Island Dispatch, 2006-01-20

              Island Dispatch /T\ Niagara Ml I L/J Frontier Publications proud publishers of Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver www.wnypapers.com For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 V01.61 No. 44 January 20, 2006 20 Pages $1.00 Essay winners announced page 8 j s Free throw results page 12 Tax time helpers page 20 I Lt. Col. Con boy: Making a difference and staying the course by Donna M. Webb There are those in America who disagree with President George Bush and believe we should pull out of Iraq immediately. But a Grand Island man who serves in the military strongly advocates the position that the United States should stay the course. That man is Lt. Col. David Joseph Conboy, who went to Iraq not once, but twice. And he is ready to go again, should his Army Reserve unit be called to duty. His first trip to Iraq was from February to June 2004. At that time he served in his civilian role as an oil sector area engineer for Southern Iraq. David assisted the Army Corps of Engineers in Basra as they repaired the oil infrastructure. After being home a short time, he returned to Iraq in September 2004, serving in his role as lieutenant colonel when the Army Reserve's 98th Division was mobilized. "I worked as the advisor to the deputy chief of staff of the Iraqi Joint Forces, the second in command," he explained. The deputy chief of staff was Lt. Gen. Nasier Abadi. David was helping to train the new Iraqi army. Part of his tour involved the operations in Fallujah in November 2004, when the United States reclaimed the city from the insurgents. David notes that this was a particularly "intense time." He was able to return home just prior to Labor Day last year. God, Country, Family, Neighbors In addition to serving our country, David also gives of his energy and time in our community. He has been a member of the Grand In.Baghdad in July 2005, Lt. Col. David Conboy, (far right) stands with (left to right) U.S. Lt. General Petraeus, Commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq; the Iraqi Minister of Defense; and Lt. General Nasier Abadi, Deputy Chief of the Iraqi Joint Forces, who was the officer Conboy worked with and advised. All were attending a ceremony for Iraqi officers from a NATO-run academy in Baghdad. Town code enforcement: Use or abuse of power? by Karen Keefe A Staley Road resident wants the town's code enforcement officer investigated for the way he uses - or allegedly abuses -the power of his appointed office. Meanwhile, that official maintains he has done nothing wrong. The differences between the two are now scheduled to be resolved in court Dean Duguay told the Town Board at Tuesday's meeting that during the course of building a 12.5-acre horse ranch, he has encountered a lack of courtesy from the town official. "Almost every time I've talked to Doug Learman either on the phone or in person, he has abused the power of his appointed position," Duguay claimed. Learman said he read Duguay's statement to the Town Board, and concludes the complaint boils down to one thing: "He doesn't like me." The code enforcement officer said he has dealt with Duguay in a professional manner. "I've never been rude to him. My job is to get people through the process." Inspection Process Outlined Learman said he has been working with Duguay for several years, and that every- thing went smoothly when he built his house. It was in building a pole barn, and the associated electrical and plumbing work, that things came to a head between Duguay and the town, Learman said. "He has chosen to ignore our directives." Learman said electrical and plumbing work was done without proper inspection, and that a licensed electrician and plumber are required to be on the job, or Duguay would have had to qualify to do the work by passing a homeowner's exam. Learman said Duguay has done none of the above. The town is simply asking Duguay to comply with the codes of New York state and the town, Learman said. "When code enforcement is ignored, the whole system breaks down." Dean Duguay of Staley Road stands with two of his quarter horses in front of the barn he built on his 12.5-acre horse ranch. Duguay brought a complaint before the Town Board on Tuesday regarding the town code enforcement office, (photo by Karen Keefej Teachers agree to health concessions by Karen Keefe Cannata resigns, page 3 A concession by the Grand Island teachers union on health care will save the district nearly $400,000 a yearstarting March 1. The savings will be achieved by moving the teachers to the Independent Health Flex Fit plan. The Grand Island School Board has approved a two-year extension of the contract with the Teachers' Association through 2008-09. The contract extension was approved by a vote of 5 to 0 at a special meeting the board held on Jan. 13. The current contract was set to expire in August 2007. The Teachers' Association approved the agreement on Jan. 12. Attempts to obtain comments from the union were unsuccessful. School Board President Michael Dallessandro described the agreement as a "win-win-win," in that it helps to address die interests and concerns of the community, the teachers and district. Last May, voters rejected the first school budget proposal, sending the message that a tax hike of any size was unacceptable. The district has been more careful since then to communicate to the public its emphasis on cost containment, and this move appears to be part and parcel of that effort. continued on page 9 continued on page 2 continued on page 9 Linda Ma KutzbachFTi Associate Broker  #1 Island Agent W Jutm in the  #1 Company in WKY 743-7SM or 628-1719 C. Do you need to buy or * sen a heme? Ac CaU Linda Kntzbach, ■'••she knows how and would love to help you. iSF ""I*3l 841 Amy Drive f ESH| Grand Island llWJi.lJ.ilMm Call Joan for allyoar * Real Estate Needs!