Island Dispatch, 2005-03-18

              Island DISPATCH Corporate Bowl Winners Revealed Page 5 Ph0ne:(716)773-7676 * lax: i716) 77.W7190 • E-Mail: NFPNews@clmail.com Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage I 60 Years As the Voice of Grand Island f Award Winning Newspapers The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District V01.60 * No. 52 March 18, 2005 $1.00 24 Pages Bunny On A Bike Page 12 111 l—y *>  L See Us On I GI Chamber names Rotary Club Organization of the Year The Grand Island Rotary Club has been named Organization of the 3 Year by the Grand * Island Chamber of Commerce and will be honored at the 39th annual Citizen of the Year Award Banquet. This year's event will be held at Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort and Conference Center on Thursday, April 7, at 6 p.m. News 4 Anchor Erika Brason will return as Master of Ceremonies. "Service Above Self* ~ that is the motto of Rotary, and the Grand Island Rotary Club puts this into practice as part of a worldwide organization. Globally, there are about 1.2 million Rotarians, who belong to more than 31,000 clubs in 166 countries. Rotary clubs are non-political and non-religious; they are open to people of all cultures, races and religions. Service to Others Rotary members are business and professional people who strive to serve others through their vocations, community projects and international efforts, which will foster world understanding and peace. One Rotary program that probably touched the most lives has been its international campaign to eradicate polio. Polio Plus was created in 1985. There has been more than a 99 percent reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide. In 1994, the Western Hemisphere was declared polio-free, and this was followed by Europe in 2002. By the end of this year, Rotary will have contributed half a billion dollars to this worthy cause. Rotary continues to provide volunteers to assist in national immunization programs in countries still battling this crippling disease. Tsunami Aid After the devastating tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004, Rotary sprang into action. The organization has set up a special fund, called "Solidarity in South Asia," to accept donations. The money will be used to provide both short- and long-term aid to the affected communities as they rebuild. Rotary clubs are also working with UNICEF and the Red Cross to offer immediate assistance.Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland collected more than $1.9 million for tsunami relief. About half of that money funded 800 Aquaboxes and 500 Shelterboxes to devastated areas in Sri Lanka and India. One Aquabox can supply Members of the Grand Island Rotary Club have been chosen Organization of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. The Rotary will be honored at the 39th annual Citizen of the Year Award Banquet at the Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort and Conference Center on Thursday, April 7, at 6 p.m. Tax hike trimmed to 4.88 percent; Goris calls for deeper cuts by Karen Keefe The public spoke and the Grand Island School Board listened. As a result, the tax rate is going down and class sizes are going up. The district has trimmed the tax rate increase to 4.88 percent so far, and Board President David Goris wants the rate reduced to less than 4 percent above the current budget. His call for deeper cuts is in response to taxpayers' concerns raised at school budget forums. "Anything greater than 4 percent, you're likely to have resistance," he said. A lower tax rate is just what Denis Dzielski came to talk about Monday. "We are tired of rising taxes at all levels," he said. "It is time for this school district to show some restraint and act responsibly by spending and taxing less, not more." He commented that this area is one of the highest taxed in the nation, "while we have the lowest economic development." The latest draft would put the property tax rate at $37.38 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Revision by Monday Goris directed the administration to come up with a lower tax rate by the next school board meeting, Monday, March 21, at 7 p.m. The board is scheduled to approve a budget on April 11. It goes to a public vote on May 17. The $712,808 in new reductions by the administration brought the budget down to $43.3 million. Cuts made since the budget process began have cost the jobs of nine current teachers, four proposed teaching slots and five support staff. Class Size Increases The loss of teaching positions will increase the average class size to 25 in grades five to 12. The increase in expenditures included in the latest draft of the budget is 6.7 percent above the 2004-05 budget. The district explains that more than 94 percent of ths increase is mandated due to employee costs, special education expenses, payments for capital projects and the rising cost of fuel and utilities. Superintendent Thomas Ramming cautioned that further cuts would affect class size and programs. "This is not fluff," he said. Trustee Michael Dallessandro also warned, "You don't get all your services and a tax reduction at the same time." The district also is preparing a bus purchase proposition to be included in the May 17 annual meeting and budget vote. Criticism Over Cannata In the public comment portion of continued on page 2 us* continued on page 23m" At a Glance Sunday Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast Sponsored by the Eggertsville- Grand Island Masonic Lodge #1138 Buffalo Launch Club '503 E. River Road 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday Easter Egg Decorating Event Grand Island Memorial Library 1715 Bedell Road 6:30 p.m. For more information call 773-7124. For a complete listing of area events, visit NFP's Web site at www. wnypapers. com *%€*K tAUMHfSEffIfIN I 2nd Section. . 'y"j^ to Hit liMH^ai*«fe