Island Dispatch, 2006-03-24

              Island Dispatch for Home Delivery of the island Dispatch Call 773-7676 ff. 7% Niagara ffl I I UJ Frontier Publications proud publishers of Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune Island Dispatch Lewisfon-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver www.vynypapers.com Vol. 62 No. 1 March 24, 2006 24 Pages $1.00 Corporate Bowl winners page 5 Salamone takes the bronze page 15 Kaegebein visits Wegmans page 24 Residents upset with Town Board measures by Karen Keefe Monday's Town Board meeting was a packed house, and one filled with frustration and confusion, as residents aired concerns over proposed zoning changes on trucks and churches. It even took a second meeting - following the regular Town Board meeting - to clear up misunderstandings that arose for members of Harbor Lights Fellowship, who showed up to support a change allowing churches within Grand Island's business districts. In the end, the entire law proposing zoning amendments was tabled; but the church congregation may soon have a good word on the particular change they seek, according to Supervisor Peter McMahon. Vehicle Section to be Rewritten McMahon announced right off the bat that the vehicle section of the proposed law would be pulled back for a rewrite. He explained that the public had already told the Town Board the language on parking commercial vehicles was too confusing. That section said commercial or recreational vehicles that exceed 18,000 pounds couldn't be parked in the front or side yards of a residence. "We'll have to have another public hearing to address it," McMahon said. "But if you're here and you want to make a comment, please do, so as we go about redrafting it... we will have the benefit of your comments." Businessmen, RV Owners Object Nearly a dozen small businessmen and RV owners took him up on the offer, expressing concerns that they couldn't park their work vehicles or motor homes in their driveways. One by one, contractors, a landscaper and the owners of RVs, a refrigeration company, an auto repair shop and a horse stable appeared and asked the Town Board what they were thinking when they wrote up the new rules. Robert Mesmer wondered why the proposal mentioned boats and how town officers would go about weighing them. "It's not as clear as it could be," he said of the overall language on what could and could not be done. 'I'll probably See You in Courf Bob Soluri said people should be able to park RVs by their houses. "I only have a 35-foot RV, and I'm pushing close to 18,000 pounds," he said. "Who's the zoning officer to come and tell me that my vehicle is not parked by the house?" He added, "Everybody in the RV field knows that once you buy one, you always go bigger." Terry Freiermuth, owner of Wheelfind Automotive Repair, 1765 Grand Island Blvd., stands near his Isuzu NPL truck, which he uses for business and parks at home. He said the truck is well within the weight limit of 1 8,000 pounds that the Town Board's zoning amendments on parking aim to regulate. But he's concerned about how the proposed regulations would be interpreted, (photo by Karen Keefe) The Rev. Gerard Haberstro, pastor of Harbor Lights Fellowship, met with members of the congregation for coffee after Monday's Town Board meeting. The church supports an amendment to the town's Zoning Code that would permit churches to locate in business districts. Harbor Lights was evicted from the building they continue to pay rent on, at 1821 Grand Island Blvd. (photo by Karen Keefe) Chamber honors Maria Burns; Grand Island Moose Lodge The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced that Maria C. Burns will receive the Civic Award and the Grand Island Moose Lodge and Family Center No. 180 will receive the Organization of the Year Award at the 40th annual Citizen of the Year Banquet. This year's event will be held at the Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort and Conference Center on Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. Channel 2 News Anchor Erika Brason will return as Master of Ceremonies. Maria C. Burns has been chief clerk of the court for the Town of Grand Island for the past six years and a court clerk for 19 years. She serves as court clerk for town justices Sybil E. Kennedy and Mark J. Frentzel. Burns also worked for retired town justices Francis B. Pritchard, Eric L. Reimann and Randall D. White. She is a member of the New York State Magistrates Court Clerks Association. She also is vice president of the Erie County Court Clerks Association, and has served as its director. Currently, Burns is president of Zonta Club of Grand Island, an international women's organization that awards scholarships to Grand Island High School senior girls. AcHve in Fund-raising Burns previously served a term as a Zonta director and has also served as chairman and organizer for a number of Zonta fund-raisers. In addition she has worked on the committee for the Zonta District fund-raiser, whose proceeds benefit Roswell Park Memorial Cancer Institute. Burns serves as marriage officer for the Town of Grand Island. She is also responsible for creating the Judge's Wall in the Upper Lobby of Town Hall. A member of St. Stephen's Church, she is married to Bruce Burns, and has a son, Bruce. Her hobbies include knitting, crocheting, embroidery and arts and crafts. Grand Island Moose Lodge and Family Center No. 180 will receive the Organization of the Year Award. Some members of Moose Lodge No. 180 join the board of directors. Shown in the front row, from left, at a recent fund-raising event aredoe Foresta, administrator; Mike DiVita, trustee; Rick Halas, governor; Dennis Lesika, treasurer; Kevin Lipp, trustee; Don Hoover, trustee; and Steve Jones, past governor. Chief Court Clerk Maria C. Burns will receive the Civic Award at the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce 40th annual Citizen of the Year Banquet. continued on page 2 continued on page 17 Monday I Madness 1 LARGE CHEESE PIZZA j i M plus tax i 2131 Grand Island Blvd. j I Linda gmr\ \ j KutzbachK?ll : j Associate Broker $S$ jMij #1 Island Agent  $\ Company in WNY f 743*7321 «r '; 628-1719 Qe Do you need to buy or * sell a home? i Ijk sCall Linda Kutzbach, J!"m«Sl,e knows how and would love to help yon.