Island Dispatch, 2007-05-25

              Island Dispatch  For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 S Niagara Frontier Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatnela Tribune www.wnypapers.com 773-7676 $1.00 Vol. 63 No. 10 May 25, 2007 24 Pages Cleaning Up Grand Island page 3 Relay For Life Roundup I page 12 Kmiec Visits St. Stephen's page 24 Bridge toll campaign gains momentum by Karen Keefe Grand Islander Rus Thompson, who has collected 6,000 signatures in his campaign to end tolls on the Grand Island bridges, is encouragedencouraged that Buffeld developer Carl Paladino has put his political muscle behind the movement Paladino on May 15 wrote a letter to Gov. EHot Spitzer urging free passage over the bridges, which are part of the state Thruway system. Paladino, CEO of the Ellicott Development Go., sued the Thruway Authority last year to get the tolls removed at the Ogden and Breckinridge barriers. His complaints paid off when the state ended those tolls last November. The Town raises $3,470 for Relay The Relay For Life Team the Lifesavers, comprised of town employees, raised $3,470 this past Saturday through a fund-raiser that included a chicken barbecue dinner, 50/50s, a basket raffle, face painting and the Gingerbear House, where customers could create their own stuffed animal. In the photo above, members of the Lifesavers team dish up the chicken dinners for customers. They are, from left, Linda Koch of the Building Department and Town Board members Sue Argy, Dick Crawford and Gary Roesch. The Relay For Life takes place ori Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9, at the Grand Island High School track, {photo by Kevin Cobello) Waterford subdivision gets initial OK by Karen Keefe The much-debated Waterford Park Subdivision has received a conditional Town Board approval of its preliminary plat, despite neighboring residents' ongoing concerns over traffic and wetlands issues. The approval is subject to a final engineering review, and to a decision on who will own a small piece of land on the northwest corner near Enola Road. The developer agreed to cede that parcel to connect the new subdivision with the bike path along South State Parkway. If the state does not wind up owning the land, the town would end up owning it. Developer Thomas Giambra's five-year plan would put 70 homes in a 40-acre parcel bounded by Riverview Court, East River Road, JRiverdale Drive and South Parkway. In response to residents' requests, the plan was redrawn to include an additional entrance, extending Revere Road, which now dead-ends into the parcel at Riverdale Drive. NanHoffman of East River Road came to the Town Board meeting on May 21 because she received a memo from the Planning Board about the subdivision. Reactions Mixed "In looking over the revisions that have been made in the plan, we appreciate that the developer is considering tying into the bicycle path, which the residents did ask for," she said. But she added that residents feel there are a number of things Memorial Days Remembering fallen comrades by Michael J. Owen Memorial Day is a time for family gatherings, picnics and barbecues, marking the traditional start of the summer season. But if s also a time for solemn remembrance of America's sons and daughters who gave their last full measure of devotion while serving our nation. In keeping with that'tradition, Memorial Day services will be held across Grand Island on Monday, beginning at the gravesites of fallen veterans. After volunteers traditionally place small American flags on the graves, Color Guard members from Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper r Memorial VFW Post 9249,wi1l conduct services with a firing line at each of six Grand Island cemeteries, starting at approximately 7:40 a.m., at Whitehaven Cemetery, and leading up to the town's main ceremony at 10 a.m.> in Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Park. Islanders are encouraged to wear their VFW Buddy Poppies as evidence of their gratitude to the men and women of this country who have Sharing a story A Sidway student reads to a resident from Elder Wood Health Care at Riverwood who was visiting a kindergarten classroom during National Nursing - Home Week. Additional photos, page 24. (photo by Barbs Lare) SEE TOLLS, on page 2 SEE INTERSECTION, on page 2 SEE REMEMBRANCE, on page 2 Kutzbach W^pi 628-1719 |p'Jy| 773-2573 Ifj|lj Qj Do you need to buy or sell a home? A; Call Linda Kutzbach, she knows how and would love to help you! w Each office WsEpHfrSk owned S operated NOlu) j8Btljl5Carter Drivel Fabulous home with 4 bedrooms, 3 fall baths and 1st floor laundry. Master suite with walk in closet and bath with Jacuzzi tub and shower. Close to Park and bike ]>ato. $147,500.00. | SEE MORE LISTINGS INSIDE | o tMnM»n Call Joan for a FREE No Obligation mUmSM Market Analysis on your home