Island Dispatch, 1990-07-27

              ISLAND DISPATCH With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY • 773-7676 VOL. 47 NO. 20 • July 27, 1990 24 PAGES 35* Lions Design Good Times For The Kids There were good times, good food, good rides and good people giving to disabled and disadvantaged children July 18 at the lions sponsored picnic for 1200 held at the Buffalo Launch Club. Chairman of the event George Casey assisted with disembarkation from the Buffalo Fire Boat Edward M. Cotter which was on hand for children to inspect firsthand. See story, page 7. ff-rt»fcp__Mj_n Weather THE OLD Farmers Almanac says: July 28-31: clear and warm. Aug. 1-2: rain, possibly heavy. Aug. 3-5: sunny, warm; showers. Staley Road Bridge To Open Tuesday AT LONG last, the Staley Road bridge across the Thruway is scheduled to open next Tuesday at 3 P.M. Peter A. McMahon, chairman of the Grand Island Bridge Advisory Committee, said a ribbon cutting will be conducted by dignitaries, most likely including Assemblyman William B. Hoyt, an active member of the local committee. The span was first closed early in 1987 when a series of inspections were made to determine if it should be repaired or replaced. When it became apparent a new bridge was needed, the one built in 1958 was closed in February of 1988 and work on the new structure has been in progress ever since. For more than two years motorists have had to detour down Webb Road to reach Staley Road, east or west. MEK Daly Explains State Budget Delay "THE STATE government is playing games with our money. State legislators should take a 16 percent cut in salary to make up for what we have to borrow," a Baseline Road resident referring to the state budget told Senator John Daly at a meeting Tuesday in the town hall. The occasion was Daly's visit here as he made his annual tour of his district which includes Grand Island. Much of the hour long session was spent in discussing the long delay in passing the state budget this year. Gov. Cuomo completed his budget January 20 and gave it to the state legislators in February, Daly said. Until, then, the lawmakers "knew nothing about it." About the delay in passing the budget, Daly said it involved "a difference of opinion." We could not agree on what approach we should follow,'' Daly said. "The most important thing we could do this year was cut back on state spending. There was no other way to do it without cutting programs." Handing Daly a copy of a resolution passed by the town board, Councilman Robert G. Swan explained its contents saying it was an appeal to allow small vans and pickup truck owners to buy commuter books. Daly said he would look into it. "We'll try to give it another shot," he added. Other issues brought to Daly's attention included the state's clamp down on West River docks which is still unresolved. Of the 12 persons attending the meeting, three were town board members - Supervisor Luther, Councilmen Swan and Sharpe. MEK MAIL TO:  Weekend At A Glance FRIDAY LIONS WHITE CANE SALE, Tops, Wilson Farms, Marine Midland and M&T Banks JR. FOOTBALL REGISTRATION, for players, cheerleaders. Town Hall foyer. 6:30-8:30 P.M. SATURDAY CLASS OF 1991 CAR WASH. J & E Sunoco Station. 9:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. LIONS WHITE CANE SALE, Tops. Wilson Farms. Marine Midland and M&T Banks JR. FOOTBALL REGISTRATION, for players, cheerleaders. Town Hall foyer. 11 A.M.-2 P.M. DEM. COMMITTEE GARAGE SALE. Bedell House Park. 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. PANCAKE BREAKFAST. Emmanuel Church, 1136 Baseline Rd.. 9 A.M. to noon SUNDAY MOOSE COUNTRY JAMBOREE, 1736 GI Blvd.. noon GREATER BUFFALO TRIATHLON. Beaver Island