Island Dispatch, 2008-02-15

              Island Dispatch for Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 Niagara |p"p| frontier \J Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune www.v«mypapers.com Vol. 63 No. 48 20 Pages 773-7676 $1.00 February 15/2008 Thompson Honors Cook page 2 Working for a Cure page 5 Driscoll Picks College page 12 Inside The Dispatch School 8 Sports 12 .Classifieds 14 Crossword 15 Service Directory 19 J Picture Page 20 Relay begins anew by Larry Austin For survivors such as Lisa Dudley, the phrase "fighting the fight," takes on new meaning when the opponent is cancer.Dudley was named the honorary survivor for the 2008 Relay For life and told her story of overcoming breast cancer to Relay team captains at the event's kick-off meeting Tuesday in the Grand Island High School cafeteria. The Relay, now in its sixth year, has raised more than $300,000 for the American Cancer Society during its tenure on GL Dudley named her Relay team "Amazing Grace" after her mother, a three-time cancer survivor. No matter what type cancer or treatment received, everyone touched by cancer is a survivor, Dudley said. "Ican'ttellyouwhatanhonorand privilege it was to me to be asked," Dudley said of being named honorary survivor. Relay co-chair Mary Dunbar-Daluisio said Dudley's story would have an impact on the Relay for years to come. Peter McMahon, co-chairman with Dunbar-Daluisio, noted there are thousands of stories similar to Dudley's and just as touching. (Read her full story in the Feb. 8 Dispatch.) Lisa Dudley received a standing ovation Tuesday at the kick-off meeting to the Relay For Life after telling her story of overcoming breast cancer at age 40. Weather provides no obstacle for book discussion by Alice E. Gerard On Tuesday, with the snow swirling and the roads slippery, approximately 20 readers found their way to the Grand Island Memorial library to participate in a community discussion of 'To Kill a Mockingbird," by Harper Lee. The community discussion, which was organized by the Friends of the Grand Island Memorial Library and local book club members, was a part of the National Endowment for the Arts' nationwide initiative, 'The Big Read." The community discussion was purposely scheduled for a Tuesday, library hours have been increased to include Tuesday evenings until 9 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Lynn Kohovite, library director, said patrons asked for more evening hours. They also asked, "How come you're closed on Fridays? So one of the reasons that we're doing this program is to re-introduce Tuesday nights," he said. . Liz Engl, moderator of the evening's discussion, said the program that occurred at the Gran 4 Island Memorial Library was occurring throughout Erie County. "From what I understand, the Buffalo and Erie County public library system hadn't gotten involved in the 'Big Read' in the past, but they decided to get involved in it this year," Engl said. "Besides our branch, a number of other branches were having book discussions at the library on To Kill a Mockingbird.' Multiple copies of the book were brought to each of the libraries so that people who wanted to get involved in the book discussion would have enough copies so that they could read it" Engl is also the moderator of School district addresses Winter Ball after-party by Kathleen Duff As expected, Grand Island School District Superintendent Robert Christmann spoke to the Board of Education at its regular meeting Monday evening at the high school regarding the 43 young people, ages 16 to 20, who were issued appearance tickets at a. party after the Winter Ball Saturday evening. (See Page 3 oithe Grand Island Pennysaver.) Christmann expressed disappointment that so many Grand Island minors attended a gathering where alcohol was served. High school assistant principal Chris Swiatek confirmed Tuesday afternoon that 18 school athletes were involved in the incident. At the board meeting, Christmann told trustees, "We will follow the process," referring to the district's athletic agreement, which states that any student athlete "must, not attend any social functions where alcohol and/or tobacco are being used by minors or where controlled substances are being used unlawfully by anyone. The athlete must leave the site immediately upon the knowledge of alcohol and/or tobacco used by persons under the age of 21 or unlawful use of controlled substances by anyone." Athletes sign these training rules before participation in a sport, and the rules remain in effect for the entire school year. Discipline is invoked on a "3-strike" basis with increasing suspension penalties for first, second and third offenses. Christmann went on to say that "A lot of work has to be done. Athletic suspensions will happen right now...We have some students who have gone through their 3 strikes...l'd like to think we're being successful (regarding curbing underage drinking and substance abuse), but right now, I don't think so." The school district is in the Presidents day As our naHon celebrates the upcoming President's Day, local past presidents of Grand Island's Golden Age Club were also honored this week for their hard work and dedication in supporting seniors and various volunteer activities over the years. Pictured is current President Nonnie Carroll, serving her second term, with surviving past presidents (not in order) Joan Raab, John Roberts, Dorothy Lew, Maisie Dommell, Gloria Diringer and Hank Carroll at Wednesday's luncheon at the NIKE Base Golden Age Center, (photo by Michael J. Owen, U.S. Navy journalist, ret.) SEE BUDGET, continued on page 2 SEE TO KILL, continued on page 7 SEE GRAND, continued on page 13 COMING SOON: ■*—■ ifc'— • •■ *■■■ Au\t' ''UuiLiiiha Look for Corporate Bowl pictures in the next two issues of the Grand Island Dispatch. , . . jam*. Every Tuesday aiid bndaKgbriKKh O/fSgsr t^CT^ HB&kHoM'mn Poker Nights at llf you are thmkmg of buyrng or selling |M| 628-1719 lElf /tf&ahftftl |®llil|fi.'<?<?»iw/»fii«Foo<f€:©«lrf .# I fliere is no feeffef time fhon now/ j < ,-, gj| 773-2573 . / .£Sf<lfihnl VJ , ... ~ - . j. „ R 2423 Grand Island Blvd. BF Jff| # '°™ MOtea * f Oh Thursday Nights Enjoy ■ 1 ~>.-»-, Ifjllii / *!/>»#. I ijwwiwuiiiiki ■■iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMMii«piwp>aw'Mif«.. . i www.iinaaicirtzßaen.com of+Lear~e s * • \\ II Each office independent - , '"V0 Q F \ \\ Norttl owned s operated M*4nNNnwaMm^WMMHMHw«MjL^^^ i \ wg ' "■'"■'"■iimi™™ i < » »ii