Island Dispatch, 2004-07-30

              Island DISPATCH  v Savage Attending RIT Page 10 Fire Wins Division Page 14 [See Us On The Web at vww.wnypapers.com The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Cooler / Showers Is it right? Check the weather on pg 2 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage 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 Usage soars at Grand Island Public Library story and photo by Robin M. Woolson As July draws to a close, many people are wondering if they will actually have a summer to enjoy this year. More than half of the days this month experienced some rain, which meant many people had to find alternative activities to keep them occupied. And for some, they have headed to their local library. Grand Island Memorial Public Library Director Lynn Konovitz reported that the library experienced one of its busiest Junes on record and anticipates an increase in numbers for July as well. Circulation of library materials for June increased by 6.4 percent compared to the previous year, while public computer sessions were up by 13.5 percent"Public libraries fill a vital role in Western New York, not only by providing access to books, but by offering technology training, engaging programs for all ages, electronic databases, trained customer service, access to computers and the latest media formats," said Konovitz. "We are not your traditional library anymore. We serve as modern community centers of information, entertainment and education." Konovitz said that, with the weather the region has been subjected to this year, many people are coming in. "People are making use of a great service that has no cost," he said. "There is everything here that they ; can borrow for free." With many of the summer programs, Konovitz has seen that; when children are picked up by -I their parents, they then go into the library and pick out some books to take home with them. "It is important that there is a lot of parental support," he said. "The children see their parents reading and it makes them want to read." Konovitz said that the library is hosting a variety of fun summer activities for different age groups, i Children's Librarian Anne Slater said this year's summer reading program manual, "New York is Read, White and Blue," which was designed by the librarians here in I Buffalo and Erie County, has a i wide variety of activities that deal j Participants in the Erie Canal Boaters summer program work on one of the craft projects dealing with New York state. Bar-room Buzzards perform at concert Paul Zapalowski, Warren Stirtzinger, Paul Preston and Jim Koteras, of the Bar-room Buzzards recently performed their musical magic at the regular Tuesday concerts in Town Center Park, (photo by Barbi Lare) School board approves personnel recommendations by Robin M. Woolson During an early morning Grand Island Board of Education meeting on Monday, the board approved seven regular personnel to be added to the staffing in the district as well as a communications consultant. Rachel Hickey was named the librarian at the high school and Amy Weatherston was named to the Academic Intervention Service setting at the high school. Nancy Pioli will be a math teacher at the middle school and high school. Alicia Tutweiler was named to special education department at the high school. Teresa Seitz will join the science department at the high school. Sheryl Bugyi will be a guidance I counselor at the middle school and j Corey Markham will be a social 1 studies teacher for the middle { school and high school. > the board also approved.a com< munications consultant, Joanne j Kud. \ Trustee George Casey asked if | the change was just for change or if fit was a productive change. j Superintendent Dr. Thomas j Ramming said he wouldn't have | recommended this if it wasn't for a j "productive change." i"I have heard from the communil ty that there needs to be more comi munication," Ramming said. "And ; with this change, we are trying to address that concern. We will be going with more written communication as well as web-based." Casey was also concerned about all the numbers. that have been thrown around regarding this position.Ramming said money has been budgeted for this position. That amount is $20,000. "And we will not exceed that amount," he said. Board President David Goris said that by having someone who is familiar with the Island and is familiar with the schools, as well as the teachers, that it will be a benefit to the district in getting more information out to the public. "Ms, Kud can do a great job," he said. Ramming said that Kud has a lot of experience through working with the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce as well as with the Grand Island School Business Alliance. The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., in the Middle School Little Theater. continued on page 18 its' <_ . . $»__s___. _sffc-t _*— __p___ hp"l— Mr"'""' !1 Compiete *{|«|jj1*1 FREE "ll COMPUTE!. SYSTEM Software Package 4 _-___ 2.0 ghz cpu • 256 mb sdram with Computer Purchase _Z_J&r®—- WINDOWS XP HOME ED. ' ißonitar-SbM SeparateH At a Glance Saturday Special Friends (and Family!) Festival Whitehaven Road Baptist Church ■ 1290 Whitehaven Road 2 to 4 p.m. For more information call 773-2351.■'' Monday Grand Island Town Board Workshop/Meeting , Town Hall 2255 Baseline Road Workshop - 6:30 p.m. Meeting - 8 p.m. Tuesday National Night Out Grand Mand Town Commons 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday 'Hour of Power' St. Stephen's Church 2100 Baseline Road 7 to 8 p.m. For a complete listing of area events, visit NFP's Web site at www. wnypapers, com i3__m LindaKutzbach_*open house*k*& ~m_s_~*\ __a_B-___i Associate Rroker * Sat 7"31-0«. I"3Pm- "64 Ransom Rd. * BPH _-~,,_" oroter wonderful 3 bdrm,l.S bath tn-levet home hasmk __lK___r^_____^ _Sr__4___ "tow As«tf<« we EX rRA 2.5 oar garage/workshop with ALL util- W_ V§H tH-. j m \*!jJFa e^"lS Island Company ities. Lower level family room w/ half bath H^li_MlftaJt3BMHL_ IAI TWI fir &FWBESR Living room w/ fireplace Immaculate inside and I ■^~^»«OTw>»—<»—_«_( Hn__.ll /-_>"/__Sl Or out. Large deck for entertaining family and*- 1 ______ht -IS 17 TO it__£a_ssi .trends. All appliances stay Come see for yourself or call Linda ® 628-1719. .M-—"-* via-Li Is y Selling or Buying a home... Call Linda she will help you. jfr- HK