Island Dispatch, 2008-04-04

              ISLAND Dispatch Vol. 64  No. 3 Niagara fn Ml Front'er \J Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewisfon-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune www.wfiypapers.com For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 773-7676 $1.00 20 Pages April 4, 2008 Getting Together page 2 Cracking Down page 3 Congrats page 9 Inside The Dispatch School .' 8 - Business 12 Sports. : 13 ' Classifieds 15 Crossword 16 Sendee Directory... 19 Picture Page '20 Tow truck operator Killed A tow truck operator from Marty's Towing on Baseline Road was killed Wednesday morning at the scene of an accident on the Niagara section of the Thruway. The accident closed all southbound lanes near Exit 15 (Sheridan Drive) on the 1-190 at milepdst 12.3. The lanes remained closed for approximately six hours during the morning rush hour. ■ State Police and emergency crews responded to the scene. Kevin Coffta, 28, of Clarence Center, was on-site preparing to tow a vehicle from the road when he was struck and killed by a sport-utility vehicle driven by a Cheektowaga man. GI is a Safe Stop Grand Island Central School District hosted the Western Chapter of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation, the New York State Police and other police agencies Wednesday as they spread the news of Operation Safe Stop Day, an initiative to warn motorists about the dangers of passing stopped school buses. Officers from multiple police agencies''followed Island buses WednesdayWednesday morning watching for vehicles illegally passing buses, but there were no violations, according to Transportation Director Jack Burns. School Superintendent Robert Christmann called the issue "a real safety concern here, and we need your help" in spreading the message of vehicle safety in regards to children. He said 50,000 times a day, a stopped bus is passed illegally in the U.S. Chief Dennis Rankin of the Erie County Sheriff's Department speaks during a press conference at Sidway Elementary Tuesday as first graders at the school look on. The 13th annual Operation Safe Stop Day focuses on warning the public about illegally passing school buses, (photo by Larry Austin) Iannello throws hat in Senate ring Erie County Legislator 10th District Michele M. lannello, D-Kenmore, officially announced her candidacy for the State Senate in the 61st district Saturday. Standing in front of the Kenmore Municipal Building, citing her local roots, lannello pledged to fight for change. "I want to send a clear message that I will never forget where I came from and where I have hometown values," lannello said. "I want to bring our hometown values to Albany." lannello said real change is needed at the state level and that she intends to work for reform, term limits for legislators, transparency in the budget process and tough ethics rules. "Taxes, health care costs and energy prices are skyrocketing and we are losing high-paying jobs out of this area. What I will bring to the Senate is a proven record of fighting for change and defending the middle class," lannello explained. lannello is in her second term in the Erie County Legislature representing Grand Island. The 61st State Senate District is made up of the towns of Amherst, Clarence, Newstead, Tonawanda, and part of the City of Tonawanda in Erie County and all of Genesee County. The incumbent, Sen. Mary Lou Rath, has decided to retire at the end of her term. Though the senate district lannellolannello seeks to represent stops short of the Island, she is encouraged by her help from local political benefactors. "I have a lot of support from my constituents in Grand Island," lannello said, noting the fundraisers on her behalf from business and professional women. "They respect me for what I've done and they feel it's important to support women in government. I also have the support of the Grand Island Independence Party, who sent a letter of support for me." The Senate is divided almost evenly, with Republicans holding a"6ne-seat advantage, making the campaign one of statewide importance."I believe if we have an endorsed candidate and the party unites behind the one candidate, then the Senate Campaign Committee will be there for us," lannello said. lannello, a Democrat, is seeking the endorsement of the Democratic Party ,as well as the Independence Party and the Working Families Party. , Before entering public service, she was a real estate paralegal and small business owner. Michele lannello announced her candidacy for state senate on Saturday. Computer hacker nabbed by Kathleen Duff Grand Island School Superintendent Robert Christmann told the Board of Education at its March 31 meeting that a student has been arrested for "hacking" the district's computer network and stealing staff passwords. "Because this involves a student," Christmann said, "the details are confidential and cannot be discussed." Christmann did, however, thank School Resource Officer Christopher Pyc, district technology expert Molly Marren, the State Police and other staff and students who worked toward catching me culprit. "We can't appreciate how much time it took to figure this out," Christmann stated. The arrest came after months of intensive investigation with Christmann promising serious consequences when the investigation was complete.The 16-year-old was arrested March 20, according to Trooper Rebecca Gibbons of the New York . State Police, with the assistance of the State Police's computer crimes unit in Batavia. , He gained access to staff user names and passwords, she said. "As far as we know, he didn't use any of them," Gibbons said. . She said the arrest signals to other would-be computer hackers that the issue is a serious incident that would "follow them for the rest of their lives. It's a criminal act" Committee approves 1-190 transfer The New York State Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation Tuesday sponsored by Sen. George Maziarz to transfer jurisdiction of the 1-190 from the New York Thruway Au-. thority to the State Department of Transportation. "With this bill being voted out of committee today, we are on the path to having a floor vote in the Senate and, ultimately, having the Grand Island tolls removed," Maziarz said. Assemblyman Sam Hoyt (D-Grand Island) has sponsored a companion bill in the State Assembly.I -< r, , I 1 IW*%w*<r§2*** I I Undo Kutzbach CMKJI —-. 0b\—-""l C%. >X **' * WWm%9mm%M&ijJ teorat. Broker , fffl» ' 1 ' tllzXisOli) ■Kiaelag*isl™BMBi>s*sfil !S^rondls!andßlvt!- yJH / «,,*«* I 2131 Grand Island Blvd. SQ2S . W& www.lindokutlboch.com / „/Jfa^care /