Island Dispatch, 2006-11-03

              Island Dispatch 773-7676 $1.00 For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 /rk\ Niagara Hil UJ Frontier Publications proud publishers of Niagara-Wheaifield Tribune Island Dispatch lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver www.wnypapers.com Vol. 62 No. 33 November 3, 2006 20 Pages Trendsetters' new look page 3 Kaegebein  celebrates page 9 All over but the shouting page 12 All decked out Getting all set to go trick-or-treating in Ferry Village on Halloween night are, from left: Mikayla Mallare- 3; her mother, Sarah Mallare; Hayden Carr, 3; his mother, Christine Carr; Forrest Carr, 5; and Alexa Mallare, 7. The crew also brought a wagon full of pumpkins that they had carved, (photos by Barbi tare) Elder Wood spotlights remodeled facility at grand reopening Story and photos by Alice E. Gerard Elder Wood Health Care at Riverwood heralded its grand reopening on Wednesday with an open house that featured a violinist, chocolate-dipped strawberries, tours of the facility, and a ribbon cutting, among other things. Approximately 75 people attended the open house," which featured tours of the newly remodeled building. The cost of the renovations, according to Administrator Anthony DePinto, was about $3.5 million. The renovations took two years to complete and were done in three stages. In the first stage, the original structurie was upgraded with new windows, ceilings and floors. An enhanced fire sprinkler system was added, as well. During the second phase, a 14,000 squarefoot addition was built. This addition "allowed us to have on-unit dining, which enhances the services to our residents," DePinto said. Refurbishing the lobby was the third phase. Physical, Occupational Therapy Among the features of the newly remodeled facility, which offers both long-term care and shortterm rehabilitation services, are physical and occupational therapy in a spacious first floor room, 20 new private rooms, bathing suites that feature showers and a Jacuzzi bath, air conditioning and a computer area for residents'use. According to Jean Peters, director of social services, the computer area, which is still a work in progress, will be a place where residents "will be able to sit down here and e-mail the grandchildren, receive e-mail from the grandchildren. They can maybe play some games. This is bringing them into the 21st century and finding out that if s not beyond their ability to do so." Peters said that there is a wide mix of individuals living in the facility, from people who come out of hospitals after having such surgeries as knee replacement and hip surgery for a few days of physical therapy to get them ready to return home, to people who are Robert M. Shur, president and CEO of Elder Wood Senior Care, wields the scissors as the facility celebrates its grand reopening this past Wednesday. GI bridge tolls a key issue in Assembly race by Karen Keefe Two men running for the state Assembly believe Grand Island Bridge tolls should end, now that fees have been eliminated for Thruway commuters at' the Ogden Street and Breckinridge barriers. Both incumbent Democrat Sam Hoyt of Buffalo and Republican challenger Rus Thompson of Grand Island count bridge Rus Thompson , tolls as among the issues they believe will resound with Island voters on Tuesday when they elect one of them to represent the 144 th Assembly District The state Senate's majority Republicans identified $14 million in discretionary funds to make the removal possible in Buffalo. A pending lawsuit and the impending election are frequently cited as the impetus. The Niagara section of the Thruway was the only highway system off the main line in which commuters had to pay to travel through an urban area. Years-long Effort Hoyt said he first introduced a bill calling for an end to the Island bridge tolls about seven or eight years ago. He said he'll continue to push his bill, as the Thruway studies the overall issue. "My goal is to alleviate any congestion." Island residents with E-ZPass tags pay 9 cents for each bridge toll, which stands at 75 cents for other drivers. "Timely" is what Hoyt calls the move to end tolls along the Niagara section of the Thruway this past Monday. "It was really the perfect storm that evolved into the decision," he said. "I don't know that we're at that point with regard to the Grand Island tolls," Hoyt said. Thompson disagrees on the timing. The tolls "absolutely need to go," he said Wednesday. He Sam Hoyt SEE GRAND continued on page 7 SEE STATE continued on page 2 Monday Madness LARGE CHKSEPEZA $795 M plus tax 2131 Grand Island Blvd. 1 üBSMSBBSm I Linda £&u) j j j Associate Broker ' #1 island Agent VjH : ! in the : #1 Company in WNY j 743-73*1 or j 628-1719 ! Qm Do you need to buy or • sell a home? j it* Call Linda Kutebach, •••she knows how and would love to help yon.l ! IWHHI I I