Island Dispatch, 2006-04-14

              Island Dispatch Niagara Frontier Publications For Home. Deßvmy of th® Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 proud publishers of Niagara-V/heatfield Tribune Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver www.wnypapers.com V01.62 No. 4 April 14, 2006 24 Pages $1.00 Good news/bad news from Thruway j page 3 Author visits Island School 1 page 15 Billy's Buddies raise funds page 24 School Board OKs proposed budget with 7.6 % tax hike by Kathleen Duff After several weeks of debate and a long night of emotional discussion at its regular meeting Monday, the Grand Island School Board approved its 2006-07 budget proposal. The bottom line for taxpayers: a 7.6 percent tax rate increase, to be voted on Tuesday, May 16. All but one trustee said "yes" to the details of staffing, building, transportation, and other costs, which total a proposed $45,601,005. If approved by voters, the new rate for homeowners would be $38.35 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The budget-to-budget increase over 2005-06 would be 6.6 percent This third and final draft basically maintains district services at the current level with an addition, however, of three teaching positions. One of these positions, Superintendent Thomas Ramming indicated, would immediately be assigned to accommodate increased course enrollment in the basic areas of English, math and social studies on the high school level. Board Leery The board has been voicing much concern about the public vote in May because the first budget voted on in 2005 failed. Voters said "yes" to a zero-percent increase in the second vote. Raniming has previously said thatihe district would have three difficult budget years because of increased teacher retirement costs and flat state aid; 2005-06 is the second of Preparing for Easter The Rev. Paul M. Nogaro, pastor of St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 2100 Baseline Road, is preparing for Easter weekend Masses. Christian churches on Grand Island and around the world mark the events that are central to their religious beliefs: Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. In the photo, front row from left, are Paul Holway and Dos Gallagher. In the back row, from left, are Bernice S. Dinsmore, Helen Utz and Nogaro. Today, St. Stephen's is holding an Ecumenical Good Friday Service at 12:15 p.m.; a Celebration of The Lord's Passion at 3 p.m.; and Mission Group Living Stations at 8:30 p.m. The Saturday Mass schedule includes an Easter Vigil at 8 p.m. and an Easter Mass at 10 p.m. Easter Sunday Masses are at 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. 'Jazz for Christine'an opportunity for Island to extend hearts, hands by Donna M. Webb The Friends of Christine Ryshkus are inviting the entire Grand Island community to come together for an evening of music, food, fellowship and prizes. A fund-raiser called "Jazz for Christine," will be held on Friday, April 21, to help defray the many out-of-pocket medical expenses Gene and Christine Ryshkus have incurred since she was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2002. Christine has been bravely waging her struggle ever since. The event will take place at the Buffalo Launch Club, 503 East River Road, from 7 to 10 p.m. Music for this special evening will be pro<vided by Dr. David Johnson and his band, the Grand Island Jazz Workshop. Johnson is a friend of Christine and a fellow Rotarian. Basket Raffle The $25 admission ticket includes beverages and snacks prepared by the Launch Club. A basket raffle also will take place. The Friends of Christine are requesting donations for the basket raffle to help make this fund-raiser a success. Baskets may be dropped off at the home of Judy Buzby, 2009 East Oakfield Road, by April 20. donations may be brought to the Buffalo Launch Club between 6 and 6:30 A fund-raiser called "Jazz for Christine" will be held on Friday, April 21 from 7to 10 p.m. at the Buffalo launch Club, 503 East River Road, to help defray the outof-pocket medical expenses incurred by Gene and Christine Ryshkus, shown here. Christine was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2002. Chamber honors Jayne Playfair Celebrates 40 years of honoring Grand Island's finest The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced Jayne Playfair will receive the Service to Youth Award at the 40th annual Citizen of the Year Banquet. This year's event will be held at 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. Jayne is the epitome of a Grand Island volunteer. Her efforts have cut across a number of community service areas, including help to both organizations and individuals; her assistance has ranged from highly visible roles to lowprofile, behmd-the-seenes work. Jayne is a member of the St Stephen's School Advisory Board. Since 1998, she has run the school's Theme Tray Raffle, an event that has been instrumental in Jayne Playfair continued on page 2 continued on page 2 continued on page 2 KutzbachiP^i Associate Broker  #1 Island Agent Wa^LW #1 Company in WNY 628-1719 £%* Do you need to toy or A*C-H linda Ktttzbach, •she knows how and j would love to help yoa. 111 l | i { ■flr**  I ■§» '"~*_F ___E_hß_EWsi^___J _____-M_____l_H___W—_________  M 2055 Fix Road Grand Island Call Joan for all your Real Estate Needs!