Island Dispatch, 2004-06-25

              Island DISPATCH  Kidbiz Receives Funding Page 18 60 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 See Us On The Web of www.wnypapers.com The Tanner's Alinansic predicts: T-Storms than Sunny & Warm hil right? | Check the weather tin pa J ; Music In The Woods Page 6 Phone: (716) 773-7676 * Fax: (716) 773-7190 • E-Mail: NFl'Ne\vs@clmail.com Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Vol. 60 No. 16 June 25, 2004 $1.00 24 Pages Proposed zoning brings lengthy discussion by Robin M. Woolson After three years and six public hearings, the Grand Island Town Board may be close to adopting a zoning code for the Island. The proposed zoning which has been a hot topic for weeks, was the main focus of the town board's attention June 23 at a workshop held at the Golden Age Center. 75 Comments In discussing the zoning in specific areas of the Island, the board took into consideration the written comments submitted before the June 3 public hearing, comments at the hearing, and those submitted in the week following the hearing. In all, there were about 75 comments taken into account. The board discussed each section, based on the number of comments* it received. The first area was East River Road and Edgewater, which had received 20 comments. One comment the board received suggested relocating the road that is currently there. Councilman Gary Roesch said that issue needed to be addressed by the planning board and that the board should leave the zoning as proposed. The board concurred with the idea,,v.„.._.,... The second area of discussion was Webb Road, which received 14 comments. ' At the public hearing on June 3, many residents spoke up asking for the zoning to be left the way it is. The board again agreed that the proposed zoning should remain as it is. Board members felt it should remain that way because the town has not received a site plan from the developer for this site. Zoning amendments could be made once a plan is in place. More Comments The next issue was Whitehaven and Harvey which had 11 comments taken into consideration. The board noted this was also another instance where the developer had not submitted a site plan. "They (developer) have the opportunity.to come in and submit a plan," Roesch said. "It (the zoning) doesn't totally tic their hands into developing it into something else." The board said this was the same situation as on Webb Road and that there needs to be consistency. The board agreed once again to leave the zoning as proposed. Rivgr Oaks received five comments that were discussed as well. Councilman Richard Crawford Volunteers clean-up Grand Island Boulevard Small bands of volunteers showed up last weekend for tne annual Grand Island Boulevard Clean-Up. The groups sot out in different sections of the boulevard ro make it presentable for the- upcoming Independence Day race and parade. Pictured is Councilman Daniel Robiliard and his crew working on a section of the roadway, (photo by Barbi Lare) Police input sought from Island residents by Lynn M. Dziadaszek Placing an emphasis on integrity, fairness and professionalism is one of the primary goals of the Erie County Sheriffs Office. For a few more weeks, Grand Island residents have the opportunity to help the department do just that. The Erie County Sheriffs Office is now conducting a "Citizens' Survey on Police Integrity" which seeks to help deputies "determine how we are doing our jobs," said Christopher C. Clark, senior executive assistant to Sheriff Patrick M. Gallivan. Clark attended a Tuesday night meeting at the Grand Island Memorial Library to explain the survey and encourage residents to participate. "The survey will give us a better understanding of how Erie County residents feel about crime and safety issues," Clark said. "A lot of people trust us. They like dealing with deputies. Some (other police departments) do not enjoy the particular relationship we have with the public." Future Goals, Strategies Although deputies are generally well received among county residents, there may be some areas in which the officers could improve. That is where the survey comes Chris Clark of the Erie County Sheriffs Office was on hand at the Grand Island Memorial Library to discuss his office's survey and the progress they have made so far. Clark said the surveys can be submitted on-line by going to www.erie.gov/Sheriff. A copy of the survey can also be picked up though the middle of July at the library, or the town hall. Volunteers will also be on hand at this weekend's Island Happenings with copies of the survey available, (photo by Fred Glaus) continued on page 24 m= continued on page 24 m* 11l I lily ll* Wl 9 c.,.tf.(11,, H„tlo„ v"' | Saturday J 'Island Happenings Kidbiz' I Eighth annual sidewalk sale " Tops parking lot 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. 'Music in the Woods' ! Riverside-Salem Environmental Cottage 3449 West River Road 4 p.m. Picnic at 2 p.m. For a complete listing of area events, visit NFP's Web site at www.wnypapers.com Check Out V&ur Wei* Site for Grand island stories & photos at www. wnypapers.com