Island Dispatch, 2005-09-23

              Island Dispatch For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 Niagara fn p| Frontier \. Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune www.wnypapers.eom Vol. 61 No. 27 28 Pages M.oo' September 23, 2005 'Olivia's Journey' a success page 4 Fort Niagara 250th page 10 A new resource for birders page 28 Town again tackles walkway issue by Karen Keefe A new school year has started, but the Bishops Gate walkway to the high school complex still exists on paper only. However resident Donna Tomkins is encouraged after Monday's Town Board meeting that the walkway is a little closer to reality. "Although I am disappointed about the slowdown with the red tape between the School Board and the Town Board regarding the sidewalk, I am extremely happy that, not only will the children in our neighborhood soon have a safe walk to school but, also the adults now will be able to walk over to the school to attend both educational and sporting events," Tomkins said. "I want to thank (council members) Dick Crawford and Mary Cooke for all their time and efforts in this matter." The issue came up in a workshop before the regular Town Board meeting. Safely First Tomkins, who has two sons who walk to the high school and middle school, is among those asking for a safe and direct path from their Bishops Gate homes to school property.'Tomkins attended the workshop to get some action on the promises officials have made. Councilman Crawford gave Tomkins assurances that the issue will be expedited in coming weeks. "I think we need to move on it ... to get the work going," he told fellow Town Board members. "This has been approved. We approved the funding and everything."""'Plan For Completion Crawford said the town should contact the school district and execute a plan for completion of the project. On Tuesday, Crawford said he had spoken with the town Engineering Department and the school superintendent's office about devising an engineering plan and getting the costs of constructing the path. Crawford said the Town Board will discuss the issue again after costs are recalculated for blacktop, fuel, etc., at today's prices. The town will then coordinate with the school district to initiate a "turnkey operation" with a joint contract for construction. Grand Island students from the Bishops Gate neighborhood are shown near a fence that blocks direct access to the high school/middle school complex on Ransom Road. The youngsters are: Nick Tomkins, Bobby Dickenson, Ben Tomkins, Allison Boron, Caroline Boron, Joe Egloff, Mary Egloff and Nick Egloff. A walkway planned to go in from the neighborhood to the school has been bogged down in red tape for years. The path would run between the homes at 88 and 94 Bishops Gate, (photo by Barbi Lore) Lifesaving teamwork averts pool drowning by Ray Pauley Public Information Officer Grand island Fire Company Tanya and Howard Seal are thankfol that alert bystanders and firefighter/paramedics teamed up to save the life of their 6-year-old daughter, Erica. The girl was knocked off a "volcano" float and sank to the bottom of a back-yard pool, shortly after 3 p.m. on Aug. 29. When 8-year-old Sierra Brooks discovered her unconscious playmate, she quickly brought her to the surface and yelled for help. Her father, Kerry Brooks, rushed over and moved the victim to poolside, where he initiated mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Meanwhile, another parent bystander, Melissa Morrow, assisted with chest compressions until Erica resumed breathing and her color returned. When Grand Island Fire Company paramedics arrived at the Trails End Road incident location two minutes after the 911 emergency dispatch, Erica responded to additional stabilizing ALS treatment and was transported to Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo for follow-up medical attention. Three days later, she returned home to a joyful family reception, stating, "I feel fine now." Grand Island Fire Company Assistant Chief Chris Soluri, one of the attending medics, is convinced that prompt, on-scene intervention averted potentially tragic consequences in this situation. He noted that Sierra Brooks' swimming ability, Kerry Brooks' previous BSA training in rescue breathing and Melissa Morrow's college experience as a Med-Tech proved to be a winning lifesaving combination. As a result, these individuals will receive 2005 Fire Prevention commendations from Grand Island Fire Chief Greg Butcher during Open House activities on Oct. 14. Erica Howard, left, sits next to mother Tanya and sisters Elizabeth and Hayleyann, after her harrowing ordeal. School capital projects are explored by Kathy Duff The Grand Island Board of Education workshop meeting on Monday opened with a PowerPoint presentation on the district's updated Web site. - Computer specialist Molly Talty demonstrated the Web site's cleaner, more organized look and its ease of navigation. Parents and students can view 30 teacher Web pages, with more to come, and can be confident ; that as information becomes out; dated, it will be removed from ; the Web site. Multiple editors | have access, facilitating updates, | and downloadable health and | athletic forms are a plus. The ! address is www.Kl2.ginet.org. What Needs Fixing Next, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Support Services Loraine Ingrasei presented a facilities overview, stating that I structural improvements at I Kaegebein Elementary on Love j Road are "pretty much done." She ! continued that New York state continued on page 2 continued on page 2 Monday Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA $*T95 M plus tax 2131 Grand Island Blvd. Kutzbachßfljf Associate Broker KrJSm #1 Island Agent WtJßttk #1 Company in WNY 743-73*1 or 628-1719 Cm Do you need to buy or * sell a home? JjkmCaM Linda Ktrtzfcaeh, ■■••she knows how and would love to help yon. HHS