Island Dispatch, 2007-08-10

              Island Dispatch Niagara Frontier Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune www.wnypapers.com for Nome Delivery of the island Dispatch Call 773-7676 V01.63  No. 21 August 10, 2007 24 Pages 773-7676 $1.00 John's Marks 25 Years page 5 Rev. Womack Lauded page 11 Paws in the Park page 16 Bridges over troubled waters? The search for solutions by Karen Keefe As a commuter, you can't help but think about it these days as you cross the Grand Island Bridges: The spans are in poor condition - let's make that below poor condition - as rated by the Federal Highway Administration, with numbers below "4" on a scale of "10," as reported by the State Thruway Authority. On Wednesday morning, as he was preparing to leave his office and drive across the Grand Island bridges, State Sen. Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo, Grand Island, said: "I'm holding my breath knowing the bridge is structurally deficient." The governor has ordered a full examination of 49 bridges across the state with similar construction to the one that recently collapsed in Minneapolis - including me four that connect Grand Island to the mainland. "I've got to reach out to state officials to see if we can" get that expedited," Thompson said. "My game plan is to get a better handle on what the Thruway Authority is doing to expedite" the repairs, he said. Til see about emergency funding for some of these bridges," Thompson said. "Grand Island is in a unique position - there's no back road. People in Niagara Falls may be able to take a scenic route, but there are only four ways into Grand Island - that*s it," he said. He feels for Grand Island residents. T think they are a poster child The Northbound Grand Island Bridges, above, and the South Bridges, lower right, have been rated below "poor" by the New York State Thruway Authority, prompting concerns, especially in the wake of the collapse of xt bridge with similar construction in Minneapolis, (photos by Joe Eberle) More repairs, inspections in GI spans' future by Donna M. Webb The state Thruway Authority is stressing the thorough inspection schedule and rigorous regimen of repairs long planned for the Grand Island bridges, in the wake of the tragic collapse of the 1-35 bridge in Minneapolis. The Thruway's capital plan calls for a total expenditure of over $62 million on Grand Island bridges over the next five years. Concerns have been raised by Island, residents, commuters and political leaders, because the Grand Island bridges share the same basic design structure as the collapsed bridge, and because the condition of the four spans over the Niagara River has been listed just below "poor" by the Thruway Authority based on the most recent inspections. This week Gov. Eliot Spitzer directed the Thruway Authority, along with the state Department of Transportation, state Bridge Authority, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, to thoroughly examine the 49 bridges in New York state that have similar designs to the, 1-35 deck truss bridge in Minneapolis. He also asked them to review the state's existing inspection procedures and standards. State Sen. Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo, Grand Island, said he would look into both expediting planned repairs and obtaining addition emergency funding for the Grand Island bridges. He said he was disturbed to learn of the poor ratings for the Grand Island Bridges. 'That 100 percent of the bridges going into one community are structurally deficient defies the law of probability," he said. Thruway spokeswoman Betsy Island takes part in National Night Out by Donna M. Webb After what was shaping up to be a rain-filled evening, there was both good weather and good attendance as Grand Island participated in the National Night Out on Tuesday at the Marion E. Town Common. About 200 people came out for an evening offering food, entertainment, and information. Supervisor Peter McMahon and Town Councilman Gary Roesch were there and spoke to many in the crowd. The community has taken part in the annual National Night Out for about four years, Roesch said. Police-Community Partnership The event's purpose is to promote neighborhood spirit and strengthen police-community partnerships in the fight against drugs and crime. It was begun 24 years ago by the National Association of Town Watch. In 2006, more than 34 million people took part in similar events in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide, according to the Web site wwwnationaltownwatch.org.At the Grand Island Rotary Gazebo, the Niagara Frontier Fiddle Club played for the enjoyment of many. Children waited in a neverending line for their chance to tell Dave Fulte what special balloon creation they wanted him to make. Fultz took a few moments off and asked the crowd, "Would anyone like to see my son and I Sheriff's Deputy Terance Guenot and K-9 Rikor were on hand during the event that stresses partnership between the police and the community, (photo by William Worthy) SEE NATIONAL, continued on page 18 SEE BRIDGE, continued on page 2 SEE DEFICIENCIES, continued on page 11 Monday Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA $Q5O wl&lstis) 2131 Grand feiand Blvd. Kutzbach M^ll 628-1719 BkJJ 773-2573 §fjsgH Qj Do you need to buy or sell a home? fe Call Linda Kutzbach, she knows how and would love to help you! o*raJ»oper*l-a # NOrttl