Island Dispatch, 2008-03-28

              ISLAND Dispatch  Niagara IrT'Dfl Fron,*eir YJ Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewistdn-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune www.wnypapers.com For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 V01.64 No. 2 March 28, 2008 20 Pages 773-7676 $1.00 Citizen of the Year Silver Sponsors j page 5 Buh Bye, GI page 7 Ryan Homes page 7 Inside The Dispatch School 8 Sports 13 Classifieds 15 Crossword... 16 i I Service Directory 19 S Picture Page 20 i GI Chamber honors Brindisi The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced that Tony Brindisi will receive the Businessperson of the Year Award at the 42nd annual Citizen of the Year banquet. This year's banquet will be held at the Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort and Conference Center on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m. Channel 4 News Meteorologist Mary Beth Wrobel will return as master of ceremonies.Brindisi is a 1976 graduate of Niagara University and has been a Grand Island businessman for the past 20 years. He was employed by General Motors and Motors Insurance Corp for 12 years in various management positions in Buffalo and New York City; he then was recruited by HSBC as Celebrates 42 years • of honoring Grand Island's finest vice president in national marketing. In 1988, he purchased the Keller Group, a small independent insurance agency, with his closest friend and partner, Bob Fahning. Together, they have acquired 15 other agencies, opening four offices and employing 25 people. The Grand Island office was established with the acquisition of such reputable, agencies as Island Associates, David Stone, Holy Agency, Bob Bonsack and the Ed Phol Agency. Brindisi's community involvement in Grand Island and Niagara Falls includes: •Past president of the Pine Avenue Business Association • Small Business Council Rising Star Award recipient Tony Brindisi Color my world Grand Island Tops Manager Pattie Bianco, far left, presented prizes to the winners of the Island Dispatch Easter Coloring Contest. The winners included, in the 4-6 year age group: Jenna Wilkinson, Brooke Veßost, Lauren Marie Baeumler and Zach Hooton. In the 7-9 year age group: Samantha Violino, Gabriel D'Addario, Samantha Lesinski and Lauren Chadwick. In the 10-12 year age group: Lydia Rodgers, Rochelloe Cataffo, Alyssa Heitman and Victoria Van Norman. Skip Mazen<*er, publisher of the Dispatch, far right, was also on hand for the occasion. Iannello a candidate for State Senate Erie County 10th District Legislator Michele M. lannello, D-Kenmore, will make her official announcement of candidacy for the 61st Senate District on Saturday March 29, at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Kenmore Municipal Building. lannello will announce her intention to seek the Democratic endorsement for the open 61st Senate seat. She also will seek the endorsement from the Independence and the Working Families Party. The 10th District includes Grand Island. "I look forward to an issue-based GIFC welcomes new members for 2008 by Ray Pauley foblk Information Officer Grand Island Fire Co. Grand Island Fire Chief Greg Butcher reports that 12 new members of the fire company were recently voted into the ranks of the GEFC, and represent one of the largest groups of rookies ever ao» cepted. Butcher noted that three of these recruits were elevated from fire cadet status where they proved their worth as future firefighters. He also noted that recruitment and retention of firefighters isrecognized as a paramount priority if the GIFC is to keep pace with a growing community as well as emergency incidents that reached 1,700 calls for the second consecutive year. Ryan Ayers (a former cadet), David Cich Jr., David Dawson, Paul Dhand (former cadet), Nicole Gerber, JRob Justen, Jeanette Martinez, Pat Peri, Pooya Rostami, Michael Scapecchio, Ryan Shea and Don Turner (former cadet) commenced their orientation during February and have entered into an intensive six-month training period, lead instructor John Wenner said. Besides in-house cadet experience, several other rookie recruits have unique backgrounds that will contribute to their overall advancement Dawson has CPR and CFR certifications; Gerber has an extensive first aid and CPR background; Martinez is presently in EMT college training; and Shea is a former firefighter with EMT certification. The Grand Island Fire Company has welcomed 12 new recruits to its ranks. Instructors John Wenner, far left, and Aaron Berry, far right, will work with, from left, Jeanefte Martinez, David Dawson, Nicole Gerber, Rob Justen, Don Turner, Michael Scapecchio, Ryan Ayers and David Cich Jr. The rookie class also includes Paul Dhand, Pat Peri, Pooya Rostami and Ryan Shea. SEEIANNEIJbO, continued on page 19 SEE BRINDISI, continued on page 19 - i» eL UndaKutabach SHBkl ——- Cor"""""""! :-%:v':fS W^wmmm^Mm: m ■ 77312573 Rvii I*offie»se¥fiJoi : Saturday, March 29th @ 2pm |f. -v"J:"| auoMhMBM. f 1 / #l*rW^j .^ree,^mj???0?i. 8 •> www.iindakutibach.com / 7/WeJe I BBgHtefc. rfß«miill jfttflftim " j BBSS! M*fflMJ ". Each Qf&e independently -"•»«■■■»«,__. ®~th%p Q F" HK 1 §„ North owned & operated ""•^"mim— nm,,, l|ll|W Ilf milMl[ * *■/