Island Dispatch, 2008-02-22

              Island Dispatch For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 Niagara Piblications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune www.wnypapers.cont 773-7676 $1.00 V01.63 No. 49 February 22, 2008 20 Pages Eat, Drink, Raise Money page 5 Give Blood page 5 Rotary Students page 8 Inside The Dispatch School 7 Sports 12 Classifieds ...15 Crossword 16 Service Directory 19 Picture Page ..20 Press conference set for this morning State Sen. George Maziarz, R-62nd Disrtict, Newfane, and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt have scheduled a press conference at Grand Island Town Hall to discuss legislation they are proposing that would transfer control of the Niagara section of the Thruway from the New York State Thruway Authority to the State Department of Transportation. The move, if passed by the legislaturelegislature and signed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer, would both remove tolls collected at the Grand Island bridges and make the bridges eligible for federal aid reimbursements, Maziarz said. Maziarz said Rus Thompson of No GI Tolls led the effort on the topic and had pushed for the move. Consequently, Maziarz said he had his senate office's legal staff research the matter and found that transferring control of the Niagara section is legal. "Rus Thompson has done a lot of work on the issue," Maziarz said. The press conference was scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday morning. Maziarz said he thinks he can secure passage of the legislation in the State Senate. Lil Carpenter celebrates 100th birthday at Golden Age Center in grand style Honored by friends and officials at the Golden Age Center Story and photos by Michael J. Owen U.S. Navy Journalist (Ret.) "How's does it feel to be a 100 today? Well, it feels pretty good," said Iillian Carpenter at her 100th birthday party, held at the Grand Island Golden Age Center on Wednesday. Born Feb. 23,1908, in Buffalo, a century of friends turned out to wish lil a very happy birthday in grand style with plenty of laughter, best wishes, balloons and a huge cake; "There's no cake big enough to hold a 100 candles," joked Carpenter as she blew out the candles and thanked everyone for coming. "I didn't know the party was going to be this big. Thank you-all so much" she said with tears of joy. Visitors included Grand Island and state officials, countless friends, family, and "younger" Golden Age Club Seniors. Their most asked question to Lil seemed to be-whafs your secret? "The only secret to staying young is staying active with lots of friends at the Golden Age Center," said Carpenter, a 40-year member of the senior's Golden Age Club. Among many club activities, she especially enjoys playing cards and knitting mittens, hats and scarves for the needy. The center became her second home, especially after her husband, Pete Carpenter, passed away in 1988. "We had many wonderful years together and now the center has become my second home," Lil Carpenter pauses with gratitude in front of the many gifts and cards given to her by other Golden Age Club members during her 100 th birthday party. GI punches ticket for Super Sunday The Grand Island Varsity Hockey team will play Niagara-Vyheatfield for the WNY Club Large School Championship this Sunday, Feb. 24, at 4 p.m. at HSBC Arena. More underage drinking arrests On the heels of charges against 43 alleged underage drinkers at a Grand Island house party on Feb. 10, comes the news of nine more ticketed for the game violation at a separate party. Late Saturday night, deputies from the Erie County Sheriffs Department were called to a house party oh Fast River Road. Two deputies responded to a complaint of a loud party where they encountered nine underage individuals consuming alcohol. Appearance tickets were issued to offenders, and they were scheduled to appear in court on March 5. In addition, the host of the party was charged with unlawful dealing with a child for providing the alcoholic beverages. Deputy nominated for 'America's Most Wanted' award Online votes to choose grand prize winner An Erie County Sheriffs deputy is in the running for an award from the television program "America's Most Wanted" for his actions during a shooting incident on Grand Island in July of 2007. Dep. Thomas Meredith, a West Seneca resident, has been nominated for "America's Most Wanted" AB-Star Contest, which helps give special recqgni- tion to police, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders who dedicate themselves to protecting the public. Meredith, a seven-year veteran of the Erie County Sheriff s Department, responded to a 911 call to find a young woman covered in blood running from a residence and being pursued by an armed assailant The assailant turned the gun on Meredith; the woman screams distracting the assailant long enough for the deputy to pull his weapon and fire, killing the assailant Investigators later found a cache of explosive's, a blow gun, darts, crossbow and martial arts weapons in the suspect's condo in Niagara Falls. Online voting began on Feb. 17. Voters are eligible to vote once a day until April 13. At that time, the eight nominees who have the most votes will be considered finalists and will be profiled on "America's Most Wanted." Through their online votes, the public will choose the grand prize winner. In May, John Walsh will present the 2008 AMW Ail-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Moor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. Finalist votes will run April 17 to May 6. Meredith's honors include the 2007 Buffalo 100 Heroes Award, 2007 Erie County Captains and lieutenants Association Police Officer of the Year, 2007 New Sheriffs Association Deputy of the Year, and 2007 Erie County Sheriffs Deputy of the Year. Meredith has also been nominated for the National Sheriffs Association Award. Dep. Thomas Meredith SEE CARPENTER, continued on page 2 SEE 43, continued on page 2 Every Tuesday andFriday I | u"d^£Sbach Iflß] ' #£ .PST"""! JHH|m<»A''em Poker Nights at Ms*dn&SS *??J™ 191 /•IW»S**I 6. Qg/mt /if *Ac Food Court 0 IPAtlel JtAMM J slkUl KM / -©BJ**/ Kgfao*g'Sfa^l"g-a>_6-3 2131 Grand Island Blvd.' ; $Q25 .Si www.Kndakuhbach.com / ffU**&"**e /