Island Dispatch, 2007-11-23

              ISLAND DISPATCH V01.63 No. 36  November 23, 2007  20 Pages  Pius 8-page Christmas in the Village section  773-7676  $1.00 S Niagara Frontier Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheaffield Tribune www.wnypapers.com For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 Ribbon-cutting page 3 Meet Robby Goo page 9 Congrats page 14 Coalition announces march to protest toll increases A coalition of the group No GI Tolls and the Niagara Falls community group LaSalle Pride plan to join forces in a fight to end New York Thruway Authority tolls. LaSalle Pride and No GI Tolls held a press conference Wednesday and announced plans for a protest march across the North Grand Island Bridge. The groups plan to meet at Buffalo Avenue and 63rd Street in Niagara Falls for a protest demonstration at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, followed by a march. Grand Islander Rus Thompson of No GI Tolls repeated his call for an audit of the Thruway Authority in light of plans by the Authority to raise tolls. "Gov. Spitzer was in town Monday and he claims that there is noth- ing he can do about the toll increase except try to keep it to a minimum," Thompson wrote in an e-mail to the media. "Once again, they are either not hearing us or he is bowing to the Thruway Authority. It has come to a time for real citizen action and a protest." "If there was ever a time to show frustrationfrustration toward the Thruway Authority and the tolls, it is now," said Thompson. "Let's be there in force." The groups have invited local, county and state elected leaders to the protest rally and walk, according to Walter Kendzia, spokesperson for LaSalle Pride. "We have collected over 1,000 signatures for the removal of the toll barriers and plan to deliver them to our state representatives this Saturday," Kendzia said. "We are proud to join with LaSalle Pride in the fight against the toll increase and for the removal of the toll barriers," said Thompson. "Our Web site has received 6,500 signatures supporting the removal of the toll barriers. We will also file our petitions with the state officials present on Saturday." On-line petitions are available at noGltolls.com.Developer Carl Paladino is expected to speak at Saturday's rally. Paladino pushed for removal of two toll barriers in Buffalo at Breckenridge and South Ogden streets. Rus Thompson Dude, who is that? Some passersby on Whitehaven Road have been left wondering jus! who or what is that in front of our newspaper office. The answer: Horatio Newsflash, Niagara Frontier Publication's entry in the recent scarecrow contest run by the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce. Horatio returned to the Island after an extended stay on Center Street in the Village of Lewiston. He resides now in front of NFP's offices at 1859 Whitehaven Road. District to research home-schooler participation by Kathleen Duff The Grand Island Board of Education will receive a report about home-schooled students and their ability to take part in extracurricluar activities with GI students. During the Voice of the People part of the agenda of Monday evening's meeting in the fitness room at Charlotte Sidway Elementary, two parents whose children are home-schooled, RJ Wing and Bryce Shipman, spoke about their desire to have their children participate in the districf s extracurricular activities. Wing indicated that the state Education Department does allow for this and that the Lewiston-Porter and Cheektowaga school districts have home-schooled students participating in sports, clubs, etc. Shipman said that "Home-schooling is a good, viable process," and that, in his experience, students "move in and out of the school districts" with no problems. Addressing the home-school issue in his Superintendent's Report- Robert Christmann stated that he would "do some homework on other districts" and would have a report back to the parents and to the board in 30 to 45 days. Also reporting to the board was Carl Guidotti, assistant principal of Veronica Connor Middle School, and Mary Howard, teaching assistantassistant Guidotti and Howard had made a presentation at the New York State Showcase of Schools on Nov. 9 at Erie 1 BOCES and were awarded a plaque for the Middle School's implementation of Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS). Over the past few years, middle school and elementary students have become familiar with the "Viking Values" of "Be responsible. Be respectful. Be safe." The values are the centerpiece of a school discipline program which aims to reinforce good student behavior. In other business, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Loraine Ingrasci told the board that the second lowest bid was accepted for the planned Huth Road playground renovation. The bid, in the amount of $27,897.87, was accepted instead of a slightly lower bid from another construction company because the first bid did not match the specifications sent out Funds for the playground are coming from grant monies, PTA fundraising efforts and a $4,000 contribution from the Grand Island Rotary Club. Ingrasci also reported that all work on the High School and Middle School roofs is complete, but there is a problem between the bonding company and the roofing company regarding the warranty on the High School roof. The roofingroofing company argues that the 10 years began with the application of the roof membrane three years ago, but the bonding company maintains it begins now with die completion of the work. The two companies will be settling the issue in court. Ingrasci added that work is going forward on the district-wide phone and heating systems. Another item of interest Christmann addressed was the January Regents week at the High School. Traditionally, high school students who are nottaking mid-year Regents exams have 4 to 5 days off. Christmann would like to see in-house or local exams also given at that time and practice exams for social studies and science administered. For the 2008-2009 school year, teachers may be using those days for extra instructional time. Regarding recent vandalism at the Ransom Road athletic fields, the superintendent stated that "bills are being prepared for parents" of the vandals who recently drove vehicles over the fields. He also informed trustees that volunteer "off-duty sheriffs on ATVs and snowmobiles will patrol the grounds and can arrest" anyone found tearing up the fields. Christmann addressed the government class students attending the meeting and told them to "spread the word" to classmates. In addition, Christmann commended students, teachers and volunteers who participated in the recent Kids' Vote. Each November, the schools hold a mock vote in concert with the actual local, state and federal elections. This year Grand Island had the third highest turnout in Western New York with 2,310 votes cast. As a final item of public business, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of seventh grade social studies teacher Michael Zuch effective Sept. 4, 2007. Zuch had been arrested earlier in the year for attempted endangering the welfare of a child and was on paid leave. The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 10, at William Kaegebein Elementary.Linda LJjliiiJ § . Kutzbach pß™V| < Associate Broker Ljy>S *fr 8 E . 628-1719 8.4i ' 773-2573 Jf^Bl! ' ■ / shl<iff,Li»«* I' ' i / $™"t*keesre # ~ i-*^Kth* other i / " J Each office mdepender,* , s North owned. operated ■' "■  < i inandiu9okinski@yahoo.com I