !he Grand island Holiday Inn. Shown, in above pnoto, returning Chamber president Jim Sharpe takes his oath for 2004. See more photos from this event inside the Dispatch. 2004 Chamber telephone directory distribution begins by Rustie Dimitriadis and Lisa Ariganello Distribution of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce 2004 Telephone Directory is now underway. The book took a little longer than usual to produce because of air the new content and new adver- tisers this year. , Th c telephone book concept dates back to 1947. At that time, the first fragmented meeting of what is now the chamber of commerce occurred. With that the chamber soon began to impact the Island in a variety of ways. In 1949, the chamber was successful in obtaining state cooperation to install a traffic light at the intersection of Connection (now Grand Island Boulevard) and Baseline Road. This occurred at the same time that the Grand Island phone book was born. As years passed, the chamber, among its numerous other activities, continued to create a new-andimproved directory each year. Island residents were among the first in the Buffalo area to see the benefits of the community phone book concept, and have come to appreciate its many convenient features, along with increased local support, evidenced by an evergrowing number of sponsors. More Offerings Now after nearly 55 years of its first nublication. the 2004 edition has arrived. Like the other directories that came before it, this year's version offers an expanded amount of resources for residents. As in years past, Islanders will find a wealth of helpful offerings, including residential and business listings; listings for town hall; town departments and officials, handy church, school, and local organization information; a coupon section; and a user-friendly, colored map of Grand Island. The goal of the telephone book com- mittee was to make this year's edition an all-encompass- ing informational piece for all Islanders, both businesses and residents, as well as for anyone interested in the community. Taking a quick look, one finds the committee achieved this goal, and then some. continued on page 24 JS= continued on page 24 iw At a Glance Wednesday American Legion Post 1346 meeting Moose Lodge, Grand Island Boulevard 7 p.m. For more information contact Shorty at 773-7915 or Joe at 773-4180 Wednesday WNY Chamber of Commerce informational meeting Grand Island Holiday Inn 100 Whitehaven Road 6 to 8 p.m. For more information call 583-3148 For a complete listing of area events, visit NFP's Web site at I www.wnypapers.com J Find out everything you need to know about c _"fitCCffl__-a*f ilffc __4-# fil«-Cffl#tl «J_4___Sh__l. iliY-"Y>Y:'-t <|}» Niagara Frontier Publications ofaSK WO-WlntrM ****<* *■**• fl»Hll_s jTgyk; Hll__________l Get everything from company history to advertising information Olff CIt&SSI ftCi§ SGCttDtt -««_HE!l________!" cotPS Island Dispatch' Grand Island PennySaver«Niagara-Wheattield Tribune •Lewiston-Porter Sentinel SZHCOO O **•*.*£**** *mmMe*, —awn——' -^^_V_HBfi^r^4R7 Garage sa;r .«„«„„ .«»«„^.«^«---»«. 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