Island Dispatch, 2007-08-31

              Island Diapatch For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call77Z-7670 S Niagara Frontier Publications proud publishers of. Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagam-Wheatfield Tribune www.wnypapers.com V01.63 No. 24 August 31, 2007 20 Pages 773-767© $1.00 Island Fire Co. Program page 3 Senior Fun at Golden Age Center page 6 Grand Island Dance Center page 7 Thompson speaks out on bridge safety by Donna M. Webb It was a hot day when an even hotter topic was discussed - the safety of the Grand Island bridges. This past Wednesday, Rus Thompson, a candidate for the Erie County Legislature in the 10th District, held a press conference below the northbound South Grand Island Bridge. The recent tragic collapse of the 1-35 bridge in Minneapolis has many concerned about the safety of the bridges that Islanders cross each day. This issue has now provided more "fuel for the fire" that Thompson kindled about 10 months ago: a petition drive to get the Grand Island bridge tolls eliminated. He has urged people to go to his Web site, NoGlTolls. com, and put their names down in support. "We have over 6,300 signatures at this point," Thompson said. "Maybe we can get their attention in Albany." Initially, Thompson pushed for removal of the bridge tolls because of the heavy backlog of traffic that occurs during rush houi's. His petition, addressed to Gov. Eliot Spitzer, notes that the tolls are the reason why commuter traffic backs up so badly onto Route 290, as cars wait to get on the ramp to the 1-190 North. "vehicles traveling at the speed limit are now coming up on vehicles at a dead stop," Thompson wrote. At the press conference, Thompson expounded upon his concerns regarding the safety of the Grand Island bridges: ''When the tolls stop trucks, theyvthen have to start going again to get up to speed while climbing the steep incline of the bridge. A couple 1,000-pound trucks trying to climb the incline put an extreme amount of stress and vibration on the bridge. Combine that with thousands of cars doing the same thing. It is a recipe for disaster," he said. Thompson has been in the construction field for 31 years. Thompson pointed out specific bridge problems that greatly concern him. There are significant cracks in some of the concrete piers, as shown in the photo" at right. The picture shows Pier No. 25, which is one of the supports for the northbound South Grand Island Bridge. The photo above with Thompson also shows concrete spalling, which means that the concrete has broken up into chips and fragments. This is reportedly occurring on other piers as well. "Concrete spalling is so serious that rebar is exposed," Thompson said. Rust can also be seen oozing out of cracks in the piers. This "is a telltale sign that the steel underneath is corroding, and the structural stability compromised," Thompson said. He former explained that the concrete cracking and falling is a sign of the rusting steel expanding withinthepiers. On other piers, Thompson noted, there are corroded and frozen bearings and also sliding plates - which were put in place of bearingsbearings - that extend over the base plate. Having the larger plates at the top reduces the structural stability, Thompson said. "These plates and bearings are crucial in the proper operation of the bridges' expansion and contraction. If the bridges cannot move as designed, it adds stress to areas of the steel bridges that were not designed for it," he added. Thompson said he contacted a few engineers, sent them photos of the North and South Grand Island Bridges, and asked for their opinion. "The results and opinions are not favorable," he said. These engineers asked to remain anonymous because of possible repercussions, according to Thompson. Their comments are posted on the Web site noted above, however. One engineer had this to say about the steel inside the concrete piers: " ... we know what's happening to it. It's rusting, and the rust is running out the cracks and down the outside of the pier. How much steel is left?" This individual is a certified bridge inspector, Thompson pointed out Another individual urged that a MI study be done of the most recent bridge inspection reports in order "to make an accurate determination as to what overall remedial work should be taken to bring these structures to the level of functionality that increasingly heavy traffic loads demand." Thompson says he's frustrated because people continuously call him to complain about bridge safety. "How sad they feel they will not get the answers from our elected representatives," he said. He informed to those in attendance of the problems with the bridges in the hopes that the Thruway Authority and elected representatives will act on these issues soon. The NYS Thruway Authority will reportedly put out a $30 million project for bid later this year. This workinvolves a deck replacement project for the northbound South Grand Island Bridge. This "will include substantial substructure work on both of the South Grand Island bridges," NYSTA spokeswoman , Betsy Graham said. Whether this substructure work will address all of the problem areas, Thompson noted, is unknown at this time. Rus Thompson spoke out on the Grand Island bridges, and their tolls, at a press conference Wednesday, (photo by Joe Eberlej Pier No. 25, one of the northbound South Grand island bridge supports. Teacher retirement costs rising by Donna M. Webb The Grand Island school district will pay more than they budgeted to cover costs associated with the retirement fund for teachers. The Teachers' Retirement System contribution rate has increased from 8.39 percent to 8.73 percent for the 2007-2008 school year. This is applied to the entire salary of teachers, teaching assistants, and those already in the retirement system. The TRS funds are deducted from the state aid the school district receives. Grand Island School District Superintendent Robert* Christmann said that health insurance costs will potentially run more than $250,000 over what was budgeted. This is mainly because the state passed 'Timothy's Law," which requires that all health plans provide some mental health coverage. The school board discussed the topic at its meeting on Aug. 20. This represents the majority of the increased cost," reported Grand Island Assistant Superintendent for Finance Loraine Ingrasci. Also at the meeting: •The superintendent's report included a number of items. The custodial staff of the district has received sexual harassment training. This is something that is provided to all staff members, Christmann noted. •Two of the school board members - Richard Little Jr. and Glenn Bobeck - and the superintendent have agreed to become representativesrepresentatives on the town's Economic Advisory Board. They hope to do whatever they can to help improve the economic development of Grand Island. •A decision has been made to have a single list of supplies for middle school students. In the past, there was a generic list that reflected about 80 percent of what a student needed; but parents needed to obtain more items later, based on what team their child SEE STAR, continued on page 2 Linda  Kutzbach PPPtHJ Associate Broker dWJII 628-1719 J-G-II 773-2573.,^^^ >/H§sHf§C Each office inrieperidently ; S. Mofth owned & operated . ■ ;., mWM aiafe umi Hi  ____________ ____________ ____________ __________■ '__________i^____S_Mi___H^______[> Tili-rri^9^x^9^______l___-____~_______~~-____-_™ | ■ Cat! 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