Island Dispatch, 2006-12-08

              ISLAND Dispatch For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 S Niagara Frontier Publications proud publishers of Niagara-V/heatfield Tribune Island Dispatch Lewistqn-Porter. Sentinel Grand Island PennySavet www.wnypapers.com Vol. 62 No. 38 December 8, 2006 24 Pages 773-7676 $1.00 Pearl Harbor remembered page 3 For Neighbors Foundation page 5 Celebrating their 60th page 6 Christmann to head GI school district The Grand Island Board of Education has announced the selection of Robert W. Christmann as the new superintendent of schools for the district Christmann is currently the superintendent of the Newark Central School District in Wayne County, a position he has held 1991. The district is located approximately 20 miles from Rochester and is home to about 2,500 students. "Probably the greatest strength he brings to the district is his experience -16 years," said Grand Island School Board President Richard Little. "He's highly regarded." 'To bring someone of his caliber is great for the district," he said. Christmann previously served as assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for that district. He also served as a secondary school principal in Danbury, Conn., and was an elementary principal in the Frontier Central School District. In addition he has held teaching and administrative assignments in the Kenmore-Tonawanda district Christmann received his Bachelor's of Science degree from SUNY Oswego. He earned a Masters of Science degree and a School District Administrator Certificate from Buffalo State College, and is completing additional doctoral graduate Newly selected Grand Island Superintendent of Schools Robert W. Christmann will be attending his GI School Board meeting on Monday, Dec. 11. Kelly's Country Store... Old-fashioned Christmas Island second-grader Emily Martinez, left, and her friend, Mikayla, pose for a photo with Santa recently at Kelly's Country Store, 3121 Grand Island Blvd. During this season leading up to Christmas, Santa will be at the store Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.; and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. For an in-depth look at Kelly's Country Store during the holiday season, see the story on page 14. Winter Celebration and Welcome Santa Santa Glaus will be on hand this Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Town Hail and Grand Island Rotary Gazebo from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for the annual town holiday celebration. Here's a peek at what's planned: •Lighting of the Town Christmas Tree (at the Rotary Gazebo). •Caroling. •Holiday performance by the Grand Island Community Chorus (upstairs at Town Hall). •A Visit with Santa Claus (lower level of Town Hall). •Holiday activities for the children. •Refreshments from the Grand Island Historical Society. All activities are open and free to all. Youth activities are geared from children from toddler to 7 years old. Zacher pleads case for school building repairs by Karen Keefe The Grand Island Town Board provided another forum Monday evening for the Grand Island School District to present its case for approval of the building renovation project that will be up for a public vote next week. It also provided another opportunity for critics to say what they believe is unfair about the referendum.The voting takes place Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Grand Island High School main foyer The audience at the Town Board meeting was considerably larger than at the most recent School Board meeting the previous Monday, as interim School Superintendent Lawrence Zacher reviewed the proposed $3.9 million spending plan. 'No Cost to Taxpayer' He pointed out that approval of the referendum would not result in an increase in the local lax levy because it would be funded completely through state building aid of at least 71.5 percent of the cost, with the remaining 28.5 percent to be picked up by a state Excel grant. The grant, an acronym for "Expanding our Children's Education and Learning," is a one-time opportunity to fund education construction projects across the state. Voter approval is needed to take advantage of the grant. The district's "road show" brought out two frequent critics of school district spending plans, residents James Mulcahy and Donald Wilkinson. They countered that even though there would be no increase in local property taxes, state spending of this type ultimately is derived from taxpayers' wallets. They also stated their view that the renovation projects up for a referendum should instead be a normal part of the school district's operations and maintenance budgets. 'Operation and Maintenance Items' Mulcahy said Erie and Niagara counties continue to lose population because they have the highest tax burden in the nation. He said the school district's "big enticement appears to be that if s free money," which he said is still part of the local tax burden. "When you look through the list of items to be taken care of with this funding request, many, if not most, appear to be operation and maintenance items," Mulcahy said. SEE CHRISTMANN continued on page 2 SEE VOTE continued on page 2 ■ ««■*. '$&& Kmm%mMm^^mmJLmiM£Zm\)mmwi M mmt' <&Z?.fM essssssssssssssssssssess^sssssssssssssssssssssssssßl m mmmviEW£mm^ma^E*T*mmml hs&mmmm&& iG?O Carter j i i KutzbachfiSHjf Associate Broker MpjSHl #1 Island Agent WfjAjm #1 Company in WNY 745-73aior 628-1719 c. Do you need to boy or •sell a home? j%.Call Linda Kutzbach, "••• she knows how and would love to help yon. IslSlli!