Island Dispatch, 1990-08-31

              ISLAND DISPATCH With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY • 773-7676 NIAGARA FRONTIER PUBLICATIONS 24 PAGES 35< VOL. 47 NO. 25 • Aug. 31, 1990 Martha Sidway Addresses Reunion Martha Sidway Adams, granddaughter of Charlotte Sidway for whom the Baseline Road school was named, spoke warmly of her childhood summers spent on Grand Island. Complete Sidway reunion story and pictures on page 7. Photo by Mary Stewart Swanick Spearheads Bridge Book Committee ERIE COUNTY Legislator Charles M. Swanick recently received a letter from the NYS Thruway Authority relative to his inquiry of Grand Island Bridge commuter books being sold to residents who own pickup trucks and vans. "Recently, Councilman Bob Swan sponsored a resolution, which was passed by the Town Board, requesting the Thruway Authority to consider expanding its commuter book purchases to owners of the aforementioned vehicles," Swanick mentioned. "My office has received a great number of telephone calls from Grand Island residents who express their anger that they must pay full bridge toll because they own pickup trucks or vans," Swanick addcd.addcd.In the response from John Shafer, the executive director of the Authority, he mentions that he himself is in full agreement with this idea. However, it is presently under review by the Authority's staff. At present, Swanick is spearheading the organization of a citizens' group which will meet and work together to lobby the Thruway Authority to allow pickup truck and van owners the use of a commuter book. Since Swanick's request last week to hear from interested residents who wish to join the citizen's group, approximately twenty-five Islanders have contacted him and arrangements will soon be made for them to meet. School Tax Bills To Reflect Increase THE GRAND Island School Board Monday approved a tax rate of $21.12 per $1000 of assessed valuation, an increase of 38 cents over the $20.94 rate projected when the 1990-1991 budget was approved in June. School Supt. Lee Cravotta said $6 million in tax exemptions approved by the Erie County Industrial Developement Agency for commercial projects in the town accounted for a decrease in the town's assessed valuation projection at budget time. "This is the first year in four that the final rate is higher than projected," he said. The board in other action approved: a school board policy making it unlawful to pass a school bus on school property when warning lights are flashing, substitute teachers salaries at $46 per day for noncertified teachers and $50 for those certified, appointments of Gail Lazenby as part-time dean in the middle school; Theresa Kopasz as girls JV soccer coach and Aimee Holmes as assistant coach for girls swimming, authorizing the issuance of bonds for financing purchase of six school buses approved by voters in June, minutes of the committee on special education and committee on pre-school special education. The board also heard first reading of a proposed policy which would allow it 90 days to fill a vacancy and, in a five to two vote, accepted a high school attendance policy presented by Principal Gerry Hale. MEK MAIL TO:  Weekend At A Glance FRIDAY CLASS OF 1991 BAKE SALE. M&T Bank. 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. SATURDAY ANNUAL PEACH FESTIVAL, Emmanuel Church. 1136 Baseline Rd.. noon to 7 P.M. SUNDAY FIREMEN'S FAMILY PICNIC. Fantasy Island Weather - THE OLD Farmer's Almanac says: Sept. 1-3: showers, heavy west. Sept. 4-5: sunny & warm. Sept. 6-7: heavy rain, warm.